AN: Thank you all so very much for the reviews and feedback. I can't tell you how much it means to me. I have to admit I get super nervous every time I post and you all make me feel so much better.
Thank you all for reading. I apologize for any mistakes.
Lexie's hand quickly flew over her eyes as she let out a groan.
While Meredith stood in the door her mouth opened and closing several times as she tried to piece together what she'd just heard, and was trying to form a sentence.
Arizona's eyes were huge as she stood stilled beside Lexie's bedside. Her hands on the girl's shoulder trying to offer a source of comfort.
Callie spun around on the stool that she was on to face the door, when she realized Lexie's attention had drifted. "You okay, Grey?"
Meredith stood there for a few more seconds before tucking her hair behind ears and nodding to Callie.
She tucked some hair behind her ears before heading to the bed. "Lexie…" she called out. "Look at me," She instructed.
Lexie kept her face in her hands as she shook her head.
"I am sorry" Meredith offered as she took a seat on the end of the bed near Lexie's legs. She placed a gentle hand on her sister's leg. "I shouldn't have spoken to you the way I did, and I was coming back in here to tell you if you didn't want to tell me you don't have to." She paused, "Though I don't think I can say that anymore." She said as she waited for Lexie to remove her hands. When she didn't she let out a loud sigh.
"Come on Lexie, don't be like that." Meredith insisted "You can't just hide from me. It's not fair." She reached out and gently pulled Lexie's hands away from her face. "Look at me." She insisted.
Lexie took a deep breath as her eyes met with Meredith. "I think it's time you and I had this talk." She spoke calmly. "I think I need to know the full story, Lexie. Especially if someone is after me."
"He's not after you, now." Lexie assured her "I'd never leave you in open danger. You're my sister, it's my job to protect you."
"You're wrong," Meredith stated quickly. "It's our.." She started to say but quickly interrupted by the younger woman.
"What do you know, you've only been a sister for five minutes." Lexie snapped "I've been a big sister almost my entire life, Meredith."
Meredith pulled back for a moment, her eyes narrowing at Lexie. "Hey, Don't you snap at me for something that was out of my control, Alexandra."
"Oh boy" Callie muttered to herself while Arizona stepped forward trying to place herself in the middle of the sisters. "Why don't we all take a deep breath." She tried. "We are all a little tired…"
"If you want to get technical, I have been a big sister your entire life" Meredith glared at Lexie "I just didn't know about you, my role or title or whatever the hell you want to call it was always mine. We've always been connected biologically."
Lexie rolled her eyes "So now you see that?" She scoffed. "Whatever, you know what? I am really tired. Could you all just leave me alone?"
Meredith's jaw dropped "Lexie!"
"Grey, why don't we go get something to eat, and Callie can go check on the lab results?" Arizona suggested.
Meredith went to argue but Lexie had already closed her eyes and turned her back on her sister. "Fine, have it your way." She grumbled to her sister "Be stubborn!"
"Takes one to know one." Lexie mocked slightly.
Meredith's eyes got wide for a moment, before placing her hands on Arizona's arms and gently moving her away from in front of her sister. She leaned all the way in and placed both her hands on either side of Lexie's pillow so her face was inches from the younger Grey.
Lexie felt her sister's hot breath on her and realized that her sister had invaded her personal bubble and was only mere inches away from her face. Her eyes slowly opened and she was met with piercing blue eyes staring at her.
"I know what you're doing. You have been doing it to me all day. Pushing me away. Trying to avoid talking to me." Meredith stated calmly. "I am the queen of avoidance. You've got nothing on me."
Lexie opened her mouth but quickly shut it again when Meredith continued.
"I can wait you out." Her tone dropped "You wanted me in your life so badly, remember that?" She asked "Well guess what? You won that battle and I am here. I'm not going anywhere, and that you can count on."
Meredith's eyes narrowed as she continued. "You may be stubborn, but I am more stubborn. Give me your best... My Little Grey, because I can take it."
Lexie swallowed a lump as she fought back tears. Brown and blue eyes locked in an intense battle neither willing to break contact first.
"Ball is in your court Lex, when you're finally ready to talk to me, I'll be right here. You have all the power and the control of this situation." Meredith finally pulled away, knowing that after what Lexie had gone through she did need to feel in control. She did need to have the voice.
"I am going to let Arizona take me down to the cafeteria right now, and I am going to leave you in Callie's care while she gets you comfortable." Meredith added as she stepped back. "But I want you to remember that I am by no means leaving you, or forgetting about what I heard, are we understood?"
Lexie brought in her lip and looked down at her hands but didn't say anything.
