A/N: Please forgive the fact that there is no Addex in this Chapterbut it was necessary for the story. I hope to have the next Chapter up in the next week or so and I promise it will have lots of Addex

As always a huge thank you to Ash for her beta reading and constant support.

DOUBTS

Addison surprised herself at how easy it was to enjoy Mark's company again. They laughed and talked about old times. Mark knew her well and knew the best way to get Addison to come back to him was by making her want him again. The best way to do that was by talking about all the good times they shared.

"Will you ever forget the look on Richard Webber's face when he caught us in the on call room?" Mark said laughing referring to a time their old boss had caught them having sex when they were interns.

"No! It was one of the most humiliating experiences of my life." Addison added

"He was so disappointed in you. His star Intern"

"I was not."

"You know you were. He blamed me for everything; little did he know that it was ALL your idea."

"Your memory and mine are very different." She said knowing full well it was her idea at the time.

Just as they were finishing dinner Mark decided now would be a good time to place a few seeds of doubt in Addison's mind about Alex. He was a smart man and played his cards beautifully.

"So do you want the latest gossip in the Plastics department?"

"Sure, you know I love gossip provided it isn't about me."

"Apparently Alex is quite the ladies man. He is being quite secretive but something is going on."

"Really? Are you sure? I mean he doesn't really seem like that kind of guy."

"Addie, unfortunately all men are that type of guy. Myself included. It's not until I lost you I realised how stupid I was."

"Mark, don't start. I know you regret what has happened but not all men need to cheat" she said.

"Well I have no idea who these women are but his work is really slipping. I even had to speak to him about it."

"His work is slipping? I thought you said he was a really quick learner and had the makings of an excellent plastic surgeon."

"Oh he does he just isn't focused right now, seems as though his mind is elsewhere. I think it's one of the nurses in the Burns Unit. He seems to spend a lot of time with this one nurse Emma."

"Well its part of the job." Addison said trying to convince herself more so than Mark.

"Not like this Addie, anyway I'm pretty sure Alex is playing with fire with this one because she is married."

"Oh well Alex seems like a smart guy. I'm sure he won't do anything to jeopardise his career."

"If he isn't careful he might. I mean it's a very dangerous game sleeping with married women. Husbands tend to get a little pissed off about it. As for his career I would hate to see him throw it away for the sake of an affair."

Is that a veiled threat Mark? Do you know about Alex and me?

"I'm sure it's not true. He wouldn't risk his career. I know how much it means to him."

"Well its only gossip right. Anyway I was wondering what you wanted to do with our wedding photos because if it's alright with you there are a few I would like to have."

"Oh of course, I hadn't thought about it."

"Let me get the album, so I can take them out." Mark said smiling sadly.

This will definitely get her thinking. When she sees how happy we were on our wedding day.

Mark retrieved the wedding album from the old chamfer Chest and began flipping through the pages. An hour had passed and Addison felt really sad. Was she making the right choice leaving her husband? Leaving all the memories behind. Going out into the world alone starting all over again. If what Mark was saying was true about Alex having many women on the go at once, would she be in fact be going from one cheating partner to another? Was it better the devil you know?

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Alex stopped in his tracks. His greatest fears of Mark worming his way back into Addison's good graces seemed to have become a reality. He watched as they arrived for work together. They were smiling and talking and looked completely happy being in each other's company. Addison kissed Mark on the cheek before she went in a different direction. Mark looked up and noticed that Alex was watching. It was as if the two men instantly knew exactly what the other was thinking.

Mark chuckled to himself before turning and walking towards the elevator. Things couldn't have worked out better for him if he had planned it. Later in surgery Mark decided to exacerbate the situation.

"It's a good day today people." Mark said to his staff as they were finishing another successful skin graft.

"You are in a good mood today, Sloan." The Anaesthetist Doctor Morgan said

"I am, I've just completed a successful surgery and my beautiful wife and I are closer to reconciliation every day. So yes it's a very good day."

