AN: I debated whether to bother posting this chapter because I don't really get any feedback or response to this one. But I figure, what the hell, I've written it! So, I'll share.

The title of the chapter comes from the song Let's Take A Walk by Raphael Saadiq. Some of y'all might recognise it from a rather iconic Maddison scene from Private Practice. Anyway, I hope you enjoy. Please review. :) LT.

entangled

..

part seven

cause you're on my mind

..

Ever since their almost kiss Addison had done her stoutest to avoid Mark. It hadn't actually been all that hard, considering their specialities rarely crossed and he tended to work out of his own practice. It was even rare to see him around the brownstone with Derek now, though she wasn't sure if it was avoidance or if they were both just too busy to hang out with each other.

The problem with all of that though was that the more Addison avoided Mark, the more she thought about him. It was ridiculous really and she felt like a schoolgirl with a crush. She'd been in line for coffee when she'd caught a whiff of his cologne and immediately the scent took her back to the night she'd woken up cuddled in his arms after bringing Derek home drunk. It had sent a blush to her cheeks but she was disappointed when she looked around and realised that Mark was nowhere to be found. There was clearly just another man in line that had his same cologne and Addison had to remind herself that she didn't care if he was around or not.

This went on for several weeks until finally they were forced together because of a patient. She and Mark rarely ever had a crossover of patients but as she stepped into the trauma 2 room, she realised why he was there. The patient was heavily pregnant with burns to her face, arms, chest and abdomen. Immediately she got to work, there was no time to think about how good it was to see Mark after their weeks of avoidance. They worked around each other with ease until Addison had to perform an emergency c-section.

"You were great in there Red," Mark complimented her as Addison stepped out of the scrub room. She'd just delivered the preemie via c-section and sent him up to the NICU. Sometimes Mark forgot just how great Addison was in an OR and it truly was dazzling to watch her perform surgery.

"Thanks," Addison replied with a smile and a chuckle as she pulled her scrub cap off. "It was touch and go for a moment there but...I stabilized him, thankfully. They're moving Ms. Wilkins to ICU and then I'm sure you can finish dealing with her burns. She was stable."

"Good. It might be best to let her recover from the c-section a little before doing the debriding. Her body's been through enough trauma in the last few hours," Mark mused as they moved down the hallway.

Addison simply nodded, smiling gratefully over at him. They walked in silence down the hallway and Addison thought things would be awkward between them, now that the rush of working on a patient wasn't their main focus. But it wasn't, in fact, Addison found that all she wanted to do was spend more time with Mark.

"Are you busy now? I was thinking we could get coffee or lunch or...something?" Addison suggested boldly, looking up at him briefly, trying not to sound as hopeful as she truly was.

Mark grinned down at her, surprised by the offer and despite the voice in his head telling him to decline, he did not. "Lunch is good. Want to go to that place down on the corner? I don't have anything until 2," he informed her, glancing down at his watch to check the time. He'd never admit it out loud or to Addison but he'd missed spending time with her.

"Great," Addison beamed. "Just give me half an hour? I want to check on Baby Boy Wilkins and get changed," she told him with a slight chuckle. She'd never been one to stray outside of the hospital in her scrubs very often.

"That's fine. I'll meet you in the lobby in half an hour," Mark said with an easy going shrug. He had some things to check up on before he could leave anyway.

They smiled at each other then before splitting off in different directions; Addison towards the NICU and Mark towards plastics.

A little over half an hour later and they were meeting up just inside the hospital doors. Mark stood by the doors, out of his scrubs and leather jacket on, watching as Addison made her way towards him. He let his eyes wonder over her form almost unthinkingly; she'd let her hair down from the hasty bun it'd been up in during surgery and the crisp white blouse and tight navy pencil skirt did something to him that he didn't want to explain or acknowledge. He tried to ignore it, Addison was Derek's wife , but she was also a total smokeshow and in his eyes, the complete package.

He shook the thoughts off though. He'd been invaded with thoughts like that more and more over the past few months and even more so since their almost kiss. Ever since that night actually Addison had been on his mind; how happy she'd been when they went to the batting cages together, the nights they'd both been waiting on Derek and ended up watching movies together or how miserable she was any time he saw her with Derek lately. He hated to see her so unhappy and as their gazes connected he couldn't help but smile back at her own wide smile.

She looked happy to see him and he was happy to see her. He figured if they didn't have to talk about their almost kiss, then nothing was really wrong.

"Ready?" He asked as she came to a stop in front of him.

"Yep. I didn't realise how hungry I was until I thought about lunch," Addison said with a laugh as they made their way out of the hospital.

The walk wasn't long and as they sat down at a little table by a window, Addison was glad to realise things weren't as weird with Mark as she'd worried. Lunch went smoothly even with the waitress so obviously flirting with Mark as she took their orders and delivered their food. Her parting comment as they paid the bill was so obviously a pick up line that Addison had to scoff, eyeing the young blonde thing with disdain.

