"Wise Up" 8/?
Author's Note: A week again, not bad!
Title: Wise Up ch. 8
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
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Author's Note: Continuing under the cut b/c this is a bit longer than norm:
I want to explain something about Addison's attitude in the previous chapter: a few people commented (not here, elsewhere) that she was rather cold in how she told Derek she was pregnant and she could/should have been nicer. But based on his recent behavior towards her, Addison doesn't feel like he deserves that. If you recall, he was displaying serious McJerky behavior towards her and there is a schism there. Plus I was trying to contrast where they were in their marriage when she first told him she was pregnant to where they are currently. Finally, it didn't help that I was re-watching some season 2 episodes and his attitude towards her SUCKED in some episodes. In particular, "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer," where he ignored her/dismissed her, was visibly annoyed that she showed up at Joe's at the end and then had the audacity to say "Hey, I'm not trying to hurt you, but it wasn't just a fling, I was in love with Meredith." GRRR Okay, ending this author's note by saying that Addek have things to work on but the key is that they work on it together b/c so far, none of the realizations Derek has had about his wife has been voiced to her (and likewise she has things she needs to say to him). Good night/morning and enjoy!
********************************
"Wise Up 8/?"
Addison woke up the next morning to the aroma of waffles, maple syrup, eggs, and strawberries wafting over her head. I must be dreaming, she thought while groggily opening her eyes to see her husband standing beside her, holding in one hand a plate with scrambled eggs, a waffle with syrup, strawberries and whip cream on top, and a glass of orange juice in his other hand. Blinking rapidly, she looked up at him in confusion.
"Good morning, Sleepyhead," he sang cheerfully, handing her the juice which she took a long gulp of.
Eyeing him suspiciously, Addison put her drink down and asked, "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?"
Derek merely laughed and handed her the plate. "I made your favorite."
"I see that. But it begs the question: why?"
Shrugging, Derek told her to eat up. "Well it looks good," she mumbled, moving in the bed so she was leaning with her back against the wall. "It's not laced with arsenic, is it?"
Derek laughed. "Very funny, my wife the comedienne."
His wife? She can't remember the last time he'd said that without a derisive comment behind it.
"No, Addison. There's no arsenic or any other kind of poison in there. I promise. Come on, you need to eat."
Addison was still suspicious of Derek's apparent change of demeanor, but she was ravenous so she began to eat.
"I called Richard and got the day off," he informed her as he maneuvered his way into the tiny kitchen area.
"I thought you had surgeries scheduled?" Addison wondered between bites.
"I did, but I postponed them. Well, one of them I had to give to Dr. Reynolds."
At this, Addison sputtered her juice. He had to be kidding her. Derek Shepherd taking the day off? Derek Shepherd postponing surgeries? Derek Shepherd giving a patient to another surgeon? Surely something was amiss with this picture.
"Don't choke, Addison," he warned from the sink, grinning as he knew exactly what was running through his wife's mind.
"I'm fine. But I'm worried about The Chief."
"Why?"
"Because I'm sure he was apoplectic when you told him you wanted a day off. You voluntarily gave up your surgery to another surgeon."
"Richard was still standing-or sitting, I don't know as I was on the phone with him-after I told him. Once he knew the reason, he was fine."
Stiffening, Addison hoped he hadn't told Richard that she was pregnant. That should be left up to her-when and if she wanted to tell him.
"Which was what?"
"That I'm taking care of my sick wife. He was actually eager to give me the day off. He told me to take care of his star surgeon, his Addie, and tell you that he hopes you feel better soon."
Addison was touched by her mentor/friend's concern for her. Richard had always been so good to her, to both of them.
"Finish eating, Addison."
Rolling her eyes, Addison did as told but as she tackled the eggs, her stomach started feeling queasy. Oh god, not now, she moaned.
"So I was thinking, maybe we could go on the ferry today, see some sights. We haven't really done that since you moved here."
Ferry? Boat? The idea of swaying on a boat was not appealing at that moment. She had no desire to lose her breakfast over the edge of the rail overlooking Puget Sound.
