AN: So, this story has been on my mind for a while. It's an attempt at a twist of the New York affair and the Maddek dynamic that won't be following canon. I know that this has been done but, I write what I want to read and well. Besides that, sometimes new takes on an old classic can be fun!

I figured now that Last Chance Surprise is finished, I can start posting this one. I have a whole playlist curated for this story, if anyone is interested. The title of the chapter comes from the song; You Belong To Somebody Else by DeJ Loaf and Jacquees.

I hope you enjoy and please review! :) LT.

entangled

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part one

you belong to somebody else

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Sitting alone at a hospital fundraising dinner was not how Addison had envisioned her night going. She hadn't had a night off in weeks and she'd been so looking forward to the dinner and, hopefully, a night with her husband. She should've known better though. Derek had begged off at the last minute and frankly, Addison didn't know how he could manage it. This was a fundraising dinner for the hospital they both worked for; if anything, she'd have assumed the Chief would've ordered him to attend. After all, wasn't he the hospital's 'star surgeon'?

Addison scoffed a little at the thought, sipping her wine and tried not to look as bitter as she was currently feeling. She'd been abandoned for surgery once again. It shouldn't have bothered her, not anymore, it was so common and yet it still stung.

She finished her wine, placing the glass back down on the table and casting her gaze out over the other guests. It was a wide array of people in attendance, many of whom she was familiar with and then she smiled, her eyes settling on one particularly familiar figure. It wasn't her husband but she was just as happy to see him.

Mark Sloan sauntered his way through the crowd of people, looking rather impeccable in his pressed tux, making his way over to Addison. He was running late, some complications had come up in a surgery that he'd had to deal with but, he was here now. He smirked as he took a seat beside his redheaded friend, eyebrow raising playfully at the empty wine glass in front of her.

"Started without me Red?" he asked teasingly, sipping at the scotch he'd procured before making his way over to her. "Where's Derek? Thought he'd be here complaining about the penguin suits," he continued with a grin and a laugh.

The grin faded however when he saw the dark look that crossed her face and he grimaced instead.

"He's not here," Addison replied sharply, elegant fingers toying with the stem of her empty wine glass. She wished a waiter would come by so she could get another drink. Alcohol probably wasn't a good idea but at the moment, she didn't particularly care. She needed it to smother the emptiness and bitterness that was slowly growing inside her.

"Well that doesn't mean we can't have fun without him," Mark said after a moment, finishing off his scotch and setting it down. He leant forward, grinning at her and though she didn't want to, Addison couldn't help but smile back at him a little. It seemed as if Mark had been having that affect on her more and more lately; she didn't know how or when but Mark had become her best friend.

"Oh and what are you suggesting?" Addison asked, an eyebrow raising as she looked back at him curiously. Some of Mark's 'fun' ideas weren't always particularly good ones.

She was surprised then, when he stood up to his full height and extended his hand out to her in a rather gentlemanly gesture. Addison smirked, gentleman was not a word she'd ever used about Mark before. But, she put her hand in his and let him pull her up from her seat. "Let's dance. I know how much you enjoy it," Mark replied, his usual smirk back in place.

Addison rolled her eyes but let him lead her towards the dance floor. Derek hated dancing and had only ever done it for her benefit. As Mark's hand settled on the small of her back and he began to lead her in a waltz, as the other couple's were doing, she remembered that he was a rather excellent dancer himself. It was a well kept secret for the most part but he'd admitted once that he'd been forced to learn as a teenager. She'd always forgotten that they'd had very similar privileged upbringings - though he'd spent so much time with the Shepherds, she wasn't sure if it counted.

He held her firmly and she settled her hand on his shoulder, their other hands locked together beside them. They danced through the motions and Addison tried to ignore the fact that their bodies were pressed together in an almost more then friendly position. She didn't know if it was the alcohol she'd imbibed, or if it was simply that she missed being so close to someone, but she was enjoying being in his arms immensely.

So much so that she forgot about Derek for a moment, letting her head rest against his shoulder as they danced. It was an intimate gesture but at this point she didn't care. All she cared about was the fact that Mark was indeed making her feel better. "You feeling better Red?" she heard him murmur against her hair, almost as if he could read her mind.

She pulled back then, to look him in the eyes, giving him a smile. "I am. Thank you," Addison told him softly, smiling as he smiled back at her. "And thank you for knowing...you know," she intoned, dipping her head a little, suddenly embarrassed. The alcohol really must've been getting to her now.

Mark simply smiled back at her. "It's what I'm here for Red," he told her softly and Addison felt butterflies in her stomach at the sincerity in his voice. She smiled back, suddenly feeling heat rush to her cheeks and she took a step back, dropping her hand from his.

"I need another drink. Do you want one?" she asked, changing the conversation rather abruptly but Mark took it in stride. There was a tension between them that he hadn't meant to create and though he knew he had feelings for her, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

He nodded, "Sure. You know how I like it," he said with his trademark smirk. He sighed as he watched her hurry off and made his way back to their table.

