Hope For The Future

As Lexie walked away from Mark she felt tears sting her chocolate brown eyes. She still cared about him a lot even though they hadn't worked out as a couple. In fact if she was being honest with herself she cared about him than anyone else in her life. He would always hold a special place in her heart. She didn't want to cut him out like this, but felt it was the only way. Derek was probably right. Mark was probably hovering because he was scared for her. But how was she supposed to heal from this tragedy if she couldn't reach her full potential and become a great surgeon? She would never be able to do that with him being so overprotective. She was pulled out of her reverie when she heard footsteps behind her.

"I thought I could do this because it's what you wanted, but I can't."

The words were barely audible, but the emotion behind them made her stop in her tracks. She turned to face him, and was surprised to find tears in his blue-green eyes. He looked so vulnerable that she just wanted to hold him, but she made no move to do so.

He cleared his throat and when he spoke his voice was stronger though emotion was still very evident, "Alexandra Caroline Grey I can't leave you alone."

"Why not?" she asked, her tone a mixture of bitter and defensive."

"Because I see you. You're coping but you're not yourself. You make me happier than anything I've ever known, and if I can have a part in making you happy again that's all I wanna do, it's all I wanna do for the rest of my life."

By the time he was finished speaking both of them had tears spilling down their cheeks.

"But Mark how can I trust you?"

"When Sloan showed up I realized how much I wanted a family. What I didn't realize was that you were my family. Not to say that I don't want kids with you because I do! I want that so much! But I'll wait until you're ready, and you were right. I should've forgiven you for sleeping with Karev. We were even, my bruised ego got in the way. seriously. I'll still screw up and do stupid things, but I won't hurt you like that again."

"You're saying all the right things, but this is a lot to take in and-"

He took a step forward and cupped her face in his hands causing her to lose her train of thought. "Look Lexie I'm not trying to pressure you. We don't have to put a label what we are, and we can take things as slow as you want. I guess I'm just trying to say that I'll be in this for the long haul if you'll give me another chance. Will you give me another chance?"

"Okay," she said with a said with a sexy little grin. Then she kissed him.

The kiss was broken mere seconds after it had begun when Lexie said," What about the hovering?"

He laughed. "Surgeons have saviour complexes and you almost got shot can you really blame me?"

"I guess not, but can you hover less. I need to have OR time if I'm gonna finish my residency."

"Okay, I'll hover less."

"Good. Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Lex when's the last time you slept through the night? Be honest."

"Is that your way of telling me I look like shit?"

"Of course not, but those dark circles don't belong under your beautiful eyes. Come on answer my question."

"Um probably when they doped me up in Psych."

"Well then this beauty needs some sleep."She giggled at his lame attempt at humour and reluctantly let him lead her to an on call room. Sinking into the bed beside him he pulled her close and it wasn't long before sleep came. His presence kept the nightmares at bay better than any drug could; because for the first time in a long time she felt safe, in his arms.

For once Mark Sloan didn't want to dream. Watching the woman he loved sleep peacefully was better than any fantasy. Right now he had everything he wanted, and was intent on keeping it that way