"Wise Up" 5/?
Author's Note: Well, this time it didn't take me nearly four weeks to write a new update! In fact I think it's the least amount of time between chapters, so I'm happy about that myself. This one was started (once again) while at the laundromat on Wednesday night. Yay for laundromat writing! LOL I wrote more of it Friday night and then finished it a little while ago. If you've noticed a pattern of my posting in the wee hours it's because I get spurts of creativity late at night/early morning and on a more practical level, I share the computer with two other people and always get it last. As I was driving to my friends' house tonight I heard "Wise Up" play on the radio and I knew I had to finish the chapter! Okay, sorry for rambling here. Thanks to all the readers and reviewers. You make it fun.
Title: Wise Up ch. 5
Rating: PG-13, I guess. Adult themes. Some swearing.
Summary: Derek and Addison are trying to come to terms with their feelings for each other and their behavior towards each other. Will they be able to face their demons and be stronger or will they give up? Circa end season 2, with my spin on things.
Disclaimer: Fanfiction, only. No infringement intended. ABC, Touchstone Television, Shonda and Co. own Grey's Anatomy.
Previous chapters may be found here:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
"You're pregnant?" Callie asked her eyes wide in surprise.
"Yes. No. Maybe. I don't know. I just don't know," admitted Addison, which received a curious look from the other surgeon.
Sighing, Addison looked at herself in the mirror. I look like crap, she thought. "Yeah, I know. I'm an obstetrician for Pete's sake! This is my field. And I'm one of the best in it." She added that because it wasn't showing off-it was simply stating fact.
"Well yeah," began Callie.
Addison wished she had her purse with her so she could apply some makeup and start to look better, even if she didn't feel it, but it was in her office. Running a perfectly manicured hand through her hair, she said, "You're probably thinking that I'm not very competent if I can't even diagnose a pregnancy for myself. I mean, the signs are there, well some of them. And it would explain certain things, but…" her voice trailed off.
Callie moved so she was standing opposite Addison at the sink. "Why haven't you taken a blood test or one of those home pregnancy tests?" she prodded.
"Because. Because even though the signs are there, I've pretty much ignored them or dismissed them. I didn't even put two and two together until just a little while ago. And if I bought one of those home pregnancy tests, Derek would undoubtedly find it because God knows the trailer is tiny and there's a complete lack of privacy, and I'm just, I'm just not ready for him to know that there's a possibility that I might be," she rationalized, causing Callie to raise a brow. "And I don't exactly have an OB-GYN here, hell I don't even have a PCP. Who am I going to go to? I'd ask Miranda, but those interns keep her hands full and the last thing I need is one of them inadvertently finding out that Satan is pregnant with her Evil Spawn."
At that, Callie busts out laughing, to the dismay of Addison, who thought she was confiding in her. Addison tensed up and turned away from the ortho. Feeling bad, Callie apologized, "I'm sorry, Dr. Shepherd-or would you rather Dr. Montgomery-Shepherd-anyway, I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you. Honestly."
"Could've fooled me," muttered the annoyed redhead.
Shaking her head, the other doctor decided to fill her in on her amusement. "It's just that Alex-Alex Karev-that's what they-the other interns-call him. Evil Spawn. Particularly Cristina Yang. So when you say Satan's pregnant with an evil spawn…" her voice trailed off.
Addison was horrified at the idea of someone connecting her and Karev that way. "Good Lord," she said aloud. "Alex Karev? How could anyone think, I mean why would I sleep with Alex Karev? He's not bad on the eyes, I'll give him that, but he's an adolescent, a junior version of Mark Sloan and Senior was enough trouble. Alex Karev, ha!"
"Mark Sloan? You mean Doctor McSteamy?"
"McWHAT?!" asked a bug-eyed Addison.
"McSteamy. That's what they call Sloan, McSteamy."
Addison rolled her eyes and turned to face Callie. "The interns? Wow, they really need to get lives if all they do is stand around, coming up with the Mc Name of the Week."
"I know!" agreed Callie. "It's so…junior high. Sometimes they really annoy me and I wish that George was a part of a different intern group, because seriously."
