Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for a crazy mind.

A/N: Thank you so much for the response, I'm thrilled that people enjoyed the last chapter and this story as a whole. It really makes my day. I'm sorry this is a bit short, and so was the conversation with Mark and Lexie but hang in there! Let me know what you think (:

They hadn't spoken to each other during the drive to the Archfield. The silence had been filled by the soft talking radio host and the mellow beats of songs neither of them knew. It wasn't clear to either of them why they hadn't spoken, but it had been an assumed agreement. Now, in the parking lot of the Archfield, Lexie turned off the engine and stared at the entrance of the building.

Silence surrounding them, encasing and trapping, and Lexie nervously fiddled with the steering wheel. Should she say goodbye? Should she offer him a ride to the hospital? No, that would be too obvious. They weren't meant to be seen together at the hospital, not unless it was under an intern-attending basis. Lexie sighed, when she woke up she knew what was going on – Mark Sloan cared about her. Now, all her certainty had blown up in her face.

Before she could speak, it was Mark's low voice that cut into the silence.

"Thanks."

One word, one syllable, but the weight behind it made Lexie's heart twist. The sincerity underneath the rough voice was clear to Lexie and it made her want to reach over and hold his hand. "You're welcome," she whispered, her eyes focused on the double glass doors in the distance. She refused to look at him; it would just make him leaving harder. "I'll see you at work."

Mark turned to look at her and although he felt the regret surge through his veins, he showed no emotion when he spoke next. "Yeah. I'll see you then."

The sound of his sigh and the slamming of the door brought tears to Lexie's eyes. Slowly releasing the breath she had been holding, Lexie attempted to calm herself. Her eyes closed and the darkness it brought was welcomed. Her mind racing, the thoughts attacking her, Lexie didn't understand what to do. First he had showed signs, clear signs, that he wanted her, he liked her. It was more than just a platonic relationship; she knew that. She could feel it every time he looked at her, his blue eyes burning her soul. But then he had chosen to revert back to a strictly professional manner. He was going to ignore her, brush her to the side, as if she was any other woman at the hospital.

Lexie sniffed and opened her eyes, her vision slowly adjusting. He wasn't worth her tears. If he wanted to remain professional then that was exactly what she would do. Turning the key in the ignition, Lexie swiped at her eyes and began to reverse out of the parking spot. She would go to the hospital and do as Dr. Sloan wished.

Walking down the hall, Lexie frowned when she saw Sadie leaving the intern locker room. Their shift was about to start in twenty minutes and Sadie wasn't dressed in her scrubs like Lexie was. Plus, she was holding a large brown box in her arms.

"Sadie," Lexie called, causing the blond to turn around.

Sadie smiled slightly at Lexie and stopped, waiting for her to catch up. When in front of her, Lexie noted the haggard look on Sadie's face. "What's up?" She asked quietly.

Sadie attempted a small smile and gave a half-shrug. "I'm moving on."

"Moving on?" Lexie's raised an eyebrow and felt a sudden panic hit her. "W-What do you mean? W-why, why would you want to leave the program? Is something wrong? Did something happen because if it did I'm sure the Chief will–"

"Lex," Sadie said softly, cutting off her friend's nervous rant. "I'm not cut out for this. I quit."

Lexie's eyes widened and she opened her mouth a few times, trying to formulate the words, but nothing came out. Frowning, the feeling of panic was now flowing through her and Lexie felt the worry well up inside her. Sadie was her friend, her only good friend, without her…

"You can't. You can't quit…" Her voice trailed off before she spoke again, her voice more determined. "I'll help you. If you're falling b-behind, I'll help you. I don't think we can start the crazy basement group again, because they would kill us all for certain, but…but if you–"

Sadie sighed and dropped the box to the floor. When she straightened and saw the upset in Lexie's eyes she felt tears prick her eyes. "I'm not meant to be here. The Chief…He's given me enough chances." She tried to smile and reached out to lightly nudge Lexie in the arm. "You'll be fine around here without me. You're good, Lexie. You'll do fine."

"I-I can't."

"Lexie…" Sadie sighed and ran her hand through her hair. "I'm glad I came here. I'm glad I met you. But, this place…I'd rather leave now than be accused of cheating. I might not be cut out for this, but I can do other things. I'll be fine."

Was she trying to convince Lexie, or herself?

Sadie shook her head and sighed. She looked around the hallway one more time, the feeling of emptiness settling in her stomach. She would miss this place. Although she had bluffed her way through the program and although she knew she was a danger to everyone, it didn't stop the sadness. It didn't stop the fact she would miss the people.

She looked back at Lexie and felt sorry for her. It was true, without her, Lexie really didn't have anyone. Once, Sadie had privately spoken to Meredith, asking her if she could include Lexie into more of her out of work time. It hadn't been successful.

"Wh-Where will you go?"

Lexie's soft voice broke Sadie out of her thoughts. She shrugged and bent down to pick up her box. "I haven't thought ahead that far. Maybe New York…Milan…Berlin…London." She smiled at Lexie and suddenly dropped the box, the loud thud making Lexie jump slightly. Before she knew what was happening, Sadie had grabbed her and embraced her. Squeezing Lexie close to her, Sadie closed her eyes and took deep breaths. "I'm gonna miss you, Lexie."

