There comes a point in all relationships when we have to move on.  It might harder for others to face the reality that you are no longer together.  One moves on easier than the other but if you are truly meant to be - you will find your way back to each other.  It may not be easy but no one ever said love was.  

* This is a combination of 4x8 and 4x11 episode.

-

"I can't believe Derek is on a date with someone other than Meredith," Alison said as she scrunched her nose and drank her beer.

"He needs to move on.  He's needed to move on," he told his girlfriend and she swatted his arm.

"Don't encourage it."

"It's true.  She's not good for him," he said eating the nuts and candy.

"Maybe they're not good for each other right now but one day they will be.  How would you think she would react after literally dying then coming back to life?"

"Not like this," Mark scoffed and shook his head.  "Not when you love someone.  I just don't like seeing Derek hurt anymore.  He deserves to be happy.  Even if that happiness is with someone else."

"You still love him," Alison said in a sing-song voice and it was his turn to shove her shoulder playfully making her laugh.

"Of course I do, we're brothers.  It's just - I really hurt him by cheating with Addison.  You know?  If anyone deserves happiness again, it's him.  Not me."

"Hey," Alison said as she put her hand on his cheek gently and made him look at her as he had sad eyes.  "Enough of that talk.  What did we already discuss?  You did a bad thing but that doesn't make you a bad person, yeah?"

"Alright," he rolled his eyes playfully and placed a gentle kiss on the inside of her wrist, making her heart melt.

The couple stopped focusing on them at the moment and moved their heads to watch their person who was currently on a date with Sydney.  If Alison were being honest - she couldn't believe it when Derek told her he asked Sydney out on a date.  Perky, happy, Sydney.  

Derek glanced over at Mark and Alison and Mark did a motion with his hands as he widened his eyes.  His attention then went back to Sydney then back to the couple.  Her pager buzzed as Mark and Alison took that as their cue to talk with him as Meredith was watching the whole thing a few tables away.

"Is she dying?" Mark asked as they sat down.  "Is that why?"

"Why what?" Derek asked.  "She's nice.  She asked me out."

"I'm going to fake a heart attack," Mark said as he shook his head.  "I do a great fake heart attack."

"He really does," Alison chimed in.  "Or I could fake fainting."

"Here she comes," Derek said.

"Carry on," Mark said as they got up.

*

"Hey, congrats, Doctor Bailey on getting Chief Resident," Alison smiled at the woman who was just a few inches shorter than her.

"Thanks, Alison," Miranda told the blonde as Miranda, Callie and Alison were talking Sydney came up behind Miranda and gave her a big hug.

"Oh does she ever," Sydney exclaimed.  Alison could not handle Sydney's perky attitude.  How can one person be that happy all the time?  "Come here, chief resident, someone deserves a big hug."

Alison glanced at Callie from the corner of her eyes as the three of them stood still, not expecting to see Sydney.  Alison brought her hand up to her mouth to stop herself from laughing at the scene.  

"Come on, Sydney," Miranda told the woman and she let go, laughing.

"Well, I admit I'm a wee bit jealous," Sydney said as she stroked Miranda's shoulders.  "But the chief has made his decision and I will abide by it.  Oh Callie I'm so sorry."

"I'm fine with it," Callie told her.

Alison knew that there were events leading up to the chief firing Callie from the position.  She hoped that Callie would take time for herself.

"Oh good, we're being a brave soldier."

"No, really, I'm fine with it," Callie told her and left.

"Let's not spoil this moment for Miranda."

"Sydney, shut up," Alison told her as she hugged Miranda and walked up to the peds floor to do more book work.  Apparently not only was Doctor Kenley not only having a bad day but he was having a bad week.  

*

"You guys worked on someone who broke her ass?" Alison asked as she ate a fry and did a little happy dance in her seat.  

"Yeah, she was annoying as hell," Mark muttered.  "Wouldn't let anyone touch her until the Head of Plastic Surgery saw her face.  How has your day been?" Mark asked his girlfriend in concern, especially when he noticed her stop smiling.  

"If you classify looking up the latest advancements in peds as a great day then it's great.  Just great," Alison muttered the last part.

"Why don't you just tell Richard?" 

"I don't want to worry Richard unless I can handle it."

"But you aren't handling it.  Are you?" Mark raised his eyebrows.  "He's clearly still having you do book work."

