NOTES: I'm on avcation but still managed to pump out a very very long chapter (for me at least) I'm too addicted to this fic and didn't have plans yesterday so here it is! Haha, just shows how much I love you faithful readers! Hope it doesn't dissapoint!


Callie stared at herself in the mirror for the umpteenth hundredth time and sighed. She adjusted her pearls one last time and tucked a perfectly curled strand of hair behind her ear, exposing a diamond earring.

"Wow, you…look amazing. Are we going to the…Hilton of marriage counselors or something?" George asked. Callie sighed again.

"We don't want to go there looking like bums, okay? I'd like us to look like sane people…I don't want our issues to dictate who we are or anything," Callie shrugged.

"You're…embracing your money?" George asked. Callie turned and glared at George.

"I am NOT," Callie growled.

"You're acting like rich people don't have problems or something," George shrugged.

Callie squinted her eyes and shook her head. "Ugh…George! Okay, you know what? I feel like utter CRAP right now and I'm doing this for US. For our MARRIAGE. I'm not flaunting my money…you know what? I'm not even going to discuss this with you right now…let's go."

George nodded as Callie grabbed her keys and started for the door. The past week had been a difficult one and George was somewhat excited to see the counselor in hopes it could put everything into perspective and perhaps even keep Callie at bay. It seemed like everything George did just irritated Callie. She allowed him to sleep in the bed with her, and she made small talk but George didn't want their marriage to continue in such a way. He took the keys from Callie and offered to drive so that she could relax. She had been even more exhausted lately, which seemed to make her even more moody. He was trying hard to play the doting husband role but he seemed to be failing miserably.

Callie played navigator, folding her arms over her chest and occasionally peeking out of her Chanel sunglasses when George nearly missed their turns. They turned onto Meridian Avenue and George found a parking spot. George walked around to Callie's side of the car and opened the door for her, taking her hand in his and helping her out.

"What's his name again?" George asked.

"For the third time, Benjamin Pierce," Callie sighed.

"That's right," George nodded as they opened the door and slipped in. George peered up at the listings next to the elevator and ran his finger over the names.

"Room 305," Callie stated.

George pressed the elevator call button and Callie shifted her purse, sliding her hand through the crock of George's arm and moving closer to him. George smiled to himself a bit; he could smell her subtle perfume and it was reassuring to feel her against him.

Soon enough they were on the third floor and Callie pulled away, adjusting her skirt and top and stepping forward off of the elevator.

Room 305 was three rooms down the hall and George looked himself over and then took a deep breath before pushing the door open.

"Mister and Misses O'Malley?" The receptionist smiled, George nodded.

"Have a seat; Ben is finishing up with his 2:15."

Callie and George sat down across from the door to the main office and George began to tap his fingers against the arm of his chair. Callie looked up from the magazine in her lap and glared at him.

"Sorry," George nervously smiled.

Callie and George both watched the door as an old couple came out arguing.

"Ha, that's gonna be us," George grinned. "Except you'll age beautifully," he added.

Callie didn't respond because Benjamin was making his way into the front room.

"The O'Malley's," his receptionist said as Callie and George stood.

"Ah, Calliope and George," Benjamin smiled, extending his hand.

"Please, call me Callie," she said as she shook his hand, which caused George to bring his back to his side.

"Really? I think Calliope is a gorgeous name; you definitely fit your name, don't you? Like a muse standing before me," Benjamin ginned. George got a bit huffy when he noticed Callie's cheeks redden.

"Doctor George O'Malley," he said, pushing his hand forward, which caused Benjamin to finally let go of Callie's. George gave Benjamin a firm handshake.

"Shall we?" Benjamin asked, motioning towards his office. Callie and George nodded and George took Callie's hand in his. Thankfully, she didn't pull away.

"Please, sit down," Benjamin stated and Callie and George sat themselves down on a large couch across from Benjamin's desk. George turned to find a bowl of peppermints on the side table to his left. He dug into them, pulling out a mint and unwrapping it, the cellophane crinkling loudly. He popped the mint into his mouth and went to grab another. Callie cleared her throat and glared at him, but George just shrugged and sat back, nervously fingering the cellophane of the second mint before popping it into his mouth as well.