"Addison? What do you think?"
When she didn't answer, he continued, "And we could go downtown, they have a lot of boutiques that I'm sure you'd love-to use my American Express for your purchases, of course," he added with a smirk.
Okay, who was this person and how had he invaded her husband's body? Seriously!
"Or we could go the Seattle Art Museum. I'm told they have some really lovely exhibits that I'm sure would be right up your alley. We could find a bistro for lunch and then on the way back…"
"Addison?" he prodded, frustrated that she wasn't responding to any of his suggestions.
"Not now, Derek," she warned him in that tone of hers.
"I'm beginning to hate that mantra," Derek muttered under his breath.
Her face green, she held her hand to her mouth and jumped out of the bed, running to the bathroom where she promptly heaved the contents of her lovely breakfast.
Unlike every other time, this time Derek followed her into the bathroom and he placed a gentle hand on her back, rubbing it in soothing circles.
"Oh God," she whined, holding onto the porcelain fixture, feeling another onslaught hitting her.
"Shhh, Addie, it's okay," his voice soft, he held back her hair while she heaved once more.
"No it's not," she told him, flushing the toilet when her stomach felt semi-settled.
"Addie," he started, standing up, he reached out his hand for her.
"Stop it," she said, shooing his hand away. She turned to look at him and she looked so lost, Derek felt something inside of him but he didn't know what. Pity? Regret? Worry?
Her face was blotchy and she couldn't help but cry. "It's not okay. Nothing's okay," she told him starkly, still sitting on the cold floor.
Derek reached for a washcloth which he then ran under warm water before placing it on the nape of her neck.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you acting so…nice to me?"
Something in the pit of his stomach told him that it shouldn't be like that, she shouldn't be so alarmed by him being nice. He was her husband for Heaven's sake!
"Just …Addison…why don't you just accept that I am?" He reached his hand out for her again and this time she took it, firmly gripping onto him as he held her up.
She stared at him and found something she hadn't seen in a long time, though she couldn't exactly pinpoint what that was. She had the smallest of urges to reach out and trace his face, but she quenched that impulse and instead washed her hands while Derek watched her. He gave her the towel to dry which she accepted and then they stood in the tiny space, inches between them, staring at each other. He was unnerving her.
"I should uh, I should take a shower and get clean," Addison finally spoke.
Debating within himself, Derek offered, "Do you uh, do you want any help?"
"You mean…you in there with me?"
He nodded.
This was certainly out of the blue! "No," she told him. "It's too small for the both of us."
"Addie," he said, shaking his head at her. "We've managed to fit ourselves in there on a few occasions," he reminded her with a smirk.
"That was…different. I'm not in the mood for that, Derek."
Sighing, Derek told her that, "I wasn't proposing having sex with you in the shower, Addison. Jesus, I was simply trying to offer to help give my wife a shower. Is that really such a repelling idea?"
Biting the inside of her cheek, Addison told him it wasn't.
"Then why? I used to do that all the time when you were sick. I used to run baths for you in…"
"New York," she finished for him quietly. "But we're not in New York, Derek and things aren't the same. You haven't been like that, treated me like that in years, Derek. I can't remember the last time you went out of your way to take care of me when I was sick. I've been feeling run-down and getting sick for about a month now and you did nothing," she stressed, her voice turning hard, "So pardon me for being more than startled by your sudden change of behavior toward me. Pardon me for knowing that it only has to do with the fact that I'm carrying your child and not because you genuinely want to take care of me. Now can we delay this discussion until after I've taken a shower, got dressed, and brushed my teeth?"
"Fine."
He still hadn't moved from where she was standing, so she made a motion to him. "Can you please allow me some privacy?"
"Fine," he told her through clenched teeth. "You want privacy? Fine." And with that he not only left the bathroom but he stormed out of the trailer.
Shaking her head, Addison looked to the ceiling and exhaled a breath she'd been holding. "Nice Derek. Leave. It's what you do best!" She yelled to the empty trailer.
