Yodel people! I apologise for any mistakes in this chapter that I may have missed, I've just proof read it but I'm soooo tired I probably didn't do it well, but I wanted to get this chapter up before bed. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy it. And as always, thank you so so much for your wonderful reviews. Much love :)
"So you guys really think I can do this? I can win?" Karev asked as he carefully inserted the breathing tube into the child's throat, briefly looking up to check the anesthetic was still keeping the boy under.
"Absolutely." Addison replied from the other side of the patient. Since they were only doing an adenoid removal – a basic and common surgery, she was only really there to observe. And this did not necessarily refer to the patient. Her gaze travelled upwards to Arizona, who's blue eyes reflected back at her, shining fondly. She looked down shyly, feeling a smile creep on the corners of her mouth.
"The Chief hasn't said anything yet?" Alex asked, this time directing his question at Arizona. She shook her head. "Nope, not yet. But trust me Karev, you'll walk away with it. You're hardcore."
He smiled at her. "Thanks, I hope so." Not taking his eyes off the patient, he held out a hand. "Could you pass me the curette?" Both women responded, going for the surgical tray at the same time, their hands touched briefly. They both muttered apologies with small awkward giggles, before Arizona took the little spoon shaped tool and handed it to Karev, who appeared not to have noticed. Still concentrating on the small boy.
Arizona glanced back at the red head who wasn't looking at her, but she could see her eyes were crinkled, giving away the grin under her mask.
They let the surgery continue like this, with minimal interference on Karev's part, allowing him to take the lead; providing them with the opportunity to stare at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. More often than not, they both got caught out, and this was followed by a series of blushing, girlish giggles and general bashful behaviour. Although Addison felt about twelve years old, she couldn't help it. She was elated. For the first time in months she'd woken with a smile on her face, one that had continued for the rest of the morning. Her facial muscles hurt from overuse, but she didn't care. She was pretty much walking on air. Much of the staff had noticed, and she would flash a big grin at all of them in passing, gleeful at the confused expressions that followed. She'd practically skipped to the OR this morning, feeling refreshed and positive.
Eventually, Karev finished, and after hovering around until all the other staff had left, Arizona entered the scrub room, finding a Cheshire cat Addison waiting there for her.
"Hey." Arizona couldn't keep her own smile in check as it widened at the sight of the red head.
"Hey yourself." Addison replied, walking slowly towards her. She wrapped her arms around Arizona's neck, and the blonde pulled her in by her hips.
"How are you?" She asked softly as their noses brushed together.
Addison gave a gentle chuckle. "I'm great. I'm more than great." She planted a tender kiss on Arizona's lips. "I'm fantastic."
"Mmm." The blonde agreed into Addison's mouth. She moved a hand up to cup Addison's face. "Me too." She began running her thumb over the red heads cheek in light circles.
"So, when do you think you're gunna tell him?"
Addison leant her face into the hand. "As soon as I can. I haven't seen him yet. He wasn't there when I got home." She frowned slightly. "Or this morning."
"Well you make sure you find him." Arizona said, and her other hand reached up. "Because then, I can kiss you properly." She joked, leaning upwards and giving her fellow attending a playful kiss on the nose. She laughed.
"Trust me, I want it as much as you do." She paused. "Just, do me a favour? Please don't tell anyone until I've done it.. Even Teddy."
"I wont. Promise." the blonde replied, and kissed her cheek. They separated, and made their way out, still grinning like morons. Both of them on cloud 9 and neither planning on coming down any time soon.
Miranda Bailey popped her little boy back down in the day care centre, having just spent her morning break with him. Handing him his beloved action man figurine, she crouched to his level.
"Now you be a good boy today lil' Tuck, Mommy will see you later okay?" She ruffled his hair. "I love you!" Before standing, nodding her regards to the carer, she left. Heading for the board. She scanned across til she found her name, sucking on her teeth as she went. Her train of thought was broken by the sound of tuneful whistling, and Addison Montgomery strode bouncily round the corner, coming to a stop in front of the board, she shoved her hands in her pockets as she too scanned her surgeries.
"Good morning Miranda!" She trilled in between her tune, and Bailey looked up at her, with that famous stare that only Bailey could give. Addison didn't notice for a while, til she looked down and her whistling adruptly faded into an uncertain puff of air.
