A/N: Thanks again for all the nice comments! That really means a lot to us! We're so happy you like what we're doing and while the story will always be focused on Mark/Jackson, there WILL be chapters without them – I have to admit – since we thought the people at GA are "family" and sometimes others need to be in the focus in order for the story to really "work out"… Chapter 16 will be a long April/Alex Chapter, and I hope, you will like it, too! And new people will come "into the game", but like I said, even though "such" chapters might come, too, I hope, you enjoy those too and still "stay with us"…

And now have tons of fun with Chapter 14… And review XD (and feel free to hate Callie for a while XD)

Jackson Avery POV:

Jackson had been anxious ever since Mark's phone call.

Mark had invited him to dinner and a movie. It wasn't until well after the phone call that Jackson realized what that meant. This would technically be their first date.

A date meant talking and getting to know one another a little bit better. After the day's events and what Jackson revealed to Mark he should be okay with a meaningful discussion.

He was still petrified, though.

What if Mark wanted to know more?

Jackson had given him the nice version of what went down. He didn't mention the horrible fights he had with his brother in the years that followed. He didn't mention how when he first told his mother he was going into medicine she cried and couldn't speak to him for days.

When she was finally honest with him she told Jackson that the reason she couldn't accept it was because she believed Jackson wasn't strong enough and that her biggest fear would be that he would end up like his father.

How could he tell Mark that sometimes he shared his mother's fear?

"No" Jackson whispered to himself.

No talks of fucked-up childhoods or even more fucked up family situations. He wasn't going to screw tonight up because too much was dependent on it. Jackson was going to be the best damn date Mark Sloan ever had.

He decided that he should definitely bring a bottle of wine. The good stuff this time.

It was just after 7 when Jackson arrived at Mark's door. He decided to treat it like a real first date. Pretend like he and Mark hadn't already done things that Jackson would have never done on a first date.

Well he would have done it, but he wouldn't feel very proud of himself afterwards.

When Mark opened the door Jackson saw the man was dressed in a blue button down, slacks, and loafers. He looked absolutely gorgeous.

"Hi" Mark said with a smile. One hand on the door and another hanging loosely at his side.

"Hi" Jackson responded.

"Come on in" and stepping aside Mark let Jackson enter his apartment.

The first thing Jackson noticed was how incredible it smelled. He had no idea what the man was cooking, but Jackson couldn't wait to try it.

"Is that for me?" Mark asked as he motioned towards the bottle Jackson was holding.

"Oh, yeah" Jackson said with a small laugh "not the 50 dollar bottle this time either"

"Nice" Mark said and Jackson could see the warmness in the man's eyes.

"Why don't you make yourself comfortable while I finish up dinner" and nodding his head Jackson watched Mark disappear into the kitchen.

Taking off his jacket Jackson sat down on the couch that was placed in front of the television.

He had to shake these nerves. It wouldn't be a very memorable dinner if Jackson spent the whole night worrying if he was making things better or worse.

He could do this.

No, Jackson would do this.

Mark Sloan POV:

Mark looked over his shoulder and watched Jackson sitting down on his couch. He couldn't believe this was really happening. They were actually having a real date. Or at least it felt like a real date.

He had put Sofia to bed right after they had been grocery shopping and it didn't take her long to fall asleep. She made it very easy for him to prepare dinner for Jackson and he had made one of his specialities: Chicken Casserole. He didn't cook very often, because he just didn't have the time, but this was one of his highlights. Even Callie had told him, that it was delicious when he had last made it.

He had already set the table and everything was ready for him and Jackson. He only had to wait for a couple of minutes until he could take the casserole out of the oven, but he would use the time to open the wine, and light the candle. At least that was what he planned, but when he was about to open the bottle, his hands didn't work like they should. Again. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, but it didn't work properly. He hated to do this, but he knew he had to. So he turned to look at Jackson who was focused on the TV, even though it wasn't running, calling out his name.

"Jackson?"

Immediately, the younger doctor turned to face him. "Yeah?"

Mark bit his lower lip, looking at his trembling hands. "Could you... maybe open the wine please? I..." he stopped himself, because he just couldn't say it out loud. It was hard enough for him to even ask Jackson to help him.

