HERE WE GO!!

The next few days don't get any better, and the constant thunderstorms in Seattle don't help. Addison's plan is for them to move that same weekend into the apartment, but in the meantime Maddox placates the sudden fear of storms and recurring nightmares in different places: the bottom bunk in the on-call room while Cristina practically snores in the top bunk, her bed at Meredith's —a bed she's about to give up but that still brings back good memories— or the bed in the hotel room. She's tried all the places but they all have one thing in common: Addison is gone.

Maddox doesn't really blame her. Between Chief Webber's decision days ago to make her department head of OB/GYN and a shortage of doctors in the specialty, Addison must check into the hospital early and stay until the wee hours of the morning, serving as chief, attending and juggling neonates with adult OB/GYN patients. "You've been ruining my dating life, Chief Webber," Maddox has thought about saying to him sometime, because there's trust, but that would be admitting out loud that she misses Addison, and Maddox knows she can't intrude on her work because, in return, Maddox expects the same. The resident can't stand in the way of Addison's career, she knows that and respects it.

Still, when she wakes up at night dreaming of traumas from her past and choking back a scream when the lightning seems to strike her eyes, Maddox misses Addison's presence. She hides behind the fact that they will soon have their home together, and that with the redecorating and housewarming preparations, Addison will have more time for her. Anyway, Maddox can't say she's been around the clock for the surgeon either: building ears on one child, removing magnets from another's stomach or dealing with a woman's ruptured lungs have really kept her busy this week.

The only good thing these days bode well for her is her birthday. Maddox has always gladly celebrated her birthday, although it's true that since Dennis' disconnection everything has changed. Nevertheless, she's looking forward to it: it seems like the perfect excuse to get rid of the nightmares and storms, and spend some quality time with the people she's called family for a little over a year now.

With the change in chief resident from Callie to Bailey, there has also been a change in assigned shifts. Maddox knows that Cristina has asked for a new opportunity in cardio, so she still won't have a chance to work with Hahn. Still, from what she's heard, she's a bit of an oddball, so she prefers Bailey's new assignment: pediatrics.

"Why peds?" Maddox looks at her name on the chart and asks Bailey. The rest, more or less compliant, have already left.

"Is pediatrics too soft for you, Easton?"

"Oh, no. It's the perfect amount of soft, thank you. I was just asking because I was on peds last week and I thought we were switching specialties. Not that I'm complaining," Maddox trails off as she sees Bailey's stare.

"Good. I better not see you slacking there. You're on peds because Dr. Robbins asked for you."

"She did?" Maddox questions.

"That's what I said, right? Come on, get your ass out of here," Bailey urges, pushing her toward the door with the scheduling papers. "Oh, by the way, happy birthday, Easton. It's not like I've seen you grow up or anything."

Maddox smiles broadly. She remembers like it was yesterday the moment she met a much younger, resident, inexperienced Bailey, with long braids and glasses, and sees with pride that she has become one of the best doctors there could be at Seattle Grace. One way or another, she knows Bailey will always take care of her. "Is this the part when we hug?"

"This is the part when you disappear from my sight."

The young woman knows not to push the situation, that Bailey treats her in her own way. She nods with a small smile and complies, heading to the pediatric floor. Spending the week there is good, because Dr. Robbins is good at what she does, is good with the kids, and has an energy that makes those around her enjoy her work. In addition, she is also instrumental in seeing Addison once in a while, now that alone time is becoming less and less frequent.

The occasional nurse at the hospital greets her and wishes her a happy birthday; after all, she is still recognized there. The long days and nights she spent in the operating room because of her mother's cancer mean that Maddox is remembered as one of the youngest girls to take an interest in medicine and become a surgeon. And Maddox would be a little happier about it if they didn't know her because her mother was on the brink of death several times, but now she can only remember that her mother is healthy, living on the coast of Los Angeles and enjoying the life she couldn't years ago.

"Morning, Dr. Robbins," Maddox greets when she sees her making her rounds. "Dr. Bailey told me I'm at your service this week."

"Yes, I see she's efficient with requests," the blonde smiles. "And, before you ask —because you guys always do— I did ask you to be with me during my shifts, and it's because I think you have great potential in pediatrics. The kids love you, you are sensitive, sensible and you give exactly what they need to receive. I think you would learn a lot, and I want to teach."