Meredith cleared her throat "Lexie I am talking to you, the very least you could do is acknowledge that you hear me, is it understood that you know I am not leaving you?"
"Yes" The younger sister responded very quietly "understood."
Meredith nodded in approval as Arizona placed her hand on the small of her back trying to guide her out of the room quickly.
Once the door closed behind them Meredith pulled away from Arizona and threw her hands up in the air in frustration. "Why does she have to be so damn stubborn?" She pushed her fingers through her hair in frustration. "Isn't one stubborn Grey sister enough? I am older so its me that gets to be stubborn. She needs to find a new damn trait."
Arizona went to interject an opinion but was quickly cut off by the older Grey's pacing and ranting.
"Arizona, Lexie can't just drop the bomb that someone wanted to hurt me, but hurt her instead!" She shook her head "And then completely shut down! She can't do that! Can she?"
"Excuse me?" A voice from behind them made both Arizona and Meredith turn around to see Derek and Mark standing side by side with coffees in their hands and their eyes wide.
"Lexie's hurt?"
"Someone wanted to hurt you?"
Mark and Derek asked at the same time.
"Shit" Meredith groaned as now she buried her face in her hands just as her sister had done minutes ago. "It is a small world after all."
"Lexie's hurt?" Mark asked again, stepping for the door only to have Arizona step in front of the door. "Mark, she may not want you to go in there right now. Callie is with her."
"If she's hurt, I want to see her." Mark insisted.
"Mark, now isn't the time" Meredith sighed, not taking her hands away from her face "She's not in the greatest of moods, trust me. She's taking no prisoners"
"At least ask her" Mark insisted, stepping closer to the door debating on if he could get past Arizona or not.
The door opened and Callie stuck her head out. "You all are loud, and not giving off any healing vibes if you know what I mean." She motioned to Mark "And Lexie says you can come in."
Arizona stepped to the side while shrugging as Mark's gaze fell on her before he entered the room.
"Oh.. Of course she did" Meredith scoffed.
"Can we get back to the part where you were the intended victim?" Derek asked his wife.
"You know as much as I know" Meredith sighed as her hands dropped. "I walked in on her telling that to Callie and Arizona and that is literally all I have."
Both sets of eyes traveled to Arizona who seemed to squirm under their gaze. "Anyone want a milkshake? I know I do." She started quickly before heading down the hall.
Meredith glanced at Derek "Want a milkshake?"
"No, but you should have one," He said, wrapping his arm around Meredith's waist as the two followed Arizona towards the cafeteria.
"She didn't tell us much" Arizona offered as she took a seat at the table Derek had grabbed while she put a milkshake and salad in front of Meredith.
"Thank you" Meredith said quietly as she took a small sip of the shake and let the ice creamy liquid coat the back of her throat. Finding it hard to swallow around the lump she hadn't even realized had formed in her throat.
"Callie had just started to ask questions, when Meredith came back, all we really got from her, was that he was in fact male, he grabbed her from behind and she was mistaken for Meredith."
"How is that even possible?" Derek asked "They don't even look alike? They both look like their mother's."
Meredith frowned "Do we resemble each other at all?" She wasn't sure why but hearing Derek dismiss the idea of them looking alike made her feel even more disconnected from her sister. Was she longing for that family connection she'd never had? She wanted to be connected to her sister.
"Oh, you resemble each other in a lot of ways" Derek assured her as he rubbed her back. "If I told you that a few months ago, you would have hauled off and slugged me, there is no doubt in our minds that you and Lexie are sisters."
"You both talk with your hands," Arizona nodded in agreement. "You both have compassion for others."
"Your eyes never hide what you're feeling" Derek added "Lexie's eyes give her away just like you."
"You both watch everything around you, before speaking. As if you're taking in every single detail and processing. Making sure you really see the full picture." Arizona offered.
Derek smiled "And you both are witty, you both make me laugh."
"You're both apparently unsinkable" Arizona added "Here Lexie is thinking her big sister is unbreakable, and she's been used as a human punching bag and the little Grey is still showing up to work and trying to continue life as if nothing happened."
Meredith blinked in surprise she hadn't even thought about that and yet it was true. Her little sister, the one she felt desperate to protect, was in fact a lot more like her then she realized.. She had survived her mothers death, a stubborn sister who was not welcoming. Her big sisters friends picking on her relentlessly. She'd also cut off the tip of her finger off had it reattached. Had a heartbreaking break up. A hospital shooting. A stint in a psych ward and now the latest a brutal assault. "Damn, our little Grey is a bad ass."
"Just like her big sister." Arizona offered with a warm smile.
