Author’s Note: I’ve realised that I’ve never really written a story on here, for either Grey’s or ER, that deals with the whole cast as an ensemble, I’ve only ever focused on a couple, with others making cameos. This is a whole different kettle of fish and I’m beginning to wonder what I’ve taken on! Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter, you restored my faith a little that there are still people out there reading this.

Disclaimer: As before.

It was late by the time Meredith got home, and Derek was half asleep in the seat next to her. She nudged him gently, then, when that had no effect, she elbowed him sharply.

‘Huh?’ He woke with a start.

‘Come on, wake up. We’re home.’ Her face was the picture of innocence, and she pretended not to notice his hand on his ribs. She undid his seatbelt, and kissed him on the cheek before getting out of the car.

They still lived in her mother’s house, although they were hoping the new house would be finished, or at least ready to move into, before the wedding. As soon as they were inside the front door, Derek kissed her goodnight and stumbled up the stairs to bed. He’d had a long day – looking after Mark and getting him through the funeral must have been exhausting. She felt pretty drained herself.

There was a light on in the kitchen, so she went on through, hoping it was Alex home from Joe’s. Things had been as awkward as Hell with Alex and Izzie breaking up, but the last few weeks, she’d noticed the tension beginning to ease, though Alex had still been quieter than usual, and generally down. He’d been different tonight though. Seeing him with Addison, Meredith thought he looked as if he had a bit of his old spark back. She wasn’t all that surprised: she had her suspicions about them years ago, before Addison had left, though she’d never managed to get Alex to admit to anything.

He was already sitting at the table, waiting for her. There was a bottle of tequila and two shot glasses out ready.

‘Go on then,’ Alex said, without looking up at her, still standing in the doorway. ‘I know you want to.’

She sat down opposite him, and poured them each a drink. ‘Well, what was that?’ she asked. ‘It looked kind of cosy to me.’

‘It wasn’t anything Meredith. She was already there when I got there; it would have been rude not to have a drink with her.’

‘Hm.’ Meredith pursed her lips sceptically. ‘And what about when we left? I’m glad you’re back. And I know you Alex Karev, you don’t break out that smile for just anyone. It’s ben a while since I’ve seen it.’

‘Well, I am glad she’s back,’ he defended himself. ‘I need a decent teacher again. Doctor Coleman is useless, and Addison is the best neo-natal surgeon in the country. I’ve got a better chance of making something of myself working under Addison than anyone else.’

‘And that’s the only reason you want her back, right? Work?’

Alex didn’t answer. He knocked back his shot of tequila and poured himself another. Meredith drank hers too, but grimaced. She was getting too old for tequila, or perhaps she just wasn’t screwed up enough to truly appreciate its anaesthetic effects anymore.

He had a forbidding expression, but she figured she’d known him long enough to push him a little. ‘Alex, what happened between you and Addison? Last time I mean. I know there was something between you.’

Alex sighed wearily, and looked down at him hands for a long time before he answered. ‘It was nothing really, to start with. I damn well hated her in the beginning, keeping me captive on gynae when I would rather have been doing anything – including a lifetime of scut – than that. But then I got to know her a bit, I guess. She honestly is a brilliant teacher, ten times better than any of the other attendings, including Derek, no offence.’

She smiled. ‘None taken. He is a neurosurgeon after all, just because he and I happen to think he’s the centre of the universe, none of the rest of you should be under an obligation to agree.’

He laughed, and continued. ‘The more time I spent with her, the more I realised how hard a time she was having here. Her only real friend was Callie. I was only kind to her because Derek and Sloan were so nasty, but I used to love seeing her smile. She looked so different when she did.’

‘Then?’ Meredith prompted.

‘We kissed at Joe’s, the night George’s dad died, right where we were sitting this evening. Then I pushed her away. Then we were okay again. Then we had a huge row, and I screwed her in a supply cupboard. Then she ran off to California.’

‘Ran off?’ Meredith raised an eyebrow, trying not to look shocked at Alex’s story. She couldn’t believe so much had happened and she’d never known. She was also impressed at Alex’s discretion. How such a snippet as Satan screwing her intern had never reached the Seattle Grace rumour mill was nothing short of a miracle.

‘Okay, I drove her away, if you’re going to be pedantic about it. I was… not nice.’

‘You’re the reason she left?’

‘Well, I’m not sure I can take the entire credit for it. The ex husband and ex lover trying to cut her off at the knees every time she opened her mouth probably didn’t help.’

‘All right, easy now. Don’t forget, Derek is my fiancé. She did sleep with his best friend.’ Even though she chastised Alex, she knew Derek had been pretty cruel to Addison. She remembered the time she found her crying in a supply closet. Though it was all in the past now. She’d seen the three of them holding hands at the memorial service, and she had felt a flicker of jealousy, even though she knew there was no need. It was just such a strong friendship, and she knew she would never be totally included in that.

‘I know, but there’s two sides to every story, and none of us ever heard Addison’s, that’s all I’m saying.’

‘Okay,’ Meredith backed down. ‘So what now? What was this evening all about?’

‘I thought I’d go for a beer or two after my shift, and she was already in there – no illicit meeting, I swear. Then we were just talking.’

‘What was that smile about? And don’t give me some I’m glad she’s my attending bullshit.’

‘It was an impulse. I… I don’t know how I feel about me and Izzie, but I know that, apart from Izzie, Addison’s the only woman that I’ve ever…’

Meredith noticed that he didn’t mention Ava, but they tended to gloss over that these days.

‘Not that it matters,’ he continued. ‘She’ll be with Sloan before long.’

Meredith desperately wanted to contradict him, give him some hope, but she didn’t. In truth, she thought he was probably right. Addison and Mark was virtually inevitable now, Derek had said that he thought so too. It would be for the best really, for everyone. Except Alex.

She gave him a pained look.

He stood up. ‘Your silence says it all, Meredith. You and Derek have spoken about it, haven’t you?’

She nodded.

He made his way towards the door, suddenly looking tired. ‘Will you do me a favour?’ he asked over his shoulder.

‘Of course.’

‘Don’t tell anyone about this. I’m having trouble enough getting over Izzie, I don’t need to make this any harder for myself.’

‘If you need to talk Alex, I’m here. Anytime.’

He have her a sad little smile, miles away from the way he’d looked at Addison earlier. ‘Thanks Meredith. Goodnight.’

She waited until she heard him turn the bathroom light off and shut his bedroom door, then she put the tequila bottle back into the cupboard and went upstairs herself. She quickly shucked off her clothes and pulled on a pair of old pajamas. She slipped into bed next to Derek.

‘Mm,’ he said sleepily, winding an arm around her waist and drawing her into him. ‘Where were you?’

‘Talking to Alex.’

‘Is he okay?’

‘He’s fine.’

Still not opening her eyes, Derek nuzzled her neck, and trailed his lips across her skin until they met hers in a lazy kiss.

‘No he isn’t. You’ve been drinking tequila,’ Derek said when they broke apart for air.

‘It’s been a long day,’ Meredith replied, hoping that would be enough to cover pretty much anything.

‘Yes, it has.’ He hugged her tightly, and after a few minutes, she realised he had fallen asleep.