I have to say that the attention that I have gotten from this story is so overwhelming and the appreciation is huge! Thanks to all of you who have reviewed or bothered to read this story at all. You are the ones I do this for. ENJOY!

"Welcome home, honey." Mark greeted as Lexie trudged through the front door.

Work was exhausting and she had still been a little bummed over what happened with Josh. It had been a month and a half since Lexie heard from him and it killed her that her best friend didn't want her there with him during the fight of his life. If she had learned one thing about Josh over the years, it was how he was when he made up his mind about something. There was no changing it. Mark had gotten Josh an appointment with Dr. Watson, one of the best oncologists he knew. However, his hands were tied with not being able to force Josh to show up.

"Still haven't heard from him, huh?" Mark said.

"I got a text from his sister." Lexie sighed. "He is there. He is doing radiation and treatment. She said she would keep me updated."

"Where is his sister?"

"Florida." She answered. "He doesn't want me there right now and that's fine, I'm just going to be here when he decides to change his mind."

"That's my girl." He said, walking over and rubbing her neck.

"So how was your day?" Lexie asked Mark.

They were interuppted by a knock on the apartment door.

"Ignore it." Mark said.

With a laugh, Lexie got up and walked to the door, opening it to find a petite, blond woman, texting on a BlackBerry.

"Sorry, I must have the wrong apartment. I'm looking for Mark Sloan." She said.

"No. He is here. Can I tell him who it is?" Lexie offered.

"Mark!" She called, pushing past Lexie.

"Melody?" Mark responded, clearly surprised.

Lexie just stood back and watched.

"I heard you were living here now, but I honestly couldn't see it. Wow, look at you."

"Uhhh" Mark stuttered. "Lexie, this is Melody Thompson. She was my intern in New York."

"Your intern, huh?" She said, remembering when that was her title. "Hi. I'm Lexie."

"You must be the girlfriend." Melody said.

"The wife, actually." Lexie snapped.

"Ooh. This one has bite, I like her." She turned to Lexie. "I have a tendency to open my mouth and put my foot in. I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Lexie sighed with relief.

"So how has life with our boy been? I want to hear all the dish." She said, taking Lexie by the arm, heading for the bedroom and tossing her bag at Mark.

"He is pretty great. Great husband, great father." She said with a smile.

"Whoa." Melody replied, plopping on the bed. "Father? I guess things do change."

"He has done a lot of that." Lexie told her.

"So, what did it for you, Lexie, right?" Causing Lexie to nod. "Was it the smirk? It was the smirk, right?"

"Well, it didn't hurt." She answered.

Melody reached in her pocket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, gesturing to Lexie, offering her one.

"No." Lexie answered confused.

"What's with the look?" She asked her. "Just because I practice medicine doesn't mean I have to be healthy all of the time." She said, lighting up and inhaling deeply.

"So you were Mark's intern? When?" Lexie asked.

"About ten years ago." She said, exhaling. "Derek and Mark were the troublemakers and what can I say? I like trouble." She said with a smirk.

"I see." Lexie said, visibly uncomfortable.

Melody made her way off the bed and over to the dresser, looking at the photos of Haley framed on top.

"Look, Lexie. Clearly, you are uncomfortable with me being here and that's okay." She told her, lightly touching a photo. "I like you, though. You have fire. I wanna take you out for a drink."

"I don't know if-" She tried.

"Oh, come on. It's one drink with a potential friend. It's not a week in Ouahu. I promise I will get you back in one piece." She raised an eyebrow. "Live a little."

"Alright. Let's go." Lexie said, grabbing her bag.

"That's what I'm talking about." Melody said, putting out her cigarette out on the bottom of her boot.

Grabbing Lexie by the hand, Melody headed straight for the door, only stopping to pick up her bag. Mark stood in the kitchen until he saw them.

"Lexie, where are you going?" He asked.

"With Melody." She answered. "We were going to grab a drink."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Mark said, with a worried expression.

"Seriously, Grandpa." Melody snapped, holding the doorknob. "What do you think I'm gonna do to her?"

Mark sighed and pulled Melody to the side.

"Do not do this." He told her, in a warning tone.

Melody just smiled. "Do what? I'm just making a friend."

"You know damn well what I am talking about." Mark said. "I will make you sorry if you do anything to her."

"If I were you, I wouldn't be making threats right now." She whispered. "I didn't realize you had a type."

