Goodness, folks, I can't believe that I have written this chapter or that this story has gotten to this point--the last chapter. Can you believe it!? I know that I'm still slightly surprised. All I can say is that this chapter went through some major re-writes until I got it to where it felt good in my bones. I really hope that you all love it. I know that the alert system hasn't been working...I just hope that all of you who have been reading this story will get a chance to read it. Now, as far as an epilogue goes, I do have an idea for one, but to be frank, I'm not sure if it will happen. I just have to play around with my ideas and if I'm happy with the finished product, I may post it. And I won't lie, a little convincing from my readers wouldn't hurt. Hee hee. I'm evil and I'm selfish. So, as of right now, consider this the last chapter until I make up my mind.

I hope you are as satisfied with this chapter as I am. I tried to make it as true to the two characters that I have grown to love as much as I possibly could. Seriously, let me know what you think.

It's been fun and thanks to all of the reviews. You're kind words have really meant a lot to me!

All characters belong to Shonda and ABC

Chapter 11: Rhythm

Tap. Tap. Tappity tap tap.

Her fingers tapped an agitated rhythm against the cool Formica counter top of the nurses' station as her eyes danced back and forth between him and her patients' chart. She hadn't spoken to him for one week, three days, fourteen hours, and twenty-eight minutes since he'd dropped her off and she'd slammed the passenger's side door to his black Mercedes, scrambled to her house, and locked herself in her room for a whole day listening to nothing but Indie rock music. Lately, she'd been in the mood for nothing but Indie rock music.

She'd also done a lot of baking in that one week, three days, fourteen hours and…She glanced at her watch…twenty-nine minutes. Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, key lime pie, even a caramel cake, and muffins . . . lots and lots of muffins. But no chocolate cake…she'd suddenly lost all desire for her grandmother's famous chocolate cake. The last time she'd wanted to bake a chocolate cake was, well, when she had made it with him…that night. She hadn't had a craving since.

Him. The man that shall remain nameless.

Just how could he do that to her…turn her world upside down like that? It had all started when the two of them were standing on the roof with the sun setting, and him deciding to sputter off words so passionate, so beautiful, and so terrifying for her to hear.

It completely disrupted the balance that had been so carefully built between them… a lot of sarcasm, sexual innuendos, honesty, laughter, and aggravation. They'd become friends, a tag team pair, and he'd also come to mean a great deal to her, despite his annoying tendencies like always having to hold the remote control when they watched TV or constantly channel surfing through radio stations when they were in the car, and him always having to drive . . . everywhere (She didn't really mind being chauffeured around, she just had to complain about it out of principle.)

But, honestly, why did he have to go and be so…knight in shining armor like?

Izzie slammed the chart closed and let out a frustrated sigh. Her eyes cut to him again. He was standing in front of the surgical board with Burke and Shepard, laughing. Laughing! Her eyes narrowed. How could he stand there, looking so carefree and normal, while she'd spent countless nights, tossing and turning, replaying the words of his declaration over and over in her head? (Well not really countless. She'd spent ten long nights cursing the overly handsome and overly sexed plastic surgeon until the break of dawn while replaying those words in her head! Honestly, she'd always been good at multi-tasking, but she was exhausted…she needed to give her taxed mind a break.) She'd almost t ran out of cover up trying to hide the dark circles under her swollen eyes that she like to think were a direct result of him . . . and well . . . the kiss, too.

She'd been replaying that kiss in her mind like in slow motion, kind of like what those sports casters did on ESPN whenever there was an awesome play that had been made in a game. That was another thing ruined. She used to love watching ESPN…especially with him. Now she considered the sports network to be in the same category as her grandmother's chocolate cake.

Really, in all honesty, it wasn't entirely his fault, if she must be fair. She'd been the one who initiated the kiss which therefore prompted him to declare his intentions. And she'd liked it . . . a lot. Ok, alright--she had more than just liked it. She'd fully enjoyed it, basked in it, and got lost in it. She couldn't maker herself stop thinking about it.

He really was an amazing kisser.

Her eyes traveled down to his lips, watching them form words and then twist into that trademark little smirk of his. It was slow . . . confident . . . and sexy. Her eyes suddenly wanted to take in all of his face: his strong jaw, chiseled cheeks, and those blue eyes that crinkled when he smiled, giving his face character.

Shit.

He caught her looking at him.

She tore her eyes quickly away, and grabbed the chart, quickly walking in the opposite direction.