"Sorry. I have my own issues with that group of interns. Well, your intern is safe, as is Yang. She has her issues, but I can't say that I have any with her. And considering that Yang is Grey's best friend, I'm lucky that she's not given me problems."
Callie laughed and then suggested that they move this conversation back to Addison's office so that those interns or anyone else who decided to use that particular ladies' room wouldn't overhear anything they shouldn't. Addison agreed, because that was the last thing she wanted and although she didn't know Callie, she found her easy to talk to. It was a relief to have someone in this forsaken city to confide in.
When Addison walked out, she found O'Malley and Preston standing across from the restroom, matching arms folded against chests, eyes furrowed with concern, they were deep in discussion, likely about her. George started to approach her and Preston asked, "Addison, are you okay?"
She was touched by his concern, and by George's. "No," she finally admitted. "I'm not, but I will be," she added.
Preston nodded, but George wasn't satisfied. "Dr. Montgomery-Shepherd, are you sure, I mean…"
Interrupting him, his girlfriend said, "She'll be okay, George." Folding down the lapels of his lab coat, she looked him in the eyes, conveying that he needed to trust her and not to push Addison any further. He simply nodded at her.
Stepping next to George, Burke said, "O'Malley, I have this interesting case that I want you in on, but don't tell Cristina, or…"
"Yes, Dr. Burke. I mean, no, I won't," George said excitedly.
"Good, now follow me to room 313 and we'll get to work." George said good-bye to Addison and Callie and then stood by the elevator, waiting for it to come up. Addie mouthed "thank you" to Preston who merely nodded and winked at her before leaving, and then she and Callie went into her office.
"What the hell is that about?" asked a highly-annoyed Cristina.
"Dude, I'm telling you, Burke is having an affair with McHot."
"Shut up, Alex," warned Meredith.
"He's with Cristina, Evil Spawn," reminded Izzie.
"Come on, when was the last time Burke looked so damn…friendly? When was the last time he gave a wink to his colleague?"
"Burke is very friendly," huffed Cristina.
"A wink, maybe it was a tick," offered Izzie.
Alex just laughed at her.
"Dude, seriously. Hell, I've seen them before myself and she calls him Preston," he said, emphasizing Burke's first name. "You're with him and you still call him Burke."
"Because, because that's, he's Burke."
"Just shut up, Alex," Meredith repeated.
"I wonder what Callie was doing with her? I mean, do they even know each other? Callie Torres, she gives me this off-vibe, you know? I mean, does she do that to anyone else? What does George see in her?" Izzie rambled.
"She's smokin'. What she sees in Bambi that is the real question. Hey!" a light bulb just went off. "If they get married one day, dude, she'll be Callie O'Malley!" He laughed at his own joke.
Izzie's eyes grew round. George married to…Callie?
Meredith shook her head and patted Izzie's hand. "Don't worry, Alex is just being Alex, George and Callie are nowhere near being ready to get married."
"Yeah, seriously. I mean, he was in love with you just a few weeks ago, right? Okay, maybe months."
"Can we all just drop Torres, Bambi, Burke, and Satan?" wondered Cristina.
The rest shut up and then waited for the next elevator. After they got on, Cristina glared at her friends and muttered to herself "Preston and Montgomery-Shepherd? That'll be the day." Meredith and Izzie gave each other worried looks.
Alex was still beside himself. "Dude, Callie O'Malley," he sang out as Derek Shepherd got on the elevator.
Blinking at what he thought he heard, Derek asked "Callie O'Malley? What's that about? Meredith?"
"It's Dr. Grey to you, Dr. Shepherd," reminded Cristina.
"Fine, I don't care. I just didn't know that George had gotten married."
"He's not married!" a flustered Izzie broke out. "He's just dating Torres. He's her McDreamy."
"Okay. You know what? I'm really too tired to deal with this."
"Dude, you asked," Alex reminded him.
The five remained quiet the rest of the elevator ride. Derek had to meet Burke and George in a patient's room who had cardiology and neurological issues.
"Burke, O'Malley," he greeted when he got in but got no response. He repeated their names and they looked up from their charts and gave him a glare before Burke responded with "Shepherd."
They went over the case with Derek who offered his suggestions which they gave curt responses to and Derek felt like he was being given the cold shoulder.