"Thank you, Dr. Robbins. I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything now. I just hope you are as interested in pediatrics as the ability you show. I'm aware of other attendings' interest in your services, and I'm not trying to bribe you, for the record. You don't have to make a decision for a few years. It would be good for you to try many options. You're a natural at this," Arizona Robbins smiles, and her eyes sparkle, as always, and the blonde looks like she enjoys what she's doing.

"Well, thank you for the opportunity. I will do my best," Maddox pulls out the pager as she beeps. Her interns look for her. "I'll let my interns know we're here. I hope they don't embarrass me," Maddox murmurs, and the blonde laughs. "No, seriously. You wouldn't believe how long it took some of them to put in an IV."

"Come on, don't be so hard on them. Or on yourself. I hear your interns are pretty good. Better than others', at least. That reflects what you do for them and how you teach them."

"I guess that's one way of putting it."

"You have to look on the bright side. There are people around you who want to learn, and you're delivering," Arizona smiles again, taking from the nurse the charts of the patients they're going to visit. "Oh, I almost forgot, happy birthday! I overheard Bailey talking about it to someone I didn't know. It seems wrong to ask your age."

Maddox smiles, amused that Bailey is spreading it around, and wonders if it's a form of reporting or if she's planning something. "Thank you. I'm now officially twenty-five."

Robbins looks surprised. "Twenty-five? How can you be a resident and a fetus?"

"Good luck, I guess," Maddox smiles politely. She's not ready yet to tell why she studied so hard in the past and why she's at Seattle Grace. "Anyway, tonight we're having a little party at Joe's house. Actually the word party is too much. It's a friendly get-together. People from the hospital will be coming, you should come and have a few drinks. I'll buy the first round," Maddox whispers the last, as if it's a secret.

Arizona smiles enigmatically, and hides her reaction by writing something on the first list. "You're inviting me?"

"Of course. We're going to spend a lot of time together. We'll be either friends or enemies. You may not stand me for long periods of time. So I think we should be, preferably, friends. That way you'll be able to yell at me without my feelings getting hurt."

"Do you always ramble this much?"

"I totally do."

Robbins laughs, shaking her head. "That's fine. I do, too. I'll see if I can pass by tonight."

It's the first time since that morning that Maddox has rested. The break room is empty, much to Maddox's satisfaction, who plops down in one of the armchairs with a huge huff. Working with Robbins is more enjoyable than Hahn's shift in cardiology, with whom she's been a couple of times but doesn't quite hit it off (Maddox is more than happy to cede that specialty to Cristina, who readily accepts it), learning about neuro from Derek, who doesn't shy away from being a friend even within the hospital and seems to want to try to extract gossip information (or information about Meredith, depending on the moment) from her. All in all, Arizona Robbins is too perky even for someone like Maddox, (Cristina would swear she feeds on rainbows).

Maddox likes the specialty of pediatrics, she doesn't want to be misunderstood, but it's hard to watch the most horrible diseases attack the little ones. Robbins is able to put a smile on the face, speak to parents gently and treat children naturally, but Maddox still doesn't feel confident in that regard. She clearly needs more practice, and will gain the experience over time, but she doesn't feel ready to face and shoulder the irreparable losses of babies and children.

The work can be as rewarding as it is burdensome, is the conclusion Maddox reaches when she closes her eyes and, just when she thinks she's alone to sleep, even if it's only fifteen minutes, Izzie appears, leaning against the door frame, and Maddox doesn't quite know how to feel.

The argument with Izzie has fanned the flames of separation at Meredith's house. With Alex at home, the bubble in which Meredith and Maddox previously lived becomes even more palpable. But Maddox doesn't think it's solely her fault either: what fault does she have in hitting it off better with Meredith than others? The other blonde is also her friend, and if they have a more special relationship, it was fate. Plus, with George and Izzie's recent relationship, things have cooled off twice over. Mostly to Alex's amusement, who watches the two sides of the relationship in that house like someone neutrally watching a tennis match.

Maddox doesn't like to argue. She's not interested in grudges, let alone with someone she's lived with for so long, so she turns around, repositioning her uniform, and looks at her, as if she expects something from her.

