Yo yo yo! I'm so sorry I've taken yonks to get this up! Turns out fresher's lasted for two weeks as opposed to one, and I've only just fully recovered I think! (I hope) ;) and it's a little short, but still I hope this chapter makes it up to you lovely people, and I hope you're all doing well and satying awesome :)
Peeling off the bloodstained scrubs, Addison drew a shaky breath as she cleaned and exited the OR. Mind swimming with death. She numbly walked through the hallway, and found herself at the cafeteria, face still pale, she took a shaky seat, exhaling a large breath she didn't even realise she'd been holding.
She had no clue what had gone wrong. Jenny, due to have triplets, had had a small spat at the beginning of her pregnancy, with minor surgeries often involving Teddy due to her heart condition, but all things considering, she was doing extremely well, and from Addison's and Arizona's judgement, would go on to have three healthy little girls.
So when Addison, Arizona, Teddy and Bailey all got the same code blue page, and were greeted with the sight of Jenny frothing at the mouth, eyes wide in panic before her heart stopped completely and she was rushed into the OR, Addison was stunned. In a race against time, the four surgeons had gone to desperate measures during the surgery, resulting in all three babies having to endure premature births, which was the only choice they had if anyone was to come out of it alive. Bailey and Teddy had then turned their attentions to Jenny only, leaving Addison, a newly paged Alex and Arizona to work at break neck pace to try and save the triplets. It was gruelling, it was gory, and it was emotionally and physically draining, but they had got there eventually. Mother and children were alive, but only just. The triplets were individually wired from head to toe with tubes and monitors, and Jenny was comatose, though she was predicted to come out of it soon, Addison was still worried.
She stewed the situation over and over in her mind, desperate for answers. She didn't even notice she was no longer alone until a steaming cappuccino was pushed across the table into her cold hands as Arizona sat down quietly next to her, eyes brimming with concern.
"You okay?" She asked, reaching over to clasp Addisons free hand, their fingers interwining.
Addison sighed. "I don't understand it. She was doing so well."
Arizona nodded and continued to watch her as she raised the coffee to her lips. "Thank you." She nodded at it, Arizona gave a small smile.
"Listen, I was shocked too, I figured she'd be out by next week. But it's not your fault, so don't beat yourself up over it. We saved her, that's the main thing. And we saved the babies. No one died on our table today. That's whats important Addie, thats what you've gotta focus on."
Addison's smile was weak, but she did feel slightly better, and she turned to look at her girlfriend fondly.
"We saved them."
Arizona nodded warmly. "We saved them." She raised Addison's hand in her own and kissed it, sending a slight tingle down the other womans wrist.
Just then, Teddy and Bailey arrived together, their faces a picture of exhaustion. They also got coffee, and Teddy opted for a large bowl of chips too, spotting the others, they made their way over, both groaning tiredly as they sat down.
"How is she?" Arizona asked her friend, who nodded grimly in response.
"Stable, for now." She shoved the first handful of chips in her mouth whilst Bailey rubbed her eyes.
No one said anything much after that, the four of them content to sit in comfortable silence, Addison traced patterns over Arizona's forearm as she thought. It wasn't long however, before -
"Doctor Montgomery!" The infuriated voice belonging to Robert Stark broke their trance, and all but Bailey jumped.
"I suppose you've got an explanation prepared, or are you going to just act stupid?" He demanded, face betroot, sheets of paper crumpled from his balled fist.
"Excuse me?" Addison demanded, in no mood for Robert Stark, but she needed to vent, and if he wanted a feud, then she was all too prepared to take him down a peg.
"This!" He seethed, slamming down an all too familiar chart in the centre of the table, Addison leaned forward slightly, and could see Jenny's details stamped on the top of the paper. Her insides went cold.
"I trust you engage in patient care Doctor Montgomery? Or do you think so highly of yourself that you no longer bother to check for anything as important as, say.. I don't know, life threatening allergies?! He yelled the last part, waving his arms angrily at the paper.
"Of course I do Dr Stark." Addison spat his name. "I am well aware of Jenny's allergies, thats why she's perscribed different pain meds."
"I see." Stark rubbed his chin in mock thought. "And you perscribed these 'alternate pain meds' for her post op today?"
Addison drew in a breath and sat straighter, looking him square in the eyes. "No, Doctor Stark, I did not. Becasue I trust and value my colleage Dr Stevens to do an accurate job, and regardless of my faith in her, I myself have had to personally check and sign all of her perscribed charts before they are administered."