"The nerve ," Addison muttered as she watched the waitress walk away, shaking her head as they stood up, readying themselves to get back to the hospital.

Mark's brows furrowed, glancing towards her curiously as they headed for the door, his hand settled on the small of her back. "What?" he asked curiously, stepping out of the little cafe.

"The waitress," Addison said after a moment, a smirk on her lips as she gestured back inside towards the young woman. "She was flirting with you all through lunch," she told him matter-of-factly.

"And?" Mark asked, frowning a little as he glanced back at the cafe for a moment before focusing back on Addison curiously. It was hardly news that women flirted with him.

" And ...I could've been your wife for all she knows," Addison told him with a laugh and a shrug of her shoulders. "The audacity of young girls these days," she murmured, rolling her eyes a little to let Mark know she was only joking. She tried not to think about the jealousy that had bubbled unexpectedly inside her when she'd realised what the waitress was doing. It wasn't her place, Mark wasn't hers to get jealous over.

The biting edge to Addison's words, despite her laugh, surprised Mark more than the actual words. If he didn't know any better he'd think she was jealous. He smirked, taking a step closer and leaning into her personal space. "Trust me, if you were my wife, she'd have no doubt about it," he whispered against her ear teasingly.

Addison flushed at the words, shaking her head as she smacked him lightly on the arm. "Sure Mark," she said dryly, trying not to let the words and the way he'd said them affect her. They continued walking and talking and before they knew it, they were back at the hospital. They were however reluctant to part. "Well, thank you for lunch. I've uh...missed you these last few weeks," Addison admitted softly.

"I've missed you too Red," Mark replied with a grin. "We've gotta hang out more," he told her with a chuckle, bumping shoulders with her playfully. Addison grinned at him about to say something more when her pager went off.

With a sigh she grabbed it from her hand bag and frowned apologetically. "I'm sorry, I've got to go. Babies to birth and all that. I'll see you later Mark," she told him, leaning up to press a lingering kiss to his cheek before she turned and rushed into the heart of the hospital.

Mark watched her go, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket; all he could think was that he was in trouble.

..

"Goddamnit Derek, you promised me. I know better than anyone that my parent's marriage is ridiculous but this is their 45th wedding anniversary. They asked for us to be there. You said you would be there," Addison hissed, very aware that they were in his office and that any number of their colleagues could overhear them arguing if they raised their voices.

"I know," Derek sighed, face pinched at his wife's hysterics. He didn't want to deal with this, not right now. He had a surgery to prepare for. "But MassGen asked me to operate and there's no one there that can do it. Chung has never done the procedure on a mass that size but I have. This is a good opportunity for me Addie. I don't understand why you're making such a big deal out of this. I'm a surgeon Addison, this is what I do ," Derek explained tightly, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose in consternation.

Addison took a deep breath, letting it out slowly in an attempt to calm down. From a surgical standpoint, she understood completely but that didn't mean that rationality extended to the side of her that was a wife. "I understand that. You know I do Derek. I just don't understand why you have to go tomorrow," she started but Derek cut her off.

"So, what? You want me to risk the patient dying just to go to some pretentious party your parents are throwing? How doctorly of you," Derek snapped sharply, throwing a look of disdain her way.

"That's not what I said Derek!" Addison shot back quickly, angry at the implication he was making. "I just don't-" but she was cut off once again by a knock on his office door. She was quick to snap her mouth shut as he told whoever it was to enter, her arms crossing over her chest defensively. She hesitated a moment before looking up, surprised to find Mark in the threshold.

"Uh, am I interrupting something?" Mark asked, noticing the tension in the room clearly. He glanced between his best friends, eyes lingering on Addison as her jaw set and she avoided his eyes.

"No," Derek answered, tone light now as he smiled at his old friend. "I have a favor to ask. How do you feel like going to a party tomorrow night Mark?"

"You've got to be kidding me!" Addison scoffed looking between Derek and Mark, mouth agape. " Derek ," she enunciated clearly, making it obvious how upset she was.

Mark grimaced, eyes flicking between the couple once again as he realised what was going on. Derek was bailing on something and Addison wasn't happy about it. In that moment he wanted nothing more then to just disappear, turn from the door way and make his way to a part of the hospital that wasn't turning into a war zone. But unfortunately for him, he couldn't quite seem to make himself leave the situation, not when Addison looked so upset.

"You hate going to those things alone Addie," Derek said, giving her what he hoped was a charming smile to help lessen the sting a little. "Plus, I'm sure it'll be fun for Mark to rustle up some business off your parents rich old friends. Or maybe some dates ," Derek continued, chuckling a little as he tried to sell the idea to his wife and his best friend.

