Fic: That Bookface Thing - Part 17/?
Title: That Bookface Thing 17/?
Author: agentb81
Fandom: Grey’s Anatomy
Pairing: Izzie/Addison
Rating: 15
Word Count: 2600
Disclaimer: Grey's Anatomy is copyrighted and belongs to Shonda Rhimes. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use.
Summary: Izzie has Facebook and so do a gazillion other people (according to Meredith)
Spoilers: No spoilers per se, minor details from previous episodes in earlier seasons. Pretend Addison’s just moved to LA and everything with Izzie is hunky dory!
Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11 / Part 12 / Part 13 / Part 14 / Part 15 / Part 16
Addison sat awkwardly in the hard chair beside the hospital bed. Her legs were crossed at the knee, her black skirt had ridden a little as she sat, exposing more of her stocking clad legs than desired, however, her knee high leather boots more than compensated. Her ensemble was completed with a navy blue V neck knit sweater and a casual white button down shirt underneath. She smiled at the memory of witnessing Izzie’s appreciation for her attire of the day, more specifically her boots. Who knew the blonde had a penchant for knee high leather? It was certainly something Addison would stored in her memory bank and would become very useful. She blushed as a wave of desire washed over her. She fidgeted in her seat, uncrossed and recrossed her legs the other way, tugging her skirt down at the hem to a more appropriate length. Butterflies shot threw her stomach as she replayed the morning’s events in her mind, making them late for the hospital visit. “She’s not going anywhere.” Izzie had whispered huskily in her ear as she hooked one of Addison’s boot clad legs over her shoulder and ran a hand over her thigh. Addison’s reverie was broken by a stirring in the bed.
“Isobel? Izzie?” came the croaky voice from the fragile older blonde in the bed.
“Ms Stevens?” Addison asked, standing from her chair, grateful for giving her derriere a break from the hard plastic. She had promised to sit in with Izzie’s mother whilst the blonde checked on a patient from the previous day. Izzie had always harboured an excellent bed side manner, her relationship with patients was exceptional, yet several times she had hovered above the line, often becoming to involved and Addison had once taught her a valuable lesson under her tutelage. Whilst Izzie had been angry and upset with the neonatal surgeon at first, in hind sight, it was a lesson learned. Yet Izzie would never shed that compassion that made her excel in her profession and it was one of the many things Addison loved about her, gently insisting that Izzie put her worried mind at ease and check in on her patient. “I’m Dr Montgomery.” She stated, the formality easily rolling off her tongue.
“Are you my doctor?” She asked.
“No, Ms Steven’s I’m Iz-.” Addison began, she was cut off by the sound of the door opening behind her, she turned around to see a frowning Izzie entering. The blonde first looked at Addison, offering a warm, loving smile, then turned her attention to the bed. Her eyes widened and her smile grew, she rushed over to the bed, Addison side stepping an almost clash of bodies.
“Mom!” Izzie sighed with huge relief.
“Hey there Cricket.” Izzie’s mother used the affectionate term from childhood. She placed a hand on the blonde’s cheek and offered a small smile.
“You’re going to be ok Mom.” The young doctor reassured.
“Are you my doctor?” Robbie Stevens asked her daughter.
“No Mom, Dr Bailey is.” Izzie turned with pleading eyes to Addison.
“Sure, I’ll go get her.” Addison responded and exited the room, leaving Izzie alone with her mother. Izzie turned back to the woman in the bed, dragged the chair closer and took a seat.
“Do you remember what happened?”
“Who’s she?” Robbie asked, referring to Addison and ignoring Izzie’s question. The blonde sighed, it was just like her mother to switch conversation so easily.
“That was Addison, she’s a doctor.”
“I know she’s a doctor Cricket, she told me. But she’s not my doctor, so why was she here?” Robbie asked, her voice still croaky. “Can you get me some water?” Izzie obliged, poured her mother some water and helped her take a few sips.
“Addison is, she’s a friend.” Izzie said thoughtfully.
“A friend.” Robbie stated flatly and disbelievingly.
“Yeah.” Izzie responded, her eyes downcast. Her attention was drawn to the door as Dr Bailey entered, Addison trailing behind her.
“Ms Stevens.” Exclaimed Miranda Bailey. “Welcome to Seattle Grace.”
“Wait, what? I’m in Seattle? What am I doing in Seattle?” Robbie panicked.
“I had you transferred.” Izzie replied, “I can take better care of you here.”
“I need to go home, I can’t be here.” Robbie threw back the covers and tried to sit up, a yelp of pain and she was flat out on her back. Izzie jumped to her feet to aid her mother.
“Mom, you have to stay here, you’re not well enough to go anywhere yet.”
