A/N: Okay, you guys asked for it! Not sure how long it's going to be (probably six chapters), so things may move a little quickly…we'll see. Here's a MerMark for ya! (It's NOT a sequel to Disconnected. It's a stand-alone.)

Prologue

He wasn't sure how long he'd been standing there. It felt like a long time. He wasn't quite sure what to do. He took in the people all around; a few he worked with before, but mostly those he called family. He hoped he could still refer to them as that.

He wanted more than anything at that moment to walk up to him, to be able to say that he was 'sorry for your loss' and all the other BS that would accompany it. Coming from him, he knew that maybe it would mean a little something; he did fly across the country for the funeral.

The woman he thought of as a surrogate mother was dead. He decided not to think of it that much; at least at the moment. Detachment was the best remedy. Yes; it was temporary, but temporary was good. He could temporarily pretend that he didn't know the person who was being lowered into the ground. He could temporarily pretend that the faces he looked at weren't sobbing or worse; unyielding like his.

He watched as the man formerly known as his best friend had to be a pillar for his sisters. Addison was close by. They all remained friends despite situations they found themselves in. He watched as Derek nodded, saying 'thank you' and accepting the other consolations given. Mark glanced as he noticed that he wasn't the only one standing off from the main group. He saw a glimmer of blonde wipe away a stray tear, catch his glance, and look away. She shortly walked off and entered a vehicle that didn't seem to be a part of the procession. One last clear look confirmed it; Meredith Grey was in New York. She didn't even attempt to talk to Derek. He wondered why.

A few minutes later the only people left were Derek, Nancy, Kathy, Lauren, and Sarah. He played with a few leaves and the hands in his pockets, finally getting the courage to walk over. When he did, the girls looked at him for a moment. The next they looked at Derek. He nodded, a silent permission granted. The women surrounded and hugged Mark.

With Derek now standing alone, Mark had the time to really look at him. He couldn't remember him being so small. It was only when he was sure that the girls had Mark that he let a few tears escape and the lump in his throat to surface. He mouthed a 'thank you,' a different one than the one reserved for the guests. He walked away, hands in his pockets, an attempt to keep his mind stable for the walk to the limo. Giving his old friend a few minutes, he let the woman sober up, walking them to the limo.

He paused, giving one final nod to the group. He was about to shut the door when a voice stopped him.

"Aren't you coming?"

He looked at Sarah. "I don't think---"

"She was as much your mother as she was ours. She would want you there."

Realizing that Derek made move to protest he nodded. "I'll come, but I need to take my car. I'll meet you there."

He watched as they drove away. He walked back up the small hill and threw one last rose on Carol Sheppard's grave. "I love you. And I'll make things right with Derek, like they were before. I promise."

If

Two weeks later…

"I still can't believe you didn't say anything. You flew all the way there, and you didn't say anything."

Meredith shook her head at Christina, growing frustrated at her inability to understand. "I didn't even know that she, that she died until I got there," her voice breaking. "I was there to visit some college friends. Kathy called me." Her tone turning bitter, "he couldn't even call me to tell me himself."

Christina ordered another round of tequila and Fat Tires. "Mer, you still have to be considerate; he just lost his mom. Give him a break."

"A break?! I think I've given him more than that." She sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just, she meant a lot to me. I really liked her. He could've at least left a message."

"Maybe he thought you'd try and comfort him. We all know your guys' definition of comfort."

Meredith scoffed. "Aren't you supposed to be supportive?"

"Only when you're right, which, in this case, you're not."

Meredith looked hurt, than realization quickly washed over her face. "I guess you're right."

Christina downed her shot and nodded, "Always am."

The next day, or according to Mark, thirteen days since Derek started treating him like they were the friends before…everything. Sure, he and Derek and been friends again for quite some time. But they would never get back to where they were before, or so he thought. Things were looking up considering.

His thoughts were interrupted as someone knocked on his door. He didn't have time to answer before it swung open.

