Under a Violet moon Chapter 7, a grey's anatomy fanfic

A/N Hi, everyone! I'm really sorry for my long absence, but I was absolutely swamped with work... I strongly hope you are still interested in my fict and you'll enjoy what happens next:) Many thanks for your great reviews and alerts. Special thanks for giving me support to continue writing: Star of CCTV :), SMCKI10 :), Berlian :), paceynumber1:), listentoyourheart555:), Gracksies:), dEsItOoO:) and princeskarlita411:)

Enjoy this chapter:)

THE ITALIC TEXT IS FROM THE SHOW

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4x09

They are outside the ER with a patient and Meredith sees an ambulance coming too fast. Izzie and Cristina are fighting over the patient)
Izzie: When are you gonna realize that you don't own the cardio department?
Cristina: He's my patient. I saw him first. I call dibs.
Meredith: Hey, you guys.
Izzie(to Cristina): You can't call dibs on a human being.
Meredith: You guys, I think we should move.
Cristina: Let go of the gurney.
Izzie: You let go.
Meredith: Move! (Meredith pushes them out of the way, and the ambulances crash into each other

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Erica: Torres. Can I steal Stevens off your service?
Callie(scoffs): I'll give her away for free.

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Erica: Can you make time?
Mark: Can you make time for a drink with me after?
Erica: Did I mention time is a factor here? I'm looking for a Yes or No answer.
Mark: As am I.
Erica: This may be enjoyable to you, Dr. Sloan, but I have a patient in serious condition. I came to you, because legend has it, that you're the best in plastics. But if bad jokes and sleazy come ons are all you're good for all afternoon, I'll page whoever's second best.
Mark: Dr. Hahn... I apologize. And I'll clear my schedule.
Erica: Thank you. OR 1

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Hahn: What, are we on a date here? I was complimenting your surgical skills, Dr. Sloan. Not looking through a window into your wounded soul.

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In the OR

Izzie: I always knew that you were an ass, but seriously? You brought Jane Doe to the gallery? Are you trying to get yourself kicked out?
Alex: She wanted to see what I do.
Izzie: I thought you were seeing Lexie.
Alex: I'm a popular guy.
Erica(overhearing): I'm sure what ever it is that you're talking about is endlessy fascinating, Dr. Karev, but I kind of have my heart set on saving a life today.
Alex: Sorry

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'"Now you'll see the sparks which are flying between Hanh and Sloan." Alex giggled, while he and Izzie were washing their hands in the sink before the surgery.

"Sparks?!" Izzie stopped washing her hands and turned to face Alex, "What sparks?"

"Sloan is in to her." Alex informed her.

Izzie swallowed, "What makes you think so?" She quietly spoke.

"Is that not totally obvious? However, she put him in his place. Hanh treats Sloan like shit, and he cleared his schedule because of her surgery." Alex told her.

"You are exaggerating, Alex!" She rolled her eyes annoyingly.

"I'm not at all. The way he looks at her says everything. Oh, man… He is falling for this woman." Alex exclaimed.

Izzie's hands began to tremble and her voice was not her own, as she said, "I bet he looks at her in the same way as he looks at every other woman."

"Sloan is impressed by this woman." Alex clarified.

"He is impressed by her professional skills and her career." Izzie corrected him.

"Believe me, it's not only that!" He winked at her, giggling.

This conversation was unpleasant to Izzie, and upset her. She did not this conversation to continue. Izzie felt a sharp pain in her stomach. Just the thought that Mark could like any other woman made her feel bad.

"Hey, what are you thinking about? You look distracted." Alex observed.

"Nothing… C'mon, we have to get in." She hurried to say.

Izzie was standing between Mark and Alex in the OR. She could smell Mark's cologne, and the vibration of his voice sent shivers throughout her body. She watched his hands, so skillful and steady, almost gentle as they worked with the scalpel. Izzie was so close she could feel the heat from his body, and she knew that her own temperature was rising. That night when that man caught them naked in the car, Mark had raised her adrenalin to the top. It was wildly, madly and funnily. They were driving round all the night exactly like teenagers, and then he took her to Meredith's at break of day. Just before Izzie getting out of the car, Mark grabbed her hand and kissed her. The kiss was so tender and soft, she felt like she was walking on the clouds. Nevertheless, if he really liked Dr. Hanh so much, would he still have kissed her in that way? Izzie knew that Mark was a complete womanizer, who changed girls the way he changed his socks. Still, he intrigued her. Mark had a way with her. He was handsome, charming and even charismatic…and he married her. No matter if, they both got drunk and married. Izzie watched Mark closely, listening to the retorts that he was exchanging with Erica Hahn. Izzie scowled. Did he really like Dr. Hanh? She was not beautiful or sexy… or even charming. Well… she was a cardio surgeon… great cardio surgeon one of the best with a meteoric career, but like a woman….

"Dr. Stevens?" She heard him whisper next to her ear in that deep husky voice.

Izzie startled.

"It seems to me that you are distracted." Mark observed.

"Huh?" Izzie confused.

"Apparently, you are not here. I bet you are dreaming about my soft and cozy bed." He grinned.

Izzie rolled her eyes, annoyingly.

"Concentrate on the surgery, Dr. Stevens!" Mark advised her.

"I'm, Dr. Sloan." She assured him.

"Really? Are you?" He raised an eyebrow, "You do not look at all. I've seen you concentrated…" He smirked.

Her blush increased and she bit her bottom lip to keep her cool.

4x10

Izzie: Do you want me to keep the family informed?
Erica: I want you to think like a surgeon. You're thinking like a social worker. If you wanna be a social worker you can save yourself a lot of effort because the training is two years not twelve. If you wanna be a surgeon, you can update the family when the crisis has passed

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Izzie: I was Hahn's right hand today.
George: That's good. That's good, right? That's great.
Izzie: I think a patient feels better if they know their kids aren't terrified. I think they're more likely to pull through surgery if they know that their wives are not panicked. Those things matter.
George: Well, they do matter.
Izzie: I'm never gonna be Cristina. It's just not gonna happen. And I'm not gonna be Erica Hahn. I am not kick-ass.
George: Thank god for that.
Izzie: I love you.
George: I love you.
Izzie: We're not gonna make this work, are we?
George: Marriage is hard even when it's right. It's hard. And... next time I do it I just want it to be forever. And I don't think it's our chemistry. I think it's our timing. But I don't think it's our chemistry.
Izzie: So, we're saying maybe someday?
George: Yeah. Yeah. We're sayin' maybe someday

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Mark (to Erica after she berates herself for missing something in her surgery): That's fascinating, Dr. Hahn.
Erica: What?
Mark: That you're as unkind to yourself as you are to everyone else.

