Complications
Next chapter is up. Read and review, please.
As they say, the best laid plans… This has literally been sitting on my PC all ready to go, I just didn’t have the time to upload it. You guys left awesome reviews last time, I should have just followed your advice and updated then. Ah, well better late than never. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: See prologue.
“Shit. Shit. Shit.” Addison tore out of the waiting room after informing a distraught brand-new father that his wife and daughter were both healthy and resting comfortably in recovery. She chanced another glance at her phone and discovered that it was indeed 5:17. Unfortunately the dress she had planned to wear to the event was still at the cleaners, so she had just a little over an hour-and-a half to shower, do make-up, hair, and come up with a completely new ensemble. Lovely.
She ran through the possibilities in her head as she ran to her car. She had just slid into the plush leather interior of her Mercedes and turned the ignition when her phone began to vibrate. She hit the Bluetooth button and issued the standard greeting. Her best friend’s voice suddenly filled the car, “Hey, how did the surgery go.”
“Both mother and daughter are alive and well. I, however, am screwed as my lovely party dress is still at the cleaners, which closed 25 minutes ago.”
“Oooh.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“What are you going to wear?”
“That’s a very good question.”
“Why didn’t you just pick it up yesterday?”
“Because if you will recall, I was assisting a very dear friend in a tricky procedure.”
“Oh, right.” Naomi chuckled, “Well, the good thing is that your closet looks like a 5th Avenue showroom so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a suitable replacement.”
“You’re just saying that so I’ll forget that this is partially your fault.”
“Maybe. Oh hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
“Oh, sure, change the subject.”
“Do you know if Derek and Mark are coming?”
“Oh, that’s a wonderful topic,” Addison rolled her eyes. “I don’t know, why? You want to get all pretty for Mark so you guys can finally do the dirty and release all that pent up hostility you two have for each other?”
“Please, we both know I’d break that boy. Besides that sounds more like your department.”
“Funny.”
“I thought so. Now answer the question.”
“I told you, I don’t know. Again I ask: why?”
“Just curious.”
“Uh-huh. Well, Mark probably won’t, he and Dr. Sparrow had a bit of a falling out, but Derek likely will. He and Dr. Sparrow were always pretty close. They used to go fishing together every month.”
“What happened with Mark?”
“Well, he dropped him as an advisee when he caught him coming out of his daughter’s apartment at eight in the morning when he went round to collect her for their weekly breakfast. His daughter who was a virgin until she met Mark.”
“Oh,” Naomi laughed.
“Yea,” Addie shook her head. “Listen I just pulled up to the house, I’ll see you there okay?”
“See ya.”
**********************************************************
Addison had just stepped out of the shower and stood before her closet in her black lace strapless bra and panty set from La Perla, and contemplated her choices. Her eyes narrowed as they zoomed in on a black silk spaghetti strapped creation by Dior. She quickly retreated to the bathroom to finish the rest of her preparations.
Addison smiled at her reflection as she fastened the last of her earrings. She looked hot even if she did say so herself. Her phone rang and she grabbed it as she considered which perfume to wear.
She glanced at the ID before answering, “Hey are you on your way? The car will be here any minute.” She decided on the Chanel.
“Well, there’s a small issue with that,” Kevin replied.
“Which is?”
“I’m not coming.”
“What?!”
“They’re calling in all available personnel; we just got a tip about a major transaction going down tonight.”
“Isn’t there anyone else who can cover for you? There’s going to be an open bar at this thing and I intend to enjoy it, which means I’ll be open to various sexual activities afterward,” she purred.
“Oh, now that’s very tempting, but I can’t. Besides, you know that I’m not good at this kind of event, remember last time?”
“Yeah, I do. But Archer isn’t here this time. And we’ve moved past that.”
“I know, but we’re going to need all the help we can get, you can be sure this meeting will be heavily armed and well-protected.”
“Heavily armed? I don’t like the sound of that.”
“I’m sorry, babe, but I can’t leave them a man short. If this bust goes well it will be the perfect culmination to the last six months of work. Raincheck?”
“Sure, just…be careful,” she sighed.
“I will. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” She heard a voice in the background telling him to get a move on. “I gotta go, babe. Love you.”