Though he had slammed the door, it didn't shut all the way so Derek heard Addison's admonishment. "Just great," he muttered to no one. "Just fucking terrific."
Sitting down on one of the plastic chairs, Derek jerked his fingers through his hair, mulling over what just happened. All he was trying to do was reach out to her. Was it really that hard for her to see? After thinking about mulling it over for some time, Derek thought of his reaction attitude towards wife and her reaction was more than understandable. How was she supposed to take his 180? Of course she'd not believe it. Of course she'd think it was all about the baby. And was she right?
He stood up and paced in the yard. As unsure of things as he was, Derek knew that there was a part of him that did care about Addison beyond the fact that she was carrying his child.
Deciding to go back in and not give her the satisfaction of being right, Derek entered the trailer and sat on the edge of the bed. He looked at the floor which was a mess, things piled here and there because she took the shelves in the closet for her shoes, and he wondered how he got to this point.
No answers came to him because he heard the faucet being turned off and Addison would be there shortly and would likely be fuming about him.
"Not now, Addison," she said in the same patronizing tone that Derek had always used for her. "We'll talk later, Addison. It wasn't just a fling, Addison. I love Meredith, Addison. And now he expects me to believe he's changed his tune? Because somehow his sperm fertilized my egg?" she asked incredulously while wrapping a towel around her head, not knowing that her object of frustration was sitting on the bed, hearing every word.
"And yet," she said, exiting the bathroom, "When push comes to shove, he left. Typical Derek Shepherd move."
Pulling off her robe, she began to sink down on the bed when she felt a heavy weight beside her. Jumping up in surprise, she screeched, "You. What are you doing here?"
While Derek could have simply retorted that he lived there, he took a good look at her body and swallowed. While no one could tell by looking at her that she was pregnant (and they hadn't talked due or conception dates yet so he was unsure how far along she was), he detected a tiny swell in her abdomen. Water glistened on her skin which looked smooth to the touch and her breasts were fuller. She was beautiful and he was sure she had no idea.
"What?" she asked, perturbed by his fixation on her naked form.
"It's just…we're having a baby," he said emotionally.
Title: Wise Up ch. 8
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
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Author's Note: Continuing under the cut b/c this is a bit longer than norm:
I want to explain something about Addison's attitude in the previous chapter: a few people commented (not here, elsewhere) that she was rather cold in how she told Derek she was pregnant and she could/should have been nicer. But based on his recent behavior towards her, Addison doesn't feel like he deserves that. If you recall, he was displaying serious McJerky behavior towards her and there is a schism there. Plus I was trying to contrast where they were in their marriage when she first told him she was pregnant to where they are currently. Finally, it didn't help that I was re-watching some season 2 episodes and his attitude towards her SUCKED in some episodes. In particular, "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer," where he ignored her/dismissed her, was visibly annoyed that she showed up at Joe's at the end and then had the audacity to say "Hey, I'm not trying to hurt you, but it wasn't just a fling, I was in love with Meredith." GRRR Okay, ending this author's note by saying that Addek have things to work on but the key is that they work on it together b/c so far, none of the realizations Derek has had about his wife has been voiced to her (and likewise she has things she needs to say to him). Good night/morning and enjoy!
********************************
"Wise Up 8/?"
Addison woke up the next morning to the aroma of waffles, maple syrup, eggs, and strawberries wafting over her head. I must be dreaming, she thought while groggily opening her eyes to see her husband standing beside her, holding in one hand a plate with scrambled eggs, a waffle with syrup, strawberries and whip cream on top, and a glass of orange juice in his other hand. Blinking rapidly, she looked up at him in confusion.
"Good morning, Sleepyhead," he sang cheerfully, handing her the juice which she took a long gulp of.
Eyeing him suspiciously, Addison put her drink down and asked, "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?"
Derek merely laughed and handed her the plate. "I made your favorite."
"I see that. But it begs the question: why?"
Shrugging, Derek told her to eat up. "Well it looks good," she mumbled, moving in the bed so she was leaning with her back against the wall. "It's not laced with arsenic, is it?"
