I really have to apologize for this long wait; but as I've told you before I'm not native English speaker and so I've to write chapters and then translate them. It's a long work.

Please, if there're some mistakes, just tell me. (Perhaps I'm a little anal about my English! ^^)

Thank you for reading and for reviewing too. Seeing what you think about the story is a pleasure!

I hope you'll enjoy this chapter, which deals with a period of transition. The parts in italic font are about memories.

Enjoy the reading! ;)

Memories and regrets

" My scarecrow dreams
When they smashed my heart into smithereens
I be a bright red rose come bursting the concrete
Be the cartoon heart
Light a fire, light a spark
Light a fire, a flame in my heart
We'll run wild oh
We'll be glowing in the dark
Glowing in the dark."

Charlie Brown - Coldplay

" Mark?"

A voice. That voice. Her voice.

Mark Sloan was watching her and he didn't want to blink or to miss a second of her being there.

Lexie Grey was back.

She was really in his office and he thought he was hallucinating.

She was there and she was beautiful. As always.

Her pale skin, her long and wavy hair, her light freckles on the nose tip and on her cheekbones, her big brown doe eyes.

Nevertheless, there was some stuff he didn't understand. Actually, a lot of stuff.

" What are you doing here?" he croaked.

She hesitated for a moment and then she spoke.

" Hi Mark." She gave him a faint smile. " Or maybe it's better I call you Dr. Sloan. I actually work here, now. It seems I'm your new plastics fellow. I'm just arrived from Boston."

He stared at her incredulously and then he blurted " You? You work at Mass. General, you left almost one year and half ago. Are you joking? And what about plastics? I've thought neuro would have been your specialty."

Lexie had a lump in her throat and she glanced down. " Well it's really a long story." She was playing around with a lock of her hair and she bit her lower lips as usual when she was nervous.

" And so, now you're one of my fellows? You're permanently on my service?"

Lexie shook her shoulders: " As far as it seem. Truly, I'm not on your service. I'm not even an intern anymore."

A smirk pulled at one corner of his mouth and then Mark burst into laughter: " I know. Unfortunately many things are changed since then." He got closer to her and added: " However, can I hug you now? I know I'm your boss but you deserve a proper welcome, don't you?" he smirked.

Lexie nodded, smiling: " Well, I don't think it could be inappropriate ."

Mark grinned and he went towards her, hugging her tightly.

" I've missed you, Lex."

He was simple, concise, sincere and she glanced at him, almost shivering.

" I've missed you too Mark." She whispered. " You can't know how hard familiarizing with Boston and Mass. Gen.'s surroundings has been. Seattle is home, coming back here is really good."

They drew apart, still looking into each other's eyes, and Mark said: " We could go to Joe's after our shifts, only if you want. I'm eager to know everything about that: Boston, Mass. Gen., plastics."

Lexie nodded: " Well, I think we can handle it. Maybe not tonight, I'll be very busy with boxes and luggage. I've arrived just yesterday evening." She smiled. " It's better I go now. I've to sign some documents and pick up my new hospital I.D. before starting my shift."

Then Lexie moved back to the door and staying in the open doorway of his office she asked: " Dr. Sloan?"

"Yeah?"

" Working together will be an absolute pleasure."

Jackson: " I had a girlfriend, all right? Now I just can't. I don't want to.

Mark: " What do you mean, you can't? You still love her. You still love Lexie.

Jackson: " See you tomorrow."

" And so Lexie is back." Mark blurted at Joe's, sipping lazily a glass of dry double malt scotch.

Jackson looked at him above his own beer and then he heavily sighed.

" She's back. And we should consider ourselves lucky for that. She'll keep up the fame of the plastic posse."

Mark smirked and then he demanded: " How do you feel about it?"

" What?"

" Well, you know I've always thought she left because of the end of your relationship and you've never wanted to talk about it. I just guess working together could be weird." Mark explained.

" Oh. You don't have to worry about it." Jackson reassured him. " I loved her. I really loved her. But it was in the past. Now I've this tangled and odd situation with April.

And, in any case, Lexie hasn't loved me. Ever. I believe she and I are better as friends than as lovers."

Mark frowned, he didn't know why Jackson and Lexie had broken up and, for some reasons, Jackson never told him.

He only know that, after she had left Seattle, Jackson soon became his best pupil – his only pupil.

Actually Mark hadn't been interested at all in teaching until Lexie.

