CHAPTER SIXTY
here's to future days.
season five, episodes twenty one,
twenty two, and twenty three.

          CASSIE ENTERED IZZIE'S ROOM AT THE HOSPITAL AFTER BEING PAGED, RACING AROUND THE CORNER WITH A FRANTIC EXPRESSION. "What happened?" she questioned urgently, only to freeze in her steps at the sight of George, Meredith, Alex, Cristina, and Bailey standing calmly around Izzie's bedside.

"You're here!" Izzie smiled, holding out a fork with a piece of chicken on the end. "Come on, I need help choosing the main course for Meredith and Derek's wedding."

Cassie took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Izzie, you paged me 911."

Bailey turned to Izzie accusingly, her hands on her hips. "Isobel Stevens, you paged her 911 for taste testing?"

Izzie shrugged innocently. "She wouldn't have come otherwise. Besides, you can't yell at me. I have cancer." Everyone in the room rolled their eyes as Izzie turned back to Cassie. "Seriously, just try it."

"I'm a vegetarian," Cassie deadpanned.

"But I have cancer."

"That sucks, I'm a vegetarian."

Izzie sighed in defeat, turning her gaze back to Alex expectantly, who spoke through a large mouthful of food. "Chicken," he nodded. "Good chicken."

"Yeah, it's chicken," she scoffed. "I know it's chicken. I want to know what it tastes like."

"Tastes like chicken."

Izzie gave him a look. "I'm having surgery today." Bailey raised a brow. "Maybe. If the mets have shrunk. I am maybe having surgery today, and as such, I cannot taste the chicken for myself, so I really need you guys to tell me what it tastes like."

Cassie shook her head. "Not gonna happen."

"I need to nail down this dinner, so I can announce it on Meredith and Derek's wedding website—"

Meredith made a face of disgust. "There's a website?"

"Can you all please be a little more articulate than just chicken?"

George took a bite of the meat, making a sound of approval. "Wow, can you plan my wedding?"

"Are you kidding?" Izzie scoffed, as if it were completely obvious. "Of course I'm planning your wedding. Cassie's your best man, I already have her tuxedo picked out. Small venue, probably at the church off of Chestnut street if they have openings. Black and purple theme, no fish because Lily's allergic. Have you set a date yet?"

"Not yet," he shook his head. "Lily wants to wait until after her intern year. Don't worry, we have a long time to plan."

Cassie raised a brow. "The end of her intern year? That's in like, two months, Georgie."

George's eyes widened in alarm. "Crap."

Cassie snorted, patting him sarcastically on the back. Her attention was stolen as the bathroom door opened, revealing Derek wearing a morning coat, looking vaguely like he just came out of a Jane Austen novel.

"Oh," Izzie gasped. "That's the one."

The residents laughed as Bailey looked him up and down. "Very dapper, Dr. Shepherd."

"You're serious about this?" Derek asked, fiddling with the gold cuff links on his sleeves. "It's not some cruel joke?"

Cassie couldn't help but crack a smile in his direction, withholding her laughter for the blonde's sake. "All you need now is a top hat, Mr. Darcy."

Derek playfully narrowed his eyes as Izzie pointed at Cassie, completely serious. "Oh, I should definitely get on that." She held up her phone, snapping multiple pictures of the outfit. "You look fantastic. He looks fantastic, right?"

"Yeah," Meredith lied.

"Uh, whatever," Cristina shrugged.

George leaned in to whisper into Cassie's ear. "Please, for the love of god, do not make me wear one of those."

Cassie smirked at him. "No promises."

☆

Walking down the hallway to help in the ER, Cassie ran into Derek, who had his head down as he checked his pager.

"Oh, sorry," she apologized, feeling a bit awkward around him.

It had been a few weeks since she refused to forgive him, but after thinking about it for days on end — in typical Cassie fashion — she'd already changed her mind. Not that he knew, of course.

"Cass," Derek breathed out. "I was actually looking for you."

"What's up?"

Derek hesitated for a moment, tucking his pager back into his pocket and focusing his full attention on the conversation. "Look, I know we've already talked about it, and I know that what I said was awful, but—"

"Derek, I forgive you—"

"—can you please be my best man?" he finished his sentence, before pausing at her words. "Wait, what?"

