It had been a few days; Jackson woke up alone looking over at her side of the bed wishing she was there. It was heart breaking and the pain was real, it cut to a point where he was crying alone because there was nothing he could do at this point. He had been heartbroken before but now he realised that the only thing that hurts more than a heartbreak was finding the right person you couldn't even be with. How can a love so pure yet so deep be hard, how can such a love be both beautiful and heart-breaking. Was this the reality of loving someone you couldn't be with? He turned checking on his clock and closed his eyes one more time replaying their last conversation a few nights ago. He had come back from his drive thinking he had a solution for their predicament but lo and behold, it hadn't worked out as he had hoped.

"Jackson you got your own thing going, how would you manage that if you move? What about your job here? What about Harriet?" she had asked

"My team doesn't need constant supervision so it`s okay, I can always get another job, Harriet will be fine, I will travel as often as I can to spend time with her"

"No, I can`t let you do that. Like I told you that the last thing I ever wanted when I got with you was to get between you and Harriet, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you did that"

"Okay Maggie, what do you suggest we do here?"

"I said, I am not taking it, it`s simple as that"

"That is not an option, why are you willing to give that up and not let me do that?"

"Jackson, other opportunities will come but Harriet`s childhood won`t come again"

"So what now?"

"I am not taking it" she had insisted

"Maggie I can`t be with you if you have to give up so much, I just can`t"

Those words had pierced though her heart like a sword; he remembered the look she had on her face when he said he couldn't be with her. Their love was everything they had ever wanted. It was like a dream coming true. It was the love of waking up next to someone and realizing the only thing that mattered was them. Jackson felt the pain as he realised how things were different, how everything he had ever wanted was right in front of him, every dream they had thought of, how they had imagined their lives together yet all of that wasn't his to have anymore. He groaned burying himself under a pillow as he screamed out loud in frustration.

…..

Maggie lay up on her bed looking at the ceiling, "Dr Pierce, you need to do your job, I won`t have you have a patient for days and not know what you need to do? What is wrong with you?" Those were Bailey's words the night before when she reprimanded her. She had never at one point had her work be questioned, if anything this was a first. She had tried every test with Mary but there was no way she could conclude on what was wrong with her. She would occasionally show symptoms of a heart attack - crushing chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea and sweating but what was strange was she showed no clinical signs of a heart attack, there would be none of the ECG changes or rise in Troponin levels which would be evident in a heart attack. Maggie had no other choice but to keep her because if anything were to happen after discharging her, she would definitely get sued. She was caught in between a rock and a hard place. Was this break up affecting her work, she missed him and it hurt. She couldn't tell the amount of times she had cried at night wishing things were different, but the sad truth was, they couldn't be together. Was this what they meant when they said love alone is never enough? Was this really the end of something that might have been beautiful, she had wanted to take his name and they were going to build something together? Was it all just a dream? She turned when she heard a knock on her door. She ignored it but saw Amelia peeping through the door waking her up. She just forced a smile to her that disappeared the moment she closed the door again. Could she have handled their last conversation differently, would it hurt less if they had maybe done things differently?

"So where do we go from here?" she had asked after Jackson`s last statement

"How about long distance? We could do that, it works for some people"

"I think it`s best we rip off the bandaid, we both know we can`t be together so why delay the inevitable" she had said with tears now on her face "how long will the long distance go because this is a long term project and it will be unfair of me to expect you to wait that long. Let's just be honest with each other here, we both know it won`t work"

"Maggie, this can`t end like this. It just can`t" he had said now fighting his own tears

"I know but is there any other way?" she had said now wiping her tears "I will be staying at my sister`s"

"Really, does it have to be right away?"

"Yes Jackson, for our own sakes"

"Well, can I at least kiss you" he had said walking towards her.

Maggie remembered how she had stood looking at him as he walked towards her. How he had took her hand and rubbed the top part with his thumb. How he had slowly lifted her chin and placed a warm sensual kiss on her lips. She remembered how she had closed her eyes as she felt his lips on hers; how she had placed her tiny palms on his face while he wrapped his arms around her waist, the kiss wasn't long but it wasn't short either. She remembered slowly breaking away from the kiss and slowly letting out a deep long sigh "goodbye Jackson" was what she had said turning to walk away, she remembered how he pulled her back kissing her one more time before finally letting go of her. Thinking about it hurt her even more, was that going to be their last memory together? Was this their reality of a right love at the wrong time, even though it seemed that way she refused to believe that. They hadn't spoken since the break up because he had flown to Stanford probably avoiding to run into her, she had also kept herself busy in her lab because that was the only thing good that was going right in her life.

