A/N: Again, thanks for the comments… And the next "big storyline" is coming up for both "pairings" – Mark/Jackson AND April/Alex and there are also at least 2 new characters to come… and I hope, you give them a chance, even though there will be some Mark/Jackson-less chapters, but in the end it's all connected, so it's important to have chapters without them… :-)
Go on reviewing and we'll go on posting possibly every day… :-) Next chapter comes soon… if you comment studiously… XD
Jackson Avery POV:
Jackson had been trying to concentrate throughout the night, but his mind kept going back to his talk with Alex.
Jackson hadn't seen or spoken to Lewis in at least 5 years. For Lewis to be contacting him now only meant bad news. Their last meeting had ended in an argument that left Lewis with a black eye and Jackson with a dislocated shoulder. It had quickly escalated until Tyler managed to separate the two.
That was the last time Jackson had set eyes on either man, until Miami that was.
What was he going to do now? Up until the past year Jackson had very little to lose, but now that he had Mark and they were building a life together Lewis making his way back into Jackson's life was going to put all that at risk.
"Avery" Callie said as she walked up to the man and jarred him out of his thoughts. He was spooked and she could tell "Yeah?" he asked a little too quickly.
"Is everything okay?" she asked and Jackson could hear the suspicious tone in her voice. Even if he trusted her enough not to go to Mark with whatever bad news he would give her Jackson couldn't tell her about Lewis. Their relationship was complicated and nobody outside of the people who were forced to deal with it could understand it.
"Everything is fine" Jackson said with a smile. She didn't believe it, but Jackson also knew she wasn't going to push it...not yet at least.
"What do you need?" he asked her "I have a consultation I could use your input on" she told him and Jackson nodded. This was a good sign. She came to him and yeah, okay, she didn't really have a choice if it was a cosmetic case, but at least it was a start.
"Sure thing" he said and followed her to the 3rd floor where her patient was waiting for them.
On the way there an idea crossed his mind "You mind if I pick your brain about something?"
Looking behind her towards Jackson she shrugged her shoulders "I don't mind".
"My mom's birthday is coming up and I thought I would cook her something since she will be visiting, but I'm completely lost on things like these" Jackson said.
"What does she like?" Callie asked.
"I think she's fan of chicken" Jackson told her.
"Then you can't go wrong with chicken pasta" Callie said "if done right it's probably some of the best food in the world"
Jackson gave a wide smile. He knew what he could make her tomorrow.
"That sounds perfect" Jackson said "I really appreciate it"
"No problem" Callie told him right before the elevator stopped and the two exited into the hallway.
An hour later and Jackson was looking over the patient's history that Callie had given him before preparing for a surgery. The patient was caught in a fire and after falling through a collapsed floor and breaking several bones he found himself in serious need of reconstructive surgery.
Jackson liked things that he could fix with a practiced skill. When he and Callie repaired the man and sent him on his way he would leave the hospital a completely different person. His life would no longer hold the boundaries it once had and if Jackson could be a part of that he was more then happy.
"Hey" Mark said appearing at his office door. The man's presence was unexpected, but far from unwelcome.
"Hey" Jackson said sitting the folder down by his cell and walking over to Mark. Giving him a kiss he closed the door to his office and smiled up at the man.
"Sorry this place is so small, my partner is a bit of an egomaniac and needs to have the bigger office" Jackson said with a smile as he wrapped his arms around Mark's waist.
"Is that so?" Mark asked with a laugh and a light jab to Jackson's side.
The two were enjoying the quiet between them when Jackson heard his cell receive a text. "Don't move" he said to Mark as he hopped over to his desk.
"Wouldn't dream of it" Mark said.
Picking up his phone Jackson read the text. Probably Alex thanking him for helping him score with whatever random bimbo he was currently hooking up with.
Hey Jacks, this is Tyler. I need to talk to you as soon as you get the chance. Just got a phone call that I think you would be interested in hearing about.
Jackson could feel his blood run cold almost immediately. It was Tyler and the man had to have been talking about Lewis.
