This chapter is uber-long--just a warning. Please R&R. Thanks.

A/N: Sequences from the latter half of season three will be out of order here, as I will use them in ways to fit this story better. This is definitely different than the season finale, so if things don't sound familiar, it's because they aren't.

"2 The Sky" (Robin Thicke)

The beginning of that week should have indicated something, should have foreshadowed the way the wedding day would go. At least the shift in moods should have. There were no such signs though, at least not any that Mark Sloan paid any attention to. This time, he wasn't harsh on Izzie for not being around for work much. She did have that intern exam to do at the end of the week. And Bailey had said that was to be their only focus right now. So when she didn't report to him, he didn't go on a hunt. When she said a very timid 'hi' he didn't chastise her on proper manners. And when she avoided his gaze, he contributed it to nerves.

Addison, as always, was distant. He didn't feel very up to reminding her the days remaining anymore. For some reason or another, it was no longer very amusing. As a matter of fact, the pact was now more irritating than ever. This, along with various other frustrations, Mark wanted to vent out to someone. He just wanted to express his…dammit, he wanted to express his feelings, but it seemed like there was no one to listen to him. God, how he missed Izzie's presence now. She would listen, encourage him to do something constructive rather than complain, and she would playfully mock him to make feel better.

Shaking his head, he looked at himself in the mirror after having washed his face. It had been an unusually long day. Turning around, he took a look at his hotel room, so vacant of homely remainders. Walls with dull paint, carpet impeccably clean, desk littered with meaningless medical essays.

Even with the pact ending a week and three days away, he felt his life to be empty. Except when Izzie made him laugh. And he shook his head again, tilting his head to take one last look in the mirror. Damn, did he look good in a tux.

She came home that night after the whole 'being in Addison's office' ordeal crashing into her bed. She threw a disgruntled scream into her pillow, causing Meredith to peek in to check on her. She asked if she was okay, at which Izzie bit 'if I was okay, would I be screaming,' then causing Meredith to say sorry sarcastically and start leaving. Izzie stopped her and apologized.

Meredith had noticed the slight change of attitude in Izzie. But she figured it was because George wasn't allowed to come within ten feet of her. So she went and lied down next to Izzie.

"Don't lie to me," she said rather intrusively.

Izzie lifted her head and stared Meredith straight on.

"Within the span of one month and a week and a half I managed to fall in love with an asshole," she said.

Izzie kept her straight face, and Meredith's had contorted in confusion, not understanding that at all. And almost immediately Izzie regretted saying it. So she started laughing, turning into her pillow to hide her tears. When the pillow dried them away, she turned back to Meredith, with a plastered smile.

"I was just kidding Mer," she had painfully rolled her eyes.

"Oh," she said, still confused, as she didn't find that to be funny. "So then what's up," she asked, still serious.

"Nothing," Izzie said, knowing Meredith would want a better answer. So she conjured one. "It's just," she paused, "this test is making me stressed, and add to that, that I can't spend a minute with my best friend, it's just very stressful."

"You sure?" Meredith hadn't been very convinced.

"Yeah," Izzie reaffirmed her.

With that, Meredith had left her alone. Very much alone.

And that week hadn't gone much differently. Preparing for the exam hadn't been an especially simple task, and not spilling her guts to Mark on every encounter of theirs hadn't been any easier, but now the test, and the avoiding was over.

GAGAGAGAGAGAGA

In a hurry to finish up the last touches of her makeup, she laced on her lipstick and took a step back. Resilience wasn't at its best, but she could just blame the blush for making her look so soft, and the eyeliner for making her look too absorbed in her own world.

She stepped away from the sink and turned to Alex, who was tying his tie.

"Hey Iz, you look great," he commented, giving her a soft smile as he looked at her.

"Thanks Alex," she answered and stepped around him. "So, how well did you score?"

She hurried to her locker and threw in her sneakers. The bridesmaids, and more importantly the bride, had to be at the chapel before the guests, and Christina's need to cut was seriously not helping.

Alex kept behind her. "I don't know. Just made sure I passed," Alex answered her quickly. He wanted to approach her about something else. He knew Izzie wasn't exactly up for this evening.

"We don't have to go," he said staring intently on her back as she flexed her shoulder muscles.

"And what," she scoffed bitterly, "stand them up."

"It'll make for one helluva story," he smirked as she turned to face him

"Not quite as entertaining as the excuse we'll have to give them," she smirked back, fiddling with a medical cap.

