It's not exactly the last you see of Warren though well, he will be on his way home soon. Although I'm wrapping up Part 1. There's just a few chapters left. It's easier for me, to cut the story and do a multi-parts because I know readers gets a bit discouraged as they see a 100 -chapters story. I know because I personally do. It's also quite as discouraging as a writer too, as it's quite a long journey toward what you want and you have more chance of getting lost midway. So, cutting the story will be a way to lighten the load.

-38-

Aftermaths, crazy moves and return to the Batcave

Jo Wilson was in the pit when she heard the gunshots. As a result, she told her worrywart patient with a suspicion of a heart attack that it must have been a generator exploding and that there was no need to worry. But when the fire doors automatically locked in emergency, she knew it was way more serious than a technical problem. So, she left the stall and pulled the curtain.

As the attending in charge, Callie Torres grabbed the phone.

"Alright, people, it's a code silver and the hospital is on lockdown. "

"What does that mean?" Her patient asked her.

Jo frowned and pulled the curtain back.

"It's just a tiny problem with the security system."

She went to Callie.

"Is that what I think it is?" Jo asked worriedly.

Callie kept smiling but purposely stacked the emergency cart behind the doors. Jo tried to be as nonchalant as her but she found herself unable to as she realized Alex was still upstairs.

"There is a man upstairs threatening to shoot his wife and Warren Fresker." Callie said between her teeth.

"What?" Jo's face was drained of all colors, her eyes wide in stupefaction.

Callie nodded as she called the police.

"Hi, I'm Dr Callie Torres from Seattle Grey Sloan. We have a Code Silver here… I think it's on the surgical floor. I'm in the ER Room. I want to know what…"She turned to Jo. "They already have cars discharged. They should be here anytime… Yes, naturally, I'm listening. It's quiet here. We're on lockdown… The ER is quite isolated for now. Okay, we will wait… Please, don't leave us hanging here. I have sixteen occupied beds and I'm not counting all the people in attendance… Hum… Hum… " She pulled the phone away from her face to talk to Jo again.

"The intervention has already started. She said she will come back to us soon. Nobody tries to leave. We keep our patients calm. "

Jo nodded absent-mindedly. She closed her eyes, biting her lips. Callie hung up and made another call. She didn't talk much this time.

"I have Arizona on the line . They are doing alright on the pediatric floor."

"And Alex?"

Callie asked Arizona about Alex.

"Sorry, he is not on the peds floor. He went down earlier to greet Ryan's grandmother and aunt."

Jo said nothing but her eyes never left the clock.

As soon as the doors unlocked, leaving her patient in the hands of interns with very specific instructions to not kill him, Jo ran through the whole surgical department to find him. All she found was a shattered glass window on the floor, a couple of crying nurses, lots of police officers and a crying Stephanie. Stephanie had to be interviewed by the police so she had to wait for her, believing she kind of owe it to Stephanie to be there when she needed her the most. Then they both went to the resident locker room where they sat down together on a bench. There, Stephanie proceeded in telling her the whole story. Jo listened intently all the while trying to reason with herself. Alex was alright. Nobody got hurt as far as Stephanie knew. Yet, Jo couldn't stop her heart from racing and clenching painfully at the thought that she almost lost him.

"You did… not lose him. You guys can't break up. You are great together."

They were Stephanie's last words to her. It was as if her friend had read her mind and told her exactly what she wanted to hear. But Stephanie had finished her shift a couple of hours ago and was ready to go home. Her friend stroked her back softly. Jo wondered not for the first time what would be her life without Stephanie in it. They hugged and she accompanied Stephanie to the elevator since.

Soon enough, Jo was back to running, rushing through the stairs to the pediatric ward. She found Alex easily, so easily that it slowed and froze her steps. Alex was standing near the nurse station. He just handed out a baby boy that looked like the Pollard boy to two women with a police officer. He put his pen back to his left pocket, nodded at something the younger woman said. The grandmother was crying and she insisted on hugging Alex again. He stood there awkwardly, patting her back the best he could. Then he distanced himself, saying goodbye, leaving them with a nurse. He made his way straight to an on call room. She watched all of it in awe.