"You okay?" Mark asked with concern.
"Oh yeah" Jackson said "just finishing up some old business from Miami".
Walking back over to Mark he took his previous position.
"Have you gotten to eat yet?" Mark asked.
"No, and I'm starving" Jackson said "we can stop at that pizza place down the street you like. Let me just finish up here and I'll meet you in the lobby in 5 minutes"
"Sounds great" Mark said and gave him one last kiss before exiting Jackson's office. Once Jackson saw that Mark was out of sight he pulled out his cell phone and quickly texted Tyler's number.
"Can't talk now, but I'll call you later"
Stuffing the phone back in his pocket he composed himself and gave one last look at his office. Everything was going to be okay. Lewis was probably just trying to rattle him and Jackson wasn't going to give the man the satisfaction.
Mark Sloan POV:
Mark couldn't help the smile crossing his lips once he saw Jackson coming his way, but because they were still in the hospital and they haven't officially come out as a couple, he avoided touching him, only waited for him and then left the hospital with him, going closer than he really had to so he could "accidently" touch him from time to time.
Once they were outside, Jackson grinned at him. "You know... that was very unremarkable..."
Mark tilted his head. "What?"
Jackson looked at him. "You smiling at me like that and then us leaving together... don't you think people might notice something?"
Immediately, Mark shook his head. "No... actually not... we're friends, right? We can hang out together... we can even have a meal together... there's nothing noticeable about that, is it?"
"Whatever" Jackson replied and looking around for a moment, before leaning upwards and placing a soft kiss on Mark's lips. "Let's get going... I'm really hungry."
They went to Jackson's car and not even half an hour later they were sitting in front of a pizza, enjoying their meal.
They had just finished when Mark heard his mobile phone ringing and felt it vibrating in his pants.
"What's wrong?" Jackson asked, looking at him suspicious, while Mark was slipping on his chair from the right to the left.
"Nothing... just my mobile phone ringing," Mark smiled and pulled the phone out of his pocket, almost freezing when he recognized the number.
"It's... it's the hospital" he said quietly. "I think it's Doctor Lee..."
"Take it," Jackson replied, putting a hand over Mark's and starting to stroke the back of his hand. "It's gonna be okay..."
"Is it?" Mark asked doubtful but finally answering his phone, since it was already ringing for the second time.
"Mark Sloan" he finally said into the phone waiting for a couple of seconds, before he heard Doctor Lee's voice.
"It's Doctor Lee... I have your results now, and I need you to come in. When are you available?"
Mark bit his lower lip. "In about an hour or such?"
"An hour is perfect. I'll be waiting for you in my office," Doctor Lee replied. "See you then."
"Bye then," Mark said, before he hung up, feeling his hands start to shake.
Immediately, Jackson was by his side, standing behind his chair and hugging him from behind. "It's gonna be okay. I'm sure you're gonna be fine. If they have the results now, they will know how to treat you."
Mark leaned into his embrace, closing his eyes for a moment. "I'm... I'm scared," He admitted.
"I know" Jackson whispered into his ear. But I just know everything will be fine. No matter what the results are, we're gonna figure something out, and I will be with you every step of the way."
Mark let got of Jackson just enough, so he could lean sideways to look him in the eye. "Are you coming with me?"
"To where?" Jackson asked, looking slightly confused.
"To Doctor Lee... when I get my results" Mark replied without even thinking about it twice.
"Are you sure you want me there?" Jackson dug deeper.
Mark nodded. "Yes... I'm sure... I not only want you there but I need you. I don't think I can do it without you."
Jackson placed a hand on Mark's cheek and stroked it gently. "It's okay. I'll come with you. Let's pay our bill and then let's get out of here."
"Okay," Mark replied, but he wasn't really paying much attention. He barely noticed Jackson paying for their meals, because he was so lost in his thoughts. Those results could either mean he would never operate again, or that everything would be fine, and Mark was scared to death for the first possibility. He didn't know what he would do if he wouldn't be able to operate again, but at least Jackson was there for him. And he hoped, no matter what the results were, that he would still be there afterwards, but he trusted him, no matter what anyone else said. No matter what Callie said.
