A/N:

I'm probably going to fail my midterms because I can't seem to stop my fingers from typing out chapters for this story - but there are no regrets here. I'm personally very glad of how this chapter turned out, and I added another element to the plot. I can't wait to see how you guys are going to react to this chapter, and again, thank you all very, very much for the feedback I am getting! I'm trying to 'perfect' my proofreading skills, which I still suck at so you're going to have to bare with me. I won't be repeating the same disclaimer every chapter - however, I do hope you do enjoy this one and send me some more feedback!

Physical Therapy: Day Four

The past two days during the physical therapy sessions were quiet a routine. When Lexie gushed out to Jared that she managed to effortlessly move her, he asked her to do it again – and much to her disappointment, Lexie couldn't do it. Jared had asked her about how exactly she moved her toes, and she fell silent as she and Mark exchanged a certain look. Then he proceeded to tell her that the movement was like an impulse, a reaction to certain sensation. That put Lexie down for a good, long day, but eventually Mark had managed to cheer her up.

The 'massage' treatment went on for three days, but she'd asked Jared if she could proceed with training her arm to regain full function first to which he agreed. So today would fully be a training on her arm.

Lexie's arm was almost awkwardly curled in a sling, cradled to her chest. She was instructed not to try and move it on her own, and to that she listened. She remembered how Callie had pressured herself after her surgeries, and how she'd injured herself later again, and Lexie wasn't planning on going back into the OR unless she was going to cut someone's head open.

Lexie was staring at the ceiling, her head resting against the rim of the bath tub as she sank into the bubble bath Mark had set up for her. Sometimes, she felt bad for Mark, having to run around and look after her – after all, Lexie was literally, even if momentarily, handicapped. She was a burden. And it upset her more than anything to think of. Sometimes, she even felt Mark was doing all of this in spite of himself. But Mark would remind her on daily basis how he was doing this to make up all the crap he made her go through. Because he loved her.

Lexie sighed and opened her eyes again, before she peered at the bubble. Her brain willed her legs to lift above the water, but her legs were literally a dead weight. Sometimes, Lexie had to reach over and scratch her legs to remind herself that they were still there. Lexie hated it. She hated not being able to control herself. She hated the plane crash. She hated the surgeries, and the therapy, and just….everything. Lexie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. If she was going to overcome, then she must be a little optimistic about it.

"Lex?" Mark muttered as he walked into the bathroom and stripped off his sweat pants. "Why are you staring at your legs again?" He scolded briefly as he moved towards the tub. Lexie looked up at him with a slight frown before she shrugged. Mark shook his head once as he pushed her body forward gently so he could slide into the tub behind her and wrap her against his body. "Lexie, you need to stop stressing…" Mark breathed against her ear as he leaned his lips down close to sweet spot behind her ear and blew gently there. Lexie fluttered her eyes shut and placed her good arm over Mark's. "You need to give everything its time." Mark urged her as he placed light kisses over her neck before he pulled back and held her close to him.

Lexie didn't know what to tell him. So she remained quiet and closed her eyes as she sank into his hold. Mark frowned as he looked down at her and pursed his lips. Her silence terrified him. She wasn't as excited as she used to be about physical therapy, and it's only been three sessions. Her cheerful demeanor was gone, and even Callie could see that. But Mark would make sure she gets better, gets to walk again – so he wouldn't any dark thoughts invade his mind. They'll cross that bridge when they come to it, when they come to it.

"Come on, let's get you all shiny. I made breakfast." Mark offered with a smile as he pecked her cheek, sighing briefly when she smiled. Mark soaked the loofa in shower gel and scrubbed her back and arms gently, before letting it float into the water as he let his fingers trail over her shoulders and back, "Relax." Mark whispered and Lexie nodded briefly, exhaling once. He moved on them to wash her hair, before rinsing away the foam and working away with his own self.

Mark climbed out of the tub slowly and wrapped the towel around his waist quickly before he slung another one over his shoulder, and carefully pulled Lexie out of the tub to sit against its edge so he could wrap a towel around her as well. Then he picked her up and smiled at her, "What are you wearing today?" He asked as he set her down on the bed and went through his wardrobe, looking through the shelf he'd cleared for Lexie when she was still in the coma. When Lexie didn't answer him, Mark decided he gets to pick this time so he did.

"Do you need help getting-" Mark started briefly as he placed the clothes beside Lexie on the bed.

"I'm not that helpless, Mark." Lexie snapped quickly, before she sighed. "I'm sorry. I just…I feel like I am asking too much of you." Lexie sighed and let her shoulders slump, "And I'm nervous. What if I can't move my arm Mark?" Lexie looked up at him, and he could see how despondent her eyes were. Mark leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, before he held her face close. "Lexie Grey, you don't get to do that. You fought way too many battles to give up now."