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Erica: This is gonna sound bizarre. I realize at this point that this is gonna sound bizarre, but... Any chance you people want to get a drink with me?
Sloan: Why would we want to do that?
Callie (to Mark): She's saying she needs a friend.
Mark: Okay. Fine. Let's drink.
Erica: You won't hit on me?
Mark: I can't promise that.
Erica: If I say please?
Callie (to Erica): He still can't promise that.
Erica (after a pause to think): Fine.

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By the end of her shift, Izzie was exhausted. She haven't seen Mark alone all day long. After washing up she headed for the locker room to change. Izzie slipped into a pair of black slacks and a black turtleneck. Nevertheless, she still didn't have any wish for going home. Izzie pulled out her cell phone and dialed Mark's number. However, his cell phone was switched off. She grabbed her purse and walked out of the locker room. Izzie decided to hit Joe's to relax before coming back home. It had been a long time since she visited Joe's bar.

The bar was overcrowded. Izzie looked around but saw none of her friends. She headed straight towards the bar.

"Hey, beauty!" Joe smiled cheerfully seeing her, "I haven't seen you in a while." He noticed.

"Hi, Joe!" She greeted him.

"What'll have tonight?" He asked.

"I'll have non alcoholic cocktail." Izzie replied.

"Non alcoholic cocktail?" Joe raised his eyebrows curiously.

"I gave up drinking." She announced.

Joe looked at her suspiciously.

"Yes, Joe! I gave up drinking! I feel great and I'm still alive somehow. So, give me a non alcoholic cocktail, please!" Izzie repeated seriously.

With surprise written all over his face, Joe shrugged his shoulders and mumbled, "Ok then! A non alcoholic cocktail for you."

Izzie settled on her barstool. She turned to put her jacket on the seatback, when her eyes fell over the opposite table where a loud laughing was coming from. Izzie's heart fluttered in her chest, and she felt as if she was going to be sick. Mark was sitting at a table with Erica Hahn and Callie Torres. Evidently, he was telling them something amusing, because Erica and Callie were convulsed with laughter. Izzie froze like a statue.

"Izzie…. Izzie… "Joe had called her name several times, but she hadn't responded, so he shouted in an attempt to get her attention, "Izzie!"

"Uh?!"

"Hey, what's up, baby? You don't look so well." Joe worried.

"I… uh… It's just been a long day!" She mumbled.

"Here you go!" Joe said, bringing back her non-alcoholic cocktail.

"Tequila!" She said.

"What?"

"Tequila… in the biggest glasses you have." Izzie ordered.

"Didn't you say that you've given up drinking?" Joe confused.

"I know what I said. Give me tequila, please!" She said firmly.

Joe gave her a perplexed look, as he poured the glass for her.

Izzie drained the glass. "One more!" She ordered again.

Joe watched her without making any movement.

"What? Didn't you hear me?" She annoyed.

"Is everything all right?" Joe concerned.

"Why should not be? I just need a drink. This is a bar it's not a confectionery, people come here to drink." Izzie said.

Joe filled her glass with tequila again.

"Do you find it sexy to be a cardio surgeon?" She asked suddenly.

"Well, I guess is as much sexy as tobe like any other surgeon." He shrugged.

"Apparently, men fall for cardio surgeons." Izzie remarked with a wry smile.

"Men?" Joe raised curiously his brows.

"Some men." She clarified, "I hate the cardio. I thought I'd become a cardio surgeon. I thought I could kick asses, but I can't. I'm never gonna be Cristina."

"You can be whatever surgeon you want." Joe said softly.

"I can't Joe!" Izzie shook her head, "I'm too sentimental, and I care about people's feeling. To be a cardio surgeon you just must be firm."

"Definitely, Dr. Hanh is a very rigid person." Joe agreed.

"Do you think that this feature makes her sexy?" She demanded.

"Are you asking me if Dr. Hahn is sexy?" He chuckled.

"Well…" Izzie confused, "Yeah… if you were a man… I mean you are a man… but if you preferred women than men would you fall for her?"

Joe knitted his brows thoughtfully, "Honestly?"

"Honestly!" She nodded.

"This woman scares me." He admitted in a low voice.

"She scares you?" Izzie repeated unable to hide her astonishment.

"Yep… She is… in some way like a man in woman body."

Izzie's eyes popped out, "A man in woman body… Travestite!" She exclaimed.

"I wouldn't use this word, but there is something about her…"

"Mar… I mean Dr. Sloan is in to her." Izzie informed him.

"Dr. Sloan?!" Joe laughed, "Are you kidding me?"

"I'm not kidding. He really likes her." She repeated.

"Interesting…" Joe commented thoughtfully.

"According to you does Dr. Hahn like him?" Izzie asked.

"If it is anything to go by what I see, I'd rather say that Dr. Hahn takes an interest in Dr. Torres." He replied.

Izzie burst out laughing, "Dr. Torres?! Only you can cheer me up so, Joe!" She told him.

Joe laughed too. Izzie turned to look at Mark then sighed, "Dr. Sloan definitely likes her. See, how he amuses her."

"Evidently, he is telling them something very funny. Dr. Sloan knows how to keep woman's attention." He observed.

"Yep. It is. He knows." Izzie murmured, "Can I have one more, Joe?"

He smiled," Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

The tequila in her glass burned down her throat, but Izzie didn't wince. Stealing a glance at Mark, she could swear his eyes glistening. Her heart bled every time when the two women were laughing. Mark was trapped up by them. He didn't even look in Izzie's direction. Izzie grew dizzy; everything whirled and grew black before her eyes, as she laid money on the bar. Izzie put on her jacket and headed for the exit. She took a taxi ride to her home. As soon as she entered her room, Izzie threw upon the bed, crying. She missed Mark so much. Izzie needed to embrace him… and to be with him. What the hell was happening to her? So many tortured thoughts poured through her mind, still seeing Mark's green eyes looking amorously at Dr. Hanh. Did Mark really fall in Erica Hanh so much?What on earth he saw in that woman?Mark didn't even think of her tonight. He looked so happy and glad in the company of Callie and Erica.

The door of her room opened and George came inside. He lied down beside Izzie, hugging her tightly. She needed exactly this… a real friend hug.

4x11

Mark: That woman loves me.
Derek: Erica Hahn?
Mark: I'm tellin' 'ya, we went out last had a couple drinks...
Derek: You and Erica?
Mark: Me and Erica... and Callie.
Derek (chuckles): Alright, so it wasn't a date.
Mark: You wanna tell me where we're goin'?
Derek: Why does it always have to be about the destination? Why can't it be about the journey?
Mark: Because I'm wearing 300 dollar shoes.
Derek: Meredith told me that she doesn't want to see other people.
Mark: She find out about you and Rose?
Derek: No, it was just a kiss.
Mark: Yeah, but you're not the kind of guy who makes out with nurses in scrub rooms, not that there's anything wrong with that.