...

"Link is killing me today" Helm said standing in the cafeteria line with Parker and Schmitt

"Can we switch because Grey is just being Grey, I don`t know how you get to work with her?"

"I wish, haven't logged any hours with ortho so we both got to suck it up, what about you?" Helm said asking Parker

"Well, I might get fired if we don`t get moving with our patient and Pierce isn't anyway close, she spends all the time in her lab. She has just been weird lately"

"I heard Bailey went hard on her yesterday" Schmitt said

Jackson cleared his throat standing behind them, he looked at Schmitt who immediately left the queue, Helm followed him and before Parker could follow suit Jackson stopped him.

"Need you to go check my patient in 209 and come find me in my lab with the feedback"

"Yes sir" Parker said before scurrying off

...

Jackson had heard everything and he knew right away that something wasn't right, his first thought was to go and see her but then again what was he going to do. He sat in his lab when Parker walked in. Parker gave him the feedback about his patient

"Thanks Parker" he said even though that wasn't the real reason he had sent him "you are working with Dr Pierce right?"

"Yes"

"So what`s going on with your patient?"

"Dr Avery, I don`t think it`s appropriate to..."

"Parker, I am the attending, I ask questions and you just answer" he said in an authoritative manner

"Well, she presents certain symptoms but we can`t read anything from the tests"

"What do you think it is?"

"I think Mary is faking her symptoms sir" Parker said stunning Jackson

"How certain are you that she is faking this?" Parker said nothing as he kept his eyes on the ground "what makes you say that and have you told Dr Pierce that?"

"I told her and she said I am being inappropriate, is everything okay with Dr Pierce sir?"

"Thanks Parker, that will be all" Jackson said dismissing him

Jackson immediately believed Parker in his mind because he knew that Maggie was not one to be defeated when it came to her work. It hurt him that she hadn't said anything to him, but he couldn't blame her because he hadn't told her that he was going to Stanford. He had tried to convince himself that work will make him forget his pain but that was a lie. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, in this case wrong! Maggie was always on his mind, no matter where he was or who he was with. In the back of his mind it was all about her and right now it was getting difficult to hide from it all. He remembered how his heart had skipped when he heard the mere mention of her name in the cafeteria. He was getting frustrated once again; he took one of the glasses in front of him and through it to the wall shattering it down. How had they gotten here where two people who love each other the most suddenly had a wedge in between them? He grabbed his coat and walked out the lab leaving the shattered glass on the floor

...

Maggie had talked with Steve and he had agreed to take over for her but would let her oversee everything since the rechargeable hearts were her baby. She was happy that at least that part of her work was thriving. She was closing her lab when her phone rang; she answered it and talked for a few minutes walking down the hallway. She had finished with the call now looking down her phone as she took a turn towards Meredith `s lab nearly bumping someone, "oh sorry" she said raising her head coming face to face with Jackson.

"Hi" he said as their eyes interlocked. Maggie felt her stomach flutter, looking at him made her feel a weird little dance going on in her gut, a feeling one has when they meet their crush. It was everything about him; it was his scent, his voice, his appearance, his smile, his eyes even though they seemed lifeless at the moment, his lips, his everything.

"Hi, I am sorry" Maggie said snapping back to reality "I wasn't looking where I was going" she said looking away letting out an awkward laugh. He smiled letting out a little laugh as well and said "how are you?" When she heard his laugh in that moment she never wanted it to stop, she subconsciously thought about how she would give up anything to listen to it forever and never get tired of it.

"I am -I am fine" she said shaking her head a little "I thought you were in California, I mean I heard you were in Stanford"

"I was, got back last night" he said studying her face. He could tell that light in her eyes wasn't there. It was painful to see her like that. He could see that she was trying to put on a brave face, he saw that she was as miserable as he was.

"Oh" Maggie sighed, how had they gotten here? How was it suddenly awkward to talk to him? They were good not long ago but now they were at a point where he was taking trips without informing her. They were complete strangers, how did something so good not be right for them.

"So I am off to Boston in a couple of days" Maggie blurted out

"Is everything okay? Is there something wrong with your dad?"

"No, no, he is fine; I am going for a conference. They asked that I attend so I could meet some of the people I will be probably working with" she said feeling a little embarrassed for blurting it out to him

"Okay, so you are doing this?" Jackson said in a low voice that had sadness in it

"I haven`t accepted yet, I am just you know, keeping my options open" she said looking at him with her pleading eyes. This was torture, for the past days she wasn't sure if she actually wanted to do this because she felt so miserable. He unconsciously moved his hand to touch hers but remembered that they were not together so he moved his hand to scratch his head a little. It hurt him to see her and not be able to touch her "so, I will see you around" Maggie said as she walked away from him.