"If you're up for it Iz, we'll both just head to Joe's instead, get drunk off our asses, and maybe have sympathy sex back at Mer's house," he let out a chuckle.

"That so doesn't sound familiar," she joked with him, no longer concerned as much with the 'George thing.'

"But, one" she let out a sigh," I am a bridesmaid, and two, would you really leave Dr. Montgomery like that especially when she ran back to her place to get all dressed up, just for you?"

Alex hesitated. She had an inkling he would hesiate. As of late she'd started looking in more on what sort of teaching was going on between Alex and the ex-she Shepard, and it had all seemed much too tension filled.

"I'll give her a call," he shrugged, looking down at the carpet as his heart fluttered. Was he honestly considering putting Izzie before Addison?

"Christina's waiting for us," she said right after. She needed to end the joking. This was Christina's day.

She inhaled and took a turned the corner around their lockers. Alex looked up to her and she stopped mid-step.

"This isn't some joke Alex. We're adults. We're supposed to take responsibility. Whatever promises we make, we have to try our hardest to keep them," Izzie knew Alex would need some convincing as well.

"And Izzie Stevens isn't a quitter," he bit at her.

"But you are," she said as harshly as he had.

"You wear your heart on your sleeve, Iz. You walk in that church, you stand next to Christina, seeing Sloan, knowing he'll be waiting for you when you walk back out of that aisle, and that's when the real test will start. You stop now, you give up now, and you've got a shot, but if you don't…" he paused as she blinked back tears.

"God, and I just had my makeup done, and if Burke's mom sees anything running…," she laughed at the trite worry of running makeup and looked to Alex again, "I know the only shot will be me feeling like I've been stomped on by Cupid. But I'm strong. And I know better."

"Izzie, hurry up--we're gonna be late!" Meredith yelled from the door.

"You sure?" Alex asked her, ignoring Meredith.

She nodded as she swallowed any oncoming tears and carefully dabbed at her eyes. "Yeah," she whispered looking down at her manicured hands, " after sleeping with George, "I know better than being selfish." She faced Alex and offered her the best fake smile she could manufacture.

He laughed at how she so perfectly hid her fears with that smile.

"Okay," he nodded and led her out of the room, "so I better go too. Addison's gonna be pissed if I don't get her before the wedding starts." Izzie laughed, and she paused in front of a mirror and she sighed, noting that one thing was sure--she looked gorgeous enough to make anyone do a double take.

He knew he was cutting it very close, but he loved being fashionably late.

Mark entered the church, already bored with the ceremony, despite it not even beginning. He went down a few corroders until he found the entrance to the pews where the ceremony would take place. But he noticed some frantic arguing occurring close by. Following the voices he came across a scene that caused him to step back and enjoy the 'view.' Meredith was yelling at Christina, with Izzie throwing in her jabs, and rolling her eyes every two seconds, as Callie stood some steps away, keeping as much distance between herself and Izzie.

It appeared as though Yang was having second doubts. He laughed to himself, but they all heard him and turned abruptly in his direction.

Christina turned back to Mer, who looked to Izzie to see if she knew what he was doing there. Izzie rolled her eyes and walked towards Mark.

"Aren't you supposed to be sitting in there?" she hissed, pointing in the direction of the pews.

"I was running a tad late," he smirked.

"A tad? The frickin music is about to play, how is that a tad late?" she fumed.

"It's a wedding Stevens, you should learn to enjoy these sort of days," he scanned her.

"Just go," she turned on her heel and walked back to the arguing friends. Cold feet ten seconds before getting married was so not any fun for the bridesmaids.

"By the way Izzie," he yelled to her.

"What?!" she turned although she kept walking.

He grinned and said, "You've never looked better," with a glint of mischief in his eyes.

She rolled her eyes and hid the smile that was trying to form. She turned back around before the tint of pink hit her cheeks full-on.

"Izzie!" Meredith snapped her fingers in her face.

"What?!" Izzie exclaimed as her mind cleared of McSteamy thoughts.

"We're ready!" Meredith yelled back.

"Oh," Izzie chuckled nervously. She breathed in and took a step behind Callie, and Meredith stood behind Izzie. They breathed in deeply and waited for the chorus to begin.

GAGAGAGAGAGAGA

Mark made his way around the chapel, looking for the best seat in the house. He spotted Addison on the other side, laughing at something apparently Karev had said. He saw her red hair cascading down her back, with soft curls. She wore an emerald dress, as he could tell from her back, which he was sure she wore to compliment her eyes.

