(no subject)
Title: How Did This Happen?
Author: serene_ray
Rating: M but NC-17 eventually.
Notes: Addison and Alex-centric with other characters involved.
Disclaimer: I don`t own Grey`s Anatomy, but if I did Addy and Alex would be together.
Summary: The growing dynamics of a friendship/relationship between Addison and Alex.
Chapter 6: Two Left Feet
Addison sat there, waging his words in her head, contemplating the meaning. “Talk to me.” Otherwise translated as: let me in, open up to me, trust me enough to reveal things about yourself that I have no clue about. Those words had sounded absolutely appealing but verbally responding to them proved to be more than a difficult venture. Addison suddenly broke their eye contact, and tucked her hair behind her ears.
“You know, you’re very interesting.” she said vaguely, making her best attempt of changing the subject. Alex laughed slightly, glancing away from her momentarily.
“How so?” he asked her, deciding he’d let her change the subject; at least this time.
“I just had you pegged a certain way, is all.” she said loosely.
“Yeah, well most people do. Is that your roundabout way of giving a compliment?” he asked her.
She looked at him, squinting her eyes briefly. “Interesting is good, I suppose.”
“Well, thanks.” He said with an air of sarcasm. She observed him quietly, as his finger played with the straw in his drink, reminding her that she didn’t have one.
“I’m thirsty,” she said plainly. She said it in a way that almost came off as blame. Alex glanced at her.
“Are you trying to break our deal?” he asked her seriously.
“No, I was just pointing out that I’m thirsty; thanks to you.” She said sweetly.
“Yeah, well, maybe when you aren’t hugging the toilet later on tonight or this morning; you’ll be sincerely thanking me.” He said, taking another sip of his drink.
She looked slightly insulted, the look on her face, made him smile slightly.
“I’ll have you know I can handle my liquor just fine.” She said confidently.
“I’m sure of it.” He said.
“Well, I hope you plan on entertaining me until I can drink again.” She said seriously.
“Technically you can drink right now, but you’d be breaking our deal.” He said.
“Ugh... fine.” She said frustrated, sighing lightly. “You drive a hard bargain.”
“I do what I can.” He replied.
Addison took a breath, gently rubbing her forehead with the back of her hand, she gathered her hair at the nape of her neck, twisted it loosely around her fingers and let it fall over her right shoulder.
“Is this your way of getting back at me for making you deliver babies?” She questioned, fingering her earring lightly, his eyes following her fingers.
“No. It’s not as bad as I previously thought.” He relented.
“Not as bad?” She questioned, almost surprised that he was admitting that.
“I guess I was a bit of a pain in the beginning, wasn’t I?” He assessed.
Addison laughed briefly. “You’re kidding right? I don’t even have to answer that. You had my picture in the dictionary under ‘despised.’” She said teasing him.
“Oh, it was not like that!” He exclaimed, trying to defend himself.
“It was! What do you mean? I used to think you’d rather have each one of your leg hairs plucked individually than be subjected to being my intern.” She exclaimed dramatically, laughing just thinking about how much they clashed early on. Addison silently pondered what had changed since then. Why was it suddenly so easy to be around him? Why was he the only male she could stand being in the presence of for longer than 10 minutes? How did this shift? When did it change and what did it mean?
“I didn’t mean to be that big of a pain in the ass.” He said smiling.
Addison laughed again, she didn’t know if it was because he was being really funny, or because she was drunk and everything’s so much funnier when you’re drunk or maybe because laughing seemed to offer symmetry to all the crying she had been doing lately.
“That’s a lie. You thought if you were enough of a jackass, I’d just get fed up and turn you loose.” She said matter-of-factly.
“And that obviously didn’t work.” He replied lightly.
“No, I guess it didn’t.” She said, seeming rather pleased with herself.
You just might be the cutest drunk I’ve ever seen, he thought to himself as he realized that his drink was almost gone. I need to slow down myself.
“I’m sorry,” he said finally as he looked over at her.
