The morning light crept through the Archfield Hotel's windows, spilling soft gold across the suite's floor, where crimson rose petals still lay scattered, remnants of last night. Lexie Grey stirred in the plush bed, her hand reached for James, expecting his familiar warmth, but found only an empty, cold sheet. Her eyes fluttered open, sleep clinging to their edges, her dark hair a tangled mess against the pillow. She sat up, her heart giving a nervous flutter. Where is he? The memory of their night flooded back: the lasagna, the candlelight, the shower. Her cheeks flushed, a smile tugging at her lips.
Brushing hair from her face, Lexie spotted James's dress shirt draped over a chair, its crisp white fabric carrying his faint scent. She slipped it on, the oversized shirt swallowing her petite frame, the sleeves dropping past her wrists, the hem brushing her thighs. Buttoning it clumsily, she padded barefoot out of the bedroom, her sneakers lost somewhere. The suite's living room opened before her, and there was James, mid-workout, his lean frame moving with effortless strength as he did push-ups. His muscles flexed, his dark hair damp with sweat, his tank top clinging to his chest, a sight that made Lexie's breath catch, her heart doing a little flip.
"Morning, gym rat," she teased, leaning against the wall, voice playful but soft, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
James glanced over, his grin flashing, pausing mid-push-up, his hazel eyes lighting up at the sight of her in his shirt.
"Morning, shirt thief," he shot back, standing up and wiping his brow with the back of his hand.
"Stealing my shirt already? Gotta say, it looks better on you." His tone was playful, his gaze remaining on her bare legs, a hint of desire softening his smirk.
Lexie laughed, tugging the shirt closer, her cheeks pink.
"Well, it's comfy, so it's mine now," she teased, stepping closer, her feet squeaking faintly on the floor.
"How long have you been up, Mr. Push-Up? You're making me feel lazy." Her voice was light, but her eyes searched his.
James stretched, his grin easy, grabbing a towel from the couch and slinging it over his shoulder.
"Since six a.m.," he said, shrugging like it was no big deal, though his eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Couldn't sleep, figured I'd burn some energy before breakfast."
Lexie's brow arched, a playful glint in her eyes as she remembered his quirk, a detail from their Boston days.
"Six? God, James, your Short Sleeper Syndrome is insane. Four hours of sleep, and you're out here looking like a fitness ad." She shook her head, laughing, then stepped closer, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Wanna trade it for my photographic memory? It would be very useful for my night shifts."
James chuckled, tossing the towel aside and closing the gap between them, his hand brushing her arm, a familiar pat that sent a spark through her.
"No deal, Grey. That brain of yours is too damn perfect to mess with." His wink was pure charm, his fingers lingering on her sleeve, tugging playfully. "Besides, I'm already very used to my superpower, and I won't give it up easily." His voice softened, his eyes searching hers.
"Ordered breakfast, by the way. It should be here soon. Are you hungry?"
Lexie's stomach growled at the mention of food.
"Starving. By the way, I'm keeping the shirt. It's mine now." Her smile was radiant.
He stepped closer, his voice softening, his hand resting on her shoulder, a comforting pat.
"How about a shower first? Wash off my gym sweat and your… shirt-stealing guilt." His grin was mischievous, his eyes glinting with a playful challenge, a challenge that made Lexie's heart race.
Lexie's cheeks flushed, a giggle escaping, but her eyes met his, bold and teasing.
"Only if you behave, Blackwood," she said, her voice light, but her pulse quickened, the memory of their shower—water, laughter, his hands on her skin—sparking heat low in her belly. She turned, leading the way to the bathroom, her bare feet silent on the floor, James's chuckle trailing behind her, warm and familiar.
In the bathroom, the glass shower gleamed, steam curling as Lexie turned on the water, the memory of last night's closeness making her skin tingle. She shed James's shirt, letting it drop on the floor, her body bare, freckles catching the light, her dark hair falling loose. James followed, stripping off his tank top and shorts, his grin boyish as he stepped under the spray with her, the water slicking their skin.
Their laughter echoed, playful and warm, and they teased each other—Lexie splashing him, James catching her wrists, his fingers brushing her waist, a teasing dance of touches. Their lips met, a soft, lingering kiss, the water amplifying every sensation—her hands on his chest, tentative then bold. His fingers traced her spine, a gentle nudge that made her laugh into his mouth. Lexie's nerves flared.
"You're gonna drown us, Grey," James teased, his voice warm, his hand patting her shoulder, a gesture that felt like home. Their closeness was a quiet promise, not as urgent as last night but just as real, their laughter weaving through the steam, a shield against the world outside.
They stepped out, wrapped in plush towels, Lexie giggling as she slipped, James catching her with a mock dramatic. "My heroics never end, Grey." She swatted him, her laugh bright, her hair dripping as she pulled his shirt back on, the fabric clinging to her damp skin.
