Warning: Rated T for strong language and some light sexual content.

A/N: Hi Everyone! Sorry, my updates are not as quick as they used to be. I work in HR and also currently cover the COVID-19 pandemic for the entire US footprint for my company…so days have been long and tiring. I will try and update when I can…but this story may be coming to an end soon.

Chapter 20 – Game On

Lexie

Thanksgiving Day…

"Just a little taste," Mark pleaded.

I slapped his hand away, moving the pumpkin pie from my lap towards the window of the car. We had just pulled in to Meredith and Derek's driveway, for my first ever family Thanksgiving with my sister, and my Seattle Grace family.

The last month and half felt like it flew by, after I had fully settled in and moved in with Mark. Most days, it still felt like we were in the honeymoon phase. Coming home to each other, talking about our day over dinner, before having a very happily ever after before going to sleep.

Meredith and Derek had been a little taken back and hesitant when we had broken the news to them.

"You're moving in together?" Meredith repeated, as if she hadn't heard Mark correctly.

"Technically, we already moved in together," Mark corrected.

"You don't think that's a little fast?" asked Derek.

Mark and I both looked at each other, a smile creeping on my lips seeing the love and lust burning behind his eyes.

"No," I answered. "We practically spent almost every night together anyway. Besides, we already lived in the same building on the same floor." I interlocked my fingers with Mark's, my gaze returning to his. "I love him. It feels right."

They still hadn't completely been sold on the idea of us making the decision on living together, but after what happened when learning we were dating and in love, they chose to support us anyway.

Being with Mark—outside of being completely in love with him—also had its advantages when it came to having double dates with Derek and Meredith since they were best buds.

The last thing I had ever expected after only a few months being at Seattle Grace and getting to know my sister, was scoring an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner at their place. The invitation meant more to me then Meredith would ever know. It was after all a lot of firsts.

First thanksgiving with Meredith.

First thanksgiving with Mark.

First thanksgiving with my new family—both blood and friends.

"Behave," I chided.

Mark looked and me and then the pie. He turned on that devilish smile of his, those adorable dimples of his on display. I hated when he did that. He looked way to sexy for his own good, and it made it extremely hard to either stay mad at him or turn him down.

"It's been torturing all morning smelling you bake that and not get a taste."

I laughed. "You could have had a taste, but you missed your chance."

He pouted. "You had flour on your cheek, and you looked incredibly sexy looking all frazzled and confident at the same time in the kitchen. I am not responsible for the fact that I had no choice but to help take your mind off things."

And by taking my mind off things, he meant barging into the kitchen at my first attempt at making the pie. I say attempt, because his hot bod, kisses, and hands that ended up everywhere, made me so hot and bothered for him, that by the time I had detached myself from his arms, I had forgotten what ingredients I had put in the pie. I ended up having to chuck the entire thing and start over.

I flushed, remembering back to the two very powerful orgasms he brought me too. "Mmmm…you do have a way with helping to relieve stress."

He winked. "I always aim to please, Lex."

I was so nervous. I was usually pretty good at baking, but this was going to be my first-time baking for my friends and coworkers. I was in charge of desert; so, if it sucked, that would be the last thing everyone would remember. My pie had to be good.

Cue why Mark and I were extremely early and the first to show up at Mer's place. Derek had sent Mark an S.O.S text last night when we were in bed that Meredith was beside herself and needed help, even if she didn't want to admit it.

As much as this was a lot of firsts for me, it was a ton of firsts for my sister as well. To say she was feeling the pressure…was an understatement. Meredith didn't really get to experience traditions and holidays from what she had shared. Our dad had taken off when she was young, and the only thing Ellis Grey loved was the hospital.

Now that Meredith was putting down roots, committed to Derek, and growing her relationship with me, she wanted a chance at seeing what she had missed out on for most of her life. It made me smile with all the effort she was going to with our band of misfits and guests that would be attending.