"Let's get the basics down, how does that sound?" Benjamin asked.

"Great!" George exclaimed through his mouthful of mints. Callie moved over a few inches because the smell of peppermint was too strong for her liking. It was beginning to make her queasy even.

"How long have you two been married?"

"Two months and thirteen days," Callie answered.

"And fourteen hours…" George laughed. Callie shot him a look.

"How long did you two know each other before you were married?"

George stuffed another mint in his mouth, nearly choking on it before Callie reached over and grabbed the bowl of mints, settling them to her right.

"Three months," Callie answered. "And then he proposed."

"I see," Benjamin stated, scribbling something down on the paper before him. "And you knew rather soon she was the woman you wanted to make an ultimate commitment with?"

George nodded. "There was no doubt…"

"…in the beginning," Callie added.

George turned to look at her and then back to Benjamin. "My father had just died and…."

"Your father passed away? Do you think that has anything to do with your proposal?"

George shook his head, "No!"

Benjamin leaned forward and studied George's nervous actions.

"I mean…"George sighed, "I guess it did make me realize just what I felt…I mean FEEL for her…"

"And Callie, what did you think of George's proposal?"

"I was shocked: it was very unexpected. George…well, he came on very strong in a…sexual way after his father died. His emotional crutch was sex and I had been avoiding him and then he came into the hotel room and said these amazing things and…of course I said yes because despite his faults I do love him, very much. So we eloped…in Vegas."

"And neither of you regret this?"

George shook his head, "No, I do not."

"Me either," Callie stated.

"So, Callie, could you explain to me some of the issues you think are affecting your marriage then?"

Callie sighed, "George…from the beginning of our relationship has always put his friends before me. One friend in particular, his best friend to be exact…Izzie. She would constantly berate me and put me down and blatantly attack our relationship. I have come forward so many times and said something to him and he seems to think I'm forcing him to make a choice…and it was never like that. I just wanted him to treat me like his wife and stop putting me on the backburner. Never once did I say 'hey you HAVE to pick me or Izzie.' Things hit the ultimate low point when... he slept with her...When he slept with Izzie."

Benjamin's gaze immediately turned to George. "You slept with this Izzie? Your best friend?"

George's head lowered. "Yes," he managed to squeeze out. "Callie and I had this…big fight and…I bought…a bottle of bourbon and went over to see Izzie and…one thing…lead to another and…"

"What were you and Callie fighting about?" Benjamin asked.

"Izzie," George muttered.

"And how many times did this happen?" Benjamin asked.

"Once," George answered.

"When was this?"

"About three weeks ago," Callie answered. "It's why we're here."

"Obviously there are more underlying issues," Benjamin stated. "Sleeping with his best friend was the straw that broke the camels back, if you will."

"I...we…we kissed in the elevator too…I…thought maybe I was in love with her even…"

"Are you?" Benjamin asked.

"No," George answered.

"Do you think that Callie was asking too much of you when she wished you would give her proper attention?"

George reached over for a mint and sighed when he realized the bowl was now in Callie's possession. George turned to look at Callie for a second; she was struggling to hide the tears in her eyes.

"I love Callie," George began. "I…I didn't think I was doing anything wrong. I was just trying to balance friends and my marriage and…I failed miserably. I….I guess I thought that I'd have to sacrifice one for the other. I…I didn't expect to fall for her the way I did. I wanted to take things slow and…she told me she loved me and I took my time saying it back….I wanted to mean it. I had fallen too fast before and got my heart thrown back at me…but with Callie it felt right but…I didn't want to ruin it…I finally said it and I meant it…I seriously meant it…I…I MEAN it. I have this…fast paced career and I got all caught up in these issues with Izzie and…Izzie confessed she's in love with me but all I could think about was Callie and making this work and….that's why I'm here. I want this to work. I want to balance the career….the friends…and most importantly, my marriage…but I don't know how to do it."

