Mark, Erica, Callie and Miguel sat outside in the park watching the Fourth of July fireworks. Earlier in the evening, Mark and Miguel attempted to grill hotdogs and hamburgers, but it did not go so well. They ended up burning everything and the four went out to eat.

"I thought you said you knew how to grill Mark," Erica said as the fireworks went off overhead.

"I do know how to grill, it's just these park grills are a little harder to use."

"Right."

"Had I'd known neither of you could grill, I would have done it myself." Callie said.

"You can grill?" Mark asked.

"Cal is a pretty good cook and grilling happens to be one of her specialties." Miguel explained.

"Then why wasn't she grilling in the first place?" Erica asked.

"Because grilling is a man's job." Mark said.

Erica rolled her eyes, "Mark, did you know that we live in the twenty first century where thoughts like those need to be reformed and thrown out the window?" Erica asked as if she were talking to a child.

"I was kidding." He laughed.

Callie threw a balled up receipt at him while Erica punched him in the arm. "Why are you attacking me?" Mark asked he looked to Miguel for help.

"Don't look at me. You got yourself into this mess."

As the last of the fireworks went off, the four friends gathered their things, packing up the blankets and remnants of the ice cream they had bought after dinner. "We should do this again. But next time I'm cooing. Never let a man do a job a woman can do better," Callie said, shouldering her purse.

"I agree." Erica said, looking at the two men that stood in front of them. Mark rolled his eyes while Miguel remained silent.

They all waved goodbye and the two couples got into their separate cars and headed to their separate destinations. Mark pulled up to Erica's building and turned off the car. "We are here,
Mark said opening the door.

"So it seems," Erica got out and went to the back seat to get the blankets out. Mark walked over to her side and took the items out of her hands. " Thanks."

"I had a good time today," Mark said as they climbed the stairs.

"So did I. It would have been much better if you and Miguel knew how to cook." Erica unlocked her door and stepped inside. Mark followed her and put the blankets on the chair.

Erica walked into the kitchen, getting two beers out of the refrigerator. She then returned to where Mark had sat down on the sofa and sat down next to him. "Callie is right we do need to hang out more. Our bar nights have become few and far between. I like watching you beat her in darts." Mark said.



"Or we could go to the pool house. She still hasn't been there yet. Callie claims she's an expert, when it comes to playing pool. She and I could kill you and Miguel."

"That is what you think."

Erica smiled, "That's what I know." She took a sip of beer and then leaned her head on the sofa.

Mark watched as she closed her eyes and her breathing began to even out. He smiled in wonder as he thought; even doing something as simple as breathing she is beautiful. "You know Erica, you're hot."

"You are just trying to get into my pants."

"Is it working?"

"Perhaps," Erica rolled her head over and looked at Mark. She smiled at his smirk. "What?"

"Nothing."

"There is something, so what?" Erica asked frustrated.

Mark leaned in and kissed her lightly at first. The kiss deepened quickly and grew into something more than his original intent. As it began to heat up, Erica pulled away in dire need for air. "Perhaps we should take this somewhere more comfortable." Erica suggested as she leaned her head on Mark's forehead.

"I don't know your couch is pretty comfortable." Mark smiled.

Ignoring his comments, Erica stood, pulled Mark up, and led him to her bedroom. Once inside, she proceeded to continue what they started in her living room. She had her back to her bed as Mark steered them in the right direction. Before her knees hit the bed, Mark stopped and looked into her eyes, "You sure about this?"

"I never would have pegged you to ask that question Mark."

"Normally I wouldn't, but since we both had a few drinks, I want to make sure this is something you will not regret in the morning."

"I'm perfectly capable of making semi-rational decisions at the moment…"

"Semi-rational?" Mark questioned.

"Well, when you're this close to me Mark it's kind of hard for me to think." Erica explained.

"Oh."

"As I was saying, before you interrupted me, I definitely will not regret this in the morning." Erica said emphasizing her statement by kissing him after the last nine words.

Mark smiled, "Good." He continued to guide them to the bed until Erica's knees hit and she fell backwards onto the bed.



The sun light the room and Erica strained her eyes, trying to get her bearings. As her eyes began to adjust to the light streaming in, Erica turned to see Mark's amused eyes string at her. "What?" she asked.

"You look so harmless in the morning." Mark said.

Erica took the pillow that was behind her head and slapped him in the face. She then leaned down and kissed him. "Good morning Mark."

"Morning Erica. I don't appreciate being hit in the face with a pillow first thing in the morning."

"I don't appreciate being called harmless; it's bad for my reputation. If word got out that I actually care, I'd have people like Stevens flitting around me all the time. And that cannot happen." Erica retaliated.

"I know, and that's one of the reasons I love you."

Erica sat silently in the bed for a moment in shock, as she grasped what Mark had just said. She then smiled, "You know, most men say that before they sleep with a woman, not after."

"Yeah well, I want more than just good sex Erica."

"That's a relief."

"Why is that?"

"Because I think I've fallen for you Sloan." Erica smiled and looked at her bed companion who had a smug smile on his face. "Don't let it go to your head Mark." Erica laid back down and rested her head on Mark's bare chest.

AN: So chapter 10 I had written chapter 11 first (it was going to be chapter 10) but I felt like some things needed to happen in between 9 & 11. If someone wants to do an M version of this go ahead I don't mind just let me know so I can put a link to what you write in one of the chapters for anyone else who wants to read it. I know I can't do it because I'm not good at that type of writing. That is all for now. As always thanks for reading, please review.