"Well Doctor Montgomery.." Starks voice was laced with a mixture of sarcasm and fury. "It looks like you missed one."
Fed up of the mind games, Teddy grabbed the paper and Bailey leaned in, her eyes flitting across the text. After a few seconds, the colour in both their faces drained and their eyes went wide as the looked at each other, then back to Addison.
"What?" She demanded, panicked at their expressions.
"Addie.. This chart is listed with an extremely, extremely high dosage.. It's.. well it's-" She was cut off as Addison grabbed the paper, her heart dropping about a hundred feet as she read the perscribed pain meds, with the hellish dosage amount next to it, and her unmistakeable signature scrawled at the bottom of the page made her blood chill as she realised she had handed this woman a death sentence.
"I didn't.. I checked I.. I know her allergies.. I-" She looked around desperately, Teddy and Bailey only shook their heads sadly at her, whilst Arizona's mouth hung open, at a loss of what to say as she read and re-read Addison's signature. There was no denying it was hers.
"It's a wonder any of them even made it. It's a god damn miracle actually. Stark sniffed, taking the paper back from the shell shocked red head. Who's mouth pressed into a thin line.
"No." She said suddenly, letting go of Arizona's hand to jerk a finger at Stark. "No. I didn't sign this."
"Addison, that's your signature right there." Teddy said quietly.
"I know it's my signature, and I did sign a chart today. But I did not sign this." Her voice rose as anger stirred in her stomach. "I check my charts Doctor Stark, and I checked the one for Jenny, you think I wouldn't have noticed something like that?"
"I think it's possible." He retorted.
"Well you're wrong. I didn't sign for that."
"How else do you explain 'A Montgomery' scrawled in your own personal font at the bottom?!" He demanded. She glared at him but was quiet, knowing full well she couldn't answer.
"I thought so." He smirked. "I've already alerted the chief, he wants to see you."
Addison swallowed a lump in her throat. She turned to her girlfriend, eyes wide in desperation. "Arizona I swear I checked it. I wouldn't be so careless with a patient, they're our patients! You know I wouldn't!"
Arizona stayed quiet, not offering any explanation because she had none. She wanted to believe her, she really did. But there was no possible way out of this.
Addison sat back, hurt at the doubtful expression on her partners face.
"Fine." She stood up. "None of you have to believe me, but I'm not lying. I know what I saw. And it wasn't that." She stabbed at the paper with her finger, before turning promptly on her heel, leaving them all with mixed emotions. Bailey, anger and sorrow at almost losing a close friend and a patient she had developed a bond with over the past few years, Teddy, pity and concern for her friend, Arizona, a conflicting need to trust Addison battling furiously with the evidence against her in front of her very eyes.
Stark gave a little cough before picking the paper up and striding off, three sets of glaring eyes followed him out.
"Chief." Addison's tone was strictly professioal as she entered his office. He sat still, watching her. "You wanted to see me, and I know what you're going to say, but first hear me out." She said as she paced in front of his desk, proceeding to explain her side of the story and again, swearing down that she had effectively checked the papers. He stayed quiet until she finished.
"Take a seat Addison." He said flatly. She looked at him, nerves beginning to seep into her stomach as she obliged.
He clasped his hands together on the desk and leaned forward.
"Addison.. I know you've been under a lot of pressure lately, and I understand it must be a difficult thing to deal with. But the route you're travelling down, trust me, it's not the right one."
Her brow knitted together as she regarded him. "Excuse me?"
He raised his eyebrows at her, she shrugged. "I'm sorry Chief but I have no idea what you're talking about."
His head dropped and he sighed. "Okay, if that's the way you want to play it."
He picked a clear plastic packet up filled with white powder and placed it on the desk.
"Addison, this was found in your office."
She looked at it for a good thirty seconds.
"Is that what I think it is?"
He sat back. "You tell me."
"Well it's not mine."
Sighing again, he sought out her eyes. "Addison, I of all people know addiction, I know it feels good at the time, feels like a release, a saviour, but trust me Addison, trust me. It is far from that."
Her mouth fell open. "Are you being serious?...Cocaine?" She looked at it in disgust. "Cocaine? You think I've been taking drugs?! Chief, that is not mine! I can't swear to you anymore, but it isnt! Someone must have planted it there, yeah.. Someone put it there to frame me..." Her mind began to whirl as she thought about her extreme and increasing misfortune lately. Her house, the photos and newspapers, and now this.
