It's been a long while. I've had a ginormous writer's block. This is going to be a series of one shots. You'll like it. I promise.

It was like the beginning of any shift I had ever worked. I went into the locker room and changed into my scrubs. Slipped on my lab coat, and tucked various doctor-like supplies into my pockets. You know a stethoscope, notepad, and flashlight among others. It felt like any other day. I had woken up first and beaten Alex to the shower. He fixed coffee, and Meredith eventually joined us ten minutes before we headed to the hospital. It seemed like a completely normal run-to-the-mill, day-in-the-life-of, morning. How was I supposed to know that it wasn't?

I was in Plastics rotation so naturally after getting dressed I went to find the head of the department. I didn't have to look far. He was standing next to the nurses station, flirting as usual. I was in a good mood as I usually am on normal days. I hadn't seen Callie spot me from the end of the hallway, and start speed walking in my direction.

"Hello Dr. Sloan."

"Good morning Dr. Stevens." I am still not sure how he does what he does, but it always works.

"Izzie!"

"Um yes...Is everything ok?"

"Oh it's peachy if you count the fact that you slept with my husband and then kept it from me."

I didn't have time to process anything before I felt her hand connect with the side of my face. I was shocked that she would do it in public, but I wasn't pissed off or even angry. Hell, I had expected worse. When I looked up and into her face I saw a single tear that had managed to escape and I had to look away. Honestly, I was ashamed. She hadn't done anything to deserve what happened to her. She was a victim. I was just the slutty adulterer. I had always been the slutty something or another. It was just the way the world perceived me and no matter how hard I tried to fight it that was just the way it was. At least this time it was true. She just shook her head at me and people were whispering. I deserved it.

I didn't look up as someone slipped their arm around my shoulder and led me out of the harsh viewing of the public. I knew I was pretty much branded. I was wearing a scarlet letter now, and I hadn't even done it for real love. It was faux love. I felt nothing but disgust after seeing the pain I had cause another human being. I didn't know this person that had done it. She was desperate and trying to hold on to someone she knew cared. She needed to feel alive. She wasn't the feisty intern who fought her way to be where she was. I finally took notice of the kind person that had led me into the deserted hallway.

It was McSteamy.

"I'm sorry Dr. Sloan. I...uh...well...umm..."

"Stop. You did a bad thing. Don't let it define you. She shouldn't have taken it out on you in the middle of the surgical wing."

"I deserved it."

"We all feel that way."

"I just want her to know I'm sorry. I mean, it doesn't mean I want her to forgive me or like me or even tolerate me. I just want her to know I am sorry."

"How do you suppose you would go about doing that?"

"I don't know. She wanted me to be happy for them. Accept her and George. God I hate me right now."

"What would the non adulterer in you do?"

"Find a high building to throw the adulterating me from."

"No. Absolutely no self loathing. It doesn't look good on you. Now what would the good Dr. Stevens do?""

"Bake something."

"Bake something?"

"Oh my God that's it."

"What's it."

"I need off."

"I really don't see that as a problem after what just happened."

"Let's go."

"Ok then."

I was on a mission. I could bake acceptance and I could bake it well. I just needed off. I didn't stop to think how odd it was for Mark Sloan to be helping me; I was just grateful. He had decided to talk to the chief alone. I was just standing in the hallway ignoring the glares and whispering. It wasn't like I wasn't used to people hating me. I was a generally hated person. I hated to admit that it felt good to actually be hated for a good reason for once. I resumed my pacing until he came out of the Chief's office.

"I have been designated to take you home."

"I can make it home myself thank you."

"It's just a ride. Come on, my car is this way."

Just like that he walked off expecting me to follow him. I should have pondered it and yelled at him for being so guy, but I had bigger things on my mind so I followed him. It did however occur to me that somehow he knew that I had ridden with Meredith to work. I shoved it back in my mind to use later at a better time, and possibly to my advantage. When we arrived in the parking lot, despite never seeing the vehicle he drove, I knew exactly which car to walk toward. He noticed this as well.

"How did you know which car was mine?"

"People tend to drive cars that are reflective of their personalities. This one screams cocky, egotistical plastic surgeon."

"It's flattering to hear you high opinion of me."

"I wasn't trying to be rude. It's just a fact. Your proud of yourself and your skills. You're good you have a right to be proud."

"Get in the car."

I could tell I had slightly ruffled his feathers, but he was quite good at staying calm and in check. I knew I needed to apologize. Now was not the time to be stepping on people's toes and pissing them off. I was going to have a hard enough time keeping the friends I already had. Dr. Sloan was being nice to me for whatever reason and I made a mental note to return the favor. Besides, leaving the hospital with the head of plastics was enough to keep me in the rumor mill for a while. At least, that was a rumor I could control.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"A lot of things, but I'm apologizing for calling you egotistical and cocky."

