This is my first time writing for Grey's! Love the show and miss Lexie and Sloan! This story popped in my head a few years ago and it's finally ready to be shared! I am also writing a few other stories with this account and another account I have. So I'm a busy person but I will always reply and I try to update once a week on Mondays or Sundays depending.

This story is AU so if that's not your cup of tea I'm fine with that just don't flame me for it.

All errors are my own:( Sorry!

P4TH:)

Prolog: How to Save a Life

"...Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life
How to save a life

Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life
How to save a life..."

~ "How to Save a Life" - The Fray

"I got into a fight," Nineteen year old Lexie Grey said quickly trying to come up with a lie that would pass as an excuse as to why she had a deep six inch gasp over her ribs. The Doctor who was stitching her up raised an eyebrow and grinned.

"You can do better. You used that last time on me"

"Self-mutilation," Lexie said again as she went drawing for straws while trying not to grin. It was their game and even though he'd always chastise her in the end for how she'd gotten hurt, she knew that he did care. Otherwise he wouldn't always drop what he was doing to simply come help her. Mark Sloan, fifth year resident, narrowed his eyes as he stitched up the gash.

"Not buying it either," he told her as he reached for a strip of gaze, "Try again."

"Car accident?"

"That's just stupid. What officer would believe that?"

"I fell."

"Now you're just pulling it out your ass."

"My stepdad," Lexie said quietly as Sloan looked up at her.

"Now that makes sense," he told her just as quietly, "Why'd he do it this time?"

She winced as he looked back down and made another stitch.

"He's a drunk and my mother is poor and defenseless. I'm a college student. I go to Harvard but I try come home every weekend. I try to be there as often I can to be…defending her. So Doctor Sloan, is that stupider than a car accident?" Lexie asked.

Making the last stitch, Mark looked up at her and shook his head, "Its brave. It's an act of love that you shouldn't have to do. No one can help your mom but herself. Neither of you deserve to be abused."

Lexie looked up at the ceiling, "She's my mother and I love her. I can't just abandon her like everyone says I should. My father abandoned us, I won't abandon her."

Mark watched her as she lowered her shirt and looked back at him, "Miss Grey-"

"Lexie," she interrupted.

"Alright...Lexie," Sloan tried again, "It's stitched up but don't lift anything heavy. You'll rip my stitches."

"Anything else?"

"The next time I see you, I'd rather it be over a drink or dinner. Not me stitching you up again for the hundredth time. I practice more on you then I've ever on done on fruit," Sloan said with a smile.

Lexie smiled back at him, "That's kinda romantic. Are you asking for a date?"

Sloan looked at her and gave an innocent look, "It would be inappropriate for me to ask a patient out."

"How about Logan's Bar after your shift tomorrow night? You have my number on file. See you then. Is that better? Or is it inappropriate for the patient to ask the Doctor?"

Sloan's smile turned into a grin.

Two Years Later…

"I think it's romantic," Addison Shepard smiled, "You're getting married today and starting med school in a few weeks. Are you excited?"

"To get married or going to med school?" Lexie asked with a grin as Addison adjusted her veil for behind her.

Addie was about to reply when the door opened and the both turned to see Mrs. Shepard and Derek grinning.

"It's almost time to go," Mrs. Shepard said, "We've got to get everyone in place but I just wanted to wish you luck Lexie. You're a wonderful addition to this family and I don't think Mark could have picked a better person to marry. If he gives you any problems you tell Derek."

Lexie laughed and accepted the hug from Mrs. Shepard, "I will."

Mrs. Shepard ducked away and took Addison with her. Addie winked and gave her a thumbs up as Derek stood still just staring at Lexie.

"What?" Lexie asked with a smile, "Do I have something on my face?"

Derek simply grinned, "You're going to knock him off his feet. You know that right?"

"I'm nervous," she admitted, "I'm walking by myself. What if I fall over? What if I trip? What if I-"

"Relax Lex," Derek laughed as he kissed her cheek, "If you're that nervous I can walk you down the aisle."