Mark opened the car door coming around to my side to open my door for me, offering me his hand to help since my other held onto my pie with brute force.

"Thank you," I said, stepping out of the way so he could shut the door behind me.

When I looked back up at him, his eyes were flashing with want. Only this time I didn't know if it was for me or the pie in my hands. He was relentless.

Both our attention snapped to the front door, seeing it open and Derek standing in the entryway. His hair was a little messy, his expression fraught—slowly turning into relieved—as he saw the two of us. Mark and I tried not to bust out laughing seeing the apron he wore over his jeans and sweater that said, Mr. good lookin' is cookin' plastered on the front.

He sighed. "Thank god your here."

Mark smirked. "Already need me to save the day, huh?" He started rolling up his sleeves for good measure.

"I literally perform surgery on people's brains, but dear god, that is a nightmare in there."

I laughed, and thrusted the pie in his arms. "I'll go help."

"Bless you," Derek replied taking the pie from me and giving a nice long whiff. The look on his face told me so far, so good.

"Oh!" I looked over my shoulder since Derek and Mark were trailing behind as I started making my way towards the kitchen. "Keep the pie away from Mark. I better not see any gauges."

Mark shot me a glance back that only promised we would be getting back to this very topic later. A little involuntary shudder crept up my spine in anticipation at knowing exactly how we would settle our argument once and for all.

As I stepped into the house, I was met with a plethora of aromas and sounds. Clanging of pots and pans and curses were coming from the kitchen, while the sound of the television was playing in the family room. I took a few seconds to enjoy then moment, hearing the sound of the parade, bringing me back to the happy memories of when I was a kid.

In all honesty, a major part of why I had been so worked up this morning about the pie and wanting it to go so perfectly, was because it just wasn't about the pie. This was going to be my first thanksgiving without both of my parents. Molly wasn't able to join us—since Eric couldn't get the time off to travel—and things were still so raw and difficult since my father made the decision to just up and leave without so much as a good-bye.

Mark had been wonderful about it all week leading up and even through today. I suspected his plan of distracting me with sex, was in hopes to make me forget about the fact that it would be a very different thanksgiving. I couldn't love him more for it. I made a promise to myself to put aside all the negative and try and enjoy all the potential new positives about today.

"Derek!"

I snapped back into the present, hearing Meredith's distraught call for help, and made my way into the kitchen.

"Hey, Mer. Reinforcements have arrived," I announced all cheery.

My sister on the other hand looked completely frazzled. She had four different pots going on the stove—some of the already boiling over—while she had oven mitts on her hands even though she did not have the oven open. Her hair kept falling down into her eyes, as she attempted to first blow it away before whipping her head.

I took a look at what was on the stove. Her sliced potatoes were beginning to boil over as well as her sweet potatoes, while her pot that seemed to have butter, milk, and what looked like cream cheese was getting ready to burn. I grabbed the closest wooden spoon and began to start mixing and turning burners down.

"I have no freaking idea what I am doing," Meredith admitted.

"It will all turn out ok," I encouraged.

I poked both sets of her potatoes with a fork and confirmed they were ready to be drained and mashed. Luckily, I had just gotten there in time to save her cream mixture for what I guessed was some kind of corn casserole based on the recipe she had visible on the counter.

"I don't know whatever possessed me to think I can handle this."

I smiled. "Your Meredith Grey. Badass surgeon and doctor. This is nothing."

Meredith finally removed the oven mitts on her hands and threw back a shot of tequila she had prepped and ready to go on the side. It made me wonder how many she had already thrown back.

We both turned at the sound of the front door shutting behind us, Derek and Mark striding into the kitchen.

"Dessert looks great," Derek commented bringing it over for Meredith's inspection.

"At least we will have one editable thing to offer our guests," Meredith mumbled.

Derek looked to me and I gave him an encouraging smile. Mark strode over to the fridge looking as comfortable as if this was his own home, pulling out two beers and handing one over to Derek.

"So, who exactly is coming again?" I asked.