"Finding the perfect balance in marriage is never an easy task and the fact that you were unfaithful does not help achieving said balance. It is a step towards success that you are able to come here today and admit your own faults and mistakes though, George, and even more admirable is the fact that your wife is here and willing to stand beside you. You are both willing to make this work and that is the first step in a positive direction for your relationship. Callie, how does hearing what George has said make you feel?"

"I want to believe him, I want to believe that he truly loves me. George is…the love of my life. He's the first man I've ever said I love you to. He's the only man I've ever loved at that! I cannot be with someone who doesn't feel the same way about me as I do them. Hearing him say that he felt he may have been in love with Izzie….it makes me feel as if I am NOT the love of his life…People know these sorts of things. I know it, I feel it through ever fiber of my being. You know when you love someone and having him doubt his love for me…and debating a love for her…it kills me. It terrifies me and makes me think I'm still going to end up hurting again."

"George, where do you and Izzie stand at this point? Is she aware that you are committing yourself to this marriage? Have you talked with Izzie since she said that she loved you?"

George took a deep breath, "I haven't had time to really speak with her. I had a major test to retake and catching up to do on my residency. I've seen her but haven't said anything."

"Would you say you are avoiding the confrontation?" Benjamin asked.

"I….don't know."

"You don't know?" Benjamin asked.

"She was…my best friend," George sighed.

"What does that mean to you? Was she a good friend?"

"Yes and no…she was there for me but…she wasn't…it's…it's hard to explain."

"Do you feel as if you'll truly be losing something if you two are no longer friends?"

"I…haven't really thought of it like that. I do care about Izzie; she's a good person despite her bad points…well, she was….things change…or something. "

"You don't want to cut her off…" Benjamin suggested.

"I just want things the way they were, but…you…can't have everything!" George nervously laughed, running his fingers through his hair.

"You need to speak with Izzie. Either you can end the friendship or set boundaries. Let her know that you are committing yourself to Callie and she can either support you or the friendship must end."

"She told me she would support me if I choose to stay with Callie," George stated.

"Well, you still need to confront her and let her know your exact plans. Avoiding her will not fix this situation. Callie, would you mind if George and Izzie spoke and remained acquaintances?"

Callie sighed. "She works with us, and we obviously all have to remain acquaintances for the sake of our careers. I…I don't know what I think, honestly. I do realize she is a close friend, and I know he needs friends. Though I would prefer he associated with other people…if ultimately he wished to continue speaking with Izzie and we could get past this…I…I'll understand."

George turned his head quickly and looked at Callie, who stared forward at Benjamin, her hands folded in her lap. George's heart beat faster; it was obvious now that he had never truly given her enough credit.

Benjamin nodded. "I think we'll end here. I think you both have voiced your feelings and have made things clear but we cannot move forward until George assesses how he'd like to approach the Izzie situation and finds a resolution. George, I'm giving you…homework if you will, I want you to speak with Izzie and let her know exactly what you want from her."

"Uh…oh…okay…" George muttered.

George and Callie stood and shook Benjamin's hand.

"I see a lot of promise for your relationship," Benjamin said to Callie as he noticed the forlorn look on her face. "You both can make it through this," he nodded as he turned to look at George.

"Thank you," Callie said softly as Benjamin escorted them out. As soon as they left the office, Callie grabbed George's hand and held it tight in hers.

They made their way to the car and George held Callie's hand over the center console. Callie just stared out of the window and George could feel the distance growing between them as Callie began to get lost in her thoughts.

"You are the love of my life," George stated, and Callie swiftly turned to look at him. He kissed her hand softly and looked into her eyes before glancing back at the road.

"I WILL prove it to you," he stated.


"Hey," Mark grinned as he leaned into the doorframe of the room Izzie Stevens was standing in. She was checking on her patient, post op. She switched his IV's and turned to Mark.

"Hey yourself," she smiled.

"I didn't see you at all yesterday. How are you holding up?" he asked as she exited the room.

