A/N - Sorry I haven't posted in a while? I wasn't really feeling this chapter, so it kind of took me a long time ti finish it. I wasn't really sure where I was going with this, but I think it turned out okay. Sorry the beginning of this is so depressing. Anyways, let me know what you think! I'd be happy to receive any comments, suggestions, even criticism.

Weeks passed slowly. Every time Mark had tried to approach Lexie, Either Meredith or Derek would stop him. If neither of them were there, Lexie would turn around and walk the other way.

"Lex, he said he loved you."

"Sadie, you're the only one of my friends who actually wants me to be with Dr. Sloan."

"Mark! Come on Lex, you're moving backwards!" Sadie noticed how depressed Lexie has been recently, and she knows Lexie isn't depressed because Mark cheated on her. She's depressed because she's not with Mark. Although her and Lexie had less friend time when she was with him, Sadie had noticed that Lexie was happier than ever before. "Yeah, he cheated on you, but he loves you, and you don't think you do, but you love him too." Lexie looked up and scrunched her face a bit, denying what Sadie had just said. "Go talk to him. Start out slow, and do it right this time. No secrets, no hiding."

"Sadie, I can't," Lexie said, shaking her head. She got up and left.

As Lexie walked around the hospital, she noticed people staring and laughing. She was the stupid girl who thought she had changed the infamous Mark Sloan. Turns out he hurt her just like he did everyone else.

Mark had walked around confident; he acted unfazed by everything that happened. Inside, he was hurting, he knew it was wrong, but he didn't want people to see his vulnerability.

Lexie spent her nights thinking and crying. Why though? It's not like she was with him for that long. She couldn't explain it… it just… hurt.

The embarrassment started to become too much for Lexie to handle. She decided to talk to the chief.

"I-I know I'm a resident, barely, but is there any way?"

"Dr. Grey! You are not switching hospitals!"

"But-"

"That is my final decision!" The chief said, raising his voice.

Lexie stormed out of the Chiefs office only to find Mark waiting for her. He pulled her into an on-call room before anyone could see.

"What, Mark?" She asked

"I-I've been trying to talk to you for weeks!" He said.

"Obviously not hard enough."

"Oh, come on, Lex, you've been avoiding me."

"Yeah, Mark, I have," she said, "because I'm a joke. Everyone thinks you were taking advantage of me. Were you? Now I don't even know."

"No! Lexie, no," he started. "I don't know what to do. There's no excuse for what I did, and I don't know why I did it. I know you don't trust me now, but please, give me another chance."

"Mark, I don't know."

"Please, Lex. You make me happier than anything I've ever known."

A single tear dripped down her face and she buried her head in his chest as Mark pulled her into a tight hug. Her hands were around his waist; he ran his through her hair because he remembered that's what she likes to have done to her when she's sad or hurting. They stood like that for what felt like hours. Finally, a group of interns entered the on-call room. Lexie quickly pulled away and walked out. The three interns stood, staring at Mark.

"What?" He asked.

The interns jumped and looked away. They shuffled as if they weren't paying attention. Mark rolled his eyes and walked out.

Soon enough, the rumor was out. The whole hospital was already talking about Lexie and Mark. Some people thought Mark would just use her again. Others, however, like Sadie, think they deserve another chance. These people realize how much they care for each other.

Since she isn't allowed to switch hospitals, Lexie took a week off. She had been working extra and saving vacation hours for holidays and stuff, but she really needed to get away. Lexie decided to stay at her father's house.

Mark stopped by Meredith's house one night.

"Where's Lex?" He asked.

"She's at my dad's for the week."

"Why'd she leave?"

"Oh, probably because, one, you cheated on her, two, you didn't stick up for her at the hospital, and three, you're an ass."

"Meredith, my feelings for Lexie haven't changed. I know I messed up and I have been apologizing repeatedly."

"Mark, I like you, but you hurt her. If she wants to give you another chance, she will, but I'm not going to help you." Meredith slowly shut the front door, locking Mark out.

The next week, Lexie came back refreshed and happy. Yeah, she had been cheated on but maybe it was for the best. Being with Mark would just distract her and keep her from reaching her true potential as a surgeon. Lexie was ready to work, free of distractions. Well, this is what she thought. She wouldn't know for sure unit she was forced to face Mark and the judgmental interns.

Lexie walked into the hospital with a big smile. She walked straight to the intern locker room.

"How was your week off?" Someone asked in a mocking tone.

Lexie turned to the girl, she wouldn't let this little confrontation bother her already. "Really clarifying," she said. "Thanks!" Lexie flashed a smile and left the intern lounge.

"Lexie comes back today." Mark smiled at his best friend.

"Mark, I love you, but you've got to let this go."

"What?" He said. "She's going through a hard time right now, and if I could have any part in making her happy again, that's all I want to do."

"No offense," Callie said, "but you're the last person she wants to see right now. You're the reason she's going through a hard time. Give her space. Give her time. Let her come to you."

"But-"

Mark tried to interject but Callie continued. "Give her space." Mark grunted as he sat down. "Oh by the way," Callie said, "she's already here. She wasprancing her way through the hospital." Before Callie could stop him, Mark had already jumped up and left the room.

"Hey! How are you?"

"Hi Meredith, I'm good, I-I'm great." Lexie replied.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'm totally, one hundred percent fine."

"Okay," Meredith said, skeptically.

"I'll see you later." Lexie walked away with a slight jump in her step and an unusually large smile.

"Hi Callie!" She said when she passed her in the hall.

"Um. Hi?" Callie replied, confused at Lexie's behavior.

Lexie kept walking until she found Cristina.

"Hey! Where do you want me today?" Lexie asked energetically.

"Um, go to," Cristina looked through her charts. "Um, I need you in plastics."