"Just Owen, Cristina, Alex, George, Callie, Jo, Jackson, April, and you guys," Meredith answered.

"Oh, is that all," I teased.

It meant more to me that after she had invited Mark and I, she was also willing to invite all the rest of the interns who would have otherwise had to figure out Thanksgiving on their own.

"Well, it looks like you ladies have this all under control," Derek said, losing his apron as fast as humanly possible before placing a kiss on Meredith's cheek.

"You are not getting out of helping with this, Derek."

Just then the doorbell rang, and both Derek and Mark look relieved. "Honey, our guests are starting to arrive. Mark and I will go entertain, while you gals keep up the great work in here."

I laughed, Mark shooting me a devilish wink, as they already started to leave before Meredith could make any further protests.

About an hour later, mostly everything was completed, just needed to take a turn in the oven before everything was together. It was Meredith, Cristina, and I now in the kitchen, all of us taking a breather since dinner appeared to be saved.

"How I can have my hands deep in someone's heart and feel so freaking confident is one thing, but put a stuffing casserole in my face and you've hit my achilles heel," Cristina said, flopping down on one of the kitchen chairs.

No more than a few minutes that the three of us were sitting, Mark came from around the corner holding a football in his hands and passing it back and forth.

"You ladies interested in a little thanksgiving game?"

Cristina scoffed. "Do I look like I play sports?"

"Not really my thing," Meredith agreed.

Mark turned towards me. "I am so in."

We made our way towards the back of Meredith and Derek's yard, Cristina and Meredith following along with their bottle of tequila offering to be the cheerleading section.

The game was going to be flag football. To avoid any serious injuries, we were going to play touch football. We were broken down into two teams, with both Mark and Derek acting as captains for each team. Team Derek: Owen, Alex, April, and me. Team Sloan: Jackson, George, Jo, and Callie.

"I don't think Mark was happy you took Lexie on your team," April laughed once our team huddled up.

Derek grinned. "I know." He turned towards me. "You're my secret weapon. He wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

I laughed. "Your diabolical and a little mean," I said.

"The last time Mark and I played…he won. He has never let me let it down. I want to beat him so bad," Derek said.

It wasn't lost on me that Derek also made sure that Mark had the only two men on his team that he had some sort of personal issues with. George because he cheated on Callie, and Jackson because of what happened at the hospital. Also, having Callie on his team, meant there could be contention when it came to her and George.

"Let's go suckers!" Derek called.

"Whoo! Let's go team Derek!" Meredith and Cristina cheered.

Mark's hands came up to his side. "Hey!"

Meredith shrugged. "Sorry, I kinda have to root for my guy."

"Unbelievable," Mark muttered. "Alright, let's huddle up," he called to his team.

About twenty minutes later, both teams were panting, sweating, and doing a whole lot of trash talking. Despite Derek's strategy in hoping there would be division among Mark's team, they were playing remarkably well together. As it was, they were up one touchdown on us 21-14. We currently had the ball, and were driving, but with a drop from April, and a stop on Alex, we had to make another three yards to get the first down.

Our team huddled together, everyone's pants mixing together.

"Ok, that's it. Time to throw in the big guns," said Derek.

"Yeah, and what's that?" asked Alex.

Derek looked over at me. "The girls. We haven't been throwing to them much, so they have gotten a little too comfortable. Owen, Alex, you two go long and really sell it that you think I am going to throw to you." He turned to me. "Lexie, I want you to go far left, and get open. Shouldn't be too hard. April, you do the same on the right. I am going to appear to throw it to April, but actually throw it to you, Lex. It should not only scramble them, but intimidate them to back off as to not hurt you."

All of us nodded, Derek clapping his hands to signal us into our position.

"I hope that time you spent was to give us something challenging," Mark taunted.

"Guess you will just have to wait and see," replied Derek.

