Chapter 3

Alex picked her up and carried her inside and put her on a bed. He got a banana bag IV and put it in her arm. "The IV fluids will head off your hangover"

"Karev?" she managed to say. Her voice was so weak that it was barely audible.

"I'm here"

"I-I'm drunk" she said.

"Yeah I see… but you'll be sober in a few hours. I've gotta see some patients, I'll come later" Alex said.

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Mark stood outside Addison's room looking at her when she woke up.

"Hey" said Mark as he walked in.

"Hey" replied Addison.

"How are you?" Mark asked gently

"I'm fine. Just a little out of it"

"Addie, we need to talk."

"I have nothing to say, Mark."

"Well I have plenty to say… I-I'm sorry about what happened before… you know.. I never meant to hurt you. I fucked up, I know that .. but it will never happen again. Just give me… give us another chance… I love you babe"

"D-don't say that, you never did. I don't think you even went a week without sleeping with someone else when we were together and I think it'll never change" Addison glared at him, she sighed and looked away, "I don't want to get hurt again Mark. I-I'm not strong enough".

"I had better go then…" mumbled Mark.

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Mark left the room and leaned back against the wall of the corridor and slid down into a sitting position. Derek walked up and looked down at him.

"Hey, what's up? Derek asked.

"Too often, the thing you want most is the one thing you can't have" Mark replied.

Derek shook his head and sat down next to him "You really love her, don't you?"

"Why do you ask that?" Mark wondered.

"She's your weak spot. Your own personal vulnerability, isn't it?"

"For the first time in my life I got emotionally involved and… I got screwed over. Somehow I lost my best friend and the woman I loved" Mark said as he looked directly at Derek who didn't reply. "I know I am a man who does not quite understand the concept of fidelity but I do love her" he sighed. "I reckon sometimes I can be flawed or wreck but Addison wasn't just an affair Derek. But things are not working; she doesn't love me... what am I supposed to do now?

Derek looked at him in the eyes. "Be an adult Mark, if you're letting her go, let her go" replied.

Meanwhile Addison glanced out the door to see Mark and Derek sitting in the hall and listened their conversation.