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Seattle Grace Mercy West was in the middle of a new competition against Presbyterian, but Addison and Meredith couldn’t stop fighting. Can they overcome their differences and win it for SGMW or will they lose because of the misunderstanding?
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HIGH, HIGHER, HIGHEST LOVE
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This was the first time ever, that Seattle Grace Mercy West competed against Presbyterian in a diving game. Who would have ever thought that both hospitals had quite the few divers among them.
Cristina was going to compete on the 1-meter diving board, together with April, Derek and Alex. Callie and Arizona were supposed to compete in the 3-Meter synchronized. Mark and Jackson were competing in the 3-meter synchronized as well as the individual game. Teddy was competing in the individual platform game, as well as Owen. And Meredith and Addison turned out to be quite the platform synchronized team, what were the changes.
The first game was the 1-meter board, Cristina rocked it, with an average of 65 points per dive, totaling 325 points. April didn’t have the best game though, her overall score was pretty decent, but she had one big fail. Missing her hurdle and starting over, cost her two points per judge, making her finish last. The Presby’ers finishing between the two of them.
Next was 3-meter synchronized for the women. Callie and Arizona did amazing. They were so in sync it was almost scary. If you looked from the side, Arizona completely disappeared, giving them quite the high synchronized score, making their overall score a difficult one to beat. Sadly, though, Jackson and Mark had a flop. Mark’s feet were over the tip of the board making him fly forward, missing his perfect entry after their three and a half summersaults forward in the piked position. Making them lose the game against the Presby’ers who had an impeccable game. Mark could prove his perfect dive in the individual game though. Scoring very well, finishing first, just above Jackson, who had a very good game as well, destroying the Presby’ers with ease.
Next was the 1-meter male competition, Derek messing up completely, hitting the board with his hands during his two and a half summersault reverse in tucked position, which didn’t even have the highest degree of difficulty. Finishing far below anyone else, Alex ending up in second position. He had a good game overall, just not his best, and not good enough to beat the Presby’ers.
Next up was platform individually, Teddy and Owen for Seattle Grace. Teddy had an amazing game, getting a personal best, her highlight was her armstand double summersault with a two and a half twist backwards. Getting all 8’s for that dive, the highest she has ever received on a competition. Owen on the other hand, failed completely, falling in his armstand, costing two points per judge, and hitting the water in the wrong angle, far too short, making a huge splash, ending up with 2,5’s and 3’s. Teddy ended on first place by the females and Owen ended last.
Now it was time for the most exciting game of the day. The one everyone had been waiting for. A little anxiously if you asked them all, mostly because Meredith and Addison couldn’t stop bickering and fighting. Everybody could hear them all the way down, and it’s a high platform. More often than not it became very heated up there between the two of them.
“Jesus, Addison, are you still not ready? The game was supposed to start 5 minutes ago,” Meredith sighed annoyed.
“Just give me a minute, I can’t help it that Mrs. Burns went into labor 2 hours ago, be glad I’m done already,” Addison shot back.
“Whatever just make sure you’re on your best, I don’t want to lose from Presbyterian,” Meredith rolled her eyes, not stopping herself from staring a little longer at Addison’s perfect form.
Addison didn’t notice Meredith’s staring, but was starting to get irritated already, “Jeeeez, Meredith, I’m really starting to regret doing this. Even though we are our only hope. Can you just for the love of god bear with me?” Addison asked.
“I don’t believe in god,” Meredith smirked.
“Whatever,” Addison mumbled.
A knock on the door caught their attention, as Bailey entered the changing room. “Are you girls ready?” She asked encouragingly. Seeing the two women glare at each other, she told them to assemble in front of her. “Okay, I know you two got off on a rough patch, but…” she started, using her attending voice when she saw both of the women roll their eyes, “But…. If you would just talk and try to get to know each other, you would realize you have more in common than you might think, and you look more alike than anyone could have expected,” Bailey chuckled, seeing two more eye rolls.
“You know?” Bailey started, “I want you both to name two characteristics you like or appreciate about each other,” she finished.
“W-what?!” Meredith exclaimed.
“Two?!” Addison exclaimed at the same time, groaning in annoyance.
“Dr. Bailey, we are already late, just forget it,” Meredith tried to get away from it, slowly walking towards the door.
“Grey! Montgomery! Congratulations, now you can each name three. Come back, look each other in the eye and be sincere!” Bailey smirked. She hadn’t been oblivious to the behavior the two of them showed each other, the bickering and banter, it was like watching two teenagers figure out they had feeling for each other, but these two were apparently not as smart a two teenagers, because the only people who didn’t knew they love each other are Meredith and Addison.
“Fine,” Meredith huffed.
“Okay,” Addison sighed.
“You start,” Addison smirked.
“Pff, uhmmmm…” Meredith thought for a really long time. “U-uhm, I like how good of a teacher you are to us, even with all our ‘history’, you still act professional around me and my friends.”
