Hello Everyone! I apologize for the long wait for this chapter. Due to insinuating circumstances I was not able to post anything sooner. I am so grateful to those of you who still follow this story and I hope to hear from you. As always Rate and Review and most importantly enjoy.

Chapter 14

Jackson sat at the bar of April's quaint kitchen space immersed in today's copy of the "Seattle Press," a local newspaper that he often read, reading it from beginning to end. He had never been the type of man whose literary interest stalled beyond the sports section or "The Funnies" that you would find in the most anticipated "Sunday's paper" in which everyone graciously paid an extra buck for, and he most certainly did not entertain the idea of coupon clipping. Sure he fancied a sports article now and then specifically during the reign of Boston's natives "The New England Patriots." Yes, although now a long-term resident of Seattle he had never been able to jump on the "Sea-hawks" fan wagon of lack luster and its pretentious notion of becoming "THE" face of the NFL.

He was reading the entertainment section while enjoying a stiff cup of freshly brewed Folgers French Vanilla coffee he borrowed from the hollowed crooks of April's cupboard doors; hoping to find the perfect rendezvous for their mid-day date. He hadn't had time to plan anything given he had only decided they'd go out the night before and he had spent most of the night preparing study criteria for April's impending boards. Although she failed to admit that she was ill prepared and particularly nervous about her second, and if she had any clout in the matter, FINAL attempt in passing the most important exam of her surgical career, Jackson believed she would benefit from a little extra assistance with the subject. So he stayed up in the wee hours of the night concocting a set of detailed flash cards and study guides to help her feel more comfortable in the next few days leading up to her exam. He had even phoned Alex asking him to get together a few of their colleagues to join them in the "Nerd Fest" that would become of April's apartment after the sun went down and the moon remained full. Of course he had to do a little persuading where the Pediatrician was concerned.

"Dude this is so last year," Alex whined sounding more like a freshman high school student that had watched too many of those "Dude Where's my Car?" movies and not the 31-year-old Pediatric Surgeon he claimed to be.

"Yeah maybe for the rest of us, but April needs to pass this test and it might be the only shot she has left at salvaging her surgical reputation."

Alex sighed heavily into the receiving end of his cell phone causing an echo to ring twice as loud in both of Jackson's eardrums. "What is it with you and the red-head anyway? I get that she's hot but besides that she is the most annoying woman I have ever met, and I've met a lot of women that aggravate the hell out of me."

"I love her," he said simply noting that those words were enough for him. Even though she had lied to him for weeks about her relationship with Matthew after his bout with amnesia, he still loved her and that was enough for him.

"Love is for chumps, which is code for she's a good lay?"

"Of course she is, but she's more than that man. Haven't you ever loved someone so selflessly that you wanted to do anything and would do anything for them? I know she messed up countless times and she lied about a lot of things, but even in knowing the truth I still love her. Besides she isn't the only one who withheld the truth, so did you and everyone else who deemed to care about me."

"In my defense your mom threatened me with the voice of death and her crazy ass eyes. When she looks at you with a raised brow and eyes dilated like she'd just hit a couple of lines of the good stuff, well you better not cross Catherine Avery, not now, not ever."

Jackson understood that his mom could influence many to do her bidding and she wouldn't feel an ounce of shame or regret as long as it benefited her cause, particularly that of her esteemed son. "You're afraid of my mom? Get in line because I don't know a single person that would put her in her place other than Webber, and he's dating her."

"So are we cool?" Alex asked in an attempt to smooth things over with the plastic surgeon.

"Yeah man but I really need you to help me put together a study group for April."

"Fine," Alex scoffed. "I'll talk to Mer and the others but there better be free booze if you expect any of us to deal with April for more than an hour."

"Come on you use to live with her; she couldn't have been that bad and she's your friend," Jackson said defensively.

"Whatever Dude. So beer?"

"Yeah Beer, any other demands?"

"Pizza would be good," Alex said with a grin imagining getting his hands on a slice. He loved it when Jackson allowed him to manipulate him into getting what he wanted and he definitely wanted a good beer to accompany his choice of pizza.

"Fine there will be beer and pizza your majesty."