She looked at him tearfully, "You'd do that for me?"

"Lexie you're like my baby sister. Of course I would. Just let me go and let my mother know what is happening so she can make all the appropriate changes. Okay?"

Lexie nodded and watched Derek leave. She was marrying Mark Sloan and she couldn't help but smile. She wasn't afraid of marrying him. It was the most confident decision she'd ever made. She just didn't want to fall flat on her face on her wedding day. It wasn't how she wanted to remember the day. Twisting her fingers together nervously, Lexie couldn't help but smile as her finger brushed over the diamond engagement ring she wore. Looking down, Lexie could remember the day Mark had proposed perfectly.

It had been at the Shepard's Christmas dinner. Mrs. Shepard was always having them over for birthdays and parties. It was like they'd been adopted into the family and Lexie didn't mind at all. She loved Derek's family like they were her own and she knew they loved her back. Everyone had been so anxious that Christmas. Derek's sisters had pushed everyone through opening their gifts quickly. She'd felt rushed but had kept her mouth shut. Lexie hadn't had any idea that Mark had saved the engagement ring for last present. He and Derek had carried up a large box from the basement and had given it to her. She'd been shocked at first but quickly became determined to take off all the wrapping paper. It had taken nearly twenty minutes to un-wrap the smaller boxes that were in the bigger boxes. In the end, a small velvet stuffed heart had been in the bottom of the last box. The ring had been attached to it and it was stunning. A Tiffany Embrace ring that was two and a half carats and probably worth a small house. She couldn't even recall what Mark had said but she could remember being so happy that all she could think about was saying yes. The minute that the ring had been slipped on her finger, wedding mania had taken ahold of Derek's sisters and Mrs. Shepard. Having Mrs. Shepard there had been a blessing in disguise though. Her step-father had disapproved of Mark from the minute that she'd brought Mark to meet her mother. He'd cut off all contact between them and it broke her heart.

Jerry Ezitka had forbidden her from coming back to her to childhood home that day and hadn't talked to her since. She hadn't talked to her own mother in nearly seven months and even though it broke her heart, she knew that others had been right when they'd said that only her mother could help herself now. There wasn't enough begging and pleading in the world that would convince her mother to leave Jerry Ezikta. In the end, she'd promised Mark that she'd never go back to the house by herself and she had every intention of keeping that promise. The Shepard's had taught her what family was and she didn't want to let go of them.

While Mark had studied for his second set of boards for becoming an ENT, she'd spent her time juggling school and making sure that she didn't drown in wedding plans. Mrs. Shepard had insisted on paying for the wedding just like she'd paid for Addison and Derek's wedding a few years prior. Every time Mark would bring up the expense and demand to share some of the cost, Mrs. Shepard wouldn't hear a word about it. She told them that neither of them paying a dime. They had no parents and she'd adopted them as her own. She'd paid for all her children's weddings and they were no different. Derek's mom had gone all out on everything from the reception to the wedding dress and Lexie couldn't help but feel so grateful. Both she and Mark had made sure that in the wedding pamphlets that Mrs. Shepard was dedicated. Together they wrote her a loving note on just how grateful they were for her constant love, support and caring. They'd even sighed that they were her loving son and daughter. Mrs. Shepard had no idea that they'd included it and both of them were excited for her to see their surprise.

Smoothing her hands over the front of her dress, Lexie smiled at the reflection she could see in the clear glass windows of the room in the church where she waited. The dress was a light champagne color with cap sleeves made of lace. A thick bank of lace and beading went around her tiny waist. Her hair was pulled back in an elegant bun near the base of her neck. The dress was a beautiful satin floor length gown with an A-line silhouette and a natural waistline. Her favorite part of the dress was the back. The sleeves came together over her neck with three pearl buttons. The dress opened up into an almost rhombus shape that showed some skin but came together mid-back and started a trail of pearl buttons down to the end of her train.