Derek laughed. "Very funny, my wife the comedienne."
His wife? She can't remember the last time he'd said that without a derisive comment behind it.
"No, Addison. There's no arsenic or any other kind of poison in there. I promise. Come on, you need to eat."
Addison was still suspicious of Derek's apparent change of demeanor, but she was ravenous so she began to eat.
"I called Richard and got the day off," he informed her as he maneuvered his way into the tiny kitchen area.
"I thought you had surgeries scheduled?" Addison wondered between bites.
"I did, but I postponed them. Well, one of them I had to give to Dr. Reynolds."
At this, Addison sputtered her juice. He had to be kidding her. Derek Shepherd taking the day off? Derek Shepherd postponing surgeries? Derek Shepherd giving a patient to another surgeon? Surely something was amiss with this picture.
"Don't choke, Addison," he warned from the sink, grinning as he knew exactly what was running through his wife's mind.
"I'm fine. But I'm worried about The Chief."
"Why?"
"Because I'm sure he was apoplectic when you told him you wanted a day off. You voluntarily gave up your surgery to another surgeon."
"Richard was still standing-or sitting, I don't know as I was on the phone with him-after I told him. Once he knew the reason, he was fine."
Stiffening, Addison hoped he hadn't told Richard that she was pregnant. That should be left up to her-when and if she wanted to tell him.
"Which was what?"
"That I'm taking care of my sick wife. He was actually eager to give me the day off. He told me to take care of his star surgeon, his Addie, and tell you that he hopes you feel better soon."
Addison was touched by her mentor/friend's concern for her. Richard had always been so good to her, to both of them.
"Finish eating, Addison."
Rolling her eyes, Addison did as told but as she tackled the eggs, her stomach started feeling queasy. Oh god, not now, she moaned.
"So I was thinking, maybe we could go on the ferry today, see some sights. We haven't really done that since you moved here."
Ferry? Boat? The idea of swaying on a boat was not appealing at that moment. She had no desire to lose her breakfast over the edge of the rail overlooking Puget Sound.
"Addison? What do you think?"
When she didn't answer, he continued, "And we could go downtown, they have a lot of boutiques that I'm sure you'd love-to use my American Express for your purchases, of course," he added with a smirk.
Okay, who was this person and how had he invaded her husband's body? Seriously!
"Or we could go the Seattle Art Museum. I'm told they have some really lovely exhibits that I'm sure would be right up your alley. We could find a bistro for lunch and then on the way back…"
"Addison?" he prodded, frustrated that she wasn't responding to any of his suggestions.
"Not now, Derek," she warned him in that tone of hers.
"I'm beginning to hate that mantra," Derek muttered under his breath.
Her face green, she held her hand to her mouth and jumped out of the bed, running to the bathroom where she promptly heaved the contents of her lovely breakfast.
Unlike every other time, this time Derek followed her into the bathroom and he placed a gentle hand on her back, rubbing it in soothing circles.
"Oh God," she whined, holding onto the porcelain fixture, feeling another onslaught hitting her.
"Shhh, Addie, it's okay," his voice soft, he held back her hair while she heaved once more.
"No it's not," she told him, flushing the toilet when her stomach felt semi-settled.
"Addie," he started, standing up, he reached out his hand for her.
"Stop it," she said, shooing his hand away. She turned to look at him and she looked so lost, Derek felt something inside of him but he didn't know what. Pity? Regret? Worry?
Her face was blotchy and she couldn't help but cry. "It's not okay. Nothing's okay," she told him starkly, still sitting on the cold floor.
Derek reached for a washcloth which he then ran under warm water before placing it on the nape of her neck.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you acting so…nice to me?"
Something in the pit of his stomach told him that it shouldn't be like that, she shouldn't be so alarmed by him being nice. He was her husband for Heaven's sake!
"Just …Addison…why don't you just accept that I am?" He reached his hand out for her again and this time she took it, firmly gripping onto him as he held her up.