She hated him more than she had ever hated him before at that moment. She'd never felt so confused, so lost, or so torn before in her life. Just when she thought that she was about to be able to completely get her life back to normal, he had to go and change everything.

Izzie opened the door to the supply room, shut it, and locked it. Releasing a sigh, she closed her eyes and slid down to the floor.

"Izzie, if you give me the green light, I'm going to do everything in my power to win your heart . . ."

She could still hear his words echo throughout her mind; words that had stopped her heart and made her world spin out of orbit.

So why hadn't she given him the green light?

It wasn't because she wasn't attracted to him. She was . . . very much so, in fact. She always had been from the first moment she saw him. She'd just never acted on it. Well, except for the two times that she had kissed him.

Maybe it was because he was such an ass?

No, that wasn't the reason either. He was undoubtedly an ass. And somehow, it was a part of his charm. He'd say the most outlandish things that were border line rude and often times politically incorrect. He was honest and blunt. And she had found it utterly charming and refreshing…annoying, but still refreshing.

So, it wasn't because of a fatal personality flaw or his looks. His track record, maybe? No, his past sins didn't scare her because she had quite a few dastardly deeds in her closet as well.

"Denny." She sighed as she whispered his name.

She'd loved Denny Duquette like she'd never loved before. She'd fallen in love with his charisma and spirit. Even though he had been limited by his body's failings, he'd captured her heart with his strength and his vitality. He hadn't been afraid to love her, and she hadn't been afraid to give him her love.

She'd been confident that their love would last, that she'd be able to save him, and that he'd get better. He'd gotten his new heart and he'd live, they'd get married and have tons of babies.

Only, they weren't given a chance. The picturesque life she had imagined had simply been a dream that had turned into a nightmare.

It had felt as if her broken heart had been buried with him the day they laid his body to rest. The pain of his loss had almost been unbearable. It had felt as if she'd lost everything. She'd even almost given up her medical career because the pain had been too great and the risks she took had reaped such severe consequences.

She'd also thought that she'd never be able to love again or to even want to love. She'd believed that Denny's love, although it had been a short time that she had possessed it, would be enough for her life time.

And now she was faced with the realization that she may have been wrong. Maybe Denny's love hadn't been enough for her after all … maybe she needed something else, something more?

She had loved Denny with all of her heart, but he had died, leaving her behind to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and her shattered dreams. He'd been gone for six months and over that time she had had to rebuild her life, learn to cope, and forced to move on.

It had been difficult and she had to take it day by day, slowly and gently. Her friends had been there for her, to share her burden and to try to lessen her grief. They had all tried earnestly, but they hadn't been as successful as they had hoped.

But, it had all changed when Mark had waltzed his way into her life. They hadn't known one another well, but they both intertwined themselves into one another's lives, helping to suture their broken hearts with stitches made from the fibers of their friendship. It had surprised them both how easily they accepted the other and just how easily they had come to depend on one another so quickly and intensely.

It had been so natural, so effortless.

He had been exactly what she needed, and she believed that it was the same for him as well. She liked to believe that Denny was with her always, looking after her from Heaven. She knew that some may view her beliefs as juvenile and simple, but to her, she gained comfort. And believing that, she couldn't help but wonder if Mark was sent to her by Denny?

Would he approve of Mark and the place he developed in her life? Would he give her his blessing to pursue a relationship with this other man? She wiped away a fallen tear as she opened her eyes and she knew the answer to her questions.

Yes.

The answer had come to her softly and gently, surrounding her like the whisper of a soft, warm breeze. She hugged her arms to her body, as she bit back a smile, freely letting the tears run down her face.

He had given her his blessing.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

She stood there, clutching the strap of her tote, staring at his door. Even though she hadn't spoken to him in more than a week, she knew that he had moved into his recently purchased penthouse just days before. It had been the hot topic of the hospital, with speculations as to why he was staying in Seattle when Dr. Montgomery had so neatly turned him down. Maybe it was the lovely Seattle weather that he was staying for? Or maybe it was because he had become a contender for Chief of Surgery?

Izzie had simply rolled her eyes at all of the speculations as to why Dr. Mark Sloane was staying in Seattle. She knew the real reason for his relocation to the city that gave birth to Starbucks. And she couldn't deny the shiver that ran up her spine when she thought about it.

She was the reason why he was staying.

She could only imagine what the gossipers would do with that bit of information. They'd have a field day with it, after they wiped away the looks of shock off their faces.