"Hey I like the sound of that," Alex said with a laugh to follow. "So are you and Kepner breaking any beds lately?"

"I don't think that's any of your business."

"Well if she's not breaking beds with you then the paramedic must be still in the picture," Alex presumptuously stated. "I don't like that guy."

"That makes two of us."

"Who are you talking to?" came a voice so small it could have only belonged to April Kepner.

Jackson looked up to find her standing delicately in the foyer clothed in nothing but the lilac dress shirt he had worn the night before; the first few buttons left undone to reveal just a blemish of pale flesh just below her breast bone . The image of her strikingly gorgeous physique made him want to repeat the rebellious actions that had gotten him in trouble so many times before. Oh how he loved TROUBLE. He pressed the end button on his cell severing the call between him and Alex without mumbling a single word and placed the phone on the surface of the bar.

"So the queen has risen," he said jokingly however finding the word queen fitting for the beauty that she was.

She smiled at him widely taking in her surroundings before closing the insufferable distance that stood between the two of them. Once she had reached the bar and was inches away from his arms he instinctively pulled her in for a tight snuggle. He'd longed for mornings like these; where he could hold the woman of his dreams in his arms taking short breaths as her scent wrapped around his nostrils in an intoxicating dance of cucumber melon. Her smell was distinct, feminine and sweet and it never ceased to arouse him. He found his hands hiding in the crevices of her deep crimson crinkles admiring how beautiful her eyes were as they stared back into his. He brought his hands from her hand and cradled the sides of her face so that he could dress her lips with his own kissing her tenderly.

"Good Morning," she said to him after their lips parted from one another and she had been able to catch her breath.

"Morning, are you hungry?" he asked gesturing towards the uneaten Banana Nut Muffin that sat on a saucer right behind him next to a white paper sack that revealed the word's "Margie's Cakes & Things."

"Margie's" was a small family owned bakery located just a few blocks away from April's apartment; it was a place April regularly visited usually in the mornings before heading into work. It was no surprise to Jackson when she lit up at the sight of the muffin waiting to be devoured; he'd expected that very reaction. He placed the saucer directly in front of a now seated April and walked over to the coffee pot to pour up another cup of coffee.

"Want a cup?" he asked holding up a mug that depicted three little piglets with various annotations of the word "Oink" surrounding them in bold colorful letters. "Fitting", he thought to himself while filling the cup with the dark substance. He laced the coffee with two teaspoons of sugar and a smidgen of Hazelnut creamer; April didn't like her caffeine black but she preferred an appropriate median between light and dark.

"Sure," she managed to say between bites although by the time she'd answered him he had already placed a cup right in front of her.

"You welcome," he said with a wink while sitting down beside her to pick up the paper he had read before phoning Alex.

He thumbed through the entertainment section remembering that he had no idea what to do on his date with April. It had to be perfect and he would not settle for anything less than sweeping her off her feet if he was going to compete for her affections.

"What are you reading?" she asked leaning in to catch a glimpse of what had his attention.

"The paper."

"Yes Jackson I got that much," she said while slapping him on his left bicep, an action she'd found herself unable to resist.

"It's only a paper April, nothing of interest here," he said handing her the newspaper so that she could inspect its contents.

He didn't really care what she read now that he had gotten what he needed out of it. He knew exactly where their date would start and where and how it would end and he couldn't help but to smile at the idea of victory. He watched her scan through the paper with probing eyes watching her once eager face dissolve into a narrow scowl after she'd found as he'd said nothing of interest in the paper. He leaned his body against hers resting his head on her shoulders expecting her to stiffen. Her body surprisingly remained relaxed a sign that she was in fact warming up to the idea of him and her.

"Nothing," she whined folding the useless paper back into its proper state and laying it on the counter where she had found it.

"You say that as if you were expecting to find something, Where you?" Jackson said inquisitively.

She shrugged her shoulders before replying with a unsatisfying "Maybe". She'd been curious about why he had been so absorbed in its contents and thought just maybe she'd spot whatever it was that held his interest but she had only came across a few boring sports articles and of course the rest of the nonsense you'd find in the paper. Yes she liked to stay current in the news but she seldom ever used the paper as her source to the happenings in the world; she preferred the use of visual aids to educate her in the topic of world news.