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Derek: What are you doing?
Meredith: I'm making an omelete.
Derek: What do you think of the house?
Meredith: The house? I think the house is great.
Derek: You know, if you don't like it you can tell me. It's your house, too.
Meredith (she drops the egg she was about to crack on the floor): Damn. Um...
Derek: So, why are you cooking again?
Meredith: Lexie was having a bad night and I thought I would something semi-sisterly.
Derek: Really?
Meredith: Really

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Alex(knocks on her door): You getting up?
Izzie: Yeah. Maybe. I don't know. What's that smell?
Alex: Someone's cooking.
Izzie: That's not cooking. That's not cooking.
Alex: You're gonna be late you know that, right?
Izzie: I hate work.
Alex: Since when?
Izzie: Since I hate it. I hate Cristina. I hate Hahn. I hate it

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Erica: Dr. Torres.
Callie: Dr. Hahn. Anyone who can out drink me and still kick my ass at the dart board gets to call me 'Callie'.
Erica: Last night was actually fun, wasn't it?
Callie (laughs): Mmhmm.
Erica: And I'm not a group person.
Callie: Me neither.
Erica: I think it's because I generally don't like people.
Callie (smiles): Me neither.
Erica (the elevator doors open and Mark is standing there): Case and point. (they laugh as they exit the elevator and walk by him)
Mark: What's so funny?

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Erica (seeing Mark pushing Elizabeth in a wheelchair): Dr. Sloan, why are you endangering the life of my patient?
Mark: Because your patient had her hands all over one of my patients.
Elizabeth: She had a staff infection and I was trying to heal her.
Erica: Don't worry your pretty little head about it, Sloan. Karev?
Mark: You notice that even when you're insulting me, you manage to tell me how pretty I am?
Erica: It wasn't meant as a compliment.
Mark: Is this like a gender reversal thing with you, where you're the big man on campus, and I'm the hot blonde whose ponytail you can't stop pulling?
Erica: Why don't you get that I just don't like you? That I think that you are a crass, predatory, ape of a man, who just happens to be a decent surgeon?
Mark (to Elizabeth): You wanna heal someone? Heal her.

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Erica: Okay, here's the thing. You're too pretty.
Mark: Oh, come on.
Erica: No. So pretty, in fact, that if we didn't work together, we would probably be... But the point is that we do work together. And in order for me to do my job, I need to leave who I am outside the doors of this hospital.

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Cristina: Back off. Elizabeth Archer is my patient.
Izzie: Technically, she's Hahn's patient, but whatever.
Cristina: Ooh, I'm scrubbing in on a major coronary artery dissection with Hahn, and what you're not even gonna fight me for it?
Izzie: I'm not doing the cardio thing anymore. I am over it.
Cristina: You're over it? (Izzie starts to walk off with a few charts) Whoa, whoa. Why? What do you have?
Izzie: Nothing. I'm charting.
Erica (walks up): Stevens. Elizabeth Archer's chart?
Izzie: Yang has it. You two have fun. (walks off)
Cristina: She's not a cardiothoracic surgeon, but I could've told you that. I am the rock star.
Erica (seeing Alex looking for charts and finding none): Karev, are you a rock star?
Alex: Always.
Erica: You're with me today. (hands him the chart) Congratulations, your life just got more interesting.

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Meredith: Can you imagine how horrible this must be for her?
Cristina: This is why people shouldn't have kids.
Izzie: What's the matter with you? It's Bailey's baby.
Cristina: See, no, it's a trauma case. If we are gong to be at all effective in saving that kid's life, it can't be Bailey's baby. He's a blunt trauma case.
Izzie: You and Hahn are exactly alike. The two of you deserve each other.
Cristina: Thank you.
Meredith: I thought that you loved cardio.
Cristina: No, no, no. She's pretending not to. Can't take the pressure, Iz?
Izzie: You're right, Cristina. In the contest to see who can be the best robot, you win.

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Alex: How's Tuck?
Izzie: He's still not breathing on his own. You know, I wish I could help, but I can't think of anything I can do. Cristina always knows what to do.
Alex: What's your deal with her? With Yang?
Izzie: Nothing. There's no deal. I'm crippled with envy.
Alex: Of Yang? 'Cause she's better at cardio than you?
Izzie: She's not better than me. She's just-- she knows what she wants. She has this faith in her skill and herself and her future in cardio. It's an unwavering faith. She knows who she is and I want that. I was chasing cardio because I want what she has.
Alex: She's a robot.
Izzie: Not the robot part. The faith part. I want that.

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Alex: Seriously, you're talking about chakras?
Elizabeth: We're talking about how you've got a darkness at your throat chakra where your voice should be. Because whatever happened to you was so ugly and went on for so long that you don't talk about it. You were so badly that sometimes you want to hurt other people, just to spread it around. You were a good boy, Dr. Karev. A good, sweet, boy. But you're not a very good man. What happened to you?
Alex: Your artery is shredding. You need surgery. I'm not a very good man, but I do tell the truth. And the truth is that if you don't get this surgery fast, you're going to die.

Alex: She's like a bright yellow, right?
Elizabeth: What?
Izzie: What?
Alex: What I'm saying is that she's an optimist. She's the opposite of me. She's exactly the kind of person you want helping you, right?
Dawn: She brightens you, that's for sure.
Alex: Shut up.
Izzie: What are we talking about?
Alex: Just talk her through the surgery before she croaks, alright? Can you do that?
Izzie: Um, do you want me to talk you through it?
Elizabeth: In as much detail as possible, yes.
Izzie: Okay.
Alex (whispers to Izzie): Yang's got nothin' on you.

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Mark groaned and buried his face in the pillow. His slumber was disturbed by the ringing sound of his cell phone. He pretended that he didn't hear anything, covered his head with another pillow and attempted to sleep again. He had not had enough sleep the last days. The cell phone rang again. Mark cursed underneath his pillow. Then he threw the pillow aside rolled to the edge of his bed, and grabbed his cell phone from the nightstand.

"Hello." He mumbled.

"Hey, idler. Are you still sleeping?" A cheerful voice asked.

"What? What's the time?" Mark groaned.

"It's time to get up. I'm waiting for you in the lobby." Derek said.

"In the lobby?" Mark repeated still sleepy.

"Yep. Put your clothes quickly and come down." Derek ordered.

"Someone better be dead, dying, or killing," Mark growled into the phone. His eyes could barely focus as he tried to see the alarm clock on the nightstand. "Why are you calling me so early?"

"No one is dead. I'll take you to some place." Derek announced.

"It does not sound like a striptease club." Mark observed.

"Of course not." Derek confirmed.

"Ok, then. I'm not coming." Mark said.

"I'll meet you at the lobby. I give you ten minutes." Derek told him.

"Ten minutes?" Mark frowned.

However, Derek ended the call.

