Okay, so this fic takes place after the season 6 finale, but before the season 7 premiere and kind of spins off from there. Incorporating some things from season 7, but not others.

I own nothing and no one (though I wouldn't mind owning Mark!)

Please R&R!


Lexie unlocked the door to her apartment. The door echoed behind her as it shut. She'd only just signed the lease. The place was empty except for her suitcase, backpack and an air mattress. She sighed and sat down on the air mattress, pulling her laptop out.

Meredith had tried to convince her to stay at her house, but Lexie had insisted on moving out. If she was going to make a full recovery she needed some space. She needed her own place and some serious "me" time. As long as she was at Meredith's she would be surrounded by people walking on eggshells around her. She got enough of that at work; she didn't need that at home too.

It was a nice apartment. Small, it was just a studio really. One room with a kitchenette, bathroom and a surprisingly large closet, considering. This would be her home, her sanctuary. She could and would get through this on her own. She was going to show everyone she wasn't just Little Grey anymore.


"Hey, Derek?"

Derek looked up from his patient's chart. "Lexie. What can I do for you?"

"I heard Meredith mention you have this Saturday off and, well, she doesn't but I do, and I was just wondering…" Lexie rambled.

Derek smiled. "Spit it out , Lexie."

"Furniture. I need furniture and I was planning to go garage sale hopping this Saturday, and, well, I'm stronger than I look, but I'll need help lifting some things and Meredith is working and—"

"I'd love to," Derek cut her off a second time. "Pick you up at eight?"

Lexie smiled. "Eight would be great. Thanks, Derek."

"What was that about?" Mark asked from behind as Lexie scampered off.

Derek gave his friend a pointed look. "Leave her alone, Mark."

Mark feigned innocence. "Just asking a simple question."

"You can talk to Lexie about it. When she's ready. Give her some space."

Mark's eyes darkened. "I had to have her committed. I watched while they doped her up so much she slept for three days. She won't let me in. She won't talk to me, she won't even look at me. I just want to know… is she okay?"

Derek's eyes softened. "She's as okay as the rest of us, Mark."


As promised, Derek arrived at Lexie's apartment at 8:00 sharp Saturday morning.

"I brought donuts," he smiles as he stepped inside the apartment.

Lexie smiled. "Thanks. Coffee?"

"Please." He set the donuts on the counter and took a look around. It was the first time he'd seen the place, but the smell was fresh in the air. "When have you had time to paint the place, Lex?"

Lexie swallowed nervously as she poured the coffee. "Oh, just a little here, a little there."

Derek watched her closely. "Are you sleeping?"

"Derek," she sighed, "I'm a resident. We don't sleep. You know that."

"You know what I mean, Lexie."

"Don't, Derek. You're the only one who's looked at me and talked to me like I'm a normal person since… that day. Don't you start treating me like a walking time bomb too."

"I'm sorry." He picked up the donuts. "What do you say we take these on the road and get this place furnished?"

Lexie sighed in relief. "Thank you."


Meredith plopped down on a gurney in the basement, next to Alex.

"Lexie's birthday is coming up. Lexie's birthday is coming and I have no idea what to do. She used to be this shiny, happy person and now she's dark and twisty like me. I can't brainstorm with Cristina 'cause all she can talk about is weddings. Lexie's birthday is in a week and I have no idea what to do."

"Do I look like I have a vagina? Why are we having girl talk all of a sudden?"

"Alex, come on. Have you even talked to her since she was committed?"

"Why would she want to talk to me? I couldn't deal with her shit then and I can't deal with it now."

Meredith regarded her friend for a moment. "You really care about her, don't you?"

"Shut up," Alex commanded in his usual annoyed, yet bored manner.

"It's okay to care about her, Alex."

"Crazy Eyes doesn't need someone like me caring about her," Alex stated firmly as he stood up and stormed off.

Meredith sighed. "I still don't know what to do for her birthday."