a/n: hey peeps, sorry that this took longer than expected. i got caught ditching swim practice and now my parents are pissed and i'm not supposed to be on the internet til sunday. but they're not here now, so i'm putting this chapter on. so i hope you appreciate it since i'll be grounded til the end of time if they find out i'm on here. after today i won't be able to check my email or get on since they'll be home all weekend, so i can't update until monday or so. sorry.

disclaimer: nope. still not mine.


The restaurant had their table ready when they arrived. Surprisingly enough, the Chief had allowed them to choose their own seats. There were four seats on the side and one at the ends of the table. Derek and Mark ended up in these two, trying to put as much distance as possible between them. Meredith was sitting next to Derek and Addison. Alex ended up next to Addison and Izzie, who was talking quietly with Sloane. George was sitting across from Izzie and next to his wife. Christina was next to Callie and across from Addison, a prime spot for watching for the almost guaranteed eyesex between Satan and Evil Spawn. Preston was next to her and across from Meredith.

"Hey," Meredith said softly to Derek.

"Hey," he whispered back, leaning over to give her a kiss.

Alex noticed that Addison was looking at the two of them strangely, not really jealous, more like happy and sad at the same time. And then he understood exactly what he was seeing, it wasn't jealousy or anything dramatic like that, it was hurt. All evidence to the contrary, he hated to see her hurt. So he leaned over and whispered, "You'd think that by now they'd be over the public displays of affection."

She turned to him, "They're in love, you do things like that when you're in love," she answered with a sad smile.

"Did you and Shepherd do things like that when you were dating?" he asked before realizing just how evil spawn-ish that sounded. "I'm sorry, that wasn't… I didn't mean… I'm sorry," he stumbled.

"It's okay. And no, we didn't. Well, we did. But not like that. We were slightly less cute, far more sickening," she answered with a smile that was meant to be joking but came out sad and nostalgic.

"I shouldn't have said anything."

She looked at him seriously, "You're a decent guy," she said, almost incredulously.

"This surprises you? I know I can be an ass, but I like to think that it's not a permanent condition. Although I don't know why it shouldn't surprise you, I'm always an ass around you."

"Not always. Sometimes you surprise me."

"I'm a surprising guy."

"I'm not a huge fan of surprises, but I enjoy yours."

Oh God, did she really just say that? Way to go Addi, way to go. That is exactly how you want to talk to someone who's not interested. Way to look desperate. Just fan-frickin-tastic.

"Thanks," Alex said and grinned at her. She grinned back. He was just happy to see a smile back on her face.

"What are you two grinning about over there? Am I missing something?" Callie interrupted. Startled, they broke eye contact, effectively ruining the moment.

"Nothing," Addison hastily assured her.

"Nothing at all," Alex put in.

Christina tried to kick Meredith to get her attention. She made contact with a shin, harder than she had intended.

"Ow!" Addison yelped, "Who just kicked me?"

Christina turned to Burke and started talking; pretending that's what she had been doing the entire time. Hopefully Dr. Montgomery had been too busy flirting with Alex to notice that she hadn't been. And lucky for Christina, she had.

Meredith, who had witnessed Christina slightly sinking under the table, shot a nervous glance at Addison and then looked at Christina, curious. Christina made eye contact and kept glancing furtively between Addison and Alex. Meredith caught on and started smile. She was so going to ask Addison about this later.

Izzie and Mark didn't notice any of this because they were at the other end of the table. Well, that and they were too busy talking.

Izzie was amazed that Mark Sloane was able to carry on a conversation with a woman without hitting on her. Mark was just amazed by Izzie. The entire time they were talking he could feel the rest of the world just fade away. The thing was, he realized, was that he had feelings for her. He, Mark Sloane, resident manwhore, had feelings for Isobel Stevens, the chick who when she was nervous or sad turned into freaking Martha Stewart. Martha Stewart and the Manwhore. There was a great children's book. These stupid feelings were keeping him from just sleeping with her and getting it over with. He knew he hurt women and he was not about to hurt Izzie Stevens. He could see what he had done to Addison and there was no way he was doing that to Izzie. So he had a little crush, he could handle it right? God he hoped so.

"Do you- do you want to go grab a cup of coffee or something after dinner?" Izzie asked.

Oh no. "I'm pretty tired," he started but changed his tune when he saw her face, "So caffeine would be great."

It was just coffee between friends, right? Right?

GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA

Dinner wasn't actually all that painful. Most people got along well enough, especially with Derek and Mark at separate ends of the table, too far to fight. They paid, well not really, since it was an all-expense paid trip, the hospital paid, but whatever, and walked out into Downtown Disney.

"There's a great coffee shop down the way," Izzie said.

"Been here a couple times, have we?" Mark asked sarcastically.

"A few. Now come on," she replied impatiently grabbing his wrist and dragging him off through the crowd.

Everyone stared at each other in shock. "Did she just…?" George trailed off.

