Disclaimer: I own nothing!!!

Chapter Twelve

I'm going to need it

Carolyn Shepherd hadn't slept this well in years. She woke up in her son's spare bedroom completely well rested and relaxed. When she finally managed to wake herself up it was around 10:30. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept in this late. She would have to ask Derek what kind of mattress she had been sleeping on. She took her time getting ready. She looked out the window and the weather reflected Monday. It was cloudy and of course it looked like rain. The grandkids were at school and Meredith and Derek were at work. The weekend with her family had been a productive one. They had taken Carolyn to all the best sites and had engaged in many fun family activities.

By the time she was ready to cook breakfast, she was startled to see that someone was already there.

"Good morning." She said to the visitor.

"Morning." Mark Sloan replied taking a sip of his coffee. He was dressed in jeans and a collared shirt. "Sorry I didn't stop by sooner."

"It's alright." Carolyn said hugging her second son. "I knew you'd come."

"So how is the most beautiful woman in the world?" Mark asked looking warmly at his surrogate mother.

"Don't patronize me." Carolyn warned. "So why aren't you at work today?"

"I took the day off. I wanted to spend it with you."

"So you need some advice?" She said making the question sound more like a statement.

"You always know." Mark accused. He got the coffee pot and poured a cup for Mrs. Shepherd and then handed it to her.

"Shall we sit down?" She asked. Mark nodded and the pair took their seats at the kitchen table. "So what's the problem?"

"Well besides the fact that my son is in his room calling people at all hours of the night. He's planning something and it's freaking me out. Should I be freezing his assets in case he's trying to leave the country."

"No I think he's just following my advice."

"I just hope he fixes things with Lily. I hate seeing him making the same mistakes I did."

"I think it will all end up alright." Carolyn assured.

"Yeah," Mark agreed, "Seeing all this happening between them just brings back old memories."

"Lexi?" Carolyn guessed.

"Lexi." Mark confirmed. "After all these years I'm still really angry at myself for what I did. That was the first relationship I was in where I didn't want to cheat or mess around or flirt and then I blew it."

"It's still not over."

"She's married."

"She's getting a divorce." Mark looked thoughtfully at his coffee mug for a moment.

"I don't think she can forgive me."

"I don't believe that Mark." Carolyn insisted. "You still love her and you know that she used to love you. Maybe she still does."

"She told me she missed me."

"Well there's a start."

"So what should I do?"

"Make it clear to her just exactly how you feel."

888

Lexi Grey sat by herself in her living room in the dark. It was nearing ten and she had finally gotten James to bed. She felt like a failure as far as parents went. It was her job in this world to protect her son. Her soon to be ex husband was leaving the state soon. He already proposed to his mistress. He didn't want any custody rights. It was a slap in the face. Not just to her, but to James. She had wanted him so badly. She had fought for him with everything in her. Justin had been one of the least supportive husbands ever. She even had to get Derek to driver her to the hospital when she went into labor. At least James looked like her. He had soft dark hair and big beautiful hazel eyes. He was the best part of her.

Maybe it was for the best that her marriage was coming to an end. Part of her had sensed that it was heading towards that for years. He had resented her for being a better surgeon, for making more money, for still loving Mark Sloan. Justin had always been jealous of that. Before Lexi could ponder more on this she heard someone knocking on the door. Wondering who on earth could be visiting her this late she didn't even bother to look out the peep hole. When she opened the door she was shocked to find Mark Sloan dripping wet with a hopeful look on his face.

"What are you doing here?" She asked shocked.

"I'm here to make something clear to you." Mark said letting himself in. "I love you and I was stupid."

"And you hurt me." Lexi added.

"I hurt you in the worst way." Mark agreed, "But I'm not that man anymore. I love you and trust you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Mark it's too late for us." She argued.

"No it's not." Mark argued. "I know that it's not going to be easy. Trust has to be built back up on both sides. You have to forgive me, but we can do it. I'm committed to this. I love you. I love your son. We can make this work Lex." Lexi stood there watching the man who was dripping on her wooden floor. Over eighteen years ago it was her begging him to teach her. She smiled at the thought. It was so long ago. They were younger, she was optimistic and insanely in love and now…

"Your right." Lexi said. "It will take work. I need to learn how to trust you again and how to fit you in my life again…. but can we just skip that right now and can you just be kissing me?" She didn't have to ask again. His lips pressed against hers fiercely. Their hands were everywhere trying to rediscover the forgotten territory.

"Where's the bedroom?" Mark asked lifting Lexi into his arms.

"Upstairs to the left," she replied, "but we have to be quiet. James is asleep across the hall."

"Okay. I can be quiet as long as you don't break my penis again." Lexi giggled.

"Okay I won't."

"Good because I'm going to need it tonight."

a/n- Woo Hoo Mark and Lexi are back together! I'm busy this weekend, but I'll try and update soon. The next chapter is probably going to be my favorite. Please Review!