Shades of Grey
By Misha

Disclaimer and Notes in Part One.

Part Eight: Beautiful Disaster

"Good morning."

Meredith smiled and leaned over to see Mark smiling back at her from the other side of the bed. "Good morning." She'd gone back to his hotel room after dinner, it was just easier than going back to her place, and for the first time since Derek she wasn't filled with morning after regret.

Oh, she wasn't sure it had been the smartest decision, but it was smarter than her usual sex related decisions and he was handsome and smart and she felt a connection to him. Oh, she knew it was very complicated and that there was still Derek and Addison and the fact that running straight into a sexual relationship with Mark of all people was probably not going to make it less complicated.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Mark teased, giving her a sultry look.

"I was just wondering how much time we had..." Meredith told him, giving Mark a flirtacious look.

Mark's eyes darkened. "We have time." He told her, taking her in his arms. "I'll make sure of it."

She giggled and then leaned in for a kiss. "Good. We're going to need it..."

Mark pulled her tight to him, claiming her lips in a deep, passionate kiss and soon everything else was forgotten but one another.


Mark exited Richard Webber's office, a grin on his face. He had just signed a six month deal to stay in Seattle. It was crazy, he'd come to Seattle to win back Addison, and now he was staying to try and pursue another woman.

Speaking of... He spotted his favourite intern speaking to the hot blonde and made his way over there. "Dinner tonight?" He asked, focusing just on Meredith. "I need to celebrate."

"Celebrate what?" Meredith asked with a smile.

"My new job, here in Seattle." Mark told her, waiting for her reaction.

Her eyes widened and she stared at him. "You're staying here?" Meredith asked in disbelief.

"At least for six months." Mark confirmed. "So how about it, gorgeous, will you help me celebrate?"

She smiled, her entire face lighting up and making her look irresistable. "I suppose I could."

"Great." Mark said. "I'll see you later then."

With that he walked off to go find himself an intern for the day, ignoring the temptation to claim Meredith, knowing that would attract too much attention.


Izzie watched Mark Sloane walk away, feeling a little annoyed that he hadn't even bothered to acknowledge her. She wasn't used to men totally ignoring her, but he hadn't even seemed to see her. Just Meredith.

"Mark Slaone?" She asked in disbelief, turning to her friend. "Meredith, do you really think that's a great idea."

"I think it's my business." Meredith told her. "I'm a grown woman, I can date whoever I want."

"Do you really want to be dating the man who broke up McDreamy's marraige?" Izzie asked, unable to help herself. "You know he'll just leave you as soon as Addison's free."

"She is free." Meredth said coldly. "Derek asked her for a divorce. She came to Mark and yet, he's still here. That says something, doesn't it?"

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Izzie staring after her. She knew she had overstepped, but she couldn't help it, it was what she did.

Still, she blinked trying to process all the information she had just heard. McDreamy was free and Meredith wasn't with him, she was pursuing McSteamy instead. Wow.