A/N: Awwwwwwwwww… someone's reading our story ;-) Thanks for the comments, and we'd always love more of them… we wanna know how you like the story, how you like our progress and whatsoever… it gets very "AU" from now on, but some things that happened in the show WILL happen in our story as well :-) Please comment if you have the time, we're always interested in your opinions!

Mark Sloan POV:

Mark couldn't believe what he had just heard. Jackson... Avery... he had slept with Kepner. He had wanted them to sleep together a couple of weeks back and had tried to hook up Kepner with Avery, but now, where they finally had done it - obviously - he felt a strange sting of jealousy within him. And it confused the hell out of him. The moment the words had come out of Jackson's mouth, Mark had felt like someone had just punched him in the gut. But shouldn't he be happy for Jackson? Happy that he finally got laid?

He was so lost in his thoughts, that he didn't even notice how time had passed since Jackson had said that ominous sentence, until he heard Jackson's voice again, which brought him back to reality.

"Say something... please..."

Mark could almost hear the desperation in Jackson's voice and when he turned around to face him again, he also could see it in his eyes.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Jackson, I didn't mean to... I mean..." he stuttered, trying to get himself back together. He turned towards Jackson even more and slowly and gently put a hand on Jackson's shoulder to comfort him.

"Everything's gonna be fine, Avery, okay? I don't think she really hates you. How could someone ever hate you?" His words came from his heart and he meant what he said.

"Are you... are you in love with her? Because if that's the case, you should probably tell her... let her know how you feel. Maybe she's just afraid to admit that she's in love with you, too," he tried to encourage Jackson.

He never really thought those two could end up together. It just wasn't an option in his head, and now it was maybe happening. Mark didn't like the thought at all, and he couldn't even say why. Of course he wanted his friend to be happy. Heck, he wanted all of his friends to be happy, but Kepner? Not that he had a problem with her and he knew she meant a lot to Jackson but he always thought she wasn't his type.

He shook off his thoughts and looked Jackson directly in the eye. "If there is anything I can do to help you get the girl, just let me know, okay? You... deserve to be happy, and I'm pretty sure, whatever is wrong with Kepner, she doesn't hate you."

He let out a sigh. "If I were in her situation, I could never hate you."

The words came out before Mark had even thought about them or what they could mean, so a second later he wasn't only shocked about his own words but also about the fact that he was picturing himself doing "things" with Jackson. What the hell was wrong with him? Maybe he had drank too much? But it was only one beer. They didn't even get over the first one. Maybe he was just overworked.

Jackson Avery POV:

"How could someone ever hate you?"

Jackson thought Mark would be surprised.

Jackson listened to Mark talk and the man's surprise was evident in his voice. The stuttering almost made him laugh until Mark asked if he had been in love with April.

Jackson loved her. She was sweet, kind, and she was always there if Jackson really needed her. If Jackson could consult the guy he was at 16 and ask him what kind of girl did he want to marry one day he has no doubt April would have fit that to a T.

Jackson wasn't in love with her, though. Maybe it was something that was lacking in him that he couldn't bring himself to want that kind of girl.

"If there is anything I can do to help you get the girl, just let me know, okay? You deserve to be happy"

Mark said it like he really believed it. It was weird to have somebody believe in Jackson so much. His own family didn't even hold him to that high of a regard and it made Jackson even that more sure that having Mark Sloan in his life was one of the best things he had going for him.

"If I was in her situation, I could never hate you"

Jackson looked at the older man. Mark's eyes seemed surprised that the statement had made it out of his mouth.

"It would be a lot easier to deal with, that's for sure" Jackson told him.

Talking like this had reminded Jackson of med school. The man hadn't been with many guys. Only one really, Tyler Browning. Back then Jackson had never really had to worry about religious meltdowns or broken friendships.

It was fun and uncomplicated and Jackson would have given anything to have a relationship like that right now.

Mark's statement had made Jackson, just for a second, envision it as Mark instead of April. The man was impossibly straight so it wasn't as if the chance would ever really be anything more then a throwaway comment made to help his young partner, but still, the images of he and Mark in that hotel room wasn't the worst thing to cross his mind.

That would come with it's own set of problems, though. Mark was a boss, they dated the same girl and the man had a girlfriend at home. If anything it would be even worse then with April.

"I should go" Mark said and it shook Jackson out of his ludicrous thoughts. The man looked anxious and flustered.

"Oh...okay" Jackson said "is everything okay?"

"Yeah" Mark said smiling "I just need to know you will be fine"

Jackson actually did feel a lot better then he had just 15 minutes before. It felt good to get it out there and have somebody tell Jackson he wasn't the monster he thought he was.