"Too bad you didn't find the unidentified thing you were looking for," Jackson teased with a wide grin.

"Ha very funny, I'll have you know I wasn't looking for anything in particular. I was just."

"Yes April you were just trying to figure out what could have been so stimulating that it held my attention for so long, right?"

"Jackson get over yourself," she huffed feeling her cheeks getting hot. He was definitely right but she had no intention of confessing and giving him the satisfaction of being right about her.

"Ok Apes for your sake I will overlook the obvious hypocrisy of this conversation and allow you to win, would that make you happy?"

She tucked her arms underneath the other and stared at him long and hard before saying anything further. Boy was he an ass, an incredibly sexy ass that she wanted to jump every second she was alone with him.

"If you want to make me happy you can prepare me for this date we're supposed to have today," she said with a devious smile.

"No can do Sweetie. It's a Surprise," he said shaking his head as a two-year old would when he didn't want to do something.

"Ugh…. Jackson you know I hate surprises."

He smiled at her tenderly before placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"That's too bad Kepner because this is one surprise you'll like."

They arrived at their destination around three. Jackson had convinced April to wear a blindfold during the drive over; he didn't want to chance the risk of their surroundings giving anything away. April wasn't exactly happy about this but she decided that she would give her suitor the benefit of the doubt and allow the chips to fall wherever they may fall. After riding for nearly an hour April finally felt the car come to a slow halt suddenly feeling a sense of relief now that their date would finally begin. She listened for the sound of the engine to die anxious to remove the snug fitting blindfold from her tired eyes. She heard a loud thud she presumed was the sound of the driver side door shutting and soon after the passenger door opened filling the car with an instant coolness.

"Alright we're here," Jackson said enthusiastically taking hold of April's hand so that he could guide her outside of his vehicle.

He turned her body around so that her back was facing him to untie her blindfold. He placed his hands on her shoulders giving them a tight squeeze before placing a tender kiss just above her collarbone. He felt her body shiver as he drew himself closer to her.

"Are you ready for this adventure," he whispered seductively in her right ear his fingers now grasping the ends of the blindfold.

"I'm about as ready as I've ever been."

"Good," he said removing her blindfold in one swift maneuver anticipating her reaction as she observed their surroundings.

Her eyes zeroed in on the rusk stained arch that hung the words "Washington Farm & Reservoir" between the posts of the arch. Beyond the arch revealed a farmstead just past the cherry Wood framed Barn trimmed in white she'd imagined was filled with all the animals she loved so much. There were several other buildings spread out beyond the Ranch house that sat particularly around the pond. There were gorgeous green pastures; the greenest she'd had ever seen. She turned to a patiently waiting Jackson who had made himself comfortable on the hood of his vehicle and gave him her best smile.

"Wow Jackson, This is unbelievably beautiful and by far the sweetest thing you could have ever done for me."

Jackson jumped down from the hood of his car and made a stride towards the petite woman who stood directly in his path. He grabbed her hand delicately and brought it slowly to his lips.

"Why of course my lady," he said in his best British accent, "I figured you might have been home sick."

April bashfully smiled back at him her cheeks displaying a crimson red. "You couldn't have been more right," she revealed with a high pitch squeal.

The two made their way down the path in sought of the registration booth taking note of the different groups of children roaming about the farm with big goofy grins on their faces. April felt silly that she too shared the same grin; she was so excited to tour the farm and maybe even get her hands dirty. She was grateful she had decided to dress casually for her date with Jackson this afternoon wearing a pair of her best fitted denim jeans and a soft pale pink collared shirt with a nice pair of black boots. She definitely fit the part now all she needed was her trusty red bandana and a pair of bands to complete her look. They reached the small white building at the bottom of the hill just to the right of the main house. There appeared to be two groups waiting ahead of them which wasn't bad at all considering the amount of people who were rummaging about the property.

"I don't know how many times I can thank you for this Jackson, but thank you again for bringing me here," said April.

It had been such a long time since Jackson had seen April this excited about anything and it warmed his heart that he had been a contributor to her rising good mood. He found her fingers with his hand and clasped their hands together as they awaited their turn in line.

