chapter ten.

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AUGUST 5, 2013

        Mark was supposed to meet Savannah at Joe's an hour ago to make it up to her from storming out this morning. But just when he was on his way to Joe's, Lexie had called to tell him that Thatcher was rejecting the liver transplant he'd received for the second time.

        Though he cared for Lexie's state and hoped that Thatcher would be okay, the only thing that was constant in his mind was the pediatric surgeon who could still possibly be waiting for him at Joe's right at this moment.

        He knew that Lexie needed someone, and for now, for some reason, he was here. He knew why he was here waiting with Lexie, but he couldn't understand why there was an eerie feeling forming in his chest.

        He took another glance at his watch as Lexie rested her head on his shoulder. The operation had gone longer than expected and he couldn't leave her alone. His phone had died as well so he couldn't check if Savannah had messaged or called.

        All he knew was that as soon as he could leave, he'd go find her.

        And tell her how sorry he was for messing up.

        Again.

       "Thank you for being here, Mark." Lexie says softly as she moved away from his shoulder. Adjusting her position on the chair. Mark turns to her gaze. She looked exhausted and fragile.

        "He'll be okay, Lex." He says in sincerity. But when he looked at her eyes, they spoke sadness and longing.

        Then she moved closer, and when her lips landed on his, Mark froze in his seat with his eyes opened. He wasn't expecting this and he definitely didn't see this coming.

        After a few seconds of being aware, Mark grabbed her by the shoulder and slowly pulled her away from him.

        "Lex..." He murmured.

        "Oh my gosh. I... I don't know why I did that. I'm sorry, Mark. God, I'm so stupid." Lexie buried her face on her hands, questioning why she did that.

        "No. Lex, I understand you're vulnerable right now. But you're with Jackson and he should be the one you're confiding with all of this... and I like Savannah, Lex." Mark let out a deep breath. "This isn't right. I'm sorry, but..."

        "You should go. I'm sorry for being like this." She looked at him, almost in tears. He ran his hand on her back once before standing up.

       "No. There's nothing to be sorry about. I hope Thatcher gets well."

        Mark walks away from Lexie and starts to run out of the hospital, trying his best to get to Savannah.

       The night Seattle air brushed past him. He felt ridiculous running like the wind with his heart pounding through his chest, but it didn't matter. He just wanted to make it to her.

        When he got to Joe's, anticipation and adrenaline rushed through his veins. Catching his breath with a smile on his face, he looked around trying to find her when he noticed Alex leaving the bar. He catches his glaring eyes.

        "Where's Sav?" Okay. Alex looked pissed.

        "We were supposed to meet here. Has she gone?" He asked while he still tried to catch his breath.

        "Are you freaking kidding me?" That was all Alex said, shaking his head before walking away from him and leaving Joe's.

        Something must've happened.

        He turned to the bar where he saw Joe looking at him. "She left about thirty minutes ago." It felt like a brick fell from his ribs down to the sole of his foot.

        Regret.

        That was all that he could think of.

        He knew right there and then that he had lost his chance. And for the first time in a long time, it bothered him. It was weird, how even when he'd only known her for a short period of time, she had done something in him.

        Alex was right, I'll never meet anyone else like her.

        Since meeting Alex in the lobby minutes ago for their morning shift, he had been awfully quiet. And also, he had that face — the 'I'm Alex, do not mess with me today' face, and Savannah knew him too well to be scared with that, but his next words kinda scared her just a little bit.

        "So, what happened last night?" Savannah's heart dropped when Alex finally spoke inside the elevator.

        "Huh?" She looked him in the eye and tried her best to act so nonchalant.

        He exhaled another breath of morning frustration. "I saw Sloan at Joe's before I left last night, he..."

        "He was there?" Savannah turned to him way too quickly.

         "You didn't know? He didn't call you?" Creases formed on his forehead.

        "I... uhh... I fell asleep straight away when I went home." Lies. She couldn't sleep. Mark called her a few times and texted her how he was sorry he missed her at Joe's, leaving her tossing and turning and thinking all night — about Mark, that kiss, whatever this feeling she was feeling.

        The elevator door finally opened and she could relax now. But noticing her best friend's mood, she knew she had to ask. "So why are you Mr. Grumpy this morning? Kids are not gonna like that, Alex." She poked him on the shoulder, teasing him lightly, sadly, he didn't find it funny, at all.

        Thankfully, the morning got her pre-occupied with her surgery for the seven year old Harry who was suffering from Hirschsprung's disease, giving her a few hours away from anyone that might ask her about Mark. Because honestly, she's not sure what she'll say when she's not even sure what she's feeling.

        Mark was standing inside the elevator when the door opens revealing Teddy. She stands next to him with her hands inside her coat pockets. He cleared his throat as they exchanged a smile.

        "I heard you and Savannah went out on a date the other night. How was it?"

        Mark switched his eyes between the floor indicator and the cardio surgeon beside him. He nodded. "It was great. She's amazing."