"Someone's trying to ruin me, thats the only explanation for it.. Someone's out to get me Chief." Even as she said it, she supressed a shudder. She had known it since the photographs, but had ignored it, quashed the thought, disregarding it as a prank.. Or something.. But now, saying it aloud, she knew it was more than that. She was being targetted, and she had no idea why.
Richard looked at her, eyes sad. She could tell he thought she was dillusional.
"Chief-" she began, but he cut her off.
"It's not just that Addison, I've had multiple complaints about you, you've been forgetful, lazy, apparantly Karev has been covering for you a lot Addison, a lot."
"What? Who's been saying this?! I've been fine!"
"It has to remain annonymous, you know that."
"No I don't care, tell me who! They're lying!"
He shook his head. "It's easy to make mistakes, especially when you're under stress. And you're fresh on your break up with Derek, and there was that cruel practical joke with the photo's.. Maybe you need some time off. Clear your head, get your life back in order. I understand Addison, I do. But you can't afford to let your personal life affect your professional life. It costs lives." He finished gravely.
"I don't." She replied sharply, beginning to feel angry. "Not that it's any of your concern Chief, but I'm happy, very happy lately. I'm seeing someone else, and they're wonderful, and amazing, and everything good in my life at the moment, so don't think for a minute this has anything to do with my persoal life Chief, I told you – someone is doing this to me."
"And why would anyone want to do this to you Addison? You think someone would try and kill a patient just to spite you? Honestly?" He retorted, feeling his own anger rise.
She bit her lip and looked down, having no reply to that one.
He inhaled and sat up straight. "Doctor Montgomery." She looked up at the change in name. "When I said you need time off, it wasn't a suggestion. You're suspended from this hospital for two months. And if you fail in that time to show signs of improvement, you will not return. I want you to go to rehab, I want you to get help, and I want you to do it before you hurt someone else."
Her mouth fell open, eyes wide in shock. "You're firing me?!"
"Suspending." He corrected. "You're an asset to this hospital Addison, truly the top of your league. But even you need help sometimes. Count yourself lucky I haven't fired you."
"So you guys are doing well?"
"They are."
"And you like her a lot?"
"Of course she does."
"So it's not just another date?"
"What exactly are you saying?"
"I dunno, but she can't deny she has quite the reputation."
"had a reputation. She's better now, they're good together."
"Are you guys done? Can I speak now?" Arizona grumbled at the pair. Bailey had soon left, and been replaced in the canteen by Callie. The talk had been depressing at first, relaying the mornings events, but had soon turned to Addison and Arizona's relationship. Callie having proceeded to question her thoroughly, ensuring her best friend had someone she deserved. Instead of letting Arizona answer for herself, Teddy had snapped into her own role as respective best friend, feeling guilty for discouraging the relationship at it's earlier stages. Although the intent was nice, Arizona was growing increasingly impatient not being able to get a word in edgeways.
"You can stop being my defence lawyer now Ted, and Callie, you don't need to worry. I'm not going anywhere, I lov- I err... I care about Addison a lot." She finished, and hid behind her mug, taking a large gulp of coffee and burning her tongue in the process.
Callie and Teddy didn't miss the almost slip, and their sly smiles reflected off each other as Teddy elbowed her friend playfully.
"Watcha saying there Arizona? Did we almost say the 'L' word?" She teased, laughing at the blonde's slowly reddening cheeks.
"I remember the first time I told Erica I loved her." Callie said dreamily, smiling at the memory.
"How?" Teddy scoffed before she could help herself. "The woman has no soul."
Arizona kicked her foot under the table and Callie shot her a glare.
"She's actually very kind underneath it all. You think she's this emotionless machine but she's not..She's just... professional." She offered lamely.
"Yeah well, so was Hitler." Teddy replied dryly, sipping her cappuccino.
Callie rolled her eyes. "Whatever, I think she's amazing."
"And that's what matters at the end of it all." Arizona interupted, keen to nip a brewing argument in the bud. She knew all to well that Teddy and Erica clashed, and had more than often endured Teddy's rants about it, usually after a surgery. But they managed to get on when in a group, somehow. She didn't know how, but it worked in it's own little way.
