Don't mess with the Grey.

Chapter 28

Addison climbed the steps heaving a chart of her patient under her arm when she caught the sight of Derek Shepherd's hair moving fast at the top of the stairs. She frowned; if Derek's hair was at the hospital, it meant the rest of Derek Shepherd also had to be at the hospital. Only why? He was supposed to be enjoying birthday sex marathon at this very hour.

Addie quickly jumped the remaining steps to indeed meet Derek and Mark over the vending machine.

"Derek, what are you doing here?"

He turned to her with a chuckle, "Uhm, buying water?"

"No, I mean, what are you doing at the hospital?" she inquired insistently.

He exchanged a confused look with Mark. "Working?"

"Where's Meredith?" she asked relentlessly, ignoring her misgivings.

"She should be in her office, I haven't seen her since morning. Why?" it was Derek's turn to frown.

"Nope, she's not in her office," commented Mark leaning against the railing.

They all looked down at the lobby to see Meredith walking with a huge bouquet of flowers in the crook of her arm. She was apparently fast in conversation with a man that was accompanying her.

"Someone's stealing your woman, Shep," whistled Mark earning a smack on the head from Addison.

"It's that rich brat, that vet guy," muttered Derek under his breath, his hand tightly squashing the bottle of water. "What the hell is she doing with him?"

"They certainly look cozy," went on Mark ducking to avoid another of his girlfriend's shoves. But even Addison had to agree on the truth of his words, her and apparently everyone else in the lobby. Heads were turning towards the Chief and the man that was in such close quarters with her.

One of their pagers went off. "Damn it," spat Derek. "It's 911, and I have another craniotomy tonight..."

"Go, Derek. I'm sure they just have to talk business," said Addison soothingly. "I'll catch up with Meredith and tell her to call you."

"What does your friend think she's doing?" growled Mark after Derek ran off. "The two of them look like they mean business indeed."

"I don't understand it," shrugged Addison.

"Then better do. It's Derek's birthday and Grey's not playing nice," he grumbled.

Addie jogged down the stairs and caught Meredith when she was already near the exit.

"Meredith! Mr. Dandridge," she acknowledged his presence reluctantly and lowered her voice. "Where are you going? Why aren't you-"

"Finn's taking me to dinner," Meredith cut in halfway through the sentence.

"Wha- What's happened to your plans?" Addison tossed her hands to her sides.

"I changed them," shrugged Meredith.

"What about Sonoma? What about Derek's birthday?"

"I've already told you I changed my plans, now if you excuse us-"

"Mer!" Addie caught the sleeve of her coat. "If it's about that stupid dream, you're exaggerating, grossly!"

"It's not about the dream," Meredith was getting impatient. "We're in a hurry, Addie."

"Do you have any idea how it looks like?" asked Addison disbelievingly, studying her friend's face. What happened with her sister during the last few hours since they talked for the last time? She had been happy and excited and now she was cold.