Slowly, Lexie wrapped her arms around Sadie and hugged her back. She didn't think Sadie would ever understand how much she would miss her. "I'm gonna miss you, too."

They stayed like that, hugging in the middle of the hallway, before Sadie slowly let go. She smoothed down her clothes and grinned at Lexie's embarrassed smile. Picking up her box again, Sadie shoved it under her arm. "If you need anything, Lexie, you call me. Even if it just to bitch about Cristina."

Lexie smiled, "I will."

Sadie laughed, "You know. That's one thing I'm not gonna miss. Sucking up to that cow."

Lexie groaned slightly. "Please, don't remind me. I have rounds with her soon."

"Ah, rounds," Sadie said thoughtfully. She paused and then shook her head. "Nope. Not gonna miss that, either."

Lexie smiled and glanced at her watch. "I really should go."

"Me too."

The pair stared at each other for a moment, not willing to walk past each other, before Sadie let out a dramatic sigh. "Why are we making this so hard? I'll call you, you'll call me. I want to know everything that happens." Sadie smirked slightly, "Especially when it comes to you and a certain doctor."

Lexie's eyes widened. "Wh-What?"

"Oh come on, Lex!" She leaned in slightly and whispered, "Sloan."

Immediately a blush hit Lexie's cheeks and she nervously looked to the side. She hadn't had a chance to tell Sadie, but she had planned to explain everything to her today. Well, not everything. Lexie frowned slightly. Maybe, if she was honest with herself, she would have ended up telling Sadie about…about Thatcher too. She was a good friend, she trusted her, and now that Mark wouldn't talk to her in the hospital, if she needed to talk, she could have talked to Sadie. Why hadn't she told her sooner?

Noticing the distraught look on her friend's face, Sadie lightly reached out and brushed Lexie's arm. "Hey, what's wrong? Is it Sloan?" She let out a little gasp, her voice getting more urgent – excited. "Did something happen?"

Lexie opened her mouth to speak when she saw Graciella and Ryan rushing down the hallway towards them. "Rounds!" Lexie squeaked and looked at Sadie with an apologetic look. When the other interns scurried past them, Lexie looked at them and then turned to face Sadie. "I really have to go. But, but…I'll call you."

Sadie raised an eyebrow, "Does that mean something happened?" She paused and then nearly screamed, "Did you sleep with him?"

"Sadie! No!" Lexie sighed and took a step back, glancing down the hallway. "I'll explain later. L-Like you said, you'll call me, and I'll call you. No…No-one gets rid of me that easily."

Sadie grinned at Lexie and nodded. "I'll talk to you later, Grey."

Lexie nodded and began to walk backwards. "Okay…Later. Sure."

Sadie laughed loudly and shook her head. She waved her hand dismissively. "Go. Before you're late. Run!"

Lexie grinned and turned swiftly on her heel, and ran in the direction of the other interns, praying that she wouldn't be late.

She was. By 40 seconds, if her calculations were correct. Lexie cursed under her breath as she carefully snuck into the group, hiding behind Ryan. Silently, she prayed she could go unnoticed.

She wasn't that lucky.

"Three," Cristina barked, her eyes narrowed. "You're late."

"Err…" Lexie stared at the back of Ryan's head. "Er, I-I'm sorry, Dr. Yang."

Cristina raised an eyebrow and then shook her head. "Whatever. Just…Just go to Plastics."

"What?" Lexie asked, her voice louder than usual.

Cristina scoffed. "Go."

"But rounds haven't even finished."

"They didn't even start for you," Cristina said before rolling her eyes. She turned and headed towards the next patient's room, muttering under her breath. "Incompetent, pathetic…"

Lexie's shoulders slumped and she was left standing alone when all the interns hurried off behind Cristina, not looking back at her. She shook her head; this was the last thing she needed. How was she going to remain professional with Mark? She knew she would have to, and she knew she told herself that she would, but as Lexie made her way to find him, she was beginning to doubt herself.

She couldn't do this. She couldn't just ignore everything.

She couldn't keep secrets. She was bad at keeping secrets.

You've kept a lot up until now.

Lexie glared into the distance at the sound of a voice in her head. She didn't want to be reminded of that fact but her conscience wouldn't let it go. She's been able to keep a lot to herself, so why couldn't she do this for Mark? Lexie tried to convince herself that outside of work, outside of these four walls, he would be accepting. He would talk to her, stay with her, help her. He wouldn't ignore her.

Even though she kept repeating this to herself, Lexie felt the doubt surround her. She couldn't ignore him now. If they ignored what they had now, what if he did the same outside of work?

What if this was his way of brushing her off?

What if he didn't care? What if it was all an act?

Too busy with her thoughts, Lexie pressed the button for the elevator and when she heard the doors slide open, she walked in, her mind still racing. It wasn't until someone cleared their throat that she looked up.

Her thoughts stopped. Butterflies were released.

Mark stared back at her.

Oh shit.