Matters of the Heart

Chapter 5

There will be mentions and a few lines from GA 3x24 but as always with my own twist because I'm special. Hehe ✍(◔◡◔)

Addison had managed to keep things as professional as possible the rest of the day with Meredith on her service. After learning of her departure the blonde had become even more withdrawn. She still answered all questions concerning the cases and had done great while assisting but still she was so... distant. Not that Addison could blame her when she herself had made it a point to draw a line. Being close was too painful for the both of them.

The next day she had made sure to have someone other than Meredith in her service. Mark had come in handy when she asked him for the favor. Even when he knew nothing he had readily agreed to take the blonde. She had caught a glimpse of her as assignments had been given out and watched her sigh of relief. The action hurt but after noticing the bags under her eyes and her hollow gaze she thought it really was the best thing for her. Meredith had more than likely finished the bottle of tequila and grabbed another one too. So, yes, not being close would be better for her.

Addison would only have to deal with Alex, which wasn't all that bad. Ever since the bay incident and the Jane Doe he had become a bit more mellow and more willing to learn. Besides even if he kept saying he wanted plastics she could tell he'd be good in her field or even with children. Thus having Alex for the next couple of days leading to the intern's exam wouldn't be too bad.

As the days passed she had done well staying away from Meredith. The few glimpses she got of the blonde in that time made her feel better. The bags were still there but she looked more awake, more present. Also thanks to Cristina, who now had taken it upon herself to give her some sort of update every day, she knew Meredith was starting to feel a bit better too. She was thankful for the brunette, the first time she had come by had been awkward but that didn't last too long. The only thing that worried both Cristina and her was the fact that the intern's exam and Susan's funeral were both on the same day. They hoped the day would come and go without a hitch. But she knew where hoping led so she was still preparing herself. Even though they were keeping their distance if Meredith needed her she'd be there in a heartbeat no matter what.

***

Preparing herself had been good, great actually, because the day of the exam while Meredith was getting ready to leave for the funeral her father had appeared. Addison could hear the yelling from the floor above as she made her way to the railing overlooking the surgical floor's lobby. Thatcher looked pretty much drunk, stumbling and disheveled. Everyone seemed to be glued to where they stood as the man berated at the blonde, who seemed to be shrinking more and more.

Both Derek and Richard had been there and neither had made a move to shield Meredith. Addison felt her blood boil all over again as the night when they had watched the man slap the girl without lifting a finger. She shook her head at the memory and strolled down the steps. Thatcher putting a hand on Meredith would not happen again, not on her watch.

As she made her way towards the two she noticed Molly Grey. Her once patient was trying to get her father to walk away but he was unwilling to listen.

"So I don't want to see you. And I don't want to hear from you. I don't want you anywhere near the funeral." Thatcher spat. "You understand me. Do you understand me?"

"Dad, I think it would be better if we left." Molly said, pulling her father back as Addison stood in between him and Meredith.

"I think that would be best." She said, her voice as cold as her gaze.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Montgomery." Molly apologized.

"It's fine." Addison gave her the only smile she could muster as she felt Meredith grabbing to the back of her white coat.