Chapter Two: Wish you were here
"I can be tough, I can be strong but with you it's not like that at all. There's a girl that gives a shit behind this wall, you just walked through it..."
Ohio: April's POV
April dejectedly sat down on her designated seat and buckled her seat belt; she plucked her phone from her bag as she leans back. She tapped on the screen multiple times before letting out a frustrated sigh; "Stop it! He didn't even say goodbye to you, that's already proof enough that it meant nothing to him" she chastised herself. She then turned off her phone and stuffed it inside her bag; she turned towards her side and gazed out of the window.
Flashback:
Jackson is reading some charts as he walks inside his patient's room and saw April; he walked towards her and stared at his friend; "Okay?"
April turned towards her best friend;"Uh, no change-just, I don't want to mess this up like I messed up everything else" she said dejectedly.
Jackson furrowed his brows; "What? You were great in the O.R."
April pursed her lips;"I wasn't the Gunther. I was a superduper assistant" she paused and averted her gaze. "They're gonna fire me as Chief Resident" she said with worry.
Jackson let out a small smile; "No, it's your first day so just make it do it again" he said while squeezing April's shoulder for comfort.
April turned towards Jackson again and let out a small smile.
oOo
"Chief frigging resident, unbelievable!" Jackson said boisterously as he entered the room.
April cringed; "I'm sorry" she said guiltily.
Jackson pulled a chair and sat beside April; "What? Don't be. You deserved it. I'm happy, I have what I want" he said while looking at Lexie.
"It's such a crappy year, I can't believe we're both happy. I can't believe they like me enough to make me Chief Resident, they hated me for so long, I can't believe I actually have friends here" April said with amazement.
Jackson shifted his eyes to the computer monitor and began typing on the keyboard; "Well, they're gonna hate you again but it's now your job boss them around" he said.
April paused and stared at Jackson incredulously.
"You know how much they love that"
April scrunched her face; "Oh God, it's that true?" she asked.
Jackson bit his bottom lip to keep himself from smiling; he then turned towards the red head and nodded his head solemnly.
April's eyes widen in mortification as panic sets in; she then turned her eyes towards the window and stared at it blankly. "That's true."
Jackson smirked at April's reaction and followed her gaze; he let out huge smile upon seeing his girlfriend watching them with a smile.
End of Flashback
April closed her eyes and leans her forehead on the window pane as she ponders about her predicament; maybe they're better of as best friends and the proverbial line between them should never have been crossed. They were good together and the memories that she just thought of proved it; Jackson was her rock, the only constant thing all throughout her whole residency and now even that was taken away-along with her job. It was her fault though; she initiated the whole thing, from the very first kiss up to the very uncharacteristic dirty talk she initiated inside the men's room, of all places. April opened her eyes and almost instantly, tears trickled down her cheeks, taking a walk back on memory lane when things are still fresh was not a good idea.
oOo
Seattle: Jackson's POV
Jackson emptied his fifth glass of whiskey and flagged Joe for another; he took his phone from his pocket and placed it on top of the counter. He glared at the offending device for a couple of minutes before scowling; "Didn't even leave me a message or something" he mumbled to himself angrily.
Joe pushed a new glass of whiskey towards the surgeon; "This is your last glass, I'm cutting you off" he said.
Jackson grasped the glass with both hands and glared at the swirling brown liquid inside it; "Whatever"
Joe rolled his eyes as he shifted away from the brooding surgeon.
Jackson stared at his phone again while taking a swig of his drink.
Flashback:
Jackson entered the men's room with a frown; he felt his annoyance grow substantially when he was bombarded by a bunch of fleeing surgeons zipping their flies.
"What? You're supposed to be doctors, I see your things, you see mine. It's all just flesh and cartilage, get over it!" April shrieked while drying her jacket under the blower.
Jackson furrowed his brows as he stares at April confusedly; "April-what?"
April smiled at Jackson shakily; "Hey Jackson how's it going?"
Jackson began pacing as he tugged on his tie with frustration; "Not so good! You?"
April threw her jacket on top of the sink; "I am dying in there! I am actually failing!" she shrilled.
Jackson paused and stared at the distraught red head; "You too? Coz mine is a total fiasco!"
April began pacing frantically; "They think I'm insane!"
Jackson crossed his arms on top of his chest; "Oh they're toying with me" he said sardonically.
April placed her hands on top of her head; "I am so distracting into a puddle of sweat-I don't know what's wrong with me!"
Jackson uncrossed his arms as he continued pacing; "I know exactly what's wrong with me and I still can't reel it in!"
"I broke my promise to Jesus and now I can't even talk to him and I need him, he's the only one who can calm me down-"
Jackson paused; "Why the hell did you do it? Why did you let me?" he yelled.
April faced Jackson; "I don't know!"
Jackson scowled; "You said it was okay"
"I know!"
"I knew you would regret it!" Jackson said accusingly while pointing his finger at her.
"Stop yelling! Why are you yelling at me?" April shrieked as she stomped her foot.
Jackson walked towards the cubicles angrily; "Because I'm all messed up too! I mean-what am I? I'm the guy that made you break your promise to Jesus? I'm not that guy alright? That guy is gross-and so very unbecoming especially for an Avery!"
April leaned back on the sink as her eyes widen with his statement; "What?" she asked incredulously. She pushed away from the sink and faced Jackson; "Are you honestly comparing breaking my promise to Jesus with putting a tiny dent into your family crest?"
Jackson licked his lips as realization of what he said hit him; he looked away in shame. "You're right-You're right and I'm sorry" he said.
April leaned back on the sink and braised her hands on top of it.
Jackson shifted and stood right in front of April; "My mom is the examiner in the room right next to mine, its stalling me. I know-its-its-I'm worried about my mom and what she's gonna think if I fail, it's pathetic, right?" he said.
April shook her head; "No-god-no. Jackson, It's not pathetic. That's the most important relationship in your life" she said.
Jackson let out a deep breath as he waited for her to continue.
April closed her eyes and let out a defeated sigh; she swallowed hard before licking her lips. "The problem isn't that I broke my promise-that's not the problem. The problem is-" she paused and met Jackson's eyes "The problem is-"
Jackson licked his lips; "And it felt good" he finished for her.
"It felt good" April repeated breathlessly.
Jackson shifted on his feet; "I shouldn't have taken advantage-"
April chuckled; "Taking advantage? What?"
"We should go" Jackson groaned before making his way towards the door.
April shook her head; "Taking advantage? I kissed you, remember?"
Jackson paused as he grasps the door knob; "Yeah but I kissed you back"
"Yeah but then I unbuttoned your shirt"
Jackson pulled his hand away and turned towards April; "Yeah then I pulled up that skirt" he said as he rakes her body with his eyes.
April turned her head sideways and licked her bottom lip suggestively."Yeah but then I kissed your neck..."
Jackson smiled upon seeing the look on April's face; he turned towards the door again and locked it.
April bit her bottom lip sultrily as she watches Jackson walk towards her.
"Yeah and then I took off your shirt" Jackson said as he stood right in front of April.
"And I unbuckled your belt" April said breathlessly while tugging her skirt up.
Jackson stepped closer and placed his hands on her waist; "And then my hand on your back" he said huskily.
"And I wrapped my arms around your neck"
Jackson hefted April up and sat her on top of the sink; he leaned his forehead to hers as he continued staring into her eyes. "And then I-"
April wrapped her legs around his hips as she trailed her hands towards his chest; "And then you-"
Jackson fixed his gaze on April's lips before leaning forward and claiming her lips hungrily
April wrapped her arms around Jackson's neck again and began returning the kisses frantically.
Jackson plucked April from the sink and began carrying her towards the cubicle.
April wrapped her legs around his waist tightly as she continued kissing him.
Jackson stepped inside the cubicle and April slammed it closed behind them.
oOo
Jackson saw April sitting on a chair along the hallway so he walked towards her; he plopped down beside the quiet red head and smiled. "Good luck"
April didn't respond and just continued staring at the carpet.
"April" Jackson studied April's face; "Come on, you're not even gonna look at me?" he cajoled.
April turned her head sideways; "No it's not you Jackson-it's Jesus,"
Jackson's smiled faltered.
"I was a virgin because I love Jesus and now Jesus hates me"
Jackson shifted in his chair uncomfortably as he stares at her.
April was about to open her mouth to speak but was cut off when the examiner called her name. She turned towards the examiner and smiled; "Hi" she said perkily before standing up without a word to Jackson.