It had taken hours to find the dress but it was worth it. All the frustration, tears and exhaustion had paid off. The moment she'd tried the dress on at the Kleinfeld boutique, Lexie had known it was the one. Only Addison and Mrs. Shepard had been with her and it had left them both in tears claiming that if she didn't get the dress they'd kill her. The dress was simple enough that Lexie truly felt like her own natural beauty wasn't overpowered. Picking up the diamond studs that she'd gotten from Mark as an early wedding gift, Lexie put them on as the small diamond bracelet that Mrs. Shepard had given her as a birthday present sparked in the light.

"You ready?" Derek asked with a smile as he poked his head back in, "I've got the flowers."

He held up a bouquet of two dozen roses and Lexie smiled, "I'm ready."

Mark Sloan could feel his stomach twisting in knots. He was nervous and wondering where the hell his best man was. Derek was supposed to be standing him up and he was ready to kill him. The six bridesmaids and grooms had already descended down the aisle and it was Lexie turn. The piano that was playing the wedding march began and everyone stood up.

The front doors of the church were open and the warm summer light came in. He could see the outline of Lexie's dress against the open doors. What surprised him was seeing Derek standing next to her. He grinned knowing that Lexie was using his best man to get over her fears. She'd told him that falling or tripping was her biggest fear and he found himself not minding at all that she was going to let Derek walk her down the aisle. In fact, he couldn't think of a more perfect solution. All the while, his heart thudded loudly in his chest and he wondered if anyone else could hear it beating. She was beautiful and the closer he got, the knots in his stomach dissipated. Lexie's smile made her glow and he couldn't help but smile back at her. He barely remembered Derek reaching them and giving him Lexie's hand. His congratulations registered in Sloan's mind and it was almost an out of body experience as he thanked his oldest friend for everything. Turning to look at Lexie, he could barely believe that she was actually marrying him. She looked so beautiful in the dress and the veil that framed her shoulders and fell all the way to the floor. Everything passed by in a haze but Mark could remember being told to kiss his bride and it was the best part.

Four Years Later…

Sloan could hear his beeper going off but he wrapped his arm tightly around Lexie's waist. He pressed his lips to her bare shoulder and tired to ignore the annoying sound.

"Your beeper," Lexie murmured in her sleep.

"It's a dream. Go back to sleep."

A sharp kick to his shin made Sloan open his eyes and roll over. He grabbed the beeper off the night stand and groaned as he read the message.

"It's a 911. I have to go."

Lexie leaned over on her side of the bed and turned the twin nightstand light on. Mark pushed the heavy comforter back and stood up. He winced as the cold hard wood floors touched his feet. Walking to the large walk-in closet, he grabbed his usual navy blue scrubs and changed. Grabbing the Nike tennis shoes he always wore and a pair of socks, Mark went back to the bedroom and sat down on Lexie's side of the bed. She'd scooted back towards the middle of the bed and had pulled the covers around her naked form tightly.

"Did it saw what was wrong?" she asked sleepily as she reached a hand out and touched his back.

"A burn victim. Ninety percent of his body is covered in burns," Mark said looking over his shoulder at her before putting his shoes on.

"So you won't need me to make breakfast this morning?" she teased sounding more alert then before.

"Don't sound so excited," Mark smiled as he stood up. Leaning down, he kissed her glossy brownish-red hair and closed his eyes, "Go back to sleep Lex. I'll call you when I'm done and heading out. I'll turn the heat up too on my way out. It's a little chilly in here."

Lexie nodded and pressed her lips against his quickly. She stole a few more kisses before Mark pulled away and tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear.

"I love you," he said quietly.

"I love you too. Now go. You've got quite a bit of work to do," Lexie mumbled pulling his pillow over her body and wrapping her arms around it. Mark smiled and shut the lights off. He quietly crept out of the brownstone townhouse making sure to reset the house alarm and lock the door behind him. The thought of anything happening to Lexie killed him.

