Addison is ignoring Alex Karev. She is resolutely and consistently ignoring the intern with whom she shared two kisses in a bar. She knows it's childish, but there's no other alternative. She couldn't bring another problem into her life, not now, so as much as he insisted on talking to her, she was ignoring him.

Meanwhile Derek has been even more sullen and impatient than usual, but she doesn't want to worry about that. She is tired of Derek, his mood swings and trying to understand his current reason for hating her.

What Addison needs is peace, peace and professionals to work on her surgeries. The first has been impossible with all the issues and the second seems hard to achieve even with Richard and the staff's tough talk.

AAAA

Addison is on the fourth day ignoring Alex and while this is dealing with na oncology case, he tries a few times to approach her without success. The redhead's luck runs out when the two bump into each other in a hallway and the intern calls her name and then pulls her into a supply room where he confronts her.

"You kissed me, didn't you? You kissed me and now you're avoiding me. You're avoiding me because you've got it in your head that I'm into you. Do you think everyone who looks at you falls in love?"

Addison stares at him shocked by his words and he continues.

"Has it crossed your mind that maybe I'm just not into it."

"So you're not?"

"Do you think I want to be just another intern who sleeps with superiors?"

"You kissed me too."

"You're the boss of me, Addison. What did you want me to do huh?"

Her face falls hearing his words that continue.

"Sloan made me change dressings all day. I'd much rather help with your surgeries and if you keep avoiding me I won't make it. So stop avoiding me."

"It is fine."

Addison speaks embarrassed and then the young man rushes out the door leaving her frozen in place.

AAAA

After the awkward conversation, Alex returned to Addison's service. He is helping her with the procedures and closely monitoring her difficulties with other professionals at the hospital.

It is a delicate surgery, a premature newborn with a serious problem, which if Addison could not operate at the moment. The problem was, the baby couldn't wait, so she gathered as much equipment as she could and walked into the operating room, Karev steady beside her.

They race against time, the baby deteriorates fast and Addison realizes that the problem is even bigger than expected. Even so, the redhead tries, she tries everything, uses all the knowledge and determination in the hope of saving the baby's life. It is not enough. As machines begin beeping wildly around her, Addison frantically shouts orders and initiates CPR. Minutes pass without any reaction from the patient and the professionals inside the room look at each other in exasperation. Deciding enough is enough, Alex takes Addison's arm and speaks softly.

"Addison, he's gone."

"No!"

"Addison, you did everything you could. It's over."

He then looks towards the baby, Addison follows his gaze to the tiny body and lets her arms fall. She faces the team, looks at the monitor and decrees.

"Time of death: 11:36." After saying this, the obstetrician rips off her gloves and cap before running out of the room.

Alex stares at the baby a little longer before following Addison out of the room.

In the laundry room Addison takes a deep breath trying to calm down, while holding the sink tightly and staring at her reflection in the mirror. Soon Alex appears behind her affirming.

"It was not your fault."

"Of course not! It was the fault of all the people who could have been there and didn't want to!"

The redhead screams turning to face him, the anger obvious in her eyes. Alex approaches slowly and suggests.

"Go rest and I'll talk to the parents."

"I don't need to rest. I need to stand in front of two people who trusted me and tell them their son didn't make it."

"You do need to rest. Staying like this won't do you and the baby any good."

"You don't tell me what to do."

With that she turns away from the sink and heads for the door, but then she feels the room spin. Realizing her instability, Alex quickly puts himself in front of her and holds her by the waist. He notices how pale she has become and asks worriedly:

"Addison, what is it?"

Addison tries to answer but can't form the words. Suddenly black spots begin to cloud her vision, she feels everything spin in slow motion and her body goes limp before everything goes dark for good.

Alex watches in awe as Addison's eyes close as her body goes limp in her arms.

Without thinking twice, the intern lifts her into his arms and rushes her into na exam room.

AAAA

Derek is leaving the OR when Addison's name hits his ears, followed by the word faint. Feeling a shiver run down his spine, the neurosurgeon turns towards the residents asking, already alarmed:

"What happened?"

"I saw Alex Karev carrying the unconscious Dr. Montgomery into na exam room." The resident he doesn't remember the name speaks softly.

Before the young woman finishes her sentence, Derek is already running down the hall, while panic invades his mind.

Derek's feet take him to the OB ward where he sees Alex coming out of a room. On a nervous impulse, Derek approaches him already demanding:

"Where is she? What happened?"

"Calm down Shepherd."

"Don't ask me to calm down! I want to know what happened to my wife!"

The word wife is out before Derek notices it. Alex gives him na ironic half smile, but then reassures him.

