So this fic was inspired by the way Jackson was looking at April in the promo pic for 9*21. For the purposes of this fan fic, I have decided that Jackson comforting April over the loss of her patient and the scene in the promo pic happened on two consecutive days, the promo pic scene being where Jackson comes to check on April to see whether she is ok, the day after she cried on his shoulder. I write, but have never written fanfic before, so this is my first. I ask that you please be gentle in your reviews, and I like constructive criticism.

Give it a shot, it's pretty short, but if you're a Japril lover, I guarantee you'll fall for it…at least a little bit ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own Grey's Anatomy or any of the characters.

April stared up at him, her eyes wide wet pools of hazel brimming with emotion. Those sea green peepers of his, meanwhile, gazed right back at her, reflecting a long dormant fire that was threatening to erupt. She didn't want to feel this way, she didn't want him to have this kind of pull on her, but he did, always have. He was holding her entirely too close, the heat from his body radiating waves that sucked her in like a moth to a flame. She had no idea how he had managed to coax her into accompanying him to the Harper Avery Foundation Gala, and yet, here she was.

If she thought about it, April could separate those two never ending days into two halves. One half a black and white sequence of rigid pictures; Matt being hurt, Matt telling her he loved her, her confessing to Matt about her slight indiscretion, Matt dismissing her with a wave of his hand.

The other half was a furious red gold blur of fire; Pain at the loss of her patient and confusion over her inability to fathom why she couldn't have her happy ending, Jackson wrapping her in his arms and letting her dissolve against him, crying for her patient and for herself, Jackson checking up on her after work the following day, telling her something about a….gala…and that's where things started to get fuzzy. She could remember a cat like gaze and a voice like honey cascading over her, and the next thing she knew, she was in his arms on a ball room floor.

Jackson could feel his heart pounding in his chest. She had this effect on him whenever she was near him lately. He took whatever opportunity he could get to let his gaze roam over her these days, taking her in, committing that delicate face of hers to memory as if she'll disappear in a puff of smoke at any moment. Her gown was simple and backless, the deep blue color bringing out her red curls and luminous skin. He was utterly captivated by her, and she had no idea. Sensing how tense she was, he soothingly smoothed his hand over the soft skin of her back, willing her to relax.

He had seen some dude in an expensive tux flash his pearly whites at her and ask her for a dance and for some inexplicable reason, he had felt the unbearable urge to interrupt them and steal her for himself. What he hadn't expected was for her to give him an exasperated look and stalk away, the silky blue material of her dress swirling behind her and those gorgeous red curls tumbling down her back. He had scratched the back of his head, puzzled at her reaction and had shot the smirking asshole whose arms he had just stolen April from a scowl.

It had been hard to win her over. In retrospect, he supposed rudely interrupting her dance with a smooth talking stranger wasn't the smartest thing to do if he wanted her on his good side. But after giving him a full verbal beating about how she did not appreciate him barging in and interrupting her dance and how embarrassing it was, she had given in and let him lead her onto the dance floor. In his defense though, as far as he knew, she was still dating Matthew and he had actually done her a favor by preventing her from doing something she might regret later.

He realized with a pang that she might actually regret accompanying him to the gala later. He had no idea what had made him ask her, when he knew full well that she had been referring to Matthew when she had told him all about how amazing it was that Elise, her patient, had met her husband at a bowling alley long after having lost touch with him. It meant that she thought Matthew and her were meant to be, and that he had no place in her life.

But then she had broken down in his arms and he had had a chance to let her nestle her head in the crook of his neck, to hold her close, to feel her warmth, and it had somehow undone him. He just wanted her to himself, just for one night, and he had seen an opportunity and had taken it. It might have been selfish of him, he knew that she was with someone else, and technically he was supposed to be…with…sleeping with…whatever…with Stephanie, but he didn't care. Just for tonight, she was all his.

He sighed when he felt her relax against him, resting her cheek against his shoulder and slackening her body completely so he could fold her into his arms, brushing the top of her head softly with his lips. Did she have any idea the kind of power she had over him, he wondered. He was incapable of letting her go, and yet he had been the one to walk away. It was high time he realized trying to forget her was futile.

He opened his eyes, feeling somebody else's gaze on him, and found himself staring directly at his mother. She gave him a knowing smile; turning back to the distinguished gent she was dancing with - none other than former chief Richard Webber. He scowled. The last thing he needed was his mother being nosy. He felt April stir and realized that the slow song was coming to an end. He wasn't ready for it to be over yet, he thought, feeling an irrational surge of panic as he gently pressed April closer to him.

April felt his warm hand apply pressure against her bare back and trembled in spite of herself. She has got to get away, she thought. If she stayed nestled against him for a moment longer, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from kissing him. So she raised her head when the song ended….and was instantly trapped in the blue-green orbs of his eyes. She watched his pupils dilate and swallowed, her eyes falling to his parted lips and his name tumbling out in a breathless whisper from her own.

He was lost. Those doe eyes of hers were impossibly huge, and her lips were murmuring something he couldn't hear through the blood pumping through his ears. And then he was leaning forward and capturing her lips in the most gentlest of kisses, making sure to give her just enough time to pull back.

She moaned softly as his tongue slid tantalizingly against her own, tasting her, and she suckled him in, unable to stop herself, feeling the loss of contact far too soon as he pulled back. She gently placed her hands on his cheeks, her eyes wet and wide, and softly brushed her lips against his one more time before gathering up all her will power to walk away from him. Her heart was bleeding, but she had to, because they shouldn't… they can't. These were stolen moments, and while precious, they never lasted.

Jackson opened his eyes, suddenly feeling cold. His arms felt empty and his heart felt bloodied and bruised. Anyone looking at the handsome young man with the piercing eyes standing on his own on the dance floor would have noticed that his gaze never wavered from the striking red head in a blue dress who was swiftly walking away from him.

Jackson didn't know how long he stood there, watching the red of her curls wink at him through the passing crowds until her slender silhouette disappeared completely. He took a deep breath and listened to a clock somewhere strike midnight. "Cinderella" he whispered to himself. His night had come to an end, and once again, she was no longer his.