Pleasant Surprises

Chapter 8

Okay guys here is the chapter that most of you have been waiting for. I did my best to try and write this as wonderful and romantic as it can be for the stage that Mark and Meredith are in. I believe that in this stage of my story Meredith is too hurt with Derek to even recognize the fact that Mark is not only seeing her as someone that needs comforting but also that she's someone that he has a soft spot for and that to him the possibilities are endless but at the same time impossible. Don't worry she'll be clued in soon enough. LOL.

FYI…I was listening to my IPOD this morning on my way into work and I had it programmed to shuffle songs…so as I'm on the train I listen to "Breathing" from Lifehouse and well yes I love Lifehouse! But as I was listening to the lyrics I just knew how I wanted to write this chapter. I was a little worried about having writer's block for this particular scene but I swear to God as soon as I heard the first words of the song all these thoughts for the story came into my head! I was so excited! So I have to give credit where credit is due: Thank you Lifehouse! You rock!

P.S. I just finished watching today's episode (11/2) and can I just say wow…I pegged Derek well – he actually needs time…like I stated in my previous chapter. I just thought that a bit amusing…and hey who knows maybe, just maybe other things that are somehow crazy thoughts in my head actually come true! But by now you guys all know that I do not own these characters I just borrow them to mold them to my liking in this twisted and dark head of mine.

In any event, Happy Reading!

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"Meredith." Mark called out as he closed his eyes and laid his head against his locker, listening to the thud his head made as it made contact with the locker door. He was in so much trouble. What was this indescribable feeling he felt whenever he knew that Meredith needed comforting or needed a shoulder to cry on? Why did his heart soar every time he was in the same vicinity as her and able to play the role of the concerned friend – if you can call him that at this stage. He could not be feeling any type of emotion where she was concerned. He had vowed not to go down that route again. Why were all the women in Derek's life the women that he had to seek out? Why was it, that he wanted what wasn't his – and only Derek's – to have? It was unbelievable.

Meredith froze at hearing Mark's voice and didn't know exactly what to say or how to feel. He was everywhere it seemed but somehow that didn't bother or scare her. It was oddly comforting. The other dirty mistress…she wondered how he was fairing with all this? Was he any closer to convincing Addison that she belonged with him? Did she actually belong with him or was he just not the type of man that could keep one woman? It seemed like he knew exactly what he was doing and it was more than blatantly obvious that he got around and enjoyed getting around. He was a flirt and a very good one at that. Dr. Mark Sloan was certainly eye candy but you were in a whole heap of trouble if you fell in love with him – of course if you were Addison you were well ahead of the game. Mark had told Meredith that he was in love with Addison or at least had been back when they were together. Now he was here to figure it out – one way or another Addison was well ahead of the game.

"Hey." She called out after what seemed like an eternity – and it minus well have been an eternity. "You hiding?" she questioned as she decided to reach out to him. What harm could it possibly do, right? She felt all alone and she needed some company. Mark made her laugh and smile – and she needed that. Her world was bleak and dark at this moment and she needed someone to light up her life – if he could do it then so be it.

Mark smiled despite the situation. It had taken her forever to respond to his hello – he was starting to wonder if she had actually left through another exit door. He stated: "Of course I'm hiding. You're everywhere, stalker." He joked and smiled upon hearing her giggle. He had made her laugh. That was good right?

Meredith found herself rolling her eyes at his definite over the top attitude: "Me…Stalker? Hellooo…it's you that called out my name and probably overheard my conversation with Cristina over here." She stated, smiling despite her heartache. Mark did always make her smile. What was it about him that made her smile and feel that sometimes life wasn't as bad as it seemed? It didn't make any sense.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop." He started and they both laughed at the same time and heard each other's laugh. "Well okay maybe I was eavesdropping." There he went again – not being able to lie to her. Maybe he could omit the fact that he was finding her more attractive with each day that passed, however, that wasn't lying; it was simply repressing feelings that could never come out. Feelings that he would rather chop his left hand than admit; feelings if voiced out loud would definitely put an end to his friendship with Derek and his family and probably even Addison.

"Uh huh, of course you eavesdropped! You wouldn't be you if you didn't." Meredith said as she got up from the bench and started dragging herself and her IV to Mark's side of the locker room. "You are so bad." She commented as she saw him sitting on the floor with his head against his locker. "You were here all this time? How much did you listen to?" she asked, sincerely wanting to know.