Jackson was by his side within seconds. "Of course..." he said, carefully taking Mark's hand in his own and looking at him.

"It's gonna be okay, baby. I promise you, you're gonna be okay." Jackson put his arms around Mark's neck and Mark put his around Jackson's waist, just holding onto him tight for a couple of seconds.

"Thank you..." he whispered into Jackson's hair and when they broke apart he just looked at him.

"It's okay... I'm here for you. Just like I promised," Jackson replied with a smile, before turning around and opening the wine bottle.

Mark pointed to one of the kitchen drawers and Jackson understood immediately and took out two glasses to pour the wine in, and while he was doing this, the casserole was ready, and fortunately, the trembling of Mark's hands had stopped as well. So he put on some gloves and took it out of the oven and placing it on the counter.

"That smells delicious." Jackson said and Mark felt himself slightly blushing.

"Really?"

Jackson nodded. "Really!" he assured.

"I hope, you're hungry," Mark gave back, before putting the casserole down on the table he had set up and grabbing a pocket lighter to light the candle in the middle of it.

"And I hope, that's not too corny,"

Jackson shook his head, placing a soft kiss on Mark's lips. "No, it's not. And yes, I'm hungry..."

Mark pulled away Jackson's chair for him, before he sat down himself and let Jackson take something of the casserole. Only then he put something on his plate himself, but not starting to eat. He was way too nervous. Jackson said it smelled delicious, but Mark seriously hoped, it would also taste good. And only because he and Callie liked it, didn't necessarily mean Jackson did too. Maybe he should have asked him if he even liked Chicken Casserole. Maybe he should have asked him what he wanted for dinner beforehand. And since when had he become such a housewife? This was stupid, but he couldn't stop the feelings inside of him nevertheless. They were just there.

"Oh my god, that's awesome," Jackson's voice pulled him out of his thoughts and he looked at him doubtful.

"Really?"

Smiling, Jackson rolled his eyes. "Yes, really. Stop being so jumpy, everything is fine."

He reached for one of Mark's hands and put his own above it. "Let's just have a great evening. Let's just be together, okay? We didn't really have the time for that before... it all went down so quickly and I really wanna explore what it means to be with you. Not only when we're in bed, you know. I wanna do normal things... like having dinner and watching a movie."

"Me too," Mark admitted, feeling Jackson's fingers caressing the back of his hand. "I really wanna make this work."

"I know. We can do this, Mark." The optimism in Jackson's voice made Mark believe that it was true. That they could really overcome their problems and just be with each other. He wanted to have Jackson in his life more than anything else in the world and he would do everything in his willpower to make that happen.

"Let's eat then, okay? Before it gets cold," Mark suggested, causing Jackson to nod.

"Bon Appétit!" Jackson replied and Mark just smiled happily. He just hoped, this evening would turn out awesome, but so far it did, and he would do the best he can to make this the best date of Jackson's life. He wanted it to be perfect.

Jackson Avery POV:

The dinner was fantastic. Jackson had no idea Mark could cook so well, but he was pleasantly surprised.

The two were currently sitting together on Mark's couch watching one of Jackson's favourite movies. A mindless road trip movie that Jackson was pretty sure he was the only one to not only see, but actually like. When he saw the DVD in Mark's collection there was no way they could not watch it.

Now the two were sitting comfortably on the couch together with Jackson's back up against Mark's chest and the older man's arms wrapped around him. Jackson had to admit that them being like this didn't seem very possible to him. Jackson had screwed up so badly and Mark had been so angry.

Jackson was given a second chance now and he was not going to screw it up.

"This is nice" Mark said as he ran a hand up Jackson's arms "I'm glad you came here tonight"

"I'm glad you invited me" Jackson responded.

Sitting up straighter Jackson turned to look at Mark "I know I messed up and I promise I'll make it up to you"

Gently grabbing Jackson by the chin Mark pulled the man into a kiss.

"We're starting over" Mark said "We can do things right this time"

Looking into the man's eyes Jackson felt suddenly flush and moving in Jackson kissed him with a heated urge. This was instantly familiar and when Mark leaned up and pushed Jackson down on the couch to lay atop him as they continued to kiss the man felt like things were going back to how they were.