"What?"
Bailey cocked an eyebrow. "You're whistling."
Addison tilted her head. "I am... I Was."
"You're whistling a... jaunty tune."
Addison's mouth pulled up into a lopsided smile as she regarded the shorter woman.
"Yes, it was jaunty. It was very very jaunty. Is it a crime to be happy in this place?"
"Ha!" Bailey exclaimed loudly, pointing an accusatory finger in Addison's face. "You're happy! Which is different to lately.. So clearly, something has happened to make this drastic – but desperately needed – change. What's happened?"
Addison rolled her eyes. "Nothing." She breezed. "I'm just happy."
really happy.
Bailey's eyes narrowed and her lips pursed. "Does this have something to do with Shepherd? Cos you guys had better be staying away from the on call rooms – especially as I'll be using them today." Addison raised her eyebrows, Bailey scowled. "For sleep. It's bad enough with those damn interns who, it would seem, are not able to.. control themselves for more than twenty minutes, and don't even get me started on the residents! I'm telling you now, if I find a single trace of 'evidence' in any of those rooms, I will know who to-"
"Miranda." Addison cut through Bailey's rant before she got carried away. She placed two hands on her friends shoulders.
"I am happy." She said slowly. "Happy. Happy does not equal horny."
Bailey snorted with derision.
"It sure does in this hospital."
Addison thought for a moment. "Yeah I'll agree on that one."
"Chyuh." Bailey grunted and turned away, leaning against the board. "I'm just glad it's looking better for you. Marriage should always be... Fought for, no matter what the circumstances." She stared off into thin air, clearly lost in some memory.
Addison shifted uncomfortably. "Sometimes you can lose a fight."
Bailey snapped out of her daydream and looked up at her. "But that's not the end of it. Marriage can be one fight, it can be two, it can be a hundred. The important thing is that you keep fighting. You remember what you're fighting for, and you don't let that go. Not even for a second." She patted Addison's shoulder warmly. "Like I said, I'm glad it's looking better." Addison swallowed.
Bailey smiled and left, and after a moment she turned the corner and Addison heard her voice echo off the corridor walls as she bellowed at someone. Back in Nazi mode. Addison took a moment to think, Bailey's words bounced around her brain. But then she pictured Arizona and shook her head free of the speech. She inhaled deeply, straightened her blouse, and walked away, heading for the cafeteria to search for Derek.
It turned out Derek wasn't in the cafeteria, but Lexie Grey was. Addison knew Lexie viewed Derek as an older brother, and from spending a fair amount of time with him, they had become good friends. Thus Addison deemed she would be the most reliable – besides Meredith – in locating his whereabouts.
She approached the girl at the dessert section, tapping her lightly on the shoulder. She spun round, muffin in hand.
"Oh, Dr Montgomery! Sorry, did you want this?" She held up the muffin, an apologetic look on her face. "I took the last one."
Addison smiled and kindly rejected the cake. She liked Lexie, the girl was actually one of her favourite residents. She had a genuinely good heart, and wasn't as awkward, difficult or arrogant as most of the others. But she was also very loyal, and it was for that reason Addison knew a decent friendship with her was unlikely, as she appeared to place family in high regard.
Shame.
"I was actually looking for Derek, have you seen him?"
Lexie's face clouded over at her words.
"Oh.. Of course. He's outside I think.. I haven't checked on him in a while though.. I hope.. Well..In fact, he should have this." She handed the muffin over. "Just tell him it's from me and I'm here if he needs.. Well you know, just give it to him."
Addison frowned as she took it. Lexie nodded sadly and walked away, over to a table where Mark had saved her a space.
"Erm.. Okay, thanks." She called to the brunettes retreating back. As she did, she caught Mark's eye. He gave her a smile that didn't touch his eyes. Her frown deepened. Something was going on here.
Her pace quickened slightly as she left the cafeteria. She swung open the main hospital doors, squinting as the sun hit her eyes. Shielding them with her hand she looked around until she spotted him. Sat hunched over, head in his hands.
Uh oh.
"Derek?" She approached hesitantly. He slowly turned to look at her with blotchy eyes, red and puffy.
"Amelia." He sniffed. "She overdosed... She's.. She's stable but she.. She.." His words failed him and he let out a choked sob.