"Come on..." Jackson said when he took Mark's hand and pulled him into a standing position. "Let's take a walk."
Mark nodded slowly, and let Jackson led him out of the restaurant. He didn't even pay attention to where they were going until they were in the park nearby. The park where Jackson had told him about his One-Night-Stand with April. The park where he had first noticed that he felt something for Jackson. Something more than friendship.
They sat down on a bench and Jackson wasn't letting go of Mark's hand for a second.
"I love you," Mark heard him say and turned to him. Those three words kind of pulled him out of his trance and a sad smile appeared on his lips.
"And what if I will never be the same again? How could you love someone who... who is a cripple? Who you need to take care of? You are so young, Jackson... you deserve so much better."
He knew they had talked about this and Jackson had promised him to stand by him, but Mark didn't know if he wanted to be this much of a burden for the guy. He loved him way too much to do this to him.
"I'm so scared," he repeated what he had already said before and his voice was shaking and he felt like crying. That was a side he didn't like about himself, and he had barely showed it to anyone. Most people didn't know him that way and being like that in front of Jackson was a big thing for him. And it showed how close he already felt to Jackson. He didn't want to cry right now, but his fear almost made him mad. He just wanted this to be over.
Jackson Avery POV:
Jackson was surprised that Mark wanted him there when the man found out is results. He didn't think the older man had come that far to allow Jackson such privilege.
"And what if I will never be the same again? How could you love someone who... who is a cripple? Who you need to take care of? You are so young, Jackson... you deserve so much better."
"Look at me, Mark" Jackson said as he turned the man's head towards him to look him in the eye. "You will beat this" he said "you survived a plane crash, the loss of Lexie, and almost your life. This will not stop you"
"Yeah, but-" Mark started to say before Jackson cut him off.
"No, even if you're not able to do surgery again you can and will find another passion" grabbing Mark's hands he grabbed it and brought it up to his mouth to kiss. "I didn't fall in love with you because you're a surgeon; I fell in love with you because you're Mark Sloan the most amazing man I've ever met. Don't ever say that I deserve better again, because there is no better"
Mark took his hands out of Jackson hold and slung them around Jackson's neck to give the man a hug.
"Thank you" he whispered.
"Thank you for trusting me enough to let me go through this with you" Jackson hoped Mark could hear the sincerity in his voice. He had come so close to blowing this relationship. He had dropped the ball and let Mark see the part of him that he should have kept hidden.
Mark only deserved the best of him and Jackson was going to do everything in his power to make sure that was exactly what he got.
Lewis and Tyler's calls made him uneasy. Jackson was a completely different man before he came to Seattle and if the person he used to be followed him here Mark would leave him. Jackson didn't doubt it for a minute.
He would call Tyler later and they would work out a plan to keep Lewis away. But first, Jackson had to make sure everything with Mark was going to be okay.
Nathaniel Lee was waiting for Mark in his office when the two men arrived.
"Hello Doctor" Mark said as he shook the man's hand. It shook slightly, but all three knew it was mostly due to nerves than anything else.
"Please, sit" Nathaniel said as he took a seat behind his desk and Mark and Jackson each sat across from him.
"Dr. Avery" Nathaniel said "maybe it would be best if me and Dr. Sloan talked about this privately"
"No" Mark said "I want him here"
Nathaniel gave an affirmative nod and Jackson was pretty sure that the man knew that they were more then just business partners. The fact that he seemed completely unfazed made Jackson think that the guy was going to be pretty nice to have around.
"I've been freaking out for a long time, doc" Mark looked at Nathaniel with apprehension "just tell it to me straight"
"Okay" Nathaniel said "well the good news is that the neuropathy seems to be much less serious then we first imagined"
Jackson nodded. He knew good news was always followed by bad and sometimes the bad could completely erase whatever good had come before it.
"And the bad?" Mark asked.
