A/N - You're all very, very smart to know that the thing with Burke is not a done deal. ;) Thank you for the continued reviews! xoxo

Chapter 21 - Finally

Later that evening while the internet was calming from the Scalpel scandal turned hoax, a lonely man sat in a dark corner of a bar. He was soon to have little money to his name; a moment of greed had backfired and cost him everything.

"Another round, Burke?" the bartender called.

"Yeah," the former paparazzi nodded, sipping the last of the Scotch from the glass.

They had beat him. They had actually beaten him.

It was clear to him now that Stephanie had told the starlet's entourage everything, and they'd set him up. Sloan was behind this, Preston knew it deep in his core. "Thanks," he mumbled as the bartender set another glass before him.

When he was left alone, Burke reached into his bag and pulled out the pictures, spreading them over the wooden table. What had he missed? After downing the Scotch in one healthy swallow, the camera man peered over the images, studying every inch captured. Now, the discrepancies were jumping out at him left and right. The woman in the picture seemed an inch or so taller than the actress. Something about the hair didn't seem quite right. The jeans seemed snug. Details that were hardly noticed the night before, but under close observation, it was clear to him that the woman in the picture was not Jo Wilson. He'd been duped.

Burke scattered the pictures to the floor angrily, gripping the glass so tightly that he nearly shattered it. Now, his life may as well be over! No one wanted anything to do with him-they didn't trust him anymore. Other companies he'd sold pictures to in the past were now questioning authenticity. The tabloid he'd released the scandalous pictures to had already contacted him regarding legal action. He'd probably be served papers by next week.

The bitter man continued mulling over the events as he downed another glass of Scotch. The actress and her people had purposely baited him, only to expose him as a fraud. They couldn't possibly think they were going to get away with this, could they?! A slow smile came to the man's mouth as an idea came to mind. Burke pulled his cell from his pocket and dialed up an old friend. "Peckwell," he greeted. "I need you to do me a favor..."

"Jo, what's going on?" Stephanie asked as her boss escorted her and the publicist into her hotel room.

"I need to talk to both of you," the starlet replied, closing the door and motioning for them to sit down. "I have some news. Big news, actually." It would be big to them, at least. Jo had already prepared herself for the stream of questions to follow.

"Is everything okay?" April asked with concern as she sat next to the stylist.

"It's fine," the actress found herself smiling. "Everything is...wonderful."

"Has she been drinking?" the stylist asked after leaning over to the redhead.

"No!" Jo laughed, slapping Stephanie on the arm. "It's just..." She sighed heavily and sat in the wooden chair at the desk. "First off...Jackson and I aren't really a couple..."

"What?!" Stephanie gasped, literally taken aback. "But we were just in Hawaii, and you were grabbing all over each other!"

"And you just made that video this morning!" April feigned ignorance. "What about last night at the cast party?!"

The brunette gave her publicist a knowing smile-even though Jo was confessing her secret, it was clear that the redhead wasn't ready quite yet. "It's all fake."

A frown deepened on Stephanie's face. "So you haven't been honest with us? You were withholding things from us?"

"For your own good," the brunette replied, cocking her head. Jo wasn't stupid, and she knew exactly what the woman was getting at. "If you all knew the truth, you might slip up when a reporter catches you off guard. I was trying to protect all of you."

The publicist spoke up now. "So what exactly is going on with you and Jackson? You're pretty convincing as a couple..." A small part of April wanted to hear the confirmation straight from Jo. It was so hard to believe that the costars could touch and kiss one another without having any feelings what so ever.

"Our relationship is just another acting job," Jo answered. "It's an extension of the Scalpel show."

"That kinda blows," Stephanie remarked somewhat sadly. "You can't even date who you want?"

"Dating Jackson is good for my reputation, his reputation, and the fans like the idea of us really being together," the actress reasoned. "And...I am dating who I want..."

"Who?!" the redhead blurted out, sincerely shocked by this confession.

Jo smiled to herself at the thought of the person she really cared for. "Alex. Alex and I are involved."