It took Mark twenty minutes to get up, take a quick shower and dress up. Annoyed and in a gloomy mood, Mark came out of the elevator.

"I don't know what does it all mean, but I'm sure I will not like it." Mark warned his best friend.

"You are wrong! Let's go in my car." Derek suggested.

"Where?" Mark asked.

" My place." Derek replied with a cheerful smile.

"Your place? You mean the stupid trailer?"

"No, I mean the place where I'm going to build up my new home." Derek clarified.

Mark frowned," Seriously? You woke me up so early to show me some meadow?" He annoyed.

"How do you know it's a meadow?" Derek wondered.

"Suggestion." Mark shrugged.

"You'll see. You are the first to whom I'll show it. C'mon!" Derek said impatiently.

"I want coffee." Mark said wearily.

"You'll drink coffee later." Derek promised.

"Why are you so in a hurry? I'm pretty sure the meadow won't escape." Mark grinned and headed for the cafeteria, but Derek grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him back.

"I need a coffee." Mark protested.

"I shall show you something which will hold your breath." Derek assured him.

"Only a naked woman could hold my breath." Mark informed him.

Derek laughed, shaking his head, "You are hopeless."

Meanwhile

Izzie was lying in her bed with the blanket drawn up to her chin. She didn't get a wink of sleep last night. She had hoped Mark might call her. Every five minutes she glanced at her cell phone expecting it to ring. The thought of Mark spending the night with Erica Hahn was enough to kill her. Izzie knew Mark was impressed by her professional skills. Izzie has chosen the cardio in the hope of Mark admiring her too. If she were honest with herself, she would have to admit that she had feelings for him. Feelings?! God!

Izzie covered her head with the blanket. She prayed for Mark and Erica hadn't spent the night together.She hated the cardio! She hated Hanh…. She also hated the smell of the cooking in the house.

Meanwhile

Seeing the place and the view of Derek's future home, Mark's heart started beating wildly. Just a few days ago, he watched the same view of Seattle but at night together with Izzie. Izzie….

He had taken her here without realizing that his best friend wanted to build a new home on this place.

Izzie…. It seemed to him that as if he hadn't seen her for ages. He missed her… her smile, her eyes… her tender hands….

"You are right. This place is amazing." Mark mumbled.

"Seriously? You are saying this although you soiled your shoes for 300$?" Derek smirked.

"Yep… I hope you'll be happy here. But when you are with the right person, it doesn't matter where you live." Mark said in a low voice.

"Excuse me?!" Derek was unable to hide his astonishment.

"What? You caught me in a moment of weakness." Mark justified himself.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

After Alex came out of Izzie's room, he ran into Meredith.

"Where is Izzie? She gonna be late." Meredith worried.

"She doesn't want to get up." Alex said.

"George again?" Meredith raised an eyebrow.

"It's Hanh." Alex replied.

"Hanh?" Meredith looked surprised.

"She said that she hated Hanh, Cristina and the cardio." Alex told her.

"What's wrong with her? Why does she behave so strangely? And… since when she is interested in cardio?"

"Nothing would surprise me anymore." Alex confessed.

"Maybe we should talk to her." Meredith concerned.

Alex shrugged his shoulders, "Women. Who could understand you? You never know what you do want." Saying this he headed for the stairs. Meredith followed him by sight.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

SGH

Izzie walked over to her locker and started changing into her scrubs. Sensing someone was there, she turned her head to see Mark leaning his shoulder against the doorframe. He was staring at her with his famous McSteamy face. Izzie did her best to put on a neutral face as she looked at him.

"What are you looking for Dr. Sloan? This is residents' locker room." She said abruptly.

"So, I'm in the right place at the right time." Mark said with an impish smile.

"Seriously? Dr. Hanh doesn't change here." Izzie remarked with sarcasm.

"Dr. Stevens does." He said.

"So, you are not in the right place at the right time. Dr. Hahn's locker room is located on the 3th floor." She explained to him in detail.

"Why have you decided that I care about where Dr. Hanh changes into her scrubs?" Mark wondered.

"Oh, sorry! Please forgive me, I underrated you!" Izzie laughed nervously, "You have already seen her naked." She said still keeping in her hand her top scrub.

He raised his brows, "What are you trying to say?"

Izzie angrily tossed her top scrub on the floor, turning to face Mark only in bra and bottom scrub.

"Do you really think I'm so stupid? I saw you last night with Erica Hanh and Callie Torres. It was obvious that you had a great fun together. You managed to take her in your bed, huh?"

"Is that any impulse of jealousy?" Mark smiled.

"Don't flatter yourself!" Izzie snapped him.

"Of course I do. Just the thought that my wife is jealous of me makes me happy." He admitted.

"So, you still remember that you have a wife?"

"Only, if you still remember that you have a husband." Mark smirked.

"You are asshole." She snarled.

"And you are sexy." He said, stepping closer to her.

Izzie swallowed, "Someone can get inside." She uttered.

"So what?" He asked.

"Aren't you worried that your dear Dr. Hanh can see us?" Izzie provoked him.

"What does she want in the resident's locker room?" Mark approached her removing some hair from her face.

"Oh, yeah! Nevertheless, she is one of the best cardio surgeons. What does she want in the locker room of the ordinary?" Izzie rolled her eyes.

"Do I catch a note of sarcasm? I was under the impression that you like her and you like the cardio." He amused.

"Not anymore. I hate her. I hate the cardio." She stated.

"Because you love plastics, and I'm your favorite attending." Mark smirked.

"You are not." Izzie told him without any hesitation.

"Am I not really?"

"No."

"You aren't that convinced." Mark whispered his lips just millimeters from hers. Izzie swallowed. By an effort of will, she squeezed out of him, taking her top scrub from the floor.

"Well then I'll try to convince you." She said.

Mark smirked and leaned his back against her locker, "You are falling for me. I know that Mrs. Sloan."

"Mrs. Sloan?! I'm not Mrs. Sloan!" Izzie angered.

"Aw, you are. You definitely are Mrs. Sloan. You know what? You love me!" He told her.

"What?!" She burst out, "Don't make me laugh!"

"See, I make you happy." He giggled.

"It's not true. I even don't like you." Izzie declared.

"Seriously? Your lips say no but your eyes say yes." He said.

"Please? There is nothing between us! Just sex!" She said abruptly.

"It's fantastic…mind- blowing sex! Some women could kill for that." Mark added.

"Somehow I can live without this." Izzie informed him.

"Aw? Can you? So I can make some other woman happy?" He provoked her.

"Feel free to do it." She told him.

"I will." Mark nodded.

Izzie glared at him.

"What? You don't like share, do you?" He giggled.

"You can do whatever you want." She denied.

"Why don't you admit that you are just so scared that you have feelings for me?" He asked calmly.

"I don't feel anything." She annoyed.