"Maggie" he said grabbing her arm pulling her back to him. His touch was something she had been craving; she felt electricity from her arm all the way to the tip of her toes. Maggie felt her heart skip a little with excitement, was he finally realising that they couldn't go on like this? They stared at each other without saying anything, he stared at her with those piercing blue eyes, he then let go of her hand when he realised this wasn't appropriate considering their situation.

"I am, -I just, you know Harriet misses you" he said mincing his words.

"Oh" Maggie said expressing disappointment, she hoped he would say he missed her at least, hell she missed him too "I will stop by day care when she is around, just let me know when you have her, I have to go" she said dashing off without waiting for his response.

"I thought you were..."

Maggie had forgotten where she was going because she had immediately turned back making her way to her lab. She got in, locked the door and dropped down to the floor with her back against the door. How had things changed so fast, they were really close but now they seemed like complete strangers? She remembered how they spent most days together and how he hated it the minute she would leave. She wished she knew how to get over this, why was it so damn hard? She had thought for a minute that she was making progress from this morning, but the minute she saw his face it all came rushing back to her. It hurt, it really hurt for her, and she found herself in a pool of tears once again.

...

Harriet misses you, really Jackson,is that all you could say? Jackson thought in his head as he sat in his car about to head home. This hurt and he knew it probably wouldn't stop hurting. He watched people knocking off one by one. He was hoping to at least catch a glimpse of her, he didn't want to go home and be alone in that bed so he decided to take out his phone and call her. She was walking out of Bailey`s office fighting tears that were about to stream down her cheeks, she hastened her steps and made her way to the nearest supply closet and locked herself in when her phone rang, she looked at it and saw that it was Jackson. This was not a good time; she immediately wiped her tears as if someone was watching her and gathered herself before answering

"Hi" she answered trying to sound as normal as possible

"Hi, I just wanted to know how you holding up?" hearing his voice made her heart ache, she wasn't doing great and things were falling apart.

"I am okay, thanks" she said. Jackson closed his eyes as if he wanted to refrain himself from speaking. The line went silent for a few seconds until he said fuck it in his head.

"Maggie, I miss you, I miss you so much it hurts" he paused adjusting his seat so he could lean back in a relaxed manner. Hearing him say those words made Maggie to break down silently, she gasped for air trying to fight the emotions that were getting the better of her. He closed his eyes again for a moment and continued "you know, I have been sitting in my car for the past hour hoping to see you, well at least catch a glimpse of you. I know that this sounds weird and creepy but the honest truth is I can`t go on like this"

"Jackson I miss you too, I just..."

"Please just listen to what I have to say okay, I want a chance to be able to hold you, talk to you, and be with you after a bad day. I want to hug and kiss you goodnight every time you go to bed at night. I want another chance to shower you with good morning kisses, a chance to watch you smile as you open your eyes each morning. I know that our situation is complicated, I get that but Maggie all I want is you, only you, it doesn't matter if..." this was what she wanted too but it wasn't that simple now.

"Jackson I..." she said with a breaking voice trying to fight all the emotions she was feeling.

" Babe, we can`t go on like this, I don`t want to feel like this, to be alone in bed at night crying till morning, I can`t cover this pain with smiles and I can`t lie about being fine. I am a man who is honestly admitting that I can`t do that, I just want to hold you and feel you as you fall asleep beside me. I love you from the bottom of my heart and I don`t want to love you from a distance. I want you right here with me, tell me you don`t want the same thing and I will respect that" he paused but Maggie stayed quiet without saying a word. The line was silent until Maggie spoke

"Jackson, it`s over, it`s all over, I can`t"

"Is that what you want?" he asked as he sat up recovering from the shock he had from her response. Maggie took the phone off her ear and wiped her tears and said "yeah, it is what I want, I am sorry, I have to go" she said hanging up.

Of course this wasn't what she wanted, she felt anger consume her, and how could this have happened? She sat there and started crying like a little girl, she wished her mum was around, this was a lot and this was hurting deep in her soul. She wished she could feel her hug and hear her tell her everything was going to be okay but deep down she doubted if things were ever going to be okay, were they?