        "I've also seen that you've been with Lexie." Mark tried to answer but Teddy made that impossible, cutting him off his chance. "Look, this might be weird or offensive, but I've known Savannah for a long time. Just, be good to her. Okay?"

        "I want to. Believe me."

        Alex had been told to spend some time in the E.R. this morning. While he checked on some patients, he could hear the interns chatting and gossiping like they always do.

        He took off the stethoscope from his ears, flashing the patient a quick smile before walking to where he could hear the murmurs as his blood boiled through his veins.

        "I swear I saw them kissing last night! Dr. Sloan and Lexie Grey!" He stopped at his tracks. It felt like he was glued to the ground and he had to listen.

        "No way! Shane, are you sure?" Edwards argued.

        "I'm sure. And that's not the worst part." Ross insisted. "Dr. Peters was standing behind them."

        "Noooo!" Edwards, like watching a tv drama, exclaimed in shock.

        His blood shot through every pulsing point in his body and his hands fisted. Trying to control what he'll do next, he grabbed the blue curtain and swung it away, revealing Ross and Edwards behind it who were both preoccupied  with their morning gossip instead of attending to the patient in need.

        "Are you idiots just gonna keep talking crap or are you actually going to do your job?" He grumbled in anger as he watched the interns nervously return to their job.

        He couldn't believe what he had heard. Was that why his best friend was acting strange this morning? Was it true? And if it was, why had she not told him about it?

        A few minutes later and he continued to be restless with the thought. "Ross! Come with me." He commanded the intern as he walked inside the empty trauma room.

        The intern followed, his breaths were ragged as he watched Alex Karev turn angrier by the second like a werewolf turning under a full moon. "Is it true? You saw Sloan and Lexie? And Peters saw everything?"

        Ross nodded in distress, unable to speak.

        "If you're lying to me Ross, I swear I'll get you fired." He warned him, making Shane lift his hands up. "I'm not. I promise."

        "Have you blabbed about it to anyone?"

        "Just Edwards."

        "Keep it that way. And please keep the gossiping on your spare time. You're here to be a doctor for pete's sake."

        "Yes, sir."

        Oh how he wondered what else the day had for him — considering the fact that he has a post-op check up with Mark later in the afternoon. And right now, he really doesn't want to see him.

        Alex hoped to see his best friend during lunch, but instead, he saw Jo looking at him pleadingly to which he instantly ignored.

        When he didn't see Savannah in the cafeteria, he found his way on the outdoor area where they used to eat their lunch as interns.

        "Has anyone seen Savannah?" Alex asked Meredith and Cristina as he took his seat behind the glass table.

        "No. She might still be in surgery." Cristina answered, taking a bite of her sandwich.

        "What's wrong with you?" Meredith asked, noticing that Alex was in his off-mood.

        "Nothing." He scoffed, glaring at his food making Mer and Cristina exchange a short glance.

        "So I'm going to be okay, Dr. Sloan? Dr.  Karev?" The seventeen year old jock asked his doctors.

        "You're gonna be okay, Steven. Just don't play with fire next time. It's stupid and careless. And if the girl doesn't see you for who you are, then she's not the girl for you."

        "I know. It doesn't make sense though, even when I got in the team, she still doesn't see me. And I just hated how Vince asked her out when he still had feelings for his ex. I don't know. Some guys are just that stupid I guess."

        "Yeah, Seriously. I'd never ask a girl out though if I still have feelings for my ex girlfriend." Alex's voice got louder at the end and he looks at Mark. "I guess you're right too. Some guys are just that stupid."

        Everything stopped in the room.

        Mark looks at him surprised to what he heard.

       He knew something was up. And he knew it was about him. After the post-op check up with the patient the doctors headed out.

        "Hey Karev what was that back there?" Mark asked as he closed the door.

        "You heard me." Pissed at Sloan he keeps on walking.

        "Look if you've got something to say, at least have the decency to say it to my face. You've been rude this whole day and..." Mark's words were cut short when Alex turned around and swung his fist to his face, making him lose his balance.

        "What the hell's wrong with you Karev!?" His hand went immediately to his face. He didn't want to fight back when he saw Alex enraged.

        "What the hell's wrong with me?!" Alex grabbed him by the chest and pushed him on the wall. He knew Mark could take him down but that didn't matter. Not when his best friend's feelings are on the line. "What the hell's wrong with you? You asked my bestfriend out but you leave the moment your ex-girlfriend shows up!? Then you ditch her again! You're such an ass!" He grumbled too loudly, causing some attention on them.

        Every nurse, hospital personnel and patients that were out on the hallway noticed.

        Meredith notices that there was a commotion on sight. Her pulse thudded, hoping that it wasn't the person she thought it could be. She picked up her pace and saw him.

        Alex, pinning Mark on the wall.

        "What the hell is happening here!?" She quickly went to Alex, trying to pull him away from Mark.

        "Her dad was in an accident. She didn't know what to do! She needed me!" Mark fought back, but even at that moment, guilt entered him.

        "Alex..." Meredith pulls him away.