"Something's in the water," mused Derek. "First the interns, now you two. Do you have a problem with me, Preston?"
"That's Burke, Shepherd."
Sighing, Derek said, "How could I forget? I call you Burke yet my wife calls you Preston. Why was that again? Oh, you like her."
"That's right, Shepherd. I like your wife. I care about your wife. This is more than I can say for you."
"What?" sputtered Derek.
"Addison's sick, Derek. She has been for weeks. And you don't seem to notice or care. But you know what? Dr. O'Malley here, Dr. O'Malley and I have noticed and cared."
Derek felt something twist in his stomach. "What happened?"
"She's looked pale and exhausted lately. She's not eating properly. She's been dizzy. Then today she got sharp pains earlier. She told George it was hunger pains, but he didn't buy it and when I went to confront her, she ran into the ladies room, presumably to get sick. Callie followed her."
A flicker of some emotion passed through Derek's face. "Callie? Dr. Torres? I didn't know they knew each other."
"They don't," George quietly said.
"Not like you would know either way, Derek. I don't understand why she stays with you when you treat her so horribly-"
"You don't? You know what, Burke, this is none of your business."
"Addison is my friend so I'm making it mine. If you won't take care of her, I will. And so will George, and Callie. Bailey will too when she finds out and what do you think Richard will say?"
Swallowing, Derek said, "He'll be pissed with me."
Before they could continue, the patient whom they were collaborating on came in for a consult so they pushed everything aside and worked together to help the patient.
Callie, meanwhile, was trying to help a patient of her own.
"You know what, I can take your blood and run the test for you," Callie offered after ten minutes of talking with Addison.
"Are you sure? I'd ask a nurse but you know how gossipy they are, it'd be on the surgery board in no time."
"Yeah, I know how they are. I'll just take your blood and label it 'Jane Doe.' No one will find out."
Addison turned around in her swivel chair to face Callie. "Thank you, Dr. Torres."
Callie waved it off. "We've been through a lot today, no need for formalities, call me Callie."
"Okay, but only if you promise to call me Addison."
"It's a deal," she said, offering her hand. "Let's shake on it."
Raising a brow, Addison did as told.
"So, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"If this comes back positive, do you want to have a baby? I mean, do you want it to be positive or negative?"
"I, I don't know how I feel. It's just a jumble of things. I've always wanted to be a mother," she added softly.
"Yeah? Go figure, what with working with all those newborns."
"It's not just that, for the longest time, our dream was to be happily married, successful, and have a family full of beautiful children. One out of three isn't bad, I guess. I just wish things weren't so complicated with Derek. This baby couldn't have come at a worse point in our marriage, I mean, if there is a baby."
"If things don't work out with you and Shepherd, you'll be okay."
"I hope so. I just never imagined having to raise our child alone."
"If McAsshole doesn't get it together, it's his loss, not yours."
"McAsshole? Is that your name for him?" When Callie nodded, Addison laughed. "I like it, the first Mc name that I approve of."
"Hurrah!" cheered Callie. "And you know what, regardless of how things are, this child will be beautiful and have fabulous hair."
Addison simply stared at her. "What? Come on, Addison. You're gorgeous, that louse of a husband is pretty personified with a great set of hair not to mention your fiery mane, and any child with that set of genes will be beautiful."
"Fabulous hair? Seriously. Thanks, Callie. I, I needed that."
Callie smiled at her new friend and patted her hand, telling her it would be all right. Addison wasn't sure about that-about anything-but it was time to face facts. And one fact was that she might be pregnant. So many emotions swirled through her as she sat in her chair, waiting for Callie to return to take her blood. A mother, I could be a mother. I could be a single mother. That last idea slightly terrified her, but Addison knew it could be done and if that's what it came down to, she'd do it. Placing a shaking hand on her flat stomach, Addison closed her eyes and said if that's what it takes, I'll do it. And we'll be fine. Even if your daddy hates me.
Addison let out a small gasp as she realized what she had done and said. Here she was, not even sure if she was pregnant and she was talking to her stomach as if there was a baby in there! With a clarity she hadn't had until this moment, she knew now that if the test was positive, she wanted the baby, no matter the circumstances.
