I really like the way that you wrote this, and the way that you included Kathleen in it. I think it was perfect to make her his shrink.

I'm glad Shonda didn't bring Kathleen to the show now bc I will accept nothing but this as canon.

Again I applaud your detail-oriented approach. Suits the psychiatrist's voice after all, hmm? "Kathleen was supposed to have answers"- isn't the human need to categorise other humans kind of funny though? (And Shonda fell in the trap sooner than I thought/hoped.) I do wonder what was it in the first place that allowed Mark to think that he could talk to Kathleen about all those things. And I don't even have the heart to talk about the later bits of this story. (Why did you throw in that quote from 3x17?) But hey- at least by the time he got to Seattle, he had it in him to say the truth out loud, say it to her, even, instead of scowling when it came out of someone else's mouth, right? Thank you, Kathleen, thank you.

I really like the way that you wrote this, and the way that you included Kathleen in it. I think it was perfect to make her his shrink.

There was a time (a long time ago now) when canon Mark Sloan was one of the most complex, amazing characters I have ever encountered. I commend you for being able to keep that alive all this time later; and I am in awe at your ability to distill and express who he was so well in one story.

This is perfect; and so very well written.

How on earth has this not been reviewed yet? It is one of the most insightful glimpses at Mark/Shepherd backstory in existence. It's so obviously canon and so beautifully written. The dynamic you've painted for these two is phenomenal. It is definitely one of my favourite stories by you. It's crazy how this can be perceived as so in character when we've never even met Kathleen, but whatever, I truly think it is.