Seeing that particular guy sitting at the bar, I knew I was going to have a hard time dealing with this whole "no man" thing. My vow of celibacy might have been seriously short-lived. But I was determined to at least try. He couldn't be that seductive. Could he?

Oh, nevermind. He was seducing me from across the room and he didn't even know I was there. He was that good. But, we knew he would be good. Christina, Izzie and I don't assign nicknames without good reason. He sutured his own face for crying out loud! Definitely "McSteamy." I'm starting to re-think this whole drink thing. It might not turn out for the good. And I really did not need to be having the kind of inappropriate sex that happens in airports. That would definitely be a very large step back.

But I really needed that drink. Drink trumps practical, any day.

I would just stay on the opposite side of the bar. Yes, that would work. It would have to. He probably wouldn't recognize me anyway. I was going with that thought. He definitely wouldn't recognize me. Obviously, he wasn't the kind of guy that would remember a girl like me.

I walked up to the bar, determined to get that drink. "Shot of tequila, please. And keep 'em coming."

"Whatever," was the muffled reply from the over-worked bartender. This wasn't Joe's, and if I wanted someone to talk to I was definitely not going to get it.

Oh well. I just needed to sit here and shoot tequila. Until it was time for my plane to leave. That was what my life had become. Shooting tequila until I couldn't anymore.

It was sad, really.

"Meredith Grey! In the airport bar of all places. What a…pleasant…surprise. Now why would a girl like you be shooting tequila in an airport bar?" came the voice from across the bar belonging to none other than Mark Sloan.

Ignorance is bliss, I've decided. And unlike that unfortunate encounter with Derek a while back, this, I was definitely going to keep ignoring.

"Ahhh, you're ignoring me. You shouldn't do that, you know?" came a voice from much closer. As in, he was right next to me closer. And, seriously, did he and Derek go to the same school for picking up girls. That was just too reminiscent of what he said to me.

Keep ignoring, I told myself. This couldn't go anywhere good.

"Seriously, Meredith, you can't ignore me all night. I don't give up easily, and I really am curious as to why you're here." He said, more gently this time.

Once again, the tears flowed. Why was it that any small act of kindness from a man I was reduced to a puddle. A literal puddle. I mean, seriously! This man might as well have been a stranger and I was CRYING in front of him. If I was having any doubts about leaving Seattle, they were gone now. Obviously the rain was messing with my brain chemistry. If I kept crying like this I would be in major trouble.

"Its just that my dad….and George…and after Derek….and my MOOOOM!" I knew I was incomprehensible, but I just needed to cry.

"Shhhh! Shhhh! Don't cry! I didn't mean to make you cry." He soothed.

"Its not you, its me." I said. I was beginning to calm down. At least he could understand me now.

"Hey! We just met and already you're using that line on me? I get the hint." He chuckled.

I had to laugh. He knew how to make me laugh. That was a BAD sign.

"But you obviously need a friend right now. So how about we start there? I'm Mark Sloan, and you are?" he prompted.

"Meredith Grey. Pleasure to meet you. I'm moving to New York." I decided I might as well start this conversation with the truth.

"In that case, why don't you move in with me?"

A/N: thanks to all the reviews. and props to Ali for catching the Augustana line in the first chapter. Hope you guys keep reading and reviewing. As long as you do that, I'll keep updating. Sorry for another cliff-hanger. They just seem like the best way to end chapters to keep you guys reading.