“You think you’re so much better than me don’t you?” Robbie replied.
“Ms Stevens, Izzie’s right, you need to rest.” Addison intruded. The older woman in the bed looked at her across the room, anger becoming evident on her face.
“I don’t think you’re in a position to lecture me, I still don’t know who you are.” Robbie aimed viciously at the redhead.
“Mom!” Izzie raised her voice, “Don’t be rude, I told you she’s my friend.”
“Why don’t you two wait outside and let me deal with Ms Stevens.” Bailey ordered. Izzie sighed, in all the upset of the accident, she forgot how much hard work her mother could be. If anyone could put her in her place it would be Miranda Bailey. Robbie watched her daughter carefully. Izzie sighed in defeat, her shoulders slumped and she headed towards the door Addison was holding open for her. With her back to her mother, Robbie couldn’t make out what it had been that had the redhead smiling. She did know however, that the brush of Izzie’s fingertips against Addison’s was not one of platonic friendship. As the blonde disappeared through the door, it closed behind her. Through the narrow strip of glass on the door, Robbie could just about see the two women standing in close proximity to one another. Addison’s brow was furrowed, her features depicting worry as she reached up and stroked a hand down the soft blonde locks. She pulled Izzie into a hug, whose shoulders were shaking up and down, suggesting she was upset with tears. The redhead placed a gentle kiss on the top of the blonde’s head before pulling her out of sight. Confusion plagued the patient.
++
The familiarity was scary, it was like she had not even left the place, every corridor, every nurse’s station, every stair case, that damn lift and that infamous notice board, there was a story for all of them. She found herself sitting at a table outside the cafeteria, this also had some fond memories. Addison sighed heavily, when once it was almost too painful to even be here, now it was a distant memory for she was now present for an entirely different reason.
“Addison?” the voice said, breaking her reverie. “What are you doing here?”
“Derek.” Addison smiled, genuinely. Although he had hurt her deeply and they had shared some of the most difficult times of their life together, there was a reason they had been together in the first place. He was a good guy, she knew it, in the end they simply weren’t compatible and the more time she spent with Izzie, the more she understood she and Derek had been a mismatch. But she bore no grudges, after all life was too short and right now she was happier than she could ever remember as being. “I’m visiting Robbie Stevens.” She stated in answer to his question.
“Dr Stevens’ Mom?” the chiselled doctor asked, “Is she a patient of yours? I didn’t realise she had a gynie problem.”
“She err doesn’t.” Addison said confused, assuming Derek would be aware of her relationship with Izzie. “I’m not her doctor.” Derek narrowed his eyes, Addison smiled at the confusion plastered across his face. He moved to sit beside her.
“May I?” he asked pointing to the empty seat. The redhead nodded her head in affirmation and Derek sat beside her, placing his coffee cup on the table. “So you’re visiting Izzie’s Mom why?” he asked.
“I’m supporting Izzie.” Addison said, her fingers playing with the rim of her paper cup.
“Why?”
“Because that’s what supportive girlfriends do.” She spoke with a natural ease.
“I didn’t realise you guys were friends. I guess you did work together quite a lot.” Derek surmised pensively before taking a sip of his drink.
“Der,” Addison sighed. “For one so intelligent you can be so dumb sometimes.”
“Excuse me?” Derek’s eyes widened and he laughed nervously.
“Ok, let’s see,” the redhead said, she sat back and relaxed in her chair, she was enjoying what had turned into a little game, “Robbie Stevens, I guess you could say she’s kinda like my mother-in-law, even though she doesn’t know it yet and we’re not married.” Derek thought long and hard for a moment before responding.
“You’re dating . . .” Derek began, Addison sat forward in anticipation, “Izzie’s brother? Does she even have a brother? I did not know that.” He said, he took another sip of his drink, his brow furrowed, “How did you meet him?” Addison sighed.
“She’s with Izzie, you moron.” Cristina threw in as she walked passed. Addison smirked as she watched the Asian doctor continue on her way, leaving a confused Derek scratching his head.
“It’s Izzie.” The neonatal surgeon repeated with impatience. “I’m in a relationship with Izzie. Jeez Derek, you practically live with her, how did you not know?”
“I . . .” Derek shrugged casually before bolting upright in realisation, “You’re dating Izzie?”
“Yes and Meredith knows so I’m kind of surprised you don’t.” Addison scoffed.
“Well we have been busy and not really been talking much lately.” Her ex husband explained.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” The redhead offered.
“Oh it’s not like that. Quite the opposite actually.” He said with a broad smile and a wink. Addison scrunched her nose up immediately.
“Ew, ew, ew. I did not need to know that.” Addison said.