"She's fine. It was na abrupt drop in blood pressure, mixed with the stress of losing a patient."

"Are you sure? A real doctor examined her and my son?"

Derek asks smugly. Alex rolls his eyes but explains.

"Doctor James attended to her, and everything is fine. She's regained consciousness and we've heard the baby's heartbeat."

Derek smiles at the last part. He then takes a step towards the door, but Karev puts his hand in front of his chest speaking.

"You'll only go in there if she wants you to."

"I am your superior."

"Right now you're just my patient's family member."

"Who do you think you are?"

"I'm one of her doctors, while you're the spiteful ex-husband who turned half the hospital against a pregnant woman."

"Are you saying this as a doctor or the guy who kisses his pregnant boss across a bar table?"

Derek snaps, anger shining in his blue eyes. Alex takes a step forward, but takes a deep breath and nods.

"I'll ask if she wants to see you."

The intern then turns his back on Derek and enters the room again. It only takes a few seconds for Alex to return to the hall revealing that Addison has allowed him entry. They stare at each other for seconds before Derek finally walks in.

Addison is lying on the bed, she's hooked up to na IV and she still looks a little pale, but her expression is hard.

Derek approaches speaking softly.

"You scared me, Addie."

"The baby is good."

"But you might not be. Damn, you might not be."

"I already told you it's okay."

Addison snaps angrily. After a few seconds of awkward silence, she says.

"Now that we've established that everything is fine, you can leave."

"Are you kicking me out?"

"I only let you in because Alex said you were creating a scene."

"Oh you call your guard dog by name?"

"Some problem?"

"I don't think so, since you kiss him in bars too."

"Do you really want to get into this question?"

"I just think it's hypocrisy on your part."

"How could you torture me for months and then end our marriage the way you did?" Addison asks, raising na eyebrow and then adding, "Don't worry, I didn't hide na eleven-year marriage or chase him down elevators."

Derek lowers his eyes at that moment, feeling the blow. Addison gives a half smile and nods.

"Now that you've made sure the baby is okay, you can get back to your patients."

"Addie, don't be like that... I was really worried."

"And now you know everything is fine."

Addison states emphatically. Derek nods, but instead of leaving, approaches the bed nodding.

"I don't want anything to happen to you. Our baby is not to blame for any of this."

"The Craine baby didn't either."

"Who?" Derek asks with furrowed brows.

"The premature newborn I lost today in the operating room."

Addison speaks with her face turned away. Derek frowns again, but then realization hits him and he practically whispers.

"Addie, I'm so sorry..."

"Just go away Derek."

She speaks still without looking at him. At that moment Alex re-enters the room carrying a large glass of juice and what appears to be a sandwich. He and Derek stare at each other with the same expressions as earlier and then the neurosurgeon leaves the room.

When left alone with Addison, Alex asks worriedly.

"All good?"

"Uhum... Just Derek and his eternal good guy pose."

"Forget about him. I brought food."

"You didn't need to worry."

"I didn't bring it for you, it was for baby Montgomery."

Addison makes a face at the phrase, but then smiles and accepts the snack brought by the boy.

Alex just watches her eat for a few moments and then she speaks.

"You should find James or some other attendant to end the day."

"You are my patient today."

"I'm not a surgical case."

"It doesn't matter."

Addison arches her eyebrows at him. Alex smiles slightly in surrender and nods.

"I'll leave you alone as soon as I finish eating and go get some rest."

Addison nods smugly and goes back to eating.

It doesn't take long before she lays her head on the pillow again and watches Alex leave the room as promised.

AAAA

It's late afternoon and after hours in bed with her conflicting thoughts, Addison just wants to go home. She is about to demand her discharge when Doctor James enters Addison's room accompanied by Richard. The redhead arches her eyebrows and asks.

"Will I be able to leave now?"

"Yes. I came to release you."

James states smiling"

"And why did the boss come along?"

"That I'll let him answer."

James speaks in na amused tone before taking a step back. Richard then speaks in one breath.

"I came to let you know that I want you off until Monday."

"But today is Tuesday! Do you want me to take almost a week off work?"

"I want you to rest."

"Please Richard. I don't want to be stuck in that hotel room."

"You used the same words before and look how it turned out."

"Richard, pregnant women faint. That's normal isn't it James?" Addison bluntly asks the obstetrician. Even though he is subordinate to her, he disagrees with her.

"You passed out from stress, Addison. You need to stay away from trigger situations. It's what's best for the baby."

Addison isn't thrilled, but she can't disagree with the two men's words either. She just raises her arms in surrender and lets out a very cross all-out.

