Author's Note: Okay, so I'm sitting here finally broken out of this writer's block I had, and I wanted to write something new. I've written a few McStizzie oneshots in the past (feel free to check them out, haha)...but anyway, I've never done a full story for them. This one will be at least a few chapters, anyway. So yeah, feel free to review-it's what keeps us authors going!
Disclaimer: Yeah, me...own Grey's? The idea is amazing, but no. If I did, there would at least be mention of the fact that Addison left for L.A. instead of all this Burke leaving stuff...there wouldn't be all this Gizzie "You should tell her" drama, and Izzie would act like herself. Because right now, she's not. She's podIzzie. IMO, anyway. If I did, McStizzie would be given a shot. And Oh yeah..I'm not making anything by writing this. Except amusement.
Leave me a review!:)
"Can someone please explain to me why we're doing this again?"Cristina asked bitterly as she, Meredith, and Izzie walked into the Seattle Community Centre. She looked around, wrinkling her nose. "This place smells like old people."
Izzie laughed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Just relax. You're only going to be with each person for five minutes. While I don't see how that little bit can get you enough information to know if you should date somebody, but we have to play by the rules."
Meredith glanced down the hallway, trying to figure out which direction they should go. She really didn't feel like being there, but she knew Izzie had been going through a tough time as had she, and was willing to listen to some guy ramble on for a few minutes if it meant keeping her mind off of Derek for the night. "So, Iz-"She said, clearing her throat. "Which way do we go?"
"Um..."Izzie said, biting her lip. She hoped in that moment that she hadn't made a mistake by suggesting the idea. "Left."She said, suddenly making the decision as they headed down a hallway plastered with bulletin boards full of information about meetings and 'Lost Pet' pages. "And here we are."She chimed once the trio reached a pair of double doors.
Cristina grumbled, shaking her head. "Please tell me there's a way I can get out of this."
"No, you know what?"Meredith snapped, making a decision for both her and Cristina. "We've been miserable. Well, it seems like it. Ever since the wedding to Burke that wasn't. We deserve five minutes with someone who doesn't occupy our minds constantly, okay? So we're going to go through those doors and at least pretend to be happy!"
Cristina stared back at her, taken back a little. "Okay Mer, after this we're going to Joe's. Because you're sounding seriously deprived of alcohol."
"Seriously?"Izzie interrupted as a pair of women walked into the room. "I'm trying to do something to brighten up your spirits, and all you can think about is drinking? These past few weeks have been hard on all of us. We're residents, and Burke left...and Meredith and Derek are no longer on speaking terms. George failed his intern exam-"
"What does that have to do with the men in our lives disappointing us?"Cristina asked.
Izzie rolled her eyes, suddenly growing anxious. "Nothing. Just um...come on-"She said, waving towards the door. "Let's go in."
Within minutes, the group had all been checked in and greeted with a sticker that stated their name. The women were instructed of the rules, and while the men would patiently be waiting at tables, the women would move from table to table as they carefully learned information about their counterparts. Cristina laughed at the whole procedure, calling it insane even though she admired the guy sitting at table five. She had said that she didn't care at the moment, though it would be interesting to 'speak' with him. Maybe it was the thing she needed. Izzie tried to remain optimistic about the whole idea, maintaining the fact that even if they didn't find the great love of their life that they still got their minds off of everything for one night. Meredith meanwhile, found herself checking again in vain for a missed call from Derek.
"Okay, ladies..."A woman called from the front of the room. "I'm about to start the timer for your first speed date. Men have already filled out cards with necessary information, and you ladies have yours as well. The number indicated on your sticker badges indicate which table you'll go to first. Five minutes, and then you must switch. When all dates are completed, feel free to converse, but the centre closes at ten. Okay-"She said, adding a flashy smile that made Cristina's stomach churn. A bell sounded, indicated time had started.
"Now or never, I guess."Meredith mused. "Table two for me."She said, not sounding to happy as she saw her first 'date'.
"Four. Great so um, Iz? Remind me to properly 'thank' you once this is over."Cristina mused before walking off.
Izzie glanced at her sticker to see what table she was to go to. Seven-all the way across the room. As she approached, she noticed that the man sitting there, though his back was turned, looked familiar. Once she saw his face, she froze. No. This was not what she had in mind.
"Well, are you going to stand there or will you introduce yourself?"The man asked, rubbing his face with his hands.
"I, um...well-"Izzie said, fidgeting. She wasn't sure how she was expected to adjust, what with the awkwardness of seeing him there. "Izzie Stevens."She finished, deciding to go with it as she sat across from him.
Mark's head immediately shot up, his blue eyes shining with curiosity. "I never figured you'd be going to one of these."
Izzie offered a shrug. "Then let's just skip through the awkward introductions and try and forget that this whole thing ever happened."