The breakfast cart had arrived, a spread of fluffy pancakes, fresh strawberries, and steaming coffee waiting in the dining area, the scent of syrup and caffeine wrapping them in warmth.
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They sat, Lexie cross-legged in James's shirt, stealing bites of his pancakes, her laughter bubbling as he pretended to guard his plate, brandishing his fork like a sword.
"Thief!" he accused, his grin wide, his hazel eyes sparkling with mock outrage.
He leaned back, sipping coffee, his expression softening, a curious glint in his eyes.
"So, Grey, you've got me till my flight. Show me your city," he said, his voice casual but laced with something deeper."What's Seattle got that Boston can't beat?"
Lexie's smile faltered, her mind racing—He's leaving tonight. What if he doesn't come back? But she grinned, hiding her nerves.
"Oh, you're in for it, Blackwood. Seattle's gonna blow your mind." She leaned forward, her voice teasing.
They dressed—Lexie in her jeans and sweater, James in a dark jacket and jeans, his grin boyish as he tossed her a scarf.
"Let's go, tour guide," he teased, his hand brushing her back. They left the hotel. Lexie led him through Pike Place Market, where traders shouted over piles of flowers and fish, their voices a chaotic symphony. She tugged James's sleeve, her laughter ringing as he dodged a flying salmon, his mock-horror earning a swat from her.
"City boy!" she teased, her cheeks pink, her heart light despite the clock ticking in her mind.
They wandered to the waterfront, the Space Needle looming in the distance, and boarded a ferry to Bainbridge Island, the deck swaying gently under their feet. The breeze tugged at Lexie's hair, her scarf fluttering, and she leaned against the railing, James beside her, his arm brushing hers. The Puget Sound sparkled, mountains framing the horizon, and Lexie's heart swelled, the moment perfect but heavy. She turned to him, her voice soft but urgent.
"James, you should take Webber's offer. Stay in Seattle. The cardio department needs you, and… I want you here." Her cheeks flushed, her eyes searching his, vulnerable. "But we have to take it slow. Nobody can know about us—not yet."
James's grin softened, his hand resting on hers, with a gentle squeeze. "I knew you would agree." Kissed her on the lips. "Slow's good. Our secret's safe with me." He winked.
Lexie nodded, her smile shaky, her heart aching with the weight of his departure.
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The day unfolded in a blur of small, human moments—lunch at a food truck, James teasing her about stealing his fries, Lexie punishing him by smearing ketchup on his nose, their laughter drawing stares from passers. They wandered to a bookstore, Lexie flipping through a medical journal, James sneaking a romance novel into her hands, his grin wicked as she blushed.
"For research," he whispered, his hand patting her back, sparking a giggle that made her forget the hospital, if only for a moment. They shared a pretzel on a park bench, Lexie's feet swinging, James's arm around her, their silence comfortable but heavy, the clock ticking louder.
At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the terminal buzzed, travellers rushing past, but Lexie and James stood still, their hands brushing, the moment heavy, weighted with goodbye. James's flight to Boston was boarding, and his aortic dissection surgery waiting. And Lexie's hospital shift loomed, her pager a silent threat in her bag.
"Call me when you land," Lexie said, her voice soft. She stepped closer, her hand grazing his, a shy, desperate touch, her heart screaming—Don't go.
James pulled her into a hug, his lips brushing her forehead, his voice low. "Promise, Grey. And I'll be back before you know it. Love you, Lex. Don't forget it while I'm gone for, what, twenty-four hours?"
Lexie's laugh bubbled up, a nervous, bright sound, her hands tugging his jacket, her fingers fidgeting with the zipper, the words stirring a warmth that chased her paranoia away.
"Love you, too, James," she said, her voice soft, a little shaky with a playful edge, her smile radiant, the memory of their first "I love you", clumsy and perfect—flashing through her. "Twenty-four hours is forever, you know," she teased, her eyes twinkling, her nerves easing with his grin, the certainty of his return a quiet comfort.
James chuckled a warm, goofy sound, pulling her into a quick, tight hug, his arms strong, his lips brushing her forehead, his voice a playful murmur. "Forever's nothing for us, Grey. You're stuck with me." He pulled back, his grin crooked, his hand ruffling her hair, a teasing gesture that made her swat him, her laugh bright.
"You're my everything, you know that?" His voice softened, his eyes warm, a touch of vulnerability in his gaze.
Lexie grinned, her hands smoothing his jacket, her fingers lingering, memorising the texture, his warmth.
"Better be, Blackwood," she teased her voice light, a spark of mischief in her eyes. She rose on her toes, kissing him softly, a quick, tender press of lips, the terminal's buzz fading, just them, their love a shield against the world. Pulling back, she nudged his shoulder, her smile playful but warm. "Go fix hearts."
He grabbed his bag, tossing her a wink as he moved toward the gate, his dark jacket blending into the crowd, his backwards glance a tether across the distance.
Lexie turned, her sneakers scuffing the pavement outside, heading to Seattle Grace.