Addison got caught rather off guard by his sudden apology and didn’t quite understand what had been the cause of it.
“What?” she questioned, meeting his gaze.
“I’m sorry that I was such an ass to you.” He said sincerely, searching her eyes for her reaction.
There it was again. This genuine and gentle empathy that she was increasingly more impressed with but whenever it surfaced, it always surprised her. She didn’t know how to respond, she didn’t know what to say. She felt herself getting lost in his eyes.
Oh, you are drunk, she thought to herself as she broke their eye contact.
“It’s okay,” she said gently, she looked back at him briefly and smiled.
“It’s not okay, and it never was so I’m sorry.” He said sincerely.
She cleared her throat lightly, “Well it seems you’re over exhibiting that behavior and that’s all that matters, but thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He said.
“What time is it? Is my 20 minutes up?” she asked him suddenly.
“You really think another drink is a good idea?” he asked gently.
“You thought I was gonna forget, huh?” She asked him, smiling.
“Yeah, it seemed like a good trick.” He said seriously.
“Oh my god, I love this song…” She began. Alex hadn’t even noticed any music was playing until she had pointed it out. “Do you have two left feet?” She asked suddenly.
“What?” Alex asked, seemingly confused.
“Are you a good dancer?” She asked.
“Not good, no.”
“I’m sure you’re not that bad.” Addison replied as she slid off her stool and grabbed his hand, she felt the alcohol a whole lot more now that she was standing up, or maybe it was because she stood up too fast but it took her a second before she attempted to walk away from the bar. Alex however didn’t budge. Addison took another step until their arms were somewhat extended and he suddenly pulled her hand back, as the rest of her followed.
“Wait…wait, I have to tell you something.” He said seriously, studying her eyes.
“Something you can’t tell me while we’re dancing?” She asked, she suddenly realized how close their bodies were as she stood in front of him.
Addison, get a grip, if you’re gonna dance with him, he’s gonna be closer than this, she reasoned with herself.
“I don’t think me dancing is such a good idea,” he said, rather attentive of their proximity, she was so close he could see the flecks of gold in her eye color.
“And why not?” She asked.
“Because uh…” he started, he saw her bite the inside of her mouth and it made him loose his train of thought. “I don’t dance in front of people.”
She smiled at his response, the uncertainty in his face was precious, he almost looked like a little kid.
“It’s not a performance.” She said simply.
“Yes, I realize that. I mean, I don’t dance in public. You know, where other people might see me.”
“So…what? You only dance in the comfort and privacy of your own home?” She asked.
“Yeah, basically.”
“Well, I can’t dance by myself,” she pouted.
“How about some other time?” he asked her gently, he lifted his hand to brush a strand of hair away that had fallen in her face. Addison suddenly felt his thumb rubbing gently on the back of her hand as she realized their fingers were still intertwined.
Have we been holding hands this whole time? she thought to herself, slightly panicking. What are you thinking?
Addison nodded lightly as she let go of his hand and sat back on the barstool.
“Joe! I’d like another please!” She said.
Alex couldn’t believe it, she was drinking like a damn fish. Everything inside of him caused him to be increasingly curious about what had been so bad about Addison’s day that she felt the only option she had was to drink the pain away. Something had happened and he desperately wanted to know what.
“Did you drive here?” Alex asked her quickly.
“No.” She said plainly. Something about her mood had changed rather swiftly. She seemed less happy and more somber.
“You took a cab?”
“Yes.”
“You should let me take you home.” He suggested.
“I’m not ready to go home.” She replied gently. Feeling the weight of her words. “Oh, wait…I don’t have a home to go to.” She said as Joe placed her drink in front of her.
She smiled her thanks.
“Where are you staying?” asked Alex.
“A hotel, it’s only a couple blocks away, I think I might walk.”
“You shouldn’t walk…” he began but she cut him off.
“The fresh air will sober me up a little bit, it’ll be nice.” She declared as she sipped her drink.