Soon enough she was back with two drinks in hand. He took the tumbler from her with ease, his fingers grazing hers. He watched as she stilled, her breath hitching a little at the contact and he couldn't help but stare. Her lips pressed together and she looked at him through her lashes quickly before glancing away.

He was starting to wonder if the attraction he felt was mutual. With any other woman he'd be making a move, flirting her into bed but this was Addison, his best friend's wife. He couldn't do that to her or to Derek.

"Thanks Addie," he told her as she sat down.

The rest of the night passed quickly then, as they mingled through the dinner. Slowly, the whole event began to wind down and though Addison knew she'd had a little too much to drink, she wasn't drunk. Still, Mark insisted on escorting her home.

"I do know how to hail a cab Mark," Addison told him testily, glaring at him but it only lasted a moment. She actually found it rather sweet that he wanted her to get home safely.

Mark chuckled, not nearly anywhere near as intoxicated as Addison was. "I'm sure you can Addison. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to take you home," he told her firmly, a hand on her back as he ushered her out of the building.

She shivered in the night air, suddenly regretting her strapless dress and updo for the night. But, she smiled when she felt Mark's jacket settle over her shoulders; she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He didn't say anything, just looked back for a moment but she could see the care in his eyes.

Before she knew it, he'd hailed a taxi and was opening the door for her. She slid in, not at all surprised when he followed behind her, giving the driver the address for the brownstone. She sighed, settling herself beside him easily, letting her head rest against his shoulder. She felt him stiffen for a moment before relaxing back against the seat and before she could really think about it, she reached out for his hand, lacing their fingers together.

She was so thankful for Mark being there tonight and for entertaining her and keeping her company. She'd been well on her way to being drunk and angry before he'd shown up. She breathed deeply, nuzzling her head a little more against his shoulder; she was glad he was there for her.

"You smell good," Addison murmured, instantly blushing as soon as she heard herself say the words. She hadn't meant to say that out loud but it was true. She didn't know what cologne he wore but she couldn't help but to enjoy it.

"Really?" Mark murmured, surprised by her words and wondering if he'd actually heard her right. He couldn't have though; that wasn't something he thought she'd willingly tell him, even in her slightly drunk state.

"Mhm," she nodded against his shoulder. He thought that was the end of it but then she sat up a little, so she could look at him. "I like it," she told him softly, lips quirking up in a smile. "You should wear it more often," she insisted, giving his hand a little squeeze.

Mark could only grin, watching her in amusement. He nodded though, "Just for you Red," he teased, winking at her as they finally pulled up in front of the brownstone.

He paid the driver and helped her out of the cab, the darkness of her home no doubt meaning Derek hadn't bothered to come home. He hid a sigh as he thought of his best friend. Derek's complete disregard for anything other then surgery was wearing thin; and not just with Addison. Though she was the main victim of Derek's absence, Mark and even Derek's family were starting to feel it just as much. Mark was pretty sure his best friend hadn't been to a family event in well over a year, leaving Addison to explain why he wasn't there. He knew having to tell his family those excuses wore on Addison more then she ever let on.

Mark helped her up the steps, a hand steadying her on her side and he frowned a little when he heard her sigh. Clearly, she'd noticed the darkness of her home and had come to same the conclusion as Mark had. Derek wasn't home and he probably wouldn't be coming home either.

"I know I've said it a bunch tonight already. But thank you Mark. I...I really appreciate you taking care of me and spending time with me," Addison said suddenly, stopping in front of the frosted glass door and turning to look up at Mark. She gave him a lovely smile, slipping his jacket off her shoulders and handing it back to him.

Mark smiled, head dipping a little and running a hand over the back of his head at her words. "No problem, Red. I always have fun with you," he told her, his smile genuine as he stepped a little closer.

Addison smiled brilliantly once again, pressing her lips together for a moment, the butterflies in her stomach back once more. She took a step closer, eyeing him carefully as she leant up her hands settling on his solid chest for a moment, as she pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek. "Goodnight Mark," she whispered, her warm breath sending warmth spreading through him.

She stepped back then, pulling her keys from her purse swiftly. She knew she was playing a dangerous game but for once, she didn't want to stop. Not when it felt so good to be so close to Mark.

"Night Addie," Mark said after a moment, still a little stunned at her actions, just watching as she made her way inside.

He took a deep breath, running a hand over his face and shaking his head before turning to leave. The whole night had felt surreal and Mark wasn't sure what to make of it. It seemed almost flirty but he tried not to let himself think of that, not when he knew nothing could happen between them. She was Addison, Derek's wife and Mark knew he couldn't cross that line, no matter how much he wanted to.

Inside Addison took several deep breaths, leaning her back against the wall beside the door. She didn't know what she was going to do. She hadn't realised it until she'd kissed his cheek, his scent overwhelming her, that she was attracted to Mark. Mark Sloan, notable manwhore and more importantly, her husband's best friend. It was so inappropriate but she couldn't help it.

She shook her head, she was married, she couldn't be thinking like that. She loved Derek, truly she did. But attraction couldn't be helped, she knew that; she just couldn't act on it. Even though a part of her so desperately wanted to.