Jackson watches as April walks away from him.
End of Flashback
Jackson gripped the glass tighter in his hands as he felt his eyes stinging; he sniffed loudly before taking a huge gulp of his drink. He forced the bitter liquid down his throat and winced; "You fucked things up because you can't keep it in your pants. Now you just manage to lose the only person you truly cared for and cared for you, why do you always screw things up?" he mumbled to himself bitterly.
After a couple of hours...
Alex stepped inside Joe's and spotted Jackson's slumped form on the bar counter right away; he furrowed his brows as he make a bee line towards his friend.
Joe noticed the other surgeon approaching so he shifted closer to the counter; "I already cut him off, I don't know who else to call" he said apologetically.
Alex stood behind Jackson and braised his hands on his hips; "First Kepner, now this! I can't believe my luck" he said sarcastically. He then shifted closer to Jackson and tapped him on the shoulder; "Avery"
Jackson lifted his head from his arms and turned to face whoever is disturbing him; he furrowed his brows and let out a drunken smile upon recognizing his friend. "Hey Karev! What's up man?" he slurred.
Alex stared at Jackson's face for a couple of seconds before bursting out with laughter; "You're shit face drunk man" he said with amusement.
Jackson wrinkled his nose; "I'm not that drunk"
Alex shifted on his feet and crossed his arms on top of his chest; "Yeah right"
Jackson bobbed his head up and down; "Yeah"
Alex shook his head; "The way you're bobbing your head up and down like an imbecile is a sure sign that you drank more than you can handle Pretty Boy. Why don't you hop off that stool so I can take you home"
Jackson frowned; "I don't want to go home-I can't go home"
"And why is that?"
"I'm on call" Jackson replied.
Alex raised his brow; "With the amount of alcohol in your system? I don't think so. If you don't want to go home then I'll just drop you off the hospital and hook you up with something" he said.
Jackson's face relaxed; "Good idea" he replied. He then began fumbling with his pockets and fished out his wallet; he furrowed his brows as he sloppily began counting some bills. "How much do I owe you Joe?" he asked while facing the bartender.
"$30" Joe replied.
Jackson began fumbling with his wallet again and cursed loudly when he can't seem to count the right amount.
Alex rolled his eyes and snatched the wallet from Jackson's hand.
"Hey!"
Alex ignored Jackson's protest and pulled the right amount of money from the other surgeon's wallet; he then moved closer to the bar and placed it on the counter. "Done. Now, haul your ass off that stool so we can go our merry way" he said before returning the wallet back to Jackson's hands.
Jackson swallowed and stuffed his wallet inside his pocket; he slowly stood up from his perch and tried his best to stand straight.
"I'm only doing this shit once man, so don't make it a habit" Alex warned. He then stepped beside Jackson and braised the other surgeon's arm around his own shoulders; "Come on Avery walk me, I won't go carrying your ass to the hospital so suck it up and try to walk or whatever!" he barked.
Jackson leaned towards Alex and let out goofy smile; "Thank you for doing this man, I owe you one"
"You owe me twice, I helped your best friend too" Alex mumbled to himself.
"What's that?" Jackson slurred.
"Nothing. Just walk."
oOo
Ohio: April's POV
"DUCKKIIIIEEEEE!"
April gritted her teeth as she hauled her luggage behind her; she narrowed her eyes and stopped right in front of her sister. "Stop calling me Duckie! I'm not an ugly duckling anymore!" she snapped.
Libby smiled widely before pulling her peeved sister into a tight hug; "You know I don't mean it that way April" she said.
April sighed and hugged her sister back.
Libby pulled away and studied April's face; "Were you crying?"
"Of course not" April replied.
Libby narrowed her eyes as she pinches April's chin, inspecting her face closely; "Your eyes are red and you have tear stains on your cheeks, what happened?" she asked with concern.
April pulled her face away and averted her eyes; "It's nothing, I'm just tired and it was just hard leaving Seattle."
Libby knew that April was lying because her sister can never maintain eye contact whenever she's hiding something, she wanted to pry it out of her but seeing her tearstained cheeks, she decided to let it pass—for now. She pasted a smile on her face and grabbed the trolley out of April's hands; "Come on Apple, let's get you home, I know you're tired"
April turned towards her sister and let out a small smile; "I haven't heard you call me that in ages."
Libby smiled back; "You don't come home often enough, that's why" she teased.
April chuckled; "Touché"
Libby lopped her arm with April's; "Come now, I'm sure Mom and Dad awaits us"
April nodded; "Lets"
April was jostled awake when the door beside her was yanked open; she opened her eyes groggily and turned her face sideways.
"AUNTIE APPLE YOU'RE HERE!"
"Sophia Claire Anderson! What did I tell you about yelling?" Libby said sternly.
Sophia threw her mother a rueful smile before bowing her head in shame.
April unbuckled her seat belt; "It's okay" she said. She then turned towards her niece and hauled the little girl into her lap; "Did you think that Aunt Apple will miss your special day?"
Sophia smiled widely before throwing her tiny arms around April's neck; "I know you wouldn't!" she squealed excitedly.
April chuckled as she engulfed Sophia into a tight hug; after a couple of seconds she pulled away and planted a soft kiss on her head. "I wouldn't"
Libby smiled at the scene; "Run along Sophie, tell Grandma and Grandpa that we're already here" she said.
Sophia happily hopped off of her Aunt's lap and sprinted towards the house in full speed.
"Slow down Sophie!" April called out. She then turned towards her sister and smiled; "She's so big" she said.
Libby unbuckled her seat belt; "Yes and very handful."
"I can see that" April said. She then climb out of the car and stretched her arms upward; she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "God, I miss fresh air"
Libby chuckled as she closed the door behind her; "I can see that" she said.
"APPLE YOU'RE FINALLY HOME!"
April's eyes snapped open upon hearing a familiar voice; she hastily spun around and let out a huge smile upon seeing her father jogging towards her. "Daddy!"
Joe Kepner swept April from the ground as he engulfed her into a tight hug; "I missed you!" he said.
April giggled as she hugs her old man back; "I missed you too!" she replied.
Joe squeezed her daughter one more time before depositing her back on the ground; "It's been too long pumpkin, how are you?"
April grinned; "I'm fine Daddy, where's Mom?"
Joe gestured towards their house with his thumb; "She's cooking up breakfast, you better head there pumpkin, you don't want to keep your mom waiting."
"I'll just get my bag and head in then" April said.
"Go on, I'll ask Eric to get this for you" Libby said.
April shook her head; "It's alright, I can do it" she insisted.
Joe placed his beefy hands on her daughter's shoulder and began pushing her towards the house; "We have this, go say Hi to your mother" he said.
April chuckled; "I'm going!" she said as she made her way towards her childhood home.
"And I remember all those crazy things you said, you left them running through my head. You're always there, you're everywhere but right now I wish you were here. All those crazy things we did, didn't think about it, just went with it, you're always there, you're everywhere but right now I wish you were here..."
Seattle: Jackson's POV
Jackson opened his eyes and cringes when sharp pains radiated inside his skull; he swallowed hard and closed his eyes again.
"You look like shit"
Jackson's eyes snapped open and turned his head sideways; "Yang? What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in bed or something?"
Cristina leaned on the door frame and crossed her arms on top of her chest; "I'm bored and I heard from Evil Spawn that you were shit faced last night, I had to see it for myself" she said with a smirk.
Jackson sat up from the patient's bed and rubbed his face with his palms; "You already saw me, now scoot."
"Nu-uh" Cristina said.
Jackson pulled his face away from his palms and noticed the I.V that's taped on the back of his hand.
"Do you want me to help you with that?" Cristina asked while gesturing towards the IV lines.
Jackson winced when another pain shot through his head; "I thought this thing will help with the hang over, it's not doing anything" he groaned.
Cristina entered the room, dragging her own IV lines behind her; she stopped right in front of Jackson and wrinkled her nose. "You smell horrible Pretty Boy, it doesn't match your looks"
Jackson lifted his eyes from his hand and glared at the other surgeon; "My apologies" he said sarcastically.
Cristina ignored Jackson's reaction and gestured towards his hand; "Do you want me to help you or not?"
Jackson proffered his hand grudgingly, making Cristina smirk.
oOo
Ohio: April's POV
"I'll just be out on the dock" April said to her father.
Joe turned his head sideways and smiled; "I know you missed it but just don't stay out too late, it gets ridiculously cold out there" he said.
