Woohoo! I am on a roll. Don't ask me why, even I don't know, lol. Here is a little fluff, since the last few chapters have been so angsty. Enjoy!

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Chapter Twenty-One – How Many Roads Must I Turn?

The next morning, when Lexie woke, the first thing on her mind was the empty space in the hospital bed next to her. Trying not to panic, Lexie wracked her mind as to an explanation for where Mark could have gone this early in the morning. But her distress quickly alleviated when she saw the folded up piece of paper on the bed next to her.

Lex—

The cafeteria food they tried to bring you is not fit for human consumption. I have gone to get you and the babies a REAL breakfast. I'll make sure they include green apples; I know how much you love them. I hope that you were tired enough to sleep through me leaving (though I am sure you miss me and my sculpted chest); be back soon.

—Mark

P.S. The Chief and Bailey stopped by, but I told them to go away (Okay, okay, I told the Chief to go away, Bailey scares me too much; she left on her own when she saw you were still sleeping!)

Lexie laughed at the contents of the note. Mark seemed to always know what to say to make her smile. She perused the note again, her mouth tilting at the corner at the utter Mark-ness of the note.

Lexie knew how lucky she was to have Mark in her life. He was so completely supportive; it was almost like the man that everyone seemed to warn her about was another person entirely. She had certainly never seen that Mark in the time that they had been together. Even Callie had remarked on how much he had changed. But to Lexie, it wasn't that he was more settled, like Callie claimed, but rather it was the way he seemed to smile so much easier now. Instead of that shit-eating grin he used to constantly be flashing, Lexie saw his real smile so much more.

And sometimes, she would see it for no reason at all. She would just look up and there he was, smiling at her.

It was an amazing feeling to Lexie, who had always wondered when the other show would drop between her and Mark. Lexie now thought that it wasn't going to drop. And maybe, just maybe, what she and Mark had was something that could last.

Lexie was pulled from her thoughts by a knock at her door. It opened to reveal a glamorous redhead that looked strangely familiar to Lexie.

"Lexie? I am Dr. Montgomery."

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Mark whistled as he walked back into the hospital, carrying a takeout box in his hands. He had gone to Lexie's favorite diner by their house, picking up her favorite foods, with a side of apples. Then he had returned to their home, getting clothes for Lexie to change into when they headed home later that day, which were now carefully packed into the bag on his shoulder. And all the while he had been gone, there had been a giant grin splitting his face as he thought of the fact that Lexie and the babies were okay. He knew he was acting like an idiot, but he didn't care.

He was happy. For once in his life, Mark Sloan was happy, and you can bet like hell, he planned to enjoy it.

The happy mood continued, even once he was through the doors of the hospital. He smiled at the nurses and doctors he passed, making all of them look twice at him in confusion.

"Mark!"

Mark turned to see Owen walking towards him, having changed into scrubs for the day. "Hey, man," Mark said, slapping him on the back with a grin. "What's up?"

"I should ask you the same question," Owen said, his smile wry. "You're smiling too much."

"There's no such thing as too much," Mark declared liberally. "I am experiencing this thing called happiness; join me."

Owen laughed. "And here I thought you were all sarcastic and brooding. I feel like I don't know you at all."

"What can I say?" Mark said with a shrug. "I am multifaceted."

"Obviously," Owen smirked. "How's Lexie?"

"Lexie is amazing, and so are the babies. The nurses checked on her a few times through the night and each time the results were better than the last. Fully recovery is expected."

"That's great," Owen said, once they reach the elevator bank. "Glad to hear it. Listen Mark, there is something I want to ask you."

"Shoot," Mark said, stepping onto the empty elevator with Owen following him on.

"What's the deal with you and Izzie Stevens?" Owen asked.

Air whistled out between Mark's teeth. "How much time you got?" He asked sarcastically. He had no idea why Owen was asking, but for once Mark didn't care. Then mention of Izzie brought him no pain; nothing more than mild disinterest. So he replied, "The long and the short of it is: I was in love with Izzie. We slept together, and I wanted to try a relationship and she didn't. She ran right into Karev's arms, and married him six months later." Mark then grinned. "But it all turned out for the best, because if I hadn't gotten drunk the night of her wedding, my girlfriend wouldn't be pregnant right now."

