SHOUT OUTS:

LexieMcSteamy: Well I'll have to spoil it a little and say that Mark is very serious about wanting to break up with Julia and be with lexie until of course something gets in the way. But you'll get the happy ending eventually

BekaRoo: I loved lexie and Jackson as friends too, that's why I wanted to put that in. Also with the Julia and Mark thing, just be prepared for surprises lol.

BroadwayFreak5357: I cant wait for them to break up too! But it may take a little while still, just cos of something that pops up.

Hermosa06: I still hate Julia too. The break-up is inevitable of course, but not for this chapter. But don't hate me because the break up will be more satisfying when it happens I promise.

All the followers, guests, favorites and story alerts: Thanks so much for tuning into my story. It means a lot to me

Chapter 20:

Mark walked up to the door of the on-call room. He stopped for a moment, let out a breath and cracked his neck on both sides before reluctantly reached his hand forward and twisted the knob, sighing as he pushed the door in. Once he was all the wall inside the small room he spotted Julia looking very helpless as she sat curled up on the ground, sobbing her eyes out. As she noticed Mark was present she immediately stood up.

"Listen, Julia I have to tell you that…" Mark started, but he was cut off when Julia suddenly ran up and hugged him.

"No….Don't even try to apologize to me Mark," she said into his arm. Mark was both startled and shocked. His brow scrunched up as he stood still, not hugging her back. "I was the wrong one here. You had every right to react the way you did."

Julia pulled away from the hug and took in Mark's confused and angry looking face.

"That's not what I was…" Mark tried to talk again but was cut off for a second time.

"I shouldn't have acted so jealous. I know that you two are broken up but that you still care about each other. I may not be that way with my exes but who am I to judge. You were being a gentleman. And I like Lexie. I really do. I want her to get better as much as you do."

By now thoughts were swirling around in Mark's head. He tried to pay attention to her words but his brain was overworking. What'd Derek say to her? He pondered.

Just say it. Say it anyways. Tell her you want out. Do it before it's too late. Come on wimp. Let her down now. You're missing your opportunity. Do you wanna be stuck with her forever when its Lexie that you love? You almost lost her. Don't let that happen again. You won't make it if it does. A shooting and now this, how many traumatic events can one person survive? Just stop her blabbing and say it straight. Tell her you're breaking up with her. Was what was going through Mark's scattered thoughts. He tuned back into to Julia's conversation and pushed the thoughts out, waiting for the exact right opportunity to strike her with the news.

He came in when she said, "I don't want Lexie's career…And her life ruined. I'm an eye surgeon. If there's anything medically possible for me to correct Lexie's bummed vision then I want to do it for her."

That caught Mark off guard again. Why hadn't he thought of this Julia could fix Lexie's eyes…Well possibly she could. And if there was a chance at that Lexie could get her sight back. She could continue her career and life normally. And Mark wanted that more than anything. He wanted her happiness and her stability. And to operate you need sight. It was like a long chain. Sight= operating in surgery= career= stability= happiness. He had to get that back for Lex. So she wouldn't fall apart. He didn't want to see her struggle or be unhappy. And then another thing popped into his mind. Julia was in a good mood now, she was happy and apparently forgiving him….But what would happen after he broke up with her? She'd definitely not be so cheery about fixing the girl she was dumped for. If he ditched her now…Could he be risking Julia, the certified eye surgeon's, medical expertise?

Julia grabbed Mark in a big hug again. Act happy, sell it until she's finished helping Lexie. That sounds bad yes. You are using her right now but its to save Lexie's career! Don't think twice about this. It's what you have to do. It's your duty. You have to do this for Lexie. It'll just be a few weeks to a few months. You can make it that long. Just try not to get this one pregnant too. That'll screw up the plans once again. Just make your way through this. It'll all be over soon. Hope and pray that will be the case. Mark told himself. You can do this. You've done much worse. This is just a minor setback.

"As much as I hate doing this….I'm going home. You take as much time you need. I'll be waiting for you though. Just remember that. Fax me her files so I can look them over and get details on what I'm dealing with here." Julia said and she pulled back to kissed him on the cheek. Mark tried to keep a straight face even though all he wanted to do was scream at her that they were history. He held his feelings in and watched her leave. She picked up her purse off the floor and flashed him one quick smile from the doorway. Mark nodded back and forced a teensy tiny grin her way. And as soon as she was out of sight he cursed into the air and kicked a trash can over in his rage.

End of chapter twenty

Sorry to disappoint all the viewers that were expecting Julia and mark's breakup. I will offer you a spoiler alert though! The break-up will be coming in the distant future of course. And it should please you all