“Well, yeah, Afterall, I am a professional,” Addison rolled her eyes.
“Dr. Montgomery!” Bailey said, “Behave… How about you guys alternate, Addison, your turn.”
“Uhm, I like that you… Uh… always come prepared to rounds,” Addison starts, “You are one of the very few who are actually prepared for my cases, which in my field is necessary.”
“Of course!” Meredith exclaims, “I wouldn’t want the wrath of Satan on my if I wouldn’t be prepared.”
“Grey…” Bailey started.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, but for real, I won’t learn a single thing If I’m not prepared,” Meredith corrected herself. “Uhm… Addison, I like it that you, uh… are so compassionate about your patients, it’s not just in and out, you really care for them and they can tell, it makes everyone in the room more comfortable,” Meredith started to rumble a little.
“T-Thank you, Grey.” Addison didn’t know what to think, was that an actual compliment? “Uhm, yeah, Grey, I like it that, uhm… I like that you always try to make sure the patients feel comfortable. This is a very delicate specialty, so it is very important that the patients feel comfortable, since it’s not just about them, but about their babies as well,” she settles on.
“Oh, uhm, yes of course,” Meredith is perplexed. “Uhm thank you, Addison. I uhm really love it that you…” Meredith starts, not fully registering what she is saying until she sees Addison’s eyes widen in shock. When she realizes what she just said, she throws her hands over her mouth and squeezes her eyes closed in shock. Somewhere in the distance, she can hear Bailey laugh, walking towards the pool.
“Uhm I- uhm… I didn’t m-mean… ah, fuck!” Meredith stuttered, not getting her words out.
“Meredith…” Addison tried to cut her off.
“Dr. Montgomery, I-I-uh… I uh… I like how your love for babies carries through everything you do in your work. Like, if you hold a baby, you become like this glowing ray of sunshine. And I love how you’re passionate about everything you do in life and…” Meredith trails off when she sees Addison’s eyes widen again. “Uhm, we should uh, go…” Is all Meredith says before turning on her heels and walking towards the pool.
“Uhm, what the hell just happened?” Addison asks herself out loud. Deciding to head out and make sure she isn’t later than she already was, Addison follows Meredith towards the pool. Once at the side, bailey was waiting for them.
“All set?” She asks them.
“Uhu,” she answers, while Meredith just nods her head.
“Good, get up there and warm up!” Bailey commands them.
Addison walks slowly and silently behind Meredith, following the blonde up the steps all the way towards the 10-meter Platform. Still very much confused about their recent conversation and Meredith’s small confession she doesn’t realize she is staring, until Meredith shakes her out of her thoughts, realizing she has been starring at Meredith’s ass, Addison starts blushing.
“So, what dive you want to start with? I was thinking an easy one to warm up,” Addison asked Meredith.
“What about a back dive in piked position?” Meredith suggested.
“Fine,” Addison agreed, still blushing as they both walk towards the end of the platform. Getting ready for their dive. Just as they are about to jump up, Meredith says, “I’m sorry Addison.” Making Addison jump slightly and messing up her dive, her legs smacking on the water.
“Facking hell?!” Addison exclaims as she gets tears in her eyes from the impact. “What the hell, grey!!
“Oh fuck,” Meredith said, swimming over to Addison to make sure she was okay.
“Montgomery, what was that?” Bailey asked.
“Oh nothing, I uh… I lost focus up there,” Addison answered quickly.
“Sorry,” Meredith said again.
The rest of their warm-up they barely spoke, only the necessities, like counting to start their dive and what dive they will be doing. Neither of them has ever been this bad. All of their dives are massive fails.
“Ladies,” Bailey calls them after their last warm-up dive, “Come here.”
The both of them walk over to Bailey with dread in their walk, afraid to be yelled at, once more.
“What is up with the two of you? I told you to talk to each other, didn’t I? unless I lost my mind, you were going in the right direction when I left, what in heavens on earth happened in that changing room?!” Bailey exclaims.
“Uhmm….” Meredith starts.
“Nothing Miranda, it’s just, I’m tired. That delivery drained me,” I lied.
“Well, then relax a little in the hot tub before the game, Grey, you too!” Bailey demanded.
‘Well, fuck,’ Meredith thought to herself.
In the hot tub the tension was unbearable, everyone who didn’t have to be near the tub, was as far away as possible, afraid a bomb might explode. Meredith kept looking over at Addison, but every time, she looked away before Addison would look at her. Addison knew she felt something for the blonde for quite some time now but was afraid to admit to it. Afraid the blonde wouldn’t feel the same, but also, saying it out loud, would make it more real. And Addison wasn’t ready for that yet.
Just as Addison wanted to talk to Meredith about what happened in the changing room, Bailey walked up to them. “You guys ready?” She asked.
“I guess,” Addison shrugged.
“Hey! Listen, “Bailey started, “I know you’re both worn out and tired and there is something going on, but please for the love of god…”
“I don’t believe in god,” Meredith said again, mouthing an apology after seeing Bailey’s glare.
