Warning: Rated T for strong language.

A/N: This was a fun chapter to write…so I hope you enjoy reading it.

Chapter 7 – Strike a Pose

Lexie

My day at the hospital had been a long and arduous one. The ER had been backed up almost all day, and the attendings and residents seemed to just bounce from one patient to the next. That left most of us interns to just stand by and watch the more critical cases, before we could just jump right in.

Once the ER had calmed down, I had spent the remainder of my day on Dr. Hahn's service working closely with Dr. Cristina Yang. The two doctors always seemed to be at odds with each other, making my day even more awkward. While it was intriguing actually seeing a patient's heart—and seeing Dr. Hahn holding one in her hand—I wasn't really feeling that pull to Cardio. It was still early on in my internship—really early on—I just wasn't getting any excitement from the cases as I did on others. It really just felt like actual medical school—learning the information.

By the time Dr. Hahn dismissed me, both Jo and April were running up and grabbing my arms.

"Whoa…what's going on?"

April smiled, but Jo kept dragging me along anyway. "Did you forget that you are going to the gala with Senator Whittman in less than an hour."

I imagined my face paled. I had totally forgotten all about the fact that tonight had been the gala. I looked at the watch on my wrist and confirmed what Jo had just said. I had less than an hour to wash away all of today's fluids and god knows what else, and make myself presentable as possible to be worthy of being on a Senator's arm.

My feet skidded to a halt. "There is no way I can get home, shower, and be ready to make it back here in time." I said, a panic edge to my tone.

April looked to Jo with a knowing smirk. "We took care of that for you," she said.

I looked at them stunned. "You both went to our apartment and got my dress?"

Jo dragged me through our locker room. "We did you one better. We brought you all of our best dresses between the three of us."

"You guys…"

I couldn't help but wrap both my arms around each of their shoulders as I pulled them into my side. April was the first to pull away.

"Come on…we have to get you dressed for the ball," she squealed.

We looked through my couple of dresses from my closet first. Both of them immediately nixed them. "What's wrong with this black dress?" It was the one I was planning on actually wearing to the event.

Jo snatched it from my hands. "This is a simple black dress. Good for a regular date or even maybe high school prom, but not a dress for a gala with the senator."

I placed my hands on my hips. "I will have you know, I got lots of compliments on this dress at our med school graduation party."

"Exactly," Jo responded as if I had just proved her point.

We went through April's choices next, but Jo's assessment was harsher. All of April's dresses barely showed any skin and were less skin tight. Not that I was looking for anything skin tight. I wasn't fat by any means, but I also wasn't pretty like Jo or some of the other doctors here. I didn't want to have to hear gossip all night about me trying to shove my figure into something that looked better on the mannequin.

April pouted. "There is nothing wrong with my dresses."

"They are all pretty," I said, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"Pretty, but boring and not what you need for a gala."

I groaned. "So, what exactly do I need?"

Jo grinned. "By wearing this," she said, pulling out a dress that was zipped up in a black bag.

Jo unzipped the black bag and pulled out this gorgeous red—and sexy—number from the bag. It was a V-neck gown that went mid naval, featuring a thigh-high slit, with ruby-and-diamond looking beads draped from the single straps on the shoulder, breasts, and fanning out to stop at the sides of the hips of the dress. Jo reached into the bag and pulled out a matching strappy red pair of heels that had to at least be four inches high.

The material was soft under my fingers and looked so expensive. I found myself already shaking my head because I was aware of two things. One: this was way too expensive for me to wear in the event that I ruined it, and two: there was no way I could pull this off.

"Yes, you can," Jo said, looking at me as if she could read what was on my face.

"Where did you get this?" April asked.

April's eyes were bugged out. I couldn't tell if it was because she too was shocked at how stunning the dress was, or if she also felt that it was a little too sexy and revealing.

Jo just had this cat-like grin to herself. "Let's just say that I know how to talk to men and get them to give you nice things."

"I'll say," I replied, my fingers still gingerly letting the soft material fall through my fingers.