"I know, I know." She sighed and then looked up at him, smiling briefly. "What could I ever do without you?" Lexie mumbled as she placed her hand over his jaw, tilting her head up to press her lips to his again. Mark leaned into the kiss, relieved, before he pulled away and smiled at her. "Come on, I'll get dressed and make you some cereal." Mark grinned.

"Cereal? That's breakfast?" Lexie lifted both brows and chuckled.

"I thought I could lure you out of the bathtub with food." Mark shrugged once and winked before he grabbed his own clothes and left the room. Lexie remained silent momentarily before she called out loud, "Put strawberries in it!"

"Will do!"

Lexie smiled to herself before she unwrapped the towel from around her and looked down at herself, her eyes tracing over the scars that were barely visible and yet were very much still there. Lexie sighed and grabbed her clothes, slowly and one by one, she put them on. She struggled with the leggings, but eventually she managed to get dressed. She stared at the wheelchair across from the room, and narrowed her eyes as she glanced around. Sadly, she had nothing to support herself onto. Lexie sighed and shook her head quickly, "You'll walk in no time. One battle at a time." Lexie whispered, before she took a deep breath before she called, "I'm ready!"

Mark was back in the room in no time and he smiled at her, "See? Leggings look even better on you than shorts." Mark winked once before he again picked her up and placed her into the wheelchair. He then brushed her hair, gently. Mark even had Meredith teach him how to do braids so he could collect Lexie's hair into one. He knew how much she looked beautiful in braids – and even when his turned out somewhat messy, she still didn't mind.

After breakfast, they wasted no time into going to the hospital. Lexie greeted everyone with a smile, whilst Mark did so too as well. Derek ran into the elevator before it closed before he leaned down and hugged Lexie, "You need to get better soon. None the residents can handle a microscopic probe like you do and I need my neuro star back." Derek commented once. A grin broke on Lexie's face, "You think I could be a good neurosurgeon?"

"Lexie, last year, you and I did the impossible. I'm pretty sure you can be anything." Derek grinned down at her before he looked up at Mark, "Look out for my sister, okay?" He threatened before he ran out of the elevator once the doors were open. "I miss you too, brother!" Mark called out and shook his head, before glancing down at Lexie, "Even when most of what comes out of his mouth is crap, he was speaking justly this time. So listen to him. He's actually a pretty good big brother." Mark scrunched up his face in a brief nod and Lexie rolled her eyes. Mark was internally more than relieved that her attitude was back to what it was in the norm. He knew it was a tough road, and asking her to be cheerful all the time was almost unfair given the condition she was in. It was only a matter of time.

Physical Therapy: Day Six

"Alright, this is a one kilogram dumbbell. Usually, it's really easy to lift one – but to you, it's going to be real exercise." Jared explained as he weighed the dumbbell in one of his hands. "But since we've practiced and strengthened your muscles some those past two days, lifting it would only require nerve control."

Lexie stared up at him and nodded slowly. Jared placed the dumbbell in her good hand, "Now try to lift it with your good hand." He instructed, and so Lexie did, with ease. He let her go on once, twice – until it was almost instinctive before he placed his hand over hers. "Okay, now we're moving onto your other hand." Jared said and looked down, nodding once to encourage Lexie.

Lexie straightened her arm onto her lap and narrowed her eyes as she flexed her fingers, "Good. Now wrap your fingers around it." Jared muttered as he settled the dumbbell into the palm of her hand and Lexie closed her fingers around it. She looked up at Mark, who nodded once and rubbed her back, before she looked back at Jared. "Okay, slowly lift your arm off your leg."

The simple matter was easier said than done. Lexie closed her eyes and put in her strength into lifting the dumbbell. Her arm only rose for a few centimeters, before she exhaled and rested her hand back, looking down as she clenched her jaw shut.

"Take a breath, and try again." Jared muttered simply, and she could see him shifting once. Lexie nodded slowly as she sat up straight. "Visualize the movement you did with your other arm. Don't think of it as physical therapy, think of it as a simple work out. Close your eyes, and use your imagination. Control it." Jared spoke slowly and Lexie stared at him momentarily, deciphering every word he said before she nodded slowly and closed her eyes.

Lexie took in deep breaths, through her nose and let them out through her mouth, like she did in her yoga class – it seemed like ages ago since she went to yoga class. Lexie moved her other arm, mimicking the movement she'd done a few minutes ago before she pulled her brows together as she tried with the dumbbell again. However, as she moved her arms in sync, it seemed to work better, because she felt the dumbbell touch the top of her arm before she eased her hand down slowly, and let out the breath she's been holding.