She stared at him and found something she hadn't seen in a long time, though she couldn't exactly pinpoint what that was. She had the smallest of urges to reach out and trace his face, but she quenched that impulse and instead washed her hands while Derek watched her. He gave her the towel to dry which she accepted and then they stood in the tiny space, inches between them, staring at each other. He was unnerving her.
"I should uh, I should take a shower and get clean," Addison finally spoke.
Debating within himself, Derek offered, "Do you uh, do you want any help?"
"You mean…you in there with me?"
He nodded.
This was certainly out of the blue! "No," she told him. "It's too small for the both of us."
"Addie," he said, shaking his head at her. "We've managed to fit ourselves in there on a few occasions," he reminded her with a smirk.
"That was…different. I'm not in the mood for that, Derek."
Sighing, Derek told her that, "I wasn't proposing having sex with you in the shower, Addison. Jesus, I was simply trying to offer to help give my wife a shower. Is that really such a repelling idea?"
Biting the inside of her cheek, Addison told him it wasn't.
"Then why? I used to do that all the time when you were sick. I used to run baths for you in…"
"New York," she finished for him quietly. "But we're not in New York, Derek and things aren't the same. You haven't been like that, treated me like that in years, Derek. I can't remember the last time you went out of your way to take care of me when I was sick. I've been feeling run-down and getting sick for about a month now and you did nothing," she stressed, her voice turning hard, "So pardon me for being more than startled by your sudden change of behavior toward me. Pardon me for knowing that it only has to do with the fact that I'm carrying your child and not because you genuinely want to take care of me. Now can we delay this discussion until after I've taken a shower, got dressed, and brushed my teeth?"
"Fine."
He still hadn't moved from where she was standing, so she made a motion to him. "Can you please allow me some privacy?"
"Fine," he told her through clenched teeth. "You want privacy? Fine." And with that he not only left the bathroom but he stormed out of the trailer.
Shaking her head, Addison looked to the ceiling and exhaled a breath she'd been holding. "Nice Derek. Leave. It's what you do best!" She yelled to the empty trailer.
Though he had slammed the door, it didn't shut all the way so Derek heard Addison's admonishment. "Just great," he muttered to no one. "Just fucking terrific."
Sitting down on one of the plastic chairs, Derek jerked his fingers through his hair, mulling over what just happened. All he was trying to do was reach out to her. Was it really that hard for her to see? After thinking about mulling it over for some time, Derek thought of his reaction attitude towards wife and her reaction was more than understandable. How was she supposed to take his 180? Of course she'd not believe it. Of course she'd think it was all about the baby. And was she right?
He stood up and paced in the yard. As unsure of things as he was, Derek knew that there was a part of him that did care about Addison beyond the fact that she was carrying his child.
Deciding to go back in and not give her the satisfaction of being right, Derek entered the trailer and sat on the edge of the bed. He looked at the floor which was a mess, things piled here and there because she took the shelves in the closet for her shoes, and he wondered how he got to this point.
No answers came to him because he heard the faucet being turned off and Addison would be there shortly and would likely be fuming about him.
"Not now, Addison," she said in the same patronizing tone that Derek had always used for her. "We'll talk later, Addison. It wasn't just a fling, Addison. I love Meredith, Addison. And now he expects me to believe he's changed his tune? Because somehow his sperm fertilized my egg?" she asked incredulously while wrapping a towel around her head, not knowing that her object of frustration was sitting on the bed, hearing every word.
"And yet," she said, exiting the bathroom, "When push comes to shove, he left. Typical Derek Shepherd move."
Pulling off her robe, she began to sink down on the bed when she felt a heavy weight beside her. Jumping up in surprise, she screeched, "You. What are you doing here?"
While Derek could have simply retorted that he lived there, he took a good look at her body and swallowed. While no one could tell by looking at her that she was pregnant (and they hadn't talked due or conception dates yet so he was unsure how far along she was), he detected a tiny swell in her abdomen. Water glistened on her skin which looked smooth to the touch and her breasts were fuller. She was beautiful and he was sure she had no idea.
"What?" she asked, perturbed by his fixation on her naked form.
"It's just…we're having a baby," he said emotionally.