"Then it's settled," said Jo with a finality. "Go hop in the shower, and then April and I will help with your hair and get you dressed. Time is of the essence."

I wanted to argue, but the determined look on Jo's face told me it would be futile. I took less than ten minutes in the shower, before getting back into the locker room. Between the three of us working together, we were able to get my makeup and hair done within twenty-five minutes.

I slipped into the red dress, Jo coming behind me to zip me up. Based on the V-neck and how low it went, I was unable to wear a bra, which only made me that much more self-conscious. I had never worn anything so sexy before.

As I turned to look in the mirror, my mouth fell open seeing the final product. April had done wonders on my hair. I had chosen to wear it up in a gorgeous up do style. It was elegant by making numerous twists that we pinned up in place at the back to create a bun with fabulous texture. She left a few stands of my hair to fall and angle around my face.

Jo left my make up simple but able to highlight all my best features and accent my eyes. The use of red lipstick to match my dress really had me look like the vixen that I was having a hard time denying I was. The four inch or higher heels made my legs look longer than they were, and the slit that came up to my mid-thigh was only accenting that even further.

Both April and Jo stepped back to look at my reflection in the mirror.

"Wow…." said April.

"You look hot," Jo said.

I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks, and tried not to fidget in this extremely gorgeous dress. The fact that it happened to fit like a glove even though Jo was a bit smaller than me, made me more self-conscious.

"You don't think I look ridiculous?"

Jo snorted. "I think Senator Whittman is going to have a hard time not wanting to court you and make you his wife after he sees you in this."

April's face was still stunned, but she nodded as well. "I have to agree with Jo on this one. You are stunning."

My face fell with alarm. "I have to walk across the hospital looking like this!"

Jo chuckled. "You are going to be walking into a gala with a couple of thousand guests. I would say get used to it," she replied.

I bit my bottom lip, taking one last look in the mirror. In that moment, Jackson came through the locker room doors, his feet stumbling as he looked me over.

"Wow…Lexie…wow…" he said.

Jo turned to me with a superior look on her face. "See."

"Is it too much? Do I look bad?" I asked Jackson.

He shook his head as his eyes continued to look me over. "You look really pretty," he said. "Senator Whittman is a lucky guy."

I blushed. "Um, thanks."

"Ok, wipe the drool from your face Jackson. Lexie, you have to go. The senator will be expecting you any minute."

I took one last look in the mirror, no longer being able to find the girl that I was about an hour ago. The girl that just wanted to blend in and remain behind the scenes. The woman standing here now—because there was no other way to describe myself—was striking and couldn't be anything other than confident.

If I was going to impress the senator or any of his guests and get any donors for Seattle Grace, I was going to have to exhibit those two qualities right now.

I sucked in a large gulp of air. "Alright. I'm ready."

Mark

Even though it was both against Derek and my medical advice to be discharging a patient that just had a tumor removed with a skin graph added after only two days, Senator Whittman would not hear of staying another day. Not when he had a gala to go to. Not when he had Lexie as his date on his arm.

I was not going to lie one second that I would be glad to see the senator leave our hospital. Taking along his security detail with their brooding looks and constant annoyance of following us around every minute of the hospital.

I couldn't deny the fact any longer either that I hated the way Senator Whittman was obviously lusting after Lexie. He was older than her—not as old as me—but they still had a sizeable age difference of at least eight years, but that didn't stop him from setting his sights on her.

There was a difference when it came to guys like James Whittman. They went after innocence because they wanted to corrupt the person. Look at them as if they were some kind of conquest. Maybe take them on a couple of dates, buy them nice things and give them a couple pieces of jewelry before moving on to the next person.

I couldn't stand the thought that he might even think about wanting to do anything like that to Lex. She deserved better than the senator and she even deserved better than a guy like me having any other feelings outside of a boss's concern for well-being for one's employee. My job was to teach her and make her a good doctor.

