Jackson and his fiancée were already seated when Alex and Jo arrived at the trendy new restaurant. They made their way over to the table and Alex made introductions, "Jo, this is Jackson and his fiancée Meredith," the three greeted each other, "and this is Jo," Alex looked to his wife with a tender smile and a light in his eyes. He pulled her chair out for her and draped his arm across her shoulders when they were settled. The two friends had decided it was time their significant others met, so they planned a double date.

The conversation and laughs flowed easily around the table. Jo couldn't help but notice, however, the coolness and almost air of indifference between Jackson and Meredith. Where she and Alex hung on each other's every word and found many excuses to touch one another be it a kiss on the cheek, a squeeze of the hand, or just a brush of a foot against the other, Jackson and Meredith barely paid each other attention remaining rather aloof. The evening was enjoyable none the less and the foursome separated with promises of doing it again soon.

Jo broached the awkwardness on the ride home, "So, it was Jackson's bachelor party in Vegas, right?" Alex nodded as he glanced in the rearview mirror and changed lanes. "And they're not married yet? That was a month ago.."

"He wanted this blow out trip before the wedding, and spring break was a good time. They're getting married a week from Saturday. I thought I had told you. Of course I'll want you there with me," he gave her puppy dog eyes as a way to convince her.

"Umm, yeah, of course."

"He's having the traditional bachelor party the night before," Alex explained pulling into a spot in the parking garage.

They went up to their apartment and Jo continued the conversation, "I meant to ask them, how did they meet?"

"They're both from high power political families here in Texas. They've known each other forever. This marriage has been anticipated since they were babies."

"Wow," Jo mused leaning into Alex's side where they sat on the couch, "And they're both okay with that?"

Alex shrugged tightening his arm around Jo, "I guess so. They started dating hot and heavy in college, and now that they are both about to get their masters they're taking the next step."

Jo sat up and looked at Alex, "That didn't look very 'hot and heavy' to me," she argued.

"They've been together for years; they're not all over each other like they used to be, that's normal. What's going on Jo? Why are you so interested?"

She shook her head, "I'm not. I just… that didn't look like a couple who is less than two weeks away from getting married."

"They're just not like that around other people," Alex assured her.

The next morning, Jo was making her way from the bathroom to the kitchen dressed in one of Alex's t-shirts and towel drying her hair when Jackson let himself into the apartment. Jackson and Jo both froze staring at each other wide eyed.

Jo recovered first, "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" he countered, and then chuckled, "Never mind I can see what you're doing," he smirked, "Where's Alex?"

"He left early. He had to run by the library before class," she dropped the towel on the back of a kitchen chair and tugged the hem of her shirt down.

"So what, y'all are shacking up now?" he asked with raised brows, "I'm shocked."

"It's not what you think," Jo defended.

"Oh yeah? Then what is it?"

"How much has Alex told you about us?" she hedged.

Jackson shrugged, "You met in Vegas and hit it off and have been 'talking' ever since, but I thought you lived in Seattle?"

She nodded, "I did, and that's not exactly the whole story."

"I'm listening," the man said sitting down on the couch. He wasn't about to leave until he heard how this woman had wormed her way into Alex's life getting him to abandon all his convictions. The couple had seemed happy last night, but Alex was his best friend, and now suddenly seeing this woman in his apartment, knowing what he believed, Jackson didn't trust her. He had to look out for his friend.

Jo hesitated not wanting to give away more than Alex was ready to, but didn't see any other choice, "We got married in Vegas," she finally blurted out.

"Yeah right," Jackson scoffed rolling his eyes.

"No, it's true," she insisted, "We met that Friday night at the bar. The night you and your friends kept plying Alex with alcohol," she accused. Jackson looked down at the floor remembering the night, remembering getting Alex drunk. "Anyway, he bought me a drink, we danced… and we woke up hungover and married in his hotel bed."

Jackson shook his head in disbelief, "I just can't believe he'd do something like that."

Jo got up and went to the bedroom. She slipped on a pair of shorts and her wedding ring and grabbed the framed marriage license. Walking back over to the couch she presented the license to Jackson showing off her ring in the process.

He stared at the paper in front of him speechless. Alex was married. Why was he keeping it a secret from him though? "So you're married, no one knows, what happens now?"

"I was ready to get divorced as quickly as we got married, but not Alex. He wanted to try and make a go of it. He said there was obviously something that drew us to each other and to the point of wanting to get married…"

"Yeah alcohol," Jackson quipped.

"That's what I said," Jo nodded, "But he insisted it was something more and he was so sincere in wanting to try, so I agreed. I didn't have anything to lose at that point. We decided not to tell anyone, you know, in case it didn't work out, and his parents would freak, I guess.."

"That's an understatement."

"We talked on the phone every night and I moved here to Houston a couple weeks after we met. I figured if we were really going to try to make a marriage work we couldn't do it long distance. It's actually been good so far, really good," she said quietly, as if talking to herself. Jackson noticed the same light glistening in her eyes he'd seen in Alex's the night before every time his friend had looked at the woman. "Now he's just gotta fall in love with me."

"I don't think you have to worry about that, judging from last night," he spoke up.

"What d'ya mean?"

"Really!?" Jackson laughed, "How can you not see he's head over heels for you?"