"I'm glad you like your surprise," he answered back with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

He knew she'd enjoy their date despite her many protests on the drive over in regards to the blindfold he had made her wear. April hated surprises, spur of the moment gestures, and pretty much anything that she couldn't see coming. However Jackson didn't let that little fact about her spoil his need for romance and a little mystery.

"Yes Jackson you were right," she answered back catching the mockery in his tone, "but don't get any ideas of making this sort of thing a habit."

"Of course not, I wouldn't dare," he said playfully boring those beautiful blue eyes into hers.

April took her free hand and slapped him on the back, "I mean it Jackson. No more surprises."

"Ow. Must you be so violent?"

"We both know that didn't hurt," she said with a slight grin. "I couldn't hurt a fly Mr. Avery."

"Mr. Avery? I like the sound of that as long as you'll be my Mrs.," he admitted while wrapping his arms around her waist to bring her closer to him.

For a moment Jackson lost himself in the allure of his gorgeous escort; finding his eyes gazing into hers as he held her close. He noticed every detail about her from her rose-colored cheeks, to the single dimple she wore when she smiled, and even the way her ponytail moved in unison with her when she walked. She was the most adorable woman he had ever had the privilege of knowing and he had never felt so lucky.

"Sir, you're next," the young gentleman standing inside of the registration booth hollered bringing Jackson out of the trance that had been April.

Jackson reluctantly released her from his grasp a little disappointed that he had not taken advantage of the moment and kissed her. Damn he really wanted to kiss her, he thought as they both made their way to the booth for further instruction.

"Name," the young man asked once the pair had reached the counter.

"Avery, Jackson Avery."

The young worker fumbled with the keyboard toggling between that and the mouse for a short while, before his brows began to furrow and tension began to show on his pale face. Before long Jackson had begun to worry, he couldn't see a reason why it should take this long to register and be on their merry way. He took a peek at April whose once smiling face had turned into an agitated frown.

"Is there a problem here," Jackson finally asked after the suspense had become too great.

"I can't seem to find your name in the system; did you call ahead to book a group?"

"No I didn't, Should I have?" Jackson asked already knowing the answer to the question.

The young man put on his best sympathetic look as he prepared to deliver the news to the pair who he can tell had been very excited to be there.

"Well yes sir, all tours have to be booked prior to arrival. I'm very sorry would you like to book something for a later date?"

"No that won't be necessary, we're doctors and I'm not sure when we'd have time off again," Jackson responded avoiding making contact with April who he knew had to be deeply disappointed. What a surprise this had turned out to be, he thought to himself.

"Oh I see, well again I'm very sorry we weren't able to accommodate your plans for today," the clerk offered once more.

"No problem man," Jackson said before starting off in the direction of the parking lot.

"Come back and see us," the boy hollered after them before helping the next person in line.

They walked back to the car in silence not even bothering to hold hands as they had done before when the two of them had been eager to start the adventure of dating. Boy how wrong it had gone. Jackson felt terrible that he had mistakenly taken the joy away from the woman he wanted to please so badly. He should have researched this place instead of spending such little time preparing for their date.

"Damn it!" he said sorely while kicking his shoe across the dirt paved parking lot.

"Jackson don't beat yourself up," April offered while giving his arm a squeeze. "It's alright, really it is."

"Don't placate me; I ruined our date and I should take the credit for it."

April glanced at her watch; it was just a little past 4:00. They had plenty of time to find something else to do that is if he could stop playing the blame game. "Jackson our date is not ruined, we can just find something else to do."

"Yeah sure we can find something else to do but it won't be perfect, I wanted to show you the perfect time."

"Nothing's ever perfect Jackson, don't be ridiculous. So get your behind in this car and drive us back into town," April insisted slapping Jackson on the buttocks before opening his car door for him.

"Ow, there's that violent streak again," he jokingly stated before getting into the vehicle as directed. "You know you're the bossy kind, that's going to take some getting used to Kepner."

"Just drive already," she demanded with a giggle to follow.

"Now this isn't so bad is it?"

