A/N: Thanks in advance for reading this chapter. Also thanks to everyone for the reviews so far.
Just a little side note; Remember that this is AU, so more often than not side characters will almost be 100% completely different from how they are on the show.

Thanks.

She hadn't been asleep for very long when a knock at the door woke her. Crawling out of her bed and wrapping her dressing gown around her, she headed downstairs.
Opening the door she saw Matthew standing there. He didn't look too happy.

''Matthew, what are you doing here? I thought you weren't back for a few more days?'' she asked.
''The trip got cut short unexpectedly. I thought I'd surprise you.'' he said smiling.
''Well.'' she laughed. ''You certainly did that.'' ''Come in.''
He stepped through the door, putting his bags down onto the floor and turning around.
''Where's my hello kiss then?'' he teased.
She moved closer to him, standing on her top toes, she went to kiss him on the cheek as he went to kiss her on the lips.
''Oh, sorry.''
''What was that?'' he asked confused. ''That's not usually how you kiss me when we say hello.''
''I really just want to get back to bed, it's been a long day and I'm wiped.'' she replied honestly.
''I'm sure it has been.'' he said sarcastically.
''Why are you saying it like that, Matthew?.''
''Let's just say I have been home longer that I may have made out and I saw you with another man. On the porch.'' ''What was all that about?''
Oh crap. ''That was Jackson, he's a friend.''
''Really? So you go about saying goodbye to all of your friends with a kiss and a hug?''
''No..no..I was just..''

He interrupted her with a rough kiss and pushed her against the wall. Holding her wrists and pining her arms above her head.
''I think you need to apologize to me.'' ''Don't you?'' He asked, not really asking her.
''Apologize? I haven't done anything wrong Matthew. Jackson is a friend, I was just saying thanks to him for walking me home.'' She was lying and she knew it. She knew he knew it too.
''I don't believe you, April.'' ''Not one bit.'' ''I'm taking you to bed. You can make it up to me there.''
''No you're not. You are going to go home Matthew. I don't want you here.'' she responded, now slightly scared.

Matthew's grip was getting tighter and tighter on her arm. She didn't like where this was going. She was scared and did the only thing she knew how to.
''Ouch!.'' Matthew shouted as he felt a sharp pain in his nether regions. April quickly opened her front door and pushed him outside with as much force as she could muster. Before slamming the door in his face she shouted, ''This was the last time Matthew. Never again, do you hear me? We are over, finished...for good!'' she slammed the door shut. April slid down to the floor as tears were pouring from her eyes. She couldn't stop them. What the hell had just happened? If there ever was a more important reason for ending things with Matthew, this was it. It could have gone much worse.
Eventually standing up, she looked through the peephole in the front door to check if he was still there. He wasn't. Phew. April walked into her kitchen and poured herself a small glass of whiskey before she took herself up to bed once more. Climbing into bed she closed her eyes. All she could think about was Jackson and how much she wanted, no needed him to be there, to hold her close and help her go to sleep.

The next morning April got out of bed, had a shower and started to get her clothes on. As she went to put her t shirt over her head she noticed them. Bruises. On her wrists from where Matthew had grabbed her the night before. Thinking better of it, she returned to her chest of drawers and pulled out a sweater instead. At least then she could hide the bruises. She then went downstairs, grabbed everything she needed and set off to work.

A few days had passed since the incident with Matthew and she hadn't heard from him thank goodness. Some days when she was walking home though, she could swear she was being followed. Maybe she was just being crazy and imagining things, who knew. As long as Matthew stayed away from her, she would be happy.

One of the evenings she was walking home, she suddenly felt a vibration coming from her purse, it was her phone. She looked at the screen but didn't recognize the number. She didn't normally answer unknown numbers but for some reason, tonight she did.

''Hello?'' '
'Hi April, it's Jackson.''
''Jackson? How did you get my number?''
''Ah see, I have my ways.'' he said playfully.
''Well, however you got it, I'm very happy you called.'' she replied, hoping he could feel the smile that was on her lips.
''How have you been? I'm sorry I haven't been in the store for a while. Things have been kind of hectic at work.''
''Oh, don't worry about it. It's completely understandable.''
''So, I was wondering..Would it be okay to see you again? I mean outside of work.'' he asked.
''Oh well, I umm..''
''I understand if you don't want to, I know you have a boyfriend and it wouldn't be appropriate.''
''Oh, um. Well, actually Matthew and I broke up.'' she said honestly.
''Oh I'm sorry to hear that.'' Jackson said, completely lying through his teeth.
''Oh no, don't be. It was going to happen eventually. I just had the push I needed to end things.''
''I see...well in that case, do you want to go for a drink or a bite to eat? I will behave, I promise.'' he said cheekily.
''Do you know what? I would love to.''
''Great!.'' ''Are you free right now?''
''Well, I was just on my way home, but sure, I can be.''
''OK well I'll meet you at the corner of your road and we can go from there.''
''You're on.'' April replied, with a huge grin on her face.

A few minutes later she reached their meeting point. Looking out for Jackson, sure enough he was heading towards her.
Keep it cool, Kepner.
Coming to a halt in front of her, Jackson smiled. ''Hey.''
''Hi.'' she smiled back. God, he looked amazing as always.
''Lets go?'' He asked with a smile.
''Of course.''

Jackson held his hand out and April took it. His hands were so soft, much softer than she expected them to be. He gently brushed his thumb over her forefinger and smiled at her. April couldn't help but smile back at him.
They only had their hands linked together but it felt so right.