The woman's face lit up, "You really think so?" her heart swelled with hope. She was sure now that she loved him. She'd been feeling it for awhile but wouldn't admit it to herself. She didn't want to get hurt again, but she couldn't deny it anymore.

"Yeah. I'm sure of it."

Jackson was about to leave when Jo stopped him, "Speaking of last night, what's going on between you and Meredith?"

"What do you mean?" he stopped with his hand on the doorknob.

"Are you head over heels for her?" she borrowed his words.

"Yeah, of course. We're getting married," he picked at a splinter in the wooden door.

"I know what a loveless marriage looks like. I know what it feels like to be stuck in a marriage to the wrong person," she said solemnly. "You don't want that Jackson, trust me."

"But you and Alex…"

She shook her head, "Not Alex. I was married before. I got married for the wrong reasons. It was good at first and then it got bad and then it got unbearable. Don't do that to yourself. Don't do that to Meredith."

Damn she was perceptive. "See ya later, Jo. I'm gonna go see if I can catch up with Alex."

Jackson did catch up with Alex. They met at a sub shop just off campus for lunch. "I went by your apartment this morning," Jackson informed Alex.

"Oh yeah? Sorry I left early this morning."

"I know… Your wife told me," Jackson's eyes danced with humor as he held back a grin. Alex froze with his sandwich halfway up to his mouth. "Yep, that look right there," Jackson pointed, "That's the look that was on Jo's face when I let myself in. And I'm sure that was the look on my face when I saw that Pastor Karev had a woman in his apartment," he laughed outright.

"Dude, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, it's just…"

Jackson waved off his explanation, "It's fine. Jo explained everything. And don't be upset with her for telling me. I could tell she didn't want to, but how was she going to save face unless she did."

Alex smiled at the mention of his wife. He knew without a doubt it was his reputation she was trying to save and not her own. "She's pretty great, huh?"

Jackson shook his head at his lovestruck friend, "Yeah man, she's great. You got lucky with that one. Now don't do anything stupid and screw it up." How did his friend drunkenly stumble upon and marry a woman who seemed so well suited for him and he was stuck marrying someone out of family obligation. Jo was right it wasn't worth it. That's no way to spend a lifetime.

Later that week, Jo informed Alex after supper one evening, that she had been accepted into Rice University. "Jo, that's great," he wrapped her in a tight hug and kissed her lips. He was so proud of her.

"And I've been thinking about it. I'm going to go into social work." He nodded his approval. With her background, he knew how important that would be to her, to help others who found themselves in her situation. They were sitting on the couch; she was turned sideways facing him. He held her hand as she talked. "I think it could have been better for me. My caseworker was horrible; she never believed me, never believed in me. I want to give someone the chance at something better. I want those kids to know that someone has their back, that someone does believe in them."

She was so passionate about her dream. Her heart was so big. He knew then in that moment he loved her. "You're going to be amazing," he said tenderly. He leaned forward staring deeply into her eyes and cupped her cheeks. "I love you, Jo." He couldn't wait another minute to say it.

The prettiest smile he had ever seen lit up her face, "I love you too," and she did. It wasn't one moment for her; it was all the little moments over the months that led her to see that she was in love with this man she never saw coming. This man who was so tender and caring with her, who would do anything for her.

His heart beat faster at her words and the love shining in her eyes. He traced her lips with his thumb and leaned down kissing her. Their kisses started out soft, sweet, but soon grew more intense and heated. Jo laid back on the couch pulling him down on top of her, but he stood lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the bedroom.

He laid her gently on the bed and stared at the beauty before him. Her eyes were dark with desire and her lips red and swollen from their passionate kisses. He wanted her, wanted this, but butterflies took flight in his stomach. He'd never done this before, well he had but it was a very foggy haze. He was going to remember every moment of this time.

"Alex?" Jo reached out a hand to him. She took his hand and gently tugged. She had her suspicions about what was going on in his head. There was no question about what his body was feeling. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her kissing his lips over and over again. She skimmed her hands up the back of his shirt running her fingertips over his heated flesh.

His desire took over. He forgot about his nerves. He kissed a wet trail from her lips to her her jaw and down her collarbone nipping at the smooth skin. Their shirts came off and he stared at the sexy form beneath him. The feeling of her soft hands gliding across the hard planes of his chest brought up memories of their first time in flashes. His body remembered the sensual touches of this woman.

They explored each other's bodies taking their time. They learned every inch of their lover. They made love again as if it were the first time. It was a beautiful expression of their feelings for one another. It was everything Alex had been saving himself for.

In the afterglow, Jo was wrapped in Alex's arms with her head resting on his chest. She listened as his heartbeat slowed to normal and his breathing evened out. She traced circles on his sweaty chest, "I wanna change my name."

"Hmmm," he hummed.

"I wanna change my name," she repeated raising her head to look at him, "I wanna be Jo Karev."

He opened his eyes and met her gaze, "Really?"

She nodded, "Yeah. I mean this is it, Alex. I think we can both say we are really and truly married now. We love each other," she shrugged, "I want to share your name. I want everyone to know we're husband and wife."

"Jo, I would love… thank you.. I love you," he didn't know what to say. This beautiful amazing woman lying in his arms had just made him the happiest man in the world… in more ways than one.

They shared a kiss that turned into two that turned into all night.