April lifted her hand to show the jacket she holding; "That's why I've got this" she said with a smile.
Joe chuckled; "Go on."
April waived to her family before exiting the house; her smiled instantly faltered upon hearing the screen door shut behind her. She let out a defeated sigh as she made her way towards her favourite spot; once she reached the dock, she climbed up and moved closer to the edge. She let her jacket drop on the floor and sat down beside it; she hurriedly took off her flip flops and dangled her legs until it reached the tepid water. She swayed her legs back and forth as she braises her palm behind her; she tilted her head upwards and closed her eyes.
Flashback
April climb up the stairs to Cristina and Owen's new apartment; when she reached the landing, she pauses upon seeing one of the owners. "Oh-hi" she stuttered.
Owen nodded; "Hey"
April tucked her loose hair behind her ear as she tries to hold back her tears; she began fumbling with her hands as she avoided Owen's eyes. "Uhm-I'm sorry-I-I-I know I should bring a gift, like a housewarming gift to things like this but I didn't really have time to bring anything-So, I'm just really sorry" she mumbled as tears fell down her cheeks.
Owen's eyes widen in surprise; he then shifted closer to April and stared at her with concern. "It's really no problem" he said comfortingly.
April lowered her head as sobs escaped her lips.
"What happened? April?" Jackson asked as he walks towards his distraught best friend.
April lifted her gaze and stared at Jackson with tears streaking down her cheeks.
Jackson's eyes widen as he stared at April in panic; he tugged the red head closer him and began cooing. "Hey...hey...come on, come on." He then wrapped his arm around April's shoulder and began steering her towards the kitchen.
April held the strap of her bag tightly as she explained what happened between her and Alex.
Jackson gritted his teeth as he listens; he then turned his head sideways for a moment and instantly saw red. He narrowed his eyes menacingly and began stomping towards Alex.
Alex saw April standing in the middle of the kitchen and threw her an exasperated look; "Oh listen-let me talk to her" he said.
Jackson didn't say anything and just punched him square on the face.
Alex stumbled back and landed on his ass; he hastily hefted himself from the floor and placed his hand on his bleeding mouth. "Alright" he said.
Jackson's ire flared upon seeing Alex's nonchalant reaction so he lunged towards him and began hitting him repeatedly, destroying the brand new coffee table in the process.
April eyes widen in mortification as she watches her best friend pummel Alex.
Mark and Owen stepped in to break the fight; pulling Jackson away as Callie stood in the middle.
End of Flashback
April's eyes snapped open; she sat right up and stared ahead. "Don't do this to yourself, he only did that because you were crying and you are his best friend. That doesn't mean anything, just stop putting meaning into his actions" she chastised herself.
"When did you start talking to yourself?"
April turned her head and saw her older sister standing a couple of feet away from her; "I'm not talking to myself" she said before shifting her gaze back to the waters.
Libby walked towards April and stood behind her; she took off her flip flops and sat beside her, dangling her legs on the water as well.
"Where's Sophie?" April asked.
"She's with Mom" Libby replied. She then threw April a side glance before staring ahead; "What's wrong Apple? I know something's bothering you" she asked gently.
April forced out a smile before shaking her head; "I'm fine Libs, don't worry about me"
Libby turned towards her younger sister and stared at her; "I've taken care of you since you wore nappies and I know that you can't lie to save your life, so spill."
April's smile faltered; she let her gaze fall to her lap and began fumbling with her hands.
"April?" Libby said sternly.
April let out a dejected sigh; "I lost my job-I'm no longer a doctor" she admitted.
Libby's face softened; "Losing one job doesn't mean that you're no longer a doctor Apple, there are lots of hospitals around this country that'll be lucky to have you" she said.
April felt her eyes stinging with tears; "I-I failed my boards, I'm not a board certified surgeon-I'm a failure" she croaked.
Libby shifted closer to April and wrapped her arm around the other woman's shoulder; "You are not a failure, flunking one test doesn't outweigh the hundred tests you passed with flying colours in med school, you can take that test again, right?"
April nodded.
Libby began rubbing April's arm comfortingly; "Then take it again next year and the test is only for surgery, not all doctors have to be surgeons and I trust that you know that."
April sniffed as she wiped her cheeks.
"There's still something you're not telling me, I can feel it radiating from you. So, tell your big sister what's wrong so we can fix it."
April wiped her cheeks again; "It's not something that can be fixed, trust me."
"Well, it's not up for you to decide, so, come on, out with it" Libby cajoled.
April felt her chin wobble as myriad of emotions surges inside her chest; "I-I had sex with Jackson and I'm stupid enough to believe that it's more than just a stupid one night stand, he doesn't care for me" she said brokenly.
Libby's eyes widen as she felt her jaw drop.
April turned her face sideways when she felt her sister stiffen beside her; she stared at Libby's reaction for a moment before dissolving into tears.
Libby closed her mouth and shook her head; she pulled April to her chest wordlessly and engulfed her into a hug.
April's cries intensified.
Libby began rubbing April's back soothingly; "Oh honey-do you love him?"
"I-I don't know" April croaked.
"Do you regret having sex with him?"
April swallowed a sob before shaking her head.
Libby tries her best to remember the Jackson fellow that April mentioned, after a couple of seconds realization dawned on her. "Jackson-he's your best friend way back from Mercy West, right?"
April nodded.
Libby planted a kiss on April's head before pulling away; she angled herself to face her sister. "Jackson cares for you, he's been your best friend for years, sex can't nullify that fully."
April blinked and fat tears trekked down her cheeks almost instantly; "I-I know that. I-I think he's still in love with Lexie and that hurts me most-why would he have sex with me if he's still hung up with someone else? Granted that it was my fault because I kissed him first but he had no qualms doing it with me again inside the men's room-"
"You had public sex?" Libby gasped in shock.
April's eyes widen upon realizing her blunder; she quickly averted her gaze and cursed out loudly.
Libby laughed upon seeing April's comical reaction; "I didn't think you have it in you Apple but you just me proud!"
April stared at Libby with all the seriousness she can muster; "I'll murder you if you ever tell anyone I told you that!"
Libby raised her hands in surrender; "It's our little secret, I promise"
April studied her sister's face before letting her shoulder slump again.
Libby noticed the shift in April's demeanour; "Did you ask him about it?"
April wiped her cheeks; "What for? It's so obvious that he's still pining for her" she said sadly.
"Did you see them?"
"Lexie and the other doctors in our hospital was involved in a plane crash—"
"Oh my god!"
"But they're all alright" April assured her sister.
Libby let out a relieved sigh.
April took that as a sign to continue; she took a deep breath before fixing her gaze on the setting sun. "Let me start at the beginning so you can understand-Lexie-she was Jackson's first serious girlfriend in years—I know he loves her because I was there for him when they broke up" she paused and sighed. "I thought-I thought he was over her because it's been months but when he found out that Lexie was involved in that crash—he lost it. I mean, I lost it too because they're my friends and I care for them all as well—but with Jackson—it was different, he was different."
"What do you mean different?"
April felt her eyes stinging again but she forced it back; "I feel terrible because I feel this way-she barely escaped with her life and she's my friend but I can't help but be hurt when I saw how Jackson never left her side. He's practically glued to her bedside and he never once checked on me-I know my problems are far shallower than what Lexie had to go through but I just-we just-" she paused. "It's stupid and I know that I shouldn't feel this way because he never promised me anything in the first place but I expected a little more concern from him-even for just a tiny bit because I'm his best friend and I needed him to be there for me too. He knew I flunked my boards and he told me that he's sick of leaving me but he couldn't even spare me a minute" she finished with a hollow laugh. "He actually stood me up, can you believe that? He's the one who asked me to wait for him-to talk about whatever it is between us and he didn't even bother to show his face—he didn't say goodbye" she added bitterly.
Libby stared at her sister; "He asked you to wait for him to talk?"
April nodded; "Yeah and I was stupid enough to wait for him for two hours."
"Maybe something happened?"
April turned her face towards her sister and let out a sad smile; "He could've just called me or texted me to let me know but he didn't and that already speaks volumes" she said. She then averted her gaze; "Maybe he really does love Lexie and he's only feeling guilty that's why he wanted to talk to me, what do you think?"
"I think you should call him and talk to him to get the answer"
April thought for a moment before shaking her head; "There's nothing left to talk about Libs, his actions made it clear for me."
"April..."
