Leave a Trail (8/x)
title: Leave a Trail
fandom: Grey's Anatomy
summary: Set a few years post season four, Addison Montgomery finds herself back at Seattle Grace, albeit to find that things are quite different. Along with her life set and in order, she sees that many of the doctors have also come to terms with love life. As time progresses, however, these doctors will witness the phrase 'the more things change, the more they stay the same' manifest. (AU post mid-S4)
characters/pairings: Addison, Alex, Izzie, Mark, and the remaining ensemble in minor roles (est. Addison/Kevin)
genre(s): Angst/Friendship/General/Romance
rating: T
note: I ended up combining this chapter w/chapter nine, b/c both were too short. Strange...and the banner makes a reappearance. Wonder why...? Anywho, enjoy!
part(s): prologue - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
~*~
-¤-
In the course of two weeks, Addison and Alex fell into a routine similar, but very unlike to the one they had before Addison left. They bickered less often however, their conflicts were not solved with yelling and torturous payback, but there did not seem to be anymore awkward silences. They would even be complimented by patients on how well the two worked together. They were more interested in Dr. Montgomery’s tenure at Seattle Grace Hospital however, asking her how long she was staying, and if ever they were to need help in that department again, they would love to have her as their doctor.
Working with more than three patients a day, and participating in more surgeries, Addison began feeling more important and useful, just within two weeks.
Her boyfriend, Kevin, would help out the local law enforcement when Addison worked--although they were supposed to be on vacation, this seemed to work. They only worked part-time, and they each respectively felt that the burdens were less here than in California.
The fact that Addison was working with a man that once caused her so much trouble did not weigh heavily on her mind. She was aware that now Alex was a family man, that he had responsibilities, and that he was loyal and respectful. It only served as a reason for him to admire him, not to say she didn’t feel a bit strange knowing how much Alex had changed.
It wasn’t so long ago that Alex Karev had pushed her away, acted like he was light years away from settling down. And not even a year after she left, he began a relationship with Izzie, leading up to a baby, and a home. He was committed, although not married, he had settled down. It was admirable, even if she had trouble making sense of how quickly he had changed.
But the real mystery in all this was that little girl. She dropped by on occasion, and the nurses so smitten by her charm, would voluntarily take care of her while her parents worked. Her hair reached the middle of her back, it was a dark blond, with brown patches. The nose was definitely her mothers, as were her cheeks. Her chin was not quite the same, but similar--it had a bit more definition but still looked round. She was pretty tall for a two year old, and her fingers were long, her hands noticeably strong. But whenever Addison looked at her, examined her, she could not find anything that really screamed Marie being Alex’s daughter.
“She has blue eyes,” one day Addison commented to Callie as they sat at a table close to that of Alex and Izzie’s, who had Marie with her.
“What?” she didn’t know what she was referring to.
“Karev’s and Steven’s daughter--she has blue eyes,” Addison clarified, turning to Callie.
“Oh, that,” Callie nodded. “Yeah, apparently, Alex’s dad had blue eyes, or so say Alex, I don't know. But Steven’s mom does have blue eyes.”
“How do you know?” Addison inquired.
“Oh, when Stevens was like six months into her pregnancy, her mom popped in to supposedly make amends or whatever. But even I could tell that old witch was trouble, and Alex handled her. She managed to stay a while, but soon as she caused a little trouble with the patients, they managed to get a restraining order. But yeah, her eyes were definitely blue.”
“Well, it’s not often a kid gets a recessive gene.”
“I know, lucky bast--”
“Callie!” Addison chastised her.
“I meant her parents! For having a kid with such beautiful eyes! Geez, Addison no need to get so offended,” Callie laughed at the situation.
Addison rolled her eyes at the friend, and turned back to look at the little girl. Even with that bit of information, she couldn’t help but feel there was something out of place. Perhaps because she still had trouble understanding how someone like Izzie Stevens could possibly befriend someone like Mark Sloan.
---
“Stevens, do you have a moment?” Addison called her over after the day ended. Each had already changed and apparently were headed home.
“Sure,” she nodded, “but you have to call me Izzie.”
Addison smiled and nodded. They took a seat in the waiting area, and Addison quickly spoke.
“I asked Derek what happened to Mark, and he mentioned that the two of you were friends.”
Izzie tensed, though she maintained her composure, and only nodded softly.
“Uh, yeah, for awhile before he left, I guess we were what you would call friends,” she chuckled nervously.