He was so compassionate with the parents of his patients. He was so devoted to his job. The previous conversation she had with Stephanie just came back to her. Her heart thumped louder. She did not want to add problems to a relationship that already had enough of those. She currently loves that man more than she thought she could ever love someone. She wanted to make him happy. She didn't care for that stupid house. She didn't care for anything and that scared her because she never needed anyone. Now her life was filled with all these people she couldn't live without. It was scary.

Before he even closed the door, she was inside with him. He spun around. The shock had not even fully register on his face that she crashed into him and kissed him deeply, as if years had passed since their last kiss, as if it was the first one… As if it was the last… She just kissed him. His hand drifted to her hip. It settled there and he pulled her closer and covered her mouth with his just as hungrily. Her heart fluttered inside her chest. It was crazy how easily her doubts could be shattered when she was next to him. The caress of his lips on hers, she felt elated suddenly and pulled at his shirt desperately. They crashed against the door.

"Wait! You don't want to talk?!"

Jo was quite breathless so talking was quite the farthest thing from her mind. She just felt like she could have lost him today forever and they were no time left to lose.

"I wanted to say I was sorry for saying I hated the house." Alex said.

He was trying to be reasonable. As much as he wanted to make love to her right now, forget last night had ever happen, he knew this thing had gone too far for them not to address it. The old Alex probably would have never addressed the elephant in the room. But well, the old Alex got dumped by his wife and the love of his life. And the new Alex's best friend backed her car in another car, and the new Alex was again caught in the middle of a shooting and the new Alex really wanted to make it work with his girlfriend of two years. The new Alex desperately needed to talk.

"You had your reasons." She leaned for another kiss.

"But when you bought that house, you did it for us… for me… Nobody ever did something that nice for me."

Jo smiled. She never knew how much she had wanted him to say that.

"I didn't know, I promise, Alex. I knew you had a difficult childhood, we both did. But I never knew how much it affected you… still. I could probably live anywhere that has a bed in it. I thought you were just like me. In my minds, we're both street kids."

Alex nodded. Honestly he thought just like her that it didn't matter. But he realized that it mattered, it really mattered to him these days.

"I… could probably live anywhere. I did at some point. I just don't want to anymore. Listen… I've grown tired of changing places… running… Moving… When Meredith was gone, I realized something. Although it pains me somehow but… I was fine. I was in the place I wanted to be… With you… The old Alex would have managed to screw this up. He would have been on the run for something… But I manage nine months without her because you were by my side. I want more than a house… I want a home. I want a normal house with normal furniture. I want to fall asleep on the sofa watching Sunday football. I want to fall asleep in a giant bed. I want a dog or a turtle… I don't know… No cats… Hate cats… I want kids… I'm not trying to scare you here. I just want a home with you and I thought you should know.

Even if she fully didn't understand what he meant by that, Jo nodded eagerly or nervously she didn't know. Was it a proposal? Kids? Pets? Kids? What was she supposed to say to all this? He proposed before. At least she thought he did… Did she want all these things? She felt suddenly so young. But then would he leave if she said she didn't want this thing… Will there be a day when she would regret not wanting these things? She loves him. So why was she incapable of giving him these things he wanted? Kids? She couldn't see herself with kids, not when she had any idea what a mother was supposed to do.

"Alex …"

She was saved from answering by the sudden arrival of Maggie Pierce who must have been born with the worst timing ever.

"Alex… Oh Jo! Oh sorry! They didn't tell me you guys were both in there."

Alex looked at the half-eaten donut in her hand with sudden envy. Maggie hesitated a brief instant on the threshold than decided that she might as well talk to both.

"You disappeared after the whole hospital blowing up thing…and they just told me…I'd find you here. Did you catch up to Meredith? She disappeared before I could really talk to her. You think she is fine? Like really fine?"

"She probably needed a moment to herself. " Alex concluded. He positively had no clue. He should have called Cristina.

Maggie nodded and close the door behind her.

" Okay, I'm not exactly here for that. But it's great you're both here. Don't worry! I'm just gonna be quick. After all, things change rather quickly around here. Things get crazy real fast. Things take curbs for the worst… And then you're standing… crouching… hiding from unknown gunmen… Then you think your life will end. Then a miracle happened and you can eat donuts again. Happiness just lies in this very simple fact. Sorry, I'm exhausted." She ranted with the gravity of an illuminati priestess.

