Alex and Jo were standing in one of the, already notorious, elevators of Grey-Sloan and were headed down to check on the little boy whose life they had just saved. It was such a miraculous feeling for Jo, she was giddy and excited, and was practically jumping up and down, squealing like a little girl.
Alex, although having had many over-whelming glorious moments like this before, could not help but being just as ecstatic and giddy. This moment, with Jo, made it that much more wonderful for him.
He could not help but bask in Jo's beauty and he could not help but want to give into the flustering feelings he was having that were telling him to wrap her in his arms and kiss her until it hurt.
"Damn you Christina" He cursed underneath his breath. He had tried ignoring his feelings for Jo all along but admitting them to Christina made them that more real.
Plus there was Chest freaking Peckwell, Jo's boyfriend, who everyone seemed to love except him! He got all the wrong vibes from that guy and he definitely hated him more for the fact that he had the courage to ask Jo out before he did.
But Alex knew that he and Jo were closer than she and Peckwell and so he tried convincing his voice to speak what he knew his heart was feeling.
He quickly glared over at Jo and he wanted so badly to tell her everything about how he felt. But he did not get the chance because all of a sudden the elevator went dark and shook pretty hard causing her to crash into the wall and then suddenly land on top of him.
And as quickly as it happened, it was over, the shaking had stopped and the lights quickly flickered back on.
"What the hell was that?" Jo softly and cautiously breathed still lying exactly where she had landed. Not sure of what to do, she enjoyed the moment for if only the few seconds she knew it would last.
Alex lied there also, not knowing, if he was more shaken by the sudden mini elevator quake or more shaken by the beat of his fast pacing heart realizing the love of his life was now wrapped in his arms.
They were both momentarily stunned and neither of them wanted to move anyway but they knew they had to.
"Here let me help you" Alex then insisted with a hint of demand in his voice when he saw that Jo must have hit her head pretty hard because she had a tiny line of blood trickling down her face.
Even though it was not too serious, he felt the instinct need to take care of her. Jo let him take her hand and help her to her feet but she had always been Miss Independent so when Alex was so seemingly worried about the blood on her face she kept insisting she was fine.
And of course Alex completely ignored her and was still trying to examine her more thoroughly to make sure for himself but he could not get Jo to focus or sit still for a single second.
The situation had finally hit her and Jo's nerves were rattling at the fact they were stuck in an elevator! If she had to pick one person to be stuck in an elevator with, it would be the one person stuck with her at this very moment she considered rather quickly but she just as quickly lost control of that thought because she hated small places and she hated the feeling of being trapped.
She was sure she was having an anxiety attack and the last thing she wanted to do was pass out in front of Alex. She figured there would be no telling what nickname he would come with for her after that.
Alex watched her humorlessly though. And although he could tell she was really about to freak out, he couldn't help but be enchanted with her for a moment. Because he knew he was about to do exactly what he needed, and well really rather wanted, to get her to relax and because she was just so damn beautiful.
He realized he had to do something now though as he watched her increasing frustrations. She was so Jo though because she was so head strong, hell bent, and determined when her mind was set on something because when he descended towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder, it was almost as if he wasn't even there.
"Jo" he tried. "Jo…JO!" Alex was practically screaming out her name. But he really wasn't screaming at all, his voice was level and she had never heard him say her name in that particular tone, and so she finally quit rambling, stood still, and tried to look at him for… a second.
But within that second, Alex stepped closer to her which caused her heart to race a million times faster and not he or she broke eye contact. He was now standing merely inches away from her face staring her straight in the eyes.
And either she was already there or somehow she had been stepping backwards without realizing it because she had no idea he had her pinned in the elevator corner until he stepped even closer and placed both his hands on her hips in an attempt to keep her calm.
She let out a slight gasp but her nerves were a wreck and so they started to take over when she realized he had her cornered and there was nothing she could do about it.
But she was with Alex and she was trying not to let the instinct need to protect herself take over and so she just closed her eyes and tried to think of anything but her past and current fears.
Alex tried soothing her "Jo, you have to breathe, look at me!" But her breathing was still heavy and rapid.
Jo glanced back up at his eyes though and instantly they became locked. It felt as if she had been looking at him forever. She just felt so content staring into his eyes. And although she hated being trapped, she suddenly did not feel like Alex was trapping her at all right now.
She kept reminding her self that Alex was merely trying to calm her down so she would not freak herself out to the point of actually dying in this elevator. But she didn't have to keep repeating it to herself because she listened to the sound of his voice that conveyed to her that he truly cared.
And it started to comfort her a little.
"Why here of all places" Jo questioned the irony. All she wanted to do was close her eyes and imagine this taking place somewhere else over much more different circumstances.
Then just as she started to close her eyes again Alex spoke, "Hey, nuh uh, none of that, look at me Jo"
"Jo, look at me" he tried again as he tilted her chin up a little.
Jo then opened her eyes and although Alex was just trying to get her to breathe, his piercing eyes were aiding in taking her breath away.
She looked at him though, God how she never wanted to not look at him.
Jo always wondered why she told him everything. But now she knew, he was her best friend, her reassurance, possibly her everything. There was nothing she did not trust him with.