Lexie rolled over in bed an hour later as she heard her own phone ringing loudly. Blindly grabbing it off her nightstand, she didn't bother to look at the Caller ID as she answered it.

"Hello?" she said trying to sound wakeful even though she felt exhausted.

"Lexie?"

The voice on the other end of the phone made her sit up in shock. She couldn't believe she was hearing a voice she hadn't heard in over four years.

"Mom?"

"Oh Lexie please! Come help!" Jenny Ezitka cried over the phone, "It's Jerry! He's…"

"I'm coming mom, okay? Just don't give him anymore gin."

Lexie hung up the phone and sighed. She'd promised Mark that she'd never go back to the house. She'd promised that she'd never put herself in danger to save her mother again but her mother was actually calling for help this time. It was different. Pushing back the covers, Lexie grabbed the satin nightgown that she'd been wearing before Mark had suggested that she take it off so they could sleep naked and stay warm. She slipped it on before grabbing a trench coat and ballet flats. She didn't bother to do her make up but threw her hair up into a haphazard bun. She grabbed the keys to the Mercedes Benz and her purse before walking out the door. The chilly winter air hit her hard but Lexie ignored it as she walked down the snow dusted steps.

"Morning Mrs. Sloan," her neighbor smiled as she stood on her porch.

"Good morning Mrs. Baker," Lexie smiled back. It was just after five am and the old woman was getting the morning paper like she always did.

"Off to see that husband of yours?" Mrs. Baker winked with a smile.

"My mother," Lexie corrected as she unlocked the Mercedes, "She's having some house problems. I have to run but have a good day Mrs. Baker."

"You too dear," Mrs. Baker smiled as Lexie got into the driver's seat. She quickly sped off. Her mother lived outside of the city and it was a good hour drive away. The first half of the trip passed in silence until Lexie sighed knowing that she'd have to call someone to let them know where she was before Mark came home and freaked out because he couldn't find her.

"Call Addison," she told the Bluetooth in the car.

Addison picked up on the first ring.

"Good morning," she said sounding happy.

"Hey, I'm sorry to call you so early. Is Mark still in surgery by any chance?" Lexie asked as she looked over her shoulder to see if there was a car in the next lane before she moved over.

Addison chuckled, "He is, though he didn't look at all happy when he got here. What was up with him? You two get into the mother of all fights?"

"He had the day off," Lexie answered and couldn't help but smile, "He told me all he wanted to do was be lazy and instead he got a call this morning around four for a surgery. 911 or something like that."

"That would put me in a bad mood too. What's going on?"

"I'm on my way to see my mother," Lexie sighed, "I got a call from her around five. Something was happening and she sounded distressed. I care and it's pathetic so I'm going to go make sure she's alright. She's never called for help Addie and it makes me nervous."

"Alexandra, Mark is going to flip when he finds out that you're going out there. You promised him you'd never go back there. You and I both know that Mark hated it every time he had to stich you up for some reason," Addie whispered over the phone, "He's going to blow up if something happens to you."

"I know but she's my mother and I can't ignore a call for help."

Addison sighed, "Are you asking me to distract him until you get back or-"

"No. I was just calling so that someone knew where I was at in case…"

"Nothing is going to happen to you," Addison said firmly, "Now focus on driving. You'll get there sooner.I will cover for you in case Mark asks. I'll just say you went shoe shopping for me or something. You say something remotely girly to him and he backs off. I don't know how you live with him."

Lexie burst out laughing and smiled, "Bye Addie."

"See you Lex."