"Hey," Izzie begins. "I feel like it's been a while."

"Yeah," Maddox agrees, nodding.

"How's it going with pediatrics? I heard the attending is a nice one."

"That's one word for Dr. Robbins. She's the kindest you will find, but she's a beast working. You'd have to see speaking to kids. She enchants them like a granny with a lollipop in her hand."

Izzie smiles broadly, in a way trying to convince herself that the conversation has to go somewhere. The blonde also hates arguing, but especially with Maddox. No one argues with Maddox, and she knows that from experience. The brunette never gets angry, isn't capable of holding grudges and forgives easily, but Izzie knows she's struck a nerve, something she shouldn't joke about, far from it, so she feels worse than normal. Hell, even Cristina isn't capable of messing with Maddox on that one. Izzie knows she screwed up, and she intends to win Maddox's affection back, whatever it takes.

"Hey, listen. I wanted to apologize for what I said the other day. I'm in no position of judging you people's relationships. I guess I was just a bit heated with all the George thing. I never wanted to disrespect your relationship. I know how important it is to you, and as a friend I will support you. If you still want, of course."

Izzie's voice denotes such sincerity and genuineness and her eyes look at her with such expectation that Maddox feels sorry for her, and momentarily forgets why they haven't crossed more than a couple of words the last few days. With her face she makes a gesture, and it's enough for Izzie to smile broadly and swoop down on the couch to wrap her arms around her. "It's okay. We just have to think before we act, yes?"

The blonde ducks her gaze a little, feeling restrained. "I know. I'm sorry, too. I know Callie is your friend, and really, I never wanted to hurt her. I just... There was a moment I couldn't control myself anymore. I know what we did is harmful and inconsiderate. I'll do my best from now on. With other people and with you. Happy birthday, Mads!" Izzie plants a kiss on her cheek and slowly steps back. "That starts with getting you a good present."

"You have a present for me?" Maddox asks incredulously.

"I do. But you'll have to wait until tonight."

"Wait until tonight for what?" Addison's voice is imperial behind Izzie, who turns around with a frozen smile on her face and begins to back away progressively at the sight of the redhead's raised eyebrows in Maddox's direction.

"Er... I was just leaving," Izzie excuses herself, slipping through the door. "Tonight at Joe's, right?"

"Yeah, as soon as we finish our shifts," Maddox nods.

"Okay," Izzie nods back, and the room is silent for a few seconds. "Should I close the door or..."

"Iz," Maddox gives her a withering look as she gives her a hand signal inviting her to leave. Izzie smiles nervously again and disappears from her sight.

"So, what happens tonight between you and Stevens?" Addison presses, approaching the young resident.

"Izzie says she's got a present for me. Did you know nobody's ever gotten me a present? Apart from my family, of course."

"You're kidding."

"I'm not," Maddox shrugs. "You know I was not a girl of many friends. I've always settled for a cake, candles and some pictures. That was it."

"Poor thing," Addison comments with a frown. "I'll get you a present. The best present you'll have ever been given."

"It's not necessary, Addie..."

"But," the redhead interrupts her. "It will have to wait until tonight."

Maddox looks at her, swallowing saliva, and chokes on it. "I will, I mean, I do want that present," the brunette's face denotes amusement and a hint of wicked wickedness that Addison is used to seeing, but which Maddox easily disguises for innocence. Thanks to the strength Maddox puts in, Addison's legs are left on either side of her own, and the resident's hands travel from her knees, past her thighs covered by her skirt and white coat, and down to... Nowhere, because Maddox's pager rings grimly, like never before, and though she complains loudly about the annoying capacity they have at Seattle Grace, she picks it up and, with a frown checks it's a 911 from Lexie Grey. "What the hell?"

"Who's that?" asks Addison snorting: they seem to be the words she's been saying the most in the last few days, as there's not a moment's respite in those four walls.

"Grey. Lexie," Maddox quickly adds, because Addison's face called for it. "She's not even my intern. It has to be something personal."

"Maybe her father is here?" Addison ventures.

"It could be. I gotta go. Lexie wouldn't call me like this if it wasn't urgent. I'll see you tonight with that present of yours, and it better be easy to take off," Maddox bites her lip fiercely and winks at Addison, who shakes her head but still isn't quite used to the new youth Maddox is giving her.