A wave of sadness hit her. She'd always had a good relationship with Amelia Shepherd, they used to be extremely close, and there was a time when they thought of each other as sisters. She hadn't seen the girl in over two years, but always assumed she was still working in L.A. She thought she was past it now, she thought the rehab was successful. Apparently not. She took a seat next to Derek, and put an arm round him, surprised when he accepted it, even more surprised when he leaned into her and continued to cry silently. She rested her head on top of his and stroked his back, letting him have the moment he desperately needed. After a while, he sat up, sniffed, and wiped his face with his hands, seemingly composing himself.
"I'm sorry." He said throatily. "I just needed a minute. I know I act like I don't care but.. She's my sister.. I.."
Addison put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and again he stopped speaking. His state was worrying to her, she had never seen him this fragile before. A small selfish part of her brain suddenly reminded her of why she had come to find him in the first place, but she quickly chased the thought away. Knowing full well there was no way she could do it now. She couldn't be that cruel. He needed someone, and if that someone had to be her then so be it.
They continued to sit in silence for a while, until she heard his faint murmur. "Thank you. I'm glad you're here." Her chest tightened at his words. Guilt was starting to become a familiar feeling.
Eleanor Striden hummed to herself as she flipped through Teddy's charts for the day, not really taking any of it in. she kept slipping into daydream, and a coy smile tugged at her lips as she re-visited the previous night. She hadn't yet had the chance to discuss it with Teddy, though she'd been aching to give the attending a blow by blow account all morning, and was hoping for the chance to maybe probe some more details from her, wanting to know as much about the head of peds as possible. At that moment, she spotted the attending in question to her right, her nose in some paperwork as she walked.
Ellie thought for a moment, then dumped the charts on the reception desk and followed the blonde. Skipping lightly in front of her, she turned to face her, and Arizona, still engrossed in her notes, almost crashed into the other woman.
"Whoa! Sorry abou- oh, Ellie! Hey!" She exclaimed, her throat going dry.
"Hi." The brunette gave her a sexy smile, before leaning in. Arizona backed up.
"Whoa whoa! What're you.. err whatcha doing there?" She laughed nervously.
"What? Can't I kiss my girlfriend in public?" Ellie said teasingly, and Arizona clutched the papersto her chest like a boa constrictor.
Girlfriend?!
"I err.. We.. Your girl – your girlfriend?" She stammered. "You mean like a girl, who's a friend right? Right?"
Ellie laughed breezily. "You are so cute! Noooo, you know what I mean." She pushed her playfully.
"I don't think.. We've had like, one date.. I think it's.."
Ellie titled her head and raised a sceptical eyebrow. "Hun, I'm pretty sure what we did last night makes up for that fact. I'd hardly call it a 'one date' event, would you?"
Arizona opened her mouth like a goldfish, and closed it again while she struggled desperately with how to handle this. She knew she couldn't tell her about Addison, because she'd promised she wouldn't until Derek was out the picture, but equally she didn't want to hurt this woman by pretending to have interest, yet she sure as hell couldn't let her think they were a couple.. Could she say she'd met someone else? No.. She'd literally only dated Ellie the night before, slept with her then returned to the bar.. There was no way that provided an adequate time span to meet someone.. Ellie would never believe it, and would most probably take great offence. Could she tell her she wasn't interested? No, she'd slept with her, and she was the one who'd initiated it. It served her right for using the poor girl. She at least deserved the truth... So maybe she could just tell her about Addison but not say her name? No.. Ellie would tell Teddy, who would most likely react badly.. Could she just tell her anyway? Had Addison done it yet? She couldn't take that chance.. The problems conflicted in her head and got all muddled as she contemplated what to say, stuck and praying for an escape route.
"I thought so." Said Ellie smugly, mistaking her silence for defeat.
"There you are!" A voice called from down the hall, Ellie turned around, and Arizona saw the voice belonged to Teddy.
Crap.
"Ohhhh.. Sorry for interrupting." Teddy said, winking not at all subtly at Arizona. "But I need to borrow Ellie, we're about to do that valve repair."
Ellie turned back to a still speechless Arizona. "Well duty calls.. I'll see you later." Her voice had adopted that same husky tone that the blonde recognised from the night before. The brunette smirked, and sauntered off after Teddy, who flashed Arizona a hearty thumbs up as they left. She remained rooted to the spot for a few minutes, attempting to piece together what the hell had just happened, one word continuously flying through her jumbled thoughts.