Lexie disconnected the phone. Forty-five minutes later she found herself pulling into the driveway of what used to be a beautiful two story Victorian house. Now, the paint was chipped and the windows had cracks in them. The lawn was overgrown and the house looked like it was barely staying together. The sun was just rising as she opened the car door and slipped out. The surrounding houses were beautiful and well-kept but her mother's house was just an eye sore. Before Jenny had married Jerry Ezikta, Lexie could remember the house being warm, beautiful and inviting. But everything had changed when Jenny had married the son of a bitch on her tenth birthday. Walking up the overgrown path that used to be a beautiful garden, Lexie knocked on the front door and waited. She looked around the dead plants and flowers and couldn't believe how much had died and wasted away. She could remember playing in the front yard as a child. It had been so beautiful.

"Mom?" Lexie called after a minute, "Mom? It's Lexie!"

When no one answered, she took the key from under the welcome mat and opened the front door. The inside of the house wasn't much better. Liquor bottles were on the living room floor and the house had a fishy smell to it that made Lexie feel a bit nauseous. It was a mess.

"Mom?" she called again. The house was silent as Lexie closed the door behind her and walked into the dining room that was across from the living room. The table hadn't been dusted in a while and the more Lexie saw, the more she wanted to get her mother and herself out of the house. Going to the kitchen, she found the water running in the sink and shut it off. Something just wasn't right; she could feel it in her gut.

The door to the downstairs was open and Lexie slowly took the steps down into the dark basement. Flipping the lights on, a scream of terror lodged itself in the back of her throat. Her mother lay on the cement floor and blood was everywhere. The back of her head was missing like it had been blown off and her dead open eyes stared back at Lexie in a haunting way.

"I knew she called you," a voice slurred from behind her.

Lexie turned to look at her stepfather. Her hands were shaking as he held up a gun and pointed it at her.

"Go lay on the floor next to her," he said stumbling with the gun.

"Jerry…please…don't do this," she begged as a tear fell down her cheek, "Please...let's get help. You can get help. Please."

"Shut up!" he roared, "She had her chance and she called you! I told her never to speak to you again and she disobeyed! That bitch needed to learn her lesson."

"S-s-s-so y-y-y-you k-k-k-killed h-h-h-her?" Lexie stuttered.

"Go lay down on you back next to her," Jerry threatened again.

Lexie put her hands up and slowly took steps backward to her mother. Lying down next to her, Lexie tried not to sob at feeling her mother's cool blood on her back and clothes.

"I never did like you," Jerry slurred, "If she hadn't slept with that fucking Thatcher Grey before we met you wouldn't be here and that would be a fucking miracle."

Hearing her father's name made Lexie's eyes widen. Her mother had never spoken of her father and always refused to answer any questions. She'd only ever known his name and Jerry was only pouring salt over a deep wound. He cocked the gun and took a swig of gin.

Swallowing, Jerry grinned at her.

"Rot in hell with your whore of a mother bitch," he slurred before the gun went off three times.

"Don't you look happy," Derek grinned at his best friend as he stood at the nurse's station in the ER filling out a chart.

"I'm not happy," Mark said not bothering to look up, "I got dragged away from my naked wife and a warm bed this morning. Now I've gotten tied into doing the ER. I'm anything but happy."

Derek chuckled and handed the nurse a chart, "I thought you had the day off."

"I thought I did too. I told Lexie I'd even cook dinner. I was looking forward to sleeping in and an afternoon full of sex," Mark grunted.

"You cooking?" Derek laughed, "Now that's a sight I'd pay to see. Hey, I was meaning to ask you about dinner. Addie and I were gonna go out later this week. Did you and Lexie wanna come?"

Mark scowled, "I don't want to go out to dinner with Addison."

Derek raised his eyebrows and looked surprised, "Why? What's going on between you two anyhow? I thought you were friends."

"We've got a trauma flying in! Let's go Shepard!" Doctor Orsini called as he jogged to the elevator before Sloan could say anything.

The ride to the roof was quick and they stepped out as the helicopter landed. The paramedics rolled her off the helicopter and rushed to the elevator doors.

"Twenty-six year old woman with three GSW's to the chest," a paramedic yelled over the noise, "She's a Jane Doe. Found her in a basement next to another woman. She lost consciousness before we got to her and we've been doing CPR on and off for the last ten minutes."