Jackson had snaked a hand between he and Mark's bodies and reached inside the man's jeans to grab his erection.

A pleasurable groan was followed by a firm grip on Jackson's arm.

"Wait" Mark whispered.

Jackson looked up at him. Had he gone too far too soon?

"I want this so bad" Mark said as he smiled down at Jackson "but I want to do it right this time around"

Jackson wasn't sure what he meant. Dinner lead to movie which lead to sex. At least that was the game plan Jackson always went by.

Sitting up Jackson nodded "Do you not want to-?"

"Hell yeah I do" Mark said with a laugh "it's just that we leapt into the deep end so fast that we didn't test the water first. Do all the things a couple should do. I didn't have time to show you that what we have is so much more then just sex"

Jackson had to admit he felt touched. So many of his relationships started with sex and ended with it also. Not much romance really existed between those two points.

Here Mark was showing Jackson that he wanted all the little things that came with being together and after the things he had told Mark today it made it even that much more powerful.

"So, if you're willing to take things a bit slower, I promise to make it worth it" Mark told him and gave him another kiss.

"Of course I am" Jackson responded with a smile "but I'm not one to invite temptation so I better head out" and getting up Jackson was about to grab his jacket before Mark grabbed his hand.

"Wait" Mark said "if you wouldn't mind I'd like you to stay with me tonight. I miss feeling you beside me"

Jackson looked down at the man "Are you sure?"

"100% sure" Mark told him.

Jackson sat hi jacket back down and wrapped his arms around Mark's shoulders

"Then I'd love too"

Mark Sloan POV:

It had already been hard to resist Jackson when they were kissing and lying down on the couch, but it would be even harder, once they would sleep in the same bed. Close to each other. Mark had always been a very active guy, sexually-wise, so it was something totally new for him, to be with someone and not to have sex right then. But he was totally willing to try it. He had thought about this for a while, but he hadn't been sure if he really wanted to go through with it, until they had started kissing and touching. He knew it was the right thing to do, and they wouldn't abstain from sex forever. Just a couple of weeks. Okay. Days were more likely.

"I'm really glad you're here, you know," Mark repeated what he had already said. "And I thought about it... about us..."

"Me too," Jackson bumped in, but Mark cut him off before he could say anymore.

"I want us to come out," he blurted out, looking Jackson in the eye. "I mean... in front of everyone. The sneaking around in the hospital, being careful and everything... it was quite nice for a while, but I... somehow I want to show everyone that I'm happy... that I'm with you and that I love you."

Jackson looked at him, and from the look on his face, Mark could see that he wasn't really fond of the idea. "Yeah, sure..." Jackson said after a couple of seconds, but Mark could feel that it wasn't what he really wanted. "Why not?"

Mark let out a sigh. "What's wrong?"

Jackson played with the hem of his shirt, looking slightly nervous all of a sudden. "Nothing..." he said quietly, but Mark could see that he wasn't telling him the truth.

"Liar." He placed a hand on Jackson's cheek and softly made him look at him again. "You can tell me, if you don't want this. I can live with going on sneaking around and not letting anyone know."

Jackson sighed. "Listen, Mark... it's not that I don't want this... and it's also not that I don't love you... it's just... I haven't even told April. I think I should talk to her first. I don't want her to find out because people are gossiping about us in the hospital."

"I understand," Mark replied with a smile, stroking Jackson's cheek.

"Really?" Jackson asked cautiously.

Mark nodded in reply. "Really" he assured him, before leaning forward and kissing him. "We have all the time in the world for this step. It's okay."

He turned off the television and got on his feet. "Wanna go to bed now?"

Jackson smiled up at him. "Sure," he replied and took the hand Mark offered him to pull himself up.

Together they made their way to the bedroom, and Mark was the first to start undressing. "I hope it's okay that I only sleep in my boxers?"

Jackson shrugged slightly. "Uh... yes... sure..."

"I can wear pyjamas, if you feel more comfortable then," he offered but Jackson waved dismissively.

"Bullshit. We've seen each other naked. Why would you do that?"

"Just so you won't feel the urge to jump me," he joked.

Jackson raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Is that so?"

