This Vicious Cycle Chapter 17
So, it was a good day at work. I've made it to my deadlines and so far the boss hasn't asked for re-writes. I still owe one more article but I get a pass.
I'm in a good mood which means an update. Yay.
Disclaimer: You know the drill.... still not mine.
Special thanks as usual to Suz.
On to the update....
___________________________________
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
As promised, Derek remained by Addison’s side, acting like a good husband. He brought her coffee, took her to lunch, watched her surgeries when his schedule allowed and generally just took time to care and pay attention to his wife. He would not be dissuaded, despite being disheartened at times, when Addison would snub his attention and just leave him hanging. Derek had to admit that it hurt to see that when Addison was with other people, Callie and Miranda for example or even Karev, she acted like the Addison he knew - funny and warm but still with an edge. Anyone that paid attention could see the difference of how Addison was treating Derek compared to other people she had contact with.
Everyone knew but no one dared to say anything and no one had spared Derek a sympathetic look. The general consensus was that McDreamy deserved the cold treatment from McWife after the humiliation he had put her through. He was the indecisive bastard who went back and forth between two women. Their pitying looks were reserved for Meredith Grey but even those were few and far in between. As far as the Seattle Grace staff was concerned, they were just there to observe and gossip about these surgeons’ lives and not meddle. That and they were just terrified to be on the bad side of the She-Shepherd especially now that they have realized what a great addition to SGH she had become and how scary it would be if you cross her.
Callie and Miranda had once broached the subject of the ongoing silent battle of wills between the Shepherds but with one look from Addison, it was not discussed further. Addison just assured them that she knew what she was doing and everything would be fine. The Nazi gave her a look and sniggered as if to say that whatever the deal was between the husband and wife, it may not end up well.
~ x ~ x ~ x ~
“Good morning” Derek greeted his wife as he walked towards the dining table. He was carrying a couple of brochures.
Addison looked up briefly from her newspaper to acknowledge Derek. He smiled when her eyes met his but she continued reading and occasionally took sips of her coffee.
“Hey Addie… I was thinking we could take a vacation somewhere.” He said, raising the brochures up to show Addison. “I have collected these from a travel agency and I browsed through the internet for resorts that I think you’ll love. We could go up to Whistler or if you want, we could go somewhere warmer. Or we could go to that B&B with the big bed and the sheets? I think I found it. I printed the info and stuff. What do you think, Addie?”
“A vacation?”
“Yeah, whenever you want. I’m sure Richard will approve a few days off or even a week for us. Don’t worry about him. I’ll take care of that. Just let me know when you want to go and I’ll take care of everything.”
Addison didn’t say anything but she was looking at the printed materials Derek had brought. She was skimming over The Wickaninnish Inn brochure, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the paper while she read.
“That is one of my preferred choices. It’s just off Vancouver Island and it’s pretty isolated. We can really be together, do stuff or just relax and talk. Each room has a spectacular view of the Pacific. And we can go anytime…Of course, it’s your choice. I’d be happy to go anywhere with you. Just the two of us.”
Addison stopped reading and looked at him. They stared at each other for a moment before she broke eye contact and stood.
“I have to get to work.” She said then took her cup to the kitchen sink. She was about to leave the apartment when she realized Derek was still sitting at the dining table staring at the brochures but not really reading them. A twinge of guilt ran through Addison when she saw him looking dejected. “Just…just leave them there and I’ll take a look” she said, offering a small smile and then left for work.
Addison didn’t see the big smile that spread across Derek’s face with her simple statement.
~ x ~ x ~ x ~
Addison was lying down on a bed in the on call room, trying to fall asleep. It had been almost 2 weeks since her confession at Joe’s and 3 days since she had looked over the travel brochures and made her choices. She was warming up to the idea of taking a vacation with Derek in the near future and even agreed on his preferred location.
Truthfully, Addison had been thinking about her husband and his actions over the past weeks that was why she couldn’t fall asleep. Derek’s constant attention and care had slowly made its way past the walls she had put up. The fact that he was still by her side and had become unrelenting with his actions despite knowing her intentions had made Addison believe that things just may work out between the two of them. She was so sure that he’d be running away just about now but he didn’t. Addison saw glimpses of the old Derek, the one she fell in love with and married and not the McDreamy Seattle version. There may be hope for Derek Shepherd and their marriage.
Addison was startled from her thoughts when the door to the room opened and revealed the man plaguing her thoughts.
“Hey… I thought you were sleeping.” He said quietly.
“Hey.” She answered back softly. “I didn’t know you were on call.”
“I wasn’t but I switched with Benson when I heard you were on call” he replied and came over to sit by the foot of her bed.
“I can’t sleep.” She confessed.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“What?!” she exclaimed.
“Don’t get me wrong… it’s just that I have something planned.” Derek started. “It’s Richard’s birthday tomorrow.”
“Yeah. And?” she asked.
“And I have no immediate patients to attend to and I think all is quiet on your floor and I was thinking of surprising Richard tomorrow.”
“What? It’s midnight, Derek. There isn’t a place open where we could buy something for Richard around this time.”
“I’m not talking about buying him anything, Addie. I was thinking… Plan B, 1997.”
“What?”
“Plan B, 1997” Derek repeated with a mischievous smile on his face.
Addison rose up from her position when it dawned on her what Derek’s cryptic message was about. “No way” she said, getting excited. Derek nodded at her. “But, his birthday is tomorrow. We’re not prepared.”
“I have all the materials we need in the car. I just need my partner in crime.” Derek said as he stood and offered his hand to Addison. “What do you say?”
Addison took Derek’s hand and smiled. “Lead the way, Batman.”
__________________________________________________________
SMILE, GUYS!!! ;)