"You know, sometimes I hate being Chief; really, I do," Derek ranted, taking a seat on Mark's couch. "It cost me Meredith, I have no time to really date, people seem to forget how to be surgeons, and sometimes I don't even get respect. Tell me, what am I doing wrong?"

Mark chuckled at Derek's ranting. It was like old times. "Maybe you're looking at it the wrong way."

Derek gave him an inquiring look.

"The position didn't cost you Meredith; you both decided to move on. As for dating, you've been dating. Granted, they've only been girls from the bar, so I suppose you really don't have too much time. As for the respect thing, you have to give it to receive it."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

Mark knew what a possible outcome could be, but pressed on anyway. The staff would thank him for it. He promised he'd try.

"You yell at everyone at the drop of the hat. They're surgeons Derek; not all geniuses like ourselves. This is a teaching hospital; you expect interns to know how to do craniotomy on their first day. Ever since…" he treaded softly while continuing "mom died you've been on a short fuse."

Derek said nothing. He got up and slowly opened the door while turning back. "I can't believe you would say that."

He closed the door, leaving Mark once again to his thoughts.

"Yeah, that went well."

"Ok Mr. Sterling. You're all set. The nurse will be in here shortly to prep you."

The patient nodded, visibly nervous but keeping up a good façade. "Are you sure you can't prep me?"

Meredith looked at the forty year old, African-American male who was hitting on her. He wasn't bad looking; she just wasn't looking at the moment, not to mention at a patient. "Umm, I'm sure Mr. Sterling," she chuckled, walking out. "Nurse Cara will be in shortly."

She walked into the hallway, still laughing to herself. She walked into the locker room, grateful for the hour she had before she had to reconvene with her interns. She lied on bench. Her back was killing her. 'It's seriously time for some new shoes.'

"I saw you in New York."

She opened her eyes but didn't attempt to get up. "That's great; I saw you too."

"Why didn't you let anyone know you were there?"

She sighed, sitting up. She and Mark were acquaintances; convenient friends at the most. They would talk from time to time, but didn't divulge in any deep dark secrets; well, unless it involved Addison or Derek of course.

"The girls knew. I told them not to say anything. They all had enough to deal with." She thought of how broken Derek looked. "He had enough to deal with."

"Are you sure he didn't need you?"

She chuckled, "I'm sure." She took a moment before continuing. "Derek and I…are complicated."

"When have you guys ever been simple?"

"When I didn't know he was married."

Knowing it was not a time to comment, he let her continue.

"We don't talk like that anymore. We are friends, nothing more. If he needs me, he knows I'm here. I always will be there for him; I'm just not in love with him. It doesn't work out that way for us." Steering the conversation away from their non-existent relationship, she redirected. "I know how it is to lose a…two, basically three parents. I needed time. That's what he may need. If there's anything I can take away from our relationship, I would like to think that I got to know him and how he processes things. If he needs me, I'm here."

Mark nodded and sat on the other end of the bench. "I'm sorry."

She slightly leaned forward. "Don't worry; you're just looking out for your friend."

He shook his head. "No, I mean, I'm sorry that your parents died. I never did say it to you."

Tears rejected, she swallowed the lump that always seemed to accompany the painful memories. "It's okay. I'm over it."

He chuckled at her resolve. "Sure you are."

She sent him a glare as she lied back down. She quickly shot up, giving herself a head-rush. "Ow."

"Yeah, maybe not the best idea."

"Shut up, I was going to be all supportive."

He laughed in amusement. "Supportive of what?"

"Carol was your mom too."

His wall was back. He gently lowered it. He didn't know why. "Uhh...oh."

"If you, you know, want to talk, let me know."

He nodded. "Thanks, I guess."

She lied back down. "I'm genuine, really. We could all use a couple more people to have our backs in this crazy life. Family has to care, not that I would know. But friends, they choose to. It means more."

He looked at her as she closed her eyes. "Okay," he responded, unsure.

She got comfortable. "And stop staring. It's creepy."

A/N: Short, yes. Just a little preview. Hope you like!