it was a great love (one for the ages) / DISCONTINUED

"I love you more." "Impossible."

A gunshot rings out.

    Addison froze in shock. Meredith and Cristina watched helplessly as Derek's limp body fell to the ground, an enlarging puddle of blood contrasting the white floors. Gary falls back a couple steps, before turning around and running away.
    Meredith attempts to squirm out of Cristina's grasp, whimpering.
"No, no, no. Meredith, stay still. Stay still," Cristina tightens her hold.
"Hey," Addison puts her hand on Meredith's pale face. "Stay here. Do not move."
"Why? Where are you-- Addison. Addison!" Meredith raises her voice as Addison runs to the catwalk.

When she stands just a few feet away from Derek's body, she suddenly becomes nauseous. As a surgeon, she's seen her fair share of blood. She's used to it. But apparently, the rules don't apply to seeing your best friend and ex-husband bleed out on the dirty hospital floor.
"Derek," Addison presses her hands on the gunshot wound. "Hey, hey, look at me. Open your eyes."
Derek's blue eyes open to meet with Addison's.
"What are you doing here? Get out before he shoots you, too."
"I'm not going anywhere. You're going to be okay. I promise."
Derek coughs.
"You shouldn't make promises to patients. That's protocol," Derek weakly jokes. Addison chuckles sadly.
"I know. But you're going to be okay."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too."

Addison hears footsteps coming closer. She holds her breath as the door opens, and--
It's just Meredith.

Wait, Meredith?

"Mer, I told you to stay where you were," Addison hissed, though not in a mean way.
"How could you expect me to sit and do nothing while one of ours is bleeding out in his own workplace?" Meredith sat down besides Derek. Cristina runs up behind her.
"I called the police. Th-they're not going to get here in time," Cristina informs.
Derek groans, his eyes closing.
"Derek," Meredith shook his shoulder. "No, you stay awake. Stay awake. Derek, wake up, stay awake. You better stay awake."
Addison has never seen Meredith like this before. Her body and hands were shaking, her breathing was uneven, pure panic in her voice.

"I'll be right back," Cristina says before running away.
"Cristina!" Addison yells, but she's already gone.

---

Cristina runs through the hallway, grabbing a wheelchair. She turns around, meeting Izzie, whose shoes were soaked in blood.
"Izzie, come on. We're taking Derek down to the OR," Cristina whispers. Izzie remains frozen.
"Teddy, sh-she's in the OR. She can save him, come on."
Izzie makes eye contact with Cristina.
"I saw on 'Oprah' somewhere that if you tell them personal details about yourself, they're less likely to kill you."
"Stevens," Cristina was running out of patience. "Get up. Come on. Come on."
She grabs Izzie's hands and pulls her up. The two make their way back to the catwalk.

---

A few floors below, Alex, George, and Bailey are in a conference room. George lies on the table while Alex pressed some wads of gauze on his bullet wound.     "Is he dead?" Bailey asks as she unpacks the medical cart.
"He's unconscious. Vitals are tanking," Alex breathes. "There's nothing more we can do."
"Shut up, don't-- don't say that," Bailey shuts him up. "Don't die. O'Malley, please don't die."
"Where's... Izzie?" George croaks.
"I don't know," Bailey whispers. "But she's okay. You're going to be okay, too."
"Alex?" George looks up.
"Yeah, dude," Alex says softly.
"I know-- I know you don't like me, but um... You're my friend. I need you to promise me something."

Alex does something unexpected. He tears up, even sniffling. Bailey could only stay quiet and watch the two interns.

"If I die, promise me you'll watch after Izzie."
"You're not going to die."
"But if I do, just take care of her. Please. Please?"
"Okay. I promise."
"Thanks, Alex. Thank you."
"No problem, George. Sorry for picking on you all the time."
"It's alright, I have brothers. I'm used to that sort of thing."
"Still, you don't deserve it. You're a better person than I am."
George smiles weakly. "I know."
Alex laughs, blinking away his tears.

Bailey holds George's hand, his other hand wrapped around Alex's. And so they waited in the conference room in silence, waiting for this nightmare to be over.

---

"Mer, Addison, you, um, you prep him. And Izzie and I are gonna go find Teddy. She should still be on this floor," Cristina ordered.
"Okay," Meredith and Addison chimed in.
"Okay, everything is gonna be fine. Okay? I promise."
Meredith nods as Izzie and Cristina run out the door. Addison goes over to Derek.
"Okay, they're gonna go find Teddy. It's gonna be okay," Addison puts her hand on Derek's shoulder.
"It's gonna be okay," Meredith repeats after Addison. "It's gonna be okay."
Derek breathes heavily.
"Okay. I'm not gonna die, I promise. Hey," Derek looks at Addison. "How many floors did we go down?"
"Two, why?"
"Rose should be on this floor. Can you find her for me?"
Addison nods. "Of course. Meredith, are you good here?"

Meredith looks at her with wide eyes.
"What? No, you're not going anywhere."
"That's what I told you, but you didn't listen, did you?"
Meredith purses her lips.
"Fine. Come back safely, please."
"I promise."

Meredith walks over to Addison, planting a strong kiss on her lips. Addison smiles.
"I love you, bubs."
"I love you more."
"Impossible."

With that, Addison leaves Meredith in the OR with Derek.
"Please, let them be okay," she whispers to herself.

A/N: I know that Teddy wasn't on the show during their intern years, but I don't like Burke (or Isaiah for that matter), so he won't be a part of this story. Thanks for reading!