“This isn’t about me and Meredith, that’s old news.” The brain surgeon said changing the subject. “What about you and Izzie, I mean, she’s a woman.”
“Very well observed.” Addison commented dryly.
“Did you two, were you two . . .”
“What are you trying to say Derek?”
“When we were, were you . . .”
“No. Absolutely not. And don’t even dare ask if I’ve ever been with another woman because it is none of your business.” Addison barked defensively.
“I’ll keep those thoughts safely to myself.” He grinned.
“Oh please.” Addison said rolling her eyes, “You’ve been hanging out with Mark too much.” There was a moments silence, it was name that was only ever spoken between them through anger and accusation. It felt like a lifetime ago yet on occasion some of it all still felt so fresh. Addison looked down into her cup.
“How did you two get together?” Derek finally asked, Addison’s features distorted with confusion, “You and Izzie.” Her former husband clarified.
“Don’t laugh.” Addison warned. “Promise me you won’t laugh.” She said again. Derek eyed her suspiciously, a grin spread across his face.
“I won’t, I promise.” He said, hands held up out in front of him.
“It was Facebook.” She started, “We got in touch again through Facebook and well, it developed from there.” She explained, her cheeks tinged a light pink.
“You’re not staying at Meredith’s house.” Derek stated.
“I get a hotel when I visit and Izzie practically lives with me the whole time, we really need our own space.” Addison replied.
“Long distance must be difficult.”
“It’s not easy, but it makes us appreciate one another a whole lot more.” Addison smiled.
“You seem very happy.” Derek observed.
“Yes.” Addison gushed, “Very happy.”
“Good. You deserve it Addie. Izzie’s a great girl, you’ve both struck gold and I wish you all the luck in the world.” Derek said with genuine conviction. Addison smiled and placed a hand over her ex husband’s.
“Thank you Derek.” Addison said, she looked up to see a familiar blonde approaching, she moved her hand away from Derek’s and picked up the cup before her, taking a long swig of the caffeine.
“Dr Shepherd,” Izzie began as she sat down next to Addison, visibly tense, she relaxed a little when she felt a comforting hand on her thigh, “are you sure my mother doesn’t have brain damage?” she said with frustration. Derek’s eyes shifted to Addison before he focused back on the young resident.
“The scans were clear Dr Stevens, you saw them.”
“What has she done sweetheart?” Addison asked. Derek’s attention piqued at the endearment, it was somewhat odd to hear his ex wife call Izzie sweetheart.
“She’s just being difficult. I’ve done everything for her and she just doesn’t want to know.”
“Your Mom’s been through quite a traumatic event Izzie, she’ll calm down.” Addison reasoned, her hand rubbing up and down Izzie’s thigh. The blonde sighed.
“She was pretty cranky to begin with.” She sneaked a look at her girlfriend who was trying to contain her amusement, it was enough to crack the blonde who burst into laughter. Addison laughed along, pleased that Izzie was relaxing somewhat. She snaked an arm around the resident’s shoulders and pulled her closer into a warm hug, she placed a light kiss on Izzie’s forehead, gave another little squeeze and loosened her grip, her hand brushing lightly down the blonde’s back. Her reward was a glowing smile and sparkly promising eyes. Derek watched with interest, seeing the genuine, natural love flow between the two women with ease.
“I’ve got to go. Dr Stevens if you do have any more concerns with your Mom, I’ll be happy to do another assessment. Addison, it’s been great to catch up.”
“Thanks Dr Shepherd.” Izzie offered.
“You too Derek.” Addison said and with that the two women were left alone.
“Have I told you how glad I am that you’re here?” Izzie asked.
“You have.” Addison replied, “We’re doing this together, remember?” Izzie sighed heavily. “What is it?” the redhead asked.
“I don’t want this put a strain on our relationship. She’s winding me up already and I’m afraid of taking it out on you.” Izzie said with brutal honesty. Addison scooped both of Izzie’s hands into her own and looked earnestly into Izzie’s chocolate brown eyes.
“We’ll take this one step at a time and if your Mom does insist she wants to go home when she’s discharged we’ll get her a carer, it’s not a problem.” Izzie opened her mouth to protest, however Addison cut her off and continued, “Iz, you told me what she’s like and it’s one thing being a doctor caring for patients, it’s quite another being a daughter caring for her estranged mother. It can’t be easy for her either with your shared past.” Izzie bit on her lip. Addison was right, if the blonde were to take her mother into her home when she was discharged it was likely it could do more harm than good. Izzie was now certain of one thing, she would have to think seriously about her options. But right now she was more than happy gazing into her girlfriend’s mesmerising blue eyes.
To be continued . . .