"You always do that Jackson trying to baby me! "
"I'm not! You just always get so sensitive!"
"Really Jackson?!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I don't mean it like that."
"You absolutely mean it like that."
You should have just told me. She said crying.
Aren't we friends?!
He inched forward as almost to console her before stopping
"I am your friend Maggie but I'm also your moms doctor. "
"Then why didn't you do your job? Why didn't you save her!" Maggie said angrily as she stormed out of the room.
Maggie went home with her sisters and hadn't been out of the house for days when Jackson came over.
"She doesn't even wanna see us Jackson."
"Let me try"
Jackson walked up the stairs and knocked on Maggie's door.
"Go away." She shouted
"I know how to pick a lock. You can either open the door or I'll pick the lock and let mysel f in."
"Whatever." Maggie mumbled as Jackson heard a click unlocking the door.
"What are you doing here ?"
"I'm so sorry Maggie. I wanted to see you and tell you I'm"
"You did your best. I'm not mad at you Jackson she said looking up at him with tears in her eyes. "
He pulled her on the bed to take a seat.
"Your mom will always be with you. She knew she was sick way before any of us did. She made me promise I would do my best to take care of you. She knew you would need someone."
"But why you?"
"I don't know. But I promised her. And I promise you I'm here for whatever you need. It may not be today, or tomorrow but you'll use that beautiful smile again. The pain won't go away I wish I could take it from you I do but I'll do anything I can to make it easier. "
"Thank you Jackson." she said placing her head on his shoulder.
Jackson and Maggie sat for minutes until Maggie started to close her eyes.
"You're sleepy. I'll see you tomorrow? "
"Yes. "She said getting into her bed and under the covers.
"Jackson?" She said as he walked towards the door.
"Yes Maggie?"
"Thank you." She said softly
Jackson smiled and left.
He was coming down the stairs when Meredith stopped him.
"She spoke to you? "
"Yeah she put her head on my shoulder and we just talked."
"Jackson..."
"Yea?"
"You care about her."
"I care about everyone."
"No you care for my sister. Romantically. I can tell by how gentle you are with her. You never did that with April."
"Maggie needs someone and her mother trusted me with that role that's all. "
"You don't have to admit it to me but I know. Thank you for being there for her." Meredith said leading Jackson out.
Jackson got into his car when his car phone rang.
"Hey sexy."
"Priya how are you?"
"You sound down what's up? I am good. Wanna link up tonight?"
"Nah I'm tired I'll see you soon beautiful."
"Ahhh man I'm outta town for the next couple of days. "
"How about this. As soon as you get back we will get together ok?"
"Ok Avery. I'm not gonna wait forever. We ve been doing this weird thing for months."
"I know I know. When you get back Priya."
"Ok see you then."
Jackson was into Maggie. He didn't know what it was about her. Her quirks or her brilliant mind. Her smile or her compassion. Or maybe it was simply how beautiful she was.
It wasn't fair to Priya, but Priya was perfect. Priya was his match. Priya was at the top of her field and gorgeous. But he didnt have a connection. He didn't stop breathing when Priya entered a room. He didn't crush on Priya. He didn't wonder what Priya was doing ever second of the day. He didn't get upset when he didn't see Priya or nervous when he was around Priya. He didn't get hard when Priya strokes his arm for so close he could smell her perfume. He didn't daydream about ripping Priyas's clothes off. He took it day by day with Priya and wouldn't mind if he never saw her again. She didn't have him. Maggie did. Somewhere somehow she snuck up on him. And he didn't know what to do about it.