“You too.” Addison rang off, just as the doorbell rang announcing the arrival of her car. She knew that the danger was a part of his job, a job that he absolutely adored, that didn’t mean that she had to like it. She hated knowing that he was out there like that; it made her stomach twist in knots. He had been shot once, and she didn’t want to relive the experience. With a silent plea that he would return to her safely, he grabbed her purse, and sailed out of the door, trying to get the worried frown off her face.
**********************************************************
The atrium had been beautifully decorated and Addison marveled a bit as she searched for Naomi and Sam. She soon spotted them over by the reception table and quickly joined them.
“Hey, Addie.” They each greeted her with a hug. “Where’s Kevin?” Naomi inquired.
“Somewhere with bullets possibly flying near his person? He was called in for an assignment.”
“Oh, Addie, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“Yea, Kevin’s a good guy. He can take care of himself,” Sam added.
“Yeah.”
“Shall we go find seats,” Sam suggested. They all shuffled into the auditorium and found seats in the right center section, with Naomi in the center. Once they were situated they all began to peruse the program, noting all of the well-known physicians who had gathered to honor such a talented surgeon. There was one name in particular, however, that made her heart skip a beat. There it was in black and white, the name that she had doodled all over several binders in med school (though that evidence had been promptly destroyed minutes after writing it): Derek Shepherd.
Naomi noticed her friend’s sharp intake of breath, but didn’t comment directly on it. “Well, I guess that answers my question.”
“Apparently, so.”
They sat quietly throughout the various speakers laughing when appropriate, and overall enjoying the ceremony. When his familiar form walked on, Addison couldn’t help her eyes sliding appreciatively over his form, encased in a very well tailored Armani suit, that she was fairly certain she had purchased at some point. She began to feel the well-known stirrings in her gut that she always had when he was around, but quickly slammed the door to the mental box she kept all those feelings in and focused on the speech. She smirked as she recalled the memories he related along with him, and actively strived not to let her mind stray outside of those set events. It became a lot easier when she felt the vibration of her phone and read the sweet text that Kevin had sent her. She blushed when he sent her another, this one much more racy. Apparently, the wait she giving him quite a few ideas. She chuckled to herself as she sent an appropriate reply. Why dwell on the past when she had such a promising future ahead of her?
**********************************************************
Derek glanced around the room as he took a sip from his wine glass, searching for her face. He would kill for a scotch right now, but he didn’t want his senses dulled when he saw her. He had tried to find her in the audience while he was onstage, but was unable to make anyone out through the bright lights. Derek knew that she was here; he had seen her distinct scrawl in the best wishes book. He sighed and was about to turn when a flash of red caught his eye. There she was standing near the refreshment table, wearing a knee length black cocktail dress that accentuated her curves. She looked radiant as always. He took a deep breath before approaching her. He stood there and admired her for a moment before speaking. “Hello.”
She turned around startled. “Oh, um,” she raised her hand to cover her mouth, “hi. Sorry, strawberry.” She swallowed, “Hello.”
He leaned in and placed a kiss on her cheek, inhaling her perfume in the process, immediately recognizing it as he trademark Chanel. She pulled back a little and tried to hide her surprise. “Oh, um, okay.”
He smiled at her. “I figured I’d run into you here.”
“You did?” He just raised his eyebrows while his eyes twinkled. She held his gaze for a moment before looking away. “So, um, where’s…where is Meredith?”
“She,” he paused to clear his throat, “She, uh, she couldn’t make it. She was called in to a last minute surgery before we left.” He shrugged, “Hazards of being married to a surgeon.”
“Hmm,” she began with a raised eyebrow. “Yes, I’m rather familiar with those…hazards.” He cast his eyes down, wishing he could retract his statement. He opened his mouth to speak, when she interrupted. “Well, I was in the middle of a conversation over there so…” She gave him a half-smile as she turned and walked away.
He watched her go and drained his glass, once again desperately wishing for something stronger. He sighed, that could have certainly gone better. The last thing he wanted to do was to remind her of his failures as a husband. He wanted to…well he didn’t really know what he wanted to do, he just knew that whatever it was it involved the redhead. Derek placed the now empty wine glass on the nearest table as he once again scanned the room. He caught sight of her slipping out onto the balcony. He steeled himself for round two and followed her.
