Lexie Grey had never been one to drown her sorrows in alcohol. Until now. Having a father who was a drunk always turned off the idea. Until now. Now that Mark was mad at her, she thought a few drinks couldn't hurt. Maybe they would even muster the courage in her to tell him the truth. So, she sat at some bar far away from Joe's and Seattle Grace because she honestly could not face anyone right now. She wasn't even sure she could face Mark. Lexie sighed. Somehow, she knew that Mark would have been able to comfort her right now and tell her it would be okay. He wouldn't have asked questions. His presence would have just been enough. But she managed to ruin that. Great job Lexie Grey.

Ding.

Lexie turned around automatically to see who was walking through the door. And it was a surprise indeed. She saw the tall, built figure of the man she loved and the familiar distressed leather jacket.

Mark Sloan.

What was he doing here? Was he here to see her? Their eyes met across the room. Time seemed to slow. Boom. Boom-boom. Allshe heard was the roar of her heart. But somehow above all that, she could hear his shallow breathing and the soft thumping of his steps as moved towards her.

"Lexie!" he said, "LEXIE! Are you okay?" He snapped his fingers.

The snap brought her back to reality. "Mark?" she whispered. "What are you doing here? How did you find me?"

He smiled a smile reserved only for her and sat down on the stool next to her. "I always take you here when you want to get away from SGH for a while. I figured you would be here. And…I kinda checked around at a few places…" He laughed.

Lexie was in no mood for jokes. "I thought you hated me." She said quietly while trying to find the courage to look up at him.

"Hey look at me," he said putting his finger under chin and lifting her head up. "I will never hate you. I may resent or strongly dislike, but never hate you. Look this whole thing with Marcus is your thing. I understand having a past you don't want to talk about. On the other hand, if he is manipulating you or hurting you I need you to tell me. I need you to trust me with your secrets."

"I don't want you to punch him! I am so screwed up Mark. More than you should have to deal with."

"Stop it! Just stop it!" he said slamming his hand down on the counter. "Stop acting like I am some fragile little kid who can't handle anything! I'll tell you when I am done and what I can handle not the other way around!" He turned to the bar tender. "Can I get a scotch on the rocks please?"

"I'm sorry," she said as loud as a mouse would. And suddenly she couldn't handle it anymore. She couldn't pretend to be strong anymore. Especially not in front of Mark. She burst into tears. "I am so sorry! I-I just can't do this anymore! That guy brought up a lot of things that I had locked away and never wanted to open again!"

"Shh..." he said. "It'll be okay Lex. I am here for you." And Mark did the only did he thought a good boyfriend would do. He held her. He held her while she cried what he thought could be all the water of her body. The fight was far from over, but Lexie couldn't handle it right now. And Mark wasn't sure he could either.

"I forgive you." He said stroking her face. "Now, let's go home."

Somewhere far away, the sun was shining and the birds were chirping while the butterflies fluttered away in the swishing meadows. The kids laughed and played and the parents lived perfect lives happily married to their soulmates.

But they weren't there. They were here. Mark and Lexie were perfectly happy to be here.

Yes, Mark and Lexie were meant for each other. But not in the eyes of Margret Sloan.

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