"I'm sorry." He said genuinely. "You seemed so distraught and I was already inside and you hadn't seen me and I didn't want to go back out because…well because I wanted to see how you were doing." He finalized, immediately looking into her eyes. "Meredith…" he stated and stopped at pronouncing her name as he saw the pain reflected in her eyes despite the smile on her face.

Meredith looked at Mark and for the life of her could not see anything that resembled cockiness, amusement or even pity – he was just genuinely concerned for her and that made her want to cry even more. She wanted to just go to him and let him comfort her, hold her in his arms which she was sure were strong and could make her feel protected. She wanted to lose herself in him and not think of Derek or of anyone else. All she wanted was a shoulder to lean on and someone who would understand exactly what she was going through.

Mark smiled at her sadly and stated: "So how are you doing, really? I mean you put on a pretty face and a beautiful smile but if I were to judge by what I see in your eyes I would say that you are two seconds from breaking down and if that's the case I want you to warn me and I'm here." He said. "Meredith, I'm here." He repeated, but made no move to approach her or to try to hold her – he wasn't sure that was what she wanted.

I'm finding my way back to sanity again
though I don't really know what I'm gonna do when I get there
and take a breath and hold on tight
spin around one more time
and gracefully fall back to the arms of grace

"Good. I'm good." She said as she tried to mask the pain she was in. "I deal. I have so far so what's different now, right?" She questioned, as she felt herself shrug her shoulders. Although she wanted to cry right now…she was too exhausted…and she was in front of him…and she just didn't want to cry because if she started she wouldn't stop and while she wanted his comfort she wasn't sure he wanted to give it to the degree that she needed it. She couldn't show him that she was weak. She wanted to be as strong as he was. Addison was important to him and he still managed to move on and smile and be so wonderful…he was a dirty mistress as well and they didn't know each other well enough for her to breakdown in front of him.

"Really?" he asked. "You're okay?" Mark wanted her to open up to him and tell him what she was feeling no matter how stupid she thought it made her seem. He could read her like a book and she was holding out on him. He could see it in her eyes, the desperate attempt to be strong and not have him know that she was in so much pain that the thought of a happy tomorrow was absolutely impossible to comprehend.

cause I am hanging on every word you say and
even if you don't want to speak tonight
that's alright, alright with me
cause I want nothing more than
to sit outside Heaven's door
and listen to you breathing
is where I wanna be yeah

He continued at her silence: "Whenever you want to talk and whatever you want to talk about just know that you can come to me…with anything…and I'll listen. No judgments and no criticisms" Mark said, softly as he got up from the floor and approached her slowly. He saw her hesitation at his apparent nearness but that didn't detract him from his goal: to get close enough to her so he could touch her. He suddenly had this earth-shattering need to touch her. What was this feeling?

"You got any tequila?" she asked as she saw him get up from the floor and slowly approach her. Something told her that she should step back and not let him get too close but she couldn't move – she was rooted in that spot and apparently there was no moving her. She wanted Mark to touch her. All of a sudden it was so apparent: her need to be comforted by him. She was looking for it and she wanted it and most importantly she needed it.

I'm looking past the shadows in my mind into the truth and I'm
trying to identify the voices in my head
God which one's you
let me feel one more time what it
feels like to feel and
break these calluses off of me
one more time

"You don't need any." Mark reminded her as he stood right before her. "Besides you can't have any. Doesn't tequila get us in trouble most of the time – well separately -- but nonetheless doesn't it get us in trouble?" he questioned as he looked down at her. She was not a short girl by any means but still not as tall as him and if he got any closer he could look down at her…and if she looked up at the same time…they would be so close that kissing her would be the easiest thing in the world. They would fit well together. Stop it Sloan! You need to stop those thoughts right now – they are not productive.

"Who has tequila gotten you in trouble with Dr. Sloan?" she questioned and smiled. "I bet I can beat all your tequila stories." She stated and cracked up as she saw the look on his face.

Mark was shocked for a second…something that he rarely was: "I'll tell you if you let me walk you back to your hospital bed. I think that you have been on your feet for a good period of time and now it's time to rest and no…you will not be able to beat my tequila stories."

She shifted suddenly and winced in pain. He was right. She might have overdone it and her pain medication had probably worn off by now.

Mark did not miss the look of pain that crossed her features. He immediately started looking for a wheelchair and when he didn't see one he reached out to touch her arm. "Sit down for a sec. I am going to go and find you a wheelchair then I'll wheel you to your room." As he saw that she was about to protest, he put his hand up to silence her: "Unless you want me to get a gurney and then I'll lay you down and roll you to bed."

"Well in that case…"

"That's what I thought. I'll be right back."