He broke into a smirk and coyly made his way over to her. He took a seat behind Addison, sighing loudly to make his presence known. Addison rolled her eyes and turned her head around.

"Glad you could make it, Mark," she greeted him humorlessly.

"Glad I got a good seat, Addison," he smirked.

Addison turned back around, and Alex leant in to whisper something.

Mark grumbled loudly, and Addison turned back around.

"What?" she asked him.

"I'm watching you," he whispered.

Rolling her eyes again, she turned back and this time leant in to whisper a little gem into Alex's ear. This wedding was already driving Mark crazy. Finally, the chorus began the wedding march.

The doors opened swiftly, and everyone's heads turned to the back of the chapel. Callie entered, a bright smile, and she walked down the aisle, to the pace of the music.

Several steps behind her, Izzie appeared. She gripped the boutique in her hand tightly, and drew on a smile. She glanced quickly around the room, only settling her eyes when she spotted Mark. Her heart quickened--he was watching her intently, even sending her a wink when her eyes locked onto his. Her heart fluttered and her eyes averted his for a second. She had to bite her lip to stifle a small giggle. She brought her eyes back up again and caught his gaze again just as she passed by him. She accidentally quickened her pace after she passed him, and made a step to stand on Callie's right. She breathed in quickly and offered Meredith a smile as she made her own way to the altar. Subconsciously, her eyes were drawn back to Mark. That is when she noticed whom he was sitting behind. Her heart dropped momentarily, knowing he had sat behind Addison on purpose. She was just surprised he didn't excuse himself and sit right beside her.

She drew her eyes away and decided to focus on the ceremony instead. Christina was making her way down, with a nervous smile. She only looked ahead to her, and you could tell she was counting beneath her breath. Everything was always a method with Christina. At last Christina stood before Preston, and the priest began the ceremony. But try as she might, and as funny as Christina was being when she was doing her best to perform her vows, Izzie's could hardly stray from the vision that was Mark. At times, he was looking to the altar--during these times, he would catch her gaze adrift and she would blush and look away. Other times he would be burning holes into Alex's back. From where Izzie stood, Izzie could see that once in a while Alex and Addison would lean into each other or throw one another glances. This sure wasn't pleasing Mark.

Izzie knew this would happen. Alex had told her it would. She was looking at Mark, and God did he look good in that tux and navy blue tie. And when their eyes caught, butterflies would arise, and her heart had her hoping he was feeling the same things going aflutter. But he was also looking to Addison, keeping close watch. This was all while they were apart. She couldn't imagine how much worse she was going to feel at the reception.

"I do," Preston's voice boasted, bursting Izzie's thoughts.

She looked back to the couple and felt happiness for Christina. At least someone was getting their knight in shining whatever to swear to through thick and thin.

The priest repeated the verse to Christina and there was a gap of silence. After twitching a bit, Christina smiled broadly and told the Seattle Grace world "I Do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest announced, following by Meredith whooping "We did it!" then she mumbled a 'sorry' when the guests stared at her in confusion. Izzie laughed. Meredith believed that if Christina got this done, Meredith could one day get it done also. Maybe Meredith's ideal wasn't so naïve. Maybe it wasn't so hard believing. Looking back out to Mark, her smile only grew as she saw Mark laughing and nodding his head at Meredith's outburst. He sure looked a lot better when he wasn't worrying about that redhead.

GAGAGAGAGAGAGA

"So, are you hitching a ride in the limo or you want to go in my car, cuz it looks like your friends have abandoned you," Mark yelled to Izzie, who had just made it outside the church.

She paused, making her way down the stairs slowly to think up an answer for her. She met him on the last step, which she almost completely fell over.

"Whoa," he caught her arm before she twisted an ankle, "be careful there." He chuckled, causing her to do the same.

She felt a chill when his fingers gripped her skin. She slid her arm off slowly and tucked her bangs behind her hair.

"So, what's it going to be?" Mark beckoned her.

Izzie looked to the street and noticed that the limo was already backing out--apparently the rest of the party was all too anxious to take the wedding pictures in the park to wait for one bridesmaid. Sighing, she faced Mark and said, "Doesn't look like I've got much of a choice." Izzie shrugged. Unless she wanted to accompany the new in-laws, she had to go with Mark. Either Meredith caught on to her feelings for Mark, or the universe had a twisted humor for her to be stranded here with Mark.

