International Air Dates:
The Netherlands: May 28, 2007 on Net 5
Italy: June 25, 2007 on Foxlife
New Zealand: June 28th, 2007 on TV2
Latin America: July 2nd, 2007 on Sony Entertainment Television
Australia: July 22nd, 2007 on Channel 7
Israel: July 30, 2007 on Yes Stars 1
Ireland: October 16, 2007 on RTE Two
Germany: November 7, 2007 on Pro7
Sweden: November 7, 2007 on Kanal 5
Norway: January 8, 2008 on TV 2
Finland: January 23, 2008 on Nelonen
Croatia: February 11, 2008 on NOVA TV
Czech Republic: April 6, 2008 on Prima
Romania: July 8th, 2008 on TVR1 (edit) Music Featured In This Episode:
"Nausea" by Beck
"Better Off" by Let's Go Sailing
"Again & Again" by The Bird & the Bee
"The Secrets of Amanda Prines" by The Reddmen
"Breath" by Breaking Benjamin
"How Am I Doing?" by Anna Waronker (edit)

Meredith (voiceover): As interns, we know what we want, to become surgeons. And we'll do anything to get there. Suffer through killer exam, endure one-hundred hour weeks, Stand for hours on end in operating rooms, you name it, we'll do it. (edit) Izzie: I don’t know how we do this. I don’t know how we work together and be friends and act like it’s all okay.
George: I... there’s a spot available at Mercy West. I called them.
Izzie (shocked): You’re gonna transfer to Mercy West?
George: I have to. (edit) Derek: What're you doing here?
Meredith: I wanted you to know where I was, so I thought I'd come and tell you.
Derek: Ah, you're mocking me.
Meredith (kisses his neck): I'm apologizing.
Derek: You're making light of things.
Meredith: I'm running my fingers through your hair. I'm standing in your bedroom, unbuttoning my shirt. And I'm taking off my pants. And now, I'm getting into your bed, naked. (edit) Izzie: I need a vault. (to Burke) Can you be a vault? Because I've eaten a cake and a half and it's just not cutting it. And you don't gossip.
Burke: Well, that's because nobody tells me anything.
Izzie: I slept with a married man. It was...
Burke (interrupts): I don't mind that nobody tells me anything.
Izzie: It was George. It was with George.
Burke (eats a piece of cake): It should be firm inside and not spongey. The frosting, marang, light, but not too sweet. I always thought chocolate inside but...I've been leaning nowhere with that.
Izzie: You've thought a lot about this cake.
Burke: This cake or this day? With this woman.
Izzie: The red velvet is your winner by the way. (edit) Ava: You and Red make a pretty good team.
Alex: Don't tell Sloan.
Ava: Oh, she and Sloan aren't happenin'. She wants you.
Alex: How do you know that?
Ava: I know everything, remember? I heard her talking to the ortho doc about how she wants someone who barbecues and plays catch. She wants someone who's committed.
Alex: Yeah, well that's not me.
Ava: I hate to tell you this, but it is. You may talk tough, but you're a decent guy, Alex. Whether you wanna admit or not, you're one of the good ones. (edit) Mark: What'll take for me to get into the dirty mistresses club? Like how it should've been in the beginning.
Meredith; What're you doing?
Mark: Once. Twenty minutes in the on-call room. Nobody ever finds out.
Meredith: Mark.
Mark: What're you telling me that everything's great between you and Derek?
Meredith: What makes you think that there is something wrong with me and Derek?
Mark: Something's always wrong with you and Derek.
Meredith: Enough. What is going on with you?
Mark (groans): Nothing... I'm.... Addison and I were going to try to make a go of it... things are not going to work out.
Meredith: So you make a pass at me? Like that'll help.
Mark: She doesn't want me. Something's gotta help.
Meredith: Revenge sex is not the answer. If you're letting her go, let her go. Be an adult. (edit) Cristina: I know that you have to give George the cards because you're married to him. I respect that. But there is an argument, that us female surgeons should stick together.
Callie (sighs): You're relentless.
Cristina: Sisterhood, and all that, you know?
Callie: Mmhmm. Scary. And inhuman relentless.
Cristina: You are like a role model to me.
Callie: Okay, you know what? Stop. This is just getting sad. I will just give the cards to George. I'm sure that he will share.
