Again, not a lot of changes. It's mostly little dialogue fixes.

-- -- -- -- --

Mark knows that he's at the center of one of the biggest scandals to hit Mt. Sinai since Chief Cain left her husband for another woman three years ago, but it still drives him crazy that the rest of the staff has nothing better to do than snicker and glare at him whenever he walks by them. It was especially bad after Derek first disappeared. Somehow everyone in the hospital knew the entire story within hours of the actual event and the rumors had already begun circulating by the time he arrived for his shift the following afternoon. Those rumors, however, are nothing compared to the ones that Addison's pregnancy ignited.

They've kept it a secret for as long as possible, hoping in vain that something more catastrophic would befall one of their fellow doctors and provide enough fodder for them to be overlooked. Unfortunately, the rumor mill has been unusually slow for weeks and, because she couldn't hide her bump behind baggy scrubs or flowy dresses any longer, the second Addison waltzes into the hospital wearing a fitted sweater the rumor mill goes into sudden overdrive.

In fact, Mark is fairly certain he even sees one of the nurses pull a neck muscle in her effort to get a good look at Addison's entrance. He takes a deep breath and, though they've been trying to keep away from each other at work, quickly makes his way to her side. Even though she's got that determined look in her eyes, she can't hide the look of relief that washes over her as he approaches and, after a quick glance at the crowded nurse's station, takes his hand in hers.

Neither can ignore the collective gasp from the nurse's station.

"You've got balls, my dear," Mark murmurs appreciatively. "Great, big balls."

"I figured it's easier to just get it out of the way," she tells him quietly as they wind through the hall. She pushes the button for the elevator and turns to him. "You're not mad are you?"

"Hell no," Mark says. "I just thought you wanted to keep it quiet a little while longer."

"It's not like I can really hide it anymore anyway," Addison says with a sigh as the elevator doors open. She raises her eyebrows at the people in the elevator who are unabashedly staring at them with wide eyes. They don't move until Mark clears his throat. "We're getting this all day, aren't we?"

Mark nods as they step into the elevator. As the doors close he reaches around Addison and pushes the emergency stop button. She's about to protest when he cups her face in his hands and smiles down at her. "You look beautiful today."

"Thanks," Addison says softly. She swallows heavily. "You look quite handsome yourself."

"Thanks." Mark frowns. "Are you okay? I mean, about all of this?"

"No." Addison shakes her head and takes a deep breath as tears begin pooling in her eyes. "But there's not much we can do about it now."

"We could move to Canada," Mark jokes. "Ooh, or how about Hawaii? You could be the sexy maid and I'll be the hot pool boy."

Addison giggles. "I think we'd better stick to our day jobs."

"You could be right," Mark murmurs as he presses his lips to hers. He sighs and wraps his arms around her. "You know I'm here for you?"

Addison nods against his chest. "Yeah."

"Don't let those assholes get you down," Mark whispers. "What they say doesn't matter."

"No, it doesn't." Addison sniffles. "But it's so hard to hear what they say about us. What they say about you."

"We both know that they have no idea what they're talking about." Mark pulls back slightly as Addison looks up at him. "We know what the truth is. They don't."

"I know."

"So," Mark says with raised eyebrows. "How's our son treating you today?"

"He's good," Addison tells him with a smile as she unconsciously rests her hand on her growing stomach.

"Any nausea?" Mark asks.

"None. Not even a teeny tiny bit." Addison flashes her pearly whites at Mark. "I think it's gone for good."

"I hope so," Mark teases. "Because your puking does not a good wake-up call make."

Addison playfully slaps his shoulder. "We should probably get a move on."

"How many people do you think will be standing outside the doors when they open? Just waiting for us to come out?" Mark asks as he pushes the emergency button again and the elevator slowly begins creaking upwards.

"Well, we're going up four floors and we've been in here for about five minutes so..." Addison's lips twitch. "I'd say about..." The doors open. They turn to find at least fifteen people suddenly become very interested in anything but the elevator that they're supposedly waiting for. "...twenty or so."

Mark rolls his eyes as they wade through the throng of people. He squeezes Addison's hand just before they part to go in opposite directions. Just as he's about to round the corner to his office he hears Addison call after him, "I'll pick up dinner on my way home tonight."

"Just don't forget about dessert," he calls without hesitation and with a smile. He chuckles all the way to his office. However, he notices a few nurses coming his way and quickly ducks into his office before they can approach him.

"What are you so happy about?"

Mark takes an involuntary step backwards. "Jesus Christ Nancy-Pants. You about scared the shit out of me."

"Well that's a first," Nancy says, grinning. She nods at him. "What was so funny?"

"The rumor mill," Mark says, glaring slightly as he tries to force his heart to beat normally again. "They're like bloodhounds. One of them picks up the scent of gossip and it's all over the place in thirty seconds."

"They know, huh?" Nancy asks, smirking.

"Oh yeah." Mark nods. "They definitely know."

"And how does that make you feel?" Nancy asks and leans forward in her chair. "Validated?"

"I thought Kathleen was the shrink," Mark says, eyeing her warily.

"Whatever." Nancy waves him off.

"Is there a reason you're here Nance?"

"I have a question for you."

Mark squints his eyes suspiciously. "Go on."

"Do you think it would be okay if we threw Addison a baby shower?" Nancy asks. "Kathleen, Rachel, Lisa, and I were talking last night and I thought it might be fun for her. I mean, the whole affair thing kind of put a negative spin on this baby and we think it's about time everyone remembers that this is a happy occasion."

"Nance," Mark says, grinning, "I think that would be awesome. She'd love it. And you're right. It is about time everyone started remembering that this is a good thing."