“You shouldn’t walk by yourself. That’s not very safe, just let me drive you.”
She looked over at him for a moment. “And you shouldn’t be driving, Mr. chug Addison’s drink.”
“Well, I’ve reached my limit for tonight. You, obviously, have not.”
“I’m limitless,” she said sadly, staring at her drink.
“Why?” he questioned softly.
“Hmm, why what?” She asked, still staring at her drink.
“Why are you so limitless?” He asked concentrating on her apparent sadness.
“It just…helps.” She said finally, bringing the straw to her lips.
“I hear talking about it helps, too.” He offered, he was trying every angle he could to get her to open up to him. He felt like she wanted to but something was stopping her; the air of sadness around her was almost overwhelming, it was there one minute and then gone the next.
“Not as much as numbing it does.” She said quietly.
“Do you want some company?” He asked her suddenly.
“What?” She asked, confused glancing at him briefly.
“On your walk. Do you want any company?” He asked her, hoping she would say yes.
Addison had thought that he was pretty much out of kind-hearted, sweet gestures but alas, he was far from being predictable lately.
“Yeah, I do.” She replied, “But you don’t have…” He cut her off.
“I know, I don’t have to do it but I want to.” He assured her.
“Okay.” She said finally. She quickly took another sip of her drink, put some bills on the counter and slid off her barstool. “Let’s go.”
As they made their way out of the bar, she felt Alex’s hand on the small of her back lightly directing her to go before him through the doors. The cold air hit Addison in the face rather harshly and she immediately became more alert.
“Geez, you were right about this air.” Alex said as they made their way in the direction of the hotel.
“I know, I love it. It’s incredibly refreshing,” Addison replied as she took a deep breath. She was concentrating on walking straight and not tripping, or falling on her face. She, however had no idea she was failing at the walking correctly part. Alex reached for her arm to steady her lightly, she instinctually linked her arm with his to re-gain her coordination as they continued walking in the direction of the hotel.
“These damn shoes aren’t helping.” Addison exclaimed.
“You being drunk isn’t helping; you walk in those shoes just fine.” He replied.
Addison smiled to herself as they continued walking. Everything about what had happened to her that night seem surreal and unfinished, and with the unexpected way it was going now, she didn’t really know what it all meant. All she knew was she felt empty and Alex was the only person who made her feel normal, he was the only one who didn’t pressure her or yell at her or demean her or anything like that; she just wasn’t ready to let go of that.
They walked the majority of the rest of the way in silence. When they reached the entrance of the hotel, Alex slowed his pace. Addison turned around to face him.
“You should come up, let me make you some coffee.” She offered.
“Are you sure? You should probably just pass out.” He said.
“It’ll help with the alcohol; plus it’s freezing, but it’s up to you.” She said finally, silently praying that he’d accept her offer.
“Okay, sure.” He replied.
They made their way through the hotel doors and into the elevator. Addison halfway expected a wisecrack about the last time they had been in an elevator together but it never came. She silently thanked him for leaving it alone. Once they were let off on her floor, they walked to her hotel room and she stopped to dig in her bag for the hotel key, which it took forever to find, and once she found it, she couldn’t manage to slide the card into the slot correctly. Alex tried to contain his apparent laughter but watching her struggle was the cutest, funniest thing ever.
“You’re doing it wrong.” He offered.
“I know how to do it, thank you!” She said seriously, still struggling with the key.
Am I really that drunk? She asked herself silently. She heard Alex’s laughter as she continued to try.
“I am perfectly capable of opening my hotel room door.” She said, seeming to be talking to herself more than to him. “Is it really that funny?” She asked him suddenly, glancing at him as he leaned against the doorframe.
“You have no idea.” He said, still laughing. Finally she put the key in the right way and opened the door.
“Yes.” She said, laughing a little. His laughter seemed contagious.
Neither one of them had seen him, but Mark Sloane could feel his blood boil as he observed the pair, from down the hall, walk into Addison’s hotel room as their laughter was muffled by the door closing behind them.