Cristina (sighs): No, he won't. Not with me anyway. He'll just share them with Izzie, they're like an exclusive little unit. Whatever.
Callie: Yang. My locker is on the right side, third one from the door. The cards are on the top shelf. (edit) Cristina: Oh, I hate George. He married into the cards. Do you think that he knew? That's why he married her.
Meredith (rolls her eyes): Yeah, that's why he married her.
Cristina: I need those cards.
Meredith: We don't need the cards. What is...
Cristina (gets up and walks over to Callie): Dr. Torres. Dr. Burke and I are trying to choose a wedding cake and there are some samples in the conference room, if you get a moment, I would really love your opinion. I mean, you've got such great taste.
Callie: You're not getting my cards, Yang. (edit) Chief: The other board members get a say in who they want to be chief, but Larry he's the one who really gets to decide. He knows it and they know it.
Bailey: So, if the attendings find out that he's here...
Chief: The man won't get a moment's peace. (they round the corner to find all of the attendings standing there, they all try to talk to him at once. Chief talks over them) Now, I want you all out of here, go, go, go. Now.
Mark: Well, you know where to find me.
Chief: Go away.
Addison: But we can help!
Burke: No, we can help.
Addison: What's that supposed to mean?
Burke: He doesn't have any woman parts.
Addison: Irrelevant.
Derek: Look, it's not like we don't know where he is anyway.
Mark: Right, we'll just come back later anyway. (they walk into the room)
Larry: Richad, oh for God's sake what are the four musketeers doing here? What happened to 'I'll be discrete'?
Chief: Relax. They're here for the same reason I am. To see if they can help.
Larry: Right, bunch of ghouls. Alright, one of you wants to be the new chief... (unzips and drops his pants) fix this. And you got my vote. And no, those are not grapefruits. (they all stare in shock)
Addison (clears her throat): Well, it looks like you won't be needing my services after all. (leaves) (edit) Ava: So, what? We're not friends anymore? Fine. Then I won't tell you about Dr. Montgomery's sex bet with the overly hot Dr. Sloan. Yeah, if he can go sixty days without sex then they are getting back together. Apparently, they used to be a thing back when she was married to Dr. McDreamy.
Alex: The question is, how do you know all of that?
Ava: I'm on bed rest 5 feet from the nurse's station and I have excellent hearing. It's like watching a soap. Do you know how many doctors in this hospital that Nurse Olivia has slept with? Well, wait, what am I talking about, you're one of them. Anyway, I strongly advise you to move on Dr. Montgomery before you lose your shot. Or, I would if we were friends.
Alex: But if she wants to be with Sloan...
Ava: Dude, if she wanted to be with Sloan she'd be with Sloan. (edit) Cristina (while studying, Burke is feeding her wedding cake): Honey, I don't care. Now, is Alex right or am I?
Burke: You're gonna care, or I'm gonna get another bride.
Cristina: I love it. I love all cakes. Now break the tie.
Burke: Karev's right. (edit) Meredith: Hey, just so you know, I’ll be over here while you are over there. Ok?
Derek: Cute.
Meredith: Easy to locate, right? Girlfriend comes with a GPS? (edit) George: So, last night we studied together. Today we're treating patients together.
Izzie: And we're fine. We're not tortured, it's not weird. We made a mistake and we've moved on.
George: If anything, I think it brings us closer together as friends.
Izzie: We're very impressive.
George: I think we are. (edit) Meredith: Hey!
Derek: Hey!
Meredith: I haven’t seen you on a few days. I left messages.
Derek: Yeah, I know… I was just trying to…
Meredith: I know I told you to stop hovering and you did, and I appreciate that. But now stop stopping.
Derek: No, you’re right. It’s ridiculous for me to worry about you all the time.
Meredith: Sweet that you worry. It is. I should communicate more.
Derek: Right.
Meredith: You don’t think I can do it. I can do it.
Derek: Really?
Meredith: In a few seconds I’ll be getting on that elevator and then I’ll be going on rounds. (elevator rings) Oh, see that? (getting on the elevator) I’m getting on the elevator... communicating. (Derek smiles) (edit) Addison: Which cake should I have? This one has fruit in it, so I can pretend I'm eating healthy... (edit) Addison: Hey.
Alex: Hey.
