SUMMARY: After the plane crash, Mark and Lexie are left to recover their injuries. Once they are healed, Mark tells Lexie that he wants to move to Los Angeles. It's a start over for them, and he loved it so much down there that he had wanted to move down there. Lexie agrees, but she isn't sure.
NOTE: This is completely AU. Everything is canon up to the episode where Lexie and Mark crash, except Lexie doesn't die. In this, Lexie has passed her boards and is an attending.
A/N: First chapter is going to be short, so I can see what everyone thinks of the idea.
The park's sunshine shined vibrantly through the trees, as Mark pushed the stroller through the path, with Callie and Arizona by his side. He was trying to spend as much time as he could with them, as well as Sofia, before their move. It's been months since the crash, and after all the physical therapy, things have seemed to settle back down to a somewhat normal life. And after a job offering from Addison to move down and begin a new addition to their practice, Mark runs it over with Lexie and she agrees. Through the next few weeks, Mark and Lexie had looked for a house to buy, and decided one right on the beach. Amelia had told Lexie that she wanted to work with her, and therefore, gave Lexie a reason to move down to Los Angeles. She wasn't too keen on it, but she's ready for something new.
Arizona's blonde hair blew softly in the breeze, and Callie's black hair brushed over her shoulders. Sofia's giggling sounds were heard, as she played with a doll in the stroller. Callie glances at the view of the city; it's beautiful. Not many days were like this. The city was full of rain and weather of all sorts, usually, but that had gone away for one day.
"So this is really it," Arizona said to herself. "You're absolutely positive you want to move to Los Angeles?" She asks, looking up to Mark.
Callie looks up to Mark, following suit. "This is another big move, Mark. You don't have to-"
"I need to." Mark says, sighing. "But I want holidays with her. Thanksgiving, if not Christmas. And her birthday."
Arizona laughed a little, before nodding. "Yes, you can have her for Thanksgiving and her birthday. We'll discuss Christmas."
Callie looked out at the view, sighing softly to herself. "You're not gonna miss this?"
Mark sighed, turning the stroller so Sofia could look at the view. "I will. But I need to do this. You guys know why."
Callie patted Mark's back, as Arizona nodded, looking out at the view that was set before them.
- M & L -
Lexie's hands fumbled with her cup, as she stared at the last box in their apartment. Meredith had come over to help with the move, and Derek was on his way after he got out of the hospital. Meredith, in her college hoodie, looked around the empty apartment with a sigh.
"I think that's everything!" Meredith said before looking over to Lexie, with a small smile.
Lexie looked saddened, but glad to have a new start. Somewhat. "I told him that we should keep the apartment. Too many good memories here. Well, memories."
Meredith frowned a bit, before walking over to Lexie and hugging her. "You're doing a good thing. Besides, Derek and I might be moving to DC, and I think you'd prefer a beach over Washington."
Lexie laughed a little, nodding as she hugged her back. "Are you actually moving, or are you just saying that?"
Meredith shrugs, pulling away from her sister. "No, we're considering it. I don't like it, but I'm counting on you to tell me what it's like. Living outside Seattle."
Lexie smiles, before lifting the last box up, before setting it down abruptly. "Ow," she says, hands immediately moving to her legs.
Meredith comes to her side, ready to help. "Are you okay? I thought you said your legs were feeling better today?"
Lexie shrugs, having the wind knocked out of her. "I'm... I thought they were," she says with a shake of her head. "It'll pass. It's one box."
Meredith sighs, before picking up the box. "I'll get it. You've got a plane to catch soon. Don't wear out your legs."
"Meredith, they're fine. I've... my physical therapist told me I'm gonna get pain like this every now and then. It'll shorten over time, but... it's gonna happen."
Fumbling with the box a bit, Meredith nods slowly. "Okay," she says, accepting it before signaling a nod to the door. "Let's go. Derek's gonna be here soon to bring you guys to the airport."
Lexie digs into her pocket, before leaving her key onto the counter. "One last check, before I lock us out and we leave something here with the key inside." She laughs, before walking back to their bedroom. Meredith can't help but roll her eyes, before dropping the box to go help her sister make her last check.
- M & L -
The airport is busy, as the three walk inside. Their bags in their hands; just what they'd need for the first night. Their things would be shipped the next day, and their first night would be spent on the floor of their new home. Derek has his hands in his pockets, as he looks around. Mark and Lexie walk together behind him, as their gate was just ahead. They still had to go through security, before being able to board their plane in an hour. Derek turned around, smiling at them.