April let out deep breath before wiping her cheeks with her hands, making sure that there's no evidence of her tears. "It's okay-I will be okay. There's no sense in dwelling in the past, I need to move forward with my life" she said.
Libby let out a sigh; "You'll have to talk to him eventually you know, you'll definitely see him again"
April placed her hands on her lap; "With our current set up? I doubt we'll get that chance, I mean he's heading to Tulane in New Orleans and I'm here in Moline, what are the chances that we'll run into each other again, right?"
"So you're just gonna pretend that you guys didn't happen?" Libby asked.
"It's easier that way Libs—much easier" April said.
Libby stared at her sister sternly; "You have to talk to him Apple, Mom and Dad did not raise you to be a coward."
April let her eyes fall to her lap as she mulls on her sister's words.
oOo
Seattle: Jackson's POV
Jackson stepped out of the bathroom inside the Residents Lounge and made his way towards his cubby; he was placing his clothes inside his gym bag when his eyes strayed to the empty cubby beside his. "It's true-it's really true. April left him and they didn't get the chance to talk about what happened between them. He'd be lying to himself if he says that it didn't hurt because it does, she was his rock, his person, his best friend for years and she's been more to him after that fateful night San Francisco. He admits, he's been too pre-occupied with Lexie lately (who happens to be his ex) to the point that he didn't even have time to check on April, but that was not his fault because Mark begged him. But—yeah-maybe he was too preoccupied because he didn't even know that her contract was not reinstated and she's leaving for Moline..."
"You alright man?"
Jackson tore his eyes away from April's cubby and turned around; "Err—yeah" he replied. He then cleared his throat and met Alex's eyes; "About last night, thank you for helping me man, I appreciate it a lot. Like what I said, I owe you so if you need anything just tell me."
Alex walked towards his own cubby; "You're welcome and I'll keep that in mind."
Jackson nodded before resuming what his doing before he got sidetracked.
"Kepner left for Moline yesterday, were you able to see her? She was looking for you" Alex said.
Jackson froze.
Alex paused and turned towards the other surgeon; "Avery?"
Jackson cleared his throat; "Err-yeah I saw her briefly" he replied.
Alex raised his brow; "Briefly?"
Jackson zipped his bag close and stuffed it inside his cubby; "Yeah—I was bringing Sophia to Sloan and then I got pulled into an emergency surgery, so yeah-briefly."
Alex nodded; "I see-well, I also have one thing to ask"
"Shoot"
"Are we moving out of the apartment or are we just gonna find a new roommate?"
Jackson faced Alex and threw him a confused look; "Why do we need to find a new roommate?"
Alex leaned on his cubby and crosses his arms on top of his chest; "If you don't want a new housemate then we'll just have to split the rent between us, I mean that's okay with me because I like the privacy and-"
"Split it in two? Why?"
"Dude, I think April's not coming back. I checked her room this morning and all her belongings are already boxed."
Jackson felt the wind got knocked out of his chest; "Boxed?"
Alex nodded; "Yeah-it looks like she'll be sending a moving crew to get it for her or she'll ask one of us to ship it. I was shocked as well because the last time we spoke she never mentioned that she's moving back to Ohio permanently, she pretty much promised me that she'll be back but looking at her room, I doubt it."
"She can't do that. She has to finish her Fellowship and how about her boards?"
Alex shrugged his shoulders; "I also don't know, it's Kepner, she changes her mind every second" he said. He then wrinkled his nose and pulled himself away from his cubby; "Speaking of that, I'll need to talk to Mer, see you later Pretty Boy" he said as he jogged towards the door, not waiting for any response.
Jackson felt his legs moving and before he realizes it he's sitting at the bench right in front of April's cubby; he stared at it for a couple of seconds before burying his face into his palms.
"I can't believe you! The first time you proposed to me I'm literally trapped under a large stupid metal contraption and I'm bleeding to death! The second time you propose, you're stuck in a wheelchair and I'm plastered to my bed! Why don't you be a normal person and at least wait for us to heal before you go on popping that question" Lexie said indignantly.
Mark tried his best to keep hold of Lexie's hand while sitting on a wheelchair; "But I don't want to wait anymore, we've already wasted enough time as it is. Life is too short and I don't want to spend another day without knowing that your mine, that you'll grow old with me. I love you Lexie Grey, so much that I can feel it in my bones. So marry me, be my wife, be my everything."
Tears fell down Lexie's cheek as she stares at Mark's eyes; she let out strangled sob before wiping her face with her shaking hands. "How can a girl say no to that? Of course I'll marry you, I love you too Mark, so much"
Mark grinned widely; he then turned his head towards the door and whistled. "She agreed to marry me so you can come out now!"
Callie, Alex and Richard peered behind the door and smiled at the newly engaged couple.
Lexie's eyes widen.
Mark turned towards his fiancé and smiled; "I asked them to hide there because if you said no, I wanted them to haul me up your bed so I can pin you down and ask you again" he said cheekily.
Lexie wrinkled her nose; "That's awful Mark! You are awful!"
Callie chuckled as she steps in the room; "That's the plan but I doubt he can pin you long enough without injuring himself in the process" she said. She then smiled at the couple; "Congratulations"
Lexie turned her gaze towards her beau's best friend and smiled; "Thank you Callie" she replied.
Richard and Alex followed Callie's lead and stepped into the room.
"Err—Congratulations" Alex mumbled.
"Thanks Alex" Lexie said.
Richard grinned widely; "I think its sweet that he proposed to you twice, it only proves that he means it. Congratulations to the both of you"
Mark chuckled as he squeezed Lexie's hand; "I'd propose to her again after we get discharged, if that's what she wants" he said.
"You're so whipped!" Callie teased.
Mark smirked; "I am and I'm proud of it" he said smugly. He then cocked his head to the side and stared at the surgeon's standing inside Lexie's room; "Hey-where's my man Avery?"
Callie shrugged her shoulders; "No idea" she said.
"I just saw him a couple of minutes ago, he's in the locker room. But let me warn you, don't mess with him much," Alex said.
"Any particular reason?" Mark asked.
"He's had too much to drink last night; drank himself to stupor, I had to haul his shit faced ass here because he refuses to go home. I hooked him up with an IV to flush out the amount of alcohol he ingested last night but it looks like it didn't help much because he's in a sour mood"
Mark furrowed his brows while in thought; "Doesn't sound like my Avery" he said.
Lexie threw her fiancé an amused look before staring at Alex; "Did something upset him or something? Did he lose a patient?"
Alex cocked his head to the side; "He didn't mention losing a patient last night," he replied.
"What could possibly happen that made him drink like that?" Mark asked loudly. "Aha! Why don't we ask Kepner! She's his best friend right?"
Alex scoffed; "Kepner already left last night, Hunt fired her because she flunked her boards."
"What do you mean she's fired?" Lexie demanded.
Callie's eyes widen in surprise; "How can Owen fire her?"
Richard turned towards Alex; "When did this happen?" he asked.
Alex shrugged his shoulders; "I just found out the other day, Mer told me."
"I think we found our source" Mark said.
Lexie turned towards Mark; "What source?"
Mark met Lexie's eyes; "The source of Avery's distress" he said. He then turned towards Alex; "Page him and send him to my room, I'll talk to him" he said.
"Right away Doc" Alex said before turning on his heels.
"I can't believe Chief Hunt dismissed April like that! She's her student!" Lexie said, clearly aghast.
Richard rubbed his chin while in thought; after a moment he furrowed his brows and stared at the other doctors. "I have to go, I need to check on something" he said before leaving the room.
Callie crossed her arms on top of her chest and sighed; "Now's not the time to fire competent people because we need all the help we can get, this was a stupid move on Hunt's part" she said.
"I couldn't agree more" Mark said.
"Damn, what I'd do to have you here, I wish you were here, Damn, what I'd do to have you near, I wish you were here..."
Jackson is going through his rounds, trying his hardest to maintain the little composure he has left. He's still reeling with what Alex told him and his heart is having a hard time accepting that April will not be coming back to him; he let her leave without so much of a goodbye. He could've called her or at least texted her when he knew he couldn't make it in time, why didn't he even think of using his stupid phone? What kind of best friend does that? No—what kind of man does that? He let out a dejected sigh upon reaching the nurses' station; he glumly placed his charts on top of it and braised his arms on the counter. He was beginning to zone out again when his pager went off; he lazily plucked it from his pocket and read the message. He furrowed his brows and stuffed it inside his pocket again; "I wonder what Sloan wants this time" he murmured to himself before making his way towards the elevator.