He moved closer to Mark, who had just gotten rid of his jeans, and put his arms around his neck. "I rather think it's gonna be you who is going to have the problems not to jump me." The mischievous grin on his lips was challenging Mark already.

"Yeah? You think so?"

He slid his hands underneath Jackson's shirt and moved them up and down along his spine, pulling his shirt over his head and throwing it on the floor. "You're really sexy... and I love your body." He leaned forward, kissing Jackson's neck, letting his tongue trail over his shoulder blade. "But I think..." His hands moved over his six-pack gently. "...I think I can resist you. But can you resist me?" He rather felt than heard Jackson take in a sharp breath when he - what looked like accidently - grazed one of his nipples.

"Not fair!" Jackson hissed, gently pushing Mark away. "Enough! Or I will rethink my decision to spend the night with you."

Immediately Mark let go of Jackson completely. "Okay. I'm a good boy."

Jackson grinned. "That's what I expected." He opened his pants and took them off, together with his socks, while Mark was already crawling onto the bed and invitingly holding up the blanket, once Jackson was finished.

He sat down on the bed and moved directly into his arms and it was just perfect. As if Jackson had always belonged right there. Mark hadn't felt this complete in a long time.

He turned off the light and cuddled against Jackson's warm body.

"Good night, Jackson."

He felt Jackson's lips on his neck, placing a soft, almost innocent kiss there. "Good night."

It didn't take Mark long to fall asleep, because he was dead tired, and he was welcoming the darkness immediately, but just until the darkness turned to light and showed him what he was so afraid to see again. The plane. He saw himself on that plane. And Derek, and Meredith, and Cristina and Arizona. They were all there. But instead of Lexie, there was Jackson. He was sitting on Lexie's seat and Mark felt his chest tighten and all of a sudden it became hard to breath.

"No... no no no no no..." he murmured, starting to move. Starting to shift in his bed and turning from one side to the other. Cold sweat was covering his whole body.

He saw the plane crashing and Jackson was trapped underneath the plane, and he was hurt, and his face was full of cuts, and there was blood everywhere.

"No! Please don't die. Please don't die!" he whispered over and over again. He didn't want to see this. It was already hard enough to see Lexie die over and over and over again, but Jackson? He couldn't bear the thought of losing him. "Please. Please stay with me. Please don't die." he cried while hot tears were running down his face. He just wanted to die with Jackson, because he just couldn't imagine living without him. And he didn't want to either.

Breathing became harder with every second and he felt like he was suffocating. He just wanted this to be over.

Jackson Avery POV:

Jackson was there again. In the heat that signified that summer was well on it's way in Georgia. Jackson felt like something was wrong, but he couldn't quite figure out what it was.

Hearing his father inside the house preparing their fishing trip Jackson stretched his arms into the sky and looked at the endless blue that was above him.

"Jackson" his father spoke from inside "come help me pack the bait" it was the teen's favourite activity and he turned around to head in.

Suddenly the whole world felt like it was being shaken violently.

In an instant Jackson was out of his dream and leaping up into a sitting position. It was dark outside and the moon was shining a light directly into the room.

Feeling the bed shake again his attention turned to Mark and he could see the man thrashing back and forth.

"No... no no no no no..." Mark was in the middle of one of his nightmares. His face looked distressed and Jackson could see the man was already starting.

"Mark" Jackson said gently as he placed a hand on the man's shoulder "it's me, wake up"

Mark only thrashed more and Jackson was starting to get worried. This was escalating and Jackson had to stop it before he hurt himself.

"No! Please don't die. Please don't die!"

"Nobody is dying Mark" Jackson grabbed both of his shoulders to try and stop him "I need you to wake up"

"Please. Please stay with me. Please don't die."

"Shit" Jackson hissed. He was reliving the plane crash again and he was watching Lexie die.

He suddenly heard Mark's breathing becoming stagnant and harder.

"MARK!" Jackson shouted and lifted him up off the bed "WAKE UP!"

Suddenly the man's eyes were open and he was staring wide-eyed at Jackson. This was probably the worst way to pull Mark out of his nightmare, but he was scared and the dream was only getting worse.

"You see me Mark, it's Jackson" he was holding him and staring right in the man's eyes.