Callie was right though. I could no longer deny that whatever it was I was feeling inside was anything but just boss for employee. It didn't mean that I could act on whatever those feelings were…but for now, the ability to be her friend would be enough.

Until I saw her in that dress.

Once I had discharged James, he had used his hospital room to shower and change into his expensive black and white tux. James was standing now in the doorway, looking at his watch expectantly eager to get out of here and to the gala. I had to give his wardrobe and makeup team credit…they did a good job being able to cover the scar and the fact that he had surgery less than two days ago. Most of it was hidden behind some chic fedora that matched his suit. He looked like some kind of crime boss straight out of the forties.

I saw out of the corner of my eye, James entire body still just as mine did as Lexie strode down the hallway towards us. She was a damn vision. I didn't know how else to put into words what she was, because I was sure in that moment—in that dress—she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

And her glance looked in my direction.

I think my mouth opened and closed and then opened again. I couldn't stop myself—even though I was fully aware that there were other doctors, nurses, residents, and even her fellow interns—that were also looking at her.

There were gasps. There were whispers. There were even jealous looks from other females in the room looking in her direction. They should be jealous when they looked at her. She was easily the most beautiful woman in the room. That was even before she had put on the dress.

Her eyes only lasted a few seconds in my direction, before she dipped her chin to her chest. If I didn't know any better, a flush crept up to her cheeks, and she was biting her lip. That single act that always made my gut clench, my hands ball into fists, and my need to want to reach out and take her and kiss her until it drove her as crazy as that single action did to me.

My eyes raked over her slowly as if I was mentally undressing her right in front of me. Her hair was up and so elegant. I wanted to pull out all the pins and run my fingers through her hair. Her makeup was done perfectly that you could tell she was wearing it but wasn't over done like so many women did now a days.

My eyes moved down her neck and collarbone as I saw the exposed flesh from her single strap dress that went very low in the front. I swallowed seeing how the material clung to her and did wonderful things for her breasts. Her hips…that was my favorite. The way the dress worked with her like it was a second skin versus an accessory as they sashayed left and right. She could bring me down to my knees right now.

"Ok, I might be on your side now," Derek said, coming to stand next to me.

"Huh?"

I didn't care to make small talk. Not when she was dressed like that and coming towards me. Like some angel ready to make me believe anything was possible.

I felt the weight of Derek's stare on me as he looked to me and then back to Lexie. As much as I hated to want to tear my gaze away, if I looked any longer, I would only be fueling any questionable thoughts Derek had about what I may or may not feel for Lexie. I tore my gaze away and looked at him.

"I said, I agree with you. I don't know if I like the idea of her going to a gala looking like that with him," Derek repeated.

I looked over to my left to see James who was basically salivating like a teenager having his first wet dream. It was clear as day on his face what he thought about Lexie's outfit…and worst he wasn't even trying to hide it. He looked even more pleased with himself that he had made the right decision and conned us into letting her go.

I wanted to punch the guy so hard in the face. My hands clenched into fists at my side. I could no longer even say the reason I wanted to punch him wasn't because of anything other than the fact that he was going to get to have Lexie on his arm, while I had to watch him escort her away and try and use his charm on her to get what he wanted.

"You could say that again," I mumbled.

Lexie peered at me one more time as she came to a stop directly in front of James.

She smiled. "Senator Whittman."

"Dr. Grey…" he breathed, taking the opportunity to do another leering look at her in the dress before a smile crept to his lips. "You look lovely."

Lovely. Lovely! That was the best this ass could come up with. He clearly did not have eyes in his head if he only thought she looked lovely. She…she…

"Thank you. You look very handsome," she reciprocated.

He held out his arm. "Shall we?"

She placed her arm through his, and I felt everything in me go tight. I wanted to shout for her not to go. To stay behind where she wouldn't be thrust into the charms of the likes of him and god knows what other man she came across tonight at the party. Because if they were straight and had any sort of taste, they would be all over her in seconds.

"We shall," she agreed.