"What do you mean she has her things boxed?" Meredith asked.
Alex crossed his legs and leaned back on the couch; "It's all boxed Mer, I'm telling you. Her room is practically bare, I double checked it this morning" he replied.
Derek tickled Zola's tummy before shifting his eyes away from his daughter and letting it set on his wife; "I thought she told us that she'll just take a vacation in Moline and come back here?"
Meredith turned to Derek; "That's also what I know!"
"She also told me that she'll come back but if is she is, why did she pack all of her things?" Alex asked.
Meredith leaned forward and grabbed her phone from the side table; "Let me call her" she said.
"Good idea" Derek said before shifting his attention back to Zola.
Meredith tapped on April's number and shifted the phone to her ear; after a couple of rings with no answer she pulled the phone away and tapped on the screen again, hitting redial. She placed it back on her ear and waited again.
"No answer?" Alex asked.
"It's just ringing but she's not answering"
"At least it's still ringing, maybe she's feeding the pigs or something" Alex suggested with a smirk.
Meredith snorted; "I can imagine her feeding the pigs and talking to them with the voice she uses with her patients" she said.
Alex laughed while Derek let out smile.
Meredith pulled the phone away from her ear and let out a defeated sigh; "I'll try to call her again later, I don't even know what time it is Moline" she said.
"It's around seven-ish there" Derek said.
"Well she can't be feeding the pigs at this time" Alex snickered.
"You were having a party here and you didn't even invite me?" Cristina said from the doorway.
Alex turned his head sideways and furrowed his brows; "You're aware that you shouldn't be prancing around the hospital right?"
Cristina waived her hand dismissively; "I'm okay evil spawn, don't worry much about me."
"You can't argue with her Alex, believe me I already tried" Meredith said.
Cristina entered the room, dragging her IV lines behind her. She walked towards Alex and sat beside him; "What are you guys been up to? I got my hands bloody today" she said with a smirk.
Meredith raised her brow while Derek turned to stare at his wife's best friend.
"What'd you mean?" Alex asked.
"I took off Pretty Boys IV and I kinda nick some vessels so it bled a little but it's okay now, no damage done to his pretty million dollar hand" Cristina replied.
Alex sniggered; "How did that go? Did Pretty Boy throw a hissy fit?"
Cristina cackled; "He almost cried like a bitch baby"
Alex laughed happily.
Meredith furrowed her brows; "Why is Jackson hooked up with an IV in the first place?" she asked.
"He got pissed drunk last night" Alex replied.
Derek looked thoughtful; "I didn't think he's the type who'll drink himself to stupor" he said.
"It surprised me too, I had to haul his ass here because he keeps on yapping that he's on call and he refuses to go home" Alex said.
"I bet he didn't want to deal with Kepner's virginal chastisement, smart man" Cristina said.
Alex and Meredith instantly fell silent.
Cristina paused noticing her friend's reaction; "What? It's true. April tends to nag Jackson's ear off" she said with a smirk.
Derek turned his gaze to Cristina; "April left for Moline last night and we think that she's not coming back."
Cristina's smirk vanished; "What do you mean she's not coming back?"
Alex sighed; "She packed all her things in boxes, we think that she's planning on sending a moving crew to get her things for her."
Cristina frowned; "But she can't to that! What about her Fellowship? She can't just bail like that!"
"Apparently she can since she has no job tying her here" Meredith replied. She then sighed; "Have you talked to Owen?"
"I haven't gotten the chance to speak with him yet since he didn't drop by my room last night" Cristina replied.
"I spoke to him yesterday, he's decision is final" Alex said bitterly.
"We'll still talk to him Karev, he can't just let Kepner go. This hospital needs all the help it can get since we're still indisposed and April proved to be a fine and competent surgeon, we need her here" Derek said.
"She belongs here" Meredith said with finality.
Cristina nodded in agreement before standing up; "I think I'll go find my husband now" she said.
Alex stood up as well; "I'll come with you,"
"I can walk on my own evil spawn, no need to hover around me" Cristina snapped.
"Who says I'm coming with you so I can hover? I'm coming with you because your ass is showing behind that horrible gown and it's scarring the people you happen to pass by. I'm just protecting their eyes from Cristina Yang's yellow underwear so get over yourself" Alex snapped back.
Meredith chuckled with Alex's antics, so did Derek.
Cristina hastily secured the gown to her back before throwing Alex an impressed look; "You're learning evil spawn, I'm kinda impressed" she said with a smile.
"I have you as my role model, who wouldn't learn?" Alex replied with a smirk.
"Careful evil spawn, Kepner is on the run for the most snarkiest soon to be Attending position too, you can't let up and let the Mercy Westers win the spot" Cristina said.
Alex rolled his eyes; "Kepner doesn't even have a job here so if you want her to still be in the running you have to talk to your stingy husband first."
"Oh I plan on talking to him, I'll give him a piece of my brilliant mind" Cristina quipped.
"Then get to it!" Alex said while shooing her friend.
"Later Mer and Derek!" Cristina said while exiting the room.
"Later!" Alex said as he follows the other surgeon.
Jackson stopped right in front of his mentor's door and knocked three times; when he heard Mark's affirmative response, he pushed the door open and stepped inside the room. "You paged?"
Mark beckoned Jackson to come forward wordlessly.
Jackson raised his brow but followed Mark's silent instructions none the less; he stopped at the side of the bed and waited for his mentor to speak.
Mark leaned forward and grabbed Jackson's chin, startling the other surgeon.
"Hey! What on earth are you doing?" Jackson yelped in protest.
"Shut up and stay still" Mark reprimanded.
Jackson huffed but stopped his movements.
Mark turned Jackson's face left and right-up and down before pulling his hand away; "You look like shit. You have dark circles under your eyes, you have pallid skin and your eyes lost its usual sparkle, what the hell happened to you?"
Jackson stood straight and scowled at Mark; "You just paged me here so you can asses my skin and face?"
Mark leaned on his bed and crossed his arms on top of his chest; "I heard you got pissed drunk last night, what happened?"
"Stupid Karev can't keep his big mouth shut" Jackson mumbled angrily to himself.
"Pull a chair and sit down."
"Are you my shrink now?" Jackson asked irritably.
Mark narrowed his eyes menacingly at Jackson; "Sit down or you wouldn't be able to touch any of my prized patients" he snapped.
Jackson met Mark's eyes and saw that the older surgeon means business; he grudgingly pulled a chair and plopped down with a huff.
"Now tell your old handsome man why you decided to get piss drunk last night" Mark said.
Jackson averted his gaze as he crossed his arms on top of his chest; "I had a tough day, I wanted to unwind" he answered evasively.
Mark raised his brow; "You play ball when you're stressed, you don't drink. So cut the crap and just be honest because I'm telling you now, you won't be able to get your hands on any of my patients if you keep treating me like an imbecile who can't tell a lie from the truth."
Jackson pursed his lips; "It's really nothing that concerns you."
"Whatever got your boxers in a twist concerns me because it affects your appearance. How can you make our patients believe that you can make them look good when you look like shit? You're the only functioning representative of the Plastic Posses for now and it definitely doesn't help us win some cases if you keep on parading in this place like a dark cloud is looming over you. So, out with it already and tell me what's bothering you."
Jackson closed his eyes tightly as the truth in Mark's words hit him like tons of bricks; he leaned forward and braised his elbows on top of his knees, burying his face into his palms.
Mark threw Jackson a concerned look; "I can see that you're not okay and sometimes talking about it works" he said gently.
Jackson pulled his face away from his palms and met Mark's eyes; "I screwed up big time and I don't know how to fix it" he admitted.
Mark cocked his head to the side; "What did you do?"
"I slept with April during our boards" Jackson blurted out.
Mark's eyes widen in shock; "You-you deflowered April Kepner?!"
Jackson's shoulders slump in guilt; "Yeah"
Mark leaned forward; "Was it awful?"
Jackson scowled at his mentor; "It was not awful!" he snapped.
"Then how was it?"
Jackson's face softens upon remembering their tryst; "She was-it was great. More than great actually"
Mark whistled upon seeing the wistful look on his prot's face; "Seems like you enjoyed it a lot, so what's the problem?"
Jackson sighed; "She flunked her boards because of it. And now she lost her job too that's why she left for Moline and I don't know if she'll ever come back."