"Great, Lexie. That's great." Jacob said with a smile in his voice, before Lexie glanced up at him breathlessly. "Now that you've managed to do it, that's what we will be doing for the next hour." Lexie stared at him momentarily, before she found a newfound determination within her and she nodded quickly. "I can do that." Lexie breathed out once and glanced up at Mark, who nudged her once and smiled. Lexie closed her eyes again and focused on mimicking that action again.

The hour passed like a year, even longer than the time that had passed when she was underneath the plane debris. Lexie flinched at the memory, and the dumbbell toppled out of her grip to the group with a loud clash. She snapped out of her thoughts with a gasp and looked up at Jared who held his hands up, "It's okay. You need to rest now. You did really well, Lexie. A day or two of this, and you'll be able to perform a Craniotomy." Jared said with a grin and Lexie gaped at him momentarily, and a smile spread on her face as she looked up at Mark, who too had joy spread onto his face for the news they'd received.

Jared bid them goodbye, and had Lexie promise not to put too much stress on her hand before he left. Mark helped Lexie back into the wheelchair before he looked down at her, "I'm going to ask you out for a date real soon." Mark leaned down and pecked her cheek before he wheeled her out of the physician's department and into the elevator. And as the Seattle Grace Mercy West tradition is, Meredith walked in when the elevator door opened. "Oh hey!" She smiled broadly, "How are you doing today?" Meredith asked as she looked at Lexie and smiled. Lexie pursed her lips momentarily before she lifted a shaking hand to grasp Meredith's and Meredith gasped, "Oh my god, Lexie!" Meredith exclaimed happily and grinned down at her sister as she held her hand.

"It's a start. The doctor said I shouldn't put too much stress on it, but I couldn't resist. I had to show you." Lexie smiled at Meredith and Meredith smiled back just as wide. Before her face turned solemn. Mark and Lexie exchanged worried looks before they looked up at Meredith again. "What is it Meredith?"

"The lawyer called. You probably shouldn't go home. We were all paged to the south conference room. She wants to talk to us about what we wanted to do…about the crash." Meredith explained, and Lexie shuddered at the mention of it. Meredith noticed that, "You don't have to do that. I can be your proxy." Meredith answered quickly, but Lexie shook her head. "I'll be there." Lexie answered and nodded once, before she looked up at Mark, "We'll be there." Lexie answered once and nodded again before she looked ahead. "When do you guys need to be there again?"

"Well, Derek is almost done with his surgery and Arizona and Cristina are already waiting there. I was just going to tell Derek because it was really a sudden page. And I told Callie to call you." Meredith said as she looked back at Mark who frowned and pulled his phone out from his pockets, "Ah yeah, there's a missed call alright. I put it on silent." Mark shrugged once before he looked down at Lexie, who apparently seemed to be having some sort of inner conflict.

"Lex?" He muttered and Lexie looked up at him before she nodded again, "We'll be there." Lexie assured Meredith. "We just, I need some coffee. Should I get you guys anything?" Lexie asked and Meredith pursed her lips, "I'm sure they'd appreciate some coffee. It was really sudden, this meeting." Meredith explained, "Oh, and I want a bagel." Meredith said with a grin, and Lexie lifted her brow as her sister left the elevator once the doors revealed the OR floor.

"I guess we're getting a full round of coffee." Mark muttered as he let the doors close again, but Lexie had sunken back into her thoughts. The lawyer, the hospital's lawyer wanted to discuss what they wanted to do about the plane crash. After all, the crash was caused because one of the engines gave out – and that could only mean it was the charter company's blame. It meant they'd get a huge reciprocation, if all the crime drama shows she'd watched had benefit her as much as the medical dramas did. But did Lexie really care about all of that? Here she was, struggling to get back on her feet, struggling literally to recover. It was sad that the one she could rejoice about after two months and a half that she could lift a shaky hand. She wanted to put this plane crash behind her.

"Lex?" Mark muttered as the elevator doors opened again and he proceeded to wheel her out and towards the cafeteria. "Huh?" Lexie blinked once as she glanced up at him, and Mark frowned, "Lexie, if it's too much, going back there and talking about it - it's okay." Mark muttered and Lexie shook her head, "Mark, you're not doing the thing you did with the shooting again. I am fine. I'm fine!" Lexie shrugged once, "I can move my hand, and now I can't wait to move my feet. I'm fine." Lexie rambled on and Mark pursed his lips before he nodded once, "If you say so, Lex."

But Mark was still worried. She did the exact same thing after the shooting – as a matter of fact, those were her exact same words. He could still remember the day she had a nervous breakdown in the OR, and he had to page psych and commit her. Mark didn't want to have to do that again – but if it were for her safety, then he was willing to do it. He just hoped it didn't escalate to that.

Silently, they ordered coffee for everyone and a bagel for Meredith before again they roamed back through the hospital hallways until they were entering the south conference room. Derek, Meredith, Cristina, and Arizona were seated beside each other – all in the scrubs and coats. But to Lexie's surprises, Teddy, Callie, Shadow Shepherd, Bailey and Jackson were seated opposite from them, as was the short haired lady that looked a lot like a female version of the Clockwork from the Beauty and the Beast movie, except she wore no glasses.