He called out, Alex hiking him the ball before each of us got into position per Derek's instruction. In reality, it was a pretty good play, if not for two things. One, that Mark was really good at football and as much as Derek tried to hide his intention, figured out that I was the intended target. Two, that I was a complete and utter screw up, having to turn behind me to go back and get the ball because I had gone too far—or Derek underthrew, which I didn't know.

By the time I had pulled the ball into my chest and attempted to turn and run, Mark was already closing in on me. I only had to make two yards to get us the first down to get us another set of plays.

Then the turf monster hit.

If you are not a fan of football…the turf monster is when a chunk of dirt and grass forms a clump and will occasionally trip up the ball carrier and stop the play. That happened to be me at this point. Not only did I not make the first down, but instead of dodging away from Mark to avoid being stopped, I was tripping forward.

Mark's expression was a mixture of a grin and worry as his speed brought him directly to me just at the moment that I was going fall flat on my face. Instead, my body collided directly into his, the ball coming out of my hands, as Mark's arms wrapped around my waist catching me so that as we fell, his back hit the ground taking both of our weight. We fell with a loud thunk.

Out of my peripheral vision, I saw George right at our side, picking up the ball and hugging it to himself as he immediately dropped to the ground in a fetal position. Not only did I fail to get us the extra three yards, but I just gave the opposing team really good field position to score on us again.

"Are you ok?" Mark asked, his head coming up to look me over.

"I'm fine," I groaned. "Thanks to you."

He grinned. "I am a hero."

I shook my head in exasperation. I attempted to ease my weight off him, no doubt worrying that even in his playful manner, he had to be hurting a little bit after the way I fell on top of him with such force, our bodies smacking into the ground.

I gasped, when he rolled us over, so that I was pinned underneath him on the grass. "What are you doing?"

His eyes raked me over, his hand coming up to my hip. "Making sure you have no injuries."

I laughed. "I'm fine, Mark."

"I should run a test and see."

Before I could ask what, the test was, his lips came down on mine, crashing mine hard. I was well aware that all of our friends and family were gathered around and watching, but the way he was kissing me made it hard to think of anything else. I think I was distinctly aware that I heard some cat calls in the background.

"Are we going to play football, or are you just going to make out all day!" Derek shouted in frustration.

Mark pulled back, even though his lips were still dangerously close to mine.

"What's the verdict? Am I okay?" I asked, breathless now from his kiss and not the game.

His shoulders raised in a shrug. "It appears so, but I should run another test just to make sure."

I giggled as he kissed me again, in spite of protests from everyone around us. After a few seconds, he pulled back, leaning on his hunches before pushing to his feet and helping me towards mine. We both plucked the excess dirt and grass from our outfits.

"Alright boys, that is game. Food is almost ready."

Mark thrust his fists in the air. "Looks like team Sloan wins," he hollered, turning to his team to high five and cheer.

"Yeah, yeah," Derek muttered.

"Sorry," I said to my team, clasping Derek on the shoulder.

He put his arm around my shoulder and squeezed. "Don't worry. It happens. You, ok?"

I nodded. "Fine."

We all made our way inside. Meredith offered Mark the shower upstairs since he looked worse for wear with the dirt and grime after falling in the grass. As he made his way upstairs, an idea came to mind.

Mark

I headed upstairs, flipping on the bathroom light, and shut the door behind me. I turned on the water, allowing the pipes to warm up, before setting my clothes on the sink. Luckily, Derek had allowed me to borrow a t-shirt and pair gym shorts so I didn't ruin my own sweater and jeans.

My shirt was already off my head, my hand coming down to the hem of my shorts, when the bathroom door opened, and Lexie strode through. Her eyes instantly went to my chest and a flicker of heat blazed in those brown eyes of her.

"Everything ok?" I asked.

She nodded, biting her lip, as she shut the door behind her, and clicked the lock. "Everything is just fine," she replied. If I didn't know any better, her voice had turned thick and lustful.

When she turned back to face me, her eyes roamed over my naked chest again, the heat inside of me was starting to flare upwards. "What are you doing?"