Derek ran his hand up and down Meredith's back as she continued to sip on her milkshake slowly.
"Still doesn't stop me from wanting to protect her with every fiber of my being." Meredith sighed as she stirred the shake with her straw to keep her hands busy. "I really want to destroy the person that did that to her."
Derek nodded in agreement as he reached out and stilled Meredith's hands on the cup silencing the squeaking noise the straw was making against the plastic lid. "If I find out who did that to her, There won't be anything left."
"Did she say if she was raped?" Meredith asked Arizona, closing her eyes really not wanting the answer to that. While Derek's eyes dropped to a spot on the table.
"No" Arizona shook her head "She didn't tell us that part, all she told us was she was grabbed from behind, and that he had mistaken her for Meredith, but I don't know what happened, when it happened, where it happened or how she figured that out."
"I need her to talk to me" Meredith groaned "I need her to tell me what happened, why is it so hard for her to talk to me?"
"I think she's trying to protect you." Arizona offered. "I am not kidding when I say that girl thinks you hung the moon and stars."
"Maybe we can get her to tell someone else?" Derek offered "And we can get the story from them. That way we can best protect both of you."
"Derek, I am fine." Meredith promised.
Arizona didn't look convinced "We have to know who did that to her. That can't happen to you too, or her again or anyone else for that matter. Until we know who it is, Grey, you need to be extra careful."
"Agreed" Derek nodded as he pushed the salad towards Meredith "And you should eat some substance."
"I am not that hungry," Meredith stated as she picked up her fork.
"I think Callie is going to admit Lexie for the night" Arizona cautioned. "We will know more about when she gets the scans back, but I think she wants to get her on some pain medications and monitor her for the next few hours."
"You're saying it could be another long night?" Meredith guessed as she shoveled a bit of salad into her mouth.
"I am saying it, it is going to be another long night for you." She agreed.
"At least getting to work tomorrow will be easier." Meredith tried to laugh at her own joke but it fell flat.
"Torres" Mark greeted Callie as he passed by her, moving to sit on a stool next to Lexie's bed.
"Can you stay with her for a few minutes?" Callie asked "I am going to go see what the hold up is for her scans."
Mark nodded, "Of course."
"Mark, I mean it, do not leave her alone, until either I come back or Arizona and Meredith."
"Callie," Lexie groaned "I am not a toddler."
"I am not taking any chances with you, Little Grey." Callie held up her hands "Meredith could kill me, and I choose life."
Lexie actually let out a small laugh "Okay you may not be far off, she's hyper sensitive today."
"I think you both almost went to brawls a few seconds ago, over her was more sisterly and stubborn." Callie reminded Lexie "May not be just Meredith."
"Alright, point taken" Lexie motioned Callie to the door "And now you can go."
"I'll be right back" Callie promised "Hopefully with some answers."
Mark and Lexie both watched Callie leave. The room grew quiet for a few moments as neither knew what to say to the other.
It was Mark that broke the silence first as he reached out and grabbed one of Lexie's small hands. He held it gently in his as his thumb ran circles over top. "You're hurt?"
Lexie's eyes traveled to her hand in Mark's. Her heart fluttered for just a second. She'd wanted a moment like this as long as she could remember. She swallowed hard as she willed herself to not cry. "I am okay, Mark."
"I didn't ask if you were okay." Mark reasoned "I asked if you were hurt…" He reminded her. "It's me Lexie, you can talk to me."
"Meredith is really making a big deal out of nothing." Lexie shrugged as she looked away. "You know how Mer can be."
Mark's eyes narrowed "I do know how Meredith can be." He agreed "And I know that if she is worried, and has done everything in her power to get you here. It is a big deal." He squeezed her hand "And your sister would have body checked me, had I tried to come in here without your permission. That tells me that Meredith's worry is real."
Lexie wanted to argue that Meredith was just being dramatic and unreasonable but she couldn't. If the roles were reversed. Which they almost may have been. She would be just as worried if not more so. The only difference is, Meredith wouldn't let her be involved. She'd be shoved to the back of the room while Derek and Christina were the front liners taking care of her. She'd just be viewed as in the way.
"What's going on, Lexie?" Mark asked "What's going through your mind right now?" He asked as his hand that wasn't holding hers reached out ran his fingers over top of her braid.
"I was thinking about Meredith just now." Lexie admitted as she closed her eyes at Mark's touch. It would be so easy to just let go, and grab onto him and hold tight. Never letting go again. Yet things hadn't changed. Mark was on one path, and Lexie on another and the paths didn't seem to cross.
"Lexie…" He repeated "You're hurt, how?"