"I heard about what Hunt did and I'm not impressed. Kepner is a good surgeon and this hospital needs someone like her."
Jackson gritted his teeth; "I don't think I can face Hunt, I'm too pissed with him now."
"I can see the wheels turning inside your head now Avery and it's not pretty. Stay away from Admin for a while, we don't want you getting suspended because you pummelled the Chief of Surgery" Mark warned.
Jackson took a deep calming breath; "I know and I'm trying my best, believe me."
Mark leaned back on his pillows; "Do you love her?" he asked bluntly.
Jackson felt his breath hitch in his throat; "I-I-" he stuttered.
Mark smiled knowingly; "You don't have to answer that."
Jackson leaned back on his chair and stared at the floor pensively; "The truth is that I don't what I feel for her. I know I love her because she's my best friend-I don't know if that qualifies for something more."
"You mentioned that you guys weren't able to talk because she left, did you call her already?"
Jackson shook his head.
Mark threw Jackson a baffled look; "Err—why?"
"I don't know what to say to her and I don't know how she'll react upon hearing my voice,"
"Well, you'll never find out unless you try, where's your phone?"
Jackson frowned; "That's actually a good question" he said while fumbling with his pockets.
Mark raised his brow; "Don't tell me you manage to lose your phone too?"
Jackson stood up from his perch; "I'll go check my bag" he said before moving towards the door.
Mark narrowed his eyes at the young surgeon; "You better not be lying to me boy, you haul your ass here as soon as you find your phone, capiche?"
Jackson rolled his eyes; "As if I can avoid you forever, you practically have my career in your hands"
Mark smiled; "Damn right I do so scoot, find your pesky phone"
Jackson exited the room and closed the door behind him with a snap.
Mark shook his head, clearly amused; "I've always known they'd end up together" he said to himself.
oOo
Ohio: April's POV
April is sitting cross legged on her bed while staring at her phone blankly; she plucked the offending device and started tapping on the screen. When she reached Jackson's number, she let her thumb hover above the call button and stared at it; "Maybe he was pulled into an emergency surgery that's why he wasn't able to see me off? Well, if I was in his position I know I wouldn't be able to spare a minute to call someone" she rationalized. She bit her bottom lip hard as she contemplates her next step; maybe Libby was right, they need to talk—if not to solve whatever it is between them, at least to have closure so they'll be able to move on with their lives. Well—it's more on her side because she knows that she won't be able to move past it without talking to him, he's her Jackman and no matter how things are screwed up between them, he's still her best friend and she knows that he considers her as his. Having that in mind, she closed her eyes tightly and tapped on the ominous call button. She shifted the phone to her ear and waited for the dreaded sound of the other line ringing.
"Hello?"
April's eyes snapped open as her heart started beating wildly inside her chest; she pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at the screen. When she confirmed that she dialled the right number; she shifted it back to her ear and listened silently.
"Hello? Is anybody there?"
April felt her eyes stinging and her heart falling to her stomach; she ripped the phone away from her ear and tapped on the end call button. She placed the phone on her side table and switched off her night light with her shaking hand; she burrowed under the covers as she succumbs to the overwhelming sadness and hurt that erupted from her chest upon hearing another woman's voice on the other line.
oOo
Seattle: Jackson's POV
Jackson hefted out all of his clothes inside his gym bag as he searches for his blasted mobile phone; he fumbled with its pockets and groaned in frustration when he still can't find it. "Fucking A!" he bellowed angrily.
"D—dr. Karev?"
Alex tore his eyes away from his notes and turned around; he narrowed his eyes upon seeing his intern and braised his hands on his waist menacingly. "My patient better not be dying Edwards, what do you want?"
Stephanie Edwards gulped nervously; "I-I-"
"Spit it out! I don't have time for your stuttering!" Alex barked.
Stephanie pulled a familiar phone from her lab coat pocket and offered it Alex; "Joe-asked me to give it back to-to Dr. Avery-he left it at the bar last night and I tried finding him for hours but-but I can't seem to find him."
Alex snatched the phone out of the intern's shaking hand; "I'll give this back to Avery and tell him you found it. Thank you" he said.
"Err-okay"
Alex raised his brow; "Is there anything else?"
"Someone called him—April was the name that was blinking on the screen-I answered it because it kept ringing for a long time-but-but when I answered it—no one is on the other line"
"April?"
Stephanie nodded; "Yes."
Alex stared at the phone in his hand before tapping on the screen, when he saw that it's asking for a code he stuffed it inside his lab coat pocket. "Is there anything else?"
"No-that's all" Stephanie replied.
Alex nodded towards the patients' bed; "Good, now scoot."
Stephanie didn't need to be told twice; she scampered away from the snarky resident and ran towards the other direction.
Alex was about to continue his notes when he heard his name being called again; he let out a frustrated groan before turning around for the second time. "What?" he snapped.
Jackson stood right in front of him; "Did you notice my phone last night? I can't seem to remember where I put it"
Alex inserted his hand inside his pocket to retrieve the other surgeon's phone; "This is your phone right?" he asked.
Jackson's eyes widen before snatching it from Alex's hand; "Where did you find it?"
"You left it at Joe's last night and he asked one of the interns to return it to you" Alex explained.
"I thought I lost it" Jackson said as he began to fiddle with it.
"And oh, Edwards told me that a certain April called you, is that April-April?"
Jackson's hand stilled as he shifted his gaze to Alex; "A—april called?"
Alex crossed his arms on top of his chest; "If she's the only April on your phonebook then it's her. Try checking the call logs, that'll answer your question."
Jackson hastily tapped his phone multiple times before finding the right screen; he felt his heart beating wildly as he waited for the logs to load. He felt a smile tug on his lips upon seeing the familiar name appear on the screen; "It's really April, she called."
Alex smirked at his friend's reaction; "Wow, a complete 365 from your previous mood."
Jackson ignored Alex's taunts and hastily pocketed his phone.
"Whoa-you're not calling her back?"
Jackson smirked; "I'm definitely calling her back but not right in front of you. Thank you man, see you later!" he said cheerfully before walking away.
Alex shook his head; "There's definitely something going on between those two" he said.
"Avery! I thought you already bailed on me!" Mark said jovially as Jackson enters his room.
Jackson rolled his eyes as he closes the door behind him; "I already told you I won't bail"
Mark stared at the other man for a couple of seconds; "Something good happened, out with it"
Jackson sat down on his chair and threw Mark an amused look; "What gave you that idea?"
Mark gestured towards the spot above Jackson's head; "Simple, I don't see the ominous cloud that was hovering above your head anymore."
"I think the accident addled your brain a little" Jackson said with a chuckle.
Mark grinned widely; "No—the accident put my perspective back into place. I am now a happy and newly engaged man."
Jackson's eyes widen in surprise; "You and Lexie?"
"No—it's me and Derek!" Mark said snarkily. "Of course it's me and Lexie!"
Jackson shot up from his chair and sat himself at the side of his mentor's bed; he leaned forward and gave the old man a very uncharacteristic hug. "Congratulations! I'm happy for you and Lexie! FINALLY!"
Mark chortled happily as he patted Jackson's back; "It took us a plane crash to get us to the same page but we're finally there"
Jackson pulled away as he grinned widely; "When did you propose?"
Mark looked thoughtful for a moment before replying; "Well-I proposed to her two times, actually."
"Twice? When did you have time?"
Mark smiled sheepishly; "I proposed to her when I thought she wouldn't make it, she was-err-under a giant metal rubble" he said while wincing. "The second one was just a couple of hours ago, I was wheeled inside her room and I popped the question again."
Jackson threw Mark a bewildered look; "You proposed to her while she was bleeding?" he asked in disbelief.
Mark chuckled; "Yeah-"
Jackson felt a smile tugging on his lips; "That was-I don't know what to call it man"
"Romantic-we call it romantic Avery"
Jackson stood up from his perch and went back to his chair; "Err—okay-we'll call it romantic."
Mark pouted; "You and Lex has the same reaction, you kids nowadays don't know how to appreciate a grand gesture."
"Err—"
Mark waived his hand dismissively; "Forget it. Back to your problem, what got you off your foul mood?"
Jackson cleared his throat; "April called me."
Mark's eyes twinkled; "Did you have phone sex?"
Jackson scrunched his face in disgust; "We didn't have phone sex! April is not like that!"
"I was just messing with you. So—what did you talk about?"
"I wasn't able to answer her call because my phone was just returned to me a couple of minutes ago."