"Doctor Sloan! Doctor Grey! Come in." She ushered them in and stood up to close the door after Mark had walked in. He wheeled Lexie beside Arizona and pulled a chair to sit beside her. Mark attempted to set the coffee aside, but Meredith demanded her bagel in a hushed tone – so he handed it to her and rolled his eyes before the six survivors turned to lawyer, "I'm Amelia Nicholson. I'm your lawyer, assigned by the board – and you all know we are here to discuss the plane crash you have been victims of seventy-five days ago."

They all shifted nervously in their seats – the only sound there was Meredith's irritating nibbling in the bagel she held. Cristina glared at her and Meredith shrugged, "I'm hungry." She whispered back and put the bagel down before she swallowed. Derek sighed and then sat up straight, "Well, we are all here – we'd like to know why our colleagues are here as well."

"Oh well, that's easy." The lawyer said as she went through some papers, "First, I will tell you about the two options you have ahead of you. The charter company offers you a…settlement. A materialistic amount to reciprocate the damage – a form of apology in exchange of not raising a lawsuit." She started and then fished out a paper, before she passed it onto Derek. Derek peered at the number, momentarily distracted by the many zeros it ended with before he blinked once and passed the paper to Meredith, who passed it Cristina, who gave it to Arizona, who gave to Lexie, who eventually gave it to Mark who managed to voice his reaction briefly, "Whoa…"

The lawyer reached over and took the paper again, "However, I don't think you should take the settlement. Most of suffered from fatal injuries. And Doctor Grey here is paralyzed as a-"

"Oh no," Lexie interrupted with a nervous chuckled and she shook her head slowly, "I'm not paralyzed. I'm taking physical therapy session. I will be able to walk again in a few months." Lexie explained and glanced sideways nervously.

"But that's not what the medical report of your case says." The lawyer argued with a troubled expression on her face.

"Medical…report?" Lexie whispered, and as she glanced around, everyone seemed confused. So Callie interfered, "Yes. Um, Amelia here asked us to do a full report on your injuries, each one of you, so it could support your case if you decided to raise a lawsuit." Callie explained.

"And why weren't asked for consent of this?" Derek frowned and sat up again, setting his hands on the table. "We are doctors. We are well aware of how these things work – Doctor Nelson," Derek turned to Shadow Shepherd, "Why haven't I been informed that you were doing a medical report on myself, Arizona Robbins, Cristina Yang, Meredith Grey, and Lexie Grey?"

Before Shadow Shepherd could even attempt to answer that, the lawyer interfered yet again, "I asked the doctors to be discreet. It was very essential that we collect all the information possible and I am afraid your place of work being the same hospital you were treated in created an obstacle, so subtleness was required."

"So what about those medical reports? How are they going to support our cases?" Cristina lifted both brows as she used her hands to put her words between air quotations.

"Well, for example, Doctor Grey here – age twenty-nine. Suffered from multiple fractures, severe in the femur, tibia, ulna, humerus and pelvis. You had nine repair surgeries and one craniotomy. You were put under a medically induced coma for four weeks and right now you are suffering from brief nerve damage to your legs and left arm, which is why you attending to Physical Therapy sessions." Amelia started and Lexie stared at her. She knew all of this.

"Well, mention something that I don't know, then." Lexie argued as she leaned forward. The lawyer's eyes flickered between Callie and Lexie nervously, and everyone turned to Callie as they waited for her to say anything. After all, Callie had been the one to fix Lexie's bones so – her words were what mattered.

"Despite the fact that your bones healed perfectly," Callie started and tried to sit up straight as she stared down at her hands which were hooked together and rested over the table, "Your tendons have weakened due to multiple surgeries." Callie explained, "That reduces your chances of walking again to…sixty percent." Callie muttered almost too quickly as if hoping to not be heard.

And then for a moment, Lexie's world froze - and hell broke loose.

Lexie leaned back into the wheelchair, staring ahead helplessly as she tried to decipher the information she was being told whilst Mark stood up and bellowed at how Callie could have possible missed out that piece of information and Arizona trying to rationally calm Mark down and at the same time shooting Callie disbelieving looks. The lawyer tried to settle the commotion by repeating how being discreet was important. Meredith had gotten up and pulled at Lexie's wheelchair to drag her from between a shocked Arizona and a furious Mark before she knelt down in front of her sister, "Don't listen to them. You're going to walk, Lexie. You beat the odds when you woke up. And now you'll beat them again and walk."

But Lexie stared down at her sister with a frown on her face – Maybe Lexie had won many battles, but apparently, she just lost the war.