It doesn't take Maddox too long to put on her gown and comb her bangs a bit so it's not too noticeable what she's been doing —not that she's done anything indecent, but Addison's mere presence and alone invites to it— and her ears quickly pick up as the "code blue" message is spreading through the halls, earning curious glances from nurses and other workers in the hospital wondering where the emergency might be. Maddox soon discovers, thanks to the message on the pager, that it is the same room Lexie has implored her to go to.

The surprise is enormous when the young resident sees the scene: nurses and orderlies are trying to give the best treatment to a boy bleeding to death on the gurney, with Lexie holding his neck, and Maddox wonders what the hell she's doing there. "Lexie? What is going on? Why'd you call?"

Lexie struggles not to turn away at that moment, because her hands are clogging the wound on the boy's neck, who is looking paler and paler, and Maddox assumes the worst. "I just— I didn't know who to call. I paged Dr. Sloan but I figured you'd be closer. What do I do now?"

"What do you mean what do I do know?" Maddox raises her voice. "I don't know this patient, I don't know what's going on here!"

"He's, uh, Sloan held a meeting this morning and..."

"I've been all day with Robbins! I was not here when Sloan presented the case," The resident begins to lose patience, but sees the patient and tries to calm down. "Stop the bleeding. Just apply steady and hold the pressure," Maddox tries to speed-read the patient's information, and her eyes only see the danger of carotid artery bursting and it all makes sense. "Keep calm and focus on the pressure. I'm gonna go get Sloan."

"Wait, you're leaving?"

"I'll be right back! You can do this. You're doing this," Maddox encourages her, reminding herself of the scene in the elevator a year ago, and how she felt more protected by Burke's words on the other side of the metal door. She can't help but feel a little pissed off at the overwork Lexie just put on her shoulders, but now the important thing is to find Mark and that boy doesn't die at Lexie's hands. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."

"Whose blood is that?" she meets Cristina in front of the operating rooms, from where the Asian girl comes out and removes her mask.

"I don't even know his name. The artery guy. It blew up and I've got Lexie trying to plug the wound."

"So that was the code blue one of my interns called," Cristina clicks her tongue, annoyed, and Maddox presumes it's for pulling her out of surgery. "But wait, why are you covered in his blood? Why did she page you?"

"I don't know, I guess she was feeling nervous and didn't want the Cristina Yang to scold her."

"How cute, Mad Max, that you're so close friends," Cristina sends her a fake smile and Maddox rolls her eyes. "Go inside for Sloan, I'll check on Lexie."

"Roger that," Maddox nods and her face composes a grimace as she realizes she has instinctively used a phrase her father always used in the military. She shakes her head in an attempt to get the image out of her head, and rushes into the operating room. "Dr. Sloan, it's carotid guy. It blew."

The carotid guy ends up dying later that afternoon. It's not personal for Maddox, she didn't even know him as her patient, but it's always sad to lose someone in that condition. More destructive for the resident when she walks into the room and sees Lexie with her head down, a new uniform clean of all the blood but feeling as guilty as if the boy's death rested on her own shoulders. Lexie doesn't lift her head even though she sees her coming and walks in, so Maddox sighs in an attempt to take the weight off her shoulders.

"You did a good job today. It was not easy, what you did was not easy. It was brave."

Lexie, who seems to finally come back to her senses, slowly shakes her head. "We killed him. The hospital," she adds, as if she doesn't want to make Maddox a part of that misfortune. "Sloan, us. We were not prepared."

"Yeah," Maddox concedes. "Yeah, that happens sometimes."

"That's... Do you have any idea how backwards that is?"

"I'm sorry, Lexie. We help more than we hurt. It's something Cristina would say, but it is true, as cold as it seems. Sometimes it's out of our hands. I like to think we do more good than harm."

Maddox is aware that she is a highly sensitive person when the moment strikes, but she doesn't know how empathetic she is when tears roll freely down Lexie's cheeks as she struggles not to break down completely. The older one crouches down beside her, coming face to face with her, as the younger Grey sister runs her hands over her face in an attempt to wipe away the wetness.