Alex made a note never forgetting this woman's happiness lies in a sugar rush.

"Where did you find this?" He asked with a smug grin, crossing his arms against his chest.

"It was the last one in the fridge. It had my name on it. I don't know why. Go figure! I was starving anyway." she said as she swallowed the whole thing and licked her lips.

Alex frowned in disappointment. But soon, he came back to his senses as he realized the fact she didn't know it came from him was all for the best. Yes, he honestly thanked whatever god for Maggie Pierce being born clueless because he had no idea how he would have explained this to Jo. This was nothing really. But this he sensed she would have blown way out of proportion. He was such a dumb boyfriend who spent too much time with the twisted sisters to know the meaning of things like boundaries and distance.

"So you wanted something, Dr Pierce?!" Jo asked her hands on her hips, unsure where all this was going.

"Yes, Wilson! I… I thought all day about your problem, Alex! But well, we were rushing from one emergency to another… and I… simply didn't have time…"

Jo looked at him. Alex swallowed hard. Maybe he was going to get killed anyway.

"You guys talked?" Jo asked.

Maggie shrugged.

"Briefly… Listen it's a weird idea… But I talked to Meredith… before all this mess… but I think she wouldn't change her mind… and she oddly thought that it was a great idea. You see I asked her if she would find it weird if I was ever to move in with her."

Alex lifted an eyebrow at that. Where was this going?

"See, it is like…all the pieces of the puzzle just found its place when I was in that house. "

"Because it was your biological mother's house?"

"Yes! I just love the atmosphere there… The energy! Believe me it came to me as a surprise! But I had a lot of fun with the kids. Arizona and I, we watched the Bachelorette and had so much fun… It's so busy all the time… It feels like a home… or a College Dorm. I guess it depends of the time of the day… The Grey House. It feels quite nice…"

It did. It always did for him. Alex wanted to agree plainly but that wouldn't be fair to Jo.

"What does it have to do with Alex…or me?" Jo asked, uncertain.

"Well, I was getting to it. Why don't you guys use my place? It's not that big. But there are two rooms and a balcony with a nice view. Though there's no parking space… I hate that there's no parking space, thanks to the last Super storm. You have to sell a liver to get a parking spot at night but… well… And I had yet to unpack everything I brought with me from home… I mean in NJ where I was. My mom sent me a ton of stuffs recently, a pile of junk really… It's because they're getting divorced my dad and her."

She breathed.

"So you will see boxes, tons of them… but I can move them… I don't know where yet… but I will move them…"

"What?"

"My place is fully functional. So, you can have it, Alex, while you wait for your place to be fixed! Everybody would be happy. It's a win-win situation. "

"You… You…" Alex was at a loss for words.

"Except if it's not… Oh ! You don't like the idea! You find this… weird and creepy… Because we're colleagues and it is creepy and weird…" Maggie shook her head in embarrassment. "Just forget it…"

Alex looked at Jo in confusion. She did not look like she understood what just happened better than him. But he owed it to Beastie to try.

"Wait… You could move in with Meredith but why would you lend me your stuffs? Your place? You don't lend your stuff, Pierce. I know this for a fact."

"That's right… I'm very territorial about my stuffs… But you need a place…Alex… since you were so miserable… I mean… Not…"

"He was… miserable. "Jo looked at Alex.

That did not sound right. Alex was suddenly uncomfortable.

"Listen, Maggie, I appreciate your offer, it's really nice, but I can't make that decision... Jo and I we were just…"

"Why? It's a great idea!" Jo said with a smile. "It's a really nice gesture. It's so nice !"

Alex frowned. Really? She didn't look like she was thrilled. Was he thrilled? He was. It had to be one of the greatest things… Well, it was really nice of her! The way he saw it, he would do anything to get out of this nightmarish loft! But if Jo wasn't happy… well he wouldn't go anywhere!

"You think, Jo?"

"Well, we will have our place… at least our privacy… As long as we are together, that's all that matters to me." She said, nodding.

"What do you say Alex?"

Alex grabbed her fist and just squeeze. He had no idea what to do with her. Why was she so nice with him?

"Look like you got yourself new tenants, Beastie Pierce."

"Great! Awesome!"

" We are in your debts."

"You still owe me those donuts. Feel free to reward me someday, Alex Karev. It's that easy to make me happy. I don't know what you're waiting for? " She said.

