"Excuse me, but I am not your woman!"

"You're tellin me. Apparently your George O'Malley's woman, again!" By now Callie was at her cubby and continued to do her thing while Mark babbled on… "Callie Callie Callie, you know I love you, right?"

"Um, no."

"Well, I do. So listen when I say that this is not good. Not good at all…"

"And why's that?"

"He's going to hurt you again! It may not be right away, but he will hurt you somehow and you'll be even worse than before. And I'll have to pick up the pieces of your broken heart and his broken body."

"What! Look, Mark, last night I went to go see George about a divorce and-"

"And you decided what, it was too much work? You though, why not just pretend like the whole infidelity thing never happened? Come on Callie, men will say anything to get a spectacular woman, like yourself,back when they know they screwed themselves over."

"Well, we actually made plans to get the papers started, but then he popped his shoulder out again."

"HAHA nice one Callie!" She glared at him giving her evil eye; the one where only her right eyebrow goes up and she scrunches her lips, Mark knew that glare well and shut right up.

"He popped his shoulder out and I brought him here-"

"Wait, you brought him here?"

"Mark! Shut your trap or I swear to God next time Erica embarrasses you, I won't back you up. I'll be on her side!" He raised his hands surrendering. "Thank you. As I was saying, I brought him here, I fixed his shoulder, he said he missed me… one conversation let to a kiss which led to some other things."

"Some other things, as in sex?"

"No, no sex. We couldn't because of his shoulder… dur."

"Wait, wasn't he on very strong pain meds?"

"Yeah."

"So what makes you think any of what he said was true?"

"Because I asked him. And you know how many times patience bare their souls to us when they are drugged… what they say is very true. And kinda scary. The only reason they say those things in the first place is-"

"Because they are on the meds and would never have the guts to do it otherwise. Yeah, okay." She nodded in satisfaction, turned back around and began to put scrubs on. Mark all the while was watching her back muscles move as her body moved, just like George did the night before. Mark would never have the courage to tell Callie how he truly felt about her; if he did, she wouldn't believe him. If she did believe him, he knew she would not want to be his close friend anymore, it would be too awkward for her, and Callie avoids awkwardness whenever possible.

He didn't tell her he's in love with her before because she was still bent up over the whole George/Izzie situation. And now, it was too late again. That damn O'Malley trumped Mark Sloan once again. And obviously she still loved George, so what was the point.Mark would just have to continue on flirting with Erica Hahn so people would still be clueless that he was in love with another woman.

In a serious (as serious as Mark Sloan could be) voice he asked, "Do you love him? Like really, like when you first got married?"

Callie didn't even turn around to answer him, she just kept busy. She could tell Mark was disappointed in her, but she really wasn't asking for his approval. "Yes."

"And he loves you just the same?"

"Yeah, he really does."

"Then why are you flaunting yourself in front of me right now? It's the same way you got dressed after we had sex a few months ago… I don't know how you do it, but you have this little special way of getting dressed. Like a routine, and it drives me crazy!" Now Callie turned around. Is he seriously trying to win me over from George right now? What do I say to that? I'm just, changing! Not trying to get into his pants!

"Because this is where my cubby is Mark, in the lounge, where people tend to take their clothes off. What, are you jealous now Mark? Now, that you are not the only substantial man in my life anymore?"

"All I'm saying is you know me. You know me and you know I have a soft spot when it comes to woman taking their clothes off in front of me. Especially when they do it on purpose to get into my pants, like in a flirty way but not in an 'I want you' way…"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Crap, what am I talking about? I just can't stand here, watching her take her clothes off in front of me and not be able to touch her soft, olive skin. I can't do it! I either need to walk away, or kiss her. Right now. Okay Mark, make a decision.

"Uh, erm, I don't know. Nevermind. But I do know how much he hurt you before, and… as your friend, I don't want you putting yourself in a situation where you're setting up for a disaster. It's only a matter of time-"

"For what Mark? I believe in George. I always have. I don't care what other people might say about me, I mean yeah, I've thought about how people might react but I'm not going to make a decision on what other people tell me, including you. I would like it though if you could try to find it in your heart to forgive him, just like I did. You are an awesome friend Mark, of course I'm going to listen to what you say and I appreciate how much you care about me. Honestly I didn't know you felt so protective of me, it's actually sweet." After that remark, he began to blush. Not too many women could make him blush either. He tried to hide it, but even in the poor lighting she could see his cheeks turn rosy pink.

Callie smiled back at him and continued on, "I guess what I'm trying to say here is that I do care about you and what you have to say Mark, I just hope that me choosing George doesn't ruin our relationship. Because I'll need you."

"You'll need me… for what? Not for support, not for sex, not for advice."

"Yes for support, yes for advice, and we hadn't have sex besides those three times when George and I broke up the first time. So, you can't bring sex into it." They both giggled softly and the two friends came to an agreement; they would continue to be there for each other no matter what the circumstance.

Deep down inside, Mark knew he was doomed.

Deep down inside, Callie knew she was lying to herself.