Callie returned to see tears falling down her colleague's face. "Addison? Addison, are you okay?"
Nodding through tear-stained eyes, Addison said, "Yeah. I'm fine. Hey, for all we know it's just hormones," she added as a joke.
Callie smiled at that and then proceeded to fill a vial of blood. Just as she was finishing, Derek charged in her office, saying "Addison, I want you to tell me what's going on with you."
Title: Wise Up ch. 5
Rating: PG-13, I guess. Adult themes. Some swearing.
Summary: Derek and Addison are trying to come to terms with their feelings for each other and their behavior towards each other. Will they be able to face their demons and be stronger or will they give up? Circa end season 2, with my spin on things.
Disclaimer: Fanfiction, only. No infringement intended. ABC, Touchstone Television, Shonda and Co. own Grey's Anatomy.
Previous chapters may be found here:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
"You're pregnant?" Callie asked her eyes wide in surprise.
"Yes. No. Maybe. I don't know. I just don't know," admitted Addison, which received a curious look from the other surgeon.
Sighing, Addison looked at herself in the mirror. I look like crap, she thought. "Yeah, I know. I'm an obstetrician for Pete's sake! This is my field. And I'm one of the best in it." She added that because it wasn't showing off-it was simply stating fact.
"Well yeah," began Callie.
Addison wished she had her purse with her so she could apply some makeup and start to look better, even if she didn't feel it, but it was in her office. Running a perfectly manicured hand through her hair, she said, "You're probably thinking that I'm not very competent if I can't even diagnose a pregnancy for myself. I mean, the signs are there, well some of them. And it would explain certain things, but…" her voice trailed off.
Callie moved so she was standing opposite Addison at the sink. "Why haven't you taken a blood test or one of those home pregnancy tests?" she prodded.
"Because. Because even though the signs are there, I've pretty much ignored them or dismissed them. I didn't even put two and two together until just a little while ago. And if I bought one of those home pregnancy tests, Derek would undoubtedly find it because God knows the trailer is tiny and there's a complete lack of privacy, and I'm just, I'm just not ready for him to know that there's a possibility that I might be," she rationalized, causing Callie to raise a brow. "And I don't exactly have an OB-GYN here, hell I don't even have a PCP. Who am I going to go to? I'd ask Miranda, but those interns keep her hands full and the last thing I need is one of them inadvertently finding out that Satan is pregnant with her Evil Spawn."
At that, Callie busts out laughing, to the dismay of Addison, who thought she was confiding in her. Addison tensed up and turned away from the ortho. Feeling bad, Callie apologized, "I'm sorry, Dr. Shepherd-or would you rather Dr. Montgomery-Shepherd-anyway, I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you. Honestly."
"Could've fooled me," muttered the annoyed redhead.
Shaking her head, the other doctor decided to fill her in on her amusement. "It's just that Alex-Alex Karev-that's what they-the other interns-call him. Evil Spawn. Particularly Cristina Yang. So when you say Satan's pregnant with an evil spawn…" her voice trailed off.
Addison was horrified at the idea of someone connecting her and Karev that way. "Good Lord," she said aloud. "Alex Karev? How could anyone think, I mean why would I sleep with Alex Karev? He's not bad on the eyes, I'll give him that, but he's an adolescent, a junior version of Mark Sloan and Senior was enough trouble. Alex Karev, ha!"
"Mark Sloan? You mean Doctor McSteamy?"
"McWHAT?!" asked a bug-eyed Addison.
"McSteamy. That's what they call Sloan, McSteamy."
Addison rolled her eyes and turned to face Callie. "The interns? Wow, they really need to get lives if all they do is stand around, coming up with the Mc Name of the Week."
"I know!" agreed Callie. "It's so…junior high. Sometimes they really annoy me and I wish that George was a part of a different intern group, because seriously."
"Sorry. I have my own issues with that group of interns. Well, your intern is safe, as is Yang. She has her issues, but I can't say that I have any with her. And considering that Yang is Grey's best friend, I'm lucky that she's not given me problems."
Callie laughed and then suggested that they move this conversation back to Addison's office so that those interns or anyone else who decided to use that particular ladies' room wouldn't overhear anything they shouldn't. Addison agreed, because that was the last thing she wanted and although she didn't know Callie, she found her easy to talk to. It was a relief to have someone in this forsaken city to confide in.