"Mind if I sit with you guys?" Erica asked and Alison was saved as she let out a sigh of relief.

"Go ahead."

"Wait, you two are dating?" Erica asked slightly amused as she pointed her fork at Mark and Alison and they nodded their head with smiles on their faces. "I think this the craziest news I've heard all day. You're just so normal and he's so not. How do you deal with it?"

"We even each other out," Alison said as she looked at Mark with love and he smiled back at her.

"How'd you get him to get past being a womanizer?"

"I told him if he ever cheated on me I'd cut off his dick."

"And I really like my dick," Mark said. "And her. There's no question I would ever cheat on her."

"Besides, they're practically the new 'it' couple," Callie chimed in. "After Derek and Meredith."

"We are?" Alison asked with her eyes widened. "Why?"

"Because you guys are a hot couple," she shrugged her shoulders. "And you guys are couple goals. I think they even have a ship name for you? I think it's Malison but I've also heard Mars too."

"That's crazy," Mark said shaking his head. "What's a ship name?"

"Lexie had to explain it to me earlier but its apparently when people like hence the name ship two people dating and they combine your first names together."

"Is it just me or are there teeny boppers staring you?" Erica asked Mark making them look in the direction Erica was looking at.  

"I get that a lot," Mark commented.  "Started when I was their age.  Never really went away."

"Mark, they're like no older than eighteen.  Right?  They have to be," Alison chimed in shaking her head in amusement.  

Mark raised his hand at them to make him seem approachable and Alison looked at Erica and Callie rolling her eyes at the whole thing.  The girls seemed really excited and giggling the whole way.

"What can I do for you ladies?" Mark asked them.

"Tell him," the brunette told the blonde.

"No," she whined.  "It's embarrassing."

"You can tell me," Mark told her.

"Yes, please do tell," Alison said as she faked throwing up making Erica smirk at her.

"You look exactly like her dad," the brunette told him.

Everyone at the table laughed except Mark, as Alison laughed the hardest after the two teenagers left.  

"Aw, is someone hurt?" Alison asked her boyfriend as she patted his cheek.  "It's okay."

*

"Sorry you lost a patient today," Alison told Derek as she leaned on her shoulder.

"Yeah, I just feel really bad for his best friend Marissa and his parents.  You know she said they were kind of loners in school.  They didn't have anyone else except each other.  And now she's going to have to go back to school without him."

"I was them.  I only had one best friend in high school.  I was never popular and never played any sports."

"Really?" Derek asked as he looked at his person.

"Who was it?"

"His name is Brady Collins."

"What does he do now?"

"He's a pharmacist.  He still lives in South Dakota."

"Huh.  Hey, there was a woman in my OR today.  A nurse.  Tall.  Brunette.  Any chance you know who I'm talking about?"

"There's lots of nurses who are tall and brunette," she let out a small laugh.

"This one was different.  She was sassy.  She actually talked during surgery."

"Oh you must mean Rose.  Yeah, Addison and I love her.  She's great.  Why?  Thinking of asking her out?" She teased as she moved her head off his shoulder.

"Maybe."

"Well, she's definitely better than Sydney so I approve."

*

"Hey, you okay?" Alison asked Lexie as she noticed her in the supply closet with her head in her hands.

"I just blew up on Meredith."

"I heard," Alison let out a sigh.  "Mind if I sit down?"

"Go ahead."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Is Meredith always like this?  I mean my dad comes in drunk and Meredith tells me that she actually had fun with him today.  Fun!  He's a drunk.  My dad is a drunk and my sister tells me that I should keep a better watch on him like I don't have other things I should be doing."

"I know its not my place but have you thought about having your dad go to AA meetings?  As for Meredith she's a little rough around the edges but if you put yourself in her shoes and look at everything she's had to endure, you wouldn't be so hard on her.  No one said meeting other family members would be easy."

"Thanks Alison," Lexie gave her a small smile and pulled her in for a hug.

"Your welcome," she told her as they stopped hugging.  "What would you say if you came to my family's home for Thanksgiving?"

"Really?"

"Yeah.  Mark and Derek are coming too.  It'll be fun and take your mind off of everything.  Besides no one does Thanksgiving like my mom."

"Okay, thanks."

*

"Hey Rose.  Rose," Derek called the nurse.  

"You know my name," she pointed out as she turned around to face him.

"I had to ask around but now I know."