A brief grin appeared on her mouth, only to be replaced with worry as she bit her lip. She looked at her watch again. It was 2: 25 in the morning and she was tired, exhausted really after getting off of a thirty hour shift. Maybe she should just turn around and go home, get a good night's rest, and then talk to him later.

Her tired eyes traveled to his doorbell. Who was she kidding? She knew that she wouldn't be able to get any rest until she said her peace, spilled her guts, let the cat out of the bag. And to be completely honest, she just wanted to see him.

She lifted her hand shakily as her finger went to press the doorbell. She knew he was a heavy sleeper, so she kept punching it, eventually creating a rhythm. Her mind got lost in the short staccato beats she was creating when the door was suddenly yanked open to reveal a very tired, very annoyed looking Mark.

She pulled back her finger and stood there frozen, watching him rub the sleep out of his eyes.

She watched as surprise registered in his eyes as they washed over her. Suddenly all of her bravado abandoned her as she stood there, silent, more than likely resembling a deer caught in the head lights.

"Izzie, what are you doing here? It's almost 2:30 in the morning." He asked her tiredly, stifling a yawn.

She took in his appearance. He was wearing black pajama bottoms, with no shirt, and his hair was sticking up all over his head. She swallowed as she realized that this was the first time she'd ever seen him shirtless. He really was steamy.

He stood there looking at her expectantly and she cleared her throat, realizing that she owed him an explanation for awakening him from his slumber. "I know that it's really late . . . but, I needed to see you."

She stood there as she saw emotion flicker in his eyes, his body suddenly becoming awake. He stood to the side, opening the door wider. "Come on in."

Izzie smiled nervously as she walked past him, not bothering to ignore the heat that radiated off of his body. Her nerves felt as if they had come to life, her senses suddenly sharpening. Oddly, her reaction to him didn't soothe her jitters, it only made it worse.

She walked into his new home and took in the space that they had found together. There were boxes everywhere, and very little furniture. He was still very much in the moving process.

She turned and looked at him. "Are you waiting on your furniture from New York to get here?"

She saw his eyes shift to the various moving boxes and back to her. "No, actually, I'm just going to buy things here, eventually."

She looked at him, surprised. "But you don't have any furniture! What are you sleeping on … a sleeping bag, a blow up mattress?"

He looked at her in disbelief, suddenly making Izzie feel rather idiotic. "Um, no, as soon as my offer was accepted I bought a bed and the necessary items I would need. I'm good at roughing it."

She looked at him, and raised her eyebrow at his comment. Somehow that simple phrase had her body come alive with awareness. She shook her head and walked to the kitchen, fully aware that his eyes were following her.

She opened the refrigerator door and scanned the appliance for food. A pack of beer, a box of left over pizza, bottled water, and three Chinese take out cartons. Typical bachelor. She turned around to find an amused grin on his face.

"Finding everything to your liking, Dr. Stevens?"

She lifted her eyes slowly to his. "Yes, I am, Dr. Sloane."

"I'm glad to hear it," he said softly, his voice sounding like music to her ears. She'd missed hearing his deep baritone and its rich timbre that was so warm and enchanting. There'd been too much silence between them over the last ten days. Silence that had been created from the space he had given her to make up her mind.

They looked at one another, separated by the kitchen island, their gazes heavy as they stood there, surrounded by the quiet of the night. She dropped her eyes as her hand started to run over the cool, smooth granite, tracing the different colored veins that ran through the solid surface.

His hand covered hers, stopping the nervous motions. "Izzie . . . why are you here?"

She didn't answer him. Her eyes stayed on the hand that was covering her own as her other hand twitched in resistance trying to fight the temptation to run her fingers over his knuckles.

He pulled his hand away from hers, causing her eyes to find his steady blue eyes. "I'm going to ask you again, Izzie . . . why are you here?"

She knew that he knew the reason for her late night appearance. Ire suddenly went through her, but she squashed it down. He wasn't going to make this very easy on her and truthfully, she didn't blame him.

She tried to find her voice, only to discover that it was somewhat timid. "I wanted to . . . no, I needed to see you," she said softly, as her brown eyes connected with his. Looking into his light blue ones, she felt her nerves melt away as she saw the look of hope reflected in his blue depths. She walked around the counter and stood in front of him, taking in his face; one that had become so dear to her over the past month and a half.

"You're a real jerk, you know that?" She asked, the tone of her voice belittling her harsh words.