Jackson felt his heart drop, he was not one to believe in soul mates but with Maggie he had believed they were meant to be. What was he suppose to do now, the only person he loved so much was the same one who suddenly couldn't receive these intense emotions that kept him up at night. Was there really no way for them, was it a case of no matter what step they took they would never be together. Was he suppose to painfully walk away, he began to question love all but entirely. He began to question himself and his judgement; he wondered why it couldn't be so simple? Was he now supposed to just move on and forget about their love? He got out his car to put some things in the trunk when he saw Alex and Link who invited him for drinks. What better way to get over a break up than getting drunk with some buddies?

...

The guys walked into the bar and got themselves a table, Jackson went straight to order some drinks when he saw Meredith and Amelia in another corner. He went to them and exchanged pleasantries with them. They had been there a while waiting for Maggie, she had been called by Bailey when they were heading out. She had told them to go ahead and she was just going to meet them there after the meeting. Meredith had thought it would be a good idea for Maggie to get out and let loose since she hadn't been copying at all.

"Does Maggie know you are here?" Amelia asked sipping a glass of fruit juice

"Nah, I don`t think she cares where I am at" Jackson answered making Meredith to raise an eyebrow "she said she can`t be with me and in her words, it`s over"

"What? When?" Meredith asked

"We spoke a few minutes ago, looks like my drinks are ready" he said walking away

"This will be weird if she gets here and he is here" Meredith said as she watched a broken Jackson walking away.

"You right, let me call her" Amelia said getting her phone. She saw a text from Maggie saying, she wasn't going to make it for the drinks so the two should go ahead and have fun she would just go home and rest. Amelia showed Meredith the text, they decided to finish the food they had ordered and then head home after. Amelia passed by the guys and pulled Link aside asking him to keep an eye on Jackson. Jackson had already started on shots; he was going hard on them which made Alex and Link to just watch him as they were okay with beers. It didn't take Jackson long to get wasted, Alex got a call from Jo so he had to leave. Jackson was going on and on about how much he loved Maggie, how heartbroken he was and how she could break his heart like that.

"You know what, imma call her" Jackson said getting his phone

"I don`t think that`s a good idea buddy" Link said grabbing Jackson`s phone "how about I take you home"

"Good call" Jackson said collapsing on the table. Link then pulled him up and helped him into his car; he put him in the backseat so that he wouldn't be fidgeting with things in the front seat "how you put me in the backseat of my own car" he protested but Link said nothing, instead he just smiled shaking his head. On the way he kept asking Link to take him to see Maggie but Link kept telling him that it was a bad idea. He then saw his phone in the console and slowly grabbed it without Link noticing, he dialled Maggie`s number again and she answered calmly.

"So you are just going to dump me like that huh, you would do that to me, how you break my heart like that, are you a heartbreaker?" he said

"Are you drunk?" Maggie asked

"Hmmm, no, maybe, just a little, I miss you..." before he could finish Link tried to grab his phone but he couldn't reach him "you are a little beautiful heartbreaker" he said to Maggie

"What?" Maggie asked

"Oh God" Link mumbled this time managing to grab the phone after stopping the car.

"Hey Pierce"

"Link, what`s going on, is Jackson drunk?"

"What no, he is just...

"I AM NOT DRUNK, GIMME MY PHONE!" Jackson shouted making Link to just shake his head

"He is, he is just heartbroken..." Link whispered to Maggie. Jackson tried to get his phone back but he couldn't balance himself as he fell back on his seat "have a good night Pierce" Link said hanging up and this time putting the phone in his pocket

"That was so evil, you are evil Link, are you?" Jackson said lying on the seat.

"That was necessary" Link said to a Jackson who seemed rather knocked out already.

"Great" Maggie said mumbling to herself putting her phone on her bedside. She still had tears in her eyes when she heard Meredith and Amelia walking in so she pretended to be asleep. They entered her bedroom; Amelia pulled the covers off her and sat on the corner of the bed while Meredith stood right next to her. She slowly opened her eyes looking at both her sisters. Her eyes had been red and swollen from all the crying.

"You and Jackson need to work out your issues and figure something out, he is out getting wasted and you are in bed crying every night" Meredith said with her knee on Maggie`s bed as she remained standing.

"What is going on Maggie, Jackson said you dumped him?" Amelia added looking at Maggie who put her palms in her face taking a deep breath "I thought you two were at least going to figure something out instead of breaking up altogether" Amelia continued

"We can`t, I can`t" Maggie said sitting up straight with her back on the headboard with her knees slightly up

"What you mean you can't, what is going on Maggie?" Meredith asked now sitting down getting more concerned.

"I got fired" she said calmly with her hands now on her knees

"WHAT!" the sisters shouted in unison

"What you mean you got fired?" Amelia asked moving closer to her

"I was suspended but I think I will be fired" she said lifting her head now looking at her sisters

!