You guys are just so great with the reviews. Yeah, I did feel bad for Derek but then I remembered S2 and forgot about it. Addison is still mad and feels like being Satan for a while. :)

So, good news, another update. Bad news - I'll be on vacation for a week so no update until maybe the end of next week.

Thanks to Suz for the beta.

Disclaimer: Grey's still not mine. No infringement intended.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Addison and Savvy spent the following days decorating the new apartment and exploring Seattle when Addison felt like it and if weather permitted. Addison's injury made their excursions a bit harder but it didn't stop them from their fun. Derek became a casual observer but at times he joined their trips uninvited. The two women tolerated his presence or more precisely Savvy tolerated his presence while Addison didn't seem to care one way or another.

The same case happened during times at the apartment. After every shift, Derek would come over and sometimes cook for the ladies. He would be there almost every day but he would never stay for the night. Whenever he had overstayed his welcome, Savvy would make hints for him to leave. Although in the last few days it seemed Savvy had slipped and forgot to make her hints or it seemed that she was opening a window of opportunity for Derek. Naturally, he'd take the opportunity and sleep on the couch. But throughout all of these things, Addison barely acknowledged him and only talked to him indirectly.

Derek chalked Addison's silence to not being ready yet to talk to him and he confidently believed that when Savvy leaves, they would be able to start working on their marriage together.

x x x

By the end of 2 weeks, Addison's cast and stitches were removed. Walking without the cast was a welcomed change and took a few minutes getting used to. Callie had again advised to take it easy and banned the older woman from wearing her trademark heels for a fortnight. Addison playfully scowled at the ortho doctor and grudgingly agreed when Callie threatened to take the matter up to the Chief.

Richard on the other hand was smiling smugly when Miranda Bailey took out Addison's stitches. It was a pretty good stitching job and only left an angry red line that would, in time, fade to a barely-there scar. Even Addison had to admit that Richard's suture was superb given the circumstances.

After getting checked on, Addison asked Richard to be put back to work immediately. The Chief of Surgery was skeptical at first but soon gave in and told his prized attending that she can return to work the following Monday. Addison was ecstatic with the news and hugged her mentor and surrogate father warmly.

As Addison and Savvy were about to leave the hospital, Derek intercepted them. He was called in for an emergency surgery and had missed Addison's appointment. He smiled when he saw his wife walking without a cast on and came over to hug and kiss her. Addison reluctantly accepted the hug but moved her face before Derek's lips reached hers. Derek's kiss landed on her cheek but he didn't seem to mind at all.

"Hey" He greeted the two women with a smile. "This is great, babe. The crutches are gone." Addison gave him a small smile. "So, do you guys have plans?"

"We were about to hit the mall 'coz somebody here is banned from wearing heels and wanted to re-work her wardrobe." Savvy teasingly said.

"Well, I don't exactly own a skirt that goes well with flats. And I don't think I own flats for that matter." Addison defended herself.

Derek just watched the banter between the two before interrupting, "Before you guys go and do your shopping rampage, I'd like to show something to Addison, if you guys, don't mind. It's at the apartment." He was still hurt that Addison didn't want to live with him but had accepted the fact and made note that it would be one of the items they would work on in getting their marriage on track.

When they arrived at the apartment complex, Derek directed his vehicle towards Addison's designated parking spot but the space was already occupied. He killed the engine and motioned for his passengers to get off the car. A new black BMW X5 occupied the parking space and Derek motioned to it and said, "Surprise!"

"You bought Addison a car!" exclaimed Savvy when her shock wore off. Addison was also shocked but said nothing.

"It's not just a car, Savvy. It's one of the safest SUVs in the market today." Derek replied. "How do you like it, babe? Although, I'm requesting Richard for our shifts to match when you get back to work so that we'd go in together, a car of your own wouldn't hurt when you get called in and I'm not available to drive you. But as much as possible, I want to be the one to drive you anywhere especially with 3am emergencies. I want you to be always safe when on the road."

Derek just brought her a car. Addison could not believe it. Actually, it was not the actual car that shocked her. It was the thoughtfulness surrounding the act. Derek just bought her an expensive but, according to industry standards, safe sports utility vehicle because he didn't want a repeat of the accident. Though she knew that accidents do happen and you could only do so much to avoid it, the fact that Derek had her welfare in mind touched something inside Addison.

For the first time since prom, Addison flashed her husband a small but genuine smile.

x x x

Addison returned to work the following Monday. Derek picked her up at the apartment and took her to breakfast before logging in for their shifts. The conversation over breakfast was mostly one sided. Addison wished Derek would just hurry up so they'd get to the hospital sooner but he took his time and tried to coax his wife into a conversation. He almost wished Savvy was still there with them. At least then, he would hear a few more words than the slight nodding of her head or if he was lucky the mundane 'uhuhs'.

But Savvy went back home to Manhattan the weekend before and promised to be back in Seattle if Addison ever needed her. She also sent a warning to Derek that she could easily convince his wife to leave him and kick his ass if he blew out this chance. Derek assured their friend that there wouldn't be any need for ass kicking since he was determined to make their marriage work.

In her first week back, Richard ordered Addison to just consult in cases. He wouldn't allow her near any OR and the closest thing Addison came to any action was by doing scuts in the ER willingly. Her husband had been supportive throughout without actually being suffocating. He brought her lunch and on one or two occasions, Derek brought Addison to a spot in Seattle with cute viewfinders, complete with a brown bagged lunch.

By the second week, Addison had enough of Richard's constant hovering and demanded to be allowed in the OR. Her first surgery coming back was a routine C-section. Derek had cleared his schedule to watch Addison in the OR. He brought her good luck juju ahead of the surgery and even accompanied his wife in the scrub area and helped tie her scrub cap. When Addison looked up at the gallery during the C-section, Derek met her gaze with a smile.

Derek's constant attention and care paid off. By the end of her second week back, Addison left a spare key to her apartment in his locker.

I thought giving Derek a key was too early but Addison took pity on him.