The two women sat in stunned silence for a few seconds before squealing, jumping up, and bombarding their boss with questions. How did it happen? How long had they been together? Alex seemed like a jerk, was he really good to her? Did Mark know? Did Jackson know? Was it serious? Could she see herself marrying Alex? What did he think about her relationship with Jackson?

The actress laughed and embraced her friends, promising to answer all of their questions. It was such a relief to have everyone in her circle knowing the truth. Now, all she had to do was break up with Jackson. Then the whole world would know about her relationship with Alex Karev.

While the girls were squealing in Jo's room, Mark left his room and crossed the hall to Alex's room. "Karev, we need to talk," he called as he rapped on the door.

"Tomorrow's schedule?" the bodyguard asked seconds later after opening the door.

"Not exactly," the manager replied and stepped inside smoothly. "Shut the door."

Confused, Alex closed the door and watched as the older man leaned against the desk and crossed his arms. "What's up?"

"Is there anything you want to tell me, Karev?"

Oh shit, where had he heard those words before? Alex's brow furrowed as he searched his brain, remembering the night he'd ratted out Stephanie. Oh crap, Mark knew. "Well, that depends."

"Depends on what?"

"Depends on how much you actually know."

Mark chuckled in spite of himself. "I'll go a lot easier on you if you're straight with me."

"I highly doubt that," Alex snorted.

"You're right," the manager smirked and straightened his jacket. "A certain brunette we both know told me you're involved. That true?"

"Yes."

"After I told you not to?"

"You don't run me, and believe it or not, you don't run her either."

"Ain't that the truth," Mark muttered as he pushed himself away from the desk. "Believe it or not, Karev, I'm not here to kick your ass. I should, but I'm not. You're both adults, and it's clear that she really cares about you."

"Okay..." Alex said unsurely, feeling the need to put more space between him and the manager. The room was quite small, and the only exit was being blocked at the moment.

"Treat her right," the manager said simply and extended his hand. When the bodyguard took his hand, Mark's grip tightened. "I mean that," he spoke through gritted teeth. "I can make a lot of things look like an accident."

Alex felt the color drain from his face. "Are-Are you threatening me?"

"I'm promising you," Mark vowed before releasing his hand. "And I always keep my promises." He stepped back and adjusted his jacket once more. "Early day tomorrow, see you at six."

The bodyguard actually felt a chill go down his spine when the man left. He had this bad feeling that he might actually end up sleeping with the fishies. The man couldn't have him whacked off, could he?! Alex just assumed he'd lose his job, but he was almost scared for his life!

Mark was still frowning as he returned to his room and pulled off his jacket. "Hey," he greeted as Lexie left the bathroom and settled in bed.

"Hey," she smiled back. "What's wrong?"

"Just had to set Karev straight."

"About Jo?" Lexie asked as she watched her boyfriend pull off his shirt. "Mark, seriously! Jo is a grown woman and can take her of herself! Alex is a good guy."

"He's not a good guy," the older man frowned. "He's already stepped out on Jo and kissed you." Mark was trying not to linger on the fact that the bodyguard had kissed his girlfriend, but...those pictures were etched in his brain.

"Jo kisses guys all the time."

"That's part of her job."

Lexie smiled softly, watching the man she loved as he changed into a pair of pajama bottoms and joined her in bed. "Mark Sloan, are you jealous?"

He frowned over at her. "No, I'm not jealous. Of course I'm not jealous!"

The young woman giggled softly. "You are, you totally are!"

"No way in hell would I ever..."

"He didn't kiss me," she interrupted.

Mark blinked. "What?"

"He didn't kiss me," Lexie repeated as she took his hand, twining her fingers with his. "He got really close so that it would look like we were kissing, but...we weren't."

"Son of a bitch," the older man sighed. "Now I owe him an apology."

The young make up artist giggled and snuggled in to his side. "You're a good guy too, you know?"

"Don't tell anyone," the manager smirked, shifting over her. "It will completely ruin my image."

The following weeks moved in a blur. The homebuying process was easier than Jo expected, mostly because real estate agents, credit applications, and loans weren't needed. It was pretty much an open and shut case. One week Arizona was moving her things out, and a week later the brunette was dragging her entourage all over the city deciding on furniture, decor, and other home owner necessities.