Still, trying to understand her pain, Maddox is unaware of what is really going through Lexie's head until she expresses her thoughts haltingly. "I have no one. My father... You know my father. He's a drunk. One day I'm his favorite person in the world and the other I'm a disgrace. My mother was the only one I could count on, and she died. Molly is not even in the picture, with her baby, and Eric being deployed. I thought coming here would be like finding a new home. As soon as I heard my sister was here, I thought I'd have someone. But not even her, 'cause she hates even being around me."

"That's not true, Lexie. Meredith is having a hard time lately, but I can promise you she will come around. She does not hate you. And the other part is not true, either. You have me," Lexie lifts her chin, her eyes shining with something akin to hope, and Maddox smiles a little, momentarily forgetting the situation that has led them to be like this. "I'll be your family from now on. I can try, at least. I will be there when you need advice, or when you need to vent, and I will put your feet on the ground when the time comes. The point is I will be here as long as you need me."

Lexie clings to her body almost desperately, wrapping her arms around her like a little girl in need of reassurance and security. Maddox reacts immediately, stroking her hair as she tries to keep her balance from her position, and wonders how long Lexie has been feeling this way. Maddox pulls her a little tighter into her arms as she realizes that she is in a similar situation: before Seattle Grace, Maddox was profoundly lonely, and now she feels lucky to have found her place and her people. She promises herself that Lexie can't go through what she's been through anymore.

"Would you do that for me?"

"Of course. As long as you promise you'll stop calling me Mad Max," Lexie lets out a nervous chuckle. "Actually, that won't be of any use now. Cristina loves to call me that. Let's just go, okay?"

"Happy birthday!" a crowd of voices shout simultaneously as Maddox, Cristina, Meredith and Lexie enter Joe's bar, who claps from the bar when he sees the birthday girl come in.

Maddox looks around with a huge, incredulous smile, as if she can't believe they've prepared all this for her. There are posters hanging on the walls and ceiling, balloons near the bar and several tables together in the room for anyone who wants to come and celebrate. Maddox's heart swells in her chest with joy when it's all familiar faces there: Derek chats briefly with Hahn, who sends her greetings from afar, and then reconnects with Callie and Mark, who have a drink together amicably. George chats with a group of nurses, and Maddox recalls that they are especially fond of him for the support they had on his behalf during the nurses' strike. Cristina and Meredith hurry to the bar, eager to try that shot combination Joe has promised, despite having already uncorked a bottle of wine at Meredith's house an hour ago. The four of them have taken a cab to the bar, because they know how things can get on a night like this.

Alex approaches her a few minutes later, as if announcing that he's just finished his shift, and helps her take off her jacket and hang it on the coat rack. "Happy birthday, kiddo," Alex smiles in his own way, and the atmosphere is charged with a tension that they don't know whether they should remove with a hug or a fist bump. Alex favors the latter, but doesn't complain when Maddox wraps her arms around him and squeezes him warmly.

"You smell nice," Maddox comments.

"You've gotta be kidding. I just came out of surgery."

"That's why," the brunette smiles playfully. "Oh, by the way, would it be too much to ask if you could be nice to Lexie tonight? She's not having a great day."

Alex sighs. "Just because I haven't brought you a present. That'll be my present for you."

"So much love," Maddox comments to herself as Alex shakes her hair and approaches the other two residents to sample the drinks from the bar.

Maddox thinks the appropriate thing to do is to grab a drink and do a round of greetings, after they've all gone to the trouble of coming to see her on such a special day. She lets herself be loved a little by Mark, with whom she is getting along better every day despite the age difference. Maddox knows that she shouldn't get along with him so much because of his somewhat immature and childish personality, but Mark behaves with her in a protective and kind way, so she has nothing to reproach him for. Next to him, Callie is also like a big sister to her. Maddox still feels a little bad about what happened with George, but she knows that she must focus on Callie, and that only time will be able to heal her wounds. They both take a shot together, bursting out laughing after swallowing every last drop, and Maddox suddenly feels even a little luckier.

Soon after, she sees Meredith and Cristina dancing a bit strangely, and the former throws glances at a particular spot, so Maddox follows her gaze and finds Derek, who laughs with Bailey. "How are we doing over here?" Maddox rests her arms on the shoulders of her two bosses, and while Derek takes it humorously, Bailey gives her an impassive look, so Maddox lets her arm roll until it touches the wood of the stool and not the chief resident's outfit.