"Uh, I don't really want to get in the middle of... whatever this is," Mark interjected, grinning sheepishly at his friend, wagging a finger between the pair.

"You're unbelievable Derek Shepherd," Addison murmured angrily, throwing a glare her husband's way as her hands settled on her hips. He'd clearly already thought it all out and there'd be no changing his mind now. Hell, he'd probably been wishing for something like this to happen just to get out of going , Addison thought uncharitably.

"It's fine Mark," Derek reassured Mark, though the other man still looked uncomfortable. He turned his gaze to his wife then. "Addie, I'm sorry I won't be there. But I'm sure you and Mark will have fun."

Addison simply glared, shaking her head at Derek. She was silently fuming; not so much because she wanted her husband's company but because he'd promised and now he was backing out. Like he always did. It was infuriating and she could barely stand to look at him sometimes.

"I'm done talking about this," Addison said firmly. She turned to Mark then as she took a few steps towards the door. "If you're coming tomorrow Mark, be ready to leave by two. The party is in Connecticut. Formal attire," she told him tightly and with that she breezed past him out into the hall and away from Derek's office.

Once Addison was out of earshot and out of sight, Mark stepped into Derek's office properly. "Man, what the hell did you just get me into?" Mark snapped, rather annoyed with his best friend for putting him in this position. He hadn't even agreed to go with Addison to whatever party it was that was happening.

"The Captain and Bizzy's anniversary party," Derek told him sheepishly, glancing over at his old friend apologetically.

Mark frowned, crossing his arms tightly over his chest. "And just why do you want me to go to your wife's parents anniversary party? I get Addie hates going stag but come on . Those are your in-laws, not mine!" Mark grumbled, trying very hard not to snap at his best friend.

"They asked me to perform a surgery at MassGen in Boston. I can't turn that down. It'll be good publicity for me," Derek told him almost smugly. Mark had the insane urge to wipe the smug look off of his best friends face.

"Is upsetting your wife good for you?" Mark asked sarcastically.

Derek sighed. "It's Addie. She'll come around," he said with a shrug. Mark simply nodded, though privately he didn't think Addison would come around. Not about this at least.

Mark sighed, scratching a hand through his hair as he looked at his old friend. "Fine. Fine, I'll take Addison. But you owe me, Derek," Mark sighed, giving Derek a very pointed look before he finally turned to the door. "I'll see you later, man," and with that Mark was out the door too. He was reluctant to go but he agreed, not for Derek but for Addison.

..

"I'm sorry you got stuck coming to this thing," Addison whispered as she and Mark leaned against the open bar, sipping their drinks. This certainly wasn't her ideal way to spend a Saturday evening and she very much doubted it was Mark's favorite either. She was surprised that he'd stuck by her side most of the night instead of sweet talking any number of Connecticut women that'd no doubt be throwing themselves at him in any other circumstance.

"Don't worry about it Red. That dress you're wearing more than makes up for it," Mark whispered back smoothly, smirking his trademark smirk and letting his eyes linger over her outfit. The bright white dress she was wearing was backless and fitted, contrasting perfectly with the red curls framing her face and the blue of her eyes. She looked classy, elegant and gorgeous and Mark couldn't take his eyes off of her. If he hadn't been drinking he knew he'd never be so bold with her; not that she seemed to mind in the least.

"Mark," she intoned, the playfulness in her voice evident even as she shook her head and rolled her eyes. Her fingers tightened on the stem of her wine glass as the butterflies in her stomach fluttered rambunctiously. He'd been complimenting her all evening.

"It's true. You look beautiful tonight. Not that you don't always but-" and he was saved from rambling like a fool by an older woman appearing beside them, smiling fondly at Addison.

"Addison, dear, it's been so long since I've seen you. Not since your wedding I think. Is this your husband?"

Addison was quick to shake her head, giving the woman a tight smile. "No, no. This is my friend, Mark, Mrs. Parker. My husband Derek had to perform a surgery," Addison explained, for what felt like the hundredth time that night.

She watched slightly annoyed as Mrs. Parker's eyebrow rose and a knowing look shadowed her face. It was the same expression her father and brother had garnered for years when their exploits were not so discreet. The very sight of it angered her because she knew what it meant; people thought she'd fallen into the Montgomery trap of infidelity. It was ridiculous of course, Mark was her friend but she'd known from the moment Derek had made his intentions known about inviting Mark in his place, what everyone else at the party would think.

Frankly, it upset her that people thought she'd parade around a lover at a family event. That was tacky beyond measure.

"Oh that's so unfortunate. But I'm sure you'll still enjoy your night, dear. It was wonderful to see you again Addison," Mrs. Parker told her as her drink was placed in front of her and Addison gave her her most charming grin.