"Page Doctor Feldman," Derek said as they went into the elevator, "Tell her she's got a trauma victim."

The nurse nodded and quickly picked up the elevator phone and dialed the correct number and repeated the orders. They quickly exited the elevator when the doors opened and went to Trauma room one as Mark followed them.

"What do we have?" he asked as he grabbed a pair of gloves.

"Gunshot wounds to the chest. She's a Jane Doe. They found her in a basement. That's all we've got right now. We need to move her over. On my mark," Derek said, "One, two, three!"

They lifted the Jane Doe from the gurney to the bed and everyone began working. Derek checked her head as a nurse began undoing the straps that kept her on the board and another began cutting away clothing. Mark began to cheek her breathing and heart rates.

"Sloan, go call radiology and tell them that we're gonna need x-rays stat. She's got no head injure that I can tell but it doesn't mean it's not there." Derek said as a nurse cut away her blood covered clothing, "Someone get towels or something to wipe away this blood so we can work."

Mark nodded and left the room as Feldman hurried in looking calm.

"Three GSWs?" she asked quickly putting on gloves, "That's a lot of blood Shepard. You give her any units yet?"

"No," Derek said as he flashed a light in her eyes, "She's a Jane Doe and we just got her not even twenty minutes ago."

The monitors started going crazy as Jane Doe's heart rate plummeted.

"Get chest tubes and intubate her," Feldman ordered quickly, "We have to get her to surgery right now or we're going to lose her. It's a miracle she's made it this far."

A nurse came back with the towels and Derek took one. He wiped away the blood on the woman's face and froze. Horror crept up inside him as he stared back at a familiar looking face. He knew those cheek bones and he knew those long lashes.

Lexie.

"You're Jane Doe has a name," Derek said without emotion as Feldman put in a chest tube.

"Obviously," the other doctor said sounding bored, "Everyone has a name."

"This is Alexandra Sloan."

Feldman's head jerked up, "As in the wife of Doctor Mark Sloan who is out at the nurse's station calling radiology?"

Derek nodded as the nurses raised the rails on the bed.

"We have to move now if she's gonna live. She's got major abdominal bleeding and I think she has bullet in her lung possibly," Feldman said, "You go tell him while we go to surgery and you better pray because she's gonna need all the prayers she can get."

"I called radiology," Mark said as he put the phone down and watched as nurses walked around him from where he sat in a desk chair.

Derek looked at his friend before turning to a nurse, "Page Doctor Montgomery-Shepard, please. Tell her it's an emergency."

Mark raised an eyebrow, "Everything okay? Little early for emergency paging the spouse. Isn't it?"

"We need to talk," Derek said as he stood his friend up and guided Sloan to a private conference room down the hall.

"What's going on?" Sloan asked again sounding annoyed.

"I'll be right back. Don't move."

Just as he returned to the nurse's station Addison showed up looking worried.

"What's wrong?"

"Lexie just came into the ER with three GSWs to the chest," Derek said running a hand through his hair, "Mark doesn't know and I need to go check on her before I tell him anything. Sit with him. It doesn't look good."

Addison started to protest but Derek rushed past her. She slowly walked to the conference room and opened the door. Mark was seated in one of the chairs and looked pissed.

"Addison," he nearly growled.

"Mark," she replied with a shaky voice.

"When are you going to stop?"

"Stop?"

"Sleeping with the oncologist? Rivers? Ring a bell? How about making Lexie promise not to tell anyone? Jesus do you have any sense at all?"

"She told you," Addison said as the color drained from her face.

"Of course she told me," Mark scoffed, "You've pinned her in the middle between you and Derek. Now every time we go out with you two on a double date she nearly has a panic attack in the bathroom or in the car. What kind of friend does that to a friend? You should tell him that you're cheating or I will. I'm not going to watch you hurt my wife and best friend. Tell him."