AAAAA

Before leaving the redhead's room, Richard offers his house for her to stay for a few days, knowing that Adele would be happy. Even though she likes the couple very much, she politely declines. So does Miranda's invitation.

The truth is that Addison wants to be alone, she knows that what she had was no big deal and it bothers her to have her peers hovering. She can't stand being the center of attention anymore.

As soon as she is ready to leave, Addison is surprised to see Callie and Derek entering her room at the same time, but they are not together, in fact they seem to be in a dispute.

Apparently Derek still manages to maintain a minimum of civility, as he allows the resident to speak first.

"I came to offer to drive you to the hotel."

"You didn't have to bother, Callie."

"It's no bother at all. We're going to the same place and I want to make sure you're okay."

"I came to extend the same invitation. Come on Addie, I want to be of service to you and the baby."

"No need to come. I'll go with Callie."

"Addison..."

"You heard. She and I are going to the same place."

Addison states in a cold tone, but smiles in Callie's direction. The brunette returns the smile and both leave the room together.

Derek just watches them walk away, the mood getting even worse.

AAAA

After Callie dropped her off at her hotel room. Mark quickly checks her in on clear embarrassment. She takes calls from Miranda and Richard and then finally manages to relax while she waits for room service.

As the food arrives, Addison opens the door for the waiter, but is surprised to see Alex behind him. With a crooked smile the intern asks to enter, she allows curiously.

"What are you doing here?"

"I got out of surgery with James and you were already gone."

"Callie brought me."

"And how are you?"

"I'll be better when they stop asking me that."

The two laugh at that moment. Alex defends himself.

"I didn't come to ask anything, I came to bring this."

He lifts the wrapper he's holding and reveals a large tub of ice cream.

Addison's eyes widen and she asks in real surprise.

"How did you know I like that one?"

"I've seen you eat it. I imagine Baby Montgomery likes it too."

She rolls her eyes at the nickname as he chuckles. Alex then puts the ice cream in the fridge and sits in front of her. Addison asks.

"To have lunch?"

"I already ate. I actually think I'd better go home."

"No way! You're going to help me eat all this ice cream."

"He is sure?"

"I have."

Addison claims and it is true. For the first time all day, she doesn't want to be alone. Alex makes her feel light, like all the confusion between her and Derek and Mark and Meredith and baby Montgomery doesn't exist. That is good.

As soon as she finishes eating, the two grab their spoons and start eating the ice cream.

Addison suddenly asks.

"How did the Craines turn out?"

"Do you really want to talk about it?"

"I just want to know."

"They were shaken, obviously, but they asked to thank you. You would be the one to try."

Addison smiles slightly at that. She knows it's the truth.

After more seconds of silence, Alex releases out of nowhere.

"I lied."

"What?" Addison asks, confusion clear on his face.

"That day in the supply closet... I lied when I said I didn't have feelings for you."

"Alex..."

"I just don't want to be like Meredith and Yang. I don't want to become the intern having na affair with the arrogant and brilliant boss."

"I'm not like them. And you shouldn't see it that way."

"But there's no way to see it any other way. You're Addison Forbes Montgomery. Yale, Columbia, Mount Sinai. One of the eight biggest names in Maternal Fetal Surgery. And I'm a state college intern."

"Who can get as far as I can and he knows it."

"That's not the point. The point is that I lied that day and I wanted you to know because I didn't like the things I told you."

"Thanks."

"Now let's finish this ice cream, because tomorrow I'm not off like some people are."

"Want to trade?"

Addison asks raising na eyebrow. Alex just laughs and she throws him a napkin.

Suddenly both prefer not to continue the previous subject. Both knowing that they must not continue the previous subject. It's easier that way.

AAAA

Derek decides to go to the trailer after working longer than he needs to. His head is in a mess and he needs something other than the chaos of Meredith's house. For the first time he really thinks about his attitudes towards Addison and doesn't like the conclusions that are emerging.

Of course, learning that his wife got pregnant by his best friend while they were still married wasn't a dream come true, but he should have controlled himself. Given how the marriage ended, Addison is absolutely right to call him a hypocrite. His head is also on Alex, the kiss he witnessed and the way the intern is acting around her is bothering him. It shouldn't, should it? He's with Meredith, he loves her. He loves her?

It's a lot to think about and the whiskey bottle dwindles with each new question that comes up.

AAAA

First of all, sorry for the delay, but life has been very busy.

I want to once again thank and encourage your amazing comments.

Remembering that my mother tongue is not English and apologizing for any mistakes.

Finally I'm really happy to see new Addek fanfics appearing or being updated here. \O/