“How did that come about--if you don’t mind my asking.”
She slowly parted her mouth, and inhaled softly. “It’s fine, I guess…I was headed to the bar one day, and he came up to me and we talked for awhile. Eventually us talking turned into a kind of daily thing, and…we were friends,” she shrugged.
Addison thought the explanation to be a bit too simple, but accepted it. “So have you heard from him since he left? Because Derek said he hasn’t.”
Izzie’s gaze faltered, and her hands began to fidget. “No, I haven’t, no.”
“Strange…” Addison muttered.
“Yeah, but what can you do?” Izzie shrugged again, then looked down at her watch. “Sorry, Addison, I have to get home and cook.”
“Oh, sure,” Addison stood up as did Izzie.
“Alright, bye,” Izzie scurried, getting away from the conversation as quickly as possible. Once she made it in her car, she exhaled in relief. She hated talking about Mark, about how he left, and how he never once called her. Her best anecdote, according to her, was to pretend it did not affect her. Because the last thing she needed was for anyone to know how Mark Sloan could still affect her after three years.
Addison took note of how Izzie was hesitant to speak about Mark, of how she had just shrugged the matter off, but this wasn’t her business. In a month and a half, she would be gone from this place, so there was no use in complicating her stay by meddling in other people’s affairs.
---
“Sorry, I’m late,” Alex leaned over and whispered into Addison’s after he rushed into their patient’s room.
She nodded to acknowledge him then continued speaking to the patient, explaining why she would have to remain in the hospital four to five more days.
When she finally finished, both she and Alex stepped outside where Addison asked why he had come late.
“You left me hanging there, Karev. Ms. Williams was specifically asking for you earlier, but I could not provide an adequate reason for why her doctor was not guiding her through surgery.”
“I said I was sorry. Marie’s babysitter got a cold, and Izzie didn’t want Marie catching it, so we had to bring her with us.”
“She’s here?” Addison asked curiously, wondering how a little girl in the hospital would fare.
“Yeah, the nurses are taking turns with her.”
Addison sighed and muttered, “fine, just send out a notice or something if this ever happens again.”
“Of course--and we meant too, but things got hectic and--”
Alex ceased speaking when he noticed that Addison’s eyes were diverted elsewhere. Her eyes were wide, brows scrunched up, and mouth slightly open.
“What?” he asked and turned his head to look in the direction her eyes were pointed.
“Is that…?” she whispered, and he finished her thought--
“Sloan and Burke.”
Alex and Addison turned their eyes back to one another, with surprised expressions.
“Ten to one Richard knew they were coming and decided to spring the surprise on us,” she murmured.
“Yeah,” Alex chuckled, not allowing for the nerves that abruptly possessed him to openly show.
Addison grinned and cocked an eyebrow at him. “Might as well say hello,” she said and stalked off in their direction.
Alex watched her walk towards them, watched the faces of the attendings who had left the hospital and messes behind for others to clean up. His hands formed in a fist, he felt his throat tighten, and then he breathed. He tore his eyes away from Burke and Sloan, and stalked off in the opposite direction--he had a message to spread to a particular someone.
---
“Well look who we have here.”
Addison’s voice definitely came as a surprise to Mark Sloan and Preston Burke, as seen with their wide-eyed expressions.
“Dr. Montgomery. It’s a pleasure to see you,” Burke said mannerly.
He smiled at her, and she returned the smile but did not accept the hand he extended to her.
“It’s a pleasure to see you too, Preston, but a handshake is not the way to show that,” she smirked and opened her arms, inviting him in for a hug.
He chuckled, but accepted it. Then came Mark, who looked at her with a skeptical look.
“What, not even a hello?” Addison teased him.
“I’m confused,” he tilted his head and eyed her wearily.
“Why is that?”
“Well, you definitely weren’t here by the time I left.”
“And I wasn’t here until one month ago, just as you weren’t.”
He grinned at her and nodded his head.
“It’s good to see you then.”
He opened his arms and stepped forward, but this time Addison chuckled and stepped back herself.
“What, no hug!” he exclaimed.
“I’m not sure if I can trust you Mark,” she bit back a smile.
“Believe me, Addison, I am a reformed man.”
Addison shifted her eyes from Mark to Burke, who gave her one nod, but she couldn’t quite believe it. Mark noted this when Addison gave her that look that tended to intimidate anyone and everyone around her.
“Okay, maybe not, but I have no intention on hitting on anyone. Probably. Call me at the end of the day. But how about that hug now?”
