It's been eight years since the tragic plane crash, and Grey's Anatomy fans still mourn the loss of Mark and Lexie. Fans continue to shed hundreds of tears when it comes to their final episodes, with no one expecting the couple to die. Especially within months of each other.

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While Shonda Rhimes said she made the decision, so Mark and Lexie's love remained true, some fans have wondered who else could Mark have been with if Eric Dane renewed his contract. From Rose to Amelia Shepherd, here are 10 people Mark Sloan should have ended up with instead of Lexie.

In an alternative timeline, Mark andDerek would have made a great couple. Knowing each other since they were 10, fans believed Mark and Derek were the ultimate bromance. They were seen to have each other's backs and supported each other through the toughest of times. Even through their fights, they proved to have an unbroken bond.

It wouldn't have been hard if the writers decided to take their relationship to the next level, especially when most rom-coms see the "best friends to lovers trope." Mark and Derek could have easily become Grey-Sloan's ultimate power couple.

Instead of being the love interest of Derek, what if Rose was actually Mark's? It would have been far more interesting if Rose and Mark got together, especially when she had the potential to stop his womanizing ways. For one, she was one of the only women to not fall for his charms and was direct with him.

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Instead of Bailey standing up for him during the nurses' strike, Rose and Mark could have shared an honest conversation about his bachelor lifestyle. A relationship between them could have also helped him get over Addison quicker.

It's no secret that Mark has had some romances with Derek's sisters. The first time this was revealed was when Nancy visited Seattle after the neurosurgeon didn't turn up to a couple of family events. As Derek was explaining why he and Addison split, Nancy encouraged him to forgive her, admitting to sleeping with Mark herself.

There seemed to be no hard feelings when they saw each other again, with Nancy greeting Mark warmly. It's not like a relationship wouldn't have worked, considering they did grow up together and got along well.

In season 6, fans were shocked when a young woman turned up at Seattle Grace, claiming to be Mark Sloan's daughter. However, the plastic surgeon had no qualms in accepting her into his life or supporting her. For the short spell she was there, Sloan and Mark did get along - until she decided to return home to her mother.

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Although no one knows where Sloan and Samantha went to after, it wouldn't have been surprising if they reconnected after the plane crash. Maybe Mark would have liked to be closer to his other daughter. It could have also led to a reunion between the parents.

Back in season 3, sparks looked like they were flying betweenMeredith and Mark. However, Mark took a step back once he realized that she was still interested in Derek. Any romantic inclinations towards one another soon disappeared once he began dating Lexie and she married Derek.

But could they have got together after Derek and Lexie's deaths? Through their grief, Meredith and Mark could have grown closer and forged a relationship on mutual understanding and respect. Everybody knows Mark would have been there to help Meredith with the kids.

It may have been one of the strangest combinations but, for a brief time, Mark and Teddy made it work. In season 6, Mark decided to pursue a relationship with Teddy after the plastic surgeon started to consider settling down. They seemed to have a natural chemistry and looked good together - until Mark messed it up by sleeping with Reed.

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While Teddy left shortly after Henry's death, their relationship could have been reformed out of grief and loneliness. Mark and Teddy then could have raised a family together.

In the aftermath of Lexie's death, one of the ideas the writers proposed was for Mark to reunite with Addison. As fans know, Mark had only fallen in love with two women - Lexie and Addison. Before moving to Seattle, Mark had been in a committed relationship with Addison before she decided to follow Derek.

Still, Mark and Addison continued to have an on-and-off-again relationship in the years to come. Since Mark had envisioned a future with Addison, it wouldn't have been a total waste if the writers had revisited it.

In season 7, fans were surprised when Mark hooked-up with Amelia, particularly as she was Derek's sister. However, no one could say that there wasn't any chemistry between them. If fans take a closer look at Amelia and Mark, they will see they have a lot in common.

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For instance, they are both arrogant about their appearance and surgical prowess. They could also be very charming and witty in the company of others. With Amelia permanently moving to Seattle in season 10, their one-night-stand could have become something more.

Before Mark (briefly) reunited with Lexie before their deaths, the plastic surgeon was seen to be in a relationship with an optometrist, Julie Canner. For some time, it looked like Mark was ready to settle with Julie, especially as they shared the same life goals.

She was really good with Sofia and she did genuinely love Mark. Although it didn't work out the first time around, it might have a few years down the line once Mark felt ready to move on with his life.

If Mark was to end up with someone other than Lexie, then why not Callie? The pair had the healthiest relationship on the show, even more so than some romantic pairings. If the writers decided to follow through with destroying Callie and Arizona's marriage, then maybe Mark could have moved with Callie to New York and reopened his practice.

After all, she is the mother of his child and his best friend, so it wouldn't have been completely out of the blue. Plus, Callie helped Mark to mature into a family man and achieve his lifelong dreams. Fans wouldn't have minded this ending.

NEXT: Grey's Anatomy: All Of Mark Sloan's Relationships, Ranked

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A writer, reader and tv fanatic, Kayleigh enjoys reading movie news and your film reviews. She has attained an Undergraduate degree in Creative Writing and is also the creator of the film and television blog 'The Critics' Corner'.

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Grey's Anatomy: 10 People Mark Sloan Should Have Ended Up With (Other Than Lexie) - Screen Rant