Addison leaned against the railing taking in the beautiful sunset and its reflection on the water. She took a deep breath as the light breeze tossed her hair over her shoulder. From her position she had a perfect view of the ocean and the city she now called home. It was a rare day in that the traditional smog covering had dispersed and she could see for miles. It was peaceful, calming, the opposite of her recent conversation with her ex-husband. He was different; the way he looked at her and talked to her, she couldn’t quite put her finger on what was going on, but she didn’t like it. Particularly given the fact that they were both dateless. Hence, her abrupt escape. Oh, well, she thought as she closed her eyes and raised her face to catch the last few rays of sun, at least he’ll be gone soon.
“Boo,” she heard in her ear.
She gasped and whirled around to face him, “Jeez, Derek, I hate it when you do that. Make some noise when you walk would you?”
“Now what would be the fun in that?” he asked with his trademark smirk, leaning against the rail beside her.
“Well, for starters it would have saved you a lot of pain as I’m sure you remember,” she stated with a raised eyebrow.
“Ah, it only took nine stitches, besides it didn’t even scar. I still maintain it was worth it,” he replied, smile firmly in place.
“Yeah, well, Mark’s not around to stitch you up this time.” She replied, watching him closely for the tell-tale flinch that always came anytime she mentioned his former best friend.
“No, he’s not,” he replied calmly. “Why, are you planning on hurting me?” he asked, slightly arching his brow, his eyes flashing briefly.
Addison caught the flash and ignored the shiver that went down her spine as memories of their more adventurous nights in bed ran through her mind. She averted her eyes and turned away from him, “I should really get back to the party.”
“Addie, wait,” he cried, grabbing her hand. “Can’t we have a conversation anymore?”
“I don’t know, can we?” she asked, meeting his eyes.
He smiled gently, searching her eyes. “I’d like to think so. Why don’t we give it a try?” he asked, his thumb lightly caressing her skin.
“Fine,” she pulled her hand from his grasp. “Let’s chat.”
“Okay.”
They stared at each other.
“This is the part where you say something,” she reminded him.
“Right. Although, you could start as well.”
“Hey, this was your idea, so start talking mister.”
“I’m thinking.”
Addison rolled her eyes, “So how have you been?”
He smiled gratefully, “I’ve been good. You?”
“I’ve been very good.”
Derek smirked, “It’s not a competition.”
“Well, clearly, because I’d be winning by a landslide.”
He chuckled lightly. They were silent for a moment as she watched him try to formulate his next question. He turned and faced the water, “So, what are you…I mean, are you seeing anyone?”
Addison kept her eyes on the water as she answered. “Yea, yes, I am. He’s a cop, S.W.A.T. actually. He’s simply wonderful, perfect really.
Derek kept his face impassive as he turned back toward the party, noting her slightly excessive description. “So where is Mr. Wonderful?”
“Oh, he, uh, he had to work today. Some big bust; they’re taking down one of the major drug lords in the area and…What? What is so funny?” she inquired, as Derek tried to keep from exploding in laughter.
“Nothing, I’m sorry,” he replied, wiping the tears from his eyes. “There’s just something so disconcerting about hearing you utter phrases like, ‘big bust’ and ‘drug lords,’ he said, unable to contain his chuckle.
Addison narrowed her eyes and swatted at his arm, “Oh, shut up. You’re starting to sound like Archer.”
“Archer doesn’t like him?”
“No, he’s made it quite clear that he doesn’t approve.”
He tilted his head slightly, “Well, maybe you should listen to big brother.”
“If I listened to big brother’s advice on my love life, I never would have married you.” She paused and mimicked his head tilt. “You’re right; maybe I should listen to him.”
Derek grimaced, “Ooo, ouch. All right, point taken, I’ll keep my advice to myself.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Derek once again tilted his head and took a long, lingering glance down her form, pausing at the slight glimpse of cleavage her dress offered, before returning his eyes to hers. “You really do look gorgeous, Addison.”
Addison smiled and blushed bashfully; his compliments always had the ability to make her feel like a freshman again. “Thank you, you don’t look half bad yourself.”
“We make quite the pair. We always did go well together,” he stated staring into her eyes meaningfully.
“You’re right. We did.” She leaned in and brushed her lips against his cheek. “It was good to see you.” She pulled back to look into his eyes, “Goodbye, Derek.” She smiled and turned to go back to the party.
“See you later, Addie.” He whispered to her back.
**********************************************************
I’m sure quite a few of you have figured out my inspiration for this now, but I have a few twists in mind. Alrighty, I’m putting the finishing touches on the next chapter, so review please. You guys have no idea how much I appreciate them.