Title: Breathe

Authors: Sara And Lizzie

Rating: T for language, mild sex

Disclaimer: It would be nice to own grey's anatomy, sadly all we own are a lot of high priced shoes and handbags, and both seasons on dvd.

Summary: A month or so after Meredith's near death experience, tragedy strikes Seattle Grace again in the form of a robbery gone wrong. A hostage situation takes place in the OR. Nine lives hang in the balance as they wait to live, die, or just get blown up.

Author's Note: New update. Sorry about the delay. Our landlord didn't install our DSL line until yesterday. Expect lots of updates. :)

This is kind of filler. We're just going over everyone's last few mintues before the big escape. Enjoy.

REVIEW.

It's so clear now that you are all that I have.

"Twenty minutes." Mark murmured, looking at the clock. His eyes traveled around the room. He watched Izzie, still in between George and Alex. The three of them looked like they did every day, Mark decided. Bickering, teasing, poking fun at each other.

His head turned to his other side and looked at Cristina and Burke. She was settled back against his side, with his arm around her; the closest Mark had ever seen them. They were speaking solemnly, in hushed tones.

Derek was leaning down, his forehead against Meredith's. She was saying something to him, something Mark gathered was important, because his hands were gripping both of hers so tightly his knuckles were whitening.

Finally, he looked down at his own hand, the one intertwined with Addison's. A sigh escaped his lips. Derek met his eyes as he lifted his head and pulled Meredith to his chest. Mark smiled at him, and for the first time in over a year, a genuine grin was returned to him. Derek nodded as he smiled at his best friend and reached over with one fist. Mark knocked his fist into it, something they had done in college, feeling lighter than he had in months.

Mark didn't think about things like destiny or fate, but a feeling settled in his chest as he sat there, preparing to live or die. This Seattle Grace, thing, this family. He wanted in on it. He wanted to build a life here, a real one, not just lurk on the outside. Getting out of this alive meant getting a chance with Addison, meant rebuilding a friendship with Derek. He and Addison could move out of that miserable hotel, into a house. He could already see them together, hosting dinners with friends. In his vision, those friends were Derek and Meredith.

Mark tightened his grip on his Addison's hand, and steeled himself. He felt a rush of adrenaline course through his bloodstream. Addison looked up at him, her eyes saying everything she wasn't. He leaned down and whispered into her ear. "I love you."

Meredith's face was grim, her mouth set in a thin line. Worry was etched all over Derek's face. He shook her a little, and she turned to face him. Pressing his forehead against hers, he looked right into her eyes, sending a shiver down her spine. She always felt like he was the one person who could see through her, right into her soul.

"You don't have to do this." He murmured.

"Yes." She whispered, "Yes I do."

"I don't want you to. It's so dangerous Mer. Seconds, that's all it will take for you to…" he trailed off.

"I'll fight like hell." She promised him. "It won't be like last time. I'll fight like hell to stay here, with you." Derek's hands found hers and gripped them tightly.

"Promise?" he asked tentatively.

"I promise." She said without hesitation. Derek lifted his head and pulled her close to him, his eyes catching Mark's as he moved. Mark smiled at him, and Derek could finally smile back. It was in that moment he could finally let go of his anger and his grudge. It really didn't seem to matter anymore. Derek held out his fist, and Mark bumped it in the immature fashion they mastered in college.

"You don't want to get married at city hall." Cristina said to Burke quietly.

"No, I don't. I want my parents to be there. Our friends and families."

"Okay." She said.

"Okay?" he questioned.

"I think you might be right. I mean it's a wedding right? It's not a surgery. So let's do it your way."

"Cristina, are you sure?" Burke asked. In the back of his mind, he was aware this was a very odd time to be having the conversation they were having.

"Yes." She said. "If we don't get shot or blown up, we might as well go all out for the nuptials."

Burke smiled and placed a kiss to her temple. "That's my girl." He said.

"Are you guys bored?" George asked. "I'm getting bored." Izzie looked at him, torn between affection and irritation, which could sum up her whole relationship with George.

"George." She said, "We're about to engage in a fight for our lives."

"It's actually some pretty cool shit." Alex said nonchalantly. "Like the Matrix or something." Izzie and George exchanged a look, and Izzie rolled her eyes.

"Look at Meredith and McDreamy." Izzie said. "They're actually really disgustingly in love. I mean I know they're soul mates, but it's not a Bronte novel."

"A who?" Alex asked. Izzie shot him another look.

"The Bronte sisters? Wrote classic Victorian literature? Jane Eyre? Wuthering Heights? Ringing any bells?"

"Not really."

"I guess that's what happens when they give people wrestling scholarships."

"Shut it Dr. Model."

"I'm hungry." George piped in. Izzie shook her head at them, and fought the urge to laugh.