I do not own any characters, plots, or anything else pertaining to "Grey's Anatomy". This chapter will be in April's P.O.V. and they'll have a serious discussion about what's next for them. As always, thanks for following/favoriting and commenting.

Chapter 13

Starting Over

April wakes up the next morning at the hospital, the bright sun rays shining through her window. She can't help but smile as the light warms her skin. Ever since she was a child, she's always loved the sun. She used to play outside for hours in it and often refused to come in from the fields on her farm in Moline, when her mother called her in for dinner. Her smile widens, as she remembers her father calling her his little sunshine because of her love of the sun. There's suddenly a knock on the door and she jumps a little. Jackson stands in the doorway with his hands inside his pockets. "I thought I'd stop by to check on you." April gives him a nod and then forces a smile. "I'm happy to see you." He smirks at her and then sits down in the chair next to her bed. "How are you feeling?" April's fake smile widens. "I'm feeling great, just happy to be alive." Jackson leans back in his chair and seems to be observing her. She shifts uncomfortably in the bed at his intrusive gaze.

When they had been married, Jackson had always looked at her like this. The feeling in some ways is a familiar one, but in other ways, it's completely new. It dawns on her that she hasn't had a conversation alone with Jackson in five years. Not to mention, the last time they had talked, they had argued. Suddenly, she feels a nervousness flood her veins, and she's not sure how to get rid of the unsettling feeling. "April, talk to me. I can see that's something's bothering you." She takes a sharp breath in, trying to calm her tumultuous emotions churning inside, but she knows that it's no use. The truth is, starting over with Jackson terrifies her. April knows that it shouldn't, considering everything she went through while she was in the coma, but she can't help the fear coursing through her.

April suddenly feels a jolt of electricity flood her body, when Jackson takes her hand. He forces her eyes to lock with his and her heart skips a beat in response. "What's wrong?" April takes a sharp breath in, the tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm scared, Jackson. I have no idea how we even begin to fix us. We've got so much to talk about and…to forgive…" She fades off and notices the shift in Jackson's gaze. He's no longer looking at her with compassion, but fear. "Do you think I'm being crazy?" Jackson shakes his head. "No, you're being, April." He gives her a smirk, but she can't return the smile. "I want to make things work, Jackson, I'm just scared that things will turn out like they did before. You still don't have faith and I tend to run away from my pain…" April trails off again, feeling the tears, cascading down her cheeks.

Jackson squeezes her hand and his eyes lock with hers. "Hey, we'll figure this out together." She gives him a nod and it's her turn to squeeze his hand. "If I'm going to give my heart to you again, you have to promise me that you're with me. No matter what happens in our lives, I need to know that you're with me, Jackson." There's a pause and April notices a flash of anger in his eyes. They've never been good at this part, talking about their problems, and finding a way to support each other through the hard times. After another beat, he finally gives her a nod, all anger gone now. "I'm with you." April feels the tears sting her eyes as she pulls her hand away from his.

Her heart believes he's telling her the truth, but her head is uncertain. She wants to believe that Jackson means it, that he will stand by her without any doubt, but she's been here before. She knows in her heart that he loves her, that he's always loved, and she was shown just how much while she was in the coma. Still, she can't help but think of the last time Jackson had promised her he'd stick by her. It was during the months leading up to their divorce. He had promised that he'd take therapy seriously and work on their issues, but he had given up, and slapped her with divorce papers instead.

April's heart aches inside of her chest, as these thoughts churn within her mind. When she finally manages to pull herself together enough to look over at Jackson, he's staring at her in confusion. After a few more moments pass, April decides to put on a brave face and break the silence. "I think I need to find a way to trust you again." He gives her an uncertain nod and she can tell that he's a little hurt by what she's just said. April knows that if this is going to work between them, it has to be said.

A few moments pass before she decides to break the tension by putting her hand out. "My name is April Kepner. I was raised on a farm in Moline. I'm a Trauma Surgeon and I've just woken up from a five-year coma. Would you like to hang out, sometime?" Jackson gives her a smirk in return and puts out his own hand. "My name is Jackson Avery. I was raised in the city of Chicago. I'm a Plastic Surgeon and if you don't mind spending time with a single dad, then I'll hang out with you." April gives him a smile, as she shakes his hand officially. "It's nice to meet you, Jackson Avery." With that, the two start with a clean slate, and the first page of their new story begins.