A/N: I am on holidays at the moment so have had a bit of spare time to write. Please don't get used to it I go back to work on Monday. I hope you enjoy this chapter I am definitely going somewhere so please hang in there.

Chapter 12 – Festive Season

"Alex, have you got a minute?" Jo asked as they both left the day care centre.

"Sure, what's up?"

"I was wondering if you could have Thomas on Saturday the 14th overnight?"

"No sorry, that's the Attending's Christmas party."

"Oh, yeah I know. Ryan asked me to go with him and I know you used to try and avoid those things at all costs. I assumed you wouldn't be going." Jo said trying to gauge Alex's reaction to her going with Ryan.

"Yeah I still hate going, but now I'm the Head of a Department it is expected I go. Sorry." He added not really meaning it. The thought of Jo dressed up at the party with someone else made his stomach churn.

"Oh yeah of course. Would you be okay with me hiring a babysitter for the evening from an agency?"

"Umm yeah I guess so." Alex stammered. He was really surprised that Jo would want to go at all to this party. Maybe what Thomas said was true. Maybe Jo really had moved on and had a new boyfriend. Doctor Fucking Do Gooder!

"Well alright then I will set that up. Thanks."

Alex sat in the Attending's lounge staring into space. He was lost in a million thoughts. He couldn't avoid the party he tried that last year and had his ass kicked from the entire board and they were his friends. He couldn't not go, but fucked if he would sit there and watch Jo and her new boyfriend looking at each other.

"What's wrong with you?" Jackson asked as he walked in.

"The Christmas Party, I really don't want to go."

"You say that every year. I know they aren't your thing." Jackson sympathized.

"No, don't suppose you would give me an out would you? " Alex asked hopefully.

"Not after last year's debacle. NO. If I have to go so do you."

"Why don't you want to go?"

"Do you seriously think I like going and seeing April and Matthew so fucking happy. See her dancing with him, smiling and flirting?"

"Dude, sorry I didn't know you still had a thing for Kepner."

"Yeah well, it never works out with anyone else because I compare them to April. It's fucked up I know but it is what it is."

"Well why don't we both not go? We could just go to a bar and drink."

"Because I am Head of the Board and it is poor form if I can't show up. And if I have to go so do you. Why don't you want to go so badly this year?"

"Jo."

"That's it. You're giving me one word, after I spill my guts to you."

"She is seeing her boss. They are always together here at work, he is often at her apartment when I pick Thomas up, and it drives me insane. He has even resorted to winning Tommy over by buying him stuff. I can't believe she can't see through his manipulating ways. He tries to frame me as the bad guy and he as the shining light."

"Okay didn't expect that much, but safe to say you do not want Ryan Hardy with Jo and you want Jo back."

"Any wonder you run a hospital, you are so smart." Alex said sarcastically.

"Hey it's not my fault you won't man up and apologise and try to win her back. If you love her and want your family back you have two choices. Fight or Flight."

"What?"

"You fight for her or you run. You do whatever it takes to get her back or you get over it, suck it up and get on with life the way things are. Two choices man. Your call."

"I could say the same to you."

"Nah that ship sailed. April is married, I had my chance and I blew it. Don't make the same mistake. That's my only advice for what it's worth." Jackson said as he made his way out of the Attending's lounge and left for the day.

Jo had hired a Nanny for the evening and was getting ready to go to the Christmas party. She had bought herself a new dress. A jade green gown, it was fitted and was completely backless. She wore her hair up and the only jewelry she wore was some silver hoop earrings and a silver bracelet.

Alex had a plan; he would stay at the function centre, for as long as he could then he would fake an emergency and leave. Failing that, he would speak to who he had to at the beginning of the night, then spend the rest of the night at the bar. Christina was going alone; he could always count on her.

Alex saw Jo nearly as soon as he walked in. She was hard to miss. She looked breathtaking. Jo was standing drinking Champagne talking to some people, God knows who, while Ryan had his hand resting on the small of Jo's back. Her dress had no back in it, so he was touching her skin. That sight alone was enough to make Alex abandon his original plan and just head straight for the closest bar stool.