"Alright, then let's go," and he made his way to his car. He opened the door for her, and she lifted the dress to get in. Thank God his car was roomy, or else she would have felt even more confined in lone space with him.

GAGAGAGAGAGAGA

He could hear the soft humming of the engine. That's how quiet it was. After five minutes on the road, following the large limo, he got tired of her one-word answers to his questions. Exasperated, he flipped on the radio. An upbeat pop-rock song was playing, but even then Izzie didn't appear any more relaxed. Sighing he turned to Izzie when they came to a stop.

"What's on your mind Izzie?"

Her head still turned to the street, she mumbled, "Nothing."

"You're friend just got married, you'd think you'd be a little happier," he grumbled turning back to the street ahead of him.

"I am happy," she breathed in," just a little drained."

"You did pass your exam, right?" he asked her. Maybe the results had her a little down.

She chuckled. Shouldn't he know her better than that? Isobel Stevens never failed a test, and even if she did, she would do whatever possible to retake it immediately. No test would stand in her way.

"Passing it is putting it lightly," she answered.

He grinned. How could he have doubted her.

"And I am happy for Christina. I feel a bit sorry for Burke, but he asked for it," she laughed lightly.

"That's bound to happen when you propose being with one person for the rest of your life," he chuckled.

Izzie smiled tightly and gulped. "Yeah."

"But I guess when you're in love…" he practically whispered.

She turned her head and looked at him momentarily. He kept silence, and his mind appeared to be on something other than the road. Yeah, when you're in love…

He cleared his throat, and Izzie looked ahead of her instead. "Guess it's a tricky thing, huh?"

It was a rhetorical question, but seriously, was he using reverse psychology and trying to get some sort of truth out of her? What was he doing bringing up this sort of conversation.

"Well today isn't about the tricky side," Izzie tried on a smile and faced him," it's about the celebratory part of it."

Mark grinned, parking the car in front of the park at which the primary wedding party was to have their photographs taken. Facing her, he said," well hurry up with the pictures so we can start the celebration." He took the key out of the ignition and stepped out. Izzie waited, for him to open her door. He had a thing about opening girls doors for them, and pulling out chairs for them. It always annoyed her, but it was quite nice how he could be so chivalrous whilst being such a cocky man towards women. Probably some subordinate flaw of his that he sought to fix through little moments of sincerity.

She grabbed the handle of the door and swung her feet out. He held out a hand for her and she felt entranced by how they must look to a third person. Him in his tux, holding out his hand for her, with a beautiful dress on. She took his hand cautiously, but didn't quite calculate the distance from his car to the sidewalk and took a bit of a trip. Catching her wrist with one hand and steadying her with a grip on her hip he laughed.

"Were you drinking before the ceremony Stevens, because that is the second trip in 10 minutes," he commented.

She laughed nervously. He was mere inches but his mind paid no attention to this. Hers however could hardly form a cohesive remark.

"Yeah," she laughed, "I was drinking while I was scrubbing in on a surgery."

"Good to know I'm not the only one," he joked, letting go of her wrist. But the hand which was on her hip, traveled around her waist and he pulled her next to her. "Hurry, looks like they've started without you," he said casually.

Izzie felt herself tremble a bit, but she stood firm and did her best to forget that Mark had his arm securely wrapped around her waist. His hold after all, was one that usually a friend had on another fried. It wasn't tight, but it was gripping, and it was quite casual.

She pulled his arm off and threw him a dirty look, to pretend she was disgusted by his show of affection. He laughed and went to the driver's seat. "See ya at the reception Stevens," he called over his shoulder and climbed in. Izzie just waved him off.

She took large steps and approached Meredith. She swirled around and immediately started yelling. "Where have you been?!"

"You ditched me!" she yelled back.

"Oh yeah," she laughed, the smell of alcohol already on her breath. She pulled Izzie's hand and started running to Christina.

"She's here!" Meredith screamed. Christina then started scolding her, at which Preston pulled her and told the photographer he could keep on with the pictures.

As soon as the limo pulled up to the Carlton Ritz hotel, Izzie grabbed the door and stepped out.