Cassie sighed, giving him a reproachful look. "You were an ass. No, scratch that, you were such an ass, I'm genuinely shocked there isn't a toilet seat looped around your neck." Derek furrowed his brows as she continued. "But, you apologized, and I hate holding grudges. So, in the spirit of your wedding day tomorrow, I guess I forgive you."

Derek didn't speak, only staring at her for a long moment. Suddenly, he reached out, bringing her into a bone crushing hug. "I'm sorry," he whispered as Cassie hugged him back. "I am so, so sorry."

Cassie smiled, releasing him and crossing her arms over her chest with a shrug. "I know you are. And to answer your question, no."

"No?" Derek repeated, his face falling. "Why?"

"I'm already George's best man," she said obviously. "I can't be yours too. Also, we both know that's Mark's job."

Derek nodded in agreement, his face downcast. "I mean, I've always planned for it to be Mark, but based on the fact that we haven't spoken in a few weeks, I don't see that happening."

"Have you apologized to him?"

He frowned in confusion. "What?"

Cassie rolled her eyes. "You've apologized to me, but have you apologized to him?" Derek didn't say a word as his features morphed into a look of realization. "Oh my god, you really are an ass."

"I-I'll talk to him."

"Talk?" she cocked a brow. "If I were you, I would grovel. Or beg. Probably both, at the same time."

"Crap," Derek grumbled, running a hand through his hair in distress as he turned on his heel to go find Mark.

"Good luck! You'll need it!"

☆

Later that night, Cassie sat in her apartment with Pumpkin resting peacefully in her lap. She was reading an article on the newest advancements in brain surgery, flipping the page every ten seconds or so.

The front door opened, revealing a semi-disgruntled Mark holding the key Cassie had given him for emergencies. Pumpkin was startled by the sudden noise, jumping off of her lap and hiding under the couch, causing Cassie frown at her boyfriend.

"That key is for emergencies, babe," she reminded him, folding the paper and setting it on the coffee table. "Not for you to frighten my cat."

"This is an emergency," Mark corrected her, despite not seeming urgent in the slightest. "I need a new suit, and all of the stores are closed until tomorrow."

"Why do you need a new suit?" Cassie wondered, before it finally hit her. "Wait—"

Mark cut her off by holding a hand up, sensing what she was about to say. "Don't."

"Don't what?" she asked innocently.

"Cass," he gave her a knowing smirk. "Look me in the eye, and tell me you weren't about to freak out that Derek and I are friends again."

"I wasn't going to freak out," she told him, staring at the space directly above his head.

"Cassie."

Her gaze finally met his own, as a huge smile grew on her face. "Okay," she conceded, giggling under her breath. "I may have been planning to freak out, but—"

"No buts—"

"Oh, come on!" Cassie whined, her head falling back against the couch cushion. "Can't I at least freak out a little bit?"

Mark stared her down, before sighing heavily and motioning for her to continue. "Fine. Only a little bit, though."

Cassie's grin grew even wider as she stood up, kicking the air and doing a very dramatic fist bump. "Yes!"

Mark raised an amused brow. "You done?"

Cassie rolled her eyes. "Hey, I'm allowed to be happy about this! Two of my favorite people are finally on good terms, Izzie is kicking that melanoma's ass, there's a wedding tomorrow, and George and Lily are engaged!"

Letting out a content sigh as she sat back down, Cassie let a soft smile grace her features as she continued. "I don't know, I just... I feel like everything is finally starting to work out, you know? Like all of the pain, and all of the crap we've had to deal with is finally coming to an end."

Mark looked down at her fondly, moving to sit by her side and throwing an arm around her shoulders. He kissed her forehead as she cuddled into his chest, wondering how the hell he got so lucky.

"I love you, angel."

Cassie craned her neck to look up at him, planting a kiss on his jaw. "I love you more."

He smiled. "Not possible."

☆

Bright and early the next morning, Cristina and Cassie perked up as Meredith entered the locker room.

"Big day!" Cristina exclaimed, a huge fake smile on her face. "Biggest day of your life!"

"Very big day!" Cassie emphasized, nodding profusely. "This is the day you become my sister! Oh, and uh, get married, I guess."