"Thank you Mark" Jackson said, looking up as the older man stood in front of him. "You didn't have to listen, but I'm really glad you did"

Mark was still looking out of sorts. Like he had just seen something that made him question himself. Jackson wanted to ask, but something told him he wouldn't get much of an answer right now.

"You're a good man Avery, don't forget that" and with that Mark made his way back towards the bar.

The wind was cold and Jackson felt as if it was only going to get colder as the night went on, but for the first time, in a long time, Jackson felt warm and happy.

Mark Sloan POV:

Mark needed a drink. Right the fuck now. To get those images out of his head. The longer he was with Jackson, the more the images started flooding his mind, so he had to get out of there, even though he normally wasn't the type of guy who just ran away from problems. That wasn't him, but in this case, it wasn't really a problem, right? He was just confused. A lot had happened lately and he had spent a lot of time with Jackson.

He shook his head, trying to get the thoughts of Jackson away, but it didn't help. He was glad when he finally entered the bar again and ordered a drink, and he felt even better when the first shot of Tequila ran down his throat. Within seconds he ordered a second one and a third and fourth right afterwards. Probably that wasn't the best idea he ever had since he had to perform a surgery the next day, but he just needed to calm down.

When he ordered his fifth drink, Joe looked at him, obviously a little concerned. "Is everything alright?"

Mark waved dismissively. "Sure. Of course. Can I get my drink now?"

Joe sighed, but still reached him his drink. "You shouldn't drive anymore, you know? I think it would be better if you hand me your car keys."

Mark rolled his eyes. "I'm an adult. A grown up very responsible man. I'm a doctor. I think I know what I can handle. And just for your information: I don't even have my car with me, I went to work by foot today, so relax."

With this, Mark downed his fifth tequila and put some bills on the counter. "I'm leaving now, good night." Mark said, sliding of his stool and swaying for a few seconds, before he could steady himself. The alcohol definitely took its toll already and Mark just hoped he would make it until home.

He left the bar and went down the street a few metres until he found a bench and fell onto it. "Fuck!" he cursed, running a hand through his blond locks.

He grabbed his mobile phone out of his jeans pocket and opened a message to Jackson, not even knowing exactly why he did it.

"Listen, I'm a little bit drunk, so that might sound stupid, but I hope, I didn't sound all too pathetic when we met, but you can believe me when I tell you I meant every word I said and I hope, you will at least think about staying here, even though you most likely have every possibility to leave. Good night."

He sent the message away before even thinking twice and put his phone back into his pocket, trying to stand up again and all of a sudden the world started rotating around him, so he decided to just stay there for a little longer and sank back onto the bench. Great. He was a drunken mess, and all because he had some stupid thoughts about his resident? That was so out of character for him, since those feelings most likely meant nothing. Maybe he was just lonely.

Mark laughed bitter. He had a girlfriend, he was in a relationship. He shouldn't feel lonely at all, but he did. Especially when he was not with Jackson. Julia was a nice girl, but she didn't understand him the way Jackson did and he had to admit, that he thought about the younger doctor quite often lately, but that would never mean anything. At least not to Jackson. He was his boss. And his friend. Nothing more, nothing less. He needed to fight back every feeling that might rise within him. For both of their sakes.

Jackson Avery POV:

Jackson was just about to jump in the shower when he could hear his cell buzzing on the nightstand.

It was late and Jackson wouldn't be completely wrong for ignoring it.

Jackson knew himself, though.

He would be worrying that it was an important call. Somebody dying by the side of the road or a chance to change his long-distance service.

Running over Jackson picked up the phone and noticed a message from Mark that he must have missed.

Listen, I'm a little bit drunk, so that might sound stupid, but I hope, I didn't sound all too pathetic when we met, but you can believe me when I tell you I meant every word I said and I hope, you will at least think about staying here, even though you most likely have every possibility to leave. Good night.

Jackson wasn't even aware he was smiling until he stopped and looked at the unfamiliar number on his cell's screen

"Hello?"

"Jackson, Jackson Avery?" a male voice asked.

"Yes" Jackson asked cautiously.

"Hey, this is Joe, from the bar" the man said "I got your number out of Dr. Sloan's phone"

"Is everything okay?" Jackson asked. His chest felt tight and he could feel his breath already coming in short spurts.

Did something happen after Mark left?

Was he hurt?

The questions flooded Jackson's mind.

"It's probably not my place, but Dr. Sloan just left and he said he's walking home, but I don't think he's in the best state right now to make that judgement" Joe said.

"I got it" Jackson said and put on the shirt he had discarded on the bed "Thanks for letting me know Joe, I appreciate it"

"No problem, Dr. Avery" and with that the conversation ended.

Jackson grabbed his coat and headed back out.

He figured walking back the way he came was the best option.

Walking through the park Jackson could see Mark sitting on the bench the two had occupied earlier in the night.