"Since I can't buy you a dragon… You might be right."

"I hate you!"

Jo watched their exchange not without an unpleasant flutter in her stomach. There was just something in the way he held her, in the way they easily laughed at each other's lame jokes that bothered her.

"What did Meredith said? About you living with her?" Jo asked amiably.

"Well, she loved the idea of another babysitter on deck. I mean doing it all alone hasn't been that easy for her … So… She was really happy when I asked… and then she called me crazy… and she told me I would get sick of it in less than a week top. "

"I'd give you two days… The kids can be… a handful."

"I love them."

"She loves them because she is one of them. Don't get fooled by the badass surgeon cap, she plays Barbie like a boss." Alex teased.

"I recall you do just as well…Uncle Alex." Maggie retorted.

"But that's really a lot of responsibilities…"Jo added, thoughtful.

"A free babysitter, in some countries, I'm sure they call that an aunt." Alex countered.

"Very funny! You still have to come visit Uncle Alex because they're already missing you something fierce. I heard from very knowledgeable sources that you can make noises like a T-Rex when you sleep. "

"That's my man, Bailey!" Alex grinned.

"You are always so proud of your flaws. I found this so fascinating." Maggie notice deadpan.

"Well, thank you Beastie."

"You're welcome, you flawed creature! Okay, I must go… I have to grab some stuff at my place. Give me one hour and you can come by. I will give you the tour and everything."

"To your place? Maybe you could…draw us a map…"

"Alex will remember the way…"

"Yes…"

"Perfect. See you later, Guys!"

Alex turned to Jo. They stood in an awkward silence before Jo spoke again. There were so many things she wanted to say and at the same time she was tongue-tied. How their relationship became like this? They used to be best friends and tell each other everything. So how the hell did it come to this?

"I swear there is something wrong with Pierce. She is not all there… She gets attached way too quickly and…"

"You guys get along pretty well…"

Alex frowned.

"…As friends." Jo continued cautiously.

Alex shrugged in relief.

"I guess we could say that."

"We could say that. It's good you have someone like that."

"I guess…"

"Well, that means, we no longer have problems, Right?"

"Right." Alex agreed.

"So, there's no longer a need to talk."

She grabbed his hands and pulled him to the bed. Alex grinned.

"Right."

"And she gave us one hour…What can we do to kill the time?"

Slowly, she leaned and straddled him, kissing him softly. There were no fireworks or sparks, at first. It was awkward and tentative as they tried to find back their rhythm. When their lips began to move in perfect sync, again, her entire body had been taken over by the overwhelming feeling of relief, combined with frantic panic, and lust. She never thought she missed him this much.

There was something to say about lost love. Stephanie adjusted her sports bag on her shoulder. She waited patiently for the elevator to arrive to its destination. It stopped half-way though and Jackson appeared behind the doors. Stephanie took a step back to allow him to get in, her eyes never leaving the floor.

"Are you okay? I heard about the crazy dad…"

"Yes, it was nothing. I mean… Not that it was "nothing"… It was horrible…and a big deal… But…Nobody got hurt , thanks to Dr Fresker."

"I see."

They remained silent for an awkward minute.

"I also heard about your surgery, congrats." He said, feigning one of those sharp smiles showing his sexy dimples.

She had no idea what to answer to that. She heard from the nurses he got wasted during his shift and never showed to work yesterday. As a result, he was put on an indefinite leave. It didn't warrant any kind of congratulations.

"Thanks… " She whispered back.

She was sorry things turned out like this. When they broke up, she wished that he would drop from the surface of the earth; she wished he fell on his pretty face and possibly broke a jaw, and she wished that she never had to work with him again… and see those dimples… She made plenty silly wishes all because he left her to go elope with April Kepner. He left her and she felt worthless and humiliated. So she made wishes, stupid silly wishes. It was not even like her to be so vindictive. But, she admitted she had been.

She looked at him now and could currently see the sea of despair in which he was drowning. And Stephanie swore she never wished for this. Not even a minute, she ever wished for a dead child or a broken marriage. She never wished he'd throw away his medical license because despite the fact she said she didn't care. She did care… a little… a lot. She will probably always care as unfortunate as it may be. But she almost died in there. Who knew what Pollard would have done? She didn't have time to lie about her feelings anymore. A surgeon did not have time to spare anyway. She was one now. She breathed in sharply and pushed the pause button in the elevator.