Owen laughed. "I didn't know that. I knew the timing was around there, and that you got together after that night, but I didn't know she got pregnant THAT night."

"Yep, the first time," Mark said proudly. "I am just that good."

Owen rolled his eyes. "Whatever. So, the thing with you and Izzie…it's done, right?"

"So done," Mark said. "I have had a lot of time to think over these last few months, and I have come to the conclusion that it wasn't really love with Izzie."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, it can't be real if the other person doesn't return your feelings, can it? No love is strong enough to survive unrequited."

"That's deep," Owen said teasingly.

"Oh, shut up," Mark said with an annoyed grin. "You asked."

"So I did," Owen replied.

"Why?"

"Hmm?"

"Why are you asking about me and Izzie?" Mark clarified.

"Oh, no real reason," Owen said. He tried to think of something quickly, "She got tense when your name came up is all. I was just wondering what that was about."

"Hmm," Mark murmured, clearly not believing him. "Can I give you some free advice?"

"Sure," Owen said.

"Don't go there."

"What?"

"Don't go there," Mark repeated. "As tempting as it might be, the last person you should be with to get over Cristina is Izzie Stevens. Ignoring the obvious fact that she is the most complicated and confusing person on the planet, you don't want to break up a marriage," Mark said. "Been there, done that. It sucks, trust me."

"I would never…I wasn't…you have it all wrong," Owen said. "I don't think of her like that."

Mark gave him a searching look. "Whatever. I have to go deliver this food to Lexie."

"Okay," Owen said. "Tell her I will stop by later, will you?"

"Sure," Mark said, walking down the hall, oblivious to everything but the happiness he felt at soon being with Lexie again.

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"I am Dr. Montgomery," The redheaded goddess said, causing Lexie to lose her train of thought.

Montgomery, Montgomery…why was that name so familiar? Suddenly, Lexie realized that the woman standing in front of her was none other than the woman who had broken Mark's heart. Addison. She had only seen her once before, from a distance, but that didn't change the fact that this woman's face was extremely familiar.

"I hope you don't mind," Addison was saying, "But Dr. Webber and Dr. Shepherd called me here to give you a full check up and ultrasound, just to make sure everything is okay."

"No, I don't mind," Lexie said hoarsely. "But I am sure my primary care doctor is coming by this morning to do the exact same thing."

"I talked to Dr. Sullivan already," Addison said, smiling. "We go way back. She was happy to let me take over for the day."

"Well, in that case, I guess it would be okay," Lexie said, despite her desire to not be alone with this woman. She couldn't decide what she wanted more, to have Mark come back and rescue her, or to have him be unavoidably detained and not see Addison at all.

Addison began by checking her heart, and as she worked, she talked. "So your last name is Grey? Any relation to Meredith?"

"She's my half sister," Lexie said, wincing at the feel of the cold stethoscope.

"So you are Molly's sister too," Addison commented. She supposed Lexie's identity as Meredith's sister explained why Derek had called her for a favor in the middle of the night. "I delivered her baby, you know."

Lexie shook her head. She hadn't known that. She had known about all the complications and the c-section, but she hadn't known the name of the doctor who delivered the baby. "Well, hopefully I don't require a neonatal surgeon."

Addison smiled. "Yes, let's hope not. It says in your chart you are pregnant with twins."

"Yes," Lexie said with a smile. "Fourteen weeks."

Addison nodded; that information was already in the chart. She kept working, and asked, "Okay, Lexie. What's your stress level at right now?"

"Umm, maybe a six?" Lexie said, as Addison took her pulse. "Working here is so stressful, and the gossip is awful."

"Oh, you work here?" Addison asked, causing Lexie to frown.

"Yes, I am a surgical intern," Lexie said, wondering just how much Addison knew. Did she even know that Lexie was with Mark?

"It must be nice to be near your sister," Addison commented.

"Um, yeah, whatever."

"Well, your blood pressure and pulse rate are down; that's great," Addison commented. "I'll talk with Bailey, see if she can't make sure you are assigned to a stress-free service. Too bad working with Sloan isn't stress-free. Plastics is a calm enough specialty, you might have been able to relax."

Lexie laughed weakly. "Whatever the Plastics rotation is, it isn't relaxing."

Addison smiled again. It was beginning to annoy Lexie that she did it so often, showing off all those perfect white teeth. Bitch.