Mark furrowed his brows; "If you didn't talk to her, then, why are you so happy?"
Jackson smiled; "She called me. She wanted to talk to me. She's not shutting me out and that's important for me."
"Err-okay. Did you call her back?"
Jackson chuckled nervously; "Not yet"
Mark raised his brow; "Why?"
"Because you told me to come back here and I assumed you wanted to eavesdrop" Jackson replied.
Mark's eyes widen in surprise; "You'll let me eavesdrop?"
Jackson smiled sheepishly; "As much as I don't want to—I really need your help. I don't know what to say to her."
"I see-let's get this over with, call her" Mark said.
"Now?"
Mark rolled his eyes; "No-next year. What's wrong with you boy? Of course now!"
Jackson winced; he then shifted his phone right in front of him and tapped on the screen. He took a deep breath before tapping on the call button; he nervously shifted the phone to his ear and waited for the call to connect.
Mark leaned back on his pillows and watched his student flounder like a fish out of water.
After a couple of rings, the call was routed to voicemail. Jackson pulled the phone away from his ear and tapped on the redial button; he shifted it again to his ear and waited.
"She's not answering?" Mark asked.
"It just rings and after a couple of seconds it keeps on getting routed to her voicemail" Jackson replied.
Mark thought for a couple of seconds before it dawned on him; "Moline is in Ohio, right?"
Jackson pulled the phone away from his ear and hit on redial again; "Yeah"
Mark shifted his eyes on the wall clock above his door; "Ohio is 4 hours ahead of us, it's already 9:12 here, so it means that its 12:12 there."
Jackson hastily pulled the phone away from his ear and hit on the end call button; "She might be sleeping" he concluded.
Mark nodded; "I bet she is."
Jackson let out a dejected sigh; "I guess I have to wait until tomorrow then"
"Yep, sorry Avery. We'll try tomorrow" Mark said.
"Yeah."
"I love the way you are. It's who I am don't have to try hard. We always say, say it like it is and the truth is that I really miss all those crazy things you said, you left them running through my head. You're always there, you're everywhere but right now I wish you were here. All those crazy things we did, didn't think about it, just went with it. You're always there, you're everywhere but right now I wish you were here..."
Jackson entered the apartment with a sigh; he knew that he'd be alone tonight but Alex insisted that he needs to suck it up and check on their place because he's on call. He closed the door behind him and locked it; he threw his keys on the clay bowl on the table beside the door and made his way towards the living room. He stared at the empty couch and felt sadness gnaw at his gut; he tore his eyes away from it and decided to just go to his room. He walked along the hallway and paused when he saw April's door slightly ajar; he let out another defeated sigh and made his way towards it. He has every intention of just closing it but when he got a glimpse of her barren room he can't help it; he pushed the door open and stepped in. His eyes instantly landed on the boxes that are piled beside the naked bed; he felt his legs moving and before he knows it he's sitting on top of it. He slowly placed his hands on the mattress and ran his palms on top of it; he felt a heavy weight settle inside his chest as his throat began to constrict.
Flashback:
Lexie entered the resident's locker room and spotted her beau; "Hey, you paged? I can't get out of here yet-I gotta follow up with my patient, make sure she's in her right frame of mind" she said.
"Yeah" Jackson replied as he tugs on his sleeve.
Lexie noticed Jackson's demeanour; "You okay?" she asked.
Jackson shifted in his feet before meeting Lexie's gaze; "Yeah-I just missed a surgery today-no, that's not true, I avoided a surgery today-the one I wanted to do for weeks because of this thing between you and Mark" he said.
"There is nothing between me and Mark" Lexie denied.
"Yeah-I've been trying really really hard to believe that but there is a thing and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. And this new thing with me and Platics, that's not going away either. Something's gotta budge."
Lexie kept quiet and just stared at Jackson.
"So, I have to walk away from you, for me."
Lexie swallowed hard; "So-you're picking Mark?" she asked.
"I spent way too much time sabotaging my own career Lex," Jackson explained. He then shrugged on his jacket and licked his lips; "Yeah-I'm picking Mark" he said. He shifted away from Lexie and began walking away; when his close to the door, he paused and faced her again. "Can you tell me I shouldn't?" he asked hopefully.
Lexie wasn't able to answer and averted her gaze.
Jackson gritted his teeth as he stepped out of the room.
April was rounding the corner when he saw Jackson briskly walking towards the exit; "Jackson!" she shouted.
Jackson paused and turned towards her direction; "Hey" he said stoically.
April noticed her best friend's foul mood so she decided to find out what's bothering him; she jogged towards the other surgeon and stopped right in front of him. "You okay?"
Jackson tightened his hold on his satchel; "Yeah."
"You don't look okay"
Jackson glared at April; "I already told you I'm fine so stop asking me that question" he snapped.
April's eyes widen, clearly taken aback by Jackson's response; she took a step back and cleared her throat. "Err-okay, sorry" she mumbled before quickly spinning on her heels.
Jackson instantly felt bad upon seeing the look on April's face; he grabbed her arm with his hand before she's able to make an escape. "I'm sorry"
April paused and turned her face towards him; "It's okay" she replied. She smiled awkwardly before pulling her arm away from his grasp; "I—err—I'll go now. Goodnight Jackson, bye" she said before walking away.
"April!" Jackson called out.
April halted her steps and turned around; "What?" she asked.
"Do you want to go grab something from Joe's?"
April bit her bottom lip as she stares at Jackson, uncertainty and discomfort about what just happened clearly written on her face.
"I promise I won't snap at you again" Jackson said.
April let out a small smile before nodding; she walked towards Jackson and fell into step with him. "You don't have to tell me what's wrong you know and I'm sorry if I'm being nosy" she said.
Jackson wrapped his arm around April's shoulders and began steering her towards the exit; "I know you are not nosy and you're only asking because you care for me. I'm sorry for being mean a couple of minutes ago, it's just been a hard day" he said.
April grabbed the hand that's dangling from her shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze; "It always gets really hard before it gets better, I'm sure that whatever it is, you'll get through it" she said with a comforting smile.
Jackson pulled April closer and gave her one of his rarest smile; "Just stay with me for a little while, having you beside me always makes me feel better"
"I'll always have your back Jackman, me and you" April said brightly.
"Me and you" Jackson repeated.
oOo
"This one has a patio and a garage but this one has hardwood floors and a washer-dryer" April said while watching Jackson.
"Are you sure you wanna move?" Jackson asks as he squats right in front of the open fridge.
"Err—Meredith and Derek have a baby and you're leaving with your ex, we're moving" April said with finality before shifting her eyes back to the catalogues.
"I'll move, Zola's killing my game. Every girl I bring home wants a baby the minute they see her" Alex said as he walks towards the fridge.
April made a face; "Ha. Ha. Ha. No! I'm not living with you—I'm trying to get away from you."
Alex paused and turned towards Jackson; "Alright, then you and me, you don't want to live with Mary Poppins" he said.
Jackson placed his food on the table and pulled a chair beside April; "Nah—she cooks, she cleans."
April turned her head towards Jackson and glared at him; "And I'm also you're friend?"
oOo
Alex was getting food for himself when April approached him; "I need a hundred bucks."
"I told you if you're dumb enough to buy groceries I'm gonna eat them" Alex replied.
"No, not for groceries-for a security deposit. We'll lose out on a great 3 bedroom if we don't get it to the landlord today"
Alex paused and threw April a confused look; "Now, you want to live with me?"
April glared at Alex; "No. You're gross and a pig and a skank magnet and you leave your dirty boy socks everywhere. Keep going this way and you'll wind up old and alone wondering the streets with some ancient form of Syphilis-"
"Alright I think what she's trying to say is yes, she would be happy if you'd be our roommate" Jackson said as he shifts closer to April, placing his hand on her back.
"Cool" Alex said before walking away.
Jackson moved away from April's side and stood right in front of her; "So-we couldn't afford the nicer apartment just the two of us right?" he asked before taking a sip of his drink.
"Hardwood floors and a washer-dryer, what can I say, I want what I want" April replied before turning her back at Jackson.
Jackson gritted his teeth as he watches her walk away.
oOo
"Don't you think it's weird that we're not even talking about it? You know things are unresolved here" Jackson said as he stares at April.
April squeezed Jackson's arm drukenly; "We're still friends-we're still good Jackman!" she assured him. "Oh I love this song!" she added before bouncing on her feet and running towards Meredith and Cristina who's dancing on top of the couch.