It's not difficult to see why--Meredith had been giggling and feeling Derek up the whole way there (yes, feeling up, and "whispering" dirt little things), Callie and George sat as far as possible from Izzie the whole way, gripping hands and discussing who knows what in private. Christina meanwhile, kept poking Meredith, to get her to stop, and in even worse attempts, tried to keep all the alcoholic drinks from within her reach. Preston kept receiving weary looks from Derek, but all he would do is laugh at Derek's (mis)fortune. Needless to say, Izzie had been very uncomfortable. She was the only bridesmaid without a date…because Mark wasn't her date, which meant that she could clearly not invite him into the limo. Not that she wanted to. All the rest of the party would have done would be interrogating them both, wondering why in the hell they were at a wedding together. Thankfully, nobody had caught wind of Mark's true reason for being at the wedding. Everyone just assumed he had invited himself.

Izzie made a beeline for the ballroom, and exhaled loudly when she couldn't hear Meredith's squeals anymore. You'd think she was the one that had just gotten married. Seriously, Meredith was acting more like a bride than Christina. Granted, that wasn't difficult seeing as even Burke acted more like a bride than his now-wife.

It was already pretty loud. There was a crowd of guests dancing on the floor to the upbeat pop music the band was playing, whilst others sat around conversing with their friends. Her eyes searched the grand ballroom, taking in the beauty of it all. White satin was entwined across the walls, intersecting in the very center. The tables held the same material, with wedding remembrances on each. In the center of the room stood a ten layer cake--the velvet one everyone had agreed on. To her far right extended the table in which the wedding party was to be seated. Her eyes traveled to the back of the room, where she saw a hint of the lake that resided behind the intrusive hotel. If it were her wedding, she would have gotten a canoe and had the ceremony held in that lake, on a night with the full moon, and little noise to interrupt her night.

A light smile touched her lips, and her mind wandered to the romanticism of the water. Hmm, the blue water…

"This place is driving me crazy," he interrupted her. Or rather plumped himself right into the nice little scene she had unwinding in her mind.

He stood directly in front of her, ruffling his hair, the other hand in his pocket. His eyes traveled the room with boredom, slowly reaching her wide-eyed gaze.

"Yeah?" Izzie said dumbfounded.

He shrugged and a smirk played out on his lips. He crossed his arms and leaned in on her. "What do you say we ditch this place and form our little own after-party?"

She closed her eyes and laughed. Always the troublemaker.

"Or we could just throw everyone in the lake," she said jokingly, rolling her eyes.

Mark cocked an eyebrow, mischievous thoughts forming. "Women scantily clad thrown into the water on a chilly afternoon. That is not such a bad idea," he murmured.

Izzie chuckled, swatting his chest. "I guess that answers the question of whether Mark Sloan ever thinks of anything other than the female anatomy."

He was ready with an inappropriate remark when Meredith bust through the doors.

"We're here!!!" she screamed, with a bottle of wine in her hand. Laughing she took a sip and stumbled, landing on Derek who was watching her like a hawk.

Callie and George entered silently, rounding Meredith and heading straight to their place in the table. Then came Christina's mother. She eyed the crowd, settling on Izzie who was standing near the entrance. Ms. Yang grabbed Izzie's arm, and pulled her to the table. She threw a glance over her shoulder and mouthed a 'sorry' to Mark. He simply grinned and walked away from the entrance.

Burke's parents came in next. They stood in place and Burke's father cleared his throat. The guests quieted and Mama Burke grinned.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she drew out," Mr. and Mrs. Burke!" She extended her arms and began to clap, stepping to the side for the newly-married couple.

Preston pulled in Christina, who whispered to him through gritted teeth. "It's Yang, not Burke."

Preston ignored her whisper and spoke. "Thank you, thank you," he nodded his head and turned to Christina. A melody began to play and the lights suddenly dimmed. Aw--the first dance as a married couple. They swayed to the music, Christina obviously muttering the steps under her breath. She had reluctantly taken ballroom classes. She would have looked awkward were it not for Preston leading her so. It was probably the first and last time anyone would see him leading her. After a couple of minutes, other couples joined them. After a few songs, the couple sat down to eat.

The Burke's (excuse me--Burke and Yang-Burke) took their seats in the center of the table, with Meredith on Christina's left, and Derek on Preston's right. Izzie sat next to Meredith, with Christina's mother on her left. The hand she was dealt here she tried her best not to take as an omen as to how the evening would proceed. Although it was considerably better than sitting next to Callie or George, who were sitting on Burke's side. A couple of Christina's family members were added to her side to match that of Burke's.