"Thank you Arizona." Callie said, deliberately looking at Teddy. "It is. Now, back to you and Addison. When are you gunna tell her?"
the lighter blonde frowned, looking to her friend for support. "Tell her what?"
"That you lurrrrvee her." Teddy teased, and Arizona had to resist the urge to elbow her again.
"Guys please." She said, but they continued to stare, grinning like cheshire cats, amused at her failing efforts to hide it.
Callie scoffed. "Come on Arizona, it's obvious she feels the same, she's crazy about you."
Blue eyes lit up. "She is?"
"Are you serious? It's all I ever hear about! She's always got this shit eating grin on her face when you're mentioned, and if I question her too much she goes all jittery and teenage high school girl on me." Callie rolled her eyes. "It would be kinda lame if it wasn't so damn cute. She's completely hooked on you."
Arizona rubbed her neck uncomfortably, hiding a bashful smile. It was probably the best news she'd heard all day.
"Yeah it's the same here." Teddy said nonchanlantly. "She's a woman possessed. It makes me sick, but kinda in a good way. It's sweet."
"Teddy!"
"What? It's the truth!"
"Thank you mom, I can speak for myself."
"Oh.. You can? So.. Have you told Addison yet then?" Teddy quipped back, and Arizona thought if she saw that damn smirk again she'd go insane.
"You are the biggest pain in the ass." She muttered, and Teddy slung an arm round her.
"I know, but you love me. And it's payback for keeping me in the dark about this whole thing for so long!"
Arizona said nothing, simply returning the half hug and stealing one of Teddy's chips in response.
Addison's brain was a swirl of emotions as she stormed towards the canteen, mind set. She was fed up of it all, the secrecy, the hiding, the disapproving stares. She knew someone was after her, and she had a strong suspicion of who it was. If Meredith Grey wanted to ruin her life, she'd succeeded only a little. She couldn't, wouldn't ruin the one thing she now breathed for. So, with a steely resolve, she strode determinedly into the canteen, spotting the woman that set her heart on fire.
Blue eyes brimmed with concern as she stood up to greet her girlfriend.
"Addison? Is everyting-"
She was cut off as Addison grabbed her, pulling her in by the two open halves of her lab coat, the rest of her sentence lost into Addison's mouth as she kissed her. Kissed her with such a desperate passion that Arizona didn't eve have time to register her shock as a tongue entered her mouth, and hands tangled in her hair. Addison pulled them closer, closing the gap between their bodies, sucking on Arizona's bottom lip as she ignored the whooping and wolf whistles from mainly male voices nearby. Teddy and Callie's expressions were a picture as they watched their respective best friends entagled in a fiery embrace, smack bang in the middle of the canteen.
Addison pulled away very slowly, their faces mere millimetres apart as grey eyes searched blue.
"I love you." She whispered quietly, voice laced with emotion. "And I don't give a shit who knows it anymore."
Arizona felt her heart swell and her breathing hitched as Addison cupped her face and brought her in again, this kiss slower, less aggressive the the first.
"I love you too." She murmed against her mouth, brushing her lips over Addison's. "And I'm so happy you said that."
Teddy and Callie clapped excitedly, practically hopping out of their seats. Addison kissed the blonde's cheek and leaned back, slinging her arms around her neck. She wasn't sure why it seemed like a solution to her problems, but it felt like a damn good one. She knew a lot of eyes in the canteen were on them, but with Arizona looking at her like that, like she was the only person in the world – she couldn't care less about them.
She grinned as she sat back down with her girlfriend, both of them laughing at the stunned Callie and Teddy, who simply stared at them.
"Well... That was sooner than we thought, and Addison beat you to it.. But yay!" Teddy did another little hop in her seat. "You guys are in love!"
Arizona rolled her eyes at her. "Yeah, thanks Ted. Excellent eavesdropping."
Addison smirked at Callie. "And you, don't you even pretend you don't care." She joked, and Callie couldn't help but grin. "Of course I care! You're my best friend, and you love someone – that's awesome! Though can I just ask, why the public display?"
Addison spread her arms wide. "I'm suspended for two months for doing drugs!" She announced happily.
"What?" They all said in usion, Arizona's grip tightening protectively around her.
Plucking at the now cold chips, Addison began to relay the details of her encounter with the chief to the table, the three of them growing more and more furious the more they heard.
"He can't just suspend you! He can't!" Arizona flustered, at a complete loss as to why the red head looked so happy still.