"It's fine. You can't help it if it's the truth."

"Can I ask you a quick favor?"

"I guess, but I usually don't do favors. I usually expect something in return."

"I'm sure you do, but can we stop by the market. It'll just take a second. I need to get something to help me bake acceptance."

"Acceptance, huh? I guess I could, but just this once, and don't tell anyone."

"Deal."

He followed me and never complained once about how long it took to find the perfect eggs or the amount of things I needed. Perhaps I had underestimated how long it would take. I had to admit he would be a really good guy friend. I wondered if he would throw a hissy fit about buying tampons, but pushed it aside as soon as George entered my mind. I threw the last and most important ingredient into the buggy he was pushing dutifully behind me.

"Stevens, what exactly are you baking?"

"It's a surprise."

"I hate surprises."

"Oddly enough, so do most people."

"Let me guess you love them."

"Only the good ones. But I guess life doesn't work that way. You have to take the good with the bad."

"You see. You aren't as bad as you think you are."

"But I did screw up my life pretty bad."

"Not your whole life just a little part of it that won't matter so much in five years."

"Says you."

"Are you finished here?"

"Yes."

He helped me put the items on the conveyor belt. We worked in silence like a well oiled machine. It was strange to say the least. Most guys had no idea that certain items should go in certain places, but he seemed to read my mind and we spoke not a single word. In the time it took me to locate my wallet and pull out my debit card he had already handed his to the cashier.

"What are you doing, Dr. Sloan?"

"Helping out. This way I can have part in your apology and fill my good person quota for the week."

"Selfless aren't we?"

"Just say thank you and let's be on our way."

"Thank you." I answered in a dutiful way that made him give me a sideways smirk. If only he wasn't a man whore.

"You are so very welcome."

As we pulled up in front of the house I felt my heart flutter a bit. I was excited about baking something of this scale, but I couldn't help but wonder if it would be destroyed or welcomed. He helped me carry in all the bags. He was quite the gentleman, in that Rhett Butler kind of way. He wasn't above taking what he wanted, but he did abide by a code that insisted he treat women with respect. I knew about the Addison thing. Well not exactly, but I put two and two together. Alex told me about them sleeping together and the rumor mill provided the details of the bet, but from the pained look on his face I knew he wasn't the one who had broken the pact. A gentleman he was.

"Well that is the last of them."

"You better get to work."

"Thanks again, Dr. Sloan. I really do appreciate it."

"It's Mark, and you can't get rid of me that easily. I want to see this marvelous concoction you are going to whip up."

"Fine but it's going to take at least four to five hours."

"What are you building?"

"A surprise."

"Again with the surprises."

"Yes. Could you turn on the CD player."

"What no iPod deck?"

"That's in my room. Besides I only listen to instrumental stuff when I bake."

"Alright then." I watched him turn on the console and then grab the case of the Artist we were listening to.

"Explosions in the Sky? I expected Bach."

"Bach is good for studying but not so much for baking."

"Well you better get started."

Time did not exist from that moment on. It was a blur. I cracked eggs, stirred batter, set timers. He watched me work. At least her I knew I could impress him. He only intereupted me once.

"So what does it taste like?"

"It's hard to explain. It's kind of my own special mix."

"Can I lick the spoon?"

"How do you make that so dirty?"

"Skill. Can I?"

"Sure. But I must warn you these are raw eggs."

"I don't care."

"Neither do any of my friends." I handed him the spoon and the empty bowl as well. He was being perfect. That deserved a reward.

"Wow. That is just. Wow."

"Thank you."

"Maybe when you have tired of the hardships of surgery, you can open a bakery."

"Don't tempt me."

I labored over cutting and perfecting this masterpiece. I decorated it in a more modern, but not untraditional way that I though Callie would like. I wrestled with another moment of self loathing for not at least trying to get to know her. It took exactly four hours and 37 minutes to make it just the way I needed it to be.

"Izzie, how are we going to get that in my car?"

"I...uh."

Then I heard Meredith pull up outside. I waited as I heard her run up the stairs and open the door. It was just like every other night she came home. She called out to me and I still couldn't tell how she felt so I told her where to find me. She entered the kitchen. Instead of yelling at me like I expected she hugged me. It felt nice to be wanted by at least one friend.

"Are you ok?"

"I've been better."

"Wow. That is the most amazing thing I have ever seen."

"I do what I can."

"Hello Meredith."

"Mark Sloan. We had a meeting and no one told me?"

