Where You Belong

14

Derek looked up from his chart at the sound of someone clearing their throat. He sighed and met the eyes of his ex-wife. "Addison," he greeted with a nod. They had been effectively ignoring each other for weeks now, and he would be lying if he didn't admit he was interested to know what she had to say to him now.

"I need you for a consult on one of the quints. If you're free," she added quickly.

"Richard mentioned we were on standby."

Burke laughed from beside him. "Yes, apparently our departments are at her disposal."

Addison ignored their comments. "Do you have time to meet the mom now? I want her to meet all of the surgeons on her team before the birth."

"Oh, of course," Derek spoke sarcastically. "It's not like I have my own department to run."

Addison sighed in the way that said she was annoyed, but remained silent.

Derek bit back the urge to bait her further, but swallowed his comment. "Fine. I'm free now, if you're ready."

"Thank-you." It was short and blunt, but it was something.

"I'll be there as soon as I'm out of the OR," Burke spoke.

"Thank-you, Preston," she thanked him, much more meaningful than she had to Derek.

Derek rolled his eyes as he stood, and stiffly followed the familiar red hair to the patient's room. He would never refuse to treat a patient, but he was not looking forward to working with Addison. Although they weren't talking, it hadn't presented much of a problem, as they didn't need to be able to at work. But the prospect of a neonatal neurosurgical case promised plenty of interaction. No matter how angry he still was with her, he knew Addison was very good at her job. She always kept close tabs on all of her young patients, even those being treated by other departments. And she was too big of a person to let her personal feelings get in the way.

He leafed silently through the chart until they arrived at the patient's room, both seeming to step through a portal as they stepped into the room. Their demeanours towards each other changed to strictly professional, and stayed as such, as Derek explained the operation necessary to counter hydrocephalus before Lucy ended up with brain damaged.

000

The first relief Derek had felt all day was the sight of his girlfriend sitting alone at the edge of the cafeteria. He quickly purchased a salad and water, and made his way to her table.

"Hey," she greeted softly, having glanced up and caught his approach.

"Hey," he responded, leaning close to kiss her before settling beside her, and making her laugh as he stole a fry from her plate. He also decided not to mention the small side salad that was sharing the plate, and chose instead to take it as a silent victory.

"You look like crap."

He snorted. "Thank-you, Meredith, coming from you that means so much."

She laughed and playfully bumped him with her shoulder. "You know what I meant. What's up?"

"Nothing new. Addison's driving me crazy. She had me consult for one of the quints."

She nodded. "Yeah, I heard about the quints. George is determined to get in on that."

He met her eyes and blinked, suddenly realizing how novel a case it was, and how important it should be to every intern in the hospital to get involved. And just how much of a strain Meredith's professional life took for being with him. He sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, Mer. I didn't even consider that you would..." he trailed off. "I'm sorry I complicate things for you."