"It's…hard. I see George following Callie around like a puppy dog constantly and it doesn't help that she's my freaking BOSS. She hasn't tried to kill me or anything…but it's awkward. It hurts…George is always bringing her flowers and acting like husband of the year but he won't even talk to me unless it's for medical purposes," Izzie sighed.

"Addison is leaving tomorrow," Mark said softly.

"Oh," Izzie said. "I'm sorry, she's really leaving?"

Mark nodded. "I had to approach her myself for the details. She swore up and down we'd remain friends but she can't even say 'hey, I'm going to work with Naomi in L.A'….I heard it from Alex Karev of all people and confronted her about it."

"There's no love for us dirty mistresses…" Izzie sighed.

"You know, we're not the bad guys. Okay, maybe we are slightly at fault but it takes two to do the horizontal tango…"

"Yeah well my partner in crime is too busy trying to work his way back into his wife's pants to make little…O'babies and…UGH. Seriously….this sucks!"

"For lack of a better word, yes, it DOES suck."

"Appreciation latte?" Izzie asked, "My treat?"

"I can one up you there," Mark grinned. "How about we go out tonight?"

"I thought we weren't doing the dating thing…much less with each other."

"Uh…it's not a date. This is…an on location dirty mistress assignment. We'll uh, go to Joe's and see how great we are at NOT hitting on people and declining drink offers."

Izzie laughed, "Okay, what time is our non-date?"

"When do you get off?" Mark asked.

"Eight," Izzie answered.

"Perfect, I'll meet you at Joe's around nine?" Mark suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Izzie agreed.


The familiar smell of the Emerald City Bar wafted around Izzie's nostrils as she pushed open the door and heard the familiar chime of the bells overhead. She scanned the crowded area and located Mark at the bar, an empty seat next to him.

"This seat taken?" Izzie asked, making her voice high pitched to tease him.

"Ye-" Mark turned to see Izzie and smiled. "Tease," he laughed.

"Just testing you," Izzie winked. She sat down and set her purse in her lap.

"First drink is on me," Mark smiled.

"Sounds good," Izzie smiled back.

"Mark Sloan and Izzie Stevens?" Joe grinned, "Nice!"

"Don't even start, Joe," Izzie laughed. "We're just friends."

"You don't do 'just friends,'" Joe smirked, turning to Mark.

"Listen to the lady Joe, we're just friends," Mark stated.

"We'll see how long that lasts," Joe chuckled.

Mark and Izzie rolled their eyes in synch before Mark turned to Izzie. "Name your poison," he stated.

"I'll have a Jager bomb," Izzie stated.

"Nice change," Joe nodded.

"I felt like a change," Izzie said proudly.

"Do I need to ask?" Joe grinned, turning to Mark.

"Single malt scotch on the rocks, my good man," Mark smiled.

"I figured," Joe said as he began preparing their drinks.

A young man with piercing blue eyes and golden blonde shaggy hair grinned and he leaned against the bar next to Izzie.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I'm fantastic. I'm fantastic and taken."

"Oh, right," the man nodded, eyeing Mark at Izzie's side. He ordered a beer and quickly made his way over to a table where a group of rowdy young men sat.

"Taken?" Mark smirked.

"Hey, I could have flirted and that's the easiest excuse not to," Izzie stated.

Joe set down their drinks before them and Mark raised his glass. "To the reformed dirty mistresses," he said.

"To the reformed dirty mistresses," Izzie repeated.

They both took a swig of their drinks and then grinned at each other.

"Ten days in, I think we're going to pull this off," Izzie smiled sweetly.

"I'm glad someone has faith in me," Mark said.

"Okay, I'll admit…you're not so bad…once you let people get to know you…"

"You're not so bad either, you know when you set aside the bitch thing…"

"You just called me a bitch!" Izzie gasped.

"Not directly!"

"Whatever, asshole," Izzie giggled. She finished her drink and tried to grab Joe's attention. "For that you're buying round two!"

"Alright, I'll support your habits, lush. Your measly wages need to be saved I guess," Mark shrugged.