Izzie shifted uncomfortably in her seat as some waiters handed them their food. She spotted Mark at a random table, with a few random people. He sat straight up in his chair, his legs and arms crossed, seemingly relaxed. From the look in his eyes though you could tell how out of place he looked. A woman came up to him, and she sat down next to him, scooting over her chair to his. She saw him roll his eyes and turn his face away from hers. She had on red, glossy lipstick. Her eyes were heavily painted with black eyewear, and she was wearing a short, red halter-top dress. She literally had tramp written all over her. Meredith probably had invited her, the thought escaped her mind. Immediately she wanted to retract the bitter thoughts, but recanted when she saw how forcibly she was coming on to Mark. She twisted the napkin in her lap and though of various ways to show the girl up. Fortunately Mark dismissed her before Izzie did something ludicrous. If she could ever bring herself to do something that is.

Calming down, she shifted her eyes down to her food, deciding to poke at it some more. Finding the task especially boring, she took her wine glass and being drinking slowly. She certainly was not on a mission to match Meredith's drunken state. She didn't want to have to be restrained.

Setting the glass back down she smoothed out her dress and inhaled deeply. She looked up to the clock and cursed to herself. Hardly half an hour had passed--there was no way she could spend the rest of the day sitting there avoiding Mark. As if he had been reading her mind, his hand reached out to her, telling her to get her ass up so he could have someone to hang out with. Apparently five other women had vainly attempted to snatch him, and he was tired of turning them down.

She cautiously took his hand to stand up. Soon as she was up, she drew it away and excused herself from the table. Meredith wriggled her eyebrows suggestively and turned to Mark.

"You take good care of her, 'kay?" she smiled at him.

He winked and said. "You bet."

Meredith nodded her head and began laughing. "Be careful Iz--I heard he's a lot of territory to cover."

"Meredith!" she heard Derek exclaim from two people over. And Meredith was being quite louder than that.

Izzie had to do her best not to blush. Oh yes, that definitely brought some images to Isobel Stevens mind. Mark noticed her blush and he placed a gentle arm around her waist.

"Don't worry," he whispered huskily," it's not anything a girl like you can't cover." He draped his eyes over her body, from head to toe.

Izzie pulled his arm off, and facing away from him, she said, " I'm something you won't be able to handle, though."

She heard him chuckle behind her and a sad smile tainted her.

Mark strode up beside her and he placed his arm in the same place. Her breathing hitched and she had to remember to place one foot in front of another. Why did he have to keep holding her around the waist?

He stopped her after they crossed the dance floor and turned to face her.

"Now what?" he whispered, as though he needed his question to be kept secret.

Izzie furrowed her brows and looked at him quizzically.

"What do you mean?" she whispered back.

"Do we talk, or dance, or just stand here…?"

She grinned as she realized what he meant. Of course Mark wouldn't know what to do with a woman if the path wasn't treaded with littered clothes.

"We can talk," she answered him and took the nearest empty seat. He followed her example and sat across from her.

Izzie leaned back into her chair, and Mark did as well. Neither spoke a word, not sure which topic to discuss. Izzie took another glance around, hoping to see Alex, wondering if he was having the same luck as her. It was Addison who caught her eye though. She was playing with her distinctly read hair, smiling dumbly at whatever Alex was saying. Whatever it was, he must have found hilarious because he was cracking up. Addison however, just smiled at him, with a look of incredibility and…wonder? Admiration? Whatever it was, it looked dangerously close to what a woman looked like when she was looking at the man she loved.

She saw herself focusing on the pair, and how fluid their interaction was. Actually, if she thought about it, they were always this way. Even in the beginning, when Alex and Addison constantly fought, they would bark back and forth, without missing a beat. It was like this now, without the bickering. Addison said something, and Alex's face would react at her words quickly, and he would reiterate some words, then Addison would glance down and back up at Alex. They would fall into silence, but it wasn't the uncomfortable one she and Mark had fallen in. Although there was visible tension between the two. She sighed, so confused by what Alex was doing. By what Addison was doing.

Mark heard Izzie's sigh and he looked up to her. He saw her eyes focused on another entity, and so she followed the path her eyes illuminated. He found her focused on the conversing redhead and annoying intern. He found himself transfixed by their interaction, and his heart fell. Addison hadn't spoken to him that easily in ages.

When they fell silent, Alex's focus on Addison shifted to that of the room. He felt the tension and needed to be diverted. He noticed Izzie looking from afar and he gave her an encouraging smile. Then he saw Sloan sitting across from her, along with the fact that he was looking directly at Addison. His face tensed, and Addison, seeing this, turned to see what had caused him to be uncomfortable. She rolled her eyes when her eyes met Mark's. She turned back around and set her eyes back on Alex.