She stared at him for some seconds, but then broke out in a laugh and accepted his gesture. They hugged for some seconds, when Mark whispered, “so on-call room, in 20 minutes?”
She rolled her eyes and pulled her right arm back to punch him softly in the ribs.
“Ow, I was just kidding!” he laughed while wincing.
“You better be, Sloan, otherwise I’ll need to have my boyfriend arrest you for sexual harassment.”
At that comment, Mark knew that aside from his own story to tell Addison, she had her own one to tell him.
---
“So you talk to Sloan?” Callie whispered to her as they walked a corridor.
“Yep,” Addison nodded.
“So…what’d he say?”
“Nothing,” she shrugged.
“Oh come on, Addison. I need some juicy gossip, I’ve been seriously deprived.”
Addison stopped in her steps and turned to her friend.
“Perhaps then, you can divulge me on what exactly happened with O' Malley.”
Callie shook her head. “Nothing happened, Addison. We got divorced, we hardly ever talked again, and a couple of months ago he transferred to Mercy West. The end. So it's your turn now.”
Addison wasn't sure what to make of her friend's hasty and dry statement, but she wouldn't push on.
“Alright. Mark actually didn’t say much. Just that Burke moved to New York some time after Sloan got there, they ran into each other, struck up some friendship, ended up going to a medical convention where none other than the Chief was attending and they all got to talking. Which led to Burke and Sloan returning. Permanently.”
“Wow, aren’t those a bunch of coincidences,” Callie remarked.
Addison nodded and commented, “knowing Richard, he found out Preston and Mark were going to that particular convention and conveniently made plans to attend as well.”
Callie laughed. “Yeah, probably,” and she paused as she raised an eyebrow at Addison.
“This isn’t going to be weird for you, is it?”
“Is what going to be weird?”
“You know, Sloan and Karev in the same place with your boyfriend hanging around,” she whispered.
Addison sighed, but rolled her eyes. “Callie, that is all history. I’m with Kevin. I love Kevin. We’re all grown, mature adults. Well, maybe not Mark, but I can handle myself, thank you very much.”
Callie sent her a skeptical look, but determined her friend was right (probably, hopefully). Things had changed, and there was no reason to think otherwise.
fandom: Grey's Anatomy
summary: Set a few years post season four, Addison Montgomery finds herself back at Seattle Grace, albeit to find that things are quite different. Along with her life set and in order, she sees that many of the doctors have also come to terms with love life. As time progresses, however, these doctors will witness the phrase 'the more things change, the more they stay the same' manifest. (AU post mid-S4)
characters/pairings: Addison, Alex, Izzie, Mark, and the remaining ensemble in minor roles (est. Addison/Kevin)
genre(s): Angst/Friendship/General/Romance
rating: T
note: I ended up combining this chapter w/chapter nine, b/c both were too short. Strange...and the banner makes a reappearance. Wonder why...? Anywho, enjoy!
part(s): prologue - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
~*~
-¤-
In the course of two weeks, Addison and Alex fell into a routine similar, but very unlike to the one they had before Addison left. They bickered less often however, their conflicts were not solved with yelling and torturous payback, but there did not seem to be anymore awkward silences. They would even be complimented by patients on how well the two worked together. They were more interested in Dr. Montgomery’s tenure at Seattle Grace Hospital however, asking her how long she was staying, and if ever they were to need help in that department again, they would love to have her as their doctor.
Working with more than three patients a day, and participating in more surgeries, Addison began feeling more important and useful, just within two weeks.
Her boyfriend, Kevin, would help out the local law enforcement when Addison worked--although they were supposed to be on vacation, this seemed to work. They only worked part-time, and they each respectively felt that the burdens were less here than in California.
The fact that Addison was working with a man that once caused her so much trouble did not weigh heavily on her mind. She was aware that now Alex was a family man, that he had responsibilities, and that he was loyal and respectful. It only served as a reason for him to admire him, not to say she didn’t feel a bit strange knowing how much Alex had changed.
It wasn’t so long ago that Alex Karev had pushed her away, acted like he was light years away from settling down. And not even a year after she left, he began a relationship with Izzie, leading up to a baby, and a home. He was committed, although not married, he had settled down. It was admirable, even if she had trouble making sense of how quickly he had changed.