"You are jealous of me." Mark insisted.

"I'm not jealous!" Izzie exclaimed.

"Glad to hear it. I'll go out with Erica tonight." He announced.

"I don't care!" She shouted and left the room. Slamming the door behind her, she hurtled down the corridor. Her face burned. Her eyes stung.

"Damned! I hate Hanh! I hate the cardio…"

Mark turned to Izzie's locker, which was still opened. He took her blouse putting it close to his mouth.

"Yes, baby! You are so jealous of me. I knew it!"

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Alex left the patient's room remaining Izzie with Elisabeth Archer. She explained her all details about the surgery. While Izzie was talking, Elisabeth didn't remove her eyes from her as if she was examining her. When Izzie finished Elisabeth ordered, "Give me your hand."

"Excuse me?" Izzie confused.

"Give me your hand." Mrs. Archer said again.

Izzie hesitatingly stretched her hand to the woman who took it closing her eyes.

"I see tears… many tears…. I see the beauty and compassion in your face… I have touched something deep inside… a very tender spot… your heart is full of love and emotions. You are at the crossroads…" Suddenly Elisabeth opened her eyes fixing them on Izzie without any blink, "You are a special person… There is something in you… You don't have to worry… You are really confused now, and your feelings are bothering you. It takes time to realize your sensations. But one day, REMEMBER ONE DAY, you will receive a sign which will show you the way… the way to the man who is fated for you… The man who is the one and only." The woman's voice was deep and sounding.

Izzie was looking at the woman, enchanted. "A sign?" She mumbled.

"Yes, a very strong sign." Elisabeth confirmed.

"How could I distinguish it?" Izzie asked.

"You will. Believe me, you will…" Mrs. Archer assured her.

4X12

Cristina (about Rose): She's wretched and mean.
Meredith: No, she's not.
Izzie: You know, I heard one of the nurses sayng they've only been on five dates.
Cristina: Yeah 'cause Derek knows she's wretched and mean.
George (walks up, to Izzie): What did you do to your hair?
Meredith: You guys, I know you're trying to make me feel better but I have to tell you, this pausing to talk about Rose and Derek just means...
Cristina: Yeah?
Meredith (starts running): I'm gonna win! (laughs)
Izzie: You bitch. (Cristina and Izzie chase after Mereidth. To George) Keeping it clean was getting in the way of the contest so I chopped it off last night. It makes me faster and sleeker like a cheetah.
George: You chopped off all your hot hair for a stupid contest?
Izzie: It's not stupid. Rock star contest. Best contest ever. You should try living in the hospital for two straight weeks, George, it's amazing.
Cristina: This contest is for residents only.
George: Yes, I know that.
Izzie: It doesn't mean that he still can't live here. I feel juiced and alive and my brain is clicking. I have never been more on my game.
Meredith: I'm kinda sad the contest ends tonight.
Cristina: I'm not. I want that prize.
George: What prize?
Izzie: Bailey won't tell us. But I want it, I want it. I want it bad.
Meredith: Too bad you're never gonna get it.
Izzie: So on my game!

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Chief: There's a contest going on.
Bailey: Sir?
Chief: Your residents. They've been living in the hospital around-the-clock for the last 14 days. Engaged in a surgical contest, with a points system.
Bailey: I don't know what you're talking about. (they see Izzie, Cristina and Meredith run by) They're committed. It's commitment.
Chief: It's a lion fight.
Bailey: Okay, I have one baby to get to daycare. I have 50 residents on my watch. Four surgeries on my schedule. The lions can fight all they want. I'm not a zookeeper.

Chief: Keep your animals under control.

Bailey: Yes, sir

Bailey: What Stevens is the only one working today?
Cristina: No, we're all workin' we got paged.
Bailey: For the ankle, it's gone. Now you're trollin' for traumas?
Meredith: Somebody could come in any minute with a critical injury. We're being proactive.
Alex: We're helping people.

Bailey: You're trolling. You're trolling and I got no one on post-op and pre-op. Move!

Bailey: Why did we do a spinal tap on an ankle fracture?
Izzie: He's getting the full work up.
Bailey: How many points?
Izzie: What?
Bailey: Look me in the eyes and tell me you are not putting this man through painful and unnecessary procedures because you're trying to win a contest.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Meredith: You could take care of the wife's scalp. She needs lots of complex sutures. You could get lots of complex practice.
George: Isn't that like a point a suture? You don't want that?
Meredith: This is bigger than a broken hand. He provoked a bear and then drove himself to the hospital.
George: He was in shock.
Meredith: He married his rebound girl.
George: What?
Meredith: He married his rebound girl. After only knowing her for ten days. Nobody does that. Who does that? I'm thinkin' brain tumor.
George: I got married in the spur of the moment and I don't have a brain tumor.
Meredith: That you know of.
George: I'll do the scalp.
Meredith: You will?
George: Am I gonna watch you try to turn a broken hand into a neuro problem just to uh... get some extra points? Nope.
Meredith: It's not about the points.
George: Am I gonna watch you try to turn a broken hand into a neuro problem just so that you can talk to Shepherd? (laughs) Nope

Izzie: I need a butterfly needle, a vacutainer and maybe an LP kit. I'm 26 points behind so I need it fast.
Lexie: Why? What do you got, somethin' good?
Izzie: A sprained ankle.
George (scoffs): You get 26 points for a sprained ankle?
Izzie: Last time, Callie treated what we thought was a sprained ankle, it turned out that the patient was malnourishe, had a perforated ulcer and died on the table.
George: That's the best case scenario.
Izzie: Not the death part, George. The medical mystery part. It's 80 points for solving a medical mystery. The holy grail of the competition.

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Izzie: What am I missing? What am I missing?
George: Oh.
Izzie: What?
George (points at the book): Right there.
Izzie: Where?
George: See?
Izzie: No.
George: Well, the fact that you're doing unnecessary medical procedures to win a contest. No! Oh my God, the fact that you and Meredith are both doing unnecessary medical procedures to win a contest.
Izzie: Meredith has a medical mystery?
George: No, she doesn't.
Izzie: Something is wrong. You wanna know how I know that?
George: No.
Izzie: Great doctors have that extra instinct, George. They just know.
George: Great doctors, they know when to stop.
Izzie: I have to have that instinct, George. Because my instincts lately? Very bad. Really bad. They told me to go for cardio. They told me to have sex with a married man.
George: Ow.
Izzie: They are not serving me well. I am in danger of going extinct if this keeps up. I am going to win this contest. If for no other reason than I have to win it.

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Mark: I'm thinking we ought to have a little contest of our own.
Derek: You wanna live in the hospital like a roach?
Mark: Different kind of contest. You and Rose, you're not exclusive right? So I'm thinking.
Derek: You are not serious.
Mark: One woman 10 points, two women same time 20 points. You get out in the morning before anybody wakes up; 5 point bonus.