Jackson walked up and it was evident Mark was inebriated.

"Hey Mark" Jackson said as he stood in front of the man. Mark looked up at Jackson, he looked confused and if Jackson didn't know any better Mark looked just a bit scared.

"You okay?" Jackson asked.

"Y-Yeah" Mark said "what are you doing here?"

"I gotta call saying you needed some adult supervision"

The statement got a laugh out of Mark and it seemed to relieve some of the weird tension Jackson was feeling.

"It's pretty late and since my apartment is closer than yours why don't you crash there tonight"

"I-I can't" Mark said standing up and he immediately started to sway on his feet.

Holding him steady Jackson placed an arm around his shoulders "I have to insist".

Mark looked like he wanted to protest, but nothing came out of the man's mouth.

"Julia" Mark said weakly "I should really-"

"I'm sure she's fine leaving you in my hands for the night" Jackson said with a friendly smile and did his best to ignore the way Mark tensed up at the sentence.

As the two made their way to Jackson's apartment Jackson knew something was off. He just hoped that whatever it was that Mark would trust him enough to let him help.

Mark Sloan POV:

Mark didn't know what brought him to search for it, but while sitting on this bench, staring into the nothing, he felt cold suddenly and thought, it would be best to make his way home. So he got up, still swaying, and tried to walk a few metres, but he almost couldn't keep himself on his feet, so he leaned against a tree and decided to turn around again and sit on the bench for a while longer, even though it looked pretty far away all of a sudden.

It took him another couple of minutes to get back to the bench, but when he finally did, he took out his mobile phone and noticed that he had missed several calls from Julia. Why hadn't he seen that before? When he had sent the message to Jackson?

Julia had left messages on his mailbox as well. Fighting with himself whether to listen to them or not, he finally decided to do so and held the phone to his ear.

"Hey Mark, it's Julia. I'm sorry for being such a bitch, but we really need to talk. Call me back," the voice of his girlfriend came through his phone. Mark sighed and activated the next message.

"Mark, where are you? I'm really worried. Please call me." She sounded almost desperate in this second message, but still Mark couldn't get himself to call her back. Instead, he opened the third and last message.

"Okay, listen, I didn't want to do this over the phone, but you didn't give me another choice. I think I'm pregnant. I haven't made a test yet, but I am overdue with my period. We really need to talk about this, I'm waiting in your apartment."

Mark almost dropped the phone because of Julia's last message and he stared at the display for a couple of seconds - maybe minutes - before he put his phone back into his pocket.

How could that have happened? It wasn't like he didn't want another kid, just not now... and most definitely not with Julia, even though she was perfect and sweet and nice and Mark really liked her. But not enough to start a family with her. And they had only been together a couple of months, it was just too soon. He didn't want to hurt Julia, but he couldn't sit back and do nothing any longer. He had to talk to her, but he didn't know how to face her. At least not tonight. He didn't want to go home, since she probably would be there, so he just sat there on the bench, still feeling the influence of the alcohol, when he all of a sudden heard a familiar voice.

"Hey Mark"

Mark looked up at Jackson, tilting his head. What the hell was Jackson doing here? He heard Jackson ask if he was alright and just waved dismissively, finally questioning him about his presence.

When he got his answer, he laugehd out loud. Joe. He must have stolen his phone to call Jackson when he wasn't paying attention, but why of all people did he call his resident?

Before he could even give it a second thought, Jackson was already deciding that he would be staying at his apartment - the one he just moved into - and Jackson didn't even give him a chance to say no. Or rather, he didn't accept his no, so he finally gave in, just letting Jackson guide him. He tried to bring up Julia as a last resort, but not even that did work. He let out a sigh and walked alongside Jackson until they were at his apartment.

"I... I shouldn't be here...," Mark whispered, looking into Jacksons big blue eyes and feeling really captivated for a moment. So much, that he wasn't able to turn away for only a second. He watched Jackson grabbing his keys out of his jacket and unlocking the door with these long, delicate fingers of his, which Mark had seen do miracles in surgery several times. He took a step towards Jackson, almost swaying again but keeping himself together, before pressing the younger resident against the door with his body, before he even had the chance to open it.

"You shouldn't have brought me here," he whispered close to his ear, placing his hands on either side of Jackson's head at the door. Again, those confusing images of him kissing Jackson started flooding his mind, and after a few seconds he just couldn't bear it any longer. He leaned forward and stopped only inches from Jackson's face. "I'm drunk," he stated, going on immediately. "...and I'm sorry..." With those words he closed the distance and pressed his lips against Jackson's gently, while one of his hands slid down to the back of Jackson's neck and bringing their heads even closer together. Julia was long forgotten, and he needed that right now. More than anything else.