"Found it," he says with a grin, as people push past them, getting to their own gates.
Mark has a backpack on his back, and Lexie has her purse. It's their first time flying, and she can't help but admit that she's terrified. But she's got medication that the Chief had given her, and Mark was going to be there with her. She breathed softly, smiling at her brother.
"You sure you can't stay?" She asks, as Mark looks around, needing to find the bathroom.
Derek shakes his head. "I've got a craniotomy at 9, and you guys need to get to LA. Are you sure you're gonna be fine?"
Mark looks at him with a smile. "She's a Grey, Derek. She can handle anything."
Lexie breathes with a smile, nodding hesitantly. "I'll be fine. It's only an hour and a half."
Derek nodded, before looking up at Mark. "Tell Addison I said hi. The whole crew," he says, before pulling Lexie into a tight hug.
He holds her close, feeling her shake a bit, knowing this was going to be hard. But Lexie was strong. He rubs a hand on her back, before she places a kiss onto his cheek. Derek pulls away and gives Mark one of the bro hugs, before patting him on the back.
"I'll see you two soon. Sorry I have to get out in such a rush," he says, before Lexie shakes her head.
"Go. It's a beautiful day to save lives." She says, smiling, as Derek grins back. Mark is still looking for the bathroom, before he finds one down the hall.
Derek begins to walk away, waving goodbye, before rushing out. The clock read 8:21 PM, as Mark dragged Lexie to the bathroom.
"I need to pee," he says, before she can't help but let out a laugh.
- M & L -
On the plane, she makes sure the window is shut and that everything is in order. Mark holds her hand, which is gripping him tightly. She can't help but do so, as the fear was strangling her. But she needed to be fine; it was just this once. And plane crashes were so rare - but they happened to her. She breathes softly, before Mark pulls out his laptop from his backpack.
Lexie looks at him with a confused look, before he pulls out headphones.
"Wanna watch a movie?" He asks, looking over to her, as she smiles. He knew just how to take the uneasiness off of her.
She breathes out a yes, smiling after. This time, it's a true smile. She feels her shoulders relax more, as she even reclines a little in the seat, careful to not disturb any others in the back of her.
- M & L -
The taxi dropped them off at their new home, which was a nice beach house off of the water. The neighborhood was quiet, and it was only down the road from Addison, which was a quick walk down the beach. Mark was mostly excited about the beach, so he could move his morning runs from the cold pavement of Seattle to the soft sandy beaches of Los Angeles. He was looking forward to it more than anything, and to spend it with Lexie, it's an even better opportunity.
As he opens the door, he finds there's a light on inside already. Maybe a realtor or mover had left it on? Looking to Lexie, he gives her a sign to be quiet, and she nods, standing by the door as he slowly unlocks the door and makes his way inside. He then hears the small chatter, and heels on the floor. Heels. Right away, he knew. Addison.
He smiles, and signals Lexie to come in. As they walk into their new home, it's got a fresh-paint smell to it. The smell of invitation and new stories to cover canvases. Lexie smiles, looking at Mark as he goes first just to make sure it's safe, before finding Addison, Sam, Naomi, and Jake all at their bar. A few bottles of drinks were scattered, and crackers and cheese.
"Our new guests!" Addison cheered with a welcome, glad that they had made it through the flight okay. "It's so good to see both of you." She says, as she instantly hugs Mark, glad to see him.
Lexie stands with a smile, holding her purse, trying not to be awkward. Or, well, anymore awkward.
Naomi stands up, and so does Sam with smiles. Jake stands up, eager to meet Mark.
"It's good to see you, man," Sam says, as he slaps his hand into Mark's, and Naomi gives him a big hug, glad to see him again.
Jake grins, shaking Mark's hand. "It's good to meet you!"
Mark nods, smiling back. "Likewise, my friend."
All five turn to Lexie, and she can't help but blush, before Addison pulls her into a hug, welcoming her.
"You too, Little Grey," she says, as she has to lean down a little to hug her.
Naomi holds out her hand, smiling. "I'm Naomi. It's good to meet you."
Lexie smiles, nodding as she holds onto Addison. "It's uh, good to meet you,"
Sam holds his hand out as well, doing the same. Jake gives her a nod.
Mark's already gone to the counter, scoping out what they have for beers. Lexie looks at Addison with a smile, before Addison breaks the silence with a question.
"So, uh," she clears her throat. "How was the flight?"
Lexie smiles a bit, nodding. "It was good. We watched a movie and before we knew it... we were at LAX."