Mark's eyes went from shock to distant. It was like his body was here, but his mind was a million miles away.

"Please say something, Mark" Jackson's voice was desperate.

All the older man did was sitting down on the bed. He looked as if he was in a trance. Jackson remembered his nightmares after the shooting. He would find himself back in the hospital running down a hallway after Charles. Always calling his name, but the man only got further and further away.

Even at it's worst it had never been this bad.

"Mark you're in your apartment. There is nothing you need to be scared of here" Jackson had gotten down on one knee to be at eye level "Come back to me"

The same vacant stare was all Jackson got in return.

Lowering his head Jackson had no idea what he was going to do. He really didn't want to get Callie. The woman would not be pleased to see Jackson in Mark's apartment.

What other choice did he have, though?

He was just about to relent and go when he heard the cry. It was strong and scared.

Sofia.

Standing up Jackson kissed Mark on the forehead "I'll be right back, promise" and with that he raced off to the little girl's room.

Walking in Jackson could see the girl standing up and the tears were evident on her face.

"Hey Sofia" Jackson said cautiously. He didn't want to scare the girl anymore since he had only met her today and she may not be too comfortable with him yet.

That fear was put to rest pretty quickly when the moment Sofia recognized Jackson she held out her hands for him.

Reaching for her Jackson picked her up and cradled one arm under her and held the girl close "It's okay" he whispered "everything is okay" her cries were already subsiding.

She was looking past Jackson and into where Mark's room was. She was scared for him. The little girl had obviously heard the man in distress and it caused the same reaction in her.

That was when the idea came to him.

"Do you want to see Daddy?" he asked Sofia and the girl squeezed the man's shirt to signal her approval.

Walking into Mark's room Jackson saw the man still sitting in the same spot Jackson had left him. With that same blank stare.

"Mark" Jackson said lightly as he approached with Sofia "somebody is here to see you"

Standing in front of the man, Jackson smiled down at Sofia and then over at Mark. The little girl reached an arm out for her father.

"Please Mark" Jackson whispered "she needs you"

After what felt like an eternity Mark's eyes finally turned towards his little girl.

"Sofia?" Mark asked. He sounded unsure of exactly where he was.

With a smile Sofia leaned over and Mark grabbed the girl "Hey Sofia"

Mark was back and Jackson felt an immense weight lift off his chest.

After holding the girl close for a minute Mark finally looked up at Jackson and he looked shocked to see the man sitting there.

"You're here?" he said and a big smile crossed his face "I thought I lost you" and with his other hand he pulled Jackson into a fierce hug.

"I'm here, Mark" Jackson said as he wrapped and arm around the man "I'm not going anywhere".

Mark Sloan POV:

It took Mark a while to compose himself. A while in which he was just holding Sofia with one arm, while he had the other around Jackson's body, holding him close to his chest. The nightmare still clouded his mind and he couldn't believe that for a moment he really thought everything had happened in reality.

He wasn't able to differ his dream from reality anymore, and everything had just felt so real. He could still almost smell the warm blood that was dripping from Jackson's face, and he was still shocked how much it had hurt to see him dying. It scared him how much he already loved Jackson, but he wouldn't change it for the world nevertheless.

When he looked down, he noticed that Sofia had fallen asleep in his arms, with her little hand on his chest and her head pressed tight against it.

"Guess that means she's gonna sleep here," he said quietly, looking at Jackson.

"What happened?" Jackson asked softly. "I mean... if you don't wanna talk about it, it's okay..."

Mark shook his head. "No... I... I guess I should... talk about it... it will probably really help me."

He didn't reallywant to go through the pain he just felt again, but on the other hand... maybe it would be a relief. Maybe it felt good to share what was on his mind.

Jackson grabbed his hand and slowly caressed the back of it, placing a soft kiss at Mark's cheek. "I'm here... whenever you're ready..."

Mark nodded, looking at Jackson again. "Could you..." he bit his lip, not knowing if he should really ask him what he wanted to ask.

"Could I what?" Jackson wanted to know. His voice was soft and caring.

"Could you hold me? Please? I think I will need that..." Mark finally replied, not knowing where that came from, but he just knew he would feel so much better knowing Jackson was by his side, feeling him by his side.