"I say we head outside," she smirked.

"What?" Alex said as he gazed at her again.

"Just to lobby. For some quiet," Addison said as she gathered her purse. She didn't wait for an answer and solely rose. Quickly Alex stood and waited to follow behind her.

Izzie's eyes set down on the table in front of her when the pair left their table. When she heard Mark grumble, she looked to him.

He gripped his chair and started rising out of his seat. She grabbed his hand to stop him, and he listened.

"They're just going outside," she said when they walked through the lobby entrance.

"And you don't find that odd?" he said angrily.

"Just forget it Mark," she rolled her eyes.

Mark paused at her tone. He was treating her like a second-rate girl, and that wasn't fair.

"I shouldn't have agreed to this," Izzie said aloud.

"No Izzie, I'm sorry, she just likes getting under my skin," rubbed his thumb over her hand, which was still strewn over the table.

She jumped at the contact and met his eyes.

"So," she laughed nervously, "how was it without us interns to bring you coffee this week?"

He smiled gently at her. "I managed…somehow."

Izzie smiled tightly. "Here I was thinking you'd use that charm of yours to bewitch the nurses into running your errands."

Mark took a moment to answer. It was a comment like all others of hers. Except without the tough edge added to it. "Never said I didn't" he said quietly.

She didn't answer to this, only nodding her head with a small smile. She was too out of touch to hit him with a comment below the belt.

"I wish I knew what was going on with you Izzie," he couldn't catch the thought before it exited his mouth.

Surprised, she shot her eyes up to him. She froze as his eyes washed over her face inquisitively.

"I barely know you, but you always busted my chops. You made me eat with you when I swore up and down I liked eating by myself. You'd make me say why I had others bring me coffee, not who would bring them," he explained.

"People are different once you get to know them," she answered.

"Fine, I won't push it. Your life isn't my business," he said annoyed by her bs.

Izzie didn't say a thing. He had turned his face away from hers, looking out onto the dance area. She studied him hard, wanting to just shake him. She jumped into his life like it was he business, willing to push through boundaries and walls to get answers. Why couldn't he do the same? Why wouldn't he do the same?

All she could chalk it up to was fear. He never, in the entirety of his life, pushed someone's boundaries for the sake of getting answers. He'd go through layers, but would give up, content with the bits and pieces he had acquired. He had gotten bits and pieces with her, but he wouldn't do anything more. He wouldn't give it the extra mile. He could say it was because he hated being intrusive, but time and time again he'd been told it was okay to push the limits, so long as it was justified by the other side. And time and time again she'd told him she didn't mind the next level. It was just another challenge.

But by not pushing through, he was presenting her with a challenge her mind would not let her conquer. She could only do so much. She could only meet him half-way.

"Izzie," she felt a whisper on her ear. She jumped at the proximity of the person next to her. She turned quickly and there was Alex.

"Sorry," he said meekly. "Wanna dance?" he pulled her up. So much for waiting for the answer, she thought.

She took his hand and looked behind her. Addison gave her a tight smile and waved them off. Izzie turned to Mark, who was still off in his own world. She caught his gaze however when she passed him. He looked at her confused, burned a hole into Alex's back and turned to see Addison sitting in Izzie's place now.

"Hello Mark," she smirked.

"Addison," he smiled.

GAGAGAGAGAGAGA

"You always been a fan of dancing?" Izzie jabbed at Alex as they began dancing.

He shrugged. "Addison wanted to talk to Mark," he tried playing off the jealousy," and you looked right about ready to kill Sloan with your mind." Alex smirked, trying to keep his eyes on Izzie and not Addison.

"He sure does know how to piss a girl off," she said.

"So what'd he do?" Alex asked.

"Said my life isn't his business," she shrugged," and it isn't, so I just overreacted by throwing him daggers with my eyes."

Alex smiled sadly at her. If Addison showed such disinterest about his life he'd probably be throwing eye daggers as well.

"Is your non-date going as well as mine?"

"Not as bad."

"Do you love her, Alex?" she asked outright.

Shocked he stepped back from her and scoffed.

"No--wh--" he couldn't form a sentence.

"I know that feeling," Izzie laughed.

Alex blushed and stopped moving. He stepped around Izzie, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and paused in a place deficit of dancing freaks.

Izzie placed a hand on his shoulder, turning him around.

"What's wrong Alex?" Izzie asked.