When Addison walked out, she found O'Malley and Preston standing across from the restroom, matching arms folded against chests, eyes furrowed with concern, they were deep in discussion, likely about her. George started to approach her and Preston asked, "Addison, are you okay?"
She was touched by his concern, and by George's. "No," she finally admitted. "I'm not, but I will be," she added.
Preston nodded, but George wasn't satisfied. "Dr. Montgomery-Shepherd, are you sure, I mean…"
Interrupting him, his girlfriend said, "She'll be okay, George." Folding down the lapels of his lab coat, she looked him in the eyes, conveying that he needed to trust her and not to push Addison any further. He simply nodded at her.
Stepping next to George, Burke said, "O'Malley, I have this interesting case that I want you in on, but don't tell Cristina, or…"
"Yes, Dr. Burke. I mean, no, I won't," George said excitedly.
"Good, now follow me to room 313 and we'll get to work." George said good-bye to Addison and Callie and then stood by the elevator, waiting for it to come up. Addie mouthed "thank you" to Preston who merely nodded and winked at her before leaving, and then she and Callie went into her office.
"What the hell is that about?" asked a highly-annoyed Cristina.
"Dude, I'm telling you, Burke is having an affair with McHot."
"Shut up, Alex," warned Meredith.
"He's with Cristina, Evil Spawn," reminded Izzie.
"Come on, when was the last time Burke looked so damn…friendly? When was the last time he gave a wink to his colleague?"
"Burke is very friendly," huffed Cristina.
"A wink, maybe it was a tick," offered Izzie.
Alex just laughed at her.
"Dude, seriously. Hell, I've seen them before myself and she calls him Preston," he said, emphasizing Burke's first name. "You're with him and you still call him Burke."
"Because, because that's, he's Burke."
"Just shut up, Alex," Meredith repeated.
"I wonder what Callie was doing with her? I mean, do they even know each other? Callie Torres, she gives me this off-vibe, you know? I mean, does she do that to anyone else? What does George see in her?" Izzie rambled.
"She's smokin'. What she sees in Bambi that is the real question. Hey!" a light bulb just went off. "If they get married one day, dude, she'll be Callie O'Malley!" He laughed at his own joke.
Izzie's eyes grew round. George married to…Callie?
Meredith shook her head and patted Izzie's hand. "Don't worry, Alex is just being Alex, George and Callie are nowhere near being ready to get married."
"Yeah, seriously. I mean, he was in love with you just a few weeks ago, right? Okay, maybe months."
"Can we all just drop Torres, Bambi, Burke, and Satan?" wondered Cristina.
The rest shut up and then waited for the next elevator. After they got on, Cristina glared at her friends and muttered to herself "Preston and Montgomery-Shepherd? That'll be the day." Meredith and Izzie gave each other worried looks.
Alex was still beside himself. "Dude, Callie O'Malley," he sang out as Derek Shepherd got on the elevator.
Blinking at what he thought he heard, Derek asked "Callie O'Malley? What's that about? Meredith?"
"It's Dr. Grey to you, Dr. Shepherd," reminded Cristina.
"Fine, I don't care. I just didn't know that George had gotten married."
"He's not married!" a flustered Izzie broke out. "He's just dating Torres. He's her McDreamy."
"Okay. You know what? I'm really too tired to deal with this."
"Dude, you asked," Alex reminded him.
The five remained quiet the rest of the elevator ride. Derek had to meet Burke and George in a patient's room who had cardiology and neurological issues.
"Burke, O'Malley," he greeted when he got in but got no response. He repeated their names and they looked up from their charts and gave him a glare before Burke responded with "Shepherd."
They went over the case with Derek who offered his suggestions which they gave curt responses to and Derek felt like he was being given the cold shoulder.
"Something's in the water," mused Derek. "First the interns, now you two. Do you have a problem with me, Preston?"
"That's Burke, Shepherd."
Sighing, Derek said, "How could I forget? I call you Burke yet my wife calls you Preston. Why was that again? Oh, you like her."
"That's right, Shepherd. I like your wife. I care about your wife. This is more than I can say for you."