Addison nods with a relieved look. "That's good, that's good. And your stuff is on its way?"
Lexie nods once more. Jake perks up a bit, looking at the two.
"You're absolutely more than welcome to use anything at our house. Just as long as you don't mind the baby mess." He laughs, as Lexie smiles, before thanking him generously. It was an incredible offer, and Lexie can't help but be so thankful. These people had just met her, and they were already so kind.
Lexie looks over to see Sam and Mark fixing themselves a drink.
"Drink up my man," Sam says with a smile, grabbing a glass for himself. "Got plenty of it."
Lexie looks at the two ladies with a smile. "Want me to mix you a drink? Complementary of the new house owners." She laughs a little, as Addison nods.
"I'd love one, but Naomi on the other hand..." Addison moved her hand to Naomi's stomach, pressing down on her dress more to show the bump.
Lexie's eyes widened, before smiling widely. "Oh! I didn't know, ha! Sorry." She says before Naomi shrugs it off.
"Please, that's a compliment. I forgot what it felt like to be this big again." She snorts a little, and Lexie can't help but laugh.
Addison glances around, before looking at Lexie. "I'll take a glass of red, if you don't mind."
Lexie nods. "Alright, coming right up. Jake, you?"
Jake shakes his head, before tipping his head to the beer on the counter. Lexie gives a nod, before Mark swoops in with a glass of red wine in his hand, his own beer in the other.
Addison gasps, before smiling and accepting the unexpected surprise. "Thank you!"
Lexie's smiling, and Addison jumps up a little.
"Mark, I know you've two met, but this is Jake." She says with a smile.
Mark can tell just how much Addison loves him, just by looking at that smile. Due to the timing, Mark was unable to go to Addison's wedding due to the plane crash. He had been in a coma, unable to even be awake for the moment that she walked down the aisle. Lexie was barely responsive with how many drugs she was on, and her legs were crushed beyond recognition. Luckily, Torres was able to construct bone and repair her legs to a state they were before. Now, after so many surgeries, she just had deepened scars onto her legs.
He'd spend hours after she started walking on her own again, massaging her legs so they felt better. Tracing the scars on her legs, she'd beg for him to stop, only for him to ask why. She'd be quiet for a few seconds, before telling him that she was embarrassed to have her legs like that. The scars, and the wounds were ugly to her. But for Mark, they showed their fight. It seems like everyone at Seattle Grace - Mercy West had scars. Did everyone at Seaside Wellness also have scars? He wondered for a brief second, before shaking it off.
"I'm sorry I couldn't make your wedding. I'm sure it was great." Mark says, frowning a bit. He's happy for Addison, and ready to get to know Jake once and for all. This was Addison's husband.
He shakes his head, as Addison follows suit. "Don't worry about it. You couldn't help it," he says, as Addison nods in agreement.
Mark shrugs. "I would've if I could've. Red, here, is one of my best friends. Did she mention me at all?"
Jake lets out a small laugh, nodding, as Addison gives him a slight nudge. "Talk about something other than your ego." She says, as Jake can't help but laugh again. He likes the friendship between Mark and Addison; it runs deeper than anything, he thinks.
"I'm a plastic surgeon. And you're an infertility specialist?" Mark asks, before taking a sip of the beer.
Mark glanced around beforehand before seeing Lexie talking to Sam and Naomi.
"You'll love Violet and Cooper, and Charlotte." Sam nods, as Lexie sips her drink that she'd made for herself. Naomi nods in agreement.
"They're all wonderful people and you'll all get along fast. Amelia you already know," she says, thinking over all the people. "Which, where is that girl? I thought she'd say she'd stop by?"
"Amelia? Oh, yeah," Lexie said, pulling out her cell phone. "I texted her when we got off the plane and she said she'd be here by..."
Everyone's heads turned as they heard the door down the hall open and slam shut, followed by footsteps. Amelia walked into the room, stressed look on her face as she sat down a plastic bag onto the counter.
"You will not believe the traffic-" she pauses, eyes opening as Lexie and Amelia quickly hug each other tightly. "Oh my god, Lexie!"
"I told you that you'd be late!" Lexie said in a cheerful tone. "It's great to see your face not on a skype camera."
Amelia laughed a bit, as she can't help but recall the numerous skype calls that she's had with her step-sister. "I don't take offense to that," she says, quickly unraveling the bag to show a bottle of ginger ale. "For me, since I knew everyone would be having the devil's drink. And," she pauses, looking around. "Where's Mark?"