A wry grin spread over his mouth. "I've been told that once or twice."

She laughed softly to herself as she looked heavenward, trying to figure out how to express exactly what she wanted to say. "You know, I actually hated you this past week." She looked at him, to find interest in his eyes, as he stood there listening to her.

"I was so mad at you after the shock wore off from what you told me on the roof top. I just couldn't believe it all . . . I mean, what exactly gives you the right to come into my life, weasel your way into my affections, and then tell me that you're going to do everything in your power to make me fall in love with you . . . but only if I give you permission?! Who does that?" She asked rhetorically, as frustration rang in her voice.

She took a deep breath, not looking at him, and went on talking, discovering that the words were coming out rather easily. "And on top of that, you have to be considerate by giving me time to figure out if it's something I want." She turned to him, becoming rather serious. "And let me tell you, that's when I really hated you. You made me face everything, Mark. All of my hurts, my fears, and even my guilt."

She turned her head, not able to look at him. She was afraid that if she looked into his eyes she wouldn't be able to hold all of her emotions in check. Finding that his close proximity was too much for her, she went to the windows and looked out across the Seattle skyline, trying to gain her bearings.

"I was afraid of letting myself love you," she began softly. "I was afraid that if I let myself fall in love with you, my relationship with Denny would have been all for naught." She turned around to look at him, knowing that she had to make him understand her feelings. "I didn't want my love for him and his death to have been in vain."

She watched as a shadow crossed over his eyes, his mouth setting into a thin line. He turned his face away from her as he spoke softly. "I think I know where you're going with this, so, let me just stop you before—

"No!" She rushed over to him and turned his face towards her, forcing his eyes to connect with hers. "No . . . I have to be heard. Just let me say this."

She waited for his response, not taking her hand away from his face. When he gave her a small nod, she continued. " Mark, I was holding onto Denny because I was afraid that if I loved you, then Denny would have meant nothing . . . but then I realized that I couldn't live my life holding on to a memory. I loved him and he taught me so much about how to love. It would be a shame to not honor that gift he gave me.

"These past ten days have been utter hell for me, Mark." His eyes seared into hers at hearing her words, letting her know wordlessly that he felt the same. She shortened the space between them in her sudden need to be closer to him.

"I've missed your crass jokes that you find hilarious but aren't really that funny; I've missed the sound of your laughter and how hearing it makes me smile. I've missed you stealing bites of my food when you think I'm not looking." Her hand reached up to his face, softly caressing it. "And that cologne that you wear…I've missed how it lingers on my clothes after you gather me in one of those obnoxious bear hugs of yours."

Her eyes bore into his, revealing all of her emotions. This time, she wasn't afraid to expose her heart to him. "I don't think I could handle not having you in my life."

She watched as he stood there silently, the muscles of his throat working as he was struggling with his emotions. She felt as his hand squeezed her elbows, and ran up her arms to clasp her hand in his.

"I need to know exactly whatyou're saying, Izzie," He said barely in a whisper as his eyes met hers, searching, she knew, for any kind of indication of how she felt towards him.

Her heart melted at his insecurity and she connected her eyes with his. "What I'm saying is that I'm giving you the green light."

Mark let out a deep breath and closed his eyes and she felt all of the tension melt out of his body. She moved closer, closing the gap between them, and wrapped her arms around him, as she gently rested her face in the crook of his shoulder. She inhaled his scent, taking in the familiarity of his smell of oriental woods, nutmeg, and musk, a combination uniquely him. She sighed as she felt his arms tighten around her and smiled at just how perfectly their bodies fit together. She didn't bother stifling her soft moan of contentment as she felt his fingers run through her hair.

"I swear it, Izzie…you're not going to regret giving me this chance to win you over…" His voice was soft but full of confidence.

She lifted her head and looked into his eyes once more. Her fingers found their way into his hair and she silently took pleasure in the feel of his thick wavy strands between her fingers. A smile was on her lips as she whispered, "You've already won me over, Mark."

His eyes washed over her reverently as his hands cupped her face, a simple gesture that touched Izzie to her core. "I'm in love with you, Izzie. I know, it's crazy . . . I haven't even taken you out on a real date yet, but, I'm not going to hide what I'm feeling. I've done it for far too long. . ."

Izzie closed her eyes at the sincerity and honesty of his emotions. She knew that he meant them down to the depths of her soul and as she opened her eyes to look into his, she saw her reflection in his eyes, the way he saw her, and was humbled by his love for her.