Alex was the only one she let in on about her past. Alex was the only one she trusted to get her through this moment in the present. And out of everyone in her life, Alex was the only one she could see sticking around in her future. He was her only one.
She challenged her mind and her heart asking herself how come she just could not admit to him how she had started to feel. That was all she kept replaying until she came out of her thoughts realizing Alex was no longer saying anything but just staring at her too.
Jo stood there trying to penetrate her own thoughts.
She wished she was a mind reader because she definitely wanted to know how crazy he thought she really was.
Alex stood there trying to penetrate his own thoughts.
He wished he was a mind reader because he definitely wanted to know how crazy she thought he really was.
She felt so right, he thought!
He felt so right, she thought!
It just felt right, period.
Jo had almost forgotten that they were stuck in an elevator until a sudden jolt shook the elevator once more. Her mind was about to go into a blunder once again but Alex had it under control this time.
He closed the already little gap between them and placed both his arms around her and against the wall to try and hold them both in place and to keep them from being thrashed around.
And even though, Alex's arms were plenty enough reassurance to Jo that she was safe! She didn't seem to mind when another jolt came out of nowhere causing him to instinctively descend his body even closer.
Two more violent thrashes and Jo was no longer just standing there unsure of what to do or hold onto. Between the first and the second jolt, she let her body gravitate completely around Alex's like a cocoon.
And with that came another jolt, the scariest of them all, and when it finally subsided Jo opened her eyes to see Alex staring at her with a concerned look on his face.
The silence had yet to become unnerving though because neither had still yet to say anything.
This is when they both came to realize the position in which they were now in. Jo had her legs straddled around Alex's waist and her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck.
Alex had been using his hands and arms to protect Jo's head and his body which was pressed so firmly in between her thighs holding her firmly against the wall, to protect…well, everything else!
And Jo could not describe it in any other way, she felt protected and safe.
Still in the same position, she then heard Alex whisper "Just Breathe and look at me!" so she then, once again, met Alex's eyes with hers.
Jo couldn't explain the feeling but she knew her heart was hammering inside her chest.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you, I promise" he continued in a level voice that was now barely a whisper.
If anyone else was in there with them, not even they would have heard!
"Promise?" is all Jo could manage to muster out.
Alex blatantly let out a devilish handsomely smile and with that said "I promise, Jo!"
It was then Alex lifted his hand and placed it gently on her face. He slightly traced his finger along her hairline where the cut was at.
Jo couldn't explain the feeling but she now knew that her heart had to of been hammering outside her chest.
Shivers radiated throughout her entire body. Alex's touch was so soft, sweet, and sensitive. Like nothing she had ever felt before. But it was when his fingers fell below the cut and began tracing the length of her jawline that she was sure she was going to lose all control. She had goose bumps that ran from the tip of her head to the tip of her toes.
Jo was so confused though, she knew Alex was her Best Friend and she hoped that he would always be there for her just like now.
But this, this was different.
The way he was caressing her, looking at her, this was definitely different! She was looking directly into his eyes but it was as if she could see right through them. She had never seen him with look on his face with anyone, especially, not all the googly eyed interns.
She was certain she was seeing pure passion and desire aimed directly toward her.
Hell, there was no one else there!
But how, when, he couldn't possibly? Jo let the questions and more than that, the doubts, consume her. Although everything in her felt the exact same way, it scared the hell out of her. She would have never imagined Alex ever possibly wanting her for anything other than a friend.
She was not ready for this. She swore after living the life she had before that she would always be in control of herself and her emotions and right now, she was definitely losing control. She was used to always having a plan and she indeed did not plan on this.
Alex knew exactly what he was doing though. This was his chance! He was going to show Jo exactly how he felt and if she did not feel the same then well…well he didn't know what he would do then.
Everything about this moment just felt so right!
Alex knew what he was thinking and he thought for sure she was thinking the same thing because he could see the look in her eyes.
Just as Jo had seen the look in his, Alex was certain he was seeing not only desire and passion but a lot of anticipation in her eyes as well, like she had been waiting for this moment forever too.
Both of their minds were going crazy wondering
Does he really?
Does she really?
And it all mounted up for what was about to happen next.
Still tracing the length of her jaw, Alex tucked a fallen piece of hair behind Jo's ear and then slightly cupped her face.
It was now or never. Here goes everything because this sure wasn't nothing and he wasn't going to deny it any longer.
He knew they worked as friends. But he wanted to prove that they would work as everything. Jo drove him so crazy but maybe she was in fact his kind of crazy. Alex actually started to have hope for himself, for Jo's self, for themselves! Maybe this could work but there was only one way to find out. He didn't want to be scared any longer.
He had to finally give himself a chance to be happy. Jo was not every other woman he had ever been with, she was no woman he had ever been with, and yet she was the only woman he ever wanted to be with, ever!
Alex's heart rate was increasing rapidly as he began to lean his face in closer towards Jo's. She would have failed miserably if she had tried to pretend her lips weren't already parting in anticipation.
Jo's body was becoming molten by just the intensity in Alex's eyes.
