Quick author's note: Since this is an A/U I decided Meredith and Derek are still together and never broke up like they were in S4. It is just easier in this story to have them together. Please review.
The Ways That Count Part Three
"I feel dirty." Mark said just before taking a drink of his beer. He and Callie had decided to go to Joe's after work for a few drinks.
Callie raised an eyebrow. "Is this a new feeling for you?"
"I'm having dirty thoughts about someone."
"What else is new?" Callie asked, "Unless by someone you mean a man. Are you and Derek finally going to profess your love for each other?"
"Shut up." He snapped back.
"Why do you feel dirty then?"
"It's a woman. But she's in her twenties."
She shrugged, "So? You're only 35. So at most, what? 15 year difference. You have never stuck me as someone who was hung up on age."
"She's 24."
"So, then it's only 11 years." She took a drink from her straw.
"She has a kid." He finally gave in. "She's a single mom...And I don't think I should be thinking about her in those ways."
"Wow." The straw dropped from her mouth, back into her drink. "I was not expecting that."
He frowned, "I'm dirty."
"So who is she? She's a nurse isn't she?"
"No...She's an intern."
"An intern?" Callie rolled her eyes, "What is with you attendings and your interns Which one is it?"
"Lexie Grey."
"Wait, wait, wait...Back up for a second. Lexie Grey. As in Meredith Grey's half sister? Lexie Grey. As in your best friend's girlfriend's half sister?" She downed the rest of her drink. "How did you manage to leave that part out?"
"That is the part your fixating on?" Mark asked. "I would have thought the fact she has a kid would be the thing the catch your attention."
She shrugged, "There are lot of single mom's out there." She paused, "But there is only one best friend's girlfriend's half sister."
"Actually there are two Meredith Grey half sisters. Molly is just over a year younger then Lexie."
"Let me get this straight...You and the other Grey..."
"Lexie." Mark interrupted.
"Fine...You and Lexie had a conversation about her family?"
Mark nodded.
"Wow. This is more serious then I thought." She propped her elbow on the bar. "What kind of dirty thoughts are you having about her?"
"The things I want to do to her..." He groaned as he buried his head in hands, "The things I want her to do to me..." He looked up at Callie, "I just don't think I should be having these kind of thoughts about her. She's some kid's Mom. I've met the kid." He rubbed his temples as he sighed heavily, "I feel dirty."
~~*~~
It was quarter after nine the next morning when Lexie's doorbell rang. Before she even got to the door she knew it was. "Good morning Sweetie." She smiled down at Ava.
"Good morning Mommy. Can Becca and Corbin play?"
"If it okay with their Mom."
Renee nodded, "Of course."
The three children ran to Ava's bedroom. "Want some coffee?"
"Yes, please." Renee pushed her blonde hair behind her shoulder. "How was work?"
"Fantastic. I got in on a surgery. A tymaphanoplasty." Lexie caught Renee's blank stare as she poured her mug of coffee. She smiled, "It's a surgery to restore hearing loss." She handed Renee her mug.
"Wow, that is actually really cool." She took a small drink of the still steaming coffee. "How did you get the in?"
"Well the head of Plastics asked the interns a question, I got it right, so I got to help him preform the surgery."
She raised an eyebrow, "Him?"
"Dr. Mark Sloan."
"I delivered Corbin at Seattle Grace...I may have been in labor, but I noticed some of the male doctors...Are really attractive." She paused,. "Is he one of them?"
"We call him McSteamy. What do you think?"
"So...?"
"So what? He's my attending."
"So?"
"He's my half sister's boyfriend's best friend."
Renee rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Lexie. Who cares? Do you like him?"
Lexie looked down staring at her coffee mug. She shrugged, not answering her friend's question.
Renee grinned, "You do like him, don't you?"
She sighed, "Even if I did, it doesn't matter. He's my boss. And he has this..." She paused, "Reputation. And if even if I did like him, why on Earth would he ever want me?"
"Hey!" She snapped. "Don't you dare sell yourself short. There are plenty of reasons why he would like you. One, you are hot. Two, you're smart. Three, you are funny. And if he does have a 'reputation' maybe you should take advantage." Her voice lowered slightly. "I mean when is the last time you had sex?"
"It's been awhile." Lexie admitted, fidgeting with her coffee mug.
"How long is awhile?"
"A year and a half."
Renee's jaw dropped. "Oh God. That last time you had sex is with Bobby isn't it?"
Lexie physically flinched at the mention of the name. "Look, I don't bring men in Ava's life that I know are just going to leave. She does not deserve that. Ava and I, we are a packaged deal. And I haven't been able to find a guy who accepts that. So yeah, the last guy I had sex is with was Bobby." She sighed, "And I just don't think I am ready okay?"
"Wow...Bobby really did a number on you, huh?"
"He broke my heart." She whispered, "More then once." She shook her head, "I never thought I would be one of those girls to make the same mistakes over and over again in their love life. But Bobby...He's just too damn charming. And he would fuck up, and I would take him back." She exhaled, "I just can't go through that again. You know, feeling like I can fall in love and won't get hurt. And then there is Ava. She's at the age that she might get attached to a man I bring home. And if he leaves it is not just my heart that will be broken." She was nearly in tears.
"Look, I understand it's scary. And I know how lucky I am to have Mike...But if you never try...How is that any better?"
Lexie said nothing.
"I think you need to try."
The door bell rung again, "Saved by the bell." Renee followed Lexie to the front door as she opened it. "Hey Mike." Lexie greeted.
"Hey Lex." Mike grinned. He looked past her. "I thought my wife and kids might be here."
Lexie took a step back. "Come on in and have some coffee with us."
"I'm trying to convince Lexie she needs to start dating." Renee told Mike as they walked into the kitchen.
Lexie grabbed another mug, "Can we please stop talking about this?"
"No." Renee and Mike said at the same time.
Lexie poured Mike's coffee. "It's been a year and half since Lexie has had sex."
Mike's eyes widened, "A year and a half?" He repeated.
"And there is some hot doctor at the hospital that she got to assist during surgery. She likes him." Renee grinned as she took a drink of her coffee.
"Really?" Mike turned to Lexie, "Come on Lexie, spill."
"What? There is nothing to say. We performed a surgery together. And then we had lunch. That's it!"
"Wait. You did not tell me you ate lunch together." Renee nudged her husband, "She likes him. I can tell."
"Agh." Lexie groaned, "You two are such pains in my ass."
"What?" Mike acted as if he was wounded, "All Renee and I want to do is get you laid. You are way past due for a good lay."
"I really think all you really need is a good lay." Renee added.
She sighed, "You guys suck."
TBC...?