"You're not a bad person, Jackson. Neither is April. You didn't deserve this just like that woman doesn't deserve to wake up in a world where her husband killed her daughter and tried to kill her. It was quite cruel a fate what happened to you. But it doesn't stop here. She gets to hold her son against her. You and April, you two have each other. It may seem impossible. It may seem like you will never be able to smile again or feel joy. But you two have each other and you both deserved to be happy because you're not bad persons. Clay Pollard had no idea what he destroyed… what he'd done to his family. He was completely clueless and insane. Your family is broken right now but you can still mend the pieces. So please while it's not too late, go find your wife, go be happy. Don't let this destroy you! I don't think I can silently watch while it destroys you! "

She turned back.

"That's all I had to say." Stephanie looked straight ahead as she let the elevator resume its journey. When the doors opened on the ground level, Jackson nodded.

"Thank you, Stephanie."

She patted his arms gently and left the elevator only to be assaulted by a group of hysterical interns clapping hands. Her brown eyes widened in surprise.

"You were so great, Dr Edwards. When Dr Grey left that room, you just rocked that OR! Like a boss!" Shaw exclaimed.

Andrew "Mildly hot" Deluca nodded. Douglas took a quick selfie with her. Stephanie felt like she had just jumped in the fourth dimension.

"You were so awesome. How did you resect that tumor? I want to learn that." Douglas added.

Stephanie smiled, her heart brimming with joy and pride.

"Okay… Okay… You will all learn in time."

"Tomorrow, I saw you have an appendectomy. Do you think I could scrub in with you, Dr Edwards? I just want to watch you and learn." Shaw asked.

"No, I want to scrub in… Why would she choose you?" Douglas interjected.

"Alright, no need to fight. There will be plenty work for all of you."

Stephanie departed from the group before turning bag.

"Learn well, my ducklings, because tomorrow I will be quizzing you on the morning rounds. It will be a death or do…kind of challenge."

"I'm so gonna win this. You're dead, Douglas."

"It was just… She was not being literal, right? It was just a joke." Deluca said.

Shaw turned to face Deluca.

"You're dead too, pretty boy."

Stephanie walked outside with a smile on her face. She saw Warren Fresker seemingly in great conversation with Jackson. She shrugged contentedly. It was time to go back to the Batcave.

"Dr Edwards?"

She turned to see Warren Fresker approached.

"Can I borrow your phone?"

"Yes, yes, of course. Here." She handed him the device quickly. She watched as he played with the screen.

"You did really well in there. Not that I ever doubted you would…"

"About that, thank you so much, Dr Fresker! Without your trust in me… You barely knew me and…"

He gave her the phone back.

"You keep on doing this… on working like this… If you need anything, some advices, a job, a lawyer, a way to get out of the country without anyone knowing… you call me. I will gladly help I can."

Stephanie laughed hard. He gave a friendly wink.

"Really?"

"Yes. I'd like to work with you someday. Goodbye Stephanie!"

Stephanie's smile was plastered to her face until she got back to her car and she plainly let it out. She screamed in glee, shaking her arms in the air like a mad woman. When she arrived home to her apartment building, she couldn't help the rush of joy.

"Steffie, are you back?"

"I'm back, Grammy!"

"How was your shift, baby girl! We missed you here. Poutine got all gassy on me…"

Her cat Mister Poutine, a very obese grey Chartreus jumped on the counter to greet her. Stephanie patted the animal softly and let the old woman hugged her. She dropped her bag in the lobby and sat down on one of the kitchen stool. Her place was small, just two bedroom and a very tiny kitchen.

"Poutine, did you eat mice again? Hunting is bad for your gas! As for my shift , it started rather weirdly… believe me… It was really odd… But then I get to talk to Kyle Yeahquo…"

"Who? Is it a new boyfriend?"

"No, he is like Victor Newman. But he is younger and hotter… He is just a boss in his field, Grammy…"

She showed Grammy an Instagram picture.

"I see… I still like Victor better." Grammy said, strutting slowly toward the fridge.

"Was C.J here?"

"Yes, she just left to pick up Selina and Mickey."