"I had to induct the new member."

"Wait what meeting?"

"You are now a member of the Dirty Mistresses Club."

"How prestigious."

"It truly is."

"Hay Mere, can we use your Jeep to take this to the hospital. It's kind of a gift."

"Sure. I'll drive."

"Thanks."

It was a struggle, but we got the towering monstrosity into the back of the Jeep. We rode in silence to the hospital. I got nervous as we pulled up in front of the hospital. He took my hand in his, in an act of reassurance. He really was a nice guy. Even if he looked dangerous and way too sexy.

"I will go in and see if the coast is clear and let you in the side door in the abandoned hallway."

"Thanks Meredith."

We didn't talk as we carried my creation to the side door and waited on Meredith. It didn't take her long before she opened the door and ushered us in.

"Everyone is either in surgery or somewhere else. Her office is empty and locked, but I have this key that should get us in."

"Crafty Meredith."

"It's what I do."

"Ladies can we move this inside?"

"Of course."

We quietly made it to her office with out being seen by anyone which was unusual. Meredith cleared her desk as we set it there. I stood back and looked at it. I tried to take it in, just in case it was the last time I would see it. It stood nearly four feet tall. It was the most amazing thing I had ever created. I saw a blinding flash as Meredith took a picture.

"Come on guys let's go."

"After all that work you aren't leaving a note?"

"She doesn't have too. Anyone that sees that will know who made it."

"Well ok then."

I felt better when we got home. Meredith bid us goodnight, before trudging up the stairs to her room. I went to the kitchen and started cleaning it up. I felt him behind me. I didn't pay attention until he gently turned me around and took the cloth in my hand away from me. I was surprised to say the least. He was so close that I was made acutely aware of my disheveled appearance. Loose curls falling out of a ponytail. I probably had flour somewhere embarrassing.

"You are a good person."

"I'm a partly good person."

"Mostly good."

"Fine."

"You are a mostly good, completely gorgeous woman that surprised and impressed me today. That is not an easy feet."

"I can imagine." He was far to close. I hadn't felt this pleasantly out of breath in a very long time.

"I should leave without doing what I am about to do, because you are emotionally distraught and unsure of yourself, but I can't seem to help myself." Then it clicked and I realized I couldn't run. Not that I'm entirely sure I wanted to.

His face wasn't that far from mine. My breathing was coming heavily as his lips moved closer to mine. I couldn't form a coherent thought. I knew that I shouldn't be doing this, but it was far more right than what I had done with my married best friend. Millimeters seperated us now. It was taking forever. I wondered what he would fell like, taste like. I didn't have to wait long. It was slow and gentle. It seemed to have only been intended to last a moment, but when you get the first taste of a drug you want more. Before I knew it my arms were around his shoulders and one of his hands were behind my head pulling me closer. I parted my lips and granted him access. I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe. It was just a perfect moment that existed outside the limits of human confines. Our tongues danced a rhythmic dance as old as the kiss its self. It lasted forever, but forever is such a short time when you are enjoying yourself. He pulled away and I had to remind myself to inhale.

"Goodnight, Izzie"

And like that he was gone. And I was wondering how I would ever put myself together with my never ending supply of man problems.

Then next morning I walked into work and saw a congregation around the office of Dr. Callie Torres. I took a deep breath and ventured closer. Of course not to close. Dr. Bailey came up to me before I could make anything out.

"That was a good thing you did."

"I screwed up."

"Yes, but you know you screwed up. That makes all the difference. She isn't happy with you, but at least she doesn't want to kill you."

"I just wanted to give her what she always wanted from me. What she deserved from me."

"I can't believe it, but I think you are growing up Izzie Stevens."

"Well I had a good teacher."

"Stop sucking up. You have plastics. Get to work."

"Just tell me one thing. Did she like it?"

"Well how would you like a magnificent four foot tall five tier wedding cake if you had never gotten one?"

"I'm glad she liked it."

"Plastics."

"Going."

I tried to compose myself and not think about that kiss as I walked up to him."

"Good morning Dr. Sloan."

"Dr. Stevens. I see that your cake went over well with the head resident."

"Yes it did."

"What do you say to dinner tonight?" He didn't waste anytime, and it was a good thing I had been leaning on the nurses' station.

Look at her face
She's crying
See her disgrace
It's blinding
I hope you figure it out

Look at her face
She's blinded
By her mistakes
It's lying
I hope you figure it out

Look at Her Face

Watch the gag reel...OMG...I am not a O'Stevens fan, but T.R. Knight and Katie Heigl are ADORABLE!!!! Seriously. Read and Review. Please.