April and Jo gave her two thumbs up as she looked over at them. Lexie pushed the strand of hair that was framing her face a few times since she had come out, her fingers drumming against her open thigh. She was nervous. I could see all the signs because I could see her, but James didn't seem to notice them at all or do anything to try and ease her fears. He just cared that he had a trophy at his side to show off for tonight's gala.

With a quick glance back in my direction, I gave her a reassuring smile. It was just a smile, but I hope it conveyed that she looked downright beautiful and that she would kick ass tonight. It seemed to do the trick, because her fingers stopped drumming, and her shoulders visibly relaxed. Because of me.

James picked that moment to all of a sudden be intuitive that Lexie's steps were slower—and not because of those heels that made her legs look as if they went on for days—to see that she was looking in my direction. James followed her gaze over to me. He shot me a cocky grin that certainly read in his eyes, she's mine.

I wanted to lunge at him and pull them apart, but I stood where I stayed. Because Lexie Grey was not mine. She was my intern and I was her boss. And as much as I hated it…James was her date.

I did the only thing I could…stood there and watch them walk away.

Lexie

I was on a business date with Senator James Whittman. I was here for a single purpose to help make sure I made the hospital look good. I was going to make the hospital look good.

As I walked along the hospital hallway towards the patients' rooms, I was distinctly aware of people stopping what they were doing and looking in my direction. I tried not to let it show on my face that I was nervous as hell and worried about what others thought about me dressed like this. I was way out of my comfort zone. I would normally never wear something like this, but Jo was certain for what I needed to do tonight…it was the perfect outfit.

As I came down the hallway towards James room, I tried not to cringe that almost every senior attending I had worked with in the last few weeks was milling around just waiting for me to make my entrance. No doubt wondering if I was going to screw up this big opportunity for them and the hospital.

I heard the gasps, whispers, and even some comments. Most of them were nice about how awesome my dress was. Some loved my hair, and others were just spouting out how jealous they were that I got to get all dressed up like I was and get to be on the arm of Senator James Whittman.

Me? I couldn't help but right away look directly at the one man that for some reason I had wondered what he would think about how I looked the entire time I got dressed. I shouldn't. It didn't make any sense…but I didn't care. Right here, in this moment, I noticed Mark was watching me. The way he was looking at me was more then I could actually have hope for.

Mark was looking at me like I was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. I blushed. I could feel the heat rising to me cheeks and even my chest—because having paler skin meant I was always on display when it came to my nerves and embarrassment being on fully display.

I tried not to visibly squirm as he did a precise overview of my body in this dress. Every time his gaze went lower and found something new: a dip to the material, a slit in my leg, the long heels, his eyes would blaze with this intensity.

Derek on the other hand, his eyes pinched together as if he did not approve. I could sense that it wasn't because I didn't look good, but because I did look good. It was sweet actually. He was looking at me like a big brother or a father would when seeing their daughter or sister dressed in a very revealing and sexy dress as I walked up to meet the guy that probably had intentions of wanting to do very bad things with me in this dress.

James! You are supposed to be here for James. I begrudgingly looked away from both Mark and Derek and focused my sights on James. After all, he was my date tonight and we both were doing this to make sure that we succeeded when it came to funding on both our ends for what we wanted.

When I glanced at his face, his expression was the opposite of Mark's. Not that James didn't clearly think I was attractive—because he did—he just looked at me more like I was some sort of present dressed up for him to unwrap like he would on Christmas morning. His glances and even sometimes leers—like when his eyes stayed far longer on my breasts then what was appropriate—was making me less dauntless about what I was going to do.

I was not savvy. I was not one that had much experience using my body or words or anything as a way to get what I wanted. Maybe it was a complete mistake for him to have picked me for this assignment. It's what I thought, but the way he was looking at me right now, was telling me he felt differently.

You can do this, Lexie. You got this.

James and I exchanged pleasantries as I stopped in front of him. I had to keep stopping myself from wanting to call my date, "Senator Whittman," when he was my date for the evening. Somehow, his first name just rolling off my tongue felt foreign and not right.