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Cristina: You came in with Dr. Hahn?
Callie: Erica? Yeah. We went out last night and then it got kind of late with the dancing and the... Anyway, we never made it home, so we hitched a ride here.
Cristina: You're hangin' out with Dr. Hahn?
Callie: Erica. Yes.
Cristina: So, you and Hahn are friends?
Callie: Erica. Yeah.
Cristina (to Izzie): See, this is the downside to the contest. I'm stuck here all the time and Callie's living in my apartment and hanging out with Hahn.
Izzie: I bet that they're trying to pick up guys. I'm past that. I'm so glad that I don't need guys. I don't need sex. Cause this competition is my orgasm.
Cristina: You know, maybe I could be hanging out with Hahn.
Izzie: Cristina, would you focus? It is so much more fun kicking your ass when you focus

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Mark (about Rose): What do you see in her? Is it the hot sex? Is she an animal? Is she a bobcat?
Derek: Mark.
Mark: Come on. Lady on the streets, tramp in the sheets, am I right?
Derek: Oh, yeah. She's amazing. Hot. Sweaty. Very, very, hot, dirty, sweaty sex.
Mark: You haven't slept with her yet, have you?
Derek: She's waiting until we're serious. She has morals, she's a lady. Besides, you know what's better than sex?
Mark: What?
Derek: Anticipation.

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Alex: What are you doing here? You spent three hours watching surgery. That's three points.
Cristina: Well, I'm trusting that you guys screwed up enough that it won't matter.
Izzie: I could still win. I could. I did get a lot of points today.
Alex (to Meredith): What's the matter with you? Where's the trash talk, Charles Barkley?
Cristina: She knows that I'm the best. (Bailey walks up)
Izzie: Who won?
Bailey: Congratulations...
Izzie: Who won?
Bailey: Dr. Grey. The guy from the bear attack had a brain tumor, Grey caught it. 80 points for solving a medical mystery put her over the top.
Cristina: I could've found a tumor.
Bailey: But 'ya didn't. You chose to scrub in with Hahn and watch for three points. Now congratulate Dr. Grey. (they all mutter it, Meredith turns to leave) Hey, don't you want your prize?
Izzie: Ooh. A shiny pager.
Bailey: A sparkle pager.
Cristina: What's so great about a glitter pager?
Bailey: A sparkle pager. It is special. It is surgery's holy grail. Passed down from resident to resident, now it belongs to Dr. Grey. For the next three months whenever you all get a surgery, you have to page this pager, and if Grey wants your surgery, she has the right to take it from you. (hands her the pager) Enjoy the power, Dr. Grey. Now may I recommend you all go home? You smell, you're greasy, you need to bathe and I'm sick of lookin' at you

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Mark: (about Rose) I don't like her. I'm sorry, but as your friend it's my job to say I don't like Rose.
Derek: Why?
Mark: You're not even sleeping with her.
Derek: You don't like her 'cause she's not sleeping with me? That's a little weird.
Mark: It's not weird.
Derek: It's a little weird.
Mark: Hey, if you were sleeping with Rose I could understand why you're spending time with her, but you're not. And it's, it's just I thought that uh, you know. I thought it was just gonna be you and me!
Derek: Having sex?
Mark: After! After Addison, after Meredith. I have been patient. I have waited when you partnered up with these chicks, but now they're over. And it's supposed to be just us! You and me; two guys on the prowl, on the hunt.
Derek: You're having trouble getting laid. And you need my help.
Mark: I can get laid. I can get laid whenever I want. I do get laid whenever I want. That's the point. Women are everywhere. (pause) I only have one person I can talk to.
Derek: That's sweet.
Mark: Shut up!
Derek: No, it's really warm and fuzzy.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Izzie: I'm just catching up on some paper work.
Chief: I guess it piled up on you during the contest.
Izzie: You know about that?
Chief: I know about Otis Sharon and the 120,000 dollars worth of unnecessary tests you ordered.
Izzie: Yeah. Well... I lost. And I put that man through hell for absolutly no reason at all. I was a bad doctor today with bad instincts and I deserved to lose. I don't even know why I bothered competing in this stupid contest.
Chief: So, I don't need to yell?
Izzie: You should. You can. But you don't need to.
Chief: Okay. (turns to leave, but doesn't) Stevens?
Izzie: Yes, sir?
Chief: My year? I lost by two points.
Izzie: You...
Chief: You didn't invent the contest. Chin up. Put your shoulders back, walk proud, strut a little. Don't lick your wounds: celebrate them. The scars you bear are the signs of a competitor. You're in a lion fight, Stevens. Just because you didn't win doesn't mean you don't know how to roar

Izzie was running along the corridor toward the lab.

"Hey, Max! Could you have this blood test for me please? It's urgent." She choked out of breath, as she leaned her body against the desk.

"Sure, Dr. Stevens!" Max took the piece of paper from her hand.

"What the hell happened to your hair?" She heard exclaim next to her ear in that deep husky voice.

Izzie looked at him perplexed, "I cut my hair." She replied calmly.

"Why did you cut your hair? How could you do this to me?" his deep voice sounded almost accusing.

She blinked a few times as she stared at him, "Excuse me?"

"I did like your hair. You had to ask me before doing this dullness!" Mark grumbled.

Izzie's mouth opened, "You want me to ask you what to do with my hair?!" She was indignant.

"I'm your husband. You knew very well that I loved your curls. You did this on purpose, didn't you? Just to tease me." He looked disappointed.

Izzie couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You were the last person for whom I was thinking about when I cut my hair." She clarified.

"And for whom you were thinking about?" Mark frowned and crossed his hands over his chest.

"What's wrong with you?" Izzie wondered.

"I want to know for whom you cut your hair?" He insisted angrily.

"For me." She stated.

"Most women change their hair whenever they are dealing with emotional challenges, as a new partner." Mark explained.

Izzie laughed nervously, "What?"

"Are you screwing around on me?" He demanded.

"Seriously?!"

"I'm completely serious."

"My hair has nothing to do with men. It's been fourteen days… fourteen days since I last saw my bed. I've been living in the hospital for two weeks. If you weren't so busy running after Erica Hahn you would know." She told him.

Mark looked relieved but he was still staring at her suspiciously. "Anyway, there is some reason to cut your hair." He persisted.

Izzie rolled her eyes annoyingly, "There is no special reason, and it's just easier." Izzie admitted. "What's up with the blood analysis?" She whimpered nervously, as she looked around.

"I'm before you." Mark reminded to her.

"This is urgent." Izzie snapped him.

"All is urgent here baby. You will wait!" He cut her off.

"I can't wait. I'm in a hurry. The blood analysis of my patient must come as soon as possible."