Jackson could admit that April had managed to salvage their outing although when she suggested they go bowling he had felt a little apprehensive due to the fact that he was a horrible bowler. However, as horrible as he was April had been far worse settling on the granny bowl as her only line of defense. They had bowled two games Jackson winning both of course considering the competition had been nonexistent.

"Yeah you were right; I've never experienced bowling in this way," Jackson replied picking up a cheese fry and dropping it in his mouth. The two had left the lanes and were sharing a basket of cheese fries at the concession stand. "I mean I've never met a bowler as terrible as you were today. My gosh Apes you granny bowled the whole game."

"Wow, this coming from Mr. Gutter ball himself. I've never seen so many balls ride the gutter in my life; it amazes me that you even won. You're terrible Jackson, God awful, and just so you know the granny bowl is a killer move," she sneered stealing a fry from his grasp and devouring it in one big gulp.

"Hey watch it," he chuckled pretending to air swat her hand. "And I might be a terrible bowler but you my friend couldn't beat the worst of the worst. I know granny's who can bowl a better game than you did missy."

"Oh is that right, well we'll just have to put that theory to the test Mr. Avery."

"You mean you want a rematch?"

"Nope, I don't think I can stomach to watch your rotten form. I wasn't sure if you were trying to bowl or if you were getting ready to break dance," she admitted.

Jackson threw a fry at her landing right on her pink blouse. "Very funny Kepner."

April peered down at her shirt in disbelief when she noticed the cheese stain that now lied on her blouse. "You Jerk," she replied retaliating by dumping the remaining basket of fries on an unsuspecting Jackson's lap.

"Damn it April. Did you have to dump the entire basket of fries in my lap? I paid good money for these jeans."

"Oh suck it up champ; you're a doctor you can afford to buy you another pair of jeans if you don't have another just like it hanging up in your closet."

Jackson removed the basket of fries from his lap and placed the basket and wasted fries back on the table. His jeans were definitely tarnished displaying a mustard yellow right in the groin area even after he had vigorously scrubbed the area with paper towel.

"Yeah fine. If you weren't so dang cute I don't think I could let this go," he confessed with a sly grin.

"Is that so Mr. Avery?"

"Oh yes," he replied feeling the notion to kiss her while the night was still in his favor. He leaned over the table pleased that she had met him half way and kissed her gently. Her lips tasted sweet and the felt marvelous against his brazen lips.

"I should take you home; it's getting sort of late," he revealed after glancing at his watch.

"Yeah of course. Let's get out of here Mr. Hotshot," she said with a mischievous grin."

Jackson lingered at April's apartment door as she scrambled to find her key lost in the mounds of junk that inhabited her purse. He never understood why women even bothered to carry large purses when they knew it would only serve as the trash bin for whatever they could find to put in it. He smiled at her as she continued to search for the impossible to find.

"Need some help," he offered leaning in close to her.

"No Jackson, just give me one second more and I promise you we will have this door unlocked and you can wish me a good evening."

"From the looks of it we could be here all night," he said jokingly.

"Got it," she said holding the silver plated key in her hand. She turned to Jackson and planted a tender kiss on his cheekbone. "Thanks for showing me such a good time."

"Of course, Thank you for being the world's worst bowler, if it wasn't for you I would never have found my true talent."

"Jackson give me a break," she said with a playful roll of the eye.

Jackson felt he'd had enough of the flirty hall way chatter pinning April against her apartment door and taking her mouth into his with an intensity that could only be matched by hers. She struggled to breathe as his tongue ventured around her mouth begging for more of her. She felt his lower half nudging against her jeans as he meshed his body against hers.

"Invite me in," he said in a low husky voice, one that filled her heart with desire.

She didn't say a word meeting his question with the slip of her tongue as she began kissing him again while jiggling the key in the door to open it. The door opened as the two backed into the apartment kissing and tugging on each other's clothes. Just then the lights flicked on and they both realized that they were not alone.

"Surprise," rang the crowd of surgeons who appeared to have already started the party without them.

The two still in each other's arms searched the apartment with unsuspecting eyes taking note of the familiar faces that filled the apartment, one face in particular making eye contact with them.

"Jackson what is this," she asked just loud enough for only him to hear. "And what the hell is Stephanie doing here in my apartment."