Lexie's smile faded only a little bit and her eyes dropped. "I'm, um, is there any way-"

Cristina didn't let Lexie finish because she knew what Lexie would say. "Ok, Lexie, I don't care what happened between you and Dr. Sloan, but, I have way too much to do in one day to spend my time switching schedules so you can avoid your boyfriend. Okay?"

After a moment, Lexie put her fake smile back on. "Oh, no, yeah that's totally fine. I'm good." After a few seconds of awkward silence, Lexie left to check the OR board to see if Mark had any surgeries. Again, with the all too familiar sound - ding - the elevator doors slid open. Lexie walked in to the crowded elevator and the doors shut. Ding, the doors slid open again and everyone left, leaving only Lexie, alone in the elevator. Right as the doors were about to close, a hand forced them open again. Mark's hand. He entered the elevator and stood next to her.

"I-I'm on your service," she said, not turning to look at him.

"I know," Mark smiled. "I asked for you."

There was a short moment of silence.

"How was your dad's?" He asked.

"It was nice."

"Lexie," his voice became serious.

"Mark, it's okay. You messed up. I forgive you."

Mark turned to look at Lexie. "So…"

"It doesn't mean I can be with you," she said, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Why?" Mark asked, taking a step closer, a slight smirk on his face.

"Be-Because, uh…" Lexie struggled for words. Mark took another step, causing Lexie to step back against the wall.

"Because?" He asked, his smirk growing larger, eyebrows raised.

"Um."

Mark grabbed the railing on each side of Lexie, trapping her between him and the wall. He stared at her until she finally looked up. Right as their eyes met, Lexie grabbed his head as he powerfully went in for a kiss. Their lips met, passionate and rough. Lexie let out a soft moan when he stepped even closer, pushing their bodies together. Mark moved down to her neck and Lexie leaned her head back, reveling in the sensation. It felt so good to finally do this again. Ding. Lexie and Mark jumped apart as the elevator doors opened again. A group of chatty surgeons entered, forcing Mark and Lexie to opposite sides of the elevator. Lexie stared at Mark, smiling. Mark turned and grinned back at her. Soon enough, they got to their floor.

"My patient is this way, Dr. Grey," Mark said, motioning out of the elevator.

Lexie chuckled. "Why thank you, Dr. Sloan."

They both chuckled down the hallway until they reached their patient's room.

"Hello Mrs. McGowan, are you ready?" Mark asked enthusiastically.

"I guess so," she replied with a laugh.

"Uh, this is Dr. Lexie Grey, and she will be assisting me in the surgery today. She's just going to take a few minutes to look over your charts." Mark looked over to Lexie and then went on to discuss Barbra's possible symptoms. "Your eye should return to normal in about a week or so. If you experience any bleeding, dryness, infection, or discoloration after a week, call me, but these symptoms are very rare."

"Um, this is very minor surgery. Why does she need an attending to perform it?" Lexie asked, lowering her voice.

Mark raised his voice when he replied. "Dr. Grey just asked why I specifically am doing this simple surgery. Would you like to tell her, Barbra?"

"I was Mark's neighbor for years when he was just a little boy." Mrs. McGowan smiled and laughed.

"Yes, and that is why I'm doing this surgery," he said to Lexie.

Lexie smiled and nodded.

"Okay, she is out," Mark said. "Now, how would you start this surgery Dr. Grey."

"Um, I'd start by making a small incision inside the lower eyelid."

"Very good, Dr. Grey. Begin."

"Um, wh-what?"

"You're going to do the procedure."

"Really?" She asked, surprised.

"I'll be here the whole time. You know what to do, so, do it."

Lexie could see Mark smiling through his scrub mask; she smiled back. Lexie grabbed the scalpel and made her incision.

"Okay, your eye will remain puffy and swollen for about a week." Mark said to Barbra, who had just woken up.

"Thank you, Mark," she said.

"Don't thank me Barbra," he said with his usual amount of charm. "Thank Lex-, uh, Dr. Grey. She was the one who performed the surgery."

"So," Barbra started. "How long have you to been dating?"

Lexie dropped her jaw and turned to Mark. "Uh-"

Looking back and forth between the two of them, Mark quickly replied. "Um, we're not really 'dating' at the moment. I think. But um, yeah…" he turned to Lexie and laughed.

"I'm going to go, um, get some eye drops, f-for your, um, eyes." Lexie quickly left the room.

"What was that?" Mark asked Mrs. McGowan.

"What? I could see the way you two were looking at each other and laughing from across the room. What happened?" She asked.

"We dated, in secret, for a while until people found out. That was kind of rough but almost everyone was okay with it."

"Okay… and?" She asked, waiting for Mark to continue.

"Well it was all great, until, I-I kind of cheated on her." Mark crinkled his nose, waiting for her to yell.

"Mark!"

"I know, I know."

"Well why doesn't she seem more upset?" She asked.

"It's been about a month and she spent last week at her Dad's. She just got back today."

"That still doesn't explain both yours and her rate of happiness."

"We made out in the elevator before we came to your room." He blurted out quickly.

"Oh Mark," she said with a laugh. "Don't you hurt that poor girl again."

"I don't plan to, Barb."

"Okay, um, here." Lexie said when she re-entered the room and handed a bottle of eye drops to Mark.

"Okay, you know how to use these, Barb. You're free to go."

"Thank you both," Mrs. McGowan said as she left the room.

Mark went and sat in one of the chairs meant for visitors in the room. Lexie sat up on the window ledge.

"So, what's next?" She asked.

Disclaimer - I used a few quotes from Grey's Anatomy and I do not take credit.

A/N - Let me know what you think! Next chapter might be a while... I'm about to get really busy. Hopefully it will be out before the 15th.