"Melody-"

"Young, naive interns. You are quite the class act, aren't you Mark Sloan?" She looked at him dead on. "Don't worry, sweetie. I'll name my price later."

"Melody-"

"So I hear everyone goes to Joe's around here." She said as she turned around, heading back to the door.

"Yeah. It's actually right across the street." Lexie said, grabbing her keys.

"Great." Melody added, following her out the door, smiling at Mark. "I love easy."

It was after midnight when Lexie came back through the front door, much to Mark's relief, she was alone and thankfully, not drunk. Mark was still sitting on the couch in the dimly lit living room, with his phone is his hand, dropping it as soon as he saw his wife.

"What are you still doing up?"

"Waiting for you." He said, walking over, embracing her in a hug.

"What is all this?" She said, pulling back. "Mark, it was just a drink."

"You're okay?" He asked her.

"Yes." She laughed at him. "What is going on?"

"Melody. She-"

"She's a riot, Mark." Lexie said. "So funny, let me tell you, I was worried about going out with her, but she seems like a really great girl."

"Yeah." Mark said, looking down.

"What?" Lexie giggled. "That didn't sound very convincing."

"Can I talk to you?"

"Sure."

Lexie walked over to the couch, Mark close behind. They both sat down and lingered in silence before Mark sighed and finally spoke.

"Melody was my intern in New York, quite a while ago." He started.

"Yeah, you guys told me that." She nodded.

"Melody and I were...involved." Mark spilled.

"Ah." She said. "And the conversation turns."

"Lexie-"

"I'm not understanding. She doesn't seem to be harboring a grudge." She told him.

"She's unstable." Mark said.

"Unstable?" She repeated. "Mark, honey, I think you just need some rest. She isn't crazy. She is just trying to get to know me a little better and catch up with you."

"Lex-"

"I promise you, she is perfectly fine." She cut him off. "Nobody likes a bitter ex, Mark."

With a pat on his thigh and a peck on the lips, Lexie headed to the bedroom. Mark was worried. Melody was getting comfortable and he figured that meant she wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. His phone chirped, causing him to pull it out of pocket and look.

Your little chippy is quite enjoyable. I wonder if she'll still gush about you when I spill the beans. What do you think, Mark? Up for a little negotiation?

-M

Mark texted back.

Why are you even here? There is nothing here for you, Melody. Stop playing games, leave my family alone and go home.

Less than a minute later, he received a response.

You know how much I enjoy playing with you. Don't worry, honey. I'm not going anywhere. I am just starting to have a little fun. -M

Mark sighed and tossed his phone on the couch. Running a hand through his hair, it was beginning to occur to him just how bad this could get.

The next morning, Mark awoke to Lexie's empty side of the bed. Still groggy, he slowly got up and checked Haley's room on the way to the kitchen. He was relieved to find his daughter, still fast asleep in her crib. He continued to the kitchen to find Melody and Lexie in the kitchen, drinking coffee and laughing.

"Good morning, sweetheart." Lexie greeted him, with a kiss.

"Hey." He responded, wrapping an arm around Lexie's waist and pulling her close.

"You guys are adorable." Melody said with a smile.

"I know." Lexie answered. "I kind of like him."

"Where's the paper?" Mark asked.

"Oh. I'll go grab it." Lexie said, putting her coffee down. "I'll be back in a minute." She went out the door, heading downstairs.

"Enough is enough, Melody."

"That's not for you to decide." She said, taking a bite of her scone.

"This is my family you are screwing with. My life." He said, angrily.

"You think you didn't screw with mine!" She fired back.

"What was I supposed to do?" Mark yelled.

"You left me, you left me for her and you think that was okay?" She said.

"Addison?" He told her. "You are still hung up on that?"

"Yeah. We'll see if you're still hung up on Lexie when I'm done with her." She threatened.

"Melody, I swear if you-"

"Got it!" Lexie said, walking back in. "What did I miss?"

"Mark was just telling me the funniest story." Melody smirked. "Lexie, what do you say, you and I take the little nugget of your to the park?"

"No." Mark threw out.

"What's wrong?" Lexie asked.

"We have plans. I'm taking Haley to Derek's to play with Zola."

"I'm sure Derek and Zola can see her another day." Lexie offered, with Melody nodding in agreement.

"I'm not cancelling. Sorry." He said, storming out to get Haley dressed.

"Oooo-kay" Lexie said. "He is just not himself lately."

"Oh, it's okay." Melody smiled. "I know exactly what you mean."