Hello! Hope you're all hanging on there. I know that what's happening to the world right now is devasting and horrible, so I really hope you're staying home and safe.

"I've always been the kind to contemplate, but you like the kind that don't hesitate.

So excuse me, while I fall for you."

- Hesitate by Steve Moakler

"Why don't you just ask her out?" Mark Sloan smirked as he got a death glare from his best friend. Sure, Derek Shepherd wasn't much of a lady's man as Mark is, but Derek wasn't in any way ugly. In fact, Derek is kind of dreamy…from an angle. He is also incredibly thoughtful and generous. He can make any woman swoon. He knows exactly what to say to get them; just look at his track record with his sisters. Despite being outnumbered, he still manages to win them over every damn time. Any girl would be crazy to say 'no' to him. Maybe Derek is not as suave as Mark is, but the former could really be a 'Knight in Shining Armor' or whatever if he wanted to be.

"You're joking? Right? You have to be." Derek replied. Then, chugged the water bottle he was holding. "You heard Sam Bennet. She doesn't go out with anyone."

Mark smirked. "Sam said that she said no when he asked her out. He didn't say that she would say no to everyone." He spotted a bench to his right and motioned for them to take a break. "And doesn't Red's roommate have a thing for Sam?"

"Naomi?" Derek clarified.

Mark smirked as he nodded. "You really are clueless Shep."

"So is this why we're running in central park at 8 in the morning? A little immature, even for you. Don't you think? You dragged me all the way out here on the only day we have to sleep in to ask me about a girl in our class." Derek said fuming. He wasn't a morning person. He was never an early riser, and much less when he hasn't had his morning coffee. His best friend just laughed.

"No," Mark replied as he leaned back. The taller man was now seated comfortably. His gaze obviously looking elsewhere. Mark was getting cocky.

"Are you even listening to me?" Derek asked.

"No, I'm not." Mark flashed that annoying cocky grin that he's known for. "And I didn't wake you up to ask about a girl in our class." He clarified. "I made you go on this run so that you can ask her out." The taller man chuckled as his best friend turned around to see where he had been looking all this time. Derek's eyes practically popped out of his head.

The neurosurgeon clumsily grabs another bottle of his 15-year-old bottle of scotch. This was his fourth glass or maybe his fifth. He lost count after the third. He needed a drink badly. This was their fancy bottle. Addison saved it. She called it a 'special bottle.'

"We can't drink that one." Addison swiped the bottle from her husband.

Derek chuckled. "Why not?"

"That's the 'special bottle,' so you can't open it. It's only for special occasions." She explained.

"Special occasions?" Derek repeated in disbelief. Addison nodded. "Care to explain to me what counts as a special occasion?"

His wife crept into a goofy grin. "The moment would present itself." She said as if it made sense. It did. They both knew exactly what they meant. "If something would special enough, then we would just know."

"We'll know," Derek reassured her. He wrapped his arms around her waist as he slowly leaned in to kiss his beautiful wife.

The situation he was in called for the special bottle.

Addison left.

Her things were no longer in their home.

The home that they built.

She was gone.

Derek took a nice long sip from his glass. Tears were making its way down his cheek. He lifts the piece of paper that he has been staring at for the past hour and a half. He still hasn't read it. He knew it was coming. He knew the moment he left the hospital. A part of him was begging the universe that she would be home. He hoped that he wasn't too late, but everyone knew he was. Derek knew that it was too late.

The letter was neatly written and folded. It was in his office, on top of some divorce papers. It was placed in a creamy off white envelope, much like the one that she picked out for their wedding invitations. Her penmanship was as neat as it was in medical school. He always admired her handwriting. It wasn't like those typical butchered doctor's notes. He got as far as his name when he started to tear up, so he stalled. Something that he was good at. He got the special bottle of scotch, drank a couple of glasses, and waited. He was already too late. What could a few more hours do?

Mark didn't want to be here. He wishes that he was better than this. He was on Addison's side for christ's sake, but Derek was always his brother. They were family. No girl could ever come between them; not even Addison. He needed to be there for Derek.

The plastic surgeon had halted a yellow cab, gave the directions to his best friend's brownstone, and sat patiently. Truth be told, he didn't think this through. He loved Derek, but he loves Addie too. Mark would never tell Derek where Addison was, or at least where they all thought she was going to. He promised Addison. Even if he was Derek's best friend, he can't betray Addison. This was Derek's fault. All of them just have to deal with the consequences.

As the sight of the brownstone came to his view, he grabbed a couple of bills from his wallet and paid his fare. Mark took a deep sigh. He was here. Again. Only this time, he was here for Derek, not Addison. Something that he hasn't done in a while. He stood outside staring at the front door. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he wishes that Addison would be behind that door, not Derek. He wishes that this was his home, not Derek's. He took another deep sigh.

She wouldn't have stayed for Mark.

But he can hope.

Suddenly, the stillness of the night was broken by his cellphone blaring. He quickly grabbed it from his pocket as he walked away from the door. He glanced at the caller ID.

"Where the hell have you been?" Mark whispered angrily.

"I'm in Seattle," Addison replied

"Seattle? What the fuck are you doing there?" Mark was fuming. "You were supposed to be on a plane to Los Angeles." He raised his voice.

"I know." Addison sighed. Mark immediately calmed down. Sure he was still upset with Addison, but it's been a long day for everyone. "I couldn't go. I couldn't go to California. At least not yet." She explained. "I needed time."

"But that doesn't explain why you're in Seattle."

"I'm here for a case." She replied briefly.

"Richard called didn't he?" Mark was starting to put the pieces together.

"Yes." She paused. "I don't know why I called." Her voice was shaky.

"He knows," Mark stated. She was silent. He knows her well enough. She called to ask about him. "He's in the brownstone. I'm guessing he found the letter."

"Has he asked about me?" She asks embarrassingly.

"He has. He's a mess Red. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already drowning himself in alcohol right about now." Mark says.

"Take care of him," Addison whispers. "Take care of yourself too."

And the line went dead.

Hope you liked it!

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Also, if you like my story, please check out my other stories.

Please check out my Addek one shot, if you're a fan.