Mark frowned. He grabbed the patient's chart from Izzie's hands. "What? You appoint these expensive tests for a broken leg. Are you out of your mind? As you cut your hair maybe you cut your brain too?!" He nagged at her.

"It's none of your business. I have a good reason to appoint these analyses." She justified herself.

"Must be very good reason or the Chief is going to kill you." Mark warned her.

"Why don't you take care of your patients and leave me to do my job." Izzie angered.

"You're appointing expensive analysis, what if the Chief knows?" He concerned.

"I know what I'm doing." She assured him.

"Dr. Stevens, I have the results of the blood test." Max said kindly.

"Aw, thanks Max!" Izzie gave him a lecherous smile.

"What? I was first!" Mark was indignant.

"I like your new hair style, Dr. Stevens." Max observed, ignoring Mark's objection, "You look absolutely stunning."

"Thank you, Max! I'm glad you like it." Izzie smiled.

Mark looked gloomily at them.

"That new hair style fits you really well." Max assured her.

Izzie smirked, „Thank you for everything, Max!"

"I'm always at your service, Dr. Stevens." Max said.

Mark made a disgusting face and Izzie took a triumphant glance at him strut tingly.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Mark was sitting at the nurse's station gazing at his laptop.

"What are you doing?" Derek asked, sitting in the chair next to his best friend, so that he could get a better look at the screen.

"Why do women change their hair style all of a sudden? Does this mean something?" Mark demanded without taking his eyes away from the screen.

"It means they want a different look because they're bored of their old look." Derek suggested.

"Here are written at least ten reasons." Mark complained.

"Are you doing a social research?" Derek inquired.

"Something like that. If you have a really nice hair, would you cut it off?" Mark asked.

"I have a nice hair." Derek proudly said.

Mark removed his eyes away from the screen and stared at his best friend.

"What?" Derek shrugged, "Women like my hair."

"Who did say anything nice about your hair?" Mark was curious.

"Bailey." Derek replied.

"Seriously?!" Mark burst out laughing.

"Absolutely! She has always said that I have a great hair." Derek boasted.

"Fine. Would you then cut your great hair?" Mark asked.

"When I came in Seattle, I let my hair grow. I just wanted to change my appearance in some way." Derek confessed.

"And for that reason you changed your hair style?"

"Yep. The first thing that Addison noticed when she showed up was my long hair." Derek told him.

Mark nodded thoughtfully.

"My hair is my charm!" Derek added.

A loud uproar behind them made both turn their heads. Meredith and Izzie were arguing about something, and George O'Malley was standing between them trying to calm both of the girls.

"God!" George whimpered desperately his head in his hands, "This competition is going to finish me off. All are gone crazy with this stupid contest. Even Izzie cut her hair!"

"I wonder if she cut it because of this. " Mark quietly spoke to himself, but they heard him. Derek glanced at his best friend, but said nothing.

"Well, that's what she said," George shrugged, "She is living in the hospital now."

Mark nodded, but the quarrel between Izzie and Meredith made the three men turn their heads back to the girls again.

"I'm absolutely sure this is a tumor." Meredith stated.

"What?" Izzie burst out laughing.

"Of course this is a brain tumor." Meredith stated. " He married his rebound girl. After only knowing her for ten days? Nobody does that. Would you marry a complete stranger? No! Who does that?"

Mark and Izzie exchanged puzzled glances.

Izzie looked at Meredith again, "Why not? There is no guarantee that a marriage would be happy if you know someone for years. Sometimes the happy marriage is between two people who hardly know each other."

"Aw, really? How many times have you been married?" Meredith snapped her.

"What? I haven't been married." Izzie embarrassed..

"I hardly think you are an expert on it." Meredith giggled.

Mark scowled at Izzie, smirking and she took a steal glance at him.

"I'm not an expert. Marriage has no guarantees. And you are making up diagnosis to gain scores." Izzie accused her.

"And you have ordered unnecessary tests to win." Meredith gave it her back.

"They are necessary." Izzie annoyed.

"Girls… girls, it's a nice that you compete with each other, but this is not life-and-death struggle." Derek involved himself in the quarrel, saying philosophically.

Meredith and Izzie glared at him and then rushed to run through the corridor.

"Oh, shit! Not again!" George exclaimed and ran after them.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Mark was standing near the door and was watching Izzie and Cristina, as he heard Izzie saying that this competition was her orgasm. Late this day, he caught her in a corner of the corridor.

"You don't need sex, do you really?" Mark said, leaning her back against the wall.

Izzie gulped. Did the corridor just get hotter? She was sure it had; she could feel her cheeks flush. Izzie felt a shiver travel down the length of her spine, her skin prickling with goosebumps as Mark held her tight to his body. She swallowed again at the sight of his green eyes, which were staring at her persistently.

"Absolutely. I don't need sex! As I said this competition is my orgasm." Izzie said without any hesitation.

"I'm your orgasm, baby!" He told her.

"I found substitution!" She informed him.

"And this substitution is as good as I'm?! I doubt. Nothing could substitute a hot and sweaty sex. Especially as this competition!"

"I'm past that! I found a better way for receiving pleasure." She assured him.

"Could we go somewhere a little more private to change your mind?" Mark smirked.

"Spare me the McSteamy charm, I'm so not interested!" She rolled her eyes.

"Do you really think that you could resist for a long?" He was curious.

"I don't think about sex at all… or about sex with you!" Izzie declared.

"Good for you, however I think about sex all the time…." Saying this, Mark put his hand on her cheek and tenderly caressed her with his thumb, "I spend every free moment thinking about it… I think about your full breasts, hot mouth, sexy bottom and sultry legs…."

At that moment, Izzie's pager went off. She jumped.

"I have to go!"

"I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!" Mark shouted.

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A few minutes after Chief Webber had left someone entered the room, taking a seat on her desk. Izzie raised both eyebrows questioningly. Mark gave her some paper.

"What's that?" Izzie frowned.

"Ten reasons why women want to change their hair style. This is research on five women's magazines." Mark explained.

"You read women's magazines?" Izzie looked at him and an impish smile crept across her lips.

"Only for researching." He clarified.

"So what? What did you find?" She inquired.

"I found that you should have a very justifying reason to cut your hair. And at the back of all this lies a man. I just wonder if it seems probable that could be me. However, I guess you won't tell me, and I won't force you to do this. Maybe one day you will tell me." He told her.

"Do you really think my hair looks so bad?"

Mark was silent for a couple of seconds before saying, "I like you, Izzie Stevens! Your hair style doesn't matter. I really like you!" His voice was low and deep.

Izzie narrowed her eyes, "I won't sleep with you." She said firmly.

Mark smiled and stood up, "Do you know what is better than sex?"

"What?" Izzie asked, while Mark was walking to the door. He stopped with his hand on the door handle and turned back.

"Anticipation." He replied, quoting his best friend.

