So, I am ashamed that ti has taken me so long to pull myself together and post this, because you guys have been such good readers. So I apologize for this very late update... Anyways, if you forgive me, this is a rather short but quite neccessary... So, have a good time...!

CHAPTER 25 – AN ENCOUNTER

"Mark?"

The surprise hit Addison every time she said his name. Never in a million years, had she imagined to bump into him. Actually, she hadn't expected ever to meet him again, because Mark Sloan was to her a closed chapter.

"What are you doing here?" she started to ramble. "What are you doing here?"

Mark flashed hi bright smiled for a split second and crossed his arms over his chest. "Hi Addison. Nice to see you too... It's been a while. How are you?"

Addison paused for a while and just looked at him. He seemed to look good... healthy... probably no blocked arteries there... She blinked, and got her sense back. "Why did you say you were here again?"

"I didn't..." Mark looked down. "Look... I-"

"Oh yeah..." Addison called out and put a realizing hand to her forehead. "You're here for that consult right? The little boy..."

Yet again, Mark looked down and took a deep breath to gather some strength. "No... I'm here with Meredith..."

"What?" Addison looked oddly at him, almost giving out something resembling an insecure laugh. "What?"

"Her daughter, Zadie..." Mark scratched his forehead. "You look surprised... I guess you haven't heard about-"

"I have... heard..." Addison mumbled and smiled slightly in desperation. "In fact, I think... Derek and I just... might have, ehm, broken up... so to speak... ah, because of this..."

"Oh..." Mark looked down. "I..."

"I was just surprised that you and Meredith ehm, are..."

"... friends..." Mark filled in and looked at Addison who tilted her head to the side. "I helped her, she helped me and here we are... Look, I gotta go and check how she's doing... with everything..."

"Of course..." Addison nodded as Mark walked up alongside with her. "Yeah... Tell her I'm-"

"I know..." Mark nodded and as he passed her he swept a friendly hand on her shoulder. "See you Addison..."

She looked long after he had passed the corner and hated what he still had the unknowing power to do to her...

TBC