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What does it say about me that this doesn't really shock me at all? Or perhaps, what does it say about Mark? I have to ask, though. When this happened, was it purely for "This'll make a great story someday" or did you kinda fancy him?

I do the same thing, with wondering how I'd respond in some situations. Which is why I tend to avoid some of the rougher stories that you enjoy so much.I'm a sucker for unrequited love, myself. To love someone knowing that they'll never love you back. I can't quite put into words what I find so enthralling about it. I guess I think it's easy (easy being a relative term in this case) to love someone that loves you back, but to trust your emotions to someone that at best will give you a hug and say "Sorry, I just don't" takes a courage I can't fathom. And I don't need an ending where things change and they end up happily ever after (although I don't complain when that happens), just an acceptance that "this is the way things are" and the characters can move on and be OK. A great example is the character of Eponine in Les Miserables (the musical, never read the book). "On my Own" and "A Little Fall of Rain" are heart-breakingly beautiful to me. Its also part of the reason I am so...rapt by CC and ISWB (the good writing on the part of both authors helped).