"I think you can make a full recovery from this, but it's going to mean six months of pretty intensive physical therapy."
"Are you saying that I could possibly return to surgery?" Mark sounded hopeful and happy.
"Not only possibly" Nathaniel said "but I would say definitely...if you do exactly what the therapist says"
"Thank you so much doctor" Mark said jumping up and giving Nathaniel a handshake.
"It's my pleasure" Nathaniel responded.
Jackson looked over at Mark and the man's beaming face made his heart beat a bit faster.
Seeing Mark get up Jackson was about to follow him before Nathaniel called after him.
"Dr. Avery. Can you hold back a minute?"
Turning around Jackson looked at Nathaniel "Sure" he said and turned to Mark "meet me out front?"
"Sure" Mark said "I wanna go tell Callie the good news" and after grabbing Jackson's hand briefly he walked out of the office.
"What's the matter?" Jackson asked kindly and Nathaniel walked up to him.
'With Mark's therapy we had to bring somebody from the outside" Nathaniel said. "normally we wouldn't do this, but Dr. Sloan is important"
"That he is" Jackson said with a smile "Is the person good?"
"One of the best" Nathaniel said "he comes from Boston"
"Sounds good" Jackson told him "but why did you need to tell me without Mark"
Nathaniel paused for a moment "He goes by the name of Lewis Avery"
Jackson couldn't believe it.
"He's due to arrive in a couple weeks, but I thought it would be a good idea to let you know and maybe help Mark prepare" Nathaniel said.
"Yeah, thanks" Jackson said, but his mind was already working overtime.
"Is everything okay?" Nathaniel asked.
"It's fine" Jackson said "could you do me a favour and not tell anyone. I'm sure my brother wouldn't want to come here under the Avery name"
"Okay" Nathaniel said with a smile.
Walking out of his office he made it to the lobby and seeing Mark hugging Callie he figured now was a good a time as any to try and get in front of this.
Quickly stepping away before either Mark or Callie noticed he stepped outside and immediately called Tyler's phone.
"Jackson?" Tyler asked once he picked up.
"Yeah, it's me" Jackson told him "What in the hell is going on Tyler?"
"It's Lewis" Tyler said "I think he's going to Seattle"
"I just-"
"Who's Tyler?" a voice asked from behind Jackson and turning around Jackson quickly turned off his phone and saw Mark looking at him.
"What are you doing out here?" Jackson asked with a smile "I though you wanted to tell Callie the good news"
"I did" Mark told him "she said you were standing near the exit and you looked worried about something"
"Oh" Jackson said "it's not important. Just that stuff from Miami. They don't take no for an answer very easily"
"I can talk to this Tyler guy if you need me too" Mark said.
"No" Jackson replied "I can handle it. Let's go back in and share your good news" Jackson said as he grabbed Mark's hand and lead him back into the hospital.
Mark Sloan POV:
Mark felt like Jackson was hiding something from him. Something big. It was like he could read him, but obviously Jackson didn't want to talk about it, and he wasn't someone to push someone to do so. If he didn't trust him enough to share his secrets with him, then there was obviously something wrong. Maybe Mark just hadn't showed Jackson enough how much he loved him and that he really trusted him. Or maybe Jackson just needed a little more time.
So Mark said nothing when Jackson literally pushed him back into the hospital and went along with it. He definitely didn't want to fight with him at this moment. Not after finding out that he would most likely be able to do surgery again.
"Where do you wanna go?" Jackson asked, pulling Mark out of his thoughts by this question.
"Ehm..." Mark gave it a thought. "I wanna see Derek, but he's most definitely at home..." Derek had been released from the hospital way before him, but he wasn't really able to operate again at the moment as well. His hand needed rehab and they didn't know yet if he would ever be able to operate again, but he was making progress, so Callie and the others were positive.
"Okay... to Derek then..." Jackson replied with a smile, and Mark knew immediately, that it was a fake smile, and it really concerned him.
He turned to Jackson and looked at him. "Are you alright?"