Even though he looked at me like he had bad intentions written all over his face, he was kind by telling me I looked lovely. I returned the sentiment that he looked handsome, because he did. I was honest with Mark the night before in the bar. James was an attractive guy, with dark hair, grey like eyes, and fit build, but he wasn't my type. I am sure half the women standing in the hospital would openly disagree with me, but that didn't matter to me. This was just business.

As James offered me his arm, I easily slipped mine through his. It was time to start putting on a good show. I was still nervous that I was going to trip and fall on my face, or go to the gala and say something that would not only embarrass myself but the hospital as well. I just had to keep telling myself that James went to these parties all the time, and I would just need to follow his lead. I wasn't about to tell anyone that I did a fair amount of research on attending large expensive parties and things to say and do. It sounded ridiculous even thinking in my head, let alone telling anyone out loud that I did it.

As we turned to basically face the entire hospital and all of my peers—which felt like I was even more on display then before—I caught April and Jo looking at me trying to keep from bouncing up and down as they gave me a thumbs up. So far, everything seemed good. I was doing good. I tried not to frown…it was only the first twenty minutes, and we weren't even at the party yet. I kept pushing my hair back, tapping my leg, running over my patients' files…anything to keep me distracted from thinking about leaving and going to the gala.

I did the one thing that I probably shouldn't have done, but for some reason I knew would make me comfortable. I risked a glance in looking back at Mark, whose eyes were still glued to me. I tried not to flush all over again. A hot bomb went off in my chest. You know that ride that takes you so many stories and then suddenly plummets you down within seconds? That's what I felt right now, in this moment with just a single glance between us.

He's, my boss. He's, my boss.

His slow smile made me instantly relax, and I felt my shoulders sag a little more. I felt like me, Lexie Grey. Even if the woman in the dress felt like anything but. James's brows furrowed wondering what was slowing me down as we started to walk down the hallway, his glance looking directly at Mark. I hadn't been fast enough. I hadn't been fast enough, and I didn't know what James must've done, but I could see the slight tick on Mark's cheek as his jaw tightened. Whatever James had done…clearly made Mark mad.

Was he jealous?

That notion sent a wave of butterflies in my stomach. I regretfully had to pull my attention away, as James let me through the hospital and out the front to the waiting limo. One of his security details opened the door to the limo, and James gestured for me to enter into first. With the slit in my dress, I had be careful to make sure I entered as gracefully as possible without showing everything.

James slid in next to me. Even though the limo could fit at least ten comfortably, James made sure to place himself directly at my side. His larger thigh and knee was pressed directly next to mine. I wanted to pull away a bit and put some distance, but I didn't want to offend him or upset him.

I placed my small clutch on my lap and rested my hands on top of it.

"How long before we get there?" I asked, trying to make small conversation.

James already had his phone in his hand, clearly not interested in wanting to make conversation with me. "No long," he answered as he furiously typed away on his phone.

Silence was fine by me. I was here for a single purpose and that was to help the hospital. Instead, I focused my attention at the windows of the limo as the car moved us further from the hospital and closer to the parts of Seattle where I was sure the rich and famous lived.

James had indicated the gala was at one of the more luxurious and swanky hotels in Seattle. I had always wanted to stay here, but almost a thousand a night for a basic room, it was something that was now listed more on my bucket list. At least I would get to see their ballroom and possibly taste some of their food that everyone talked about.

As the silence lingered between us—outside of the clicking sound of his typing—and the two security details that would rather pretend that neither I nor James was even there…I found myself wishing that instead of attending this party with James, that I would rather attend it with someone else.

I thought about how George would be just as dorky and nervous as me when it came to events like this. He had been teasing me the last couple of days about it. Going on and on about how glad he wasn't the one that had to do it because he was sure that he would fall, or break a table, or somehow insult the most important person in the room. It all made me laugh and helped ease some of the fears I had ever since I agreed to take this on.