Addison: I was gonna go get a drink. You wanna head over to Joe’s?
Alex: Yeah, I’m kinda under about this test.
Addison: Okay. You know, um, I took that test once upon a time. We could, um, go back to my hotel. I could quiz you.
Alex: Look, ah... this isn’t…you’re not my girlfriend, okay?
Addison: What?
Alex: No offense, today was awesome. It’s just, I’m really busy, I have a lot of work. I don’t have time for…
Addison: No, of course. Study. It’s what you’re here for, right? (edit) Meredith: Now see, you can’t do that.
Derek: Do what?
Meredith: Not look happy after sex. It’s bad for the ego.
Derek: I’m fine.
Meredith: Are we fine?
Derek: Sure.
Meredith: Not so convincing. I shouldn’t’ve accused you of hovering, it wasn’t nice. You were just trying to be there for me. But, now I’m being available and communicating and getting naked and doing all of your favorite things.
Derek: Mm. Good things.
Meredith: Then why are you still staring at the ceiling?
Derek: I don’t know. It’s just…that day. I came out of the water. I spent the scariest hour of my life trying to breathe for you. I love you and I want you but I don’t know what to…you didn’t swim. You didn’t swim and you know how to. And I don’t know if I can…I don’t know if I wanna keep trying to breathe for you.
Meredith (pauses): I should go. (pauses) I'll go. (edit) Addison: Mark…we need to, um…we should go get a drink, and maybe talk. Do you have some time? I mean, just something’s always wrong with you and me.
Mark: You don’t wanna have a drink with me. I’m not what you’re looking for.
Addison: What are you talking about?
Mark: I slept with someone. Couldn’t hold out. Once a manwhore, always a manwhore, right? (edit) George: What’s your problem?
Izzie: My problem…is you. You’re my penis fish.
George: Your what?
Izzie: You’ve crawled in and latched on, and now I can’t move, or talk, or think, or even pee without the necking feeling that something is eating through my organs!
George: You don’t even have a penis. How am I the fish?
Izzie: It’s a metaphor, George.
George: What happened to us being fine?
Izzie: I don’t know. Maybe we’re not. (edit) Callie (to Izzie, on the elevator): Don’t talk. Um, I know it’s not fair, and I know it’s not your fault and I know there’s nothing going on between you and George. I know that. Except there is. You’re his best friend. He loves you. He gets you, he needs you, and I’m just, I’m just, I’m his wife. And I know, I know I get the sex and the commitment and life with him…but I want him to get me, and to need me. And I can’t compete with you. So I am asking you to please stop. Just stop. Find another friend, or whatever you do, just give me my husband back. (edit) Addison: Karev.
Alex: Hey. I was just checkin’ up on Ava.
Addison: Do I have another Denny Duquette situation on my hands?
Alex: What? Are you serious?
Addison: I have never seen you so attentive with a patient. You’re always there, checking her stats, running tests, doing research!
Alex: It’s my job.
Addison: No, it’s my job. I’m her doctor. You’re my intern.
Alex: Which is why I have to know her stats at all times. Because I’m not about to stand next to you in your OR and be anything less than over prepared, ok? There’s no way I’m gonna go to work every day with a surgeon like you and not be at the top of my game. So, if you wanna yell at me – (Addison kisses Alex and they quickly enter the on-call room, removing their clothes) (edit) Meredith: Talk about divine retribution.
Izzie: What?
Meredith: He sleeps with his assistant and a carnivorous fish lodges itself in his penis. That's instant karma if I've ever seen it.
Cristina: Yeah, well Derek wasn't struck by lightning and neither were you.
Meredith: Addison showed up, I had months of pain and self-loathing, crazy ranting mother and near drowning off the side of the dock. I mean, it's no fish in my hoo-hoo, but it's certainly not an easy ride.
Cristina: You know I cheated on my boyfriends and I'm fine. I mean am I the only one? (George and Izzie look uncomfortable)
George (changing the subject): Which cake is your favorite? Or haven't you choosen one yet?
Cristina: Okay, clearly, you're not getting the point. I don't have favorite cakes. That's why you're involved. (edit) Derek (looking at the X-rays of Larry's penis): Looks like some kind of foreign object.
Mark: Ouch.
Burke: It almost looks like...
