Chapter 6

SCENE: LEXIE'S APARTMENT LATER THAT NIGHT

(Lexie and Mark walk in. Mark has a sleeping Aiden in his arms.)

Lexie: (Whispering) He's knocked out.

Mark: (Whispering) Yeah, I guess he's not used to so much excitement in one day.

Lexie: (Whispering) Yeah, do you want me to take him?

Mark: (Whispering) No, I've got this.

(Lexie follows him to Aiden's nursery where she sees Mark lay Aiden in his crib.)

Mark: (Whispering) Goodnight buddy, I love you.

(Mark leans over and kisses his head. He backs out of the nursery and shuts the door gently and faces Lexie.)

Lexie: You're so great with him. Really, really great. In the last month I didn't know what to expect but really you've exceeded my expectations.

Mark: I'm glad, I honestly was scared I would screw it all up like I always do. But, it's easy being a Dad for me, it helps that I have a pretty great kid.

Lexie: Yeah. (After an awkward silence) Um, would you like to stay for dinner? I was just going to order in. I'm dead tired.

Mark: Are you sure you want company then?

Lexie: Yeah. It would be nice.

Mark: Okay, uh, pizza?

Lexie: Sounds good.

A LITTLE WHILE LATER

(Mark and Lexie have just finished their dinner.)

Lexie: Well, (She picks up the box) No matter how bad pizza can be for you at least it's an easy clean-up.

(Mark laughs)

Mark: Yeah. I'm not usually one for meals that require a lot of dishes.

Lexie: Well being a brilliant plastic surgeon must keep you pretty busy.

Mark: Brilliant really?

Lexie: Oh boy, I just made your ego even bigger didn't I?

(They laugh)

Lexie: No, it's just, I've watched a few of your surgeries from the gallery and, you're very talented.

Mark: Well thank you, I don't get that a lot.

Lexie: Really?

Mark: Well, I know I'm a good surgeon but most people are more aware of Derek Shepherd the great neurosurgeon.

Lexie: Ah, do I sense a little hostility?

Mark: No, just, Derek's like a brother to me so I guess we've always been competitive. Sounds stupid I know.

Lexie: No, I get it, My sister Molly and I were always in competitions. Silly stuff like who could eat their dinner faster without choking, or who our parents loved more, or who could brush their teeth faster. I guess that's the way it is with all siblings.

Mark: Yeah.

Lexie: Um, thank you, uh, for staying and hanging out with me. After Aiden goes to bed it gets a little lonely around here. Man I sound like a charity case right now don't I?

Mark: No, you don't.

Lexie: It's just—It's been hard because whenever I was lonely, sad, scared or confused I could always just pick up the phone and call my Mom. I've even gone to do that a couple of times because this is one of the scariest times of my life. I'm in this new stage of my life and being an intern is so scary and I feel so alone. (She starts to cry.) M-my Dad has fallen so far off the wagon that he can barely see straight and Molly has her own child to think about. And everyone at the hospital hates me because I'm the little sister Meredith Grey never wanted. I just— If I didn't have Aiden I would never want to get out of bed in the morning. He is the only reason I can bare it all. (She continues crying.)

Mark: Hey.

(He walks over to her and takes her in his arms. She wraps her arms around him and continues to cry with her head on his chest.)

Mark: You're not alone. If you have a bad day you can always just think of Aiden, I bet that makes you smile, it sure does to me. Well, I usually do it more in private because I think if I walked around all day smiling people would get a little freaked out.

(Lexie laughs)

Mark: And you know what, if you need me you can always call, I'm not just here for Aiden I'm here for you too. You don't know how much it means to me that you gave me a child and I want to show you my appreciation of that everyday for the rest of my life.

(Lexie smiles and pulls her head up. Mark cups her face and wipes her tears away with his thumbs.)

Lexie: Thank you.

Mark: You're welcome.

(They stare at each other for a few minutes and their faces are gradually getting closer.)

Mark: (Whispering) Maybe I should go.

Lexie: Mm hm.

(They don't make a move to get away and they kiss.)

A/N: I know it was kind of a sad chapter but I had to make way for a kiss. Sorry if it was a little corny. Hope you like it!