Crap.
"So Ellie." Teddy began as they waited for Cristina. "You and Arizona huh?"
Ellie tossed her hair back as she answered. "Oh yeah, it's going well. She's amazing, and I think she's really into me." She leaned in closer to the attending. "We had sex last night." She whispered, Teddy's eyes grew wider.
"You did?! When? Before she came back to the bar?"
Ellie nodded smugly. "Mmhmm. It was amazing."
"Wow."
"Yep, it was hot. Like I said, it's going really well."
Teddy whistled appreciatively. "Good for you, you just keep going with it, make her happy. It's what she needs."
Ellie was about to answer when Yang burst through the door.
"I'm ready Dr Altman, where do you want me?"
Distracted, Teddy began instructing Cristina, and Ellie made a mental note to continue their discussion later.
"Hey." Arizona pulled out a chair beside Addison in the cafeteria, knowing she would have to be quick before the others arrived. "Where's Derek? Did you find him?"
Addison made a face. "I did.. But I didn't tell him. He's had some really bad news.. Family stuff. I couldn't do it then, he was already so upset.. But.." She placed a hand on Arizona's, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'll do it soon. I promise. He just needs time to deal with this first."
Arizona nodded, hiding her disappointment. She understood, and knew Addison had the best intentions, she was just protecting people's feelings. This she could reason with, the only problem was she would now have to think of a way to stall Ellie for longer.
Her foot tapped the floor as she considered this.
"Okay... That's okay. It's fine." Her heart warmed as she watched Addison's worried expression turn to one of relief, and she smiled happily at the blonde.
"Thank you for understanding, I was pretty worried."
"Honestly it's okay. Just.. Just do it soon yeah? The wait is killing me." She smiled her dimply smile, deciding not to tell Addison about Ellie.. Besides, it would probably only cause more unnecessary hassle.
Teddy ran a hand through her hair as she headed for the coffee machine, pleased with the days events so far. The surgery had gone well with no troubles, Yang had as usual showed exceptional skill, leaving Teddy feeling confident about the Chief's contest, and Ellie was happier than ever – and the way she talked about Arizona reassured Teddy that the blonde appeared to finally be moving on, something Teddy was grateful for, she hated seeing her best friend unhappy. Unfortunately, Erica had demanded Ellie's service straight after, meaning she didn't get to continue their discussion further. Nonetheless, she was sure it would be positive.
It seemed Callie too was in the mood for c affine, as she was already jamming coins into the machine when Teddy arrived. Muttering angrily as it kept spewing them back out.
"Having trouble?" Teddy said, thumping the machine with her fist. It suddenly responded, a light blinkered, and the dull hum from within told them it had finally decided to commence with making her coffee. Callie grinned.
"Well I guess I'm not anymore! How're you doing today?"
"Me? I'm good.. I'm really good actually!"
"Oh?" Callie looked interested. "Henry the reason?"
"Hmm? Oh no, I'm just happy for Arizona." Teddy said before she could stop herself.
"Arizona?" Callie's interest heightened a great deal. "How come?"
Teddy pondered briefly whether or not to tell Callie, it was still very early days in Arizona's new found relationship, and she didn't want to do anything to jeopardise it. But then, she trusted Callie, and she had quickly become one of her closest friends, and besides, she was there last night anyway, and knew it was a date.
Oh what the hell.
"Well Arizona and Ellie had a.. A lot of fun last night shall we say, and I just spoke to Ellie this morning, she said it's going really really well, and she reckons Arizona's really into her!"
"What?"
Teddy failed to notice Callie's shocked tone, and went on. "Yeah and I saw them together earlier, it looked really cute!" She beamed, Callie didn't.
"What you mean, you mean this morning? You saw them after last night?"
"Err.. Yes Cal, morning comes after night."
Callie ignored her sarcasm, her mind racing with this new found information. Arizona was 'really into' this nurse? She was supposed to be 'really into' Addison.. Was she playing them both? The thought made Callie's blood boil. Her friend had been the happiest she'd ever seen her in a long time this morning, free and bouncy, joking and laughing, smiling none stop. Almost back to her old self. Callie's own spirits had lifted drastically just by seeing her like it, and it was more than obvious that it was down to Arizona. But Callie knew her best friend, knew she was still fragile, still used to constantly having to walk on eggshells around Derek, and still deeply insecure, though she rarely showed it.