Author: serene_ray
Rating: M but NC-17 eventually.
Notes: Addison and Alex-centric with other characters involved.
Disclaimer: I don`t own Grey`s Anatomy, but if I did Addy and Alex would be together.
Summary: The growing dynamics of a friendship/relationship between Addison and Alex.
Chapter 6: Two Left Feet
Addison sat there, waging his words in her head, contemplating the meaning. “Talk to me.” Otherwise translated as: let me in, open up to me, trust me enough to reveal things about yourself that I have no clue about. Those words had sounded absolutely appealing but verbally responding to them proved to be more than a difficult venture. Addison suddenly broke their eye contact, and tucked her hair behind her ears.
“You know, you’re very interesting.” she said vaguely, making her best attempt of changing the subject. Alex laughed slightly, glancing away from her momentarily.
“How so?” he asked her, deciding he’d let her change the subject; at least this time.
“I just had you pegged a certain way, is all.” she said loosely.
“Yeah, well most people do. Is that your roundabout way of giving a compliment?” he asked her.
She looked at him, squinting her eyes briefly. “Interesting is good, I suppose.”
“Well, thanks.” He said with an air of sarcasm. She observed him quietly, as his finger played with the straw in his drink, reminding her that she didn’t have one.
“I’m thirsty,” she said plainly. She said it in a way that almost came off as blame. Alex glanced at her.
“Are you trying to break our deal?” he asked her seriously.
“No, I was just pointing out that I’m thirsty; thanks to you.” She said sweetly.
“Yeah, well, maybe when you aren’t hugging the toilet later on tonight or this morning; you’ll be sincerely thanking me.” He said, taking another sip of his drink.
She looked slightly insulted, the look on her face, made him smile slightly.
“I’ll have you know I can handle my liquor just fine.” She said confidently.
“I’m sure of it.” He said.
“Well, I hope you plan on entertaining me until I can drink again.” She said seriously.
“Technically you can drink right now, but you’d be breaking our deal.” He said.
“Ugh... fine.” She said frustrated, sighing lightly. “You drive a hard bargain.”
“I do what I can.” He replied.
Addison took a breath, gently rubbing her forehead with the back of her hand, she gathered her hair at the nape of her neck, twisted it loosely around her fingers and let it fall over her right shoulder.
“Is this your way of getting back at me for making you deliver babies?” She questioned, fingering her earring lightly, his eyes following her fingers.
“No. It’s not as bad as I previously thought.” He relented.
“Not as bad?” She questioned, almost surprised that he was admitting that.
“I guess I was a bit of a pain in the beginning, wasn’t I?” He assessed.
Addison laughed briefly. “You’re kidding right? I don’t even have to answer that. You had my picture in the dictionary under ‘despised.’” She said teasing him.
“Oh, it was not like that!” He exclaimed, trying to defend himself.
“It was! What do you mean? I used to think you’d rather have each one of your leg hairs plucked individually than be subjected to being my intern.” She exclaimed dramatically, laughing just thinking about how much they clashed early on. Addison silently pondered what had changed since then. Why was it suddenly so easy to be around him? Why was he the only male she could stand being in the presence of for longer than 10 minutes? How did this shift? When did it change and what did it mean?
“I didn’t mean to be that big of a pain in the ass.” He said smiling.
Addison laughed again, she didn’t know if it was because he was being really funny, or because she was drunk and everything’s so much funnier when you’re drunk or maybe because laughing seemed to offer symmetry to all the crying she had been doing lately.
“That’s a lie. You thought if you were enough of a jackass, I’d just get fed up and turn you loose.” She said matter-of-factly.
“And that obviously didn’t work.” He replied lightly.
“No, I guess it didn’t.” She said, seeming rather pleased with herself.
You just might be the cutest drunk I’ve ever seen, he thought to himself as he realized that his drink was almost gone. I need to slow down myself.
“I’m sorry,” he said finally as he looked over at her.
