If/Then (Grey's Anatomy)

If Lexie and Mark had a second chance at love, then they would be together.

Ever since Mark, Lexie, and Callie got together to discuss the game plan for when the baby arrives, life has become less of a mess. Callie only borrowed Mark for ob-gyn visits and shopping for baby stuff for both apartments. There was a separate room where the baby would be sleeping if Lexie was spending the night. It was agreed that they would trade off every other day because Lexie understood that babies need time with both parents. Fundamentally, having both parents raising the child was beneficial is what Lexie read in a medical journal a while back.

She and Mark were going slow in the relationship. She felt that if they went fast things could fall apart and she was still worried about the future. She was going into residency now and as her older sister said, residency means you are living in the hospital for the most part. Meredith opened more of herself to Lexie realizing that Lexie was all she had left family-wise. Other than Cristina, her person, and Derek who is her husband and father of Zola and the baby who is on the way. Lexie was happy because she always wanted more family.

Today she was working with Derek again because he asked for Lexie. She had a knack for neuro and loved neuro. Rules are rules and she couldn't stay too long within a specialty. Richard Webber said that all must take rotations in all so that each person is well rounded. She walked into Derek's office and said, "You do know you shouldn't play favorites, right?"

"You are my favorite student. Very promising. Besides you passed flying colors and we tragically lost April Kepner." Derek said as he stood up. "Follow me."

Lexie followed Derek out. April Kepner didn't pass the tests even though she was a promising trauma surgeon, she wanted to spend time with God and be with Matthew. The last time any of them heard from April was that God told them to go get married and they are to have a child together. Since then, there were not enough residents for each so there were shared residents among the attendees. Lexie was popular for being very prompt and knowledgeable.

She wanted to say something until he got to a room and when they entered the room there was a teen girl seizing. Derek shouted for a crash cart and Lexie instantly grabbed it and began to work on the patient. Once the patient was stable, Derek looked up and said, "You are going to take out the tumor that is causing this patient's seizures."

Lexie was excited. She wanted to do solo surgery and gliomas were so fun to study. Not so fun that the patient had to go through those seizures. One of the new interns handed Lexie the file and Lexie read it as they headed to OR 2 and she said to the intern, "Thank you."

Derek chose her because he intended to mold her into the finest neurosurgeon, she can become. He watched over her as she began to do the work and thought of the conversation he had with Webber. He had begged Webber to let it slide and have Lexie commit to the neuro fellowship, however, rules are rules that the residency was the requirement. Derek wanted Lexie to become him and run the neurology department. She is so capable of the work. Truth be told, he wanted to step down and focus more on family. He wanted to spend more time with Meredith and Zola plus the baby on the way. Derek sent a message to Mark to come watch the solo surgery.

Mark came and stood in the viewing gallery. He was very happy that she finally got to fly solo on a neurosurgery. He admired Lexie's focus and concentration as well as her commitment to the patient and their care. When she was on his service, she was excellent, but she was meant for neuro. Mark didn't mind because he was molding Jackson to become a plastic surgeon. They were the Plastics Posse.

Lexie once glanced up to the viewing gallery and saw Mark there. He was smiling and that made her heart sing. She went back to focusing on removing the glioma and got it out without any complications. Derek and the surgical team applauded her. She looked up and saw Mark standing there with Callie, Cristina, Jackson, and Meredith. They were smiling and applauding as well.

Lexie went to de-gown and got cleaned up. Mark came behind her and rested his head on her shoulder. He said cheerfully, "I am so proud of you, Lexie."

"Mark, thank you. I still need to clean up." She said.

"Meet me in the on-call room. This calls for a celebration." He kissed her cheek. God, she missed his kisses on her cheek. His kisses were delicate yet firm. She wanted to melt into a puddle, but she had a few things to take care of.

He left and Derek stood next to her, he was cleaning up as well. "Good job Lexie."

"Thanks," Lexie replied. "I learned from the best."

"Yeah. So you and Mark are together again?" He asked. "I mean it is not my business, but he is my best friend, and you are my sister. He was broken about the two of you breaking up over the Sloan situation."

"We are. I think we can make it work." Lexie answered. "I never had a big brother, just sisters and I understand the concern. I talked with Callie, and we are sharing Mark. I don't have to become a stepmother and be involved unless I want to."

"Good. He is his best when you two are together." He said. "When he slept with my ex-wife, he was clingy but when he is with you, his world darkens and so does everything around him."

"Oh," Lexie said. She didn't notice before and come to think of it, he was less lively with his work before and now he is more alive.

She finished up the paperwork and walked to the on-call room. Mark was sitting on the bed and looked up. Something about the way he sat stirred something inside her. Lexie locked the door and took a deep breath before facing Mark once more.

"I want us to go to the next step," Lexie said as she walked to him and sat on his lap. "I can't deny the attraction any longer."

She wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him passionately. This took Mark back by surprise. They had only gone on a few dates in between working and sleeping. He missed those soft supple lips of hers and kissed her back. If there was a god, it was this woman Mark thought. He would worship her on his knees and pray to her. Lexie was his goddess. He pulled her down onto the bed with her on top of him and moved the hair from her face. Admiring her gorgeous eyes and smile.

"However, if we are to work, I'll need you to beg," Lexie said as she got up and off him. "Come home to me."

She looked at her pager and left the on-call room. Mark was left shocked. She wanted him to beg for her back. That was understandable because he was considered a tramp. He loved this new side of Lexie.