Derek would have been a good choice. He was poised and had a way of charming people with his stories and jokes. Over the last few weeks, we really had seemed to build that brotherly/sisterly relationship—even if he tried not to show any favoritism with the rest of the interns. With Derek here, I could just stand here as an ornament and let him do everything. Then again, if Derek was coming, I wouldn't have to go at all. Meredith would be by far the better choice and she was after all his girlfriend.

My mind wandered to Mark. The actual person that I had wished would be here right now. He was immature in some ways—and totally inappropriate—but he made me feel at ease. He made me tonight even for a few moments feel incredibly sexy when he looked at me in this dress. And for whatever reason unbeknownst to me…had a way of making me relax and just feel comfortable in my own skin.

"Mr. Whittman, we're here. About one minute until the car comes to a stop," said one of his security details who had his hand to his ear. No doubt getting communication through his ear piece.

James dropped his cell phone into his pocket and turned to me pacing his hand on my knee. Even though it was my knee that was covered by my dress, I looked at his hand there wondering if I stared long enough if it would just slide off and back to his own lap.

"Are you ready?"

I cleared my throat and sat up a little straighter, using the opportunity to move my leg so his hand slipped. "I'm ready."

Or so I thought. As soon as the car came to a complete stop, the door opened, and thousands of blubs started flashing at once. I kept my head down, as James took my hand in his to help maneuver me through the crowd.

"Senator Whittman, who's your date?" asked a reporter.

"Senator, are you two a couple? asked another.

"Senator Whittman, how long have you been dating?" came another question.

We were hit with an onslaught of questions as we walked down the carpet. "Smile," James said as we walked down the entryway.

I realized my head and been down the entire time. While James wasn't answering any of the questions, he was playing up press by smiling and waving to everyone. I lifted my head, and plastered a smile on my face as if I was trying to convey that there was nowhere else, I would rather be.

We finally entered into the banquet space and away from all the bright bulbs. There were still circles in the front of my eyes, but the warm and rich tones of the hotel was starting to ease my vision back into focus.

James and I made our way around the room, his hand immediately releasing mine as he started to talk to guests that he clearly knew and were clearly backing up his campaign or funding. Only when his friends would peer past him to look at me, would he recall that I was there and introduce me. Before I could even speak to Seattle Grace—the reason I was there for—he would thrust me onto someone else.

As new interactions continued on, I only relaxed a tiny bit. After all my performance tonight might just determine if the hospital might get extra funds—if I could even get a word wise in with any of these rather wealthy donors. After about the fifth one, I had to interject so that James would just stop introducing me as Lexie so I could empathize that I was Dr. Lexie Grey in hopes to segway into the work we do at Seattle Grace.

Eventually, one of James more powerful political friends latched onto him, grabbing his arm or attention, giving me a polite smile before they ignored me all together. That left me with many of the wives and girlfriends that were left to their own devices.

"So, how long have you and the senator been…you know?" A blonde hair, big breasted wife of one of the other senators asked. I think her name was cookie or candy or something awful.

I sighed. "We aren't an item," I clarified. "I was just one of his doctors at Seattle Grace."

"A doctor," another of the woman in the group cooed with an awe. "That's impressive."

I tried not to roll my eyes, wondering if this was how the rest of my evening was going to go. So far, I did not have one single interaction that was going to give me any opportunity to paint Seattle Grace in the light that could get us sizable donors. I was hoping all that information that Owen had given to me that I turned into study cards would not have been a complete waste of my time.

Eventually, a lovely woman—who turned out to be a wife and lawyer of one of the congressmen here—pulled me away from the group that was only interested in talking about fashion, how hot the men at the party were, and whose yacht was bigger.

"The name's Monica," she said, extending her hand.

"Lexie Grey," I replied taking it.

Monica took two glasses of champagne off the nearest tray and handed me one. "First time at one of these events?"

"First and hopefully the last," I answered.

