I hope that you all are still enjoying this story. I don't want it to become stiff and boring so I am trying my best to keep this story fresh and interesting. I know Lexie going back to Mark again happened quickly, but my reasoning was that Lexie loves him so much and he makes her so happy that she almost isn't afraid to go back because that happiness that she feels, even for a little while, is worth it. Better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all. Be advised though, that just because she has agreed to come home, doesn't mean they are through the rough patch.

ENJOY!

Disclaimer: I wish I may, I wish I might but nothing belongs to me. Sad face.

Lexie couldn't believe that she was waking up next to Mark, she was glad to have him back and she couldn't help but be happy with him. Yet, still she couldn't help but have her doubts. Mark had hurt her plenty. First Addison, and now this. Anyone who knew any better would call this a pattern. Clearly, didn't know any better. Last night was incredible. They spent the entire night talking and just being together. No sex, which she was relieved about. She looked beside her, noticing Mark was still sound asleep with his arm over her waist. Not wanting to wake him up, she slowly tried to sit up. Mark tightened his grip and made an awkward groan before drifting back to sleep. She waited a few seconds then tried again. This time, she slowly slid out from under his arm, instead of sitting up. One foot on the floor, then two, almost home free, then Lexie crashed to the floor with a thud. She cringed hoping to get up and find Mark still snoring like a buzzsaw. She slowly stood up and tiptoed to the door when Mark's voice stopped her.

"Where are you going?"

Lexie jumped. "Oh, um, I just have some stuff I have to do and I borrowed Meredith's car so I have to get it back to her and um, I, well the um, I-"

Mark looked at her like she had two heads.

"I'll see you later, okay?" Lexie said, turning around.

"When will you be home tonight?" He asked.

"Well, I'll be at the hospital pretty late so I should just crash at Meredith's so I don't bother you." She said.

"What?" Mark said, blatantly lost.

"It's fine." She told him. "Don't worry."

"Lexie-"

"I'm late." She said practically dashing out of the apartment.

Mark laid back down completely confused. He had no clue what had just happened. Meanwhile, Lexie quietly walked in the front door of the home she shared with her sister. She tried to be as silent as possible so she wouldn't wake anyone. Making her way upstairs, she cringed as each stair creaked under her weight. When she finally reached the landing she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"Where have you been?" Meredith asked, more like a prison warden.

"You knew I was going to go talk to Mark."

"Yes, I knew you going to go talk to him. I didn't know you were going to spend all night playing naked twister. I mean, Lexie, seriously?" Meredith continued. "I know you love him but this is a little fast, even for you."

"Mer." Lexie tried.

"Now he is going to think he can screw you over whenever he wants because you'll still sleep with him. Damn it, Lexie. What the hell is wrong with you?" Meredith finished.

"I didn't have sex with him." Lexie told her as she gave her a conspicuous look. "Really. We just talked."

"Just talked?" Meredith double-checked.

"Just talked." Lexie said. "I'm going to go get dressed. I'm late."

"Hurry up and Derek will drive you." Meredith yelled after her.

Lexie spent all day on scut, thanks to Cristina who noticed that she had not exactly been on her A game. Therefore Lexie spent her days, refilling supply closets and organizing medical supplies. She daydreamed of the day when she wouldn't have to deal with this. She was neatly stacking IVs and suture kits when Callie walked in.

"Oh, hey Little Grey."

"Dr. Torres." Lexie answered, happily.

"What's with the formality?" She asked.

"Just a joke. So how's it going?" Lexie asked, politely.

"Can't complain." The pair sat in awkward silence for what felt like hours before Callie responded again. "I'm sorry about Mark, the whole thing is just extremely stupid and if you ask me, he needs to man up and just prove himself."

"Callie, Mark and I are fine. I talked to him last night." Lexie said.

"Oh, I wonder why he didn't say anything. He was still moping we when we got coffee this morning." Callie said, pulling out her phone and typing furiously.

Lexie shrugged her shoulders and continued with her neat piles.

"Oh, did you see any cast padding?" Callie asked, as Lexie handed it to her over her shoulder. "You are an angel. Thanks." She said running back out to the hall.