Mark: A skeleton. It's skeleton-like, definitely skeletony.
Burke: Are those... barbs?
Mark: Nooo, Can't be.
Derek: Could be.
Meredith: It looks like a teeny tiny catfish.
Webber: Close. See there? Those are spines. This is a candirú fish.
Cristina: The penis fish? This guy has the penis fish! In his...in his…wow! (edit) Callie: I, ah…I caught George in a lie the other day. He said he spent the day in the clinic when he spent it doing god knows what with Izzie Stevens. It’s probably nothing, right?
Addison: Right.
Callie: Right. So how’s your manwhore? Miraculously reformed?
Addison: For now. It’s never gonna turn him into…what I want.
Callie: Which is…?
Addison: The whole thing. I want someone stable who barbeques and teaches little kids how to play catch. That’s not Mark Sloan. Which doesn’t explain why I spent the entire day looking at Alex Karev like a puppy at a chew toy.
Callie: Why don’t you just go there already?
Addison: Because he doesn’t barbeque either. Plus he’s like 12 years old and could fit all his belongings in a milk crate.
Callie: Well, guys like Karev…look, at least you know he’ll never lie to you. Guys like him, they must run in their twenties, but then they, you know, pack it in and teach their kids to play catch.
Addison: Maybe. Ahh, I need to stop thinking about both of them.
Callie: And I have to stop thinking about Izzie Stevens.
Addison: Hey, Callie, here’s the thing. When you’re obsessing about something like that, there’s generally a reason. (edit) Bailey: I know I said you could use the day to study but we’ve got an all hands on deck situation.
Cristina: Bad car accident?
Meredith: Multiple gunshot wounds?
Bailey: A penis. The chairman of the board’s penis.
Meredith: What’s wrong with it?
Bailey: His testicles have swollen, which is the understatement of the year.
Cristina: Fantastic! How much? No, uh, don’t tell me. Let it be a surprise.
Bailey: Look, you and Grey can take him for his ultrasound and his X-ray.
Cristina: The V.I.Penis.
Bailey: Just go! (edit) Alex (asking about Ava) : What about an epidural, to get her blood pressure down? I mean, am I going overboard, or…
Addison: Believe me, I wish I had someone who cared that much about my blood pressure.
Alex: Yeah, well, from what I hear, in 28 days you will. (edit) Cristina (after seeing Burke’s cake sample table): Plates and little place cards? Okay, he’s turning into a girl.
Izzie: I think it’s sweet. He obviously cares about this stuff.
Alex: This white one tastes pretty good.
Meredith: I should bring a piece to Derek, right? That’s what good girlfriends do, take their boyfriends cake and communicate?
Alex: No, the best ones just keep all that stuff to themselves. (edit) Mark: Twenty-eight more days, and then it’s you and me in a locked room for a record-breaking earth-shattering mind-blowing –
Addison (interrupts): Okay! I get it. Thank you.
Mark: That was less than enthusiastic.
Addison: I’m gonna be more enthusiastic when we ah...cross the finish line.
Mark: Okay. Just makin’ sure you haven’t lost interest in the project.
Addison: Not at all.
Mark: Good. (edit) George: What is the strongest layer in the small bowel?
Cristina (testing wedding cake for Burke): Fine, yummy.
Izzie: Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it…
George: It is “not snot”.
Izzie: Submucosa!
George: Yes.
Cristina: Wait wait wait wait. How do you know that? Are you studying with the wife’s cards?
Meredith: What cards?
Cristina: Callie was ranked number one in her year after this test. She has legendary flash cards.
Izzie: I don’t need the flash cards. (indicating George) We are independently brilliant.
George: Dream team.
Cristina: Yeah, I’m gonna hurl. (edit) Meredith (voiceover): Too often, the thing you want most is the one thing you can't have. Desire leaves us heartbroken, it wears us out. Desire can wreck your life. But as tough as wanting something can be, the people who suffer the most, are those who don't know what they want. (edit)

Mitch Pileggi and James Pickens Jr. work together again after they worked in many season of X-Files, interpreting Assistant Director Walter Skinner and Assistant Director Kersh, respectively. (edit)

Episode Title: "Desire"

This episode's title refers to songs by Andy Gibb, U2, Talk Talk, Do As Infinity, Geri Haliwell and Savanah. (edit)