Her brow shot up. "Oh. I guess that means you and the senator…"

I shook my head. "No. I was his doctor. We're kind of here together to help each other out," I said.

She nodded in perfect understanding. "Yet, he left you here all to your own devices and without even telling you who you should set your sights on," she said.

I laughed. "How did you know?"

"Because I did the exact same thing six years ago when I wanted to start my practice. I just married mine though," she said, lifting up her hand to show a rather large diamond on her ring finger.

"Well, I would say it worked out for you."

She beamed. "What is it they say, "behind every man is a good woman." He just needed to know what was best for him." Monica took a large gulp of her champagne. "Come with me. I will introduce you to everyone that has deep pockets and who you need to talk too."

"Thanks!"

I spent the next hour with Monica—who was so helpful and really my new best friend—talking with the deep pockets and donors that she talked about. With Monica by my side, it made it so much easier. She had this ability to command the attention and at least give me an opening to talk about Seattle Grace. I was more than grateful when she would jump in every once an while and add comments of her own.

By the time James cared enough to find me again, I had spoken to almost fifteen donors that could possibly do wonderful things for our hospital. Additional funds to expand our ER since we were a level trauma one unit. There were more possible funds for peds and the research they were doing. Just even mentioning Derek and neurosurgery was getting traction. Apparently, his name carried wide and far.

"Ah, Lexie there you are," James said, coming towards me.

He caught me off guard by leaning in and placed a kiss on my cheek.

"You really shouldn't leave your date all alone," Monica chided once he leaned back from me.

James turned his charming smile onto Monica. "Of course, your right, Monica. How nice it is to see you again."

"Hmm…I'm sure." She turned to me. "Dr. Grey, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope we might have a chance in the future to meet again."

"It was a pleasure meeting you too. I hope we can chat again soon."

Monica gave me cheek to cheek kisses before turning and moving onto another group to begin chatting. She did it was such ease and confidence that I was a bit jealous of the fact that I was the complete opposite.

"May I have this dance?" James asked.

I blinked as his hand extended out for mine. I didn't think this was the kind of gala that would require dancing, but as I looked around, I noticed the larger space in the center of the room that already had couples pressed together as they danced. How come I didn't notice that before?

"Lexie," James prompted when I hadn't said anything nor gave him my hand.

I wanted to say no in that he didn't earn the dance. He took off the first moment he saw an opportunity for himself at nabbing a big donor not caring whether he lived up to his end of the bargain in helping Seattle Grace. In fact, most of the night it was almost as if he was blocking opportunities for me to speak to donors. I realized in that moment, we were both vying after the same donors, which meant he had to try and stop me before I got their money first.

I forced a smile and placed my hand in his. He instantly brought me to his body, a much closer position then some of the other couples. A much closer position then for two people that were only here tonight as a business deal.

"You really do look amazing tonight," James said, his breath just above my ear as he pulled me closer.

I was well aware that his one hand that was on my lower back had now started to move towards my lower back almost close to my ass. I cleared my throat. "Um, thanks," I replied, turning my head away so we weren't that close.

"You did incredible tonight. I am pretty sure that I got at least four or maybe five more donors for my campaign," he said excitedly.

"Ugh, that's great."

"You fulfilled your purpose here tonight. In more ways than one," he continued on.

I grit my teeth to keep my voice even. "Did you happen to talk to them about Seattle Grace. You know, our part of the deal?"

His politician face slipped for a quick second, before he masked it again, pulled me closer—if that was even possible—and twirled us again. "Uh, yeah, I mentioned Seattle Grace. They will think about potentially donating to the cause."

Liar.

"In fact, I am thinking with how splendid things went today that you and I could make a great team. In more ways than one."

He pulled back slightly so he could look at me and my dress. There was no hidden meaning in those eyes what he was referencing when he meant team. I was a future badass doctor. I was not some Candy or Cookie that only cared about whose yacht had more square feet then the next. On top of that, he practically left me here stranded all night, and now he wanted to come back and think he could use his charm on me to think that he would get lucky. Jerk!