But the real mystery in all this was that little girl. She dropped by on occasion, and the nurses so smitten by her charm, would voluntarily take care of her while her parents worked. Her hair reached the middle of her back, it was a dark blond, with brown patches. The nose was definitely her mothers, as were her cheeks. Her chin was not quite the same, but similar--it had a bit more definition but still looked round. She was pretty tall for a two year old, and her fingers were long, her hands noticeably strong. But whenever Addison looked at her, examined her, she could not find anything that really screamed Marie being Alex’s daughter.
“She has blue eyes,” one day Addison commented to Callie as they sat at a table close to that of Alex and Izzie’s, who had Marie with her.
“What?” she didn’t know what she was referring to.
“Karev’s and Steven’s daughter--she has blue eyes,” Addison clarified, turning to Callie.
“Oh, that,” Callie nodded. “Yeah, apparently, Alex’s dad had blue eyes, or so say Alex, I don't know. But Steven’s mom does have blue eyes.”
“How do you know?” Addison inquired.
“Oh, when Stevens was like six months into her pregnancy, her mom popped in to supposedly make amends or whatever. But even I could tell that old witch was trouble, and Alex handled her. She managed to stay a while, but soon as she caused a little trouble with the patients, they managed to get a restraining order. But yeah, her eyes were definitely blue.”
“Well, it’s not often a kid gets a recessive gene.”
“I know, lucky bast--”
“Callie!” Addison chastised her.
“I meant her parents! For having a kid with such beautiful eyes! Geez, Addison no need to get so offended,” Callie laughed at the situation.
Addison rolled her eyes at the friend, and turned back to look at the little girl. Even with that bit of information, she couldn’t help but feel there was something out of place. Perhaps because she still had trouble understanding how someone like Izzie Stevens could possibly befriend someone like Mark Sloan.
---
“Stevens, do you have a moment?” Addison called her over after the day ended. Each had already changed and apparently were headed home.
“Sure,” she nodded, “but you have to call me Izzie.”
Addison smiled and nodded. They took a seat in the waiting area, and Addison quickly spoke.
“I asked Derek what happened to Mark, and he mentioned that the two of you were friends.”
Izzie tensed, though she maintained her composure, and only nodded softly.
“Uh, yeah, for awhile before he left, I guess we were what you would call friends,” she chuckled nervously.
“How did that come about--if you don’t mind my asking.”
She slowly parted her mouth, and inhaled softly. “It’s fine, I guess…I was headed to the bar one day, and he came up to me and we talked for awhile. Eventually us talking turned into a kind of daily thing, and…we were friends,” she shrugged.
Addison thought the explanation to be a bit too simple, but accepted it. “So have you heard from him since he left? Because Derek said he hasn’t.”
Izzie’s gaze faltered, and her hands began to fidget. “No, I haven’t, no.”
“Strange…” Addison muttered.
“Yeah, but what can you do?” Izzie shrugged again, then looked down at her watch. “Sorry, Addison, I have to get home and cook.”
“Oh, sure,” Addison stood up as did Izzie.
“Alright, bye,” Izzie scurried, getting away from the conversation as quickly as possible. Once she made it in her car, she exhaled in relief. She hated talking about Mark, about how he left, and how he never once called her. Her best anecdote, according to her, was to pretend it did not affect her. Because the last thing she needed was for anyone to know how Mark Sloan could still affect her after three years.
Addison took note of how Izzie was hesitant to speak about Mark, of how she had just shrugged the matter off, but this wasn’t her business. In a month and a half, she would be gone from this place, so there was no use in complicating her stay by meddling in other people’s affairs.
---
“Sorry, I’m late,” Alex leaned over and whispered into Addison’s after he rushed into their patient’s room.
She nodded to acknowledge him then continued speaking to the patient, explaining why she would have to remain in the hospital four to five more days.
When she finally finished, both she and Alex stepped outside where Addison asked why he had come late.
“You left me hanging there, Karev. Ms. Williams was specifically asking for you earlier, but I could not provide an adequate reason for why her doctor was not guiding her through surgery.”
“I said I was sorry. Marie’s babysitter got a cold, and Izzie didn’t want Marie catching it, so we had to bring her with us.”
“She’s here?” Addison asked curiously, wondering how a little girl in the hospital would fare.
“Yeah, the nurses are taking turns with her.”
Addison sighed and muttered, “fine, just send out a notice or something if this ever happens again.”
“Of course--and we meant too, but things got hectic and--”
Alex ceased speaking when he noticed that Addison’s eyes were diverted elsewhere. Her eyes were wide, brows scrunched up, and mouth slightly open.