He went outside and slightly flinched. There was Tiffany – the girl that he had been with last night and kicked out promptly after having his way with her. He wasn't in a mood to have anyone sleep by his side and he wasn't in the mood to play the nice guy so he had told her to get ready and head out because he had a very early day the next day – which was today – and he didn't need more distraction then what he had already had with her.

"I need a wheelchair." He called out to the nurse's station. It didn't go unnoticed that most of the nurses that were with Tiffany at the front desk were the same ones that were at the bar last night. They were looking at him intently and no one seemed to move. He gave an exasperated sigh and exclaimed. "Wheelchair…now…not tomorrow ladies..."

"Where do you need it?" Tiffany said, as she smiled at him and couldn't quite wipe the grin that had formed on her lips. Oh boy! He had not asked her to stay the whole night with him – last night -- but she was glad that they had their time together. She would never forget him and if the opportunity would present itself again she would most definitely take advantage of it but he had been clear – to him it was a one shot deal.

"In the locker room…" he replied as he made his way to it and brought Tiffany back into the present time. She smiled and turned back to the nurses: "I'll get the wheelchair and take it to him." She said, slyly.

Mark walked back into the locker room and saw Meredith sitting down with her head between her hands: "Meredith you feel okay?" he said, as he kneeled before her. She was not feeling well yet. It was just the day after she had surgery and she was over exerting herself.

"I'm so tired." She said, honestly. "I was feeling fine five minutes ago but right now I am just so tired." She finalized. What she didn't tell him was that she was not only physically tired but emotionally tired as well; she was just exhausted of all the problems that seemed to follow her everywhere. She just wanted a break – a break from it all. She wanted to stop hurting and she wanted to stop crying and pining for a man who apparently couldn't or didn't want her.

cause I am hanging on every word you say and
even if you don't wanna speak tonight
that's alright, alright with me
cause I want nothing more than
to sit outside your door
and listen to your breathing
is where I wanna be yeah
where I wanna be

"Okay sweetheart." Mark said as she looked up at him. He didn't even hesitate and continued: "Listen to me. You can't do this to yourself anymore. I can't stand by and see you like this. Don't ask me why because I don't know okay? I just need to take you to your room right now and make sure that at least you're physically comfortable."

With that said he got up from the floor and reached out for her right hand. "I'm going to take out your IV until I get you to your room." He said, as he expertly undid her IV. He bent his knees and scooped her up into his arms and as Meredith was about to protest: "Don't even try it." He warned.

Meredith looked at him and realized she didn't have the energy to fight him. Who cared if he carried her or took her to her hospital bed in a wheelchair – the goal was to get her there. "Thanks." She managed to mutter as her head automatically rested in the crook of his neck. She inhaled deeply and almost smiled to herself at his scent. It was not sweet or over bearing it was just like him – manly and well rounded. "You smell good." She found herself saying contrary to what her head told her to do.

Mark chuckled at that. "Stop smelling me." He jokingly admonished as he turned his head and saw Tiffany come in. "Get Dr. Grey's IV and take it to her room." He said, professionally. "Follow me."

Tiffany obeyed without even looking at him. If anything she wasn't stupid and knew that whatever was happening with Dr. Sloan and Dr. Grey she would be on the losing end of that stick – so she followed without a word.

Mark opened the door to her room and went directly to the bed. They were both oblivious of the stares that people were giving them. Mark didn't even notice Addison at the nurse's table.

Addison followed them her gaze intent on the two of them and a sense of dread overtook her body. This was not good. She had never seen Mark carry anyone to their room especially not the way he was carrying Meredith – it seemed that he was holding on tighter than she was as if not wanting to let her go.

Mark laid Meredith on the bed and gently put the covers over her. He looked at her for a couple of seconds and debated whether to stay or leave. He knew that they had talked already and she might want to be alone. Besides if he stayed he would probably say or do something that he could regret. He needed to get out of there!

I don't want a thing from you
bet you're tired of me
waiting for the scraps to fall off of your table to the ground
I just wanna be here now

Mark automatically straightened himself up and looked at her intently. "I'll let you rest." He said, as he bent down and caressed her hair. "Take care of yourself Meredith." He said, and made a beeline to the door.

His hand was already on the knob when he heard her: "Mark. Don't go."

Shit!

GA…GA…GA…GA…

Okay guys that's chapter 8. Let me know what you think of the Mark/Mer scene, I worked hard on it and tried to do it the best that I knew how. Let me know what you liked, didn't like.

Please review!