Derek arrives at the Seattle airport feeling worn out. During the nearly six hours he was on the plane, many things went through his mind.

First obviously missing Chris, having been so close to his son during the days he was on the east coast was incredible and the thought of not seeing him for the next two weeks is awful. He never imagined that he would be able to establish such a deep bond in such a short time with his son, but it had happened. Hearing the boy call him daddy with his sweet voice made him feel na emotion he had never experienced before and he felt it did in na inexplicable way.

Derek's other recurring thought during the flight was the awkward relationship he had established with Addison. The emotional roller coaster he'd been on since he'd learned about his son had brought up old feelings for Addison, it was hard to be with her without feeling things he knew he shouldn't feel. The kisses they exchanged meant more than he was ready to admit and seeing her with another man was far more uncomfortable than he could have expected.

Finally Derek also thought of Meredith, the woman he loves, or at least believes he loves, the woman who's been by his side for the past two years. He knew she wouldn't react well to Chris and that it would be more of a touchy subject in their relationship.

Exhausted, Derek walks through the airport lounge and is surprised to hear a familiar voice call his name, he turns quickly to find Meredith approaching smiling. The blonde quickly throws herself into her arms and gives her a soft kiss. Derek returns the kiss a little stunned and then asks:

"What are you doing here?"

"I decided to make a surprise."

Meredith says smiling and Derek smiles back, not reaching his eyes. Oblivious to her boyfriend's emotional disturbance, Meredith asks, linking her arm in his:

"And how was that family time?"

"Normal..."

"Are you okay?"

Meredith asks, intrigued by Derek's evasiveness. Derek gives a soft smile and says:

"Yea. Let's go to the trailer, I'm tired."

Meredith nods still a little confused and they leave the airport together.

AAAAAA

As soon as they enter the trailer, Derek sits on the bed, Meredith sits next to him and asks genuinely concerned:

"Didn't you have a good trip?"

"Mer, I need to tell you something and I need you to calm down."

His tone is cautious and he avoids making eye contact. Meredith takes his hand and squeezes it encouraging him to continue. After a few seconds of hesitation, Derek blurts out:

"I have a child with Addison."

Meredith swallows hard and a long silence settles over them. After a few minutes she asks:

"After hiding a wife from me, did you also hide a child?"

She asks angrily as she stands up. Derek immediately takes her arm and begins to explain:

"Of course not. I didn't know until Christmas Eve."

Meredith frowns and Derek strokes her arm as she asks:

"Sit here, the story is really long."

And so Derek tells everything, or almost everything. Meredith listens to every word carefully and when he's done, he tries to smooth things over:

"Nothing will change between us."

"What the hell, Derek? You'll be spending two weekends a month halfway across the country with your ex-wife!"

Meredith talks angrily and gets up again, this time Derek gets up already talking:

"I'm going to spend these weekends with my son and you can come with me."

"Oh is that your solution?"

Meredith asks in a wry tone and Derek loses his temper:

"It's not a solution, but you won't die meeting my son, or the rest of my family."

"Are you going to start over?"

Meredith asks annoyed and Derek tries to control her temper, taking a deep breath before speaking:

"No. I just... Meredith this isn't my fault. Addison got pregnant while we were still married."

"If you hadn't chosen her, it wouldn't have happened."

Meredith plays with anger and immediately regrets it when she sees his gaze. Derek stares at her and says angrily:

"I won't apologize for choosing Addison. I won't regret my son."

Silence sets in again and they just stare at each other in silence. Suddenly, Meredith speaks, surprising him:

"Sorry, I just don't know how to handle it. Not what I was expecting."

"And do you think I was? Do you think I left here prepared to hear my five-year-old nephew say I have a son?"

"I know not, Derek. I already apologized."

Meredith talks a little impatiently. Derek nods and pulls her into a hug, she lays her head on his shoulder and whispers:

"It's going to be okay, Mer. I promise."

Meredith simply nods, snuggling even closer against him. Derek holds her tight and closes his eyes feeling the guilt invade him for hiding the kisses exchanged with Addison.

AAAAA

Addison is leaving a chart on the nurses' table when she hears a familiar voice call her name. At first she ignores it, but then he approaches and softly calls out:

"Addison?"

Addison turns around with raised eyebrows and asks in a firm tone:

"What do you want, Doctor Sloan?"

"Come on redhead, don't be like that. I brought you coffee."

Mark speaks softly with puppy dog eyes. Addison stands firm by saying:

"I don't have time for you right now."

"Please Addison. I just want to talk."

Mark's vulnerable tone doesn't go unnoticed and she thinks for a few moments before nodding and guiding him to her office.

Once they're inside the office, Addison motions for Mark to start talking:

"I'm sorry for the way I acted over the new year. In fact, I'm sorry for how I've treated you for the past two years."

"How have you ignored me for the last two years you mean?"

Addison asks still annoyed. Mark lowers his eyes before speaking again:

"It was hard for me, okay? When you came back to New York I fantasized that we might have another chance, but then you were pregnant. Then I had to see you carrying a baby that wasn't mine."

Mark's tone makes her feel guilty and she softens:

"Mark, I never meant to hurt you."

"I know, but I never wanted any of this either, Addie. I fell in love with you and lost everything. I lost the baby and my two best friends."

Once again the vulnerable tone makes Addison shudder and she approaches caressing his cheek, who continues talking:

"You and Derek were my family and I blew it. We cheated on him, I cheated on you, but you've forgiven each other and I'm still alone."

He continues with his eyes downcast and Addison gives a sad smile as he says:

"You don't have to be alone. We can be friends again Mark, at least you and I."

"After all?"

"I miss you too."

Addison speaks with another smile and Mark smiles too. After a moment of silence he asks:

"Do you think Derek can ever forgive me?"

"I think he misses you too."

Addison speaks with a shrug. Mark smiles asking again:

"Then?"

"Give him time, Mark. Take it slow."

Mark nods and speaks in na excited tone:

"I'm going to be the best uncle Chris will ever have."

Addison laughs at the statement, realizing that the usual Mark she's missed so much is there. Suddenly Mark approaches, he holds your shoulders and kisses your forehead before speaking:

"Thanks, redhead."

Addison just nods, smiling and her eyes filling with tears. Mark takes the coffee and hands it to her, then kisses her cheek and leaves the office.

Addison lets out a relieved sigh, feeling that for the first time in a long time things are in order in her life.

AAAA

A small introductory chapter.

I needed to bring Mark back in a better way, as I'm aware he was a little out of character in the last chapter.

I don't know if I knew how to capture Merder's energy, but I did my best to bring na interaction between them, because she needed to know about our beloved Chris.

I love comments.