Addison got caught rather off guard by his sudden apology and didn’t quite understand what had been the cause of it.
“What?” she questioned, meeting his gaze.
“I’m sorry that I was such an ass to you.” He said sincerely, searching her eyes for her reaction.
There it was again. This genuine and gentle empathy that she was increasingly more impressed with but whenever it surfaced, it always surprised her. She didn’t know how to respond, she didn’t know what to say. She felt herself getting lost in his eyes.
Oh, you are drunk, she thought to herself as she broke their eye contact.
“It’s okay,” she said gently, she looked back at him briefly and smiled.
“It’s not okay, and it never was so I’m sorry.” He said sincerely.
She cleared her throat lightly, “Well it seems you’re over exhibiting that behavior and that’s all that matters, but thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He said.
“What time is it? Is my 20 minutes up?” she asked him suddenly.
“You really think another drink is a good idea?” he asked gently.
“You thought I was gonna forget, huh?” She asked him, smiling.
“Yeah, it seemed like a good trick.” He said seriously.
“Oh my god, I love this song…” She began. Alex hadn’t even noticed any music was playing until she had pointed it out. “Do you have two left feet?” She asked suddenly.
“What?” Alex asked, seemingly confused.
“Are you a good dancer?” She asked.
“Not good, no.”
“I’m sure you’re not that bad.” Addison replied as she slid off her stool and grabbed his hand, she felt the alcohol a whole lot more now that she was standing up, or maybe it was because she stood up too fast but it took her a second before she attempted to walk away from the bar. Alex however didn’t budge. Addison took another step until their arms were somewhat extended and he suddenly pulled her hand back, as the rest of her followed.
“Wait…wait, I have to tell you something.” He said seriously, studying her eyes.
“Something you can’t tell me while we’re dancing?” She asked, she suddenly realized how close their bodies were as she stood in front of him.
Addison, get a grip, if you’re gonna dance with him, he’s gonna be closer than this, she reasoned with herself.
“I don’t think me dancing is such a good idea,” he said, rather attentive of their proximity, she was so close he could see the flecks of gold in her eye color.
“And why not?” She asked.
“Because uh…” he started, he saw her bite the inside of her mouth and it made him loose his train of thought. “I don’t dance in front of people.”
She smiled at his response, the uncertainty in his face was precious, he almost looked like a little kid.
“It’s not a performance.” She said simply.
“Yes, I realize that. I mean, I don’t dance in public. You know, where other people might see me.”
“So…what? You only dance in the comfort and privacy of your own home?” She asked.
“Yeah, basically.”
“Well, I can’t dance by myself,” she pouted.
“How about some other time?” he asked her gently, he lifted his hand to brush a strand of hair away that had fallen in her face. Addison suddenly felt his thumb rubbing gently on the back of her hand as she realized their fingers were still intertwined.
Have we been holding hands this whole time? she thought to herself, slightly panicking. What are you thinking?
Addison nodded lightly as she let go of his hand and sat back on the barstool.
“Joe! I’d like another please!” She said.
Alex couldn’t believe it, she was drinking like a damn fish. Everything inside of him caused him to be increasingly curious about what had been so bad about Addison’s day that she felt the only option she had was to drink the pain away. Something had happened and he desperately wanted to know what.
“Did you drive here?” Alex asked her quickly.
“No.” She said plainly. Something about her mood had changed rather swiftly. She seemed less happy and more somber.
“You took a cab?”
“Yes.”
“You should let me take you home.” He suggested.
“I’m not ready to go home.” She replied gently. Feeling the weight of her words. “Oh, wait…I don’t have a home to go to.” She said as Joe placed her drink in front of her.
She smiled her thanks.
“Where are you staying?” asked Alex.
“A hotel, it’s only a couple blocks away, I think I might walk.”
“You shouldn’t walk…” he began but she cut him off.
“The fresh air will sober me up a little bit, it’ll be nice.” She declared as she sipped her drink.
“You shouldn’t walk by yourself. That’s not very safe, just let me drive you.”
