Summary: Addison and Derek should be together. End of story. Therefore, because the writers have failed me completely, I have decided how it should have been.

Disclaimer: I own, none, Shonda owns all. If I owned SGH, Derek and Addison would be in love, with 2.5 children, and a white picket fence.

Ruler of All That is Evil

When Richard entered the staff meeting that morning, he got several strange looks, because behind him he was dragging a woman who looked to be in her mid – 30's, with fiery hair, piercing green eyes, and the highest heels that anyone in that room had every seen. Every inch of her being screamed "Manhattan socialite".

"Okay everyone, let's get started." Richard announced, pointing the woman to a chair. "As I'm sure most of you have noticed, we have a guest with us today. This is Addison Montgomery – Shepherd. She is a world-renowned neonatal surgeon, and OB-GYN. She is here to consult on the high-risk pregnancy that we admitted last week. I expect everyone to treat her with utmost respect and dignity." With the last phrase, Richard aimed his attention at Derek, who at that moment found the back of his hand fascinating.

The meeting continued on, and Addison settled in, feeling Derek's eyes on the back of her neck. He was currently trying to quell the urge to scream at her. All of the compassion from the early morning was gone, and he was left with a feeling of hurt so deep, and so rooted in passion, that it took all his power not to stand up and give Addison a piece of his mind.

Some time later, after Richard had adjourned the meeting, Derek was still sitting in the conference room, waiting to talk to the Chief – whom Addison was currently having a heated discussion with. He tried in vain to read the Chief's lips, but all he could make out was his name and "Seattle Grace".

Fifteen minutes later, Addison left Richard's office with a quick kiss to his cheek. She pointedly ignored Derek as she passed, and Derek followed her with his eyes, his head propped in one hand, before hearing a not so subtle cough from the Chief. He was standing against the doorway, also watching Addison, but upon feeling Derek's gaze, turned to him.

"So, are you going to tell me what happened?"

Derek looked at Richard through glazed eyes.

"No. It's not my story to tell."

Richard glared at him, then squinted his eyes shut, and pinched the bridge of his nose. Without looking at Derek, he said,

"She told me. Sent me an email this morning."

"Good for her." He replied, using his patented "indifferent" tone.

"She's not going to wait for you forever, you know."

Derek opened his mouth to retort, to say that he, in fact, was the wronged party. But, Richard held up his hand.

"She may have cheated, but you are unworthy of her, if you let someone as talented, beautiful, and intellectual as Addison Forbes Montgomery slip from your grasp." And with that, he turned into his office, and shut the door.

Derek stood up indignantly, squelching the demon inside of him that insisted that the Chief's words had merit.

"Satan's got my boss wrapped around her finger. Great."

GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA

Derek groaned as he watched Addison and Dr. Bailey talking. "Great." He thought to himself. "A week, and she's already got the entire hospital under her spell." He turned to the elevators, and stood contemplating his bad luck. Just then, Meredith walked up to him, and dropped a box at his feet, before turning on her heel and stalking away. Addison strolled up to him at that moment, and while tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, said, her voice laced with sarcasm,

"Tssk, tsk, Derek. Is the girlfriend mad about the wife?" He turned to her, his eyes showing the mental anguish that had enveloped him since her arrival.

"What do you want, Addison?"

She clipped open her briefcase, handed him a folder of papers, and as the elevator "dinged", she stepped on.

"My flight is tomorrow at noon. I'm flying Delta." And with that, she pressed the button for her floor, and the doors closed on him.

He recognized the folder, and opened it. But, the top sheet had changed. Instead of the note that he had read in the hotel room a week ago, another one replaced it.

Dear Derek,

At the risk of sounding corny, I just wanted to tell you what our marriage has meant to me. You have been my everything for 11 years. You have been my confidant, my advisor, my lover, and most importantly, you have been my friend. When I met you, the first day of Gross Anatomy, I thought that you were the most pompous, arrogant jerk I had ever met. But, my view of you changed drastically, and here I am, 15 years later, ending the friendship that we shared for so long. I screwed up, Derek. I've come to terms with that, and maybe you will too, eventually. But, for now, know this. I love you. Forever and for always.

Love, Me.

Derek folded the piece of paper, and stuck it in his coat pocket. He climbed in the elevator, and started to think. And, all the way home, he thought. He thought about his marriage, and Addison, and Meredith. And that was when Addison's words struck home. Meredith was the anti-Addison. Where Addison was strong, Meredith was weak. While Addison didn't need anyone to complete here, Meredith was at a loss without a warm body next to hers. Addison didn't need Derek's approval, or anyone else's. Meredith hung onto Derek's every word. When Addison gave you the look, you got the hell out of her way. And when Meredith gave you the look, you felt bad for her. And so, Derek knew what he had to do. And he was not looking forward to it. But, Meredith didn't deserve to be led on the way that he was leading her.