Wow. I can't believe it. This is the end. It feels like such a long time ago I started this fic... but I seriously hope you like the end and... it was all in the votes. I have to admit, at certain times I was rooting for Derek and at others for Alex. But in the end, I agree with the votes. I feel like this is the choice Addison would have made. Sorry to the people who supported the guy who didn't get picked though...

Hope you enjoy the last chapter. There might even be an epilogue... we'll see!

Don't own them.

CHAPTER 11

Addison groans when there's a knock on her hotel room door, fairly sure that it's Derek, there to pressure her again. She lifts a brow when she notices Alex standing there, her heart beating a bit faster at once.

"Alex?"
"I love you."

"What?"

She takes a step back, her wide eyes fixated on his face and he groans.

"I had a speech. I planned a whole speech and… I just blew it all."

Addison smiles, opening the door a bit wider.

"You want to come in?"

"I… yeah. Yeah I do."

He flashes her a nervous smile, following her inside and sitting down on the sofa uncomfortable. She sits down next to him, looking at him earnestly.

"So… Can I hear it?"

"Hear what?"

"The speech you planned."

He thinks for a minute before shaking his head.

"No."

"No?"

"No. Because… planning something like this is stupid. Planning makes it all fake and put together to achieve a goal and… I'm not trying to achieve anything here, Addison. I never thought that I'd fall in love with you. I never thought I'd even have a chance with someone like you, not ever. There are things in my past, things happened and it scared me to love. Prevented me to love. I built this wall around me and I swore I'd never let anyone in. Then you came along and for the first time in my life… I wanted to let someone in. You just… broke down every barrier I had put there to protect my heart and… You learnt me what love is about, Addie."

"Alex…"
"If you choose Shepherd… If he's the one who makes you happy… then he's the one I want you to be with."
"Alex?"

"Because… as much as I want to be with you, as much as I want to be the one to make you happy… if it's him I'll accept him. I don't like him. I think he's an ass. But if being with him makes you happy… that's all I want Addison. For you to be happy."

There's nothing she can say. No words jump to mind, no witty comeback. Nothing. She can't do anything but lean up and kiss him like the world is ending tomorrow.

"Derek?"

Derek turns around when he hears the whiny voice behind him, slowly turning to face Meredith.

"Dr. Grey."

She looks like he's just slapped her, taking a step back.

"Dr. Shepherd. I just… Dr. Bailey is looking for you."

He can't help but feel at least a little guilty for hurting her, so he sighs, looking at him earnestly.

"Meredith… wait?"

She turns, facing him, her expression unreadable.

"What?"

"I… I'm sorry. For hurting you."

"Hurting me? Which time are we talking about here? The time your wife turned up out of the blue? Or the time you picked her? Or what about the time you slept with me and then picked her over me again?"

"I'm sorry for everything."

"Do you know what you should be sorry for? Coming here in the first place!"

She storms away and Derek sighs, running his hands through his hair. He bumps into George O'Malley on the way and instead of greeting him, the intern simply glares at him sullenly.

"O'Malley?"

"Yes, Dr Shepherd?"

"I… Are you… have you seen my wife?"

George lifts a brow, smirking.
"No, Dr. Shepherd. I haven't seen Dr. Montgomery."

Derek notices the emphasis put on Montgomery and purses his lips.

"Thank you, Dr. O'Malley. Have you seen Karev?"

"Yeah… Earlier. He was on his way to tell someone that he loves her."

"Excuse me?"
Derek glares at George angrily and the intern shrugs.

"Just telling you what I know, Dr Shepherd."

"Addison… wait…"
It takes all Alex's self control to find the courage to slowly push Addison away from him slightly, his breath jagged.

She looks at him with a slight frown, her eyes dark with emotion.

"Why?"
"I can't do this tonight."

"Alex…"
"No. It's not fair, not to anyone and…"
"Alex, I've made my choice…"

"And I get that you're in a difficult situation and I know this is a hard choice to make and all, but I just feel that we have to wait until you've made that choice. Obviously I want to do this because you might choose Shepherd and…"

"I choose you."
"I get that you loved him and that he was a part of your life for long and… what?"

Addison smiles, softly caressing his cheek.

"I choose you. I love… you."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm sure."

"Is it because I told you that I love you?"

Addison smiles, slowly shaking her head.

"No. It's because I love you."

She kisses him again and they both look up when there is another knock on the door. Addison slowly opens it, sighing when she sees Derek standing in front of her silently.

"Derek…"

"I need you to make a choice, Addison. I want to be with you. I love you and I want you in my life."

"Derek…"

He leans his hand against her cheek, looking at her dreamily.

"We're good together, Addison. We belong together."

"I…"
"You make me happy."
Addison sighs, tears forming in her eyes.

"But you don't make me happy, Derek. I guess… you did. Once upon a time. But lately… everything is about you, Derek. It's always about you. You don't love me."

"I do! Addison…"
"You want me. But… you don't love me like I need to be loved. Like I deserve to be loved. And I… Derek, a part of me will always love you. But that's not enough."

"You… you're choosing Karev?"

"I'm sorry, Derek. I really am, but… Alex… I love him. And he makes me happy."

Derek nods slowly, tears forming in his eyes and Addison sighs, reaching out for his hand.

"Derek…"

"It's okay. You…"

He takes a deep breath, resting his hand against her cheek.

"You deserve to be happy, Addie. And for what it's worth… I wouldn't have chosen me either. I really… screwed up and… you deserve better."

"Thank you."

"I really hope… he makes you happy."

"Thanks."

He hugs her closely, allowing himself to take in her scent for one last time before he walks on and away out of her life… forever.

Alex looks at Addison seriously when she comes back in, concern etched on his face.

"Should I go? I mean... if you need time on your own..."

She shakes her head, crawling into his arms and resting her head on his chest. Alex wraps his arms around her, closing his eyes and taking in the scent of her hair.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm great. Everything is... the way it should be."
She looks up at him, resting her lips against his for a few seconds.
"Everything is perfect. I love you, Alex Karev."

"I love you too, Addison. So much."

They kiss again and Alex pulls away after a while, looking at her like she is the only woman in the world.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Giving me a chance to love you."

"Thank you for asking for one."
They share a sweet smile, before their lips meet again in a kiss, filled with more than passion. Filled with more than love. Filled with a promise of forever.