"What?" sputtered Derek.
"Addison's sick, Derek. She has been for weeks. And you don't seem to notice or care. But you know what? Dr. O'Malley here, Dr. O'Malley and I have noticed and cared."
Derek felt something twist in his stomach. "What happened?"
"She's looked pale and exhausted lately. She's not eating properly. She's been dizzy. Then today she got sharp pains earlier. She told George it was hunger pains, but he didn't buy it and when I went to confront her, she ran into the ladies room, presumably to get sick. Callie followed her."
A flicker of some emotion passed through Derek's face. "Callie? Dr. Torres? I didn't know they knew each other."
"They don't," George quietly said.
"Not like you would know either way, Derek. I don't understand why she stays with you when you treat her so horribly-"
"You don't? You know what, Burke, this is none of your business."
"Addison is my friend so I'm making it mine. If you won't take care of her, I will. And so will George, and Callie. Bailey will too when she finds out and what do you think Richard will say?"
Swallowing, Derek said, "He'll be pissed with me."
Before they could continue, the patient whom they were collaborating on came in for a consult so they pushed everything aside and worked together to help the patient.
Callie, meanwhile, was trying to help a patient of her own.
"You know what, I can take your blood and run the test for you," Callie offered after ten minutes of talking with Addison.
"Are you sure? I'd ask a nurse but you know how gossipy they are, it'd be on the surgery board in no time."
"Yeah, I know how they are. I'll just take your blood and label it 'Jane Doe.' No one will find out."
Addison turned around in her swivel chair to face Callie. "Thank you, Dr. Torres."
Callie waved it off. "We've been through a lot today, no need for formalities, call me Callie."
"Okay, but only if you promise to call me Addison."
"It's a deal," she said, offering her hand. "Let's shake on it."
Raising a brow, Addison did as told.
"So, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"If this comes back positive, do you want to have a baby? I mean, do you want it to be positive or negative?"
"I, I don't know how I feel. It's just a jumble of things. I've always wanted to be a mother," she added softly.
"Yeah? Go figure, what with working with all those newborns."
"It's not just that, for the longest time, our dream was to be happily married, successful, and have a family full of beautiful children. One out of three isn't bad, I guess. I just wish things weren't so complicated with Derek. This baby couldn't have come at a worse point in our marriage, I mean, if there is a baby."
"If things don't work out with you and Shepherd, you'll be okay."
"I hope so. I just never imagined having to raise our child alone."
"If McAsshole doesn't get it together, it's his loss, not yours."
"McAsshole? Is that your name for him?" When Callie nodded, Addison laughed. "I like it, the first Mc name that I approve of."
"Hurrah!" cheered Callie. "And you know what, regardless of how things are, this child will be beautiful and have fabulous hair."
Addison simply stared at her. "What? Come on, Addison. You're gorgeous, that louse of a husband is pretty personified with a great set of hair not to mention your fiery mane, and any child with that set of genes will be beautiful."
"Fabulous hair? Seriously. Thanks, Callie. I, I needed that."
Callie smiled at her new friend and patted her hand, telling her it would be all right. Addison wasn't sure about that-about anything-but it was time to face facts. And one fact was that she might be pregnant. So many emotions swirled through her as she sat in her chair, waiting for Callie to return to take her blood. A mother, I could be a mother. I could be a single mother. That last idea slightly terrified her, but Addison knew it could be done and if that's what it came down to, she'd do it. Placing a shaking hand on her flat stomach, Addison closed her eyes and said if that's what it takes, I'll do it. And we'll be fine. Even if your daddy hates me.
Addison let out a small gasp as she realized what she had done and said. Here she was, not even sure if she was pregnant and she was talking to her stomach as if there was a baby in there! With a clarity she hadn't had until this moment, she knew now that if the test was positive, she wanted the baby, no matter the circumstances.
Callie returned to see tears falling down her colleague's face. "Addison? Addison, are you okay?"
Nodding through tear-stained eyes, Addison said, "Yeah. I'm fine. Hey, for all we know it's just hormones," she added as a joke.
Callie smiled at that and then proceeded to fill a vial of blood. Just as she was finishing, Derek charged in her office, saying "Addison, I want you to tell me what's going on with you."