“What?” he asked and turned his head to look in the direction her eyes were pointed.
“Is that…?” she whispered, and he finished her thought--
“Sloan and Burke.”
Alex and Addison turned their eyes back to one another, with surprised expressions.
“Ten to one Richard knew they were coming and decided to spring the surprise on us,” she murmured.
“Yeah,” Alex chuckled, not allowing for the nerves that abruptly possessed him to openly show.
Addison grinned and cocked an eyebrow at him. “Might as well say hello,” she said and stalked off in their direction.
Alex watched her walk towards them, watched the faces of the attendings who had left the hospital and messes behind for others to clean up. His hands formed in a fist, he felt his throat tighten, and then he breathed. He tore his eyes away from Burke and Sloan, and stalked off in the opposite direction--he had a message to spread to a particular someone.
---
“Well look who we have here.”
Addison’s voice definitely came as a surprise to Mark Sloan and Preston Burke, as seen with their wide-eyed expressions.
“Dr. Montgomery. It’s a pleasure to see you,” Burke said mannerly.
He smiled at her, and she returned the smile but did not accept the hand he extended to her.
“It’s a pleasure to see you too, Preston, but a handshake is not the way to show that,” she smirked and opened her arms, inviting him in for a hug.
He chuckled, but accepted it. Then came Mark, who looked at her with a skeptical look.
“What, not even a hello?” Addison teased him.
“I’m confused,” he tilted his head and eyed her wearily.
“Why is that?”
“Well, you definitely weren’t here by the time I left.”
“And I wasn’t here until one month ago, just as you weren’t.”
He grinned at her and nodded his head.
“It’s good to see you then.”
He opened his arms and stepped forward, but this time Addison chuckled and stepped back herself.
“What, no hug!” he exclaimed.
“I’m not sure if I can trust you Mark,” she bit back a smile.
“Believe me, Addison, I am a reformed man.”
Addison shifted her eyes from Mark to Burke, who gave her one nod, but she couldn’t quite believe it. Mark noted this when Addison gave her that look that tended to intimidate anyone and everyone around her.
“Okay, maybe not, but I have no intention on hitting on anyone. Probably. Call me at the end of the day. But how about that hug now?”
She stared at him for some seconds, but then broke out in a laugh and accepted his gesture. They hugged for some seconds, when Mark whispered, “so on-call room, in 20 minutes?”
She rolled her eyes and pulled her right arm back to punch him softly in the ribs.
“Ow, I was just kidding!” he laughed while wincing.
“You better be, Sloan, otherwise I’ll need to have my boyfriend arrest you for sexual harassment.”
At that comment, Mark knew that aside from his own story to tell Addison, she had her own one to tell him.
---
“So you talk to Sloan?” Callie whispered to her as they walked a corridor.
“Yep,” Addison nodded.
“So…what’d he say?”
“Nothing,” she shrugged.
“Oh come on, Addison. I need some juicy gossip, I’ve been seriously deprived.”
Addison stopped in her steps and turned to her friend.
“Perhaps then, you can divulge me on what exactly happened with O' Malley.”
Callie shook her head. “Nothing happened, Addison. We got divorced, we hardly ever talked again, and a couple of months ago he transferred to Mercy West. The end. So it's your turn now.”
Addison wasn't sure what to make of her friend's hasty and dry statement, but she wouldn't push on.
“Alright. Mark actually didn’t say much. Just that Burke moved to New York some time after Sloan got there, they ran into each other, struck up some friendship, ended up going to a medical convention where none other than the Chief was attending and they all got to talking. Which led to Burke and Sloan returning. Permanently.”
“Wow, aren’t those a bunch of coincidences,” Callie remarked.
Addison nodded and commented, “knowing Richard, he found out Preston and Mark were going to that particular convention and conveniently made plans to attend as well.”
Callie laughed. “Yeah, probably,” and she paused as she raised an eyebrow at Addison.
“This isn’t going to be weird for you, is it?”
“Is what going to be weird?”
“You know, Sloan and Karev in the same place with your boyfriend hanging around,” she whispered.
Addison sighed, but rolled her eyes. “Callie, that is all history. I’m with Kevin. I love Kevin. We’re all grown, mature adults. Well, maybe not Mark, but I can handle myself, thank you very much.”
Callie sent her a skeptical look, but determined her friend was right (probably, hopefully). Things had changed, and there was no reason to think otherwise.