Matters of the Heart

Chapter 3

Meredith hadn't spoken much on the ride home. All Addison had gotten from her were directions; take the highway, next exit, turn here, two more streets, that house on the right. It wasn't like Addison had much to say herself. She knew the girl needed someone to just be there and she was sorta glad she was the someone. It did confuse things, the way Meredith had acted, towards Derek, towards her, it was messing with her head. She was unsure if she was just being selfish or a glutton for punishment. Glancing over, though, and seeing the blonde sitting beside her made her forget. She could see it, feel it. The pain. It was there. Pouring out of her every pore and Addison wanted to take it away. That was for Meredith not herself. So no she wasn't being selfish. A glutton for punishment? Maybe. But not selfish. She just wanted Meredith to be ok even fine if that was all she could manage right now.

Parking the car in front of the house Meredith had pointed out Addison dared touch her shoulder. The girl let out a sigh turning to look at the house. Addison did the same, noticing the dark place, it appeared as though the house was completely empty. She wasn't sure if letting Meredith go in by herself was the best idea, however, asking to go in with her seemed an even worse idea. She was feeling protective, though, as she always did when it came to the blonde.

"Mered-" She began and the girl turned quickly.

"Stay? Just for a little while?" Meredith interrupted, her bottom lip beginning to quiver. "I promise I won't try anything. I just... I... I just..." Her eyes filled with tears again and her voice gave out, sending a jolt of pain through Addison's whole being.

"Let's go." Addison said shakily.

She turned off the car and swallowed the lump forming on her throat before it continued to grow. They both got out of the car and Addison walked around to meet the blonde on the sidewalk.

"Do you have clothes?" Meredith asked.

"Hmm?" Addison tilted her head.

"Clothes, so you can change and be comfortable?" Meredith explained.

"Oh, yeah, I do." Addison nodded and pulled the small suitcase she had brought along to LA.

Meredith took a step and turned, offering her her hand. Addison looked at the outstretched hand and took it without hesitation. Meredith pulled her up the few steps to the porch and unlocked the front door. The house stood silent and dark until the blonde flicked on the lights. Addison stepped in still holding onto the girl who quickly locked the door and continued to pull her along. She had expected the blonde to take her to the living room but she didn't. She guided her up the stairs and along a hallway all the way to the end room closing the door behind them.

"The bathroom is through there." Meredith pointed at an open door at the other side of the room, Addison's brain was a jumble now.

"I... are you umm... like sure umm..." She stumbled through her words.

"I promised I wouldn't try anything." Meredith said and grabbed a bottle of tequila, which sat on top of the dresser.

"You have that handy." Addison pointed out regaining her wits.

"I need it. These days I... I need it." Meredith muttered, plopping herself on the bed with the bottle.

"Hmm." Addison nodded and moved to the bathroom.

***

Getting back in her own clothes gave her a sense of security, as if by wearing them she now had an armor. She took the time to brush out her hair and like any normal curious person took in her surroundings. Anyone who knew Meredith could tell this was her bathroom with all the purple littered about. She chuckled at the purple towel, purple loofa, the purple curtain, the purple mats, and her purple hairbrush with her purple toothbrush next to the one she knew to be Cristina's, with the CY carved in. Shaking her head she remembered teasing Meredith over it all the time.