“For the love of god, focus!! If you guys win this last game, Seattle Grace Merci West won the whole competition. If, may god forbid,” Bailey said already glaring at you, “god forbid you guys lose, it will depend on all the points added together.”
“Okay!” The both of them said in union, looking and high fiving each other, “Let’s do this!”
The both of them walking up the four stairs to the 10-meter platform. Meredith in the front, Addison close behind her. The moment they step on the platform, Addison gets some nerves again.
“Hey, Addison!” Meredith tries to get her attention, “We’ve got this okay? Just like we’ve been diving all along… Don’t even think about the whole stupid competition ok? Let’s just have fun!” Meredith reassured Addison.
“Thank you, Meredith,” Addison said. “Oh and… I love that you always know how to calm me down and reassure me. It’s like you know exactly what I’m feeling and what I need to hear.” Addison smiles sheepishly. “What?” She asks as Meredith stares at her with open mouth, “I hadn’t said my third yet,” Addison Smirks.
As they prepare themselves for their first dive, a reversed dive, in the piked position, they both can’t help it but have a massive grin on their faces. They both do their personal ritual, but also their preparation, drying themselves off and ‘practice’ the dive on the platform before jumping. Once ready, they look at each other and walk to the end.
“Ready?” Meredith asks.
“Jep!”
“One, two,” Meredith starts to indicate to move their arms up, “One, two three.”
They both jump up, move their feet towards the ceiling, tap over their toes, straighten their hips – hands still on their legs – moving head to look at the water, pulling their hands through and dive straight in, barely a plunge. They come up for air and hear the enormous applause for their first dive. Both of them climb out of the water with big smiles on their faces, their scores are in; 7,5 / 8 / 7,5 / 8 / 8 / 8,5 | 8.5 / 8 / 9 / 8.5 / 9. They can’t believe their eyes. Their first dive was a big hit!
“I knew you guys could do it!” is the only thing bailey exclaims when they get to her, beaming from happiness. “Now plunge in the hot tub and four more of those dives, okay?”
They both nod at Bailey as they walk over to the hot tub. Jumping in quickly before making their way back up again. Addison’s nerves are basically gone, she likes to think that was all Meredith. Their next dive is going to be the one and a half summersault backwards with a half twist.
Since the first two dives are difficulty 2.0 anyway, they decided to choose two of their easiest dives they can do in their sleeps. Their next three dives are the ones they hope to score with, higher difficulties, all of them in the 3. Somethings.
They both walk towards the end of the platform again. Getting ready, Meredith counts to two, they both move their arms up. Meredith counts to three and the both jump up, making half a twist before making a one and a half summersault and both dive in the water without a splash.
They keep this up for the next two dives as well. Scoring an average of 50 for the first two dives and in the low 80’s for the next two dives. Their last dive is the scariest one, this one doesn’t always end up perfect, but if it does end up perfect it is totally worth it – with a degree of difficulty of 3,7. A four and a half summersault forward in the tuck position.
“Hey, psst, Addison,” Meredith starts. “You did amazing, no matter what is gonna happen with this dive, we did good. Let’s just have fun and think about what happens when we get back up above the water. Okay?” Meredith says.
“Okay!”
As they start drying off, Addison can’t help but stare at Meredith, realizing she is in deeper than she at first thought. They are all set, the beep sounded already. This time they stay back, since they’ll need a small run-up, getting extra momentum and speed.
“Are you ready?” Meredith asks.
“Uh,” Addison takes a deep breath in, “Yes.”
“Okay, one… two… three…” Meredith begins to indicate when to start with their run-up, “One... two… three,” She finishes as the both make their way to the end, moving their arms up and swing them in. Tucking in their legs and bend over them, flipping once, twice, three times, four… Letting go of their legs, straightening them, they start aiming towards the water, hitting it at the perfect angle.
They both dive in and are ecstatic, they can just feel they did amazing. They can hear their colleagues cheer while they’re still underwater. They come up with massive smiles on their faces, swimming to the side of the pool before climbing out and looking back at the screen. Still smiling as they see their scores come in; 7,5 / 8 / 7,5 / 8 / 7,5 / 8 | 8 / 8,5 / 8,5 / 8 / 8,5. Their total adding up to 88.8, they go wild and run towards each other to congratulate the other with the win.
Meredith ran a little too fast though, so when she reached Addison and jumped in her arms, they both tripped and fell on the floor. Their lips colliding in their fall and suddenly time stopped, no noise, no people, nothing, just them. All the tension they both felt – hell the tension that everyone around them could feel – left and made space for want and need.
“Mer… I don’t think our workout is done yet… Maybe we should continue it somewhere else though,“ Addison smirked, pulling Meredith to her feet and rushing towards the showers.
“Watch it!!” They heard Bailey scream, “BATHROOM FLOORS ARE SLIPPERY!”
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