I know I am simply horrible for not updating in so long! But I blame it on a very busy time at uni and a wonderful love life... But anyway, here is the next part. Hope you like and if you haven't already voted in the poll about who Addison should end up... go take a look at it. Yours might be the deciding vote.

Anyway. I own nothing. Here goes.

CHAPTER 9

"Addie…"

Addison groans, pointedly staring at the food in front of her and Bailey sighs, looking at Derek.

"Shepherd. Leave."

"Miranda, I just want to talk to her."
"Does she look like she wants to talk to you? You made a fool out of yourself and her. Did you really think she was going to be pleased with what you and Karev did?"

"Look, Richard's already given us the talk. I do not need it from you too!"

"Excuse me? Who you think you're talking to, Shepherd?"
"Do I need to remind you that technically… I am your boss?"

"Yes. But I'm Addison's friend and I won't have you screwing around with my friend. Despite the fact that… technically… you are my boss."

"Look, Dr Bailey, I didn't mean to offend you or anything… but this is none of your business."

Miranda glares at the older surgeon and Addison suddenly looks up, a deathly emptiness in her eyes.

"That's enough, Derek."

"Addie…"
"Don't Addie me. Just… leave me alone."

"How do I do this, George? How do I make up to her?"

"I don't know, Alex. You really screwed up."
Alex sighs, burying his face in his hands.

"You think I don't know that?"

"Sorry… Look, I can talk to Callie if you want me to? Ask her if she has any ideas…"

"No, she's Addison's friend. She'd want me to stay away from her and I don't blame her one bit. If I was her friend I'd also want me to stay away from her, you know?"

"No."

"No?"

"I don't get what you're saying."
Alex rolls his eyes, sighing.

"I'm saying that… if Izzie was in this situation, if a guy treated her like Derek and I are treating Addison… I wouldn't want him near her."

"So there's your answer."

"What are you talking about, O'Malley?"

"Treat her like you'd want a guy to treat one of your friends. Like Izzie."

"So… I have to be a good guy?"

"Is she worth it?"

"She really is."

"You're falling for her, aren't you?"

Alex stares out in front of him, nodding slowly.
"I am."

"Hi. I'd like to order a bouquet… Roses, I think… Something that says… I'm sorry I messed up and you're the love of my life. That sounds perfect. Thank you so much… Yeah. Seattle Grace Hospital. Addison Montgomery. Thank you."

Derek grins, waiting a few seconds before dialling another number.

"Hi, I'd like to talk about you about a gorgeous evening dress I saw in your shop… I'm not sure, it was a backless Armani dress. Green. Yes, I'll hold…"

"Seriously, Miranda. I'm done with both of them. I don't even care what they do anymore. I honestly just don't care."

Addison enters the elevator confidently, waiting for Bailey to join her.

Bailey steps on, looking at the redhead knowingly.

"Addison."

"What?"
"We both know that you really do care what those two fools do."

"I don't want to care, Miranda."

"But you do."

"Yeah…"

"Look, Addison… I can't condone what those boys are doing, but what you're doing is stringing them both along. And that's not fair to anyone involved."

"Do you really think this is what I want, Miranda? I… am going out of my mind, trying to figure out what I want, what's best for all of us and… I don't know, okay? For the first time in my life, I am completely clueless about something and on top of that, I can't sleep in my one bed. I toss around wanting to be with either Derek or Alex, only I don't know which one it is. So please. Stop telling me what I'm doing wrong. Because I know. And I'm trying. I'm really trying."

"Okay."

Addison looks at Miranda with a small frown, surprised by the woman's demure response.

"Okay?"

"Okay."

"Thanks, Miranda…"
"Anytime…"

"Hi, this is Derek Shepherd. I'd like to make a reservation for two… tonight at eight. Thank you very much. Bye."

Derek puts the phone down, grinning brightly.

He was taking out all the stops.

And she was worth it.

"Karev."

Alex groans when he hears Derek's cheerful voice behind him, not even bothering to turn.

"What?"

"Are you on call tonight?"

"No."

"Well you are now. I need you to stay here and monitor Mr Jenkins."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah."

"Fine. Whatever."

"Great. Oh and if there are any problems, I need you to page Dr Marx. Addison and I are going out and I'm not taking my pager."

Alex finally spins around, facing Derek.

"You're lying."
"I'm not that immature."

"She wouldn't go out with you. Not tonight."

"She would and she is. See you later, Karev."

He practically swirls out of the room and Alex growls, wanting nothing more than to slam his fist into the wall with all his might.

But he doesn't. Instead, he returns his attention to the chart in front of him, simply focusing on breathing.