The on-call room was dimly lit, the hum of fluorescent lights buzzing faintly overhead. You leaned against the small cot, arms crossed as you watched Addison pace in front of you, her hands fidgeting with the cuff of her lab coat. "You should stop calling me in here like this," you murmured, though there was no real conviction behind your words. Addison sighed, finally stopping to face you. “I know. I just—I needed to see you.”

The weight of those words settled between you, unspoken but understood. You had been sneaking around for months, stealing moments in quiet hallways, empty stairwells, and rooms like this one. It wasn’t just about the secrecy or the thrill anymore. It was about the way she looked at you like you were something she couldn’t bear to let go of.

“How’s Derek?” you asked, the question sharp in your throat. You weren’t sure why you asked. Maybe to remind yourself of the line you both kept crossing. She huffed out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Busy. Always busy.” Her voice softened. “You’re the only person I feel like I can actually talk to.”

You swallowed, your heart twisting at the way she looked at you then—like you were her safe place, her escape from the life she was supposed to be living. “This is dangerous, Addison.” “I know.” She took a slow step forward, then another, until she was standing right in front of you. Close enough that you could see the flicker of uncertainty in her blue eyes.

Addison exhaled, her eyes flickering to your lips for only a second before she leaned in, pressing the softest kiss against your temple, her lips lingering just a moment longer than they should have. Then— A knock. Your breath caught as Addison instantly pulled away, straightening her coat as if she could erase what had just happened.

“Addison?” Derek’s voice filtered through the door, firm and impatient. She closed her eyes for half a second before calling back, “Yeah?” “You in there?” Derek glanced past her, his eyes sweeping over the room, and for a moment, you thought just maybe he knew.