"He can, and he has, and I'm obviously gunna be upset, but for some reason I couldn't give a crap at this point.. I think it's because the woman I love is sitting here with me, and although I don't have a job, I have her, and she's just perfect." She smiled affectionaley.
Arizona stared at her, a lump forming in her throat.
"Do you know how amazing you are?" She breathed, and without waiting for an answer leaned in to kiss her again, showing her exactly how she felt, and thinking that this, kissing Addison Montgomery, was something she wanted to do every day for the rest of her life. Callie and Teddy shook their heads, but were smiling.
"You two better not go all mushy and 'public affectionate' on us now everytime you see each other." Callie said as they seperated, "You know it's gross."
"More gross than you and Erica going 'public affectionate' in the kitchen with the door unlocked?" Addison challenged, laughing as Callie turned a shade darker in embarrasment. "I thought you'd knock." She muttered, feeling amused eyes on her.
"I don't think Erica was able to look me in the eye for a good few months after that." Addison grinned, Teddy laughed loudly and made a mental note to wind her colleague up about it later.
Arizona smiled and leaned her head on Addison's shoulder.
"Are you honestly okay?" She asked quietly.
"Honestly? I'm upset, of course I am – it's my job. And the chief doesn't believe me, but then, it's only two months. And like I said, I've got plenty of things to keep me busy." She gave Arizona's thigh a squeeze under the table as she said it, making her eyes widen slightly.
"Well, I think I can help you find a new hobby." She retorted, and Addison smiled coyly.
"I really, really look forward to that." She said softly, and kissed the blondes hand.
"I need to go though, Chief says I can finish my shift, and I've gotta do a consult." She said, not wanting to leave the table at all.
Arizona nodded. "Okay, wait for me after though? Pizza tonight?"
Addison stood to go, leaning down to place a chaste kiss on her lips. "Yes and yes." She said, planting another on her head for good measure.
"See you later. Bye guys." She nodded fondly at Callie and Teddy, who waved at her in response.
"So!" Callie excalimed as soon as Addison was gone, clapping her hands together and turning to face Arizona again.
"You really love her then huh?"
Teddy opened her mouth to respond, but Arizona cut her off. "Oh no, no more judge and jury from you two." She stood up. "I've got kids to save. So you're just gonna have to miss out on question time for now." She said as she made to leave, silently thanking the stars.
"You escaped us this time Robbins, but there's always tomorrow!" She laughed at Teddy's departing yell, kicking back on her heels and wheeling off. She was slightly worried that the reality of Addison's situation hadn't hit her yet, though she seemed accepting enough. Glowing with adoration again as she recalled their canteen kiss, Arizona couldn't keep the smile off her face as she worked, and it stayed there for the rest of the day. She loved Addison, Addison loved her, and she was going home with her tonight. Really, she couldn't ask for anything more.
The elevators sharp ping brough Addison out of her daydream, the doors slid open and she stepped in, not actually looking at who she was in there with until that person spoke.
"Doctor Montgomery, I'm really sorry to hear about your leave." Meredith said quietly, turning to face her. "And I saw... Um.. I saw you in the canteen with Doctor Robbins. I.. We.. Me and Derek are happy for you." She winced internally as she realised how patronising the words sounded when said aloud. Addison simply regarded her cooly.
"Are you happy now?" She asked. Meredith frowned.
"Huh?"
"You've got him – you win. Well done you. I've moved on, he's moved on. It's done. Can you leave me alone now?"
"I don't.. I don't know what you mean.."
"I don't hate you Grey, I never have. But when my house gets destroyed, my reputation ruined, and my job targetted, I do start to feel a tiny bit of irritation." She said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Meredith blinked as she attempted to understand.
"I.. Your house? Why would I.. Are you talking about those photos? You think I'm that pathetic? I didn't.. Addison I don't know why you-"
"Save it Grey, I don't care. All I'm saying is you're making yourself pretty obvious. I'm happy now, you're happy now.."
The elevator pinged again as the doors opened. "So please, leave me alone. I'm not coming after Derek, he's long forgotten. But you pull anymore shit, and you're finished." Addison said coldly as she exited the machine. "I mean that."
She turned and strode away, leaving a very confused, rather intimidated Meredith standing there, trying to process what on earth had just happened as the lift doors closed on her once more.
Hope you liked! I'm now gunna go stuff my face because I'm STARVING.
Ta! :)