"Well, good for you.  I'm sure that person was Alison.  Good night."

"Hang on.  I should have recognized you from the OR today," Derek told her.  "We worked together for three hours.  It was thoughtless."

"I've worked on thirty-six of your surgeries and today was the first time you made eye contact," she shrugged her shoulders.  "Like I said.  Hospitals are no better than high school.  Good night, Doctor Shepherd."

*

"You ready to go?" Alison asked as she wrapped her arms around her boyfriend as he was sitting in the chair.

"Do you think I look like a dad?"

"Are you really still hung up about what those teenage girls said?  Who the hell cares," she scoffed.  "You are still McSteamy.  To answer your question, no.  But if you were you'd be a hot one."

"I am aren't I?" He asked gaining a little confidence as he puffed his chest a little and Alison had to admit she liked the confidence better than him being sad.

"Come on, I'll buy you a drink at Joe's and we can get shit faced drunk and have hot sex."

"God I love you," he shook his head with a smile as he got up from the chair.

"I love you too," she smiled at him and held his hand.

"Someone figured out how to get back on the horse," Mark said to his best friend once they noticed Derek outside and saw Rose just left and he zipped up his leather jacket.

"What?  No, no, no.  We were just talking about work."

"Sure you were," Alison said with a knowing glint in her eyes.  "Was that why you asked me what her name was earlier?"

"Could have fooled me," Mark pointed out and the couple began walking away.

"Hey mom and dad, want to get a drink?" Derek asked them and Mark put a hand to his chest as they all laughed.

"Good one Derek," Alison commented as Derek came up to Mark and put his hands on his shoulders.  "We were just heading there.  Come on, drinks on me."

The trio was now at Joe's bar as they were drinking their beers and Alison ate some candy when Sydney walked over to them.

"Oh no," Alison muttered under her breath and the two looked up and groaned inwardly.

"Doctor S and S and Alison.  How are we this evening?"

"Hi Sydney," Mark commented with a smirk.

"Derek, do you think I could talk to you for five minutes?" She asked ignoring the couple and he looked at them.

"Um, yeah.  Have a seat."

With that Mark and Alison got up from their seats and left over to another table.

"What do you think she's talking to him about?" Alison asked her boyfriend as they spied on Derek.

"Probably about how in love she is with him."

"Stop it," Alison let out a small whine and laughed.  "I hope she's ending things with him."

"You and me both."

"I thought you wanted him to date and be happy?" She asked with a smirk.

"Yeah but not with Sydney.  Rose yes.  Anyone else yes.  No Sydney."

"Well, at least we're on the same page."

"We were always on the same page, babe," Mark told her as he leaned in to kiss her and she smiled into it as their eyes were closed.

Not wanting to get too caught up into the kiss right now, she stopped and turned her attention back on Derek and she noticed Sydney was now holding his hand.

"She's holding his hand," she exclaimed as she slapped Mark's chest lightly.  "What does that mean?"

"Probably nothing.  Just watch," he told his girlfriend as he took her hand and held it so she would stop slapping his chest.

"They ended things," Alison cheered as she pumped her fist into the air.  

"How can you be so sure?" Mark asked his girlfriend.

"They shook hands.  You don't shake hands if you are still dating.  You kiss or hold hands across the table.  Besides now he moved over to sit next to Meredith.  So what do you say to going back to my place now," she asked him giving him her undivided attention as she wrapped her arms around his neck.  "And have hot, steamy sex?"

"Hell yeah."

*

"I think Alison and I are getting pretty serious," Mark told Derek as they walked through the woods.

"Really?  What gave that away?  Was it saying you love each other or that you guys have been dating for six months?"

"Ha ha," Mark rolled his eyes slightly.  "I've known for a while but it just really hit me last night.  She's the only woman I've had sex with for the last six months."

"Okay, we're done talking about this," Derek said and Mark smirked.

"What I mean is I feel like we're ready for the next step, you know?"

"Marriage?  Okay that's moving way too fast even for you."

"Not marriage," Mark rolled his eyes again.  "Moving in together."

"Oh," Derek said not expecting that.  "Have you brought it up to her before?"

"No," he shook his head.  "Which is why I was hoping you would."

"Me?  No, no, no," Derek shook his head.  "I am not asking her.  That's all on you."

"Come on," Mark whined.  "You can just bring it up casually."