She strode forward, her arms coming up and around my neck, her body pressed up against mine. "I just thought…you won the game. Since we don't have a trophy, you certainly still deserved a prize."

I loved this woman. My hands came around her waist, my fingers playing with the skin just above the crease of her jeans. "I do deserve a prize," I agreed, my lips coming down to place a kiss on her jawline working its way down her neck.

She moaned, arching her hips into mine. "Yes. You do…you really do," she panted.

I turned her, backing her up against the bathroom sink. The mirror was starting to fog over now that the warm water was coming directly from the faucet. I lifted her on the sink, her mouth leaving mine only to give a throaty gasp, before our lips were finding each other's again.

Once we were both stripped of our clothes, she wrapped her legs around my waist, her arms around my neck, as I stepped over the tub and thrusted us into the hot water of the shower. I held us there allowing the warm water to beat down on us, before I turned us, pushing her back against the coolness of the tiles, allowing the water still to reach the both of us on our sides.

I pulled back slightly. "I very much am liking my prize."

She laughed. "Good. Now kiss me."

I took her in the shower. It wasn't nice and slow, or gentle and soft. It was rough and powerful and exactly what the both of us needed. Once we were done, and I was sure her legs could support her weight, I eased her back down so both of us could shower quickly and dry off.

I wrapped her in her towel first, before grabbing my own, and wrapping it around my waist. Once I stepped out, her arms were back around my neck, a smile lighting up her face.

"Best first thanksgiving ever," she said with a smile.

"It won't be the last," I promised.

"Happy Thanksgiving."

I kissed her. "Happy Thanksgiving."

Once we were finally dressed and downstairs, we received quite a few glances in our direction. I had gone to the bathroom to shower alone, and both of us returned at the same time with Lexie's hair now pulled back and wet.

Everyone was gathering around the table, Derek at the head, and Meredith sitting right by his side. Lexie sat next to Meredith, with me right by her side, as everyone else slowly found their seats.

I took a moment to really appreciate everyone that had showed up and was sitting at the dinner table. I had been to many of the Shepherd's thanksgivings, and while they were always warm and inviting, I still sometimes felt like an outsider looking in. Sitting here, at this dinner table, with the woman I loved at my side, it felt like for the first time a real family.

Lexie looked over at me, once everyone had passed around the food, filling their plates, chatter about everything from cases, to the football game, to comparing thanksgiving of their own pasts. Lexie reached out and took my hand under the table, our fingers interlocking as it rested on my thigh.

Once dinner was over, everyone sitting at the table drinking their wine, and groaning how full they were, I noticed that Derek and Meredith were looking at each other some unspoken message passing between them. Meredith nodded in his direction, which resulted in Derek tapping his wine glass with his knife and stood.

"Meredith and I want to thank all of you for coming today and making this such an enjoyable first thanksgiving for us as well as a couple." He paused when everyone clapped and offered well wishes. He turned and looked at the group. "Meredith and I thought that we could all go around the table and each say one thing that we are grateful for. I'll start." He turned back to Meredith. "Mer, I am so grateful, I came to Seattle and walked into the bar and sat down next to you. I know we have had our ups and downs, but I wouldn't change a thing, because it has only made us stronger. And I am very thankful that you have agreed to become my wife."

There were collective gaps around the room, before Derek and Meredith turned to everyone with smiles on their face. Lexie and I looked at each other before we looked back at them. For the first time, I noticed the ring that was sitting on her finger. I was sure that it hadn't been there before. She must've slipped it on once we had all sat down together.

The sound of chairs scooting back, and congratulations adorned the room as everyone came up to the couple to offer their congrats on their engagement. After everyone settled in, each person went around the room to offer up their own thing they were thankful for. Lexie had spoken to the fact that she was thankful for getting to know Meredith and their blossoming relationship, as well as turning to me, her eyes telling me more than what her words ever could. I had done the same only adding the fact that I was grateful for the fact that I not only found her, but finally felt like all the constricting ties between Derek and I had finally been released.