Meredith made a face of disgust. "Don't do that. Don't do the peppy maid of honors thing. It's creepy."

"Really? Good," Cristina sighed. "Wait, is this, like, the calm before the storm?"

"Do you need us to drug you? Or shave off your eyebrows to numb you into submission?" Cassie wondered in concern. "Threaten those you hold most dear?"

"No, I'm fine," she waved them off. "It's not the biggest day of my life. It's the biggest day of Izzie's life. I'm excited about the marriage, not some wedding. Anyway, she's the one who's gone all bridezilla."

In unison, Cristina and Cassie lowered their voices as they eerily mumbled, "Bridezillaaa."

Meredith snorted. "I hate you two."

☆

After hearing about Derek and Meredith's plan, Cassie looked between the two with an incredulous expression. "Seriously? You two are sure about this?"

The engaged couple nodded in sync. "We're sure."

"Is Alex?" Cassie raised a brow, before being startled by a presence on her right. "Oh, hi Alex."

The man in question sighed, adjusting his tie back and forth in the tuxedo originally made for Derek. "I'm sure," he confirmed, turning back to Meredith. "So are we doing this, or what?"

Meredith looked at Cassie. "You'll help?"

"Of course I'll help."

Derek smiled, patting Alex on the back. "I'll meet you guys at the church."

Following Meredith into Izzie's room, Alex hung back as Cassie waved at Bailey, who was impatiently waiting for them. "Oh, here she is," the shorter woman sighed in relief.

"Meredith!" Izzie said accusingly, still dressed in sweatpants and clearly stressed out. "You're supposed to be at the church!"

"This isn't my dress," Meredith said simply.

"Of course it's your dress. It's perfect, it... what are you talking about?!"

"No, this dress is not for me."

Bailey and Cassie shared a grin, looking back to the confused blonde.

"I don't... what?" Izzie paused, before scoffing. "Oh, god. I knew you were gonna freak out before the wedding. Mer, Derek loves you. Marriage is good," she turned to Bailey and Cassie. "Tell her it's good."

"No, Izzie," Cassie laughed. "She's saying, it's not her wedding dress." Gesturing to the doorway, Izzie's gaze landed on Alex, who stood there nervously.

"She's right. The dress, it isn't for Meredith."

Slowly, Izzie caught on to what they were saying, a huge smile taking over her face.

Cassie looked between the couple. "I brought my makeup bag, and some hair products," she cut in. "Cristina is bringing them up now, and then we can get you ready."

Izzie smiled gratefully at Meredith and Cassie, before looking back to Alex with a loving gaze.

Everything is finally starting to work out, Cassie thought once again, her heart happily thumping in her chest. All of the pain is finally coming to an end.

☆

After the wedding reception, which was short and sweet and filled with love, the door to Cassie's bedroom opened hard enough to rattle the bolts holding it in place.

Mark and Cassie haphazardly entered the room, not looking where they were going, since their attention was much more focused on each other.

After all, it's not a wedding if a bridesmaid doesn't end up in bed with a groomsman.

As the door slammed shut, Cassie's back was promptly pushed against it, the doorknob digging into her side. Not that she noticed, of course, since her mind was otherwise occupied.

"Fuck, angel," Mark breathed out, his hand's tightly gripping Cassie's waist. "This dress—"

"You should see what I have on under it," she replied cheekily, the right sleeve of the red gown she was wearing slipping down her arm as she spoke.

Mark smirked at her, his lips moving their way down to the shell of her ear as he whispered, "Oh, I plan to."

Cassie squealed as he lifted her up, her legs secured around his back as her dress was removed from her body, revealing an expensive lingerie set in the same color. Seeing the glazed look in her boyfriend's eye as he looked her up and down, Cassie tilted her head teasingly.

"I'll need you to buy me a new set," she whispered, wearing a sly smirk as she removed his tie with one hand, the other moving downwards to loosen his belt.

"Yeah?" Mark replied, his nose softly bumping against her own as he planted a kiss on her lips. "And why's that?"

"Because, we're about to ruin this one."

☆

George approached Cassie at a nurses station, frowning in confusion as she didn't even acknowledge his presence. A dreamy look was painted on her features as she stared into space, her lips quirked upwards and her eyebrows raised.