"Of course," Jackson gave back, crawling behind Mark so he could put his arms around him and Sofia while leaning against the wall behind the bed.

Mark cuddled into his arms, grabbing one of Jackson's hands and entwining their fingers.

"I love you... I love you so much," he whispered. "And I don't know what I'm gonna do if I ever lose you."

"You won't, I promise, you won't" Jackson gave back, kissing Mark's head.

"It... it was horrible," Mark started and even the memory of the plane crash with Jackson involved instead of Lexie made his chest hurt. "I... I saw the plane... I saw myself... and Derek, and Meredith and Arizona... and also Cristina... but instead of Lexie it was you... it was you this time... you were sitting in her seat. You were smiling at me. We had fun, until the plane started to tremble and fall down," Mark explained and it was so hard to tell this story to Jackson, but he knew he wanted to.

He closed his eyes for a moment, leaning more into Jackson's embrace. He felt a shiver running down his spine when the pictures of Jackson underneath the plane wreck came back to his mind.

"It was awful... there was so much blood. You were stuck under this plane, and I couldn't do anything... I felt so helpless... and you were barely breathing. You looked at me, telling me that you will always be with me, no matter what. And that I should live and fall in love again. And that I should be happy." Mark bit his lower lip, turning a little, so he could look at Jackson.

"But I... I just can't... it scares me how much you mean to me. You have no idea how much it scares me..."

Gently he put Sofia down onto his pillow, his eyes not leaving her for a second, but she was having a very deep sleep, as it looked like, so he put his attention back at Jackson.

"I'm so sorry, Mark... I mean, that you have to go through all of this," Jackson said, placing his hands on either side of Mark's face. "But I promise you, I'll be there for you. We'll make it through..."

Mark place one of his hands above Jackson's and leaned forward. "I know... and I learned my lesson... it's still pretty hard for me to talk about my nightmares... especially if they are horrible like that... but I think, it might really help me."

"I'm glad you're saying that... and I really hope it does." Jackson slid down a little more, so he had better access for hugging Mark and Mark just snuggled against his chest. "I'm sorry I woke you up. And I'm sorry I kept you awake for so long."

A small smile crossed Jackson's lips. "Don't be... I know you would have done the same for me if it was the other way round. Do you think you can try to sleep again or do you wanna get up?"

Mark gave it a short thought and finally let out a sigh. "I'm actually pretty tired. I think I wanna try the sleeping thing again. And maybe it works without a nightmare this time."

Jackson nodded and placed a soft kiss at Mark's forehead. "You know what we do?"

Mark couldn't help the smile crossing his lips. "What?"

"You turn around," Jackson ordered, and when Mark complied, Jackson's arms snaked around his waist and Mark felt him pressing very close. "Good..." Jackson went on and Mark could feel his hot breath in his neck. "I'm gonna turn off the light now, and I will hold you until tomorrow morning... and like this you can also take care of Sofia."

Mark smiled happily. Jackson had thought about everything, and he was right. Mark protectively placed a hand over Sofia's small body and pulled her a little closer, so he could feel them both. Jackson behind him and Sofia in front of him.

When Jackson finally turned off the light, he closed his eyes and it didn't take him long to feel the exhaustion take over him again. He just hoped the rest of the night would happen without any more nightmares or anything like that. Not only for his own sake, but also for Jackson's, who most likely would have to work the next day. They hadn't talked about it, but the possibility was very high, and Mark had already stolen him enough quality time of sleep. He didn't want him to have to get to work overly exhausted and tired and all because of him, so he just prayed to god that he would manage to sleep through the rest of the night when he let the tiredness lull him into sleep.

Jackson Avery POV:

Jackson thought it only fair that since Mark had made them dinner that he would make them breakfast.

Jackson was finishing up the last of the eggs as Mark was in the shower when he heard the turn of the door knob. Looking over at Sofia he saw the little girl sitting in her high chair eating the bowl of dry cheerio's Jackson had given her.

"Mark" Callie said cheerfully as she walked into the apartment.

Turning the burner down to low Jackson walked around and came face to face with the woman. Her eyes didn't hide her shock at seeing the man.

