Author's Note: It's Mark's first day of work.
This part will extend into a couple of chapters.
Here's the first one.
Jealous! McDreamy shall rear his ugly head again and there will be a Mer/Addie confrontation. Actually, it's pretty close to a cat fight. Mostly, this chapter will contain angst and the beginnings of a resolution the Quadrangle.
As I said earlier, this will be Mer/Der and Maddison but Derek and Addison need to see the consequences of their actions. On the show, there's a lot of things going unspoken, leading to On Again, Off Again bullshit and even more mistakes.
There will be actual talking.
And there will be sex but not for a while.
This is more of a character development story than a naked one.
Enough with my rambling, it's time for the show.
Disclaimer: NOT MINE. DON'T SUE.
"Welcome to Seattle Grace."
He shook Webber's hand and sighed deeply to prepare himself.
Mark knew that this shift would be hellish. Not only would Derek be out to break his face, he'd have to look at Addison. He'd have to work with her and interact with her like she was just another doctor.
She was not just another doctor.
She was the love of his fucked up life.
He had loved her from the start but she had wanted Derek. So, as a good best friend, he had introduced them, sealing his fate. For 11 years, he would kick himself for letting her get away. For 11 years, he'd play the role of supportive big brother to her, needing to fuck random women to get her out of his head.
Then, the Shepherd marriage began to decline. It had started when she had aborted their baby and went from there. Derek grew more and more distant, more and more neglectful and she had turned to him. He had welcomed the chance to be near her, to spend time with her but it hadn't been enough. He wanted it all with her.
That rainy night changed everything.
Kissing her, touching her... it had felt so right.
Not even Derek's arrival had gotten rid of the warmth she had invoked in him.
And when he left... he had been with her.
For 2 months, he had it all.
And in 2 minutes, he had screwed it up.
By time had gotten rid of that nurse, Addison had killed their baby and came out here to get Derek back. He had waited for her to come back but she never did.
So, he came out here and now things were confusing.
Meredith was a good woman, a fine woman.
Yet, he didn't feel the normally irresistible urge to bed her.
He wanted to protect her.
Even from the moment he saw her, he had wanted to hug the little waif and not let her go.
She looked so sad, so fragile and lost.
He should've known she was the "slutty intern" from that look in her eyes alone.
Well, Derek helped me out with that. He's going to try to kill me when he sees me.
Meredith had come home, saying that Derek was okay with it but he knew better.
He was just holding back for her.
Mark knew that he was going to be a bastard about this whole situation.
He'd be a bastard right back. Derek had no right to play the victim and he was going to remind him of that every opportunity he got.
With that grim thought in mind, he walked out of the chief's office to see a crowd of staff gawking at him.
Immediately, he sought out Addison with his eyes and he nearly lost it.
She looked miserable and betrayed.
Obviously, she had heard about his presence at Grey Manor.
Then, the hurt and the anger set in, removing any trace of pity or guilt.
She has no right. If she didn't want me around Grey, then she should've come home with me. I'm doing nothing wrong.
Turning away form her, he walked into the crowd, finding Grey with her friends.
"Want to get some breakfast?" he asked her boldly.
She looked surprised but then understanding filled her sea green gaze.
She hooked his arm in his, leading him towards the elevators.
"Sure. You're paying for it."
"Oh, I see how it is. Hit up the attending for all he's already made me into a pack mule with the damn attic. What was your reason for not cleaning it again?"
"I'm too delicate."
"Yeah, right."
She scoffed and pushed the elevator control button.
Immediately, the doors opened, revealing Derek in wrinkled dark blue scrubs.
I see that old habits die hard. He sleeps here to avoid Addison. It's called a divorce, moron!
Derek looked at him with utmost hatred and Mark glared right back, stepping in with Grey.
Passive aggressive asshole. Just say what you think, for god's sake.
"I see you're settling in.", he said coldly, looking at Grey accusingly.
She stiffened and frowned, realizing his game.
Mark wanted to even things up for her.
"Oh, yes. Dr. Grey has been an excellent companion, especially at home."
Spitefully, he brought his lips to her neck, surprised at the soft whimper that escaped her.
She looked at him and he gave her a slow, easy smile.
"Isn't that right, baby?" he asked her, gently stroking her cheek.
Her two front teeth sank into her lower lip but then a suggestive smirk curved her lips.
"Uh-huh. Last night was fun." she purred, stroking a finger over his chest.
Hot damn! Little Mistress would make a killing on Broadway! What an actress!
The doors opened and Derek hurried out, looking like a stewed tomato was on his head.
"Have a good morning, Dr. Shepherd!" he called, wanting to rub salt in the wound.
The doors closed on the snarl on his face.
Addison walked purposely down the hall, heading for his office.
How dare he just flaunt his relationship with Grey in front of her?!
Had he no shame?! Had he no decency at all?! He had already bedded the little whore. She could tell. He had that oh so satisfied air about him, one caused by another woman.
Getting to the door, she barged right in, seeing Grey sitting in his chair, typing on his computer.
"Good morning, Dr. Montgomery-Shepherd. How can I help you?" she asked pleasantly.
"Do you know where Mark is?" she asked through gritted teeth.
She just wanted to strangle this man stealing bitch.
"Yes."
"Are you going to tell me where he is?"
"Nope. Find him yourself. "
The smirk did her in, making her anger explode.
"Oh, you're just loving this, aren't you?! First you take Derek and now Mark!"
She looked up at her and Addison was surprised to see the fire in her eyes.
"Oh, please! You brought all of this on yourself, honey! You are so not a victim! If you had kept your freakin' legs closed, you wouldn't have lost your husband in the first place! And Mark... Why do you care?! You came out here to get your husband away from the slutty intern and you did! You got what you wanted! Be happy! I know I am! If it weren't for your stupidity, I wouldn't have a new friend!"
"Friend?! You're fucking him!"
"I most certainly am not! It's just more fun to let people assume!"
All the rage drained out of her and she looked at Grey blankly.
She wasn't fucking him? But, they had to be. Why else would they be so close?
Grey sighed and said," Mark and I are friends. I'm not going to let him touch me. At least, not until I'm sure that I'm over Derek and that's probably not going to happen. Look, you need to think about some stuff going on in your life. Here's something to ask yourself: If I'm happy with Derek, then why do I care if Mark and Meredith might be playing naked twister together? The answer might surprise you. Or at least put us all out of our misery. Some free food for thought. Have a good day, Dr. Montgomery- Shepherd."
After she withdrew, Addison left too, even more anguished than before.
She knew why she cared.
She still loved Mark.