Moving On

A couple of weeks had gone by and things had pretty much settled. April and Jackson were spending more time together with Harriet and trying to figure out next steps in repairing their relationship. Maggie buried herself in work. Meredith and Amelia took her out from time to time and the kids kept her busy. As hard as it was, she focused on herself and eventually everything fell right back into place. She once again was focused on the one thing that made her happy and that she excelled at, WORK!

April and Jackson walked into the hospital together holding hands. April appeared bubbly and happy with a huge smile on her face. Catherine was in the ER on a consult. She saw them walk in together with Harriet. April kissed Jackson and told him she would take Harriet to daycare. Catherine pulled Jackson aside and asked him, "What is going on? Are you and April back together?"

"Yes, Ma. I really don't want to go into details right now but we are figuring things out."

Placing her hand on his chest, "hold on Jackson, we had a huge blow up about you and Maggie and now you walk in with April? Richard also gave you his approval to date Maggie? What changed?"

"I called things off with Maggie and I am going to try to make things work with April. I want Harriet to have a real family. So I am going to work on giving her that," rolling his eyes.

"Are you sure Jackson, is this what you really want. I remember how tough things got between you two and I can't see you go through that again. I finally got my baby back and I don't want to lose him again," she said with concern.

Jackson bent down placed a kiss on her cheek and said, "I'm sure mom."

Catherine kissed him on the cheek and said, "Chile, I hope you are right about this. I like April and I am so thankful she had my grandbabies but the two of you together, I am not so sure about."

Jackson placed his hand on his mother's shoulder and reassured her he wanted to try to get his family back together. "I love you mom. Please support me with this."

"I love you too baby," she said grabbing his hand. So what did Maggie say?"

"She said goodbye. Not sure what it meant because I asked that we remain friends," he said looking down at his mother. "I haven't seen her. It's almost like she doesn't work here anymore. Went from running into her all the time to not seeing her at all."

Not wanting to give her input, she said, "Well, your focus needs to be on April and Harriet."

"I know Ma. It's just weird. We were friends you know."

"Well as her friend Baby, give her space to figure things out. She owes you nothing. Besides, Dr. Margaret Pierce will be just fine. I won't be surprised if she finds someone soon. That woman is amazing and she is a genius." Catherine said as she walked back toward her patient in the pit.

Jackson laughed sarcastically at his mother and said goodbye.

…

"Maggie," she heard her name being called as she walked down the hall. She turned around to see who it was. It was Jackson. She turned and replied, "Hey Dr. Avery. Can you please refer to me as Dr. Pierce. I would really appreciate that," she said, placing her hands in her pocket.

Confused, Jackson said, "Why?"

"Because that is what a prefer," she said appearing frustrated and annoyed. Placing her hand at her temple she said, What can I help you with?"

"How are you? I haven't really seen you?"

"Why would you see me? I've been giving you your space and taking care of me. I have been really busy with surgeries and working on my rechargeable hearts."

"How are you doing though? Jackson asked, I know things ended abruptly and I just don't want you to hate me."

"I don't hate you. I just don't want to deal with you on a personal level. I understand your choice and I have accepted it. Give me some time and maybe we can get to the point where we can be acquaintances. I wish you the best Dr. Avery. See you around."

Maggie turned away and walked quickly down the hall. He watched until she disappeared through the double doors. While standing there, April came from around the corner and pushed him into one of the on call rooms. She put her arms around his neck and began kissing him while lifting his shirt attempting to take it off. He was so distracted by Maggie's response that it took him awhile to realize what was going on.

"What's wrong Jackson?" "Jackson"

"Huh…wait what's happening?"

Looking at April, "What are you doing?"

With a confused look on her face April responded, "What does it look like? I want you Jackson."

Looking down at April he said, "I want to take things slow. I want us to work on getting to know each other again and our relationship becoming more than just sex. This is too much too fast."

"Do you not want to be with me?" April responded

"It's not that. While we were apart, you slept with an intern, the Neuro guy and God knows who else. I want us to take our time. I don't want to rush into this. Not like this."

April looked at Jackson with a scowl on her face and raised her voice, "are you going to punish me for that? We were not together? You divorced me and walked away from me."

Trying not to react he walked to the other side of the room to cool off. "April what are you talking about. I am here right, I am standing right in front of you telling you what I need from you in order to make this work."

"Jackson, I want you, I want you in every way possible. I just want you to want me back too." She expressed.

"It takes time April. We haven't been together in almost a year. The last time we had sex was when we were in Montana. It was just sex to me at the time. We were drinking and laughing and having a good time. I told you we can try again. Let's date. What we did not do before we got married. Lets really get to know each other."

"Okay Jackson. I just want things to work this time around.

Jackson's phone went off and when he looked down, "consult in the pit." He looked at April. "We will continue this conversation later," He said. He kissed her cheek and ran out of the room.

...

Maggie was already in the Pit on a consult. A patient came into the ER with difficulty breathing due to smoke inhalation from a fire in the home. She also had severe burns on her chest and abdomen.

Maggie worked on her to get her breathing under control and examined her heart.

"What you got Hunt?" Jackson asked.

"Over here Avery." Owen brought him into the room where Maggie was. He observed the burns on the patient's chest and abdomen.

As he did his exam, Maggie continued to assess the patient.

"Her breathing is under control. I would like to get a chest CT after you check out the burns."

Turning to Parker, "Please page me when you are headed to CT," she said while walking out of the room.

Jackson let out a loud sigh, and whispered under his breath, "she cant even be in a room with me."

