A/N:I decided to write about Mark in most of this chapter, I hope you don't mind but he's hot when he's all sad and stuff…..for me at least. There's some Addison too. All characters except Sam are properties of Shonda, not me 

2 ½ months later………

"McSteamy's really down," said Meredith Grey, watching Mark stir some coffee.

"Yeah," replied Cristina who looked up from a chart. "Nurse Tyler told me that Addison rejected him. Oh and Sam, the little girl who was with her is McDaughter….."

Meredith just stared at him. Years ago, she watched him try to forget Addison although everybody knew he could never do it. She watched him flirt less and less as time passed by. She watched as he struggled to overcome his loneliness.

Now, he was way worse. His head was always hung low and his shoulders usually slumped. He turned to his work to comfort him. First in the morning, last to go home. Meredith observed that he was more silent and that his face rarely broke into a smile, much less a genuine one. The Chief felt so sorry for him, even offering one week leave with pay.

The Mark Sloan she first met was no more and she had to do something.

"So. What's up?" Mark asked casually. As was his habit, he crossed his arms around his chest.

Derek and Meredith had pulled him into a room to have a "Talk".

"We think you're depressed," Derek said seriously. Meredith nodded in agreement.

"You seem really distant and sad all the time," she added.

Mark rolled his eyes. "Guys, I'm fine. I'm still Mark."

"That's just the problem. You're not. It's because of Addison leaving and everything…..you're not Mark anymore," Mer clarified.

"You're not flirting, not smiling, not bossing interns, not talking much…." Derek counted using his fingers. "You are not okay."

"Addison has nothing to do with this," he mumbled, looking down a little. He couldn't deny that everything they just said were true.

The past weeks have been hard on him and he's been felling more stressed and tired. He couldn't stop the way that every night when he closed his eyes, he'd see her. That was mainly the reason he pushed himself to work more.

"Addison has everything to do with this," Derek corrected him. He saw the hurt in best friend's eyes and felt a pang of pity for him. He put one hand and on Mark's shoulder sympathetically.

"Mark, we want to help you," said Meredith sincerely. God she felt sorry for him.

"This is my life, not yours," he mumbled before leaving.

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Ring.Ring.Ring.Ring.

"Yeah, hello? This is Addison Montgomery."

"Hey Addie, it's Derek."

"Hi, how are you?" Addison was curious, why would Derek call?

"Fine. You?"

"Um….."She wanted to say fine but couldn't. The only comfort she had was Sam, reminding herself that she was a part of Mark. "I've been better. So how's…..Mark?"

"Horrible. He rarely even looks up anymore. He misses you Addie. He just doesn't want to show it, really. He needs you. But anyway, the reason I called was coz' next week is Mark's birthday—"

"Yeah, I know…." Secretly, she HAS been counting the days, hoping it would come with opportunity.

"Mer and I are throwing him a get-together, you know, to cheer him up a bit. We'd really like it if you could come."

"Of course I will," replied Addison, hoping her excitement wasn't obvious over the phone. She was gonna see Mark and finally tell him how much she loved him.

"Great! So just drop bye Joe's on his birthday, okay?"

"Gotcha. Night Derek."

"Night Addie."

Addison put the phone down, almost peeing in excitement. She messed up so many opportunities already, she was determined not to do that with this one. Mark was way too important to mess up again

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After Sam had reminded her to buy a gift, Addie decided to get him something sorta special. To show him how much she missed and loved him. Usually before, she'd just get him like a jacket or DVD's. This time was special, everything had to be perfect.

"Your order, ma'am," said Mr. Sullivan, shopkeeper of a little watch shop. He handed her a handsome black box.

"With the engraved message?" asked Addie. She had him engrave a little message for Mark but didn't know if it was more for him or her. This is how it goes:

Love you Mark.

Always have,

Always will/

Addie.

Sure it was short but that was all that was needed to be said. She didn't plan for Mark to find it—it was at the back of the watch—but she just wanted to do it. She pocketed the box and patted it.

"Thanks Mr. Sullivan," she said and smiled at the friendly old guy.

"Anytime, Ms. Montgomery. That guy of yours must be someone special, eh?" Mr. Sullivan's eyes twinkled.

Addie laughed. "He is, it hurts sometimes."

This is sorta different from what I usually do but tell me if you thought it was good, bad or just okay. If it's not good, I promise I'll do better next chapter coz this one is kinda just like something I had to do to connect the story. Next chapter: Addie and Mark meet. What will happen? What do YOU want to happen? Tell me and R&R.