"You're sure she didn't leave you alone… for like two days… Like she did last time… I pay her to stay with you, Grammy!"

"You guys need to let me breathe on my own. I don't need a babysitter, baby. "

"I know. You're a grown ass woman. You were a back-up dancer for Patti Labelle for god's sake."

" And I was the best… you got that right!"

"See, let's look at it this way! I want you to babysit C.J for me. She is our young neighbor. She is eighteen. She doesn't have a job and she's got two children with two different baby daddy. Her mom works all day and she never finished high school. In addition, she is in this relationship with this douche... She needs all the guidance in the world."

"The one with the tattoo?"

"Did he come by?"

"Yes, he picked her up earlier this afternoon. These days, young women have no taste in men whatsoever. You girls are lost, aren't you? "

"That's not true! I have decent taste in men."

"You're the worst of all, Steffiboo! You just like to pick up dirty strays and take them home. That's not what I call having decent taste in men." Grammy retorted sipping on her glass of water.

Her hand started shaking uncontrollably and she had to put the glass of water down the counter spilling half its content. Stephanie cleaned up with a towel without a word.

"You're so mean… Jackson was fine. "

"He was the worst. Your grandfather on the other hand was something in his grey suit. He used to walk with so much confidence and he could back up every of his claims. He had a big one and he was always so smooth with the ladies. But at the time, they got nothing on me. I was quite a freak in those days."

"Can I die now?"

" That was a man. A man should know how to dress… how to behave like a man. These little boys are just that… boys. Nope, Missy, you willl know when you will meet him. You'll be like…"

" I'll be like….Ooh…That's my man right there!" They both said together. Stephanie laughed.

"I raised my baby well. So what did he say, this Kyle Yeahquo Newman!"

"You have such a good memory…"

"I'm not a vegetable yet and I ain't dead."

"You will never die. I'm working on making you immortal."

"Good luck with that. I need to see my man and my daughter, your mother. There's no way I will be sticking around much longer. Too much pollution and Kardashians shows! God will be calling me home soon. You need to live your life, sweet baby. I will live my afterlife fully, trust me. "

"I don't want you to go. I won't let you go."

"You don't need me."

"Maybe I'll go with you…"

After the shift she had, well, that was certainly not too far-fetched.

" You ain't going nowhere! Keep telling me about your day instead of being silly!"

"So I talk to Kyle Yeahquo and I got carried away and started describing this big surgery he was in."

"And?"

"He encouraged me to get carried away as much as I wanted… That's exactly what I did… and then I got to be a surgeon… on this big difficult surgery where I was the boss in the OR for three hours... And people told me I rocked the OR during those three hours."

"Really?"

"Yes! This other guy, you see he is well-known in the medical world too. He is Kyle Yeahquo's boss… Well, he gave me his number."

"What? Another pervert who wants to take advantage of my baby?"

" Grammy, nobody wants to take advantage… of dear old me… Trust me. I would love it if they would…" Stephanie slipped a hand in her sweatshirt to unclasp her bra.

"Dr Fresker is the real deal. Nothing was suspicious or under the table. He was very professional. He just offered his help. His approval is like a golden pass in our field. He is like chief Webber, you just want to impress him. "

"Alright… I'm glad you impressed those men at work. I'm very proud of you, Steffiboo."

"I'm proud of me too, Grammy."

"What about I make you, your favorite meal? Some nice chicken patties, just like you love them?"

"With mashed potatoes… I'd love that. But your hands… "

"Nonsense… I can cook if I want to…"

"I'd rather order Indian!"

"Indian is expensive…

"Don't worry about money! Let me worry about that! Let's celebrate the fact I got to be a surgeon today."

Grammy kissed her forehead and grimaced.

"My baby is the smartest! Go take a bath, your hair smells a bit like Poutine's poop."

"Oh! No!Oh! No! Hell no! I talked to Jackson like that… I talked to Dr Fresker like that. Oh I'm gonna die of embarrassment! It's the pancreas… It stinks. I'm so stupid! I should have shampooed my hair but it's always a pain to let it dry afterwards."

"Okay! Let's look at it this way! Now I know if he said nothing about your hair, this man is quite professional… indeed. Just go, Larry the delivery man will be here soon. And don't you put your stuff everywhere, Steffiboo. We owned a washing machine for a reason."