Thank you to everyone who has reviewed! It really makes my day! :D I want to thank Taylor, Lexie, and Maddy for their help with this chapter!

They were about to board and she was starting to panic. She closed her eyes and took large deep breaths.

"Grey?" Mark look perplexed.

"I'm okay." She was not okay. She felt like she was going to throw up and everything was spinning. This is what happened when she flew.

She was terrified.

She wobbled a little and almost fell into the person in front of her. He caught her by the arm.

"Lexie, are you afraid of planes?" They were making their way down the aisle.

She told herself to calm down; she didn't want anyone to stare.

"Here." He stated, and pushed her down into the seat indicating it was hers.

As requested, he got the window seat, but all of his attention was focused on her.

"I'm just a little afraid of flying," she confessed.

"Maybe we shouldn't do this." He felt her panic and it was wondering if it was residual panic of his own for accepting her trip invitation. He moved to get out of the seat.

"It's okay." She patted his arm. "That's why I needed you to bring my purse." She pulled out a bottle of pills from the purse that was clutched tightly in her grasp.

"Valium. I needed it to fly…I'm a very nervous flier, as you can tell, so I needed my purse so I could have my pills, and I'm totally freaking you out, aren't I?" She was distressed and it was making him distressed. She popped the pills into her mouth and swallowed.

"Deep breaths," he instructed and he wasn't sure if it was more for her or him.

Then the captain came on the loud speaker and announced they were cleared for takeoff.

He thought he heard her mutter 'Oh God' and he was completely baffled. He had no way to comfort her, nor did he know how. He just gave women great sex, not comfort when conquering their fears.

He saw her look of panic. Then her hand grabbed his and squeezed. She looked at him for approval, and his face soften a little.

The plane started to taxi.

He squeezed her hand back.

Whispering in her ear, he told her everything was going to be fine. God wouldn't crash the plane since Mark Sloan; double board certified surgeon was onboard.

She cracked a smile.

Takeoff was the worst.

Her throat burned with unshed tears she was dying to let out. She had already embarrassed herself enough in front of him. She didn't want to start crying now.

And just like that, it was all over, and the plane was leveling out.

She let out a little sigh, and her grip on his hand loosened.

But she didn't open her eyes.

"Thank you." It was barely above a whisper.

She didn't let go of his hand though.

He did the only logical thing, got himself a drink and enjoyed the view.

They had two layovers.

One they almost didn't make. To see Mark Sloan running through the airport was quite the sight.

He had to practically drag Lexie since she had taken that medication. He didn't realize quite how strong her fear was until that moment. At one point, he even hoisted her up into his arms since they weren't going to make it otherwise.

She was soft and warm and put her arms around his neck but he tried not to notice.

When they finally landed in Connecticut she was more alert and it was almost midnight. It had been one long day.

It was Mark who looked sleepy. They walked through the airport in silence. Lexie wasn't sure what he was thinking and she could hardly remember anything from the flights. Perhaps she had taken too much. At least she wasn't panicking all over him.

But then she remembered.

"Did you carry me?" she broke the silence.

"Forget about it," he muttered without looking at her.

She could feel the blush creep up her cheeks.

What a way to begin a friendship. Freak out on an airplane. Medicate yourself so you stop freaking out on said airplane. Have hot doctor whom you barely know carry you through the airport at a run.

Her checklist of crazy was piling up.

Yet he was still here. And being a good sport.

"Thank you."

"Like I said, forget about it."

"I have to go pick up my bag." She sighed and hoped he wasn't going to be too distant for this mini vacation. Or spur of the moment randomness as she liked to call it in her head.

"I'll go get it. You look tired, why don't you sit down." He pointed towards some chairs. He probably sounded more irritated than necessary. He was tired too so she didn't argue.

She took that opportunity to call Molly. Molly had insisted she call as soon as she got to the airport no matter what time it was, so she did.

"I'm so glad you got here, safely, Lex. Eric will be there any moment to pick you up."

"Umm..Mol..there's something I need to tell you.." Lexie trailed off. What was she supposed to call him? Her friend? Her colleague? And what was her excuse for bringing him? Maybe she should have thought this through a little more before she had acted on her impulsivity. She had acted impulsively that night at the hospital when she had asked Mark to bring her to his place. Then she asked him to come to her sister's in Connecticut with her.

But she would make the best of it, and she hoped Eric and Molly liked Mark. She knew she did.

"What's wrong, Lex?" Molly could sense some trepidation in her sister's voice.

And at that moment Mark showed up with her bag.

"I've got it, Lexie." He didn't realize she was on the phone until he got closer, so he simply handed her the bag, and took a seat.

"Who was that?" Mark could hear Molly's raised tone.

"That's Mark, Mol. He came with me. You said Eric should be here, right?"

She was trying to avoid the subject of Mark at the moment.

"Yes, but-"

Lexie cut her off.

"We will see you soon, Mol. I love you."

"Love you too." Lexie hung up.

Lexie sighed as she stared at her closed phone.

"Thank you for my bag."

"You seem to be thanking me an awful lot, Little Grey." He smirked, trying to ease her obvious tension. "It was a bad idea for me to come, wasn't it?"

She quickly went on the defensive.

"Of course not. Molly is just not used to me bringing any men with me when I visit."

She wasn't sure how that sounded.

"Good to know." Even in his sleepy state, he was still teasing her.

She had to admit, he looked adorable. His hair was mused, his eyes half lidded, and his smirk seemed to go on for days.

"So is Eric the big bad wolf I have to impress?"

"No need to impress anyone, and Eric really isn't bad. He can just be a little protective. He's a great brother -in –law, and he's not used to me bringing any men with me either."

"I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers by coming, Lexie." He was sincere.

"I know, and you didn't. It's okay. I wanted you to come," she admitted.