On Izzie's lips crept a smile, "And you, do you know what is better than anticipation?" She asked, as she stood from her chair.

"What?"

"Anticipation has always ending."

Mark smirked without removing his eyes from Izzie, "A dinner in some good restaurant?" He suggested.

"You know what? I spent two weeks in this hospital. I would remain very glad for some hot bath and a comfortable bed. Moreover, the room service in your hotel is pretty good."

"I hope you are done here." Mark said with hope.

Izzie closed all charts, taking them. "I'm."

"I'm ready too." He said.

"I'll meet you at the parking after 15 minutes." She suggested.

"Let's make it 10." Mark offered.

Izzie looked at him with amusement, "Didn't you say anything about anticipation?"

"You said that there is something better." He smirked.

She shook her head, smiling."You always have a good answer."

"Not for everything." He clarified.

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Impatiently, Mark tapped his fingers against the steeling wheel. Waiting was not something he excelled at, especially when he was eager to see her. He had already called Izzie's cell phone three times and each time it went to voicemail. He checked his watch again when she appeared.

"Do you know how long time I've been waiting here?" He complained, "You said ten minutes."

"You said ten minutes, "she corrected him, "I said 15."

"It passed 30." Mark notified.

"You definitely must learn more about the anticipation." Izzie chuckled.

"You definitely are doing everything possible to help me." He said frowning.

Moments later, they were on their way driving to the hotel.

"Speaking of changes, where is your beard?" Izzie demanded.

"I just needed to change my appearance in some way." He replied.

"Men change their looking for only one reason…" Peering into his green eyes, she continued, "some woman."

"Do you think so?" He raised his brows.

"I read women's magazines too." She told him.

"I found very interesting stuff in women's magazines. Do you know that 95 percent of the women dream about sex with their boss in their work place?" He smirked.

Izzie raised her eyebrows looking at him, "You should know that 95 percent of the things that are written in these women's magazines are invented stories for amusement and entertainment."

"Really?!" Mark exclaimed, "So, it's not true that every second woman simulates an orgasm."

"I don't know the answer to your question. I'm no expert. I can only speak for myself." She told him.

Mark glanced at her with the tail of his eyes, "Has this ever happened to you?"

"I thought you were an expert on women." She chuckled.

"I'm, but I read it in one of those magazines that a woman could mislead even the best expert." He confessed.

"You want to know if I have ever simulated an orgasm with you." She glanced at him.

"Well," Mark looked confused, "Would be good to know…" He mumbled.

Couple of seconds, Izzie watched him enjoying to his confusion and nervousness, and then she laughed caressing his cheek, "I haven't. Never with you. You are really great… I mean I feel great with you. You know how to predispose every woman. I feel something special when I'm with you, " Izzie confessed.

Mark looked at her with a tender look. Izzie's confession made him happy. He knew that except sex she was speaking for something more.

"I feel great with you too. I'm not speaking only about sex." Mark clarified.

Izzie smiled, "I lost the competition." She said suddenly.

"Are you sorry?" He asked her.

"I wanted to win. I wanted to flare up with something." Her voice trembled.

"I find you pretty outstanding…" He chuckled.

"I'm not speaking about that, Mark! I want to be good at my job." She told him.

"You are good at whatever job you are doing, I confirm that…"

"Mark," She glared at him.

"I'm serious, Izzie! You are good at your job. Do you know that when I came in Seattle you were that one who impressed me most," he confessed and then hurried to clarified, "outside of the obvious. You are a fighter, and in the same time, you have a big heart. You compose the good doctor and the human being. And exactly that feature misses to most of us. You are definitely different… good different."

"Do you really think I'm a good surgeon?"

"I don't think." He paused, "I know." He said firmly, looking at her, "You know how to speak and to give sense of life to the people. You find the right way to every patient. They thrust you."

"I thought I had to be firm, and not to pay too much attention to their feelings." She said quietly.

"Exactly that makes you different and better than the others. That you have lost a competition does not mean that you have lost the battle. You are a fighter and you are able to fight but not at any rate". He touched tenderly her hand.

She smiled. Mark's words meant so much for her.

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Mark unlocked his room and stepped aside allowing her to get in. He switched the lights on and closed the door. Izzie put aside her purse and faced him. Mark approached her slowly caressing her cheek with his thumb tenderly. Their eyes met and after their lips. Mark began kissing her softly as their passion gradually raised. Izzie's hands roped around his neck.

"I forgot how sweet your lips were." He ran his thumb over her lower lip.

Izzie closed her eyes. Mark definitely made her lose her mind. He buried his fingers into her hair playing with her curls.

"Have I mentioned today that your new hair is sexy?" He whispered into her ear.

"Do you really like it?" She asked, caressing his neck with her lips.

He nodded,"I do. You are so beautiful."

"And I miss your beard." She touched his face.

"Thus I will not scratch you".

"I love scratching me"

"Hmm……….Derek has a nice hair and my charm is the beard."

Izzie laughed, "I would say your charm is not only in the beard. Actually, you are a very fascinating person. "

"So you could be kind. How I have missed that fact?" He wondered.

"You just underestimate me." She told him.

"I do not underestimate you at all." Mark kissed her again and Izzie moaned into his mouth.

"I was living two weeks in the hospital and you know how unpleasant the baths are there. May I have a bath in your lovely bathroom?" She asked.

"You can do whatever you want. Do you want me to fill in the tube?" He offered.

"You are overindulging me."

"I love overindulging you." Mark ran his fingers across her back.

"I could abuse with you aren't you afraid?" She asked, kissing him.

"I have never been afraid of this some woman to abuse with me." He admitted.

"Is that mean that a number of women have abused with you?" She demanded.

"They have abused as long as I have allowed. And you, have a lot of men indulged you?" He wanted to know.

"No… Anyone has ever indulged me." She replied.

"So I will be the first…" Mark kissed her again." What can I do for you now?"

"I have an urgent need to take a bath." She sighed.

"Well, take off your clothes." Mark undressed her jacket and her blouse. "I will prepare the tube for you." Mark threw his jacket away on the sofa and got into the bathroom.

"Do you want some foam?" He shouted from the bathroom.

"Please. And hot water." She added.

Izzie wrapped a towel round her body leaning her shoulder against the door's frame. "Won't you take advantage?" She cooked.

Mark turned to face her and smiled. "I'm going to take some food."

"Food? I could satisfy your appetite in better way." She seductively said.

"I bet you could"…And I assure you I will permit you to do it. But now I will leave you to enjoy the bath alone."

An hour late Mark came back with two packages to find Izzie who was sleeping blissfully on the sofa wearing only a towel. …………………………………………………

Meredith's v/o: Daniel Monroe Tuttlle said:

Love is like a mountain,

hard to climb,

but once you get to the top

the view is beautiful.