Her costars wanted to throw her a housewarming party, of course, and loaded her with even more decor-artwork, tapestries, sculptures, etc. One painting was worth almost a million dollars!

Jo's recent homeowner status was a buzz on social media for days, many of the medical drama stars tweeting their support and posting selfies with the brunette in her new home.

Mark insisted that everyone stay in the house together for the first week rather than separating to the guesthouse. His reason was very logical-with all the attention focused on her, several of the paparazzi would try to follow her, take pictures, and leak her address to the tabloids. He wanted to make sure she was safe until the media's attention shifted elsewhere. Jo knew that her manager was trying to protect her, but at the same time, she suspected he was also trying to delay intimate time with Alex.

Luckily though, Izzie Stevens caught the media's attention. Matthew Taylor had cast her in his new independent film, so the blonde was giving interviews, autograph sessions, basically anything she could to return to the limelight. Hollywood seemed to have forgotten her previous sins, considering the nature of the film. Izzie was slowly wrapping the world around her finger once more, choosing the film as a platform. The actress was saying all the right words-rape was a heinous act that was often swept under the rug. The victims were brushed aside while no one knew how it felt to be violated in such a way, a way that would haunt you for the rest of your life.

The media was lapping it up, but Jo thought her former friend was full of crap. It was clear that the woman had taken the role because of the shocking content. If the film was as successful as Matthew's earlier project, Izzie would be on everyone's A list. This was obviously Izzie's desperate attempt to be remembered since leeching on to a friend had backfired in her face. The starlet refused to let the blonde's antics bring her down; instead, Jo was finally able to convince Mark that her homebuying experience was now a thing of the past. Old news. No one cared. Heck, no one even attempted to follow her when they left the set. Everything was about Izzie now.

Mark never verbally agreed with her, but he mulled over the thought as a few more days passed. "Hey," he called one Friday evening as the limo pulled in front of the starlet's home.

"Yeah?" Jo asked, noting that her usually confident manager seemed a bit uneasy.

The older man cleared his throat. "We're, uh, going to stay in the guest house tonight."

The actress blinked. "You are?" she clarified, her voice dropping.

"Yeah," Mark nodded slowly, glancing to his new home. "You have an interview in the morning, so I'll see you at eight." His gaze shifted to the bodyguard. "Remember what I told you," he warned before stepping back into the limo.

Jo and Alex stood in a stunned silence as the limo rolled to the guest house, dropping off her entourage, then pulled away from her home, closing the security gate behind it. "Are-Are we actually alone?"

"Yeah, I think we are," the bodyguard replied quietly. It was a strange feeling. They'd spent so many weeks running the leash Mark allowed... But now, they were free, and they found themselves still running as if they were on the leash. It was time to embrace their freedom. "You hungry?" he nudged, looking over to her.

"Starving," the actress replied, digging in her purse for the key. After punching in the security code and stepping inside, the woman realized how huge her home was now. Without her costars and entourage running about, the place was very spacious. And quiet. Their breathing practically bounced along the walls. Or was that her heart pounding?

Alex smirked to himself as he watched her set her keys on the kitchen counter. Then pick them up. Then put them in her purse. Then move her purse. "Wilson, you got anything besides frozen pizza?" he teased, breaking the ice.

"Of course I do," she relaxed, smacking his arm. "There's some lasagna in there too, I think..." Her cheeks flushed. "Stephanie and Lexie stocked the fridge."

"Mark doesn't let you go to the grocery store?"

"It's not that, it's just... The last time I went to a grocery store, we had to call the police."

"Seriously?" the bodyguard paled, feeling like an ass.

"Yeah," Jo shrugged. "People wanted pictures and autographs...started calling their friends, you know. Things got out of hand, and we needed help." It was one of the bad experiences of her semi-charmed life.

Alex cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Lasagna it is then." He snatched the box from the freezer and preheated the oven while she gathered things from the refrigerator. "You can make a salad?" he teased. "Don't you have people to do that for you?"

"April did teach me a couple of things," the actress defended herself.

"How did she have time?" The bodyguard knew he wasn't a Hollywood pro yet, but in the few months he'd worked for Jo, they didn't really do the home cooking thing. In fact, he'd never even seen anyone slap together a sandwich. The entourage usually went to restaurants or placed call in orders.

