LIFELINE, Mark Sloan

"𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗕𝗲" (𝟲,𝟭𝟮 𝗜 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝗼 𝗠𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗱)

Grace knew how things had changed. She and Mark had broken up. And he had gone to LA with Sloan. She missed him and she knew that she wanted to be with him.

But things had changed. He had wanted to raise Sloan's baby. But Grace didn't feel like she could given all that had happened with their son.

She knew that she hated to let Mark down. But she didn't feel like she could be a parent to a baby. Not yet. Not when losing her own baby was still so fresh in her head.

Chloe walked into the room. She smiled to her. "Hey. You good?"
She asked as she looked to her.

Grace nodded. "The man I love is in LA. With his pregnant daughter. I'm here heartbroken that we broke up. But he did the right thing. Choosing Sloan over me. I kind of wanted him to. Doesn't hurt any less though," she told her.

"It won't be easy. I know that Gracie. But you're strong. You are amazing. And Mark just needs to be there for Sloan. But when he comes back, I'm sure the two of you can make it work," Chloe said as she looked to her.

Grace just nodded. Knowing that it wasn't easy at all. And she just had to somehow make it seem okay. She loomed to Chloe. "How's your love life going?"

"Me? I'm celibate. 110% celibate," Chloe told her as she smiled and took a sip of water. She sighed. "Come on. Up and dressed. Seattle Grace waits for no one."

****

Meredith and Derek were in the bedroom. Meredith had told him how Richard Webber had a drinking problem. Derek wanted to report him.

"No!"

"Yes!"

Meredith shook her head. She looked over to him. "No. If you report him..."

Derek rolled his eyes and sighed. "He's an alcoholic!" He yelled.

"If you report him, it'll be the end of his career. You don't give people any room. Flaws are unacceptable to McDreamy," Meredith said as she brushed her hair.

"Don't "mcdreamy" me."

Meredith rolled her eyes and shrugged. "McDreamy is being McAss."

"He is an alcoholic. How long has he been drinking? Since the holidays?" Derek asked as he looked to her.

"What, do you want to take notes so you can show it to the board so they can offer you his job on the spot? You want his job. You know it and I know it!"

Derek rolled his eyes. "I'm the head of neurosurgery. I have a responsibility to this hospital."

Meredith rolled her eyes as she looked to him. "Admit you want to be chief!"

Derek shook his head. "All right. You know what? I'm done having this argument. I'm going to the board. I'm reporting Richard," he said as he turned to walk out.

"Post it!"

Derek turned back to her. "You can't call my vows to you," he told her.

Meredith shrugged as she looked to him. "I am calling vows. because I told my secret about my friend to my husband ... Not the head of neurosurgery, my husband... Which I have to be able to do. So the laws of your promise clearly prevail," she said.

"This is wrong."

Post it."

"The chief-."

"Post it."

Derek groaned. "Fine. I won't tell. Fine. Damn it. You just make me want to," he said as he walked over to her. He grabbed her hips and pulled her close.