Once dinner was completed, dishes washed and dried, everyone who was left moved into Meredith and Derek's great room for a drink. Owen had to leave due to an early start the next day, and Callie had promised Arizona that she would stop by after her dinner was over with her parents. Their relationship was still so new, that she wasn't ready yet to have dinner with the family.

That left: Derek, Meredith, Lexie, Cristina, Alex, George, Jo, Jackson, April, Alex, and myself sitting around the room.

"We should play a game," April spoke up.

Cristina made a sound of protest. "Ugh. A game."

"That's a great idea," Jo said. "We're always so busy, it doesn't seem like we always get a chance to get to know each other."

"Yeah, I would rather pass," Alex said, as be started to stand.

"Sit," Meredith ordered. Alex groaned but sat back down. "It's thanksgiving, I'm engaged and happy, and I like the idea. So, we are all going to participate," she said looking around the room.

"What do you want to play?" Lexie asked.

"How about two truths and a lie," George suggested.

"No." Alex immediately shut down.

"Oh. How about truth or dare?" suggested April.

Cristina sneered. "What are we twelve?"

"Alright. What do you want to play?" Jackson asked.

"I don't want to play, so don't ask me," Cristina replied.

"What about the game 'most likely to'," said Lexie.

Alex turned to her. "What's that?"

"Someone throws out a question and we all have to guess who is most likely to do it," she explained. "So, for example, most likely to have sex on a plane?"

"Mark!"

I don't think there was one person in the room that had offered up any other name then my own. Lexie just laughed.

"That doesn't seem so bad," Jackson opined.

"Let's up the ante. The person who gets the most votes by the group has to take a drink," suggested Alex.

"Yes. Let's do that. Maybe if I can get drunk faster, this might be more enjoyable," Cristina agreed.

"Whose most likely to ruin a good time?" Jackson asked even though his eyes were on Cristina.

"You don't even have to say it. I'll take two drinks," Cristina shot back, thrusting her glass of tequila in the air.

"Ok, let's start. I'll throw out a question," April clapped excitedly. "Which intern do you think is most likely rank at the top?"

Derek and I both said Lexie which earned us stares since she was his sister and my girlfriend, but even Cristina chimed in as well and picked her. Meredith just added the icing on the cake. Lexie was forced to take a drink, putting her up to ask the next question.

"Ok, who in the group is most likely to have the most embarrassing story?"

Everyone thought about that, with the majority of the votes going to George. "Why me?" he asked.

Meredith and Cristina looked at each other and laughed. "Because you forget the time that Alex pants' you right in front of Harper Avery," supplied Meredith.

Jackson coughed, looking directly at George. "That was you!"

George groaned, before shooting a death glare at Alex. "I had completely forgotten about that," he muttered.

Cristina broke out into another laugh. "The best part was…boy wonder over here was wearing little white tighties." She took another drink even though it wasn't a part of the rules. "I take it back…this game is fun."

George narrowed his eyes. "Alright. Who is most likely to have sex in the shower?"

All eyes turned to Lexie and me. Her cheeks flushed, while I instantly brought my beer to my mouth not even ashamed. Lexie sighed next to me and took a drink herself, finally admitting what everyone already knew.

It now meant that Lexie or I could ask a question, and since we were apparently aiming for calling out things, I thought now would be a good time when everyone's inhibitions were present and thankful. "Who's most likely to have a crush on Jo?" I asked.

Lexie turned to me her eyes going wide. She looked at me as if she wanted to murder me. I hid my smirk and turned back about the room. Alex's eyes flickered down to Jo, but his bottle remained in his lap. I had been watching him all day, and I caught the subtle glances he kept shooting her way. He reminded me exactly what I had been like when I was trying to deny my feelings for Lexie.