"Yeah, these parties aren't really my thing. I think tonight just proved to me that I am more a one and done."

His smile turned predatory. "I understand." His hand slipped lower and was definitely on my ass now. I gasped at the nerve of him. "What do you say we skip out of the party and we top this night off in a way that will give the both of us a pleasurable ending."

If I wasn't his doctor and could possibly cause negative press for Seattle Grace, I would slap him right across the face. "Uh, I'm sorry, but I am actually involved with someone," I lied.

He looked momentarily taken back, but then offered that diplomatic smile that I am sure he provided more then he cared to give. "That shouldn't surprise me, a woman such as pretty and enticing as you."

I was just counting the seconds that the song would be over. "Uh, thanks."

"Is it Dr. Sloan?"

I pulled back a little. "Is what Dr. Sloan?"

He laughed as if I was being silly. "The man you are involved with. Is it Dr. Sloan?"

"Why do you ask?"

James shrugged. "I've seen the way he looks at you. It's clear that he cares about you." He paused and look down at my face. "It's also clear that you seem to care about him."

I opened my mouth to respond and even deny, but then I realized this was hopefully my way out of his company as soon as possible. I could still deny it and tell him it was someone else. Someone not at the hospital that he didn't know…but I couldn't form the words to say it. Why was that?

As the song came to an end, James pulled back and turned back into the prince charming that he portrayed to everyone else. He lifted my hand up to his lips and place a long slow kiss on the back of my hand.

"It was lovely to have met your acquaintance, Dr. Grey."

"Thank you for this evening," I said.

"I'll have the car pulled around to take you home," he added, before he turned and disappeared in the crowd.

Mark

I looked at the clock on my microwave. It was just after eleven in the evening. My eyes moved to look out the window, the sky clear but dark without even a star in the sky.

Was she still at the gala with Whittman?

Was she having a good time?

Did they leave early? Where they going back to his place?

The remote in my hand was tapping against my leg in a steady beat as it went up and down. I had given up on trying to watch the basketball game, the local news now playing, as all of these questions kept pouring in my mind.

Images of Lexie in that red dress, with James's pawing hands all over her made my gut clench and my jaw tighten. I had no reason or right to feel this way, but that didn't matter anyway. The thought of her in his arms, his lips on hers, his hands roaming up and down the curves of her body, made me want to hurl any remaining contents in my body and throw my remote across the room.

Even the hour in the gym after my shift at the hospital was over did little to ease the tension coiled in my body. I was doing my best to dial back my indignation at the entire absurdity of this situation. Because deep inside, I wanted her to succeed. I wanted her to feel confident about her ability to go through with tonight and be successful in helping Seattle Grace. I could see how much it meant to her. The other part of me, this new part of me that was finding it harder and harder to separate wanting to be protective of her…was having a hard time understanding she wasn't mine to have a say in.

I shut off the television and threw the remote back on the coffee table. I stood from the couch with the single idea of walking back into my kitchen to grab another beer. The best thing I could do at this point, was drink myself into a stupor until I didn't have to feel anything at all. Till I could go back to being the man that didn't have feelings about anything other than just thinking about when I would get laid next.

Before I could reach the kitchen, a knock appeared on my door. It was after eleven. Callie was supposed to be on a date with Erica, and Derek was spending the night at Meredith's. I abandon the beer and made my way over to the door.

I opened the door and froze. Lexie Grey stood on the other side of his door, uncertain, with wide eyes, and suddenly my heart ached.

"Hi," she said.

My mouth curved into a smile, the kind of smile that I figured was the kind of sin they talked about in church on the weekends. She was still wearing that red dress, and my entire body felt like it just had a reawakening.

"Hi," I said gruffly. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed a friend," she said sheepishly.

I stepped aside. "Would you like to come in?"

She bit her lip. "I would."

I felt like I could breathe for the first time tonight since she had left the hospital with the senator. I shut the door behind her. She needed a friend. I would be that friend or anything she needed.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed.