A/N: So, here's chapter two. I hope you like it...it's kind of filler, but w/o. Please R&R!


When Mark went into work the next morning, he had every intention of finding Addison to see how she was doing. The previous night he had overheard Karev and Jane Doe discussing the mistake that he had made and what he had said to Addison the previous night, the way that he had rejected her when that wasn't his intention, however Alex knew that he wasn't in the same place in his life as she was in hers. He wasn't prepared to be a father and to do all of the things that Addison wanted of him. He didn't want to go into a relationship with the expectations of a family and a commitment weighing down on him, especially when he wasn't sure that Addison was the one that he wanted to be with.

Mark had undergone serious restraint to keep from bursting into the room and beating the stupid intern to a pulp. Karev was the only person who could make Addison truly happy right now, and Mark was certain that Addison would not be able to stand another heartbreak. At first he was afraid of what she might do-- she had attempted suicide under his watch before, and that being true, he had called her many times the night before, prior to drinking his thoughts into oblivion, but he convinced himself that she wouldn't try that again.

He went up to her room when he returned to the hotel and sat outside the door for most of the night, he was sure, listening to her crying, sobbing really, but sobbing was good. Sobbing meant that she was still alive, which meant that he had a chance to fix her, for her own sake. He wanted to be a real friend to Addison, if that was all he could be because there was no way that Mark would be able to continue with his life without her in it. There would really be no point. Without Addison, Mark would just be a man-whore for the rest of his life, because he knew that nobody else could compare. Addison was the whole picture-- he could see him being a father to Addison's children, but without her he couldn't see himself with children, he couldn't see himself settled or married if Addison was not the woman he was with. He was prepared to give anything to keep her in his life.

Mark had fallen asleep in front of Addison's door, awakening to the sound of a thump in the room, and a grunt, indicating that Addison was attempting to get up, but finding it extremely difficult after the tears she had cried and undoubtedly the ungodly amount of alcohol that she, too, had consumed, although for entirely different reasons than he had. At that point he had retired to his own room, for the sole purpose of showering and changing his clothes. Mark had always had an incredible ability to hold his liquor and appear unscathed after serious drinking. It added to his man-whore image, he knew, but that was fine with him.

Once he had put himself back together, looking as steamy as ever, he headed back to the hospital with every intention of finding Addison and talking to her, really talking to her if that were at all possible, which is why, when he discovered that she was nowhere to be found, not was she scheduled for any surgeries, he was concerned and confused. So he approached Richard, knowing that if anyone knew where she was, it would be him.

When Mark approached Richard, the Chief knew that something was up. Sure, he looked just as put together as he ever did, he was in fact the same man, but something was off. Something was wrong, and Richard was sure that something had everything to do with a certain fiery red-head.

"Sloan, what can I do you for?"

"Where is she?"

"Addison is gone," Mark did a double take.

"Gone?" The Chief nodded.

"Got on a plane to LA about twenty minutes ago." Mark was distraught. There was nothing he could do for her if she left. He fought to keep the emotion out of his voice, but it was clearly evident through his eyes.

"Why?" Richard looked at the shell of a man in front of him. He could see now what was so different about the man before him. He was not Mark Sloan, he was no longer a man. He was just a robot, he could function physically, but something inside him had died. He no longer held himself as proudly, the hint of mischief was absent from his eyes. Addison had the power to do that to him, and Addison alone.

Richard understood trued love more thoroughly than many other men, and that being so understood that Mark would never be whole without Addison, because there was no way that he would survive without her. That was what his relationship with Ellis had been like. He had needed her more than he needed air, and it was ridiculous. It wasn't to say that Richard hadn't also loved his wife, but Adele was more of...he loved her, but not with the same intensity. It was hard to explain, but Richard understood. Which was why he told Mark, even though he had promised Addison that he wouldn't. Besides, it was for Addison's own good, as far as Richard could tell. Richard took Mark into his office with him and shut the door.

"Listen, Sloan, I know that you and Addison were working on having a relationship, and she told me about the little pact that you two had, and she wanted me to tell you not to worry about her, and that she will be fine. She didn't want me to tell you where she went or why, but I'm going to because even though I never thought I would say this, I believe that she is being foolish to leave you the way that she did. And I understand your position in all of this, and I understand you pain. Addison left for LA because she doesn't feel that there is anything left for her here, and though I have told her time and time again, she still seems to be focusing her life around the men that are in it, not herself. That being said, yesterday she was hurt and felt rejected by what you said. Or so she told me. But I am no idiot, Sloan, especially when it comes to what goes on in my hospital. I know that you didn't sleep with anyone yesterday, and you haven't for the entire course of this deal. I also know that she had sex with Alex Karev yesterday, and that he rejected her afterwards. I don't know why she does this, but she seems to seek out punishment and disappointment. Regardless, what she said is that she is giving up on pursuing the ideal family image that she always had. She wants a family, Sloan, and she is trying to do that all on her own. I don't need to tell you how ridiculous that is. She needs someone to provide a sane point of view, because this is crazy." Richard then provided him with the information as to where she would be staying. Mark stood to leave. "Oh, and Sloan, one more thing," Mark turned around.

"Yes, Chief?"

"Don't do anything stupid." Mark looked at him quizzically, but brushed it off.

"I won't let you down."