"Oooo, you're catty tonight," Izzie grinned.

"Why, you like it?" Mark smirked. Izzie shoved him.

"Get the girl another…whatever she's drinking,..."

"No, no! I'll have what he's having," Izzie nodded.

"A girl after my own heart," Mark smiled. "Fine then, Joe…make it a single malt scotch for both of us."

Four scotches later found Izzie mid man hating speech and nearly falling off of her stool. "Seriously?! Am I unattractive? Is 'stupid' stamped on my forehead? I've been cheated on, I've been the cheater…I've been the grieving fiancée…you know…maybe I should just quit it with men in general. That's it, I'm a lesbian…Okay no! Because I'd end up with a Meredith or something and oh…that's just too much drama for me. Am I dramatic? What is it about me, am I a drama magnet?"

"I think you're good on drinks," Mark stated. "How about we get you home?"

"Am I a bad catch, MCSTEAMY?" Izzie whined.

"No, you're not a bad catch at all; you just make some stupid choices on your part," Mark said, helping her off of her stool and grabbing her purse.

"So I DO have 'stupid' stamped on my forehead?" Izzie cried out.

Mark sighed, "No, you don't."

He wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her slowly out of the bar and up the stairs.

Izzie began to cry and Mark leaned her against the hood of his car as he fished for his keys. "Why are you crying?" he asked.

"Because I'm…I'm Izzie Stevens. I'm…I'm a whore…I'm a stupid whore who ruins marriages and and and…"

"Stop it," Mark firmly stated. "You're drunk off your ass and making no sense. Stop being so hard on yourself," he said. He grabbed her around the waist again and she turned her head to kiss him. Mark pulled away and Izzie sighed.

"Mark Sloan won't kiss me, now I know I'm a bad catch," Izzie sulked.

"Remember what happened last time you got drunk and kissed a guy?" Mark asked.

"Ouch," Izzie pouted.

Mark helped her into the passenger seat of his car and then ran over to get in himself.

"What about my car?"

"I'll pick you up in the morning and you can get it after work..." Mark suggested.

"Okay," Izzie nodded. Soon enough she was passed out and breathing heavily, her head resting against the cool glass of the window.

"Shit," Mark groaned. He knew Meredith lived in the Queen Anne area but he wasn't sure the exact address. He flipped open his phone and began dialing.

"Derek, where does Meredith live?"

"What? WHY?" Derek asked.

"I've got a very drunk and very passed out Izzie Stevens in my passenger seat and I need to take her home…wait! That doesn't sound good at all. This has nothing to do with taking advantage of her. I'm simply dropping her off and leaving…"

"Uh huh," Derek said in total disbelief.

"Have SOME faith in me," Mark pleaded.

"Fine," Derek sighed.

"I appreciate it," Mark said.

"1416 W Highland Drive," Derek muttered. "If she ends up pregnant I don't want the sob story."

"Fine, we won't name the baby after you."

"Your loss," Derek laughed as he hung up.

Mark started the car and managed to find his way around Queen Anne Hill and up to Meredith's house. The lights were on in the front hall and porch so he was hopeful that someone was there to help him with the extremely intoxicated girl to his right.

He parked his car in front of the house and moved to the passenger side to lift Izzie up into his arms and carry her up to the porch, struggling to shift her so that he could ring the doorbell.

Cristina Yang yawned and stretched and peeked through the glass of the door. "Uh….Meredith…there's a McSteamy outside of your door."

"Wait…what? A McDreamy or a McSteamy?" Meredith gasped, running into the hall.

"MCSTEAMY, Mark Sloan. Massive ego, nice smile…"

"Why is he here?"

"I'm thinking it has to do with the husband stealer in his arms…"

Meredith swung open the door and stared at Izzie. "Is she okay?" Meredith asked.

"You care?" Mark scoffed.

Alex made his way down the stairs and stared at Mark for a moment.

"She had too much to drink," Mark said, turning back to Meredith. "I wasn't going to let her drive home."

"Oh, what a gentleman!" Cristina said, oozing with sarcasm.