"What was that Dr. Avery?" Parker said looking up at him.

Clearing his throat he said, "nothing Parker. Nothing at all."

Once the patient was ready to head to CT, Parker and Jackson wheeled them to the elevator.

Maggie was standing by the nurse's station talking to one of the firefighters that brought the patient in.

He was tall, fair skin, chestnut colored eyes and a bald head. He was very handsome. He was "FINE".

"Parker, who is that," Jackson asked as they both looked over at Maggie.

"That is Captain Sullivan. Every time he comes here, he asks for Dr. Pierce. She usually doesn't give him the time of day but I guess she had time today."

He watched Jackson as he stared at Maggie.

"Dr. Avery, Everything okay? You're staring."

"Yeah, yeah everything is fine. Just never seen him before."

Jackson watched as Maggie interacted with Captain Sullivan. Maggie smiled and giggled as he touched her arm. She is flirting, he whispered to himself. She is glowing. She is interested in him.

He watched as Captain Sullivan handed her his phone. Maggie grabbed it and proceeded to put her telephone number into the phone. She smiled and looked at him as she handed it back "you better use it," she said. He held her hand as she tried to walk away, he pulled her back toward him and placed a kiss on her palm. He let her hand go and she waved goodbye with a smile on her face. As she walked toward the elevator, Sullivan yelled out, "I definitely will Dr. Pierce." Sullivan watched as Maggie walked toward the elevator with a huge smile on his face and Jackson watched him, as he looked at Maggie.

Maggie made her way toward them with a huge smile on her face. Her cheeks were red. She was giddy and happy.

With a smile on her face, she said, "Are you taking the patient to CT?"

"Yes, "Parker responded.

"Perfect, let's go."

Jackson was quiet the whole elevator ride up. He looked forward trying his best not to look at Maggie. They stood close enough for him to smell her perfume. He remembered holding her close to his chest and taking in her essence. He remembered her touch and how she would stand on the tip of her toes to kiss him because she was so short. Her lips were so full and soft. She would place her hand on his cheeks pulling his lips into hers. She would hold on to his cheeks as their foreheads touched, as they gazed into each others eyes, they only saw each other.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the elevator doors opening.

April was standing on the other side.

"Hey Dr. Kepner, Dr. Hunt was looking for you. He told me to let you know he needed you in the Pit." Maggie said as she exited the elevator.

"Thanks Dr. Pierce"

"Jackson we should stay in tonight. We can go to my apartment? We can order something or I can make dinner. We need to talk about our living situation."

"Can we talk about this later April? I have to take this patient to CT and get them in the OR?"

"Okay Jackson. Come find me when you are ready to leave"

"Ok April. See you later."

Maggie saw Meredith and Amelia walking down the hall and yelled out, "Lady Chiefs have I got some news for you. With a huge smile on her face." She instructed Parker to page her when they got the scans.

Maggie ran down the hall to meet her sisters. She told them about Robert Sullivan and his interest in taking her out to dinner but not being sure. They encouraged her to go out with him. "You are single and he is single why not?"

Besides,"He is Fine," Amelia said.

Maggie giggled "OK". "He is handsome and it will be good to get out of the house."

Maggie's phone buzzed.

"Got to go, scans are in."

Parker and Jackson were in the CT room looking at the scans. From behind them, Maggie looked at the scans and saw the damage that was done by the fire and smoke.

"She's going to need surgery."

"Parker please go and book a OR."

Jackson looked at Maggie, "I can assist with the flap. She is going to need one given the damage to her chest wall to protect her heart."

Maggie nodded yes and walked out of the CT room, to go prep for surgery.

Parker could sense the tension between Dr. Pierce and Dr. Avery in the room.

While in surgery Maggie's phone buzzed.

"Can somebody read that?"

Told you I would use it. How about dinner tomorrow night, Beautiful? -Robert

Maggie's eyes lit up and she couldn't help but smile. Jackson looked over at Maggie and a feeling of sadness came over him. He remembered that look. That's how she used to look at him when she was excited to see him.

The room then went silent.

Maggie finished her part of the surgery as Jackson continued to work. "I'm all set. I will check on the patient at post-op." Maggie left the room, leaving Parker behind to close.

Jackson didn't want her to go. Even though the room was silent, her presence alone was enough for him. He was still attracted to her and the feelings he had for her never left. The idea of her being over him so quickly hurt him. He still had feelings for her and with every interaction they got stronger.

...

The next day, Jackson saw Maggie by the coffee cart in front of the hospital. He reached over to the cashier and paid for his coffee and hers. "Hey Maggie."

"It's Dr. Pierce, Dr. Avery."

"Dr. Avery?! So we're really doing this now?"

"That's your name right," while looking over her shoulder.

"What are you expecting Jackson? I'm not going to act like everything's okay to make you feel better. Were you expecting me to be all smiles around you?"

"I'm not saying that,'' Jackson argued. Thought we could at least go back to being friends."

"Jackson, I am not going to make myself small to make things easier for you. You made a choice now live with it. I cannot and will not do this with you right now. You are a colleague and we will leave it at that. Thank you for the coffee Dr. Avery. Have a good day."

Surprised by her response he followed her to the elevator and gently grabbed her arm.

"Wait, weeks ago we were making out and making plans to have dinner. How can things change so quickly? Maggie?" He said with a raised tone.

"Jackson give me some time. I need space and right now I just don't want to see you or want to be around you."

She pulled her arm away and walked into the elevator. They stared intently at each other as the elevator doors close.

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