For this reason he was astonished to become aware of being eager and enthusiastic to share with Jackson the secrets of plastics. Now - and Mark didn't know how it was happened - he was one of his closest friends.

" Were you keeping in touch while she was gone?" He asked.

" We talked sometimes on Skype ; but I didn't know she would have come back."

" Anyway, you're right. We're very lucky to have Dr. Grey. I'm really happy she is here now, I've missed her a lot. In more ways than one. She's smart, she's beautiful, she's… perfect."

Then, Mark gulped down the last swig of his scotch and added: " You named Dr. Kepner before. So I'm wondering about that dermatologist, her name was… Stacey? I believed you two were still dating. What's about her?"

Silence. Jackson looked away, swigging his beer and trying to avoid the question though Mark didn't give in easily.

" Believe me, Mark. You won't know it."

Mark pressed: " Come on, my boy. Obviously I want to know. And honestly, what's wrong this time? She's pretty and clever. I thought you liked her."

" Well, actually she dumped me this time."

" What the hell are you saying? Why?"

Jackson sighed and then scratched his neck uncomfortably. " I called her April during- you've understood. It slipped away, I wasn't aware of what I said. So she redressed and she slapped in my face. How could we blame her?"

Mark couldn't avoid to snigger. " Goddamn! This time you've gone too far."

" Please don't laugh." He rubbed lazily his temple.

Mark putted Jackson on the back and leaving some cash on the counter, he wore his jacket.

" I've to go now. Sofia is with me this evening. Keep your chin up."

Jackson nodded: " See you at hospital."

" And when exactly would you have told me you were going to come back?" Meredith asked Lexie, pretending to be pissed off.

They were in Meredith and Derek's living room, sitting on the sofa and Lexie was rocking baby Bailey in her arms, while Zola was chattering to herself on the carpet, playing with her dolls and the stuffed lion Lexie had given to her.

They were eating pizza and drinking Coke, since Meredith was still breastfeeding Bailey.

" Well, I was going to tell you but it's such a weird situation. I've decided at the last minute. I wanted to go to Tulane or to stay in Boston and suddenly I felt I had to come back." Lexie explained, nuzzling against Bailey's little head.

" But I'm your sister. I had to know it before anyone else!" Meredith exclaimed.

" I'm so sorry. I've missed all you a lot." Lexie apologized.

" Oh, don't apologize." Meredith chuckled. " I was joking, mocking your guilt is funny. And I'm happy you're in Seattle. It was strange not having you around us for so long. Furthermore you have to meet your first nephew!"

Lexie brightly smiled: " He's cute and adorable. I truly wanted to be here for his birth or for Zola's first birthday but I had to study and prepare my boards… I was going nuts! Maybe I'm the worst auntie in the world!"

Over her fifth year, Lexie remained in Boston, and she only left for Christmas in order to go to Chicago to visit her grandma Annebelle* - Susan's mother- with Molly and her family.

Since Lexie had moved to Seattle she never came back to the East Cost and, on the other hand, Annebelle didn't go to Seattle since her daughter's death.

Meredith knew Lexie was very close to her grandma and she used to write to her very long letters.

Anyway, Meredith was able to talk with her sister thanks to Skype and as she brought her up to date about her pregnancy and her fears about becoming mother, Lexie told her new procedures and surgeries.

Meredith winked at her: " You're silly. Zola didn't remember anything about her birthday and she has always asked a lot about you. I believe you're her favourite aunt, and with all Derek's sisters, it's a huge conquest."

" If you say so." Lexie giggled. She glanced at the clock and exclaimed: " Oh, what a pity! It's so late, I've to go now."

" If you don't want to, you'll be able to stay here. We're plenty of rooms and Derek and I'll be glad you're staying."

" I've already benefited from your kindness too much, I can't. I'll stay with dad till I'll find my own place."

Lexie put down a sleeping Bailey in his crib and then she kissed Zola on the cheek.

" I love you Zozo."

" Love you too, auntie Lexie."

She wore her coat and grabbing her purse, she hugged Meredith.

" Be careful, Lexie. Goodnight!"

" Goodnight, and thank you for the dinner."

Afterwards Lexie entered in her car and, after putting on her seatbelt, she turned on the engine.

Although the night was clear and the moonlight lighted up the streets, her sight was confused and obfuscated.

She was crying.

* I think this character will be very present in this story, so please let me know what do you feel about her!