It was the end of Lexie's shift, and she kept finding little things to keep her busy. She alphabetized all of Derek's charts, rewrote Alex's post-op notes so they were actually legible, and even helped the chief fine tune his speech for his presentation at Seattle Presbyterian. She walked over to Dr. Altman who was scribbling something down on a chart and looking at her watch.

"Do you need anything else?"

"Grey, you're still here?" Teddy asked, confused.

"Yeah, I just wanted to help out, you know? Be here, in case anyone needed anything." Lexie told her.

"No, it's fine." Teddy waved at her. "Go home. Get some sleep. You earned it."

"Are you sure? Because I can-"

"Goodnight, Grey." Teddy spoke, walking away.

As Lexie walked up the porch steps, her phone chirped for what seemed like the millionth time that day. She already knew who it was, but looked at it anyway.

Mark.

She sighed and opened the front door. She took her coat off and hung on the rack beside the door, before walking into the living room where Meredith and Derek were enjoying a bottle of wine while sprawled on the couch.

"Hey, I'm home."

"Hey." Derek said, laughing at something Meredith had said.

"Hey, girly." Meredith said, obviously feeling the buzz.

"Hi. Where's Haley?" Lexie said, trying not to giggle at Meredith's borderline ridiculous behavior.

"She fell asleep so I put her in her crib. Here you go." Derek said, tossing her the baby monitor. "She hasn't made a peep. Good baby, that one."

"The best." Lexie answered. "Goodnight, you guys." She said, walking upstairs.

"Good night." The couple said in unison.

Lexie closed the attic door quietly, and walked into the dark room. She turned the baby monitor off and set it on the table by the door. She kicked her shoes off and fell onto the bed. She sighed and rolled over, almost screaming when she saw a figure sitting in the rocking chair, holding her baby.

"It's just me." Mark said.

"What are you doing here?" Lexie said, her voice a mixture of anger and annoyance.

"I missed you guys." He said, getting up and placing Haley in her bed. "Plus I wanted to ask you why you wanted to stay here and not come back home."

"I want to come back home." She told him. "It was just easier with my schedule to stay here so no one was imposed on."

"You haven't forgiven me." Mark simply stated.

Lexie scoffed. "Don't be stupid. I forgave you last night."

"No you didn't." Mark looked down, awkwardly. "You still haven't."

"Mark." She said. "What do you want me to do?"

"Come here." He said, holding his hand out.

Lexie got up and hesitantly took his hand as he led her over to where their daughter was resting. He guided her hand down to the baby and placed it on the little girl's chest, right over where her heart was located.

"You feel that?" He asked her.

Lexie nodded.

"That is proof that we can make something beautiful together." Mark said. "You and me. We can make something good. She is proof of that."

Lexie stood in complete silence, focusing on the rise and fall of Haley's chest as she slept peacefully.

"All I'm asking is for you to give me that chance again." He said.

"I'm trying." Lexie said. "I already told you, Mark. I'm scared."

"So am I. I'm terrified." He said, grabbing her hands and holding them in his own. "I know we can do this. Together, we can do this. Just take my hand and we can close our eyes and jump…together."

Lexie looked up, not able to form words, she just nodded. Mark took her into a huge hug and closed his eyes as he took in her smell and her presence in his arms. As they both let go, Mark rubbed Lexie's arms trying to make her feel more at ease. Lexie looked around the room, before her eyes landed back on Mark, causing her to force a smile.

"I think I'm going to go." Mark said, walking away as Lexie just stood and watched. Mark opened the door and looked back at her for a couple seconds before proceeding.

"Mark." Lexie stopped him. "You want to just sleep here?"

"Are you sure?" He asked her.

"Yeah. It'll be just like the good times, only with a baby." She said, pointing to the crib in the corner of the attic.

"It'll be great times." Mark said kissing her before they both settled into Lexie uncomfortable bed. Lexie knew was taking a risk, but she figured if you don't take the risk for love, then what do you take it for. All she could do was take a leap of faith and hope against hope that Mark would be there to catch her.

I hope this chapter measured up. I found it a little more difficult to write and I have no idea why. There was less Haley in this chapter but don't worry there will be plenty of her to come. Until next time, read and review. Peace & Love xoxo