What surprised me, was when George lifted his beer and took a sip. Alex's glance looked over at George and his eyes narrowed. Jo shifted on her seat a little uncomfortably.

"What?" George said when everyone looked at him. "She's cute."

"Uh, thanks," Jo replied.

"Keep dreaming," Alex muttered under his breath.

George sneered at him. "What? You don't think I could attract someone like Jo? Izzie was certainly into me."

Alex eyes turned murderous, as he stood from the chair.

"Nice going," Lexie leaned in to me and whispered grimly.

"Don't say her name. It's because of you she isn't here anymore," Alex growled.

"Don't blame me for that," George yelled back.

Lexie and April seemed surprised by their reaction. None of them knew that Alex had secretly harbored a crush on Izzie for some time, and was furious that she had set her sites on Geroge. After George had ruined his engagement, both of them had realized that it had been a drunken mistake, but the damage was done. Izzie's reputation had suffered and she left the hospital shortly after.

"Well, she isn't here is she," Alex snapped.

"Your just mad that for once, a hot chick didn't choose to want to be with you. Instead, she chose O'Malley."

Alex glanced back at Jo for a split second, throwing back the rest of the beer and tossing it on the coffee table. "I'm outta here, before I do something I regret," he said through gritted teeth.

"Alex, wait!" Meredith hollered as he strode from the room.

"I guess that ends the game," April said softly.

"Maybe I should go after him," Jo said out loud.

The room agreed, everyone leaving with the exception of Lexie and I. She whirled on me, her hands on her hips. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that two people who clearly have feelings for each other are dancing around and sending longing looks, but neither one of them are brave enough to do anything."

Her hand came up over her eyes, as if she was trying to keep her anger at bay. "That wasn't for you to decide." She lowered her voice. "You promised you wouldn't say anything."

"I didn't. I didn't specifically tell either of them. I can't help that wonder boy George has a crush on her."

"Really? You want to try and win this argument on a technicality."

I stepped closer to her, but her hand was already out, palm up, hitting my chest to keep me from coming any closer. "I don't want their to be any argument. I swear I was trying to help. I see a lot of me in Alex when it came to you."

I could see she was trying to stay mad, but my comment piqued her curiosity. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," I said, moving closer again, her arm going slack to where she no longer was keeping me at arm's length—literally. "I spent way too much time being in my head and trying to talk myself out of the feelings I was having for you. Alex has a pretty rough past as well. I didn't want him to keep himself at bay because of that."

Lexie sighed. "Mark, that's sweet. Still, it should have been his decision. Now, you just put the spotlight on him and Jo, and he very much wants to hit George in the face."

"It's not that bad. I want to hit George in the face half the time, but you don't go around seeing me do that," I replied.

She slapped me on the shoulder. "It's not funny."

I wrapped my arms around her waist, and when she didn't pull away, I relaxed that most of her anger had evaporated again. "It will be ok, Lex. If anything, at least it will bring their feelings to the surface for them to talk about. Whatever they decide."

She bit her lip. "I guess."

I leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. "Hey…it could be worse. It could have been a question aimed at April and Jackson."

"What do you mean April and Jackson?"

Lexie and I stilled. She removed my arms from her waist and looked past my shoulder to see Jackson standing in the doorway looking between Lexie and I.

"Damnit!" I muttered.

"What do you mean April and Jackson?" he repeated, looking between the two of us.

"Uh, nothing," Lexie replied.

April took that moment to walk back into the room. "We found Alex. He's calmer now, and Jo is talking with him and…" her voice trailed off when she looked at all three of our faces. "What?"

Jackson turned to April, his face turning a shade lighter. "Nothing. Great news. I, uh, gotta get going. Happy Thanksgiving," he uttered and bolted from the room.

April's brows scrunched together. "This night keeps getting weirder and weirder. What was that about?"

Lexie looked to me since I was once again the one to let the cat out of the bag. I wanted to tell her that it was nothing, but considering that April and Jackson lived together, and how cagey he was in his response, it was going to be awkward when she got home.

