A/N: This will be the last update until I get back from vacation at the end of next weekend. If you all review I will try to write one while I am on vacation. Just kidding (LOL) I'll try to write one anyway.
A/N 2: This chapter continues right after the last one in the timeline. It was originally supposed to be posted as one chapter, but I thought it was better to split it up.
Previously on Grey's Anatomy Ch. 11
"Why have you slept with so many women?" She felt him stiffen beside her, but just held on tighter.
She couldn't ask me an easier question? No, not my Kat she's hardcore all the way. He sat up a little so he could look at her face. "I could make up some macho McSteamy excuse, but I'm not going to do that," He said.
"I can't sleep alone," He whispered, sending her a silent message with his eyes that he wasn't ready to say why.
"It's a good thing that I am not leaving then," Izzie replied. Sometime he will tell me why, but for now this is enough. She leaned up, and gave him a kiss.
Someday I will tell her the reason why, but for tonight this is good enough. He thought as he accepted the kiss that she was offering. Izzie turned on her side, and Mark spooned against her linking their fingers around her waist. Each of them lost in their own thoughts as slumber overtook them.
And on we go...
CH. 13: Bubble Baths and Twenty Questions
When they finished their Pop Tarts and Diet Coke Mark took the wrappers and cans and placed them on the tray to discard later. Mark then reached for Izzie and pulled her onto his lap.
"What do you want to do now?" He asked raising his eyebrows suggestively.
Izzie rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I would like to get to know you better."
Mark's eyes widened and a look of panic crossed his features. Oh God I knew it was too good to be true.
"SSH, Mark it's okay," Izzie cooed as she gently caressed his cheek with her hand. "Do you trust me?" Please say yes, please say yes.
"Unconditionally," Mark replied looking her straight in the eye. Did I just say that out loud?
Izzie grinned so wide that her smile reached her eyes. "Then follow me," She purred, lacing her fingers through his as she scrambled off his lap, pulling him off the bed after her to lead him into the bathroom.
She went over to the sunken tub, and began to fill it with water. She found some strawberry bubble bath and poured a generous amount into the tub. "Have you ever taken a bubble bath?" She asked.
"No," He choked out. What is this woman doing to me? She makes me want to give her the world and then some.
When the tub was full Izzie stuck her hand in to test the temperature of the water. An audible sigh escaped her lips because the water felt so good on her skin. Mark came up behind her to wrap his arms around her waist, but she stepped to the side, just out of his reach.
"Wait!" Izzie exclaimed. "There are rules to taking bubble baths."
"Rules," Mark asked with an arched eyebrow.
"Yes," Izzie explained. "Rule number one, there will be no sex in this bathtub."
"What!" Mark screeched. "I strongly object."
Izzie laughed at his distress. "It's okay Mark, really. My Mom and I used to do this when I was younger. The bathtub was a safe haven where we could talk about anything. There would be no judgements or retribution. I wish my mom and I were still close and we could do that."
There are many facets to Dr. Isobel Stevens and I seem to be getting to know a different side of her everyday. "Okay Kat," He conceded. "Anymore rules I should know about?"
"Just one," She replied. "Rule number two is complete and total honesty in the tub."
Mark's throat went dry and he lost the ability to speak, so he just nodded. I don't think I've ever been totally honest with anyone, much less a woman. I could do it for her.
Izzie used the hand Mark offered and slowly sank into the tub. She slid to one end of the tub and brought her knees up to her chest. Mark stepped in and mimicked her position. He was sitting opposite her so that their knees were touching. She reached over and took both of his hands in hers.
"Comfy?" She asked. He nodded, so she continued. "Here's how bath time works. We are going to ask each other questions and we have to answer them honestly. Any questions?"
"How deep are these questions going to be?" Mark asked with trepidation.
"Depends," Izzie replied. "Are you game?"
"Bring it on," Mark challenged.
"Okay here goes," Izzie started. "Do you sing in the shower?"
Mark smiled at the question. This won't be so bad. "No," He replied. "You?"
"No, I do not," Izzie replied. "Your turn."
"What is your favorite food?" He asked.
"Anything with chocolate," Izzie replied. "Yours?"
"Lobster, pizza and beer," He replied.
They sat in that bathroom for what seemed like hours and discussed everything from their favorite sexual fantasy (his multiple women, hers romance galore) to their favorite board games (his Monopoly, hers Candy land) to their coolest surgery to date. Both Mark and Izzie were enjoying their bubble bath and taking the opportunity to get to know each other better.
There was one question that Mark had wanted to ask, but was always afraid she would hate him for it. "Why did you sleep with O'Malley?" He asked quietly.
The amusement disappeared from her eyes and was replaced by a dull stare. The playful tenor quickly evaporated from the room. Seriously, he seriously wants to know about George? Stupid, Stupid Izzie! You opened this can of worms, now you have to bite the bullet and eat them. "It was a stupid mistake, a gigantic huge, stupid mistake. A mistake that I will regret for the rest of my life," She whispered sadly. She closed her eyes, and Mark thought she was going to break down again. "We got drunk and it happened, but I shouldn't lead you to believe that I regret the act, because I don't. I thought I loved him, and I was wrong. Having sex with George led me on a path here, to you," She said softly. She shifted so her left leg was in between Mark's legs and his left leg was in between both of her legs, which allowed them to move closer together. "The only thing I regret is that it cost me my best friend."
Mark simply nodded at her answer and rubbed slow circles on her back. Derek is right... I am an asshole and I don't deserve her. "I'm sorry Iz," Mark whispered. "I just had to know."
"That's okay," She replied. "So now turnabout is fair play. Why can't you sleep alone?" She asked.
I should have seen that one coming he thought as he fought back the tears that burned his eyes. He shut his eyes so she wouldn't see his tears, but she wouldn't allow him to shut her out. She gently cupped his face with the palm of her hand and waited until he opened his eyes. When he did they were glassy and tired. I want to trust you he pleaded. Please give me a sign. She slid across the tub so she was on her knees behind him, gently massaging his shoulders and back. "I know that sharing is hard for you," Izzie whispered in his ear. "Take all the time you need Mark. I'll be right here." There is the sign he sighed as he let his body relax against hers.
"Everyone leaves me," He whispered. "First my mom, and then Derek, and finally Addison. No one loves me enough to stay. Losing my mom was hard, but I think losing Derek and Addie was harder. I too have lost my Best friends, and ever since that night in New York I haven't slept alone." He held his breath as he waited for her to respond.
Izzie was listening to his explanation with tears running down her own cheeks. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Mark's body. "Come on," She said stepping out of the tub, pulling him out with her. She turned around to face him. She took her thumbs and wiped away his tears leaving kisses in their wake. When she reached his mouth they fused together. They were each kissing the other with all of the passion and emotion they could muster. They finally broke apart when breathing became necessary. "I said no sex in the tub," Izzie whispered sultrily. "I said no such thing about the bed however."
Mark gave her his best McSteamy grin, picked her up and carried her into the bedroom.
A/N: Thanks to all who have reviewed. Please R&R. I live for them