-1Chapter 7-The Awaited Deliverance Comforts the Seeking

He wakes up before she does, a difference from the many nights he spent with her in Seattle. Addison was precise and methodical and by the time he woke up, her shower would be finished, hair straightened, and shoes picked out for the day. He's amazed that such a short time in California could disrupt their pattern so much. He admits he enjoys this so much more, the fact that he can watch as her chest rises and falls so easily. She looks peaceful, lips curled in a smile still from the night before. Her body is still molded to his and he almost stops breathing in an effort not to disturb her. He ruins this of course when he can't help but reach over and remove the strand of hair that has fallen in her face.

When he pulls his hand back, pools of blue peer up at him and while he smiles, hers disappears and a strong look of confusion washes over her as she blinks furiously,

"Hey," he simply says, but before he can add anything to the statement, she's up and pulling the blanket with her and clinging to it so tightly that Mark really doesn't know what's going on in that head of hers.

"Mark," She really doesn't remember much of the night before and the sight of him in her bed and her with no recollection of the night before is doing nothing to make her feel like she's changed at all since Seattle.

"We didn't," Mark immediately states when he can tell she's making sure appropriate clothing is still on her body. "You don't remember anything?"

She stares blankly before dropping back to the bed and looks at him thoroughly embarrassed. "I cried. Again. Sorry."

He reaches out and rubs a thumb across her face. "Don't be," and when he sees that she's still holding onto the blanket despite the fact that she's fully clothed, he quickly gets up and throws his clothes on. "I should go."

She's not comfortable and that's making him uncomfortable and he feels it best to let her simply deal with what happened on her own and should she need him, well, she does have his number.

"No," she quickly says, jumping up, her clutch on the blanket forgotten. "You don't have to and you're kind of my ride to work." She smiles at him and decides that this is as good a time as any and it's never going to get easier to talk if they don't begin now. "I'm sorry…"

"You don't have to be," he cuts in.

"Mark, you have to let me talk." When he smiles, she takes it as a sign to continue. "I'm sorry for so many things and I know you've heard it because I was a weeping, apologizing puddle last night, but I need you to know that I mean it."

"Did you mean it when you told me you loved me?" He simply asks and smirks at the way her head shoots up and her eyes grow wide. "When you were falling asleep, you told me you love me."

"Oh, I…" She really has no idea what to say to him at this point. She's loved Mark for a long time, a love that has evolved over the many years they've known each other but admitting to the type of love she is certain she feels for him at the moment would open her heart up for another round of heartache and she's not sure she's strong enough to survive it this time.

"It's okay, Addie. I don't need to hear it." He immediately changes the subject. "I'm going to use your shower."

Addison knows how long Mark takes to shower, definitely not an excessive amount of time and decides to return the favor from the night before and pulls out the waffle iron she has finally found use for and tosses the box out which has been it's home for over a year.

And while they're eating breakfast, Addison decides she might as well get things out in the open. "I meant it. I do love you, Mark. You've been my shoulder to cry on for years. You suck in your manly ego when I make you watch chick flicks, and cry at the end of Terms of Endearment although I know you hide it. You don't mind that I want to cuddle as close as possible so much so that we almost don't count as two separate entities. That's why I love you. You're simply you when you're around me and you let me be me. Not Doctor Addison Forbes Montgomery or Ms. Montgomery or even Addison. When I'm with you, I get to be Addi."

And really, Mark is convinced that he's imagining things because throughout their long and difficult relationship, he's never once heard her talk about him as if she's in love with him. He'd thought, hoped, but ultimately believed that maybe his love was greater than hers. But when he hears the words come out of her mouth, he can actually let himself believe it will work between them, that they can take one last chance and make it this time, so Mark drops his fork and makes his way to her, placing a chaste kiss on her lips before grabbing his jacket and holding the door for her. "You're going to be late."

It's during the car ride to the office that Addison questions Mark on his silence.

"Addi, I love you. You know that. Well, I thought you knew that," his last words dropping to a whisper. "I just didn't know what you wanted me to say after you told me that. I want to be with you. I think I've made that obvious. The ball is in your court, Addison. It always has been."

He says this as he finds a parking spot and steps out. "Tell me what you want me to do. I'll call Richard right now and tell him I'm never coming back if that's what you want."

Before Mark can continue to list off the things he's offering to change for her, he's forcefully pushed against his rental car and Addison's lips are melded to his own.

After a moment, he regains composure and pushes her away. "You don't want this," he says forcefully. You don't want the booty calls and flings. You want a relationship, a commitment. You definitely don't want to be standing in a parking lot and kissing without knowing if it will lead somewhere."

Addison doesn't really know what to say. She doesn't exactly stand by and let someone tell her what she wants out of life and relationships even when they're exactly right.

"I just," he runs a hand through his hair. "I want this to go somewhere. I want us to try and have a real relationship. Am I the only one?"

"No," she says after a few moments of stunned silence. Mark was never the long speeches, falling in love, relationship guy. That was Derek. This is Mark, the anti-Derek, the man who is known amongst nurses and X-Ray Technicians throughout Seattle and New York, the bachelor, so why does she all of sudden picture a future that involves a house, a family with this known manwhore? "I want a relationship. I want to give you, us a try."

"Alright then," with a flash of the McSteamy grin, Mark grabs her bag and walks her to the office. With a swift kiss to her lips outside of the elevator, which doesn't go unnoticed by anyone at Oceanside Wellness, he hands over her bag and takes his leave.

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"I don't have a patient for another two hours and I'm just sitting here and I'd much rather be sitting somewhere with company."

"Well, don't I feel loved."

"Okay, fine, I don't want just anyone's company. I could be eating lunch with the rest of the staff. I want you."

"I'll be there in five minutes."

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They're making their way to the elevator when it opens and a staggering Pete walks out and mumbles something about talking to Violet when he notices Addison and stops in front of the laughing twosome.

"Pete, are you okay?" Addison shows concern for the man who's clothes are soaked from rain and can't seem to stand straight.

When he loses his balance and trips, she rushes forward and grabs his arm to keep him steady and what she receives as gratitude are lips that reek of alcohol now forcing their way to hers. She lets go of his arm and pulls away before they can touch her own and watches as Pete falls to the ground and begins to pick himself up. "What was that?" You enjoyed the last time I kissed you." And then Mark is walking past her to the elevator and Violet is running to Pete's side to pull him to her office.

"Mark," Addison stops him before the elevator has a chance to close and tries to explain. "It was when I first came here and I was sad and lonely and he kissed me."

"So you came back for him?"

"No. I came back because everything was wrong in Seattle. I don't want Pete." Addison tries to explain. "want you," she whispers.

"Are you sure?"

"I do not want to start anything with a quack of a doctor that can't even hold his alcohol. I mean, I'm not even that much of a lightweight."

When both of them laugh, the issue is resolved, which is a first for them, trust.

"Still want lunch?" Mark asks and escorts her out the door.

"With you, yes."