Chapter 9: I am here for you, no matter what Little Grey.

Mark went back to Lexie's bedside, sat back down in his seat and smiled at her and pushed his hand through her hair. She gave a half grin but she looked tired…And so weak. And her skin was still a waxy grey instead of her usually rosy pink. She looked like someone who was going to die. Mark had seen enough of terminal patient's to know what that looked like. The bags under her eyes were even worse than his.

Mark tried to find the words to say. He had so many firing through his mind that he couldn't chose the right ones but he made the weakest decision and said as his voice cracked from the strain it took for him just the simple word, "Hey,"

"Hi," She said back, crying and fighting her tears as she closed her eyes.

They both cried together. For a few seconds they didn't say anything; they just held hands and let their emotions flow. Then Mark pulled himself together, sniffled, and blinked his eyes repeatedly to shake out the collection of tears that was blurring his vision. "I was so scared."

"Me too," Lexe said, looking at him even though she technically couldn't see him. She could tell where he was though from his voice. The voice she loved so much. The voice that made her heart melt inside of her chest. The voice that made her knees weak and wobbly. It made everything else in her mind float away and the only thing that was left behind was thoughts of Mark Sloan. All she needed right now was him. Him to be there. Him to talk her through this. That was all she needed to be convinced that she was going to be alright. They were quiet for a while. Mark continued to squeeze her hand tight. He wanted to say the words. He wished he'd just stop being a coward. Just say it, Mark. He told himself. But he was scared. What if it changed things between them? Right now he wanted to support her without the drama. If he told her could it complicate things? Why was he even thinking about this? None of that mattered. Just tell her. But as Mark was pondering the deep corners of his mind Lexie snuck up on him.

"Mark." She said his name.

He snapped out of his dreamlike state of consciousness and responded with a reflexive, "What?"

"I love you," She said so abruptly that the words almost shocked her. She gasped a little and then bit her lips and closed her eyes tight. Mark was speechless for a moment. She'd literally taken the words out of his mouth. Those three little words with such a big meaning behind them.

"I love you too," Mark answered leaning forward closer to her and saying his words slowly to add feeling.

"You don't have to… You don't… have…. to say it just because I…said it." Lexie shook her head. "I'm sorry I just…I had to tell you."

"No, I do. I love you." Mark cut in half way through her sentence, "I have always loved you. And I will always love you. I thought I was gonna lose you Lexie. I can't bear that thought."

"No," She then proceeded to intrude his sentence as she shook her head no. "I'm not…I' not going anywhere…Yet." She smiled at him. Mark put one hand on her neck and the other on the side of her face lovingly. Lexie closed her eyes and put her hand over his. "Good, that's good," mark said quietly, smiling back at her.

"I had all the words Lexie. I had it all when you were asleep and now it just all flew over my head. I sat by your side the whole time though. I didn't move from this seat. And I'm not gonna go anywhere until you're out of this hospital bed. I am here for you no matter what Little Grey. You hear me?"

And with that they were back to tearing up. Mark lunged forward and hugged her again. Lexie rested her head on his shoulder, letting her tears stain his shirt.

Bailey and Derek stood in the background, trying desperately to keep calm and stay normal. They stood still and didn't move but Bailey could barely contain herself. She tried so hard not to cry but she couldn't resist. It was all just too heartfelt, too emotional. She couldn't anymore. She let herself cry, trying not to blubber at least but the hot wet tears still ran down her cheeks. She looked up at the ceiling and bounced on her toes to keep in check. Even Derek was having a hard time staying blank in his facial expressions. His lip quivered as he attempted to push away the tears that were coming up so he looked away. His best friend…And his littler half-sister were in so much pain. It hurt him to listen to this. All those pent up emotions finally coming out between them. It was too much for anyone to endure. And right now at that moment he realized that Lexie Grey's life was practically in his hands... If she had further issues than what was apparent to the naked eye, it would be up to him to save her. It was up to him….He was in for a very long day. He was in for a very long week.

(Pretty please leave all of your comments. I'm a little stuck on a few ideas for the next chapters and maybe if you leave your thoughts I'd be able to sort them out)

I'm debating what I should do about Jackson. I don't really want to add him much but I probably should put him in a little. I'm not sure what should happen with Mer and Lex but I'm definitely gonna put a ton of Grey Sister scenes in and as for thatcher, I know for sure he's getting what's coming for him. I don't have everything planned out for him but I think that he's definitely gonna get some hard core cold shoulder and angst from Lexie. I believe you will all be extremely satisfied by the Slexie scenes that are in the next chapters. (But I'm not saying that they're going to get back together right away.) And I think there will be some more heartfelt moments with Derek and Bailey and Callie and maybe even the Chief. I hope to include all the characters to show just how upset they will be over their little grey being hurt.