"I think she did," Meredith responded.

"He'd better not hurt her," Alex growled.

A look of hurt and jealousy passed over Addison's face, but she quickly returned to normal. "Jealous are we, Karev?" she said jokingly, even though she was afraid of the answer.

"No! No. It's just that I really liked her and she's my friend now and I'm still protective I guess. I just want her happy," he answered sincerely.

Addison glanced at Derek, "I think I know what you mean."

"Exactly."

"Anyone for coffee?" Addison asked everyone.

"I could use some," Alex replied.

"Nope," Meredith and Christina lied in unison; they could always get coffee somewhere else. George and Callie shook their heads no too.

"I could- Christina!" Burke started until Christina elbowed him, "Not. I could not use some," he finished lamely, noting the death glare she was sending him.

Derek, seeing that if he went he would be stuck with his ex-wife and her… whatever Karev was, quickly made his excuses and walked away with the group.

"Soo…" Addison, ever the brilliant conversationalist, began awkwardly. "Coffee?"

"Lead the way, Miss Tour Guide," Alex said with a smile.

"Alright. This way please," Addison replied in her best tour guide voice, leading them in the opposite direction of Mark and Izzie.

GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA

"This is the best coffee I've ever tasted," Mark commented as he and Izzie sat at a small outdoor café in Downtown Disney.

"I told you so," Izzie smirked.

"That you did. Nice pick."

"Did Mark Sloane just give a compliment?"

"I resent that. I'm a nice guy."

Izzie scoffed at that.

"What? I am! When I want to be anyways."

"So when you don't want to be, you're an ass?" Izzie asked.

"Something like that," Mark laughed. They grew quiet as the mood changed. "You know my story but I don't know yours. Now, that is a shame."

"There's really not much to tell," Izzie responded, tracing the rim of the cup with her finger. "I grew up in a trailer park, decided I wanted to become a surgeon, paid my own way through college by posing for lingerie ads, and now I'm here. In Disneyland. Drinking coffee with world-class plastic surgeon Mark Sloane."

"Wow, rough life," Mark observed actually sounding sympathetic. He could do this friend thing. He was sure of it. Well, half sure. He had managed to convince himself of this when Izzie leaned over and kissed him. Screw it; he couldn't do the friend thing.

GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA

"You really like it here, huh?" Alex asked as he and Addison sat in the coffee shop/ book store that was right by their hotel.

"Here, this coffee shop here or here, Disneyland here?"

"Both."

"Okay. This is my favorite place to stop for coffee in the world, and Disneyland is one of my favorite places in the world."

"Why do you like it so much here?" Alex inquired putting his elbows on the small table and leaning forward in the classic 'I'm interested' pose.

Addison did the same and teasingly answered, "I guess you'll just have to find out tomorrow now, won't you?"

"Well, if you won't tell me…"

"My lips are sealed. You'll never get it out of me. Not until tomorrow at least. I refuse to ruin it for you."

They were approximately six inches apart now. Silence settled over them as they stared at each other, daring the other to move closer. And then Addison got a text message. "Hold on a second," she smiled apologetically.

Callie: Did you kiss him yet?

Addison: WHAT??

Callie: You heard me. Read me. Whatever. Answer the question. Have you kissed him yet?

Addison: No. And I don't plan on it. Can you go away? He's right here and looking like he's going to throw my phone out the window so that people will stomp on it and break it.

Callie: That's cuz he wants to kiss you! Go! Go now!

Addison: He does not want to kiss me. He's not interested, remember?

Addison: Callie?

Addison: Hello?

Addison: Get your ass back here missy!

Addison: Callie?

Addison: I hate you.

Callie: I know you do. Byee!!

"Sorry about that," she apologized to Alex.

"No problem."

"Soo…"

"So…"

"Nice night," Addison said in a feeble attempt at conversation.

"We're talking about the weather? I think that's a sign that this date is kind of over," Alex pointed out. Oh God, did I really just call it a date? he thought.

Oh God, did he really just call it a date? Addison thought. "Yeah, I guess. We should probably get back to the hotel," she said staring out the window. A flash of blond hair caught her eye and she looked more closely, "Is that Izzie and Mark?" she asked Alex pointing the pair out.

"It is. Are they-?"

"Holding hands? They are. Wow."

"Wow."

"Well, um," Addison stumbled. "Goodnight," she said as she stood up to leave.

"We're going to the same place, at least let me walk there with you."

"No thanks. I, uh, need some time to think."

Alex, being the super-perceptive guy that he is, noticed that she was distracted and distance and knew to back off, "Alright. I had a good time tonight, Addison."

"Yeah. Me too. See you tomorrow."

"Right. I expect one hell of a tour, Miss I-Know-Everything-About-Disneyland."

"Don't worry, you'll get one," she retorted and walked away.


there you go. a little mcstizzie and some almost addex. hope you liked it. you can make my risk of being on here worth it and review now!