Jackson watched April with concern as he stood up.
"Kepner is wasted, that's a first" Alex said as he stood beside Jackson.
"Yeah-well lately, she's been all about firsts" Jackson replied, still not taking his eyes away from April whose dancing crazily on top of the couch.
End of Flashback
Jackson collapsed back on April's bed and closed his eyes tightly; "You're an asshole Jackson Avery. She's always been there for you and you've been too daft to notice. You deserve to be left behind, she's too good for you" he said loudly. He turned on his side and buried his face on the mattress; he felt the longing in his heart escalate when he caught a wisp of April's scent that's still lingering from her bed. "Gods I miss you Apes, please come home."
oOo
Ohio: April's POV
April woke up early so she decided to help her dad with some farm chores; she stepped out into the back porch and stretched her arms upward, still yawning.
"Are you sure you're awake enough to help me?" Joe asked.
April let her arms fall limp to her side before smiling at her father; "Of course. Let me just slip on my boots and we can go" she said brightly. She walked towards the nearest chair and plopped down; "What are we doing first Daddy?" she asked as she slips her rubber boots on.
"What do you want to do? Basically I just need to feed the pigs, chickens and horses then I'm off to the field" Joe replied.
April stood up from her chair and began walking towards her father; "I can do the feeding if you want, you can go directly to the field, it'll save you more time" she said.
Joe stared at her daughter's familiar clothes and smiled; "I miss seeing you in farm clothes pumpkin" he said with a large grin.
April giggled as she lifted her booted foot towards her father; "I miss wearing these babies too, I forget how comfortable they are" she said.
Joe wrapped his arm around her daughter's shoulder and began steering her towards the barn; "You can wear them for as long as you like."
April laughed.
oOo
Seattle:
"What do you mean he left?" Meredith asked.
Cristina crossed her arms on top of her chest as she leans back on her pillow; "It's true. I went to Admin yesterday like I promised but he's not there. I went there again this morning but he's still not in so I approached his secretary, Lydia, she told me that Owen will not be coming in today because he had to take care of something and he'll be back tomorrow. I tried calling his phone a couple of minutes ago but I keep getting routed to his voicemail" she explained. She then narrowed her eyes menacingly; "He better tell me what he's up to or I might castrate him if I find out that he's cheating on me again!"
"Didn't we already establish that we're not gonna talk about cheating anymore?" Meredith said as she sits herself at the foot of the bed.
"Yeah-you're right" Cristina replied.
"You'll eventually find out where he went so try not think about it much."
"Yeah-I guess so" Cristina replied.
oOo
Ohio: April's POV
April pursed her lips as she stood right in front of the pig pen, her eyes instantly focusing on one particular pig. "And just when I thought I can get by with my day without thinking about your ass that way, I'm suddenly reminded" she said disdainfully.
Flashback:
April was writing on the O.R. board when Mark saw her; he walked towards the red head resident and stood beside her. "You're an attractive woman" he said.
April looked around her before turning towards the Plastic Attending; "Who? Me?" she asked.
Mark clasped his hands at back; "You and Avery spend a lot of time together, don't you?" he asked.
April began leafing through her charts; "We do-yes but we're just study buddies, I mean, we're not-you know" she said with a chuckle.
"He's an attractive guy-nice bone structures, hypnotic eyes-etcetera" Mark said while eyeing April intently.
April made a face; "I guess so..." she trailed off, clearly confused with what Mark is getting at.
"Have you noticed how uptight he's been lately?" Mark asked.
April moved her hair out of her face; "Like I said we're study buddies so-"
"Study buddies should help each other out, relieve some of that stress-maybe extend that buddy relationship" Mark said suggestively.
April stared at Mark confusedly; "Extend? I don't-"
Mark turned towards April; "You're two attractive people, any thoughts on how to alleviate that stress?"
April furrowed her brows and began thinking; "We could go for more walks,"
"Walks are good, walks are nice. I was thinking since your already study buddies-you could extend that relationship, become the other kind of buddies"
April's eyes widen in shock when she understood what Mark was implying; "Are you? You-" she stuttered, clearly appalled.
Mark nodded; "I am."
"Dr. Sloan!" April said sternly.
"Everyone wins"
"The-this is sexual harassment, you know that right?"
"I'm trying to give sexual encouragement" Mark said.
April opened her mouth to respond but when no words came out she just spun on her heels and walked away in huff.
"Think about it Kepner! Take one for the team!" Mark said as he raises his hands, giving the other surgeon thumbs up.
April scowled and ran away.
End of Flashback
April shook her head; "Stupid Mark Sloan, putting those stupid ideas in my head. If he didn't mention anything then I wouldn't have thought about actually jumping my stupid best friend!" she huffed. She then grabbed the rope above the barrel and walked towards the wooden gate; she unlocked it and stepped inside the pen. "Slop time everyone and I know exactly who gets to eat last" she said.
oOo
Seattle: Jackson's POV
"Dude wake up!" Alex says loudly as he taps on Jackson's shoulder.
Jackson groaned and opened his eyes; "Waswrong?" he asked sleepily.
"You have to haul your ass now to the shower or you'll be freaking late" Alex said.
Jackson swallowed a couple of times before sitting up the bed; he blinked a couple of times and studied his surroundings.
Alex scrunched his face and crossed his arms on top of his chest; "I can't believe you slept here, the bed doesn't even have covers and you don't have pillows"
Jackson stood up and began walking towards the door; "I was tired last night and I guess I just fell asleep. I'm gonna take a bath now, thank you for waking me up" he said.
Alex waited for Jackson to leave before snorting; "Yeah right, make us all believe that you're indifferent about Kepner leaving, sleeping in her room really proves that" he said before turning on his heel and exiting the red head's room.
oOo
Ohio: April's POV
April secured the rope around the neck of the last pig before patting it on the head apologetically; "I'm sorry, didn't mean to take it out on you but don't worry, I saved the best for last" she said with a smile. She then tugged on the makeshift leash and began guiding the pig outside the barn; "So-come on Jax, slop time, just about to get you there, you're just gonna get-Dr. Hunt?"
"Hey, Uh, your dad told me where I could find you." Owen said.
April stared at her former mentor with wide eyes; "What-what are you doing here?"
Owen stared at April for a couple of seconds before speaking; "I want you to come back and work at the hospital."
"What?" April asked breathlessly.
Owen let out a sigh; "Nothing is the same over there. It's all-I keep trying to think ways I could've done things differently and uh, If I'd realized they were missing sooner, I keep looking for the do-over's and there's no do over's, there's just the way it is and I can't fix that, except for this."
"Wh-"
"Except for you. I didn't teach you, not the way that I should have. I should've helped you be strong, instead of kicking you when you were down. I should never have taken your job from you"
April stared at Owen silently as she patted her pigs head.
"You don't belong out here on a farm" Owen said. He then shifted closer and placed his hand on April's shoulder comfortingly; "You belong in Seattle, saving lives, now come home" he finished with a smile.
April bit her bottom lip as she contemplates Owens' offer.
"No, I don't wanna let go, I just wanna let you know that I never wanna let go..."
Seattle: Jackson's POV
Jackson climbs inside his car and closed the door behind him; he stared at the driveway for a couple of seconds before pulling out his phone from his jacket's pocket. He unlocked the screen and began looking for April's number; he took a deep breath before tapping on the call button. He shifted the phone to his ear and waited for the call to connect; after a couple of rings, his call is being diverted to voicemail again but instead of hanging up like he did last night he waited for the familiar beep that'll tell him that he can start recording his message, after a couple of seconds he heard it. "Hi-it's me Jackson-I tried calling you last night but it was late and I think that you're already asleep. I-err-I just called to make sure that you made it home okay and-and to tell you that I'm sorry if I wasn't able to meet you at Joe's. I got pulled into an emergency surgery that time that's why I wasn't able to inform you—I'm sorry if you waited" he paused "April-I-I didn't want you to leave—I need to talk to you so we can try to fix things between us-we can't leave it this way-we can't let this friendship go-I can't let you go so please, once you receive this message, call me or text me or whatever, I'll wait for it. bye" Jackson pulled the phone away from his ear and stuffed it back inside his pocket; he inserted his key into the ignition and started the engine.
A/N: This is my advance valentines gift to you guys, I hope you like it! ^-^ Again, tell me what you think, should I still continue writing this fic or should I just stick with one shots? Let me know! Cheers! ^-^