Alex had no choice but to stand there and listen to Mark go on and on about how happy he was and how it looked as though Addison was going to give him another chance.

She can't be. She just can't, Addie told me she wanted to be with me. But then I saw her with him this morning. She was the one that kissed him. Maybe what he is saying is true. After all he can give her the life she is used to I can't.

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Addison wanted to see Alex and organise to see him again. She would be moving into an apartment in two days and even though she was scared of the unknown, she knew it was Alex that she wanted to be with. She told herself that Mark had it wrong, and that Alex wasn't the type of man to have different women on the go at once.

Addison stopped when she saw Alex talking to a nurse. They were standing very close and they looked extremely cosy. He leant over the nurse and looked at the file. To Addison's way of thinking it was completely unnecessary; to Alex he thought nothing of it.

Addison quickly left before Alex could see her. She needed to get her thoughts together and be rational.

Addison you are being stupid, it's nothing. Mark is just messing with your head. Is he? I mean he doesn't have a clue about you and Alex. He would have nothing to gain by saying what he said. Maybe Alex has been stringing me along after all. Maybe I am one of many.

Over the next two days, contact had been limited between Addison and Alex they had a brief conversation in the hospital that was just pleasantries and two short phone conversations. Both of them were beginning to have doubts.

On the day that Addison was to move out, Alex saw Addison and Mark hugging. It was a goodbye hug, but to Alex and his doubts it looked like so much more. He couldn't stand it anymore, enough was enough, it was time to go, and it was time to go back to Seattle. He could not compete with Mark Sloan and he was so sick of trying too.

Alex walked into Mark's office and waited for him to return from surgery.

"Karev, what can I do for you?" Mark said quite surprised to see Alex

"I want to hand in my resignation." Alex said

"What? You do have a contract you know"

"Yeah I know, but it's just not working out for me."

"Mmm why is that Alex?"

Alex just looked at his boss for a few moments before he finally answered. "Well things just didn't turn out like I'd hoped. New York just isn't for me I guess."

Mark looked back at Alex before he allowed a small smile to grace his lips. "Alex I think if you are that unhappy maybe you should finish now."

"Good, I was hoping you would say that." Alex said as he turned to leave.

"Alex, just a little advice before you leave. Don't get mixed up with a married woman, you will never win. Alex I always win and Addison will always come back to me."

Alex left the room without turning around. He would not give Mark the satisfaction.

So he knew all along. Yeah it's time to go. God Addison will I ever be able to get over you? I really thought we would be able to make it work. I wanted to tell you I'm in love with you.

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Addison had tried and tried to call Alex all afternoon, but it kept going to voice mail. She was getting desperate to see him. It would be her first night in her apartment and she had hoped he would come and celebrate with her.

"Hey Addie are you okay?" Mark asked as he secretly couldn't wait to tell her that Alex had left.

"Um oh yeah I'm fine I'm just looking for um Naomi"

"Oh right. Hey Alex quit today"

"He what?"

"Yeah he quit, he just came and said things didn't turn out like he'd hoped so he left."

"But, but he has a contract he can't just walk out" Addison said

"No, but he was miserable so I let him go."

"Well where, where did he go?" Addison said panicking a little

"Addison, he is gone and never coming back. You should know I always win, always, and if you thought for one minute I would allow you to run off with my resident you were sadly mistaken."

"Mark, I don't know what you are talking about"

"Don't do that, don't play me for a fool, Addison, I do love you and I am willing to take you back. So come home and we will forget any of this ever happened."

"Mark, I DO NOT LOVE YOU. When are you going to understand? As for Alex, yes I did have an affair with him. In fact I'm in love with him."

"Oh you have got to be kidding me!"

"No I'm not. This is it. You and I are done. Goodbye Mark"

A/N: So I know you were all hoping for Addex and I promise there will be lots in the next chapter. Please be kind and let me know what you thought.