"So have you decided on a specialty?" Addison asked, pressing firmly on Lexie's rounded stomach.

"Umm, no," Lexie said. "I spend a lot of time in Peds, Trauma, and Ortho these days."

"Ortho? You must know Dr. Torres," Addison said.

"Yeah," Lexie replied. "She's great."

They didn't speak for the next ten minutes as Addison gave her a pelvic exam. Lexie was uncomfortable enough without making small talk with Mark's ex-girlfriend while she was examining her below the belt.

"Okay, Lexie. I'm done," Addison said, pulling off her latex gloves after what seemed like a long time. Lexie put her legs down, and covered back up with the blanket. "Everything looks fine," Addison continued. "Now let's do the ultrasound and I can get out of your hair."

"You are going to do it now?" Lexie asked, her face filled with dismay. She didn't want Mark to miss this. "Can't you just have a technician do it later?"

"I could," Addison said, "but I want to make sure I don't miss anything."

"It's just…he'll want to…" Lexie trailed off.

"Your husband?"

"Boyfriend," Lexie corrected. "He'll want to be here for this. He missed the one they did in the ER, so did I for that matter, but I know he will want to see it this time. He should be here any minute."

Addison checked her watch. "Well, I have to get the machine, which will take about ten minutes. Maybe he will be here when I get back."

Lexie sighed with relief, hoping this gave her a chance to warn Mark about Addison before he ran into her. Addison left the room, giving Lexie a moment to breathe.

Apparently, she left just in time, because at that moment, Mark walked into the room.

"Hey!" Lexie said, her face lighting in a giant smile.

"I don't know what I did, but you better tell me so I can do it again and make you smile that that everyday," Mark said with a grin.

"Can't I just be happy to see you?" Lexie asked with a laugh.

"Hmmm, sure," Mark said, coming over to the bed, putting the food and the bag of clothes down, and kissing Lexie briefly on the mouth. "Likely story."

"What did you get me?" Lexie asked excitedly.

"Food," Mark said dryly.

"Haha, very funny."

"Okay, Lexie. Spill."

"What?" Lexie asked, looking innocent.

"You have something to tell me, spit it out," Mark said, sitting down on the bed and taking her hand.

"Okay," Lexie said with a nervous smile. "You're right; there is something I want to tell you."

Mark smiled, cupping her face. "There is something I want to tell you too."

"Really?" Lexie asked weakly. "You go first then."

He smiled again, and kissed her thoroughly, moving his lips against hers in an intoxicating way.

Lexie realized this was what he wanted to tell her, and surrendered to the sensation for a moment, before trying to pull away. "Mark," Lexie moaned against his lips. "We need to talk."

"Hmm," Mark mumbled. "Later."

"No, now," Lexie said, still kissing him back

"Quiet woman," Mark mumbled against her mouth. "I'm busy."

The giggle that bubbled up in Lexie's throat was swallowed back when the door opened, with a nurse pushing the ultrasound equipment, and Addison following on her heels.

Lexie pulled back, causing Mark to turn around and see what was causing the look of guilt on Lexie's face. "Addie? What are you doing here?"

Addison swallowed, trying to hide her shock at the scene before her. Mark and Lexie? Lexie and Mark? He was Lexie's boyfriend?

Clearing her throat, Addison said, "Derek and the Chief called me in to check on Lexie."

Mark frowned at that, but didn't question her further.

Addison dismissed the nurse, who looked as though she was sad to leave the drama that was about to unfold. After a few beats, in which Addison wished the floor would swallow her whole, she commented, "So, you're going to be a dad…"

Mark's face split into a wide grin, and he took Lexie's hand again unconsciously. "Yeah, pretty amazing, right? It's gonna be hard with having twins and all, but I think we will do fine."

Addison felt her heart painfully contract. She didn't know which was worse, seeing the man she still had feelings for happy, or realizing he was soon going to have the family she took away from him. "That's great." She tried to be happy for her friend.

Mark smiled, gazing down at Lexie with an adoring look in his eyes. Lexie squeezed his hand, causing Mark to grin. They were both unaware of how shocking this might be to the other person in the room.

Addison looked at the both of them, completely lost for words.

TBC

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Bravo to all of you who guessed it was Addison Derek was calling. Hope you Liked this chapter. Review Please!