"Before I auditioned for Scalpel, things were a bit slower," Jo replied as she rinsed the vegetables. "I actually had a couple of days a week where I didn't have anything scheduled. April was able to teach me how to cook a few things." She paused as her mind roamed to simplier times. "I haven't had a home cooked meal in a long, long time," she laughed somewhat bitterly.

"I'm not really sure if frozen lasagna counts as home cooked," he smirked, leaning over and placing a kiss to her shoulder.

The starlet smiled somewhat sadly. "It's better than what I'm used to... I didn't really have the family dinner thing, you know?"

"Your foster mom never cooked?"

"No, she was too busy getting high," the brunette shrugged and glanced to him. "Did your mom cook?"

"Yeah, when I was young," Alex shrugged. "She started getting sick when I got older though, so I had to do the cooking. The meds really messed her up, you know?"

"I'm sorry..."

"It's fine," he shrugged again. "You do what you gotta do to survive, right? Things could have been worse."

Jo's hands stilled as she stared at the tomatoes. Here she was, feeling sorry for herself with her pampered lifestyle, and Alex had truly been through the wringer. "What can you cook?" she shifted the conversation so she wouldn't burst into tears right in front of him.

"Nothing too fancy, just meat and sides, spaghetti, stuff like that."

"We should start cooking together," she suggested softly. "I don't get many home cooked meals, and they're better for you, right? If I keep eating out all the time, I'm going to get fat."

"You're not fat," Alex assured her. "You're beautiful."

The oven dinged, jarring the moment between them. Alex moved the lasagna into the oven while Jo finished the salad and put the bowl into the refrigerator. After pouring two glasses of wine, the couple sat at the small dinette and talked while the meal cooked. Natural, easy conversation continued as they ate together and cleaned up afterwards.

"Where is Amber now?" Jo asked as she retrieved two ice cream sandwiches from the freezer.

"New York, last I heard," he said, taking the extended dessert. "We email every now and then, but she's really busy."

"Is she still with the actor guy?" the brunette asked as they settled on the couch and turned on the television.

"Yeah, I think so."

"You should give her a call, invite them out here. Maybe I could get him involved in Scalpel."

"Seriously?" Alex asked, looking over to her as she snuggled in to his side. "You could do that?"

"Well, nothing big, maybe just an extra or something," she admitted with a sheepish grin. "But it could turn into something if Derek liked him."

"Thanks, Jo, I'll give her a call." He placed a tender kiss to her temple before the two turned their attention to the television.

Jo smiled to herself as she put her cheek to his chest. Despite the jarr of finally being alone, they'd managed to relax and spend quality time together. She really liked Alex-he kept things easy and casual. She didn't have to be glamorous around him; Jo could let her hair down and be herself. Without her entourage around, the starlet was able to freely talk with him and get to know him. It was like their relationship was finally getting started.

"Hey," the brunette protested with a frown when he flipped off the television.

"It's after midnight, and you have an early day tomorrow," Alex reminded her. "Mark will kill me if I let you oversleep."

"Ugh, fine," the starlet groaned as he took her arm and pulled her from the sofa. "I really enjoyed tonight."

"Me too," he gave her a lopsided grin before kissing the corner of her mouth.

Jo shifted, taking his mouth for a deeper kiss while wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him closer. For the first time since they got together, it felt like they were actually able to date, have time together, and be a couple. At least in private, anyway. "Thank you," she breathed when they parted.

"For what?" he whispered back, his forehead pressed to hers.

"For being patient with everything," the actress sighed. "My crazy life, my crazy schedule...the whole Jackson thing..."

"That one is hard to handle," Alex admitted. "I want to punch him every time he touches you."

"I'm going to handle it, I promise," Jo replied, taking his hand. "Just be patient a little longer." She squeezed his hand before moving towards the stairs. "Oh, Alex," she turned, bumping into him.

"Yeah?" he asked, his hand catching her back to steady her.

"I know this is fast...and big...you being here and everything, so..." Jo took a breath to steady her thoughts. "There is a guest bedroom for you...you know, in case...so it doesn't seem..."