Many hours later, and many drinks later Alex needed a bathroom break. On his way he saw Jo in Ryan's arms dancing close, far too close for just friends. He then locked eyes with Doctor Do Gooder and stood helplessly by while Alex watched in agony at Ryan placing his lips on Jo's. It wasn't a long kiss, but it was more than a friendly kiss. From where Alex could see Jo drew away first but she said something to him and lightly caressed the side of his face. Alex had seen enough and made his way to the bathroom. He did what he needed to and was washing his hands when Doctor Hardy walked in.

"Having a good time Doctor Karev?" Ryan asked with a satisfied smirk on his face.

"Move out of my way." Alex replied.

"You make it so easy." Ryan laughed.

"What did you say asshole?"

"I said you make it easy. You behave like a territorial animal around Jo. Smart, educated women like that don't really go for that type of guy. She is far too evolved for your Neanderthal ways. Making her fall in love with me is proving quite simple as my competition only seems to want to fight with her. Like I said you make it easy."

"You know what asshole. " Alex said as he got closer to Ryan. "Jo has had it tough, so yeah she knows how to spot an asshole a mile away. Granted you're a different type of asshole to what she is used too. But she will see it. You are manipulating her and making her believe you are a good guy, when all you want to do is no better than the rest of the scum bags she has known."

"Does that include you?" Ryan asked still smug.

"I'm the first to admit I haven't always treated Jo well, but I have never manipulated or used her in anyway. I don't think you can say the same." Alex said as he left the men's room and returned to the bar to drink.

Christina joined Alex at the bar.

"Can we leave yet?" She asked.

"No, it's only ten. I told Jackson I would stay til midnight."

"Why is that? Is that when this bar maid finishes work?" Alex just shot her an evil eye. "I've been watching you sit here talking to her proceeding to get drunk. I know your play book remember."

"Hey you." Christina called to said bar maid. "Shakira is it; see I am going to do you a favour. You are going to cut my friend here off and give him no more to drink. Because you see if you don't, he will end up taking you home, fucking you, promising to call you and then he won't. You will eat a tub of ice cream crying to your friends about what a big mistake you made sleeping with the Doctor who saves sick kids. It is his standard pick up line. So save yourself now."

"Christina!" Alex said. Christina glared at him. "Alright, sorry Shakira cut me off. I will do what Christina said. I'm getting to old to feel like shit the next day. No offence, I'm sure you're a great chick and everything but see it's this woman and..."

"Alex. Stop now. Don't embarrass yourself further."Christina said seriously.

"Hey Alex." Shakira said. "Thanks, I like older guys, and I could fall for you so thanks for bailing on me and not breaking my heart." She finished with a wink and a smile.

"Sure. I am regular heart breaker" He said as he ordered one more drink. "Just one more." He said as Shakira sighed and pored him one more whisky.

Jackson joined them at the bar. The three of them sat in silence. When all three finished their last drinks they all left together. Jackson couldn't stand it anymore; he would deal with leaving early tomorrow. If he left now he wouldn't have to see April in Matt's arms any longer. He could hardly expect Alex and Christina to stay if he was going to leave.

"Come on guys, how about we go to Joes?" Jackson asked.

"Thank God." Christina was up and out of her seat before Jackson finished.

"Great. I can keep drinking there. No women at Joe's." Alex chimed in.

Jo, Owen and April watched the unlikely trio leave together. They were probably going to go to another bar where they weren't face to face with their ex's and their new partners.

Jo's heart ached. She hated seeing Alex in pain and she knew she was partly responsible. She should never have agreed to come to the party with Ryan. She thought of Ryan as her friend and her boss and her mentor but he had made it quite clear tonight that he had more on his mind. She tried to put him straight.

"Ryan, I am flattered I really am but I just don't feel that way about you. I don't want to jeopardise our working relationship and our friendship."

His words worried her a little; it was as if he hadn't heard what she said.

"Shhh" He said as he placed his fingers on her lips after their brief kiss. "I will wait until you're ready. I want you Jo and I will make you see we are meant for each other."

All Jo could think about was running into the safety of Alex's arms. God Alex what have I done? Why didn't I go back and fight for you. After everything we have been through this is what I have done.

Tomorrow – I will sort everything out with Alex tomorrow.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed and please review