Silence.

"Who knew Little Grey had such a fear of flying?"

"You love to tease me, don't you?" She smiled.

"You're an easy target. You blush faster than anyone I've ever seen."

And of course she was again.

Blushing.

She put her hand to her heat cheek and looked over at him. Smirking again, shocker there.

"And you smirk more than anyone I've ever seen," she said, proud of herself.

"Touché."

They remained smiling at each other for a moment longer than they should.

"We should probably go find, Eric." She broke the silence.

"No need, I'm right here." Lexie and Mark were both startled to find Eric walking right up to them.

He eyed Mark for a moment before bending down to hug Lexie.

"It's good to see you again, little girl."

Mark mouthed 'little girl' at Lexie while she hugged Eric. She tried not to laugh.

"It's good to see you again too, Eric." Then she let go and started fidgeting her nerves suddenly overcome at their first meeting.

"Eric, this is Dr. Mark Sloan." Lexie pointed towards Mark as he stood up to greet Lexie's brother in law.

"Another doctor, huh?" Mark put his hand out to shake Eric's and it seemed as if he squeezed a little too hard on purpose.

"Yes. I'm a world class plastic surgeon and, Little Grey is my protégé." Mark smiled awfully proud of himself, plus he threw the Little Grey in there for effect.

"Hmm, I see." Eric looked back and forth between Mark and Lexie. Lexie was just downright uncomfortable with all the male testosterone in the air.

"How about we talk more, later? Mark and I are really tired from the flight." She hoped that would diffuse the situation, and get them moving. She really was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

"She's right. Let's get going." Eric reached for her bag the same time Mark did.

"Excuse me, but I can take my own bag." Lexie grabbed it from both men and headed off in front of them. She just wanted to see her sister and her niece. They could deal with their male macho-ness later.

"Lexie!" Molly exclaimed as she saw her sister for the first time in months.

"I've missed you, Molly." Lexie threw her arms around her younger sister and held on tight.

They had a relatively small house but it was quaint and cozy, just how Lexie liked it. Molly took note of just how tight Lexie had held her before entering the house. Lexie seemed oblivious to the two men who followed her though.

She was pulled out of her trance though when she heard Mark distinctively clear his throat behind her.

"Oh, geez, I'm sorry." Lexie went to stand by Mark.

"Molly, this is Mark Sloan." Molly smiled and pulled him into a hug.

He looked at Lexie for a moment totally terrified that her sister was hugging him.

Lexie's face said sorry, but it was over soon enough.

"You forgot to say Doctor." Eric piped in.

"Yes, Mark is a doctor as well." Lexie confirmed.

"And a world class plastic surgeon with, hmmm…what was it? Little Grey as your protégé?" Eric seemed to be baiting Mark, and Lexie rolled her eyes.

Before Mark had a chance to say anything Molly spoke.

"It's very nice to meet you, Dr. Sloan."

"Please call me Mark, and it's very kind of you to welcome me into your home." Lexie smiled at his manners. He could be so charming. Eric just seemed to want to bait him into looking bad in front of Molly. However, she and Molly would have a discussion soon enough about it. She could tell by the way Molly was looking at her.

"Please, come in. I know how exhausted the two of you must be." Molly led the way into the kitchen.

The kitchen was brightly lit and had an island in the middle, with a small table close by. The refrigerator was off to the left and cabinets filled the right side. It was a small, but again, quaint and cozy.

"You have a nice, home here." Mark said more in the direction of Eric but it was Molly who took the compliment.

"Thank you. Ever since Eric was discharged from the military we had trouble finding just the right home but as soon as we saw this one, we were sold." She smiled and caught her husband's eye.

Mark watched them with fascination. Rarely did he ever see happy domesticated couples, and it appeared that Lexie's sister was one of them.

"Please Mark, sit down I will get you a cup of coffee. I've had some brewing. I will just heat it up for you if you don't mind."

"No, I don't mind at all. Thank you. I appreciate it." He sat at one of the stools at the island while Lexie helped Molly with the coffee.

"We will talk later." Lexie whispered to her sister who gave her a very affectionate nod. "Mark doesn't have any bags with him since it was kind of a spur of the moment thing." Lexie acknowledged, and felt her cheeks heat up again. She really had to try and get that under control. She brought the cup of steaming coffee to Mark who mouthed 'thank you.'

"You're welcome." It was barely audible.

"Eric would be happy to give him some clothes, wouldn't you, honey?"

"Not a problem."

"Mark and I were going to go shopping tomorrow to get him some things." Lexie saw a small smile from Mark and she felt this odd flutter in her chest. He had a beautiful smile. Especially when he was sleepy.

"But first, I want to visit with Laura tomorrow." Lexie beamed at the thought. Her niece was the most beautiful little girl, and she loved her very much. She tried to get in as many moments with her as possible. She even hoped Mark might get to spend a little time with her.

"She was so excited to know Aunt Lexie was coming but she got herself so excited she fell asleep pretty quickly." Molly smiled.

"Did you get to experience first-hand, Lexie's fear of flying?" Eric asked with a smile. She hated that kind of teasing.

Mark noticed Lexie tense up.

"Fear of flying? I don't know what you mean. She did incredibly well with flying." He gave Lexie a wink; her heart did that fluttering thing again. Molly looked at both Mark and Lexie. She was hoping her big sister didn't think she wasn't catching all of these stolen glances and small smiles exchanged between her and the handsome plastic surgeon.

"How about we get settled for bed?" Molly chimed in. Lexie looked to her sister and silently thank her with her eyes for the reprieve. She desperately needed to clear her head of all this thoughts she was having. Plus she needed the sleep. She knew tomorrow would be a day of grilling. However, they wouldn't be grilling food.

AN: So I was a little nervous about this chapter. What did you think? :)