And she would have sworn that she had never heard her heart beat so loudly, but it was then she realized that it was the pings of the elevator moving upwards again.
And to no avail, as quickly as the doors had locked them in, they opened to set them free.
Alex, still oblivious, was mere centimeters away from kissing his woman when they both jumped to the startling voices coming from behind them.
"Alex, Jo?"
"Are y'all okay?" Meredith spoke up again realizing her presence was still unknown.
Jo and Alex both quickly snapped out of their façade and back into reality to turn around and see not only Meredith but Christina, Peckwell, and Avery standing there with stunned eyes.
Jo blushed and Meredith and Christina would swear that Alex did too.
Quickly realizing the turmoil of the situation and noting the pissed off look on Peckwell's face, Jo tried to come up with something, anything, as fast as she could. She had almost forgotten she was in a relationship with Peckwell because although he was standing right in front of her, she would not have been able to tell you his name five minutes ago!
Jo wished she had a mirror because her emotions were running wild and she so wanted to see what look she was portraying right now and everyone was staring at her as if it was her job to speak first.
Alex too was unsure of what to say, the truth? Yea right he told himself as he peaked over at Jo who seemed to have a look of regret on her face.
How could he have been so stupid? Jo was in a relationship, she was not his. He tried convincing himself of that but it wasn't as if Jo having a boyfriend was some new dawning realization. He had known this when they had stepped into the elevator. But he also took note of the pissed off look on Peckwell's face but he wasn't sure what to make of it quite yet.
Alex knew he would be mad if he found any girlfriend of his with her body almost tangled up with another guys in an elevator.
But at the same time, everyone already knew he and Jo were just friends.
Could it have looked that bad he questioned himself as he tried accessing the situation.
Obviously so, he considered quickly because he and Jo were still standing there speechless. And everyone else was still waiting on them to just say anything at all.
Alex looked at Jo and saw embarrassment start to fill in her eyes. Jo did not deserve this! Unless he said something, anything, then he knew the hospital would fill with rumors of her being a whore. It would all be blown out of proportion and people would start calling her HO-JO. The thought alone pissed him off.
And it's not like they even came close to cheating but he knew with his reputation that someone would jump at the chance to just say it.
She does not need any of this. Jo does not need anything from me. Maybe she does want/need to try and be happy with Peckwell, Alex quickly, half-heartedly decided, and so Alex being Alex went back into normal Alex mode and decided to go with the logical answer.
The one everyone would hopefully believe and move on with! So that he could move on…
"We are fine, Meredith. The elevator broke down, not like that's a first! What is a first though, Is me having to be stuck in an elevator with an uptight princess whose spasms are harder to handle than a 6 year olds. Princess flipped out in there. I guess it brought back her memories of living in a cardboard box. And so I had to do what I had to do to keep her from sucking up all our air. Techniques of a good Doctor! Speaking of Doctors, I don't have time for this. I have a patient to go see."
And like that Alex disappeared never giving Jo a second glance.
Everyone else then decided there was something probably much more juicier going on elsewhere and so everyone then dispersed leaving only Jo and Peckwell standing there.
"Come with me now" Peckwell demanded as he grabbed a pretty rough hold around Jo's wrists.
Jo, obviously, did not feel like listening to whatever Peckwell had to say but she was still trying to pick up some of the pieces of her heart off the floor when he basically started walking for her causing her to follow behind.
She could not believe it! How did any of this happen? She walked into an elevator a half an hour ago feeling strong willed, independent, courageous, and bold. She knew who she was and promised no one would ever make/need/want her to feel any different.
Everything she had ever been through had led her to this moment. Or well the moments before the elevator.
How could she have been so naïve? She knew Alex would never really want someone like her!
Jo swore to herself that she would never let her past define her but she now had herself convinced that there comes a point where it is just too hard to try.
How can you overcome something that people are constantly reminding you of Jo tried making sense of anything at all, still half walking, still half being pulled, behind Peckwell.
She and Alex were friends, best friends, and she was always fine with that up until their epic elevator fiasco just moments ago. How dare he say those things about her? Why would he even? How could even? Jo's mind was now crazier than she had ever thought!
But really, that's why she had kept her feelings to herself in the first place. She thought they were just fine as friends.
"Did Alex not?" she challenged her beliefs. But she couldn't help but believe the facts.
So she guessed not, she argued with herself. The thought made her doubt herself in ways she didn't even know she could. What if he never liked her? What if she always got on his nerves? What if she was some bet with a guy friend to prove he did not sleep with every girl? And what if he chose her because she is the one girl he never would?
That was the only explanation. That is all she could come up with.
Why else would he have used her on insecurities against her? "Cardboard box…?" Did Alex really use those words?
She was heartbroken and as much as she had been through in her life, she had never felt worse than she did now.
She thought about the many people that had come and gone throughout her life starting with her Mother, ending with Alex, and the so many people in between.
Was any one ever just going to love her for her? Stick by her side? Want her? The good…and the bad!
"Guess not…everyone has always been right and I get only what I deserve!" That was the solemn acceptance Jo tried to assure herself of as Peckwell then shoved her into an on-call room and pushed her back up against the door.