Mark steps out from behind Jake and Addison, before Amelia runs to him, hugging him so tight that the clash had almost caused him to spill his beer. Addison's glad that Amelia had arrived, as the two men were now talking about their interest in football instead of surgeries.
"Mark!" Amelia exclaims, as she holds him close.
Mark grins, passing his beer to Addison. "Hi Amy," he says as he wraps his arms around her.
By the near end of the night, everyone's split up into their own little groups, talking. Mark, Sam, and Jake all are on the back patio talking about the NFL teams. Addison and Naomi are both drinking wine and talking as they sit on the patio furniture, and Amelia and Lexie are inside on the floor drinking ginger ale and to spice it up, Lexie's added a small bit to her drink.
"So..." Amelia says, looking at Lexie. "I never know when to ask the dirty secret stuff when I'm on skype. I've tried not to since I know that Mark could be right behind you without me even knowing."
Lexie raises an eyebrow. "Fire away."
"Alright," Amelia says, before taking a swig of the ginger ale. "Tell me: is there any other reason you moved down here?"
"I told you, we wanted to-"
"Truth only." Amelia adds quickly, cutting Lexie off.
Lexie pauses, sighing, before she shrugs. "I... we moved down here because... we wanted a change of pace. A new surrounding."
Amelia sips her drink in silence, ready for more.
"It's like that town is cursed, Amelia. And he's been wanting to move down here since the last time he came down," she stirs her drink a bit. "And I'm coming along for the ride. Plus, working with you is always a plus." Lexie grins.
Amelia grins back, nodding. "Right, right. My brother is the one with all the skills. And the hair." She says, playing with her lip for a second before shaking her head. "No, just the hair, actually."
Lexie laughs, shaking her head. It's quiet for a second, before Amelia breaks the silence.
"So, has he said anything about kids?" She asks, looking up from her drink to Lexie.
Lexie pauses, before shrugging. "That's not his fault. I said that we should wait a little while longer, just until we're settled in here and you know... heal."
Amelia nods. "And you're sure," she says, before raising a brow. "About wanting kids."
Lexie nods quickly. "I want kids, I do," she says, smiling. "We discussed a few names. Tossed some ideas around and I don't know when the time's right."
"Is there even a right time?" She asks, before Lexie shrugs, taking a sip of her drink.
Lexie wants to ask Amelia about having a child, but she doesn't dare to. Not after what happened. So she just shrugs it off, sipping her own drink quietly.
Addison's out on the patio, and she's getting having her second glass of wine. Feeling her phone vibrate, and the ringer go off, she opens it to a call. She puts her head to the phone, before nodding.
"Yeah... did you do- ... okay ... We'll be right there." She says, before hanging up. She looks at Jake, before sighing. "We've gotta get to the hospital. Jane's feeling more and more swelling."
Jake sighed, before setting his beer onto the railing. "I was afraid of that." He said, shaking his head. "I hate to cut our invitation short, but..."
"No, don't worry. We'll see you at the practice tomorrow. Bright and... well, relatively early." Mark says with a grin, shaking Jake's hand once more before Addison gives a peck onto Mark's cheek with her lips before saying her goodbyes to everyone. They quickly file out to the front door, to get to their and Sam look at each other quickly, before Sam looks at his watch. "We're gonna head back too." She says, tugging at his hand.
Mark nods, before looking down the coastline. "So... your house is still right next to Red's?"
Sam nods. "Yes sir. If you need anything, just stop down."
Mark nods, before shaking Sam's hand and giving Naomi a quick hug before seeing them off. Their silhouettes slowly descent into the night. He sighs to himself, as he walks into the house before being greeted by Amelia's hug.
"Bye Mark. See you tomorrow. Bright and early." She says, before giving him a kiss on the cheek.
He raises an eyebrow. "Oh," he says, surprised. "goodnight."
Amelia slings her purse over her shoulder before walking out. Lexie comes to his side, putting her hands on the side of her hips, looking up at him with a smirk. He looks down, as the house is empty. Just them, and the crashing waves in the background. Their hues connect as they realize they're alone. Just them. Mark's lips make a sluggish attempt at kissing her, leaning down to her level. He's buzzed; no doubt about that. And she is too. They're both buzzed, and now, after the day they've had, it was time for their time.
"Let's christen the new house," Mark whispers into her ear, as she can't help but let out a moan.
He leads her back into the house, before closing the patio door and quickly getting out the sleeping bags so they could make their makeshift bed for the one night. This was a fresh start, he thought to himself. And what a great start it was.