"Having fun, Maddox?" Derek has a mischievous grin on his face as he pops some peanuts into his mouth.

"Yes! Thank you so much for coming! This is the best night ever."

"You better not be drunk when you come to your shift tomorrow, Easton," Bailey looks her up and down, noting her state of extreme happiness. Then she fixes her attention on the glass in her hand. "What's that?"

"Oh, Joe made it for me. It's vodka with strawberries and orange juice. Wanna taste?"

Bailey reaches over to smell it and, to the surprise of Derek, who watches the scene, amused, Bailey makes a surprised face. "That smells grea— It's nasty," she corrects herself. "I have to talk to Joe to stop making this cocktail. If you'll excuse me."

"She's totally having one, isn't she?" Maddox asks Derek, sipping from her glass again.

"Or two," the man laughs. "Having fun, then?" When Maddox nods, Derek nods too. "Good. Good. You deserve it. Oh, before I forget, I do have a present for you. Don't tell anyone, but," the neurosurgeon digs into his pockets and hands Maddox a surgeon's operating cap. "You'll be on my next surgery. You earned it."

"Really? God, this is really the best night ever!" The brunette waves her present gracefully. "Suck that, Cristina!" Maddox is aware that Cristina loves cardiothoracic surgery, but an operation is an operation, so she shakes the new gift in her direction when she sees her swallowing her third shot of the night, and Cristina's only response is to pull her finger out, to which Maddox laughs.

"And I think it's about to get better," Derek whispers near her when he sees the bar door open, and Addison walks in through it. As always, Maddox thinks she looks beautiful. Her ginger hair sweeps down her back and across her chest, her blue eyes stand out through her makeup and sparkle a little at the sight of her, and when she raises her hand to catch her eye, her smile grows bigger. "Be happy, Maddox."

And Maddox can promise she's never felt as happy and elated as she does that night, feeling like nothing could ruin it. She still doesn't know how she's managed to make Addison Montgomery the first thing she sees every morning and the last thing she sees when she goes to sleep, but she knows it's an opportunity she doesn't intend to let slip away, and that as long as she's there, Addison will be as happy as she's making Maddox. So Maddox plants a kiss on Addison's lips, who is surprised at Maddox's confidence and boldness that night, but lets herself go anyway even though cheers and applause ring out all around.

"Hello, you," Addison smiles, "You smell like vodka."

"Should I be worried that you know the smell of vodka so well?" Maddox raises her eyebrows sarcastically.

"Shouldn't I be the one to be worried about you drinking vodka?" Addison counters back. "Happy birthday again."

"Thank you, mija. Suit yourself. First round's on me. Think you'll find someone here you like enough to talk to?" Maddox teases Addison.

"I'm not as 'satan' as everybody thinks. In fact, Derek and I are learning to be civil and getting our friendly bond back. Especially because now both of our girlfriends are friends," Addison whispers the last part, and Maddox's stomach turns at the way the redhead refers to her. "Well, my girlfriend and his love interest. I don't even know what they are now."

"Yeah, it's difficult to keep track with them. Hey, have you seen Izzie? George is here but I haven't seen her since this morning."

Addison shrugged. "I don't know. She might be picking up your present?" The redhead raises her eyebrows, referring to the scene she witnessed earlier that morning, and Maddox ducks her head in embarrassment. "Now you're acting all shy?"

"Shut up."

Addison presses her lips together again, this time more leisurely and slowly, so neither of them hears anything when the door to the bar opens again. Through it Izzie walks in, a huge grin on her face, slowly greeting the familiar people she passes. Behind her, a man and a woman follow her with small smiles on their faces, admiring the decor and looking for the person they have come to see.

Everything seems to be happening in slow motion, as if they were in a movie, because the man's face falls, drawing the attention of his wife, who turns around to look for the cause of his gesture. Gregory Easton's first thought is that he hasn't traveled that far to see his daughter kiss a woman.

"Maddie?" There is silence in Joe's bar, something completely unexpected at any other time, and Maddox knows that voice perfectly.

And just like that, without expecting it, the night is ruined.