But when it came to Arizona Robbins, Callie had honestly never seen her more smitten with anyone, even Derek when they were at their best. If Arizona was playing her, it would crush her. And in turn, Callie would then have to crush Arizona. She liked the girl, but she cared about her best friend more than anything in the world, and she was the most important person in her life besides Erica. Deciding then and there that she would investigate, Callie made an excuse to Teddy about being late for surgery and left, ready to do some digging.
Ellie quietly clicked the door open to the on-call room and shut it behind her, looking down to find a sleeping Arizona in the bottom bunk. Smiling to herself, she crept over and leaned over her, rubbing her shoulder gently to wake her up. She began to stir, and looked up groggily.
"Hey there you. Who said you could go to bed without me?" Ellie said seductively, clambering on top of her so she was straddling her waist.
"What.. I don't.. What're you doing?" Arizona slurred as she struggled to wake up. Suddenly alertness hit her like a spark.
"Ellie?" She tried to move, but the girl was surprisingly heavy for her small build.
"The one and only. I figured, now we're both on a break, and we've got this room to ourselves we could..." Her voice trailed off as her hand began to creep up Arizona's shirt. She quickly grabbed it and removed it.
"Feisty huh?" Ellie smirked in response.
Why is this woman not getting it?!
Arizona rapidly tried to come up with something.
"Look." She began firmly, again attempting to shift Ellie off her. "Here's the thing, I-"
*beep beep beep!*
She was interrupted - and saved - by her pager. Breathing a huge sigh of relief she reached over and snatched it off the table.
"Crap, 911 – I need to go!"
Finally the brunette clambered off her, and she didn't hand around, racing out the door, apologising hurriedly as she collided smack bang into Callie on the way out.
Ellie sighed, disgruntled, and followed her out, smiling in recognition of Callie as she pulled the on-call door shut behind her. The other woman did not return the smile.
Addison sat at the hospital computer, scrolling down an article about a conjoined twins case, having just checked on Derek again. She absent mindedly played with her glasses, chewing the frames. A shadow fell over her work space and she looked up into the brightly lit eyes of April Kepner.
"Here's your coffee's Dr Montgomery!" She chirped, placing two cappuccino's on the the desk. Addison smiled warmly.
"Thanks so much April, I owe you a coffee run."
April positively glowed with pride, before Erica's voice floated round the corner and she sprung into action and rushed off. "You're welcome!" She called over her shoulder as she went. Addison chuckled, and picked up the cups. Glancing at the clock, she knew Arizona would be out of surgery by now, and probably in need of the hot beverage. She abandoned the computer, and set off in search of the blonde, bumping into Teddy as she rounded the corner.
"Whoops sorry! I almost spilled this on you!"
Teddy smiled. "Good thing you didn't, I don't fancy paying Mark Sloan a visit for burn repair."
the red head laughed. "I dunno, I think he'd like that. Hey, have you seen Arizona anywhere?" She held up one of the mugs. "I figured she'd need caffeine."
Teddy's smile faltered. "Okay listen." She clapped her hands together, suddenly in 'authoritative attending' mode. "I need to talk to you about that." She led Addison by the crook of her arm to a store cupboard, gesturing for her to go in. The red head frowned, but obliged, and as soon as the door was shut Teddy spoke.
"Okay. I'm just going to tell it how it is. I know about you and Arizona. I know everything."
Addison opened her mouth, shocked, but Teddy held up a hand, silencing her.
"I've known for ages, and I'm telling you now – leave it. You're a good friend, and I know you wouldn't hurt her intentionally, but trust me – it will end up that way. So I need you to back away. She's found Ellie now, and they're happy. Ellie told me today it's going really well. And I know you still want to save your marriage, so just let it be. Okay? I'm not saying this to be horrible, I'm saying it to protect everyone's feelings. And that includes yours. Leave it alone." With that, she briskly opened the door. "That's all I wanted to say." She left swiftly, and the door slammed shut in her wake, leaving Addison standing, dumbfounded, holding two rapidly cooling coffee's. Her brain whirling.
Thoughts? :)