"It was lovely to see you again too Mrs. Parker," Addison replied politely.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Addison groaned. Mark frowned a little at the sound, leaning in closer. "What's wrong Red?" He asked quietly, letting his hand settle on the warm, bare skin of her back. Addison shivered at the touch.

She sighed and finished off the rest of her wine before deciding to answer. "Do you realise that half the people here think you're my lover ?" She asked bluntly, her blue eyes meeting his own.

Mark was glad he hadn't taken a sip of his scotch or he just might've done a spit take. "What?" He asked, brows furrowed in confusion, as he glanced around at the other party guests.

Addison nodded rather solemnly. "Yep. You're not my husband and-" she gestured at the lack of personal space between them, "we're awfully comfortable with each other. It's so unseemly. And surely they know Bizzy would never allow me to bring a lover here. But clearly that doesn't stop people thinking it," Addison huffed quietly, rolling her eyes.

"C'mon Ads. I'm sure that's not what people are thinking," Mark chuckled, shaking his head a little. The words had sent a thrill down his spine and he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be Addison's lover. It was a bastard thing to think about his best friend's wife but he couldn't help but feel that it didn't hurt to wonder, did it? Everyone had fantasies. So what if his had involved Addison more times than not lately? Nothing could happen.

"It is," Addison said, adamant of her assessment. Even Archer had made a joke about her turning up with a boy toy instead of her husband. It wasn't at all far fetched that others thought the same. "I can tell."

"Okay. Enough brooding," Mark said, plucking the wine glass from her hand and placing it down on the bar. "We could dance?" He suggested but upon seeing her raised eyebrow, shook his head. "Why don't we get some fresh air then?" He said, keeping his hand on her back as he guided her out towards the garden.

"Fine," Addison pouted, letting him lead her out of the room and towards the back terrace of the house.

The cool evening air sent a refreshing shiver through her and Addison was surprised to realise how stifled she'd felt inside. Now the fresh air prickled against her skin and she felt infinitely more relaxed. No doubt the lack of prying, judgemental eyes helped too.

"I really am sorry you got stuck here with me, you know," Addison told him with a sigh, leaning a shoulder against the stone column of the balustrade, looking out over the garden. It was a beautiful night and Addison was just glad to be away from her parents and prying eyes. She'd needed a break and despite everything, Mark had been able to see that and get her out of there. She was exceptionally grateful for that, for him.

"Come on Red, you don't need to be sorry for that. Besides, I...I'm not stuck with you. If I didn't want to be here, I'd have said no. I like being with you Addison," Mark told her softly, shifting his hands into his pockets awkwardly. He feared he'd reach out and touch her if he didn't consciously keep his hands out of the way.

"Mark," Addison breathed, biting her bottom lip for a moment as she looked up at him. "I like being with you too. I feel good when I'm with you, you know," she admitted gently, shaking her head as she realised her words; she didn't think she should be saying things like that to a man that wasn't her husband. But it was simply the truth. "You make me feel happy."

Of all the things Mark had expected to hear from Addison, that was not it. He'd thought she'd dismiss his words, wave them off, not reciprocate them. "I feel happy with you too Red," Mark told her quietly, already regretting expressing his feelings in such an obvious way. This could only end badly, he knew that but looking at Addison, he couldn't quite bring himself to care.

Their gazes were locked on each other and Mark knew he shouldn't but looking down at her he had the inexplicable urge to kiss her. There was no one around and the alcohol in his system told him it was a good idea, especially after the words they'd just shared with each other. He lifted a hand, letting a finger curl around a strand of hair before cupping her cheek and leaning down to swiftly press his lips against hers. The kiss was short and sweet and to his surprise, Mark could feel Addison responding.

It was then that he realised what he was doing. He was kissing his best friend's wife. He pulled away abruptly, eyes wide as he looked down at Addison.

"Shit. Red," he started, shaking his head a little. He wanted to apologise but the look on her face stopped him. She didn't look angry or upset, instead she looked more surprised than anything.

Addison had been shocked by the kiss and even more shocked when Mark pulled away. It was wrong but all she wanted to do was kiss him again; the urge was so strong it practically left her breathless. She stepped closer, eyes flicking down to his mouth for a moment before she leant in and pressed her lips back against his.

This kiss was hungrier then the first as she slipped one of her hands around his neck, the other cupping his jaw eagerly. The second kiss took Mark by surprise but it only took him a moment to start kissing her back. It was bad and wrong . He knew that but it didn't stop him from wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer, their bodies pressing together in a decidedly unfriendly way.

His tongue swept against her lips, begging for entrance and he let out a low groan when her lips parted easily for him. He deepened the kiss slightly, their tongues tangled as he settled his hands on her hips, pressing her back against the stone column of the terrace. Her arms were wound tightly around his neck now and they were so lost in each other they hadn't realised they were no longer alone.

"There's that Montgomery spirit at work."