"What are you doing here?" she asked. Jackson suddenly felt nervous "Me and Mark had a talk last night and we decided that we wanted to give this another chance"

Callie narrowed her eyes before she looked past him and to her daughter "Hey Sofia" she said as she bent down and gave the girl a kiss on the cheek. The little girl smiled up at her mother as she put a cheerio in her mouth.

"I-I hope giving her those were fine" Jackson said politely "Mark had a plastic baggie of them in the refrigerator"

"They're fine" Callie told him "Where is Mark?"

"He should be finishing up in the shower" Jackson said and without a word the woman turned to head towards the bathroom.

"What are you doing?" Jackson asked urgently.

"I'm going to talk to Mark" Callie said nonchalantly.

Jackson was confused at how the woman thought this was a good idea. "He'll be out in a few minutes" Jackson told her "probably even less then that".

Callie fully tuned her body towards the man "Why are you here?"

"I told you me and M-" Jackson started before Callie put a hand up "No Jackson" she said "Why are you here? I thought we agreed that this thing between you two was only going to end badly"

Jackson could feel himself grow angry, but he knew an argument was going to get him nowhere "With all due respect what is between me and Mark does not concern you"

Folding her arms across her chest Callie "That little girl over there says otherwise" Callie told him "I'm not attacking you Jackson, but in the amount of time you two have been together it's been more bad then good, am I right?"

Jackson didn't want to give Callie the satisfaction of being right, but she was. He and Mark had more bad times then good, but that didn't mean the two couldn't learn from their mistakes and make something better from it.

"Hey Callie" Mark said as he was putting his shirt on "You're here early".

Turning around she smiled at Mark "I wanted to make sure you were okay" and looking behind her towards Jackson a smile appeared on his face "I'm good" he told her.

Returning Mark's smile Jackson felt like staying here was suffocating him "I better head out" he said as he walked over and put the remainder of the eggs onto a plate.

"What, are you sure?" Mark asked as he started to walk over to him.

"Yeah" Jackson told him as Mark grabbed his hand "I have to be at the hospital in an hour to do pre-ops"

"Okay" Mark said clearly disappointed "call me later?"

"Definitely" Jackson responded and Mark went in to kiss him, but Jackson felt uncomfortable while Callie was standing there, so moving away Jackson went to the living room to grab his shoes and jacket.

"Have a good morning" Jackson said to Callie and left the apartment quickly. He should have stayed to show Callie that he wouldn't let the woman get to him, but she had and badly.

Maybe next time he could get Mark to spend the night at his apartment.

Mark Sloan POV:

Mark let out an annoyed sigh once the door fell shut after Jackson.

"Really, Callie?" he asked his best friend, not hiding his anger. "Was this reallynecessary?"

"I didn't do anything," Callie defended herself, but Mark knew this wasn't true. He hadn't heard what was going on before he had left the bathroom, but he just knew how intrusive Callie could be. And how protective when it came to him. And he hated it. This was his life and ever since things between him and Jackson started, Callie had tried to do everything in her willpower to split them up, by telling him that Jackson wasn't right for him. That he was making him unhappy.

"Oh come on," Mark gave back. "He couldn't even really look at me." He shook his head, feeling really disappointed. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"I'm not doing anything to you," Callie said gently, moving towards him. "I just want to save you the pain that will come once he leaves you."

"He's not gonna leave me," Mark protested.

"Oh yes, he is," Callie replied, seeming very sure. "Whatever Daddy Issues he's having right now, once he gets over them, he's going to move on and you'll be nothing but a memory. His past."

"Bullshit," Mark blurted out. He tried his best to compose himself. Not to get too angry, but he already was pretty pissed. "You know nothing about him. Especially not about his family, so cut the crap. You have no idea what's going on in his life, and he doesn't have any Daddy issues. I'm not thisold."

"He's gonna hurt you, Mark. In fact, he already did," Callie said.

Mark rolled his eyes in annoyance. "So? I've hurt him, too. That happens in a relationship. Don't tell me you and Arizona never hurt each other."

"But you're not happy with him," Callie sighed.

"What makes you think I'm not? In fact, yesterday evening... last night... was the best I've had in a very long time." Mark replied. "And we didn't even have sex. I cooked; we had dinner and watched a movie... It was nice to just have him close to me. To feel him. To be with him."