"Yeah?  Why can't you?" He fired back and realization hit him.  "You're nervous."

"Am not," Mark said but then gave in.  "Fine.  I am maybe a little.  It's scary though.  She's the first woman I've felt this serious about in a while.  What if she says no?"

"Alright, I'll ask."

"Your the best, Derek.  So you want to tell me where we're going?"

"Why does it always have to be about the destination?  Why can't it be about the journey?"

"Because I'm wearing three hundred dollar shoes."

"Meredith told me she doesn't want me seeing other people."

"She found out about you and Rose?"

"No, there was nothing to find out.  It was just a kiss."

"You're not the kind of guy that makes out with nurses in scrub rooms.  Not that there is anything wrong with that."

"What do you think?" Derek asked him.

"I think it was more than just a kiss."

"No, no, no.  The view," he told him.

"What am I looking at?"

"The view from my new house."

*

"Meredith cooked for you?  Aw, that was nice," Alison told Lexie as they walked through the hospital halls.

"Yeah, except the breakfast was awful.  I mean it was still thoughtful but I'm so hungry and I'm allergic to eggs and any minute now I'm going to have an allergic reaction."

"Here have my pumpkin bread from Starbucks," she told her handing it to her.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I bought two thinking I would see Mark but I haven't yet, so here.  It's still nice and warm."

"Thank you," Lexie told her and took a bite.  "Oh my God, this is so good."

"Right?  You need an epinephrine just in case?"

"Yes please."

*

"What do you think?" Derek asked his person as she looked over the house plan.

"I mean it's beautiful Derek but this is kind of a big home for just you.  You sure you want to do this?"

"Oh it won't be just for me.  It's mine and Meredith's home."

"And she wants this?  She's okay with this?  You guys aren't even dating."

"She will be okay with it.  Maybe not right now but she will be."

"Uh huh," Alison crossed her arms as she looked at Derek.

"What?" He let out a small nervous laugh.  "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm trying to decide if it's creepy or romantic what you are doing since you guys aren't official."

"What would you say?"

"Well, if I were Meredith, I would say no.  She said no, didn't she?"

"Okay she did," he let out a sigh and she gave him a sad smile.

"Look, I think this is really nice of you.  It's a nice dream to have for the two of you.  But it might be a bit much for her, especially since you guys aren't even together."

"Right," he nodded his head as he thought about what his person said.  "When did you become this smart in relationships?"

"I've always been smart," she said while she flipped her hair off her shoulder making them both laugh.

"But really though, if Mark ever asked you to move in with him, would you?"

"I would, but not now.  I know we just said we love each other but I think it would be way too soon to move in with each other."

*

"Don't ask her," Derek told Mark as he came up to him in the attending lounge.

"What'd she say?" Mark asked leaning back in his chair as he took a sip of his coffee.

"It's too soon."

"Damnit," he let out a sigh as he dragged a hand down his face.  "Should have known."

"Just keep waiting," Derek told him.  "I'm sure Alison just wants to wait until you've at least been dating for a year plus she's got the whole thing with her ex to worry about."

"Yeah, what's up with that?  Is there any new information?  Alison hasn't told me anything."

"She hasn't told me anything either but I looked things up on the internet and apparently Anthony's having his first hearing next week on Monday."

"Damn.  If it is true and I highly suspect that it is because no lawyer is that rich without cheating, he's going to be in jail for years."

"Yeah, I think it's true also.  I feel bad for his kid.  I don't know what will happen with him."

"He was pretty cute.  Hopefully Anthony has a sibling whose better than he is."

"Yeah," Derek let out a small scoff and shook his head.  "Your telling me."

*

"So wait, there's an actual healer here in the hospital?" Alison asked Mark as they were in the on-call room after having sex.

"Yeah," he let out a deep breath.  "I guess if that's what you call it.  Do you believe in them?"

"No," she shook her head.  "But I find that all interesting.  Same with palm reading," she told him as she hooked her bra back on and put her shirt back on.

"Who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?" He asked as he grabbed her hand and brought her back to him as she let out a shriek of laughter.

*

"All four limbs are moving," Derek told the group as they checked on Tucker.  "His pupils are responsive, dilating.  No neurological damage."

"Let's get him on a monitor," Richard said.  

"Mama's right here, little man," Miranda tells her son.  "Right here."

"He was under a book shelf?" Richard asked Miranda's husband.