        "Look she's not some girl that you ask out and sleeps with in between of your on and off relationship with Lexie! Make up your freaking damn mind Sloan and grow the hell up!"

        "Whoah buddy you better watch what you're saying." His voice dropped in pitch.

        "Do you even know how much courage she needed to say yes to you! She's been through hell for you to come in and ruin her! Oh and then you freaking kiss your ex infront of her!?!" Mark's heart dropped to the ground. She saw. "So I'll ask you now, what the hell is wrong with you Sloan!?"

        "Look!" Meredith almost screamed, finally catching their attention. "I'm pregnant! And I don't have the extra energy to deal with you two right now. So walk away! The two of you! Just walk away!"

        She turned to Alex. "Alex. This is not you anymore. Walk away. I'll be there. Go!" She watched Alex stomp away.

        Then she turned to Mark. "You and Lexie? Again? Seriously? Seriously!?"

        "What the hell happened here?" Everyone turned to see the chief standing behind them. His forehead full of creases, his voice wrapped in disappointment.

        After hearing Owen's disciplinary action, Alex left the board room and made his way to an empty recovery room while Mark stayed.

        "Look, I know you're used to playing games or whatever the hell it is that you do Mark." Owen paced around.

        "Hunt, just because you're the chief, it doesn't give you the right to judge me." Mark interjected.

        "No!" He scoffed and looked Mark in the eye. "Right now I am not the chief, I am Savannah's friend, and she's my responsibility. And you don't get to mess her up! And let's not forget when I told you not to do anything stupid!" He let out a heavy sigh. "That!" He pointed a finger to him before continuing, "gives me the right to judge you."

        "So are you going to tell me what happened out there?" Meredith found Alex sitting on the bed and made her way next to him, handing him an ice pack.

        "Did you know that Mark Sloan ditched my bestfriend twice and kissed your sister in front of her. Mer it all happened in one day!"

        "I knew he went with Lexie in the morning but I didn't know he ditched her again and kissed Lexie."

        "Well he did."

        "I'm sorry Alex. But why are you so concerned with this? Do you have feelings for Savannah?"

        "What! No! She's like my sister! I don't. You know i like Jo."

        "Then what the hell happened out there?"

        Alex breathed out and before he knew it, emotions started to escape from him. "Look. She's the reason I'm here today Mer. She's probably the reason that I'm still alive. She's the reason I became a surgeon. I owe her. She's my person or whatever it is that you call Cristina. She's my Cristina. She saved me and now I need to protect her. Because she won't do that for herself. Because Luke is gone! Because she's been through hell and back Mer, she cannot go back to hell. She just cant!" Alex almost had to catch his breath. He didn't know where all of that came from.

        "Alex, Who's Luke?"

        After her surgery, Savannah found out what happened this afternoon between Alex and Mark. She caught her breath, surprised by the sudden quickness of her heart.

        She felt worried for the both of them and hated the fact that she might have to do something about it.

        Savannah was walking through the hall looking at the glass windows to see if Alex was there. She finds Mark inside a room who was holding an ice pack on his cheek. She exhales before opening the door. She opens and enters.

        "I heard what happened." Mark finally heard her voice, as much as he was excited, it pained him. He looked at her feeling sorry. He couldn't think of how it all got to this — too soon, too quickly. How he messed it up so bad. Because he knew it was bad and he was so sorry for it.

        "I think Karev's been holding that punch since I started flirting with you." He laughed weakly trying to joke to lighten up the mood in the room.

        Savannah shook her head with a smile before walking towards him. "How can you even try to be funny right now." She took the gloves near Mark and wore them, feeling his strong stare on her.

        She picked up a cotton swab to clean the blood off of Mark's face. "Wow, he did good didn't he." She muttered, holding his chin, so aware of the close distance between them. She was too close to him, she could get lost in the strong scent of his cologne.

        "I'm sorry about this. Believe it or not, Alex is a good guy. He's just, he has a hard time expressing his emotions sometimes." She turned to him with a smile.

       "Well I think he expressed it well." Mark answered. She chuckled, grabbing the suture kit to stitch the open wound on his cheek.

        "Look, I'm the one who's sorry. I'm sorry I messed this up. I really don't know how it got to this. I'm sorry I didn't show up last night, I got stuck at surgery and then Lexie..." Mark raised his eyes to meet Savannah's. She turned to him and met his sympathetic eyes.

        "You saw didn't you?" He sighed with the feel of something heavy on his chest.

        "I forgot my phone so I had to go back here. " Mark was going to speak, "Shh don't move I'm nearly done." Savannah snips off the thread.

        "She kissed me. Did you see me pull her away? Because I did." His words did something to her. But she ignored it, the way she was trying to ignore his eyes.

        "It wasn't my business to stay and watch." She told him.

        "I'm sorry." He apologised again, his eyes never leaving her. But she didn't look at him.

        She wiped the wound on his cheek for the last time. "You're all good." She removed the gloves and fixed the suture kit back before finally looking at him.

        "My whole life my Dad always

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