The day after Erica caught Mark and Natalie in his apartment, was the day of the separation surgery. Surprisingly, everything went well, including the interactions among Mark, Natalie and Erica. They all worked together to separate the twin boys, and did a good job. No one could really tell that that Erica was not on speaking terms with either Mark or Natalie; the dynamics within the hospital were the same.

After her uncomplicated surgery and a fairly calm day, Dr. Erica Hahn went home to think. She considered calling her twin brother, Aaron. But Erica knew that if she called him and explained what happened chaos would ensue. Erica smiled at the thought that Aaron Hahn would take the first flight from O'Hare to kill any man who dared to hurt his sister, be it physically or emotionally.

Putting her purse and jacket away, Erica began to wind down. After taking a shower and ordering takeout, she listened to the messages on her voice mail:

"Hey sis, its me I wanted to know if you still plan on bringing your boyfriend this Christmas. Just call and let me know. Love ya."

Beep.

"Erica, its Callie. You really should talk to Mark. That's all I have to say. Bye."

Beep.

"Erica, we need to talk. I know nothing I can say right now will get through to you but I at least have to try. Give me a call when you're ready. Bye."

Erica rolled her eyes at Mark's message. She refused to give into her heart, and rather listened to her head. She erased Mark's message as well as Callie's, but left her brother's on the machine.

It was two days after the surgery and three days since Erica had spoken to Mark when Natalie decided to talk with Dr. Hahn. Around lunch time, Natalie found Erica sitting alone at a table flipping through a chart.

"Dr. Hahn." Natalie said.

"Dr. Bishop." Erica did not look up from what she was doing to acknowledge the other doctor.

"Can I sit down?"

"I don't see why not."

Natalie sat down and looked at her hands for a few minuets. For some odd reason, she felt like she was back in high school. After gathering her thoughts, Natalie sat up straight. "Dr. Hahn, I need to apologize to you."

"Excuse me?" Erica said looking up from what she was doing.

"I didn't know that Mark was, and still is, in love with you."

"So he didn't tell you he was seeing anyone."

"No he told me."

"So you just chose to ignore him. That's great." Erica picked up her charts and began to walk away.

Natalie followed her. "Dr. Hahn, you don't understand do you?"

Erica stopped and turned around. "What is there to understand? I walked in on the man I love kissing you."

Natalie looked around before she walked up to Erica to explain herself. "In New York, it didn't matter if Mark was in a relationship or not, we would still sleep together. I didn't think it would be any different here, but apparently it is. Above everything else, I consider Mark a friend."

"One you just happen to sleep with any chance you get."

"The sex never meant anything, it was just good sex." At that moment an old women passed by and looked at the two doctors and shook her head. Natalie looked down. "I would never intentionally hurt Mark like that. I know I've ruined his relationships in the past, but what you two obviously share is different. He loves you and you just said you feel the same way. Don't let my stupid mistake come between the two of you. Mark did ask me to leave several times. He didn't even respond when I kissed him, in fact I'm pretty sure he was trying to push me away."

"Why are you telling me this?" Erica asked.

"Because Mark is my friend and he deserves to be incredibly happy, and I have a feeling that he is when he's with you."

The two doctors stood in silence, both of them trying to gage what had just been said. Erica was pulled out of her daze by the buzzing of her beeper. After checking the message it displayed, she looked back up to Natalie, "I've got to go." She then turned around leaving the pediatric surgeon standing alone outside of the cafeteria.

After she answered the page, Erica went up to the roof to think. She looked out at the Seattle skyline. She loved the city and everything about it, including the rain. She pushed her hair out of her face and turned around to leave. "Mark," Erica said surprised to see him there.

"Erica."

"What are you doing up here?"

"Looking for you," he said taking a step closer.

"And you knew I'd be up here how?"

"I ran into Callie and asked her where you were."

"I will kill her one day."

"That could be considered premeditated murder." Mark joked.

Erica rolled her eyes, "It is."

"Can we talk?" Mark asked.

"Here? Now?"

"Yeah, now's as good a time as any."

Erica nodded her head.

"Nothing happened the other night with Natalie. I could never hurt you like that, having an affair. What we have means too much to me. I hope you know that. I've told you before and I'll tell you until it registers. I. Love. You."

"I know. I love you too."

"What?!" Mark asked surprised.

Before Erica could respond, her pager went off once again. "I've got to take this. Perhaps we could finish this over drinks at Joe's you're paying." Erica said as she walked toward the door back inside.

"Why is it that I always have to pay?" Mark yelled.

Erica turned around, smiled and shrugged her shoulders. Mark put his hands in his pockets, and watched her leave. After he had stood on the roof by himself for a few minuets, Mark smiled and made his way inside as well; the woman never ceased to amaze him. One day, I will marry her. Mark thought to himself

AN: Finally a new chapter. Busy weeks. Please read and review.