"The whole thing just fell on top of him.  I heard him screaming and I found him."

"I'm trying hear," Miranda told them.  "Stop talking."

"Miranda let me do that," Richard told the mom but she wasn't listening.  "Miranda?"

"This is why we leave the baby gate in the living room," Miranda told her husband after she let Richard take her spot.

"The gate was open."

"The gate was open?  Did you leave it open?"

"No, I didn't," he told Miranda.

"Are you trying to say I did it?"

"This happens," Richard told them trying to get them to be quiet so he could listen.

"This was why I wanted the bookshelves bolted to the walls," Miranda said.

"He's got decreased breath sounds on the left side of his abdomen's rigid," Richard told Derek as he took fast notes. 

"What does this all mean?" Miranda's husband asked.

"It means there may be some internal injuries," Richard told him.

"What kind of injuries?" Her husband asked.

"Tucker, we don't have time for questions," Miranda silenced her husband.  "He needs a full trauma workup."

*

"Where is Doctor Anderson?" Richard yelled as Derek along with everyone else walked up with him.

"I believe she is doing book work, sir," Mark said.

If his girlfriend wasn't going to tell Richard what Doctor Kenley was making her do, then he was.

"Book work?  Why the hell would she being doing book work when she's a fellow?  Is she still in medical school?"

"Because Doctor Kenley claims it will help prepare her for surgery, Richard.  But I think he's doing it to punish her."

"Well why isn't she answering her pager?  She always does."

"He took that from her as well.  Said it was distraction."

"A distraction?" Richard yelled.  "Page Doctor Kenley for me and tell him to bring Doctor Anderson with him."

"Yes sir," Mark said with a smile.

"You paged, sir?" Alison asked Richard.

"Yes, Miranda's son Tucker is in the ER and is needing surgery.  She's only asking for you - not Doctor Kenley.  Afterwards you and I will have a talk.  Go."

"Yes Richard, thank you," Alison said with a smile.

"Doctor Kenley," Richard called on the older doctor.  "You and I will have our own talk afterwards as well.  Go back to the peds floor."

*

"You wanted to see me, sir," Alison asked a little timid after she had finished Tucker's surgery.  

"Yes, please come in.  Have a seat."

Alison walked in and closed the door behind her before she sat down in the chair.  She wasn't sure what to expect after hearing the chief just yell at Doctor Kenley before she came in.  

"You know, I don't blame you."

"You don't?" She asked as her eyebrows furrowed and she looked up at him confused.

"No," he shook his head and stuffed his hands in his pocket.  "I blame myself.  I never saw your name on the OR board all week.  I thought it was strange but I never questioned it.  As the chief of surgery it's my job to be involved and I let you down.  I'm sorry, Alison."

"It's not your fault," she said as she let out a sigh.  "I thought I could handle it.  That's why I didn't come to you.  I thought it was only going to be a day of doing book work but then it turned into a whole week.  I should have handled it better too.  It's just when he took my pager today I knew that's when I messed up but he scares me sometimes to speak up."

"You should never feel that scared to speak up if something is going wrong, you hear me?  Never.  That was out of line of him and I suspended him for a few days because of it.  But if anything like this ever happens again I want you to come to me.  Alright?  It doesn't matter how little or big the problem is.  You're a good woman, Alison, and a good surgeon.  I wish I had someone better for you to learn under than Doctor Kenley.  I wish we had Addison back.  Unfortunately, what it shows with Doctor Kenley is that he's a lazy teacher who doesn't like to put in all the work that he does for his patients into his students."

"Thanks Doctor Webber," Alison spoke with a small smile.  "I miss her too."

"Your free to go."

*

"Thank you for telling Richard," Alison thanked her boyfriend as they were at his hotel room for a change.

"Your welcome," he kissed the top of her head as he wrapped his arm around her and her head was laying on his bare chest.

"I hope Tucker makes it through the night.  It was pretty serious."

"But that's why Miranda wanted you," he told her as he caressed her arm.  "She knew you were the best in peds."

"Thanks bubs," she kissed his chest then leaned up and kissed his lips.  "I love you."

"I love you too."

--

HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!  Figured I would post a chapter tonight because I'm not sure if I will tomorrow since I'll be busy.  Anyone doing anything for Halloween? 🎃

I'm going to a zoo that is allowing everyone to dress up and I'm wearing my Harry Potter robe :).