"Just some bruises," She promised as she avoided his eyes. She could not look him in the eyes. Her resolve would break.
"And Meredith and Callie have you in the hospital for bruising?" Mark asked doubtful. "I really don't think Callie would be hunting down results, if it was just bruising."
"She's Callie," Lexie laughed. "I am Lexie, who once was your love, of course she's going to take care of her best friend's ex."
"Lexie…" His thumb continued rubbing gentle circles over the top of her hand.
"I don't want you to freak out, because I really am okay." The younger Grey's heart continued to pound against her chest as she kept her eyes down. Willing herself to not cry.
"I heard Meredith say you were attacked but she was the intended target? Is this true?" Mark asked, getting straight to the point.
Lexie grew quiet for a few seconds before nodding "It's true."
"How'd you get mistaken for Meredith?" Mark asked confusion written all over his face. "You don't look much like your sister."
Lexie shook her head "No, Molly and Meredith have more in common look wise, she agreed. "They both have blonde hair and blue eyes going for them, but it wasn't based on my looks. It was based on my name."
"Grey?" Mark asked squeezing her hand.
Lexie hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"So whoever heard you were a Grey, and thought you were Meredith?"
"He didn't really know her name either." Lexie responded quietly as she focused on her IV.
Mark used his hand that wasn't holding hers to rub his forehead. "How could someone mistake you for your sister but not know her name? He paused as he tried to piece together what Lexie was saying. "How were they after her if they didn't know who she was?"
"Because he knew Ellis Grey had a daughter. He heard Ellis's Grey's daughter worked at the same hospital her mother once had many years ago." Lexie's voice dropped. "He saw Meredith with my dad when she was about three or four. From a distance." She added "Not close enough to realize we aren't the same person all grown up."
"This was about Ellis?" Mark asked even more confused.
Lexie finally looked up as she winced. "It does make telling Meredith even harder. I don't want her to feel guilty for something that is absolutely outside of her control."
"You're going to have to walk me through this" Mark spoke softly "I am trying hard to understand, but I am really not understanding how this is about Ellis. She's dead…"
Lexie closed her eyes "I need to tell Meredith, I am just not ready to tell her."
Mark squeezed Lexie's hand "What if you told me, and I told her… Would that be easier?"
Lexie shook her head "No, I owe it to my sister to be the one that tells her." She sighed "I just freeze every time, and then I find myself fighting with her. Or telling her to go away." She groaned "I am totally being the pain in the ass as a little sister" She groaned "And she held my hair back all night long while I puked my guts out."
"Meredith's a doctor" Mark reminded her gently "You throwing up, did not phase her. I promise."
"I keep trying to tell myself that," Lexie admitted.
"She's not going to walk away from you, because you hurled your guts all over her house." Mark teased, "Meredith is almost as stubborn as you are. She's not going anywhere."
Lexie let out a small laugh wincing slightly as it jostled her ribs. "I am stubborn, have you looked in a mirror, big guy?"
"Made you laugh," He teased. "Which is what I am going for, minus it actually hurting you. Sorry"
Lexie smile grew "I appreciate it, and it doesn't hurt that bad" She lied.
"What else is going on?" Mark asked, "Besides being in pain?"
"Might have the flu" Lexie admitted "Had a fever, couldn't keep anything down. Meredith was panicking like a new parent." She smiled "It was cute. Don't tell her I said that though."
"Oh, so that's why Robbins got called?" He teased "Because she knows how to handle scared parents...or in your case big sisters?"
Lexie rolled her eyes again at his lame attempt of humor. "My sister has a big mouth, and my sister's husband called Callie...Robbins was just with her, and that's how I got a pediatrician looking after me, and my sister." She smiled tiredly before leaning back against her pillow. "I am exhausted Mark, I really want to close my eyes until Callie or Arizona and Meredith get back."
Mark reached out and ran his hand over her forehead. "You can close your eyes" He promised "And if you want me to leave, I'll wait right outside the door."
"No" Lexie grabbed his hand "Please stay, just talk to me?" She requested. "Tell me about your day, tell me about your surgery you had today? That'll make me feel better."
"I can do that for you Little Grey" He assured her as he ran his thumb over her forehead and down the bridge of her nose. Her eyes closing. He rubbed gentle circles over her cheek bones. With her eyes closed he couldn't help but notice how long her eye lashes were. How perfect they were. Just like her.
"Mark?"
He quickly shook himself as he cleared his throat "What do you need?" He asked quickly
"Quit staring at me" She smiled while keeping her eyes closed "And talk to me, please. I need to hear something other then the monitors, the clock and our hearts beating..."