Disclaimer: I do not own Grey's Anatomy or any of its characters or ideas. That is pure genius from Shonda Rhimes and ABC Studios.

Chapter 9

Meredith's house had become a shelter of sorts. Everyone ran around getting ready for work, just like they always did. Lexie ended up sleeping over after what she told Mark was "sisterly bonding", but was actually a way for her to get away from Mark's constant watchful eye. She needed a small vacation from him and she knew, on some level, so did he. If these pregnancy hormones were driving her crazy, she could only imagine what they were doing to him. Meredith was pouring herself a cup of coffee while Lexie sat at the dining room table.

"This is not working for me." Lexie said, exasperated.

"What now?"Meredith asked, clearly annoyed.

Lexie sighed. "Mer...I can't tie my shoes."

Meredith giggled. "Seriously? Lexie, you are something else." she said as she made her way around to tie Lexie's shoes.

"Please don't laugh at me. The other day Mark practically had a field day over the fact that I put on two completely different shoes all because I can't see past this." she said gesturing to her growing child.

"Tell me he took a picture."

"Mer." Lexie whined.

"Okay. I'm sorry. Look on the bright side. You are in your sixth month. This is the home stretch. You can do this, and when you do it will be totally worth it. You'll see." Meredith reassured her.

"I know." Lexie said. "But it seems like the further I get, the worse it becomes. The heartburn, the sore breasts, the nausea, constant need to pee."

"Okay." Meredith cut her sister off. "Enough with the joys of motherhood."

"Trust me, I'm not feeling the joy."

Meredith, Lexie, April, Alex, and Jackson made their way to the hospital together just as they had so many times before. As they walked through the front doors, Lexie saw Mark walking toward her.

"Hey, you." he greeted her, as he walked with her.

"Hey." Lexie replied, yawning.

"Was that a yawn?" Mark teased. "Come on, Grey."

"Oh, shut it." she replied. "I tried to get as much sleep as I could, but this little one decided that she wasn't tired. She kicked and moved all...night...long."

"Babe, I'm sorry." he said, as they entered the doctor's lounge.

"It's a little late for sorry, mister." she smiled, "I'm gonna grab a cup of coffee."

"Ah, ah, ah." Mark grabbed her wrist. "I don't think so. We can get you a nice cup of herbal tea. Come on."

"Mark, this is not an herbal tea morning, okay? I need coffee. You can't just cut me off. One cup will not hurt either of us." She said as she poured her coffee.

"Lexie." Mark said, warning.

Lexie hesitated.

"Damn it." she said, slamming the coffee on the counter. "I hate you."

"You love me." he replied.

"Not right at this moment I don't." She said making her way out of the lounge.

After changing into her scrubs, Lexie made her way to Dr. Bailey for her assignment.

"Dr. Bailey, how are you this morning?"

"How am I?" she answered. "I have idiots for residents, Grey, idiots. It is taking all the strength the good lord gave me not to strangle the life out of them."

"I'm sorry?" Lexie said, unsure of what the correct response was.

"Do me a favor and just stay on pre and post-ops with the other Grey. You two are the only ones I can count on to not screw it up." Bailey told her.

"Yes ma'am." she replied.

Four hours and countless patients later, Lexie and Meredith made their way to the cafeteria for lunch.

"I can't believe Mr. Carter just coded like that?" Lexie said, as they walked.

"It's okay, Lexie. We got him back. It will be fine. Don't worry." Meredith said.

"I know. Sorry." she said, as she went straight for the coffee and began puring herself a cup.

"Um, Lexie, are you sure you should be doing that?" she said, gesturing to the coffee in her hand.

"Why, Mer? It's not like it is going to hurt anything?" Lexie argued.

"Well, Mark said-" Meredith started.

"Mark said what?" Lexie countered. "It is one cup and it's not like Mark is ever gonna find out as long as you don't rat me out."

"I'm not saying a word." Meredith promised, slightly afraid to argue with her sister any longer.

The pair paid and made their way to a table where Cristina and Alex were already sitting.

"It's ridiculous. The whole thing is ridiculous." Cristina said.

"What is?" Meredith asked.

"Teddy." Cristina explained. "She refuses to teach me because, she says I'm not willing to listen. I listen."

Alex scoffed.

"What are you laughing at, Evil Spawn?" she asked.

Lexie's eyes widened as she sipped at her coffee.

"You don't listen to anyone. You're in love with the sound of your own voice."Alex said.

"Oh really?" Cristina argued. "Seriously?"

"Okay, guys. Stop it." Meredith interrupted. "Both of you, just stop."

Lexie's pager went off.

"Ugh!" Lexie groaned. "I gotta run."

"Be careful." Meredith yelled after her.

Lexie made her way down the hall to find Dr. Bailey when Mark appeared in front of her.

"Hey there, gorgeous." he said, kissing her on the cheek.

"Hey" Lexie replied, trying to move past him.

"What's wrong?" Mark asked.

"Nothing. I just got a page." she answered.

"What are you drinking?" Mark asked, suspicious.

"Tea."

"Mm-hm. Then you won't mind if I-" Mark sniffed the cup in her hand as Lexie cringed. "Alexandra Grey."

"I'm sorry, okay? But you wouldn't let me have it and I needed it, Mark." She tried.

"You did not need it. Hand it over." he said, sternly.

"Fine." she said, surrendering her beverage. "I am so sick of this. Are you happy now, you coffee Nazi?"

"I love you, too." he said, as she walked away.

Later that night, Lexie tiredly made her way down the hall to her apartment. She unlocked and opened the door to find Mark sitting on the couch watching the Seahawks game.

"Hey, honey." he said.

"Hi." she replied. "Look. I'm sorry about earlier. I was just frustrated and I wanted caffiene and I took it out on you, I'm sorry."

"I understand. I just want everything to ge perfect. I don't want to risk anything when it comes to this little girl, and seeing you with the coffee, it just freaked me out a little." Mark explained.

"So we were both wrong?" she asked.

"In a way, I guess. I still think you should stick with the herbal tea and the prenatal smoothies that we have. It would make me feel better." he told her.

"Um, no. The smoothies taste like ass, but I will drink the herbal tea if it will make you happy." she promised.

"Thank you." Mark said.

"Anything for this little one." Lexie said. "Oh, speaking of, I thought of a name today and I think I would run it past you."

"Okay. Go for it." Mark said.

"How do you feel about Haley?" she said. "Haley Grace Sloan? I think it works."

Mark paused. "I think it's perfect." he smiled. "I love it."

"Great." she said. "I can't wait to meet her. I wonder if she will have your eyes."

"If she knows what's good for her, she will look just like her mom." Mark said.

"You are too much sometimes." Lexie said, kissing him.

"Ready for bed?" he asked her with his trademark smirk.

"Always." Lexie said, laughing.

It was the first time they had sex in a while and evrything about it was beautiful. Lexie hadn't realized how much she missed him, how much he missed her. She fell asleep extremely happy that night with Mark's arms wrapped around her waist. A few hours later, Lexie got up to make her middle of the night trip to the bathroom, something that had become all too frequent. She was washing her hands when she felt suddenly light-headed. She splashed some cold water on her face and took a couple steps before collapsing to the ground, unconcious. Mark heard a small crash and slowly made his way out of bed and to the bathroom door.

"Lex." he called as he knocked. "Lex, is everything okay?"

She didn't answer.

"Lexie." he tried again.

Nothing.

Mark opened the door.

"Oh, my god, Lexie."

Sorry for the slight cliffhanger, but I figure you gotta go big or go home. As always reviews are always greatly appreciated and I will try my best to update soon. Peace & Love guys.

xoxoxoxo