"Cass," he said, waving a hand in front of her face but to no avail. "Cass. Cassie. Cassandra."

Cassie didn't move, so George did the only thing he could think to do in that moment.

"Ouch!" Cassie groaned, rubbing her reddened cheek as she sent George a glare. "You slapped me!"

"Oh, get over it, it was barely a tap," he denied, a confused smile on his face. "What's wrong with you?"

Cassie sent him a weird look. "Nothing's wrong with me."

"Cass."

Staring at him for a long moment, she finally let a giggle slip out, much to his amusement. "Okay, fine," she smiled, lowing her voice to a loud whisper. "I had the best sex of my life last night."

George scrunched up his nose. "Okay, I didn't need to know that."

"No, seriously," Cassie continued, since she had yet to tell Meredith and Cristina and wanted to get it off her chest. "It was genuinely the best sex of my life. Like, if sex was a food, it would be cheesecake. But, like, the best cheesecake you've ever had. The most delicious and moist—"

"OKAY!" George shouted, his hands slapping over his ears. "Please, please, stop talking."

Cassie laughed, admittedly exaggerating so she would get that type of reaction from him. "Okay, okay, I'm done."

George removed his hands from his head, sending her one last warning glare. "Thank you," he said sarcastically.

Shaking her head, Cassie gave him a knowing look. "Don't pout, you love me."

As she went back to reviewing charts, like she should have been doing rather than daydreaming, George opened his mouth to speak. He stopped when he saw Mark coming up to them, ultimately deciding to hold off on what he was planning to say. "Cass?"

"Yeah?" she replied distractedly, crossing out a patient's information and correcting it.

"If there's a good time for you tomorrow," he said quietly, his voice more serious than it was before, "could we talk?"

Looking up from her work, Cassie tilted her head. "Of course, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," George nodded, waving her off. "It can wait. Um, I'll just... I'll find you?"

"I'll be here," Cassie shrugged, watching as he left. She silently wondered what he wanted to talk about, but her thoughts were distracted when Mark moved to stand in the same place George was. "Well, hello there."

"Hey, angel," Mark smirked, leaning against the counter as he remembered the prior night's adventures. "How are you feeling?"

"Honestly?" she snorted. "My legs hurt."

Mark laughed along, sending her a wink. He simply watched as she turned her gaze away to continue her work in peaceful silence, his mind reeling as he thought about how to smoothly approach the subject he wanted to bring up.

"So," he started, causing Cassie to look up once again expectantly. "I was thinking, you know, with, uh, Derek and Meredith getting married, and Stevens and Karev, and O'Malley and Blair... uh, you know, maybe I should start thinking about... you know..."

Okay, Mark thought to himself with a wince. Not quite as smooth as I would've hoped.

Slowly, Cassie shook her head. "I do not know, actually."

"Well, I was thinking, uh, I'd start looking for an apartment, or... or maybe even a house."

"Oh, that's great!" Cassie cheered. "You finally won't have to live out of a hotel anymore."

Laughing nervously, Mark adjusted his scrub top. "Actually, I was, uh, you know, thinking that maybe you'd, uh, you would come with me."

Her eyes widening a fraction of an inch, Cassie quickly put on a clueless facade.

"Oh, for sure! I-I would love to... see it. I'm... so happy for you." Messily grabbing her charts at a rapid pace, she began to walk backwards. "I have a, um, I need to... yeah."

As Cassie scrambled away, Derek cleared his throat from only a few feet away. Cringing, Mark turned around.

"How much of that did you hear?"

"You mean the part where you asked her to move in with you, or the part where she shot you down?" Derek smirked. "I was here for both."

Mark pinched the bridge of his nose. "Kill me now."

"Just for the record, it's way too early for you to be moving in with Cass," he input, knowing his sister better than anyone. "You know, to be completely honest, it's way too early to even bring it up."

"Oh, come on, that's not true."

"Mark," Derek deadpanned. "She ran away from you, just now. Ran."

Mark thought for a moment. "Crap."

"Crap, indeed."

author's note —
we stan cassie and her
commitment issues!

also, in honor of the next
chapter, here are a few
happy halley gifs i made

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