Addison looked ashamed for a moment before the door was opened again and Derek walked in.

"What the hell is going on?" Mark asked standing up, "I've got patients and charts to do. I'd like to get home by noon so make this fast."

"You're gonna wanna sit down Mark," Derek said quietly.

"Shepard you're trying my patience. I'd like to go home and see-"

"This is about Lexie," Addison said feeling compassion for Mark. They were going to ruin his world and even though she was mad at him for threatening her, she felt sorry for him. Mark stopped and stared at them with fear in his face.

"What about Lexie?" he asked in a shaky voice.

"Does she have a birthmark?" Derek questioned.

"Why the hell would I tell you that?"

"Just answer the question," Addison begged, "Please."

"A small circle on the side of her left breast," Mark answered picking up on their worried expressions, "What the hell is going on?"

"The Jane Doe that came in," Derek started slowly, "She was brought her from Lexie's mother's address. She has a birthmark on her left breast. It's her. It's Lexie. I've seen her face after they cleaned up the blood. Lexie is here with three GSW's to the chest."

"She's at home asleep," Mark snapped back, "She was asleep when I left."

"She called me this morning," Addison said quietly as both men's heads jerked to look at her, "She was going to her mother's house. Lexie had gotten a call from her mother and said that her mother sounded distressed. She was there...when this happened."

They watched Mark slowly sit down looking panicked.

"Is she…is she dead?" he asked quietly. He looked so scared that both Derek and Addison's hearts ached for him.

"Am I going to have to bury her Shepard? Is my wife dead Derek?" Mark asked tearfully.

"No," Derek said quietly, "Feldman is with her. She's coded twice but if she gets through surgery then there is a very good chance that she'll be okay."

Mark covered his face with his hands and let out a shaky breath. He didn't think he'd be able to go on without her if she didn't make it.

There was a steady beeping from the monitor as Mark started down at Lexie. She was pale with tubes and IVs everywhere. They'd had to cut into her trachea to get her to breath during surgery. They had no idea if she fallen or something because the tube to help her breath wouldn't go down her throat. Cutting in had been their only option at the time to save her life. Mark understood that but seeing her like this was painful. One of the bullets had missed her aorta by a few millimeters and the other had missed her heart by a centimeter. Lexie was so lucky to be alive still. Most people still wouldn't be fighting after that kind of trauma. Pushing a few strands of hair away from her forehead, Mark bent down and placed a soft kiss on her head. She was a walking miracle in his life that he planned on cherishing till the day he died.

"Oh Lex…why did you have to go back," Sloan asked softly, "You promise me you'd never go back."

"How's she doing?"

Mark looked up to see Derek standing there watching them.

"There's been no change. I don't expect any either," he told Derek softly.

"She's alive and there's no brain damage. That's a lot to be grateful for," Derek said, "Feldman is confident she'll make a full recovery."

Mark nodded and looked back down at Lexie. The nurse had come in earlier and cleaned most of the blood off her body. Testing had shown that the majority of it had been Jenny Ezitka's. His mother-in-law had been shot in the head at point blank range ten minutes after she'd called Lexie. When Lexie had found her, Jerry had forced her to lay down next to her mother. The thought of what she'd been through made Mark's stomach churn but he was thankful that the police had Jerry Ezitka in custody because he'd kill the man if he saw him again.

"You asked me early why I didn't want to go out to dinner with you and Addison earlier," Mark blurted out without thinking as he brushed his fingers through Lexie's hair, "Addison has been sleeping with that oncologist named Rivers and has been using Lexie as her cover. Shopping, parties…anything you can think of. I don't want to go out to dinner with Addison because Lexie gets worked up. She worries that Addison will say something and force her to cover again. She had a panic attack in the bathroom the last time we went out. I'm sorry but I thought you should know that your is cheating on you. I know you'd tell me so I'm telling you."

When Mark looked up, Derek was gone. Alarms started going off as Lexie's heart rate plummeted again.

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