"It's not right that she's doing this Iz. She shouldn't be with him," he said gruffly.

"That's not for us to decide Alex."

Ignoring her, he side-stepped her and marched right up to Addison. Without missing a beat, she stood up and held out her hand. He took it and pulled her onto the dance floor. A soft song was playing, and by the way his smile played, you could tell he couldn't be anymore thankful. Addison quickly rested her arms around Alex's head, and his went around her waist.

Sighing, Izzie walked back to the table and weakly greeted Mark. Before she could walk on, he stood up.

"What do you say, Izzie?" he grinned, extending his hand.

She glanced at his hand. Inhaling deeply, she screwed her mouth shut to not yell at him for asking her to dance only after Addison started dancing with someone else.

"I'll let you feel me up," he flashed her a smile.

She smiled in spite of herself and intuitively took his hand. He placed greater pressure on her hand and walked with her to the floor.

She stood in front of him, looking at him nervously, not knowing exactly what to do. Whatever song had been playing now ended, but it transcended into another slow song.

So Mark inched closer to Izzie and snaked an arm around her waist, signaling her to place an arm on his shoulder. He used his other hand to hold her yet untouched hand.

"The offer's still open Stevens," he pulled her in closer.

She felt vulnerable as he did this. Unable to keep at a distance, unable to control her breathing, unable to give him a biting comment.

Well not completely.

"With you, everything is always open," she retorted.

"As it should be," he said, ignoring those last 50 days.

"Hmm," was the only noise she could produce as she felt herself snuggling in closer to him.

When she hit his chest, his breath caught. He smiled to himself when she settled there. He let her hand go and allowed it to travel around her waist. He felt both arms around his neck now, and her scent drove up his nostrils, giving him the same chills she gave him every time theirs hands momentarily touched.

To the back of his mind he pushed these chills, where all things Isobel Stevens had been quickly accumulating. Her firm tone, her all-telling eyes, his inability to read such open eyes, her stamina, that slight blush he swore he saw when he eyed her, but above all the way she would give in to him after a few pleading words. It made him feel important, that she would say 'yes' to him when she would tell everyone 'no.'

After a minute he realized that his eyes were closed. He opened them slowly, seeing that Izzie was in fact dancing with him. He glanced up and saw Addison, mumbling something into Alex's ear. They looked so intimate, as though they were actually a couple, like they were on a date.

He felt less pressure on his chest and glanced down to Izzie. He wished he was better at hiding his emotions, but she caught on to his look of anger. She knew it was because of Addison, and he knew she could tell.

"Are we just going to watch Addison all night," her eyes, he could swear, were lined with droplets.

"Let's just not think about her," he winked.

A look of disgust washed over her face, but she leant back into him.

"I'm not a complete ass," he tried apologizing.

She bit her lip and dug her head deeper into his chest.

He felt her grab a tighter hold around his neck, felt her digging herself in more, felt her trembling.

Before he could pull away to look at what was going on with her, she mumbled into his shirt," I know you're not a complete ass, Mark. I'm probably the only one who'll say you're an idiot, not an ass."

She pulled her head back, letting it hang down she withdrew her hands from his neck. She wiped at her eyes and said, "I need to get out of here," she looked for the nearest exit.

Mark threw a glance around the room, and noticed the door that led to the view of the lake.

"Alright, come on," he pulled her from around the waist.

"Mark, I…" she definitely did not want to get away from the wedding with him. Who knows what she would do?

"You need to get out. And since I'm here for you, then I need to get out too."

He gave her an encouraging smile and tilted his head to the terrace, where the lake lie.

"I am here with you, remember? No one else," he whispered in her ear.

Nodding numbly, she reluctantly let him follow her outside.

There doesn't seem to be that many readers invested in this story anymore (with the small amount of reviews and all). So, not surprisingly, I would like some feedback as to why this is. Did I stray from a formula you liked, or is the story simply uninteresting anymore. I get that McStizzie is taking a long while to happen, but I'd rather they not just jump into bed. Deep down, below my bitter pessimism, I am a romantic. So hit me up, but don't be too harsh. My ego is taking enough hits.

On a lighter note, I realize that some things don't fit the ceremony from GA very well. Most noticeably, Addison's apparel, because we all know she'd get prettied up for Alex! And if Izzie appears more subdued than her usual, I feel it to be understandable. If McSteamy was ignoring me BC of some other girl while I waited on him hand and foot, I wouldn't be fan-freakin-tastic!

Okay, anyway. Please R&R.