"Mark..." Callie started, but Mark cut her off.

"No... Stop it, or you and me, we're gonna get real problems. Have you any idea how hard this is for me? That you don't accept him?" Mark told her, and he really felt it. It hurt him that his best friend wasn't in this with him.

"Mark, I just want the best for you," Callie tried to reassure him.

"What if he's the best?" Mark asked back, causing Callie to shake her head.

"I don't think so," she said. "I think he's gonna leave you and then you will be even more heartbroken than you ever were before, because you love him so much. Because you put so much into this relationship, and he didn't."

"What makes you think that? Seriously, Callie. You don't know him that well, and ever since things started between us, he has been there for me. After the plane crash... you know if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't even be staying here. Sofia would have lost her father." Mark couldn't understand why Callie was so hesitant. Why she didn't give Jackson the slightest chance to prove himself.

"He went behind your back," Callie reminded Mark.

"And he had his reasons to do so. Not that I'm gonna tell you those reasons, but I understand why he did it. Yes, it was wrong, but he wanted to help me," Mark assured her. "And maybe he did, because last night I had one of those nightmares again. One of the worst. And he pulled me out of it. He was there. He didn't back up or run away. Instead he was there and he held me through the rest of the night and just made me feel that he wouldn't go away. I don't think I could have done it without him."

"What if you're wrong about him? What if he does leave you?" Callie asked.

"Then it's my problem. And my responsibility," Mark replied, anger rebuilding within him. "I don't get you right now, Callie. I get that you're worried about me, but Jackson is the best thing that had happened to me in a long time and I just don't get why you can't be happy for me."

"Because you're not happy with him," Callie bumped in, but Mark cut her off immediately.

"I amhappy with him. And I don't know how often I have to repeat that. We have our problems, but we can overcome them," he replied. "Yes, he hurt me, but just think about how often you and Arizona hurt each other. And have I ever not supported your decisions? Have I ever told you to break up with her?"

"No, but..." Callie said, but Mark didn't give her the chance to say anything more, because he went on talking.

"She left you at the airport to go to Africa. She left you there, knowing that this could be the end of your relationship. She hurt you so bad, that I thought I could never put the pieces back together. And then she came back and you gave her another chance. I didn't like that at the beginning, because I was afraid she would leave again. But I never said a word. Instead I supported you, like a best friend should and would do." Mark looked at her, and the pain he felt must be visible on his face, he was sure. "I can't believe you can't do the same for me. Not even for a moment. You don't even give him a chance."

"I... I'm sorry, Mark... maybe I... maybe I overreacted, but you can't compare Arizona and me with you and Jackson," Callie sighed, and for the first seconds Mark really thought she meant it, but the last part of her sentence aroused his anger yet again.

"Why? Because you're women and women fight?"

"No, because we've been together for years," Callie justified.

Mark grabbed his keys and leaned down to Sofia who was almost looking a little afraid. "Hey, Baby-girl. I'm gonna head out now. Mommy takes care of you, okay?" He lifted her up for a moment and kissed her cheek. "See you later."

With those words he put her back in her chair and turned to Callie. "I'm heading out."

"Where are you going?" Callie wanted to know, but Mark waved dismissively.

"None of your business. Close the door when you leave."

With those words he just left his apartment and the building. He just needed to get out. He needed fresh air, and he just couldn't stand to look at Callie at the moment, because it just angered him. He knew if he stayed, that would have ended even worse than it already had. Maybe he would even have shouted and scared off his daughter and he didn't want this. It had taken all of him to talk to his best friend quietly, but she just didn't get it, and he didn't know what else to say anymore. He was caught in the middle, and he had no idea how to get through this. It was even worse than his nightmares and his possible illness altogether, because he had no idea how he could make this relationship with Jackson work, if Callie wasn't on board with him.

Would he have to make a decision between them? He didn't even want to imagine that possibility at all, because he knew it would destroy him.

He grabbed his mobile phone and typed a message to Jackson.

"I love you, no matter what. I hope you know that."

He was literally shaking when he sat down a park bench and took a few deep breathes. He just needed to find a solution for this mess, even though he didn't know how this solution would look like just yet.