"Shut it, Yang," Mark growled.

"I'll take her," Alex said, stepping forward.

Mark instinctively pulled Izzie tighter; he loosened his grip when he realized he was being overprotective and then reluctantly slipped her into Alex's arms.

"How many times did you screw her?" Cristina asked.

"Cristina," Meredith sighed.

"She's drunk! He's Mark Sloan! Don't you 'Cristina' me," Cristina scoffed.

"I didn't screw her, we….have a pact."

"Oh, a pact, gee golly gosh how nifty. PLEASE. We wont fall for the act, you won't fool us. You have a penis, we know better."

"Bitter man-haters," Mark groaned.

"Thank you for bringing her home," Meredith said, stepping in front of Cristina.

"I did it for her, not to clear your consciences," Mark stated.

"Is he joking? I'm not laughing, are you laughing Meredith?" Cristina scoffed.

"Does she speak for you? Who is the butch and who is the bitch here?"

"Oh FUNNY," Cristina mock laughed. Meredith turned around and gave her a look. "Oh, seriously? You're making conversation with the manwhore? Whatever. I'm going to go drown myself in liquor while you play nice with McDouche here."

"Pull the stick out of your ass while you're at it!" Mark called out as Cristina went down the hall, causing Cristina to turn around and flip him off.

"She needs you right now," Mark said softly. Meredith was about to speak when Mark stopped her. "It's odd coming from me, I get it. But like I said, we have a pact, we're sticking by each other to keep us out of trouble…she made her mistakes, I get it. Didn't you sleep with a married man and then continue to pursue him even after his wife came here? Let's face it, neither of us can pass judgment. She's pretty hurt about this…O'Malley thing and she needs her friends. You can't alienate her forever, alright?"

Meredith squinted her eyes in thought and then turned to look up at Mark. "Wh….what? I…why are you suddenly her spokesman? I mean, I saw you two together a few times but when did you two become so close?"

"Maybe if you talked to her you'd be better informed. I really feel for her," Mark stated. Meredith's eyes widened.

"You what?"

"I…feel for her in this situation," Mark corrected. Great, there goes my manhood, he thought.

"You like her," Meredith grinned.

"What is this, high school? You going to pass me a little note with check boxes? 'Do you like Izzie, check yes or no…' She's a nice girl. I wasn't expecting to make a friend but I did."

Alex made his way downstairs and eyed Mark. "Hey uh…Izzie's awake, she's asking for you…" he said, pointing up the stairs.

Mark turned and glared at Meredith who was holding back giggles.

Mark bolted up the stairs and peeked in random doors until he stumbled upon Izzie's room.

"Heeey there….McSt…McMark….." Izzie mumbled.

"Hey," Mark said, moving towards the bed.

"Thank you," she slurred.

"No problem," Mark shrugged.

"You really are a good guy," she said, trying to sit up. Mark moved forward and pressed against her shoulders to lay her down.

"I think I like you," Izzie sighed.

"No, you don't," Mark corrected her.

"Oh…I don't?" Izzie asked. Mark nodded.

Mark leaned forward and kissed her lips quickly and gently. He knew she wouldn't remember it.

"I'll be here in the morning to pick you up," he said.

"Okay," Izzie said, before turning over to fall asleep again.

Mark made his way back downstairs and rolled his eyes when he saw Meredith still standing in the hallway.

Meredith was still grinning. "Oh, this is cute."

"Shut it, there's nothing cute about this. I'm just playing the friend card…"

"It's a known fact that men and women can't just be friends. I think Izzie and George proved that."

"How's Derek?" Mark grinned, realizing Meredith wasn't going to let it go.

Meredith's eyes narrowed and she scoffed. "You're an ass."

"I know," Mark grinned, turning to the door. "Bye, Grey."

"Bye," Meredith muttered, folding her arms over her chest.

Cristina heard the door close and walked back out to the front hall with a bottle of tequila.

"Twenty bucks says they're screwing," Cristina smirked.

"Forty says they aren't yet but they will be," Meredith nodded.