"You may not love me now, but—

Izzie's lips silenced his as she pulled him closer to her. She lost herself in the texture of his lips, his taste, and the sensation of having his muscular frame against her. This kiss trumped the other two in comparison. This one meant so much more and was given out of an emotion so pure, it nearly overwhelmed her.

She pulled back from him and caught her breath. "I swear, Mark, you can be so oblivious." A smile formed on her lips when she saw a questioning gaze in his eyes and she lifted a finger to wipe off some of her lip gloss off his lower lip.

"I'm falling for you, Mark." Her eyes met his again as her arms circled around his neck. She smiled at the joy in his eyes, knowing that the same emotion was shining in her own.

"You were right you know," she said softly, standing on her tip toes to place a line of kisses along his jaw.

She felt the rumble of his laughter through his chest as he squeezed her closer to him. She decided that she rather liked the feeling of being in his arms. "Oh, yeah? What I was I right about?"

She sighed as his lips sought hers and once again claimed her lips in a kiss. "That you can be very persuasive . . ."

"Mmm…sexy, great ass, and smart, too. It seems that I've caught me a mighty fine woman," he said as his lips left a trail of kisses down her neck.

Izzie let out a small moan. "And don't you forget that . . . "

"You do know . . . " he said in between kisses, " . . . that I'm playing for keeps, don't you?"

Izzie pulled away from him, to look him in the eyes as she considered his words, weighing her own. Softly she said, "You better because that's the only way I play."

Their eyes connected for a moment of intensity, each silently taking their claim of the other. Mark grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, placing a kiss on her knuckles. "Good, we're on an even playing field then. What do you say to going to bed? I'm getting a little tired after being rudely awakened by some crazy lady ringing my doorbell."

Izzie laughed softly and relaxed into him. "That sounds like a great idea."

Mark pulled on her hand and she followed him, only to stop when he turned around and looked at her inquisitively. "So . . . 'the beast,' has she awakened from her slumber and is in need of being fed?"

Izzie's surprised laugh rang throughout the empty pent house. She tugged on his hand and led him into the bedroom. "I have a feeling that she'll be awake very, very soon."

"Just let me know, because I have a feeling I'll need all the endurance I can muster." He tossed a wink her way only making her want to grab onto him and hold him closer to her.

They made their way into his bedroom, their hands joined, and she smiled as he handed her the pajama top that matched his bottoms for her to sleep in. As she made her way to the bathroom, she stole one last look at him, only to find him watching her silently; his heated gaze sending a small flush to her cheeks. She entered the bathroom , changed quickly and caught her reflection in the mirror, stopping her in her haste to study the image before her. There she stood; swallowed whole by the soft black cotton of Mark's pajama top, glowing, her eyes warm, and a smile on her lips … she was completely and utterly happy. And she felt alive for the first time, in a long time.

She'd forgotten what an all encompassing high new love was like. Oh, she'd loved Denny. She'd loved him very much, but this new burgeoning relationship with Mark was different (and she had a feeling that Mark would accept nothing less than a full fledged relationship with. He really had changed…) It was like nothing she'd ever experienced before and couldn't think of descriptions that would do her feelings for Mark justice.

She pulled the clip out of her hair and ran her fingers through her curls, and sighed contentedly. Were they moving too fast? Maybe. Did she want to slow down? No, not at all because if there was one thing that she'd learned from loving Denny, it was the fact that there just wasn't enough time in the world to spend with the person one loved. And she was falling in love with Mark. She wasn't going to try to deny it, only accept it, and she didn't want to waste another second with the man that was currently in his bed, waiting for her to join him.

She picked up her jeans and shirt, folding them both, and turned to open the door, flipping the light off on her way out. Tossing her clothing gently to the floor to rest beside her tote bag, she turned to see Mark lying on his side on the opposite side of the bed, his head propped against his hand, waiting for her.

She smiled at him and softly padded over to him, joining him in his large bed, and turned to face him. He reached over her, pulling the covers over her body and wrapped his arms about her, cradling her against him.

She closed her eyes as she felt his lips place a kiss on her forehead and snuggled deeper into the comfort he offered. As she was lulled to sleep by the soft, steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a thought drifted through her mind. She'd been right about him. He did have a lot of love to give and he was offering his heart to her, which she knew was a huge step for Mark, and she would gladly take it, giving him her heart in return. And for the first time in a long time, she felt warm, content, cherished.

She had to admit, it felt right to be in his arms.

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