"I get it, Princess," he chuckled softly. The poor woman was trying to be so careful not to offend him, but Alex got it. There was a spare bedroom so it didn't seem they were going from holding hands to living together. An alternative in case he wanted to slow things down. Slowing down was the last thing on his mind.

"Good..." She was aware that his hand was still on her back and how close he was standing to her. "I mean, things move fast in my world, and..."

"They don't move fast enough." One second he was looking into those gorgeous eyes of hers, and the next his hand had a mind of its own, cupping her neck and pulling her in for a heated, hungry kiss. Jo eagerly met his kiss, and that was all he needed. His hands took her waist, hoisting her up slightly. She responded immediately, wrapping her legs around his waist and holding on to his broad shoulders.

The passion exploded as she felt his body move-he was taking her upstairs. "Last room...on the right..." she mumbled against his mouth, her hands sliding under his shirt, skimming along his skin.

He groaned in response, stopping and turning to press her against the wall, kissing down her neck hungrily. Finally, finally! Finally he could have her! Touch her, kiss her, do whatever he wanted to her without being interrupted. Without hiding it.

Jo worked his shirt up desperately, parting from him long enough to free him from the garment, then crashed into him once again. The shirt dropped to the stairs as her hands gripped his flesh, feeling the muscles shift and move beneath her touch. Everything about him turned her on. And if he wasn't hot enough on his own, the ripping of her shirt sent a wave of desire through her. The man actually ripped open her shirt! A moan of protest left her lips as his head dipped, kissing the newly exposed skin hungrily. "God, Alex," she groaned when he finally kissed her again, turning her and lifting her once more, carrying her up the rest of the stairs.

The long denied couple couldn't make it to the bedroom fast enough, but at the same time, they couldn't stop touching each other. Shoes were kicked off as the two stumbled into her bedroom, kissing and touching as if it were their last night alive. Hands feverishly worked open buttons and whipped off belts. Once they were down to a few garments between them, Alex slowed his hungry mouth, kissing down her neck slowly as his fingers caught in the straps of her bra, sliding them down her arms gently.

Jo sighed, forcing her hormones to relax. She was finally, finally going to have him; she could take a few moments to enjoy him. Or devour him now and enjoy him in the morning. "Alex," she groaned in frustration, wiggling against him.

Alex chuckled against her skin, purposely taking longer than necessary, sucking along her collar bone as he worked her bra open and tossed it aside. Her head dropped back as he cupped one breast and kissed along the other, arousing the nipple with his tongue. He caught her easily when she buckled, carrying her to the bed and easing her onto the plush mattress. Jo Wilson wearing nothing but black lace panties while sprawled on a bed was the hottest thing he'd ever seen. He moved over her, kissing her hungrily once more.

Thank God he no longer wanted to be a gentleman! Jo arched her hips against his, feeling every part of him brush against her. And boy was he well endowed. Her hand dipped down, caressing the outside of his boxers, feeling his length respond immediately. Alex growled against her, clearly aroused as he swiftly removed the black garment along with his boxers. Her fingers dug in his back in anticipation as he shifted beneath her parted thighs. His mouth closed over hers, muffling her groans as he slid into her perfectly, giving her time to adjust.

Jo felt her entire body explode as he started to move in her at the perfect rhythm, quick to work her up, then slow to draw out the pleasure. Everything in her body was on fire as her back arched and she moaned his name. Alex shifted her thigh, moving deeper and deeper, causing her to shudder. This man definitely knew what he was doing. Jo tilted her hip, and Alex obliged, turning on his back and bringing her on top, his hands going to her hips as she worked the last bit of control he had.

Seconds later she collapsed on his chest, listening to his pounding heart as she slowly drifted back to earth. "Finally," Jo panted, a smile crossing her lips.

Alex chuckled softly, his eyes closed, as his hand moved to her back, his fingers skimming along her spine. "Tell me about it."

Just that one little touch aroused her again. A few kisses along his chest had him turning her onto her back and making love to her once more. The lovers remained intwined for hours, falling asleep in each others arms, truly satisfied.

Despite the worries and blunders, the night was perfect.

The only problem with perfection is that it doesn't last long.