She looked over at him for a moment. “And you shouldn’t be driving, Mr. chug Addison’s drink.”
“Well, I’ve reached my limit for tonight. You, obviously, have not.”
“I’m limitless,” she said sadly, staring at her drink.
“Why?” he questioned softly.
“Hmm, why what?” She asked, still staring at her drink.
“Why are you so limitless?” He asked concentrating on her apparent sadness.
“It just…helps.” She said finally, bringing the straw to her lips.
“I hear talking about it helps, too.” He offered, he was trying every angle he could to get her to open up to him. He felt like she wanted to but something was stopping her; the air of sadness around her was almost overwhelming, it was there one minute and then gone the next.
“Not as much as numbing it does.” She said quietly.
“Do you want some company?” He asked her suddenly.
“What?” She asked, confused glancing at him briefly.
“On your walk. Do you want any company?” He asked her, hoping she would say yes.
Addison had thought that he was pretty much out of kind-hearted, sweet gestures but alas, he was far from being predictable lately.
“Yeah, I do.” She replied, “But you don’t have…” He cut her off.
“I know, I don’t have to do it but I want to.” He assured her.
“Okay.” She said finally. She quickly took another sip of her drink, put some bills on the counter and slid off her barstool. “Let’s go.”
As they made their way out of the bar, she felt Alex’s hand on the small of her back lightly directing her to go before him through the doors. The cold air hit Addison in the face rather harshly and she immediately became more alert.
“Geez, you were right about this air.” Alex said as they made their way in the direction of the hotel.
“I know, I love it. It’s incredibly refreshing,” Addison replied as she took a deep breath. She was concentrating on walking straight and not tripping, or falling on her face. She, however had no idea she was failing at the walking correctly part. Alex reached for her arm to steady her lightly, she instinctually linked her arm with his to re-gain her coordination as they continued walking in the direction of the hotel.
“These damn shoes aren’t helping.” Addison exclaimed.
“You being drunk isn’t helping; you walk in those shoes just fine.” He replied.
Addison smiled to herself as they continued walking. Everything about what had happened to her that night seem surreal and unfinished, and with the unexpected way it was going now, she didn’t really know what it all meant. All she knew was she felt empty and Alex was the only person who made her feel normal, he was the only one who didn’t pressure her or yell at her or demean her or anything like that; she just wasn’t ready to let go of that.
They walked the majority of the rest of the way in silence. When they reached the entrance of the hotel, Alex slowed his pace. Addison turned around to face him.
“You should come up, let me make you some coffee.” She offered.
“Are you sure? You should probably just pass out.” He said.
“It’ll help with the alcohol; plus it’s freezing, but it’s up to you.” She said finally, silently praying that he’d accept her offer.
“Okay, sure.” He replied.
They made their way through the hotel doors and into the elevator. Addison halfway expected a wisecrack about the last time they had been in an elevator together but it never came. She silently thanked him for leaving it alone. Once they were let off on her floor, they walked to her hotel room and she stopped to dig in her bag for the hotel key, which it took forever to find, and once she found it, she couldn’t manage to slide the card into the slot correctly. Alex tried to contain his apparent laughter but watching her struggle was the cutest, funniest thing ever.
“You’re doing it wrong.” He offered.
“I know how to do it, thank you!” She said seriously, still struggling with the key.
Am I really that drunk? She asked herself silently. She heard Alex’s laughter as she continued to try.
“I am perfectly capable of opening my hotel room door.” She said, seeming to be talking to herself more than to him. “Is it really that funny?” She asked him suddenly, glancing at him as he leaned against the doorframe.
“You have no idea.” He said, still laughing. Finally she put the key in the right way and opened the door.
“Yes.” She said, laughing a little. His laughter seemed contagious.
Neither one of them had seen him, but Mark Sloane could feel his blood boil as he observed the pair, from down the hall, walk into Addison’s hotel room as their laughter was muffled by the door closing behind them.