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Um, he may have over heard me asking Lexie if you had a thing for him." April's eyes went round. "I…swear…I didn't know he was there."

April's eyes got all glassy, and I cursed. I hated when woman cried. April was looking at us like I had just told her that her favorite puppy as a child didn't go to live on the farm so he could run free, but instead went to the vet to be put to sleep.

"What? Wh—why would you say…wh—why would you do something like that?"

Lexie took a step forward. "April, it really was unintentional. Mark didn't know that Jackson was standing there."

April looked at Lexie, her expression twisted to one of betrayal. "How could you tell him?"

I stepped forward. "April, I guessed—"

Lexie turned and shot me a look and the words died in my throat. She turned back to her best friend.

"I'm sorry, it was an accident. I swear to you…neither one of us meant to hurt you."

April slapped her hand to her forehead, reaching for the chair. "I need to sit down."

"Can I get you anything?" I asked.

"No. No. Unless it's a really big rock that I can hide under and die and never show my face again."

This was my fault, and I felt the need to fix it. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt April, or cause a rift in their friendship. Not when everything was finally starting to settle down. I approached April, slowly leaning down until I was resting on my haunches.

"April."

She turned her head, and looked over at me. I could see the wheels spinning in her head, wondering what her next step was going to be. How she was going to fix this.

"Yes, Dr. Sloan?"

"He'd be an idiot not to like you," I said.

She blushed. "You're just saying that to be nice."

I shook my head. "I'm not. You guys have been friends for a really long time. Sometimes, it just takes us guys a little more time to figure things out."

"But he's Jackson…and I'm April."

"So?" Lexie said.

April groaned. "He's used to women falling at his feet. Not the virgin Jesus freak," she said.

"And I was use to a different woman every night. I didn't do relationships. I didn't fall in love," I pointed out. "Sometimes, it just takes the right person to make you want or realize all those things."

"And if he doesn't feel that way…which is likely…our friendship will pretty much be ruined."

Lexie squeezed her hand. "Not if he realizes what he has with you. If he doesn't…it's his loss."

April flopped back in her chair. "Ugh. What a mess of a night!"

"It will be ok," Lexie reassured. "You'll see.

Lexie

"Are you still mad at me?" Mark asked as he climbed into bed.

I flipped off the light to the bathroom, slipped out of my robe and pulled back the covers on the bed. "Oh, yes."

"Don't be mad at me," he pouted, trying to reach for me.

I slapped his hand away. "You not only single handily outed one of my best friend's feelings but also the other. No sex for you."

I turned on my side so my back was to him and my face was looking into the bathroom.

"Lex…"

His hand reached for my hip, but I scooted closer to the edge of the bed. "Goodnight, Mark."

I heard his long sigh as he flopped back on the bed. "I was only trying to help others get what we have."

The resignation in his voice was a like knife to the heart. I turned on my other side so I could face him, but still made sure I was closest to the edge of the bed and out of his reach.

"It wasn't your place," I reminded him.

"Yeah, well someone had to do it. People spend way too much time worrying about nonsense."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You said yourself you did the same exact thing with me."

He looked over at me, his arms resting on his hips. "All the more reason for me wanting to nudge things along."

"Mark…"

"Come on…it's thanksgiving. Don't be mad at me. It will all work out. You will see."

He turned those blue eyes on me along with that sexy grin of his and it was hard to stay mad at him. I let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. But no sex," I warned.

He grinned. "We'll see about that."

"No sex."

Before I could protest, his arm was already around my waist, and he had me pressed up against his body. His lips were down on my mine. I lasted all of five seconds before my lips parted and his tongue was dancing with mine. When the need for air became apparent, we both pulled back.

"I think the doctor ordered the exact opposite."

I grinned. "Oh, yeah. What doctor?"

He growled. "Me."

He pinned me back against the mattress, words no longer needed for the rest of the evening.

A/N: Thanks for reading.