"Well, you don't have to be that fast about it, Stevens."Mark insisted, somewhat thrilled with the idea that he had Izzie as his 'date'. "I mean we already know each other. Why don't we just skip all of this and-"
"Okay, that. That right there. That's what bugs me the most. I will not be just another one night stand. Not for you, not for anyone. This night is about me, Mer and Cristina trying to get over the sorry excuse of men we have in our lives. And you won't make it any better by trying that whole...McSteamy thing on me."Izzie blurted, averting his gaze afterward.
The look in Mark's eyes softened, as it was obvious Izzie was in some sort of pain. While he didn't know what it was, something pushed him forward in an effort to learn more. "I'm sorry if you thought I was talking about anything like that. I was just going to say that if you don't see any promise in the rest of these guys, we should go out for a drink afterward. No pressure there, right?"
"Yeah, because loading me with alcohol won't make me even more susceptible to your charms, right?"Izzie deadpanned.
"It was just a suggestion. You can say no."Mark replied, feeling a little offended. After Addison left, he felt like he had to change before he ended up alone. While he'd never end up telling anyone that, he knew that he had to make an effort with Izzie. "You know, if you want to."
"I have plans with Mer and Cristina."Izzie replied, biting her lip. It wasn't the complete truth, but until she saw something different in Mark she didn't want to risk it. At the hospital, Mark wouldn't give his interns and inch and made them to his dirty work. He flirted with the nurses, plastered on that ridiculous grin that made even her knees weak. But this Mark, the one who showed up to things like speed dating...this was a side of Mark Izzie had never seen before. "But the plans might change, so maybe."
"Maybe's good. I like maybe."Mark said, a gleam in his eye. "So how's life as a resident?"
While she was surprised by him asking, Izzie decided to go with it. "I have to choose my specialty soon. Everything is hectic, my interns..which sounds so weird, by the way-"
"You'll get used to it."Mark assured her, surprised by how comfortable he was with her. He'd always thought that Izzie couldn't stand him, but as he sat talking with her he began to think that maybe they had more in common that he'd originally though.
Izzie offered a smile, shrugging. "Everything's changing so fast. I mean, Burke left...so Cristina's all mopey. Callie got Chief Resident, which is a.."She paused, straightening her posture for a moment. Izzie reminded herself that the night was supposed to be a happy one. She knew that thought of George and everything else wouldn't make it any better. "It's not just that, either. It's like the whole hospital shifted. Of course with two very important surgeons leaving, I assume that it would."Izzie said, looking up at Mark as she did. "I'm sorry. I mean I know you and Addison weren't..."She trailed off, shaking her head.
"No, it's fine. Addison's happier where she is now, I guess."Mark suggested. In truth, he had no idea how she was but he decided that things were better that way. Watching Izzie fidget with her sleeves, he realized that something deeper was bothering her. "Stevens, could I ask you a question?"
"What's that?"Izzie asked, annoyed with him calling her Stevens. They seemed to settle comfortably, though she knew the bell would ring signaling her to move on.
Not really sure why it bothered him, Mark leaned forward towards her and decided to go with it. "Why are you here tonight?"
"I already told you."Izzie replied, curious as to why he was asking. "Girls night. Don't-"She said, leaning in to the table.
"Don't what?"Mark asked innocently, fighting back a grin. While he could tell something was up with Izzie, he figured that as usual he wouldn't get any information unless she was ready to tell him.
"You can just get that image out of your head. Seriously, I'm not kidding."Izzie insisted, laughing a little. "So, what's a...pour, sad, lonely guy like yourself doing here all by yourself?"
"Thanks for the ego boost, Stevens."Mark said in return. He wasn't really sure as to how he should answer, because he wasn't really sure why. He'd hardly slept at his hotel room in the past few weeks, and had ended up putting the on-call rooms to good use. Sleep was hard, and he thought that maybe something like a night out would at least give him options. While he had come with the idea of several, Mark soon began to think that there would be only one. "I'm just here. I'm not really sure why."
"So you didn't think it'd be a good idea to pick up lonely and depressed chicks?"Izzie contested, leading further onto the table. "Because not everyone here is that way."
"Sure."Mark replied, noting how close they now were. He bit back the urge to grab her, knowing that he couldn't risk anything. But as he saw Izzie's brown eyes staring back at his blue ones, Mark knew that he was stepping into uneasy territory. He'd heard the stories, he knew things she'd been through. Still, as he heard something clearing their throat nearby, he felt like he couldn't tear his gaze away. "Yeah?"He said, sharply, turning his head.
A frail, brown haired woman, waved a hand. "I hate to be a stickler, but I believe it's time to change tables."She said, sending a look at Izzie.
Mark grinned, amused. Still, he found himself wishing that Izzie wouldn't leave. It wasn't until he heard what Izzie said next that he realized the night wouldn't be a complete waste.
"Mark?"Izzie said, her voice unsteady. She was tired, and in truth was only in for the whole night for the purpose of something to do. She knew there couldn't be any real chance that she'd find the one she was destined to be with. A smile on her face, she glanced over at Meredith and Cristina, who both looked like they were actually having a decent time. Izzie was tired of being the one who was so predictable, and decided to take a chance. "Do you think I could take you up on that offer?"