There it was again. The fake-smile. "Why wouldn't I?" Jackson asked back.
Mark let out a sigh. "I don't know... you look kind of upset... but I think I get it... if you wanted to talk about it, you would. So I'll leave it alone for now..."
Jackson bit his lower lip. "Thank you," he replied and Mark could see that he really was thankful for him to notdig deeper.
"Let's get to Derek, then," Mark smiled and when they were about to leave the hospital, they ran into Derek almost a second later.
"Hey. We just wanted to pay you a visit," Mark greeted him, hugging him for a moment.
"Me? Why?" Derek wanted to know, looking from Mark to Jackson and back to Mark.
"To tell you the good news," Mark replied with a chipper smile.
Derek tilted his head. "Good news? Are you two going to get married?"
"What?" Mark blurted out, staring at his best friend in shock for a moment, before turning to Jackson who looked like he had to fight back a laugh. A real one.
"I don't think we're at this point yet," Mark said, feeling slightly embarrassed. "I mean... it's not that I don't wanna get married or anything... and it's definitely not that I don't wanna get married to... to you..." he went on, turning to Jackson, who gently patted his shoulder.
"It's okay, Mark, I understand. Actually, I would be shocked if you'd propose to me now. We don't have to rush things." Jackson calmed him down.
"So what's the good news then?" Derek asked, and for a moment Mark had almost forgotten that he was even there.
"Right. The good news is that I might be able to work again," he said.
"Really? Mark, this is awesome, I'm so happy for you," Derek commented and hugged Mark again.
"Me too!" Mark admitted. "It will take a lot of time and some rehabilitation measures, but in about six months I might be able to stand in an OR again." He was really happy about that news, and even though it would take him six months that was a price he was willing to pay. And if he made good progress, it might not even take this long.
"And how's your hand?" Mark asked after a few seconds of silence.
Derek let out a sigh. "Well... it's getting better... but it's still not sure whether I can ever use my hand to operate again."
"I'm sorry..." Mark said, and put a hand on Derek's shoulder consolingly. "But I'm sure you're gonna get through this. And that you will be back at work eventually."
Shrugging, Derek looked up at Mark. "I don't know. And I don't even know if Meredith would want me to."
Mark tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"This new doctor..." Derek started. "Doctor... Holden or Holt or something like that... Meredith has been under his service for days now... and it's like she's flourishing... like he gives her something I couldn't... And I can only sit by and watch... I wanted to be the one to teach her neuro-surgery and now this prick... is doing my job... I mean..." Derek looked down. "She didn't even want me to teach her, but obviously she wants him to do so."
"Because he's not her husband," Mark stated. "I wouldn't worry too much. Once you're back things will get back to normal. I'm sure of that."
Derek smiled sadly. "And if not, I can still get drunk and try to seduce you. Then we would be even."
Mark rolled his eyes. "Idiot," he commented. "You know I wouldn't have kissed you, if I wasn't this drunk."
"I know," Derek smiled. "But I'm glad you don't have a reason to get drunk again now. And that you two managed to work things out." He looked at Jackson. "You're making him happy, and I'm glad he found someone. That he found someone he's happy with after all he went through with Lexie."
Mark felt a stitch in his heart when Derek mentioned her. "How is Meredith holding up? Have you told her about me and Jackson?"
Derek shook his head. "Not yet... no... But I don't think she would have a problem with it."
Doubtfully, Mark looked at him. "Are you sure?"
Derek nodded slowly. "Quite sure. Yes. Even Lexie wanted you to be happy. And about Meredith holding up. She tries to distract herself with work. And with Zola." He looked at his watch. "And that's why I'm actually here. To collect Zola from day-care and bring my wife home. If this Doctor Holt hasn't saddled her with another double shift."
"You two are gonna be okay. I know it." Mark said, patting his shoulder, before Derek made his way to the elevators.
Mark let out a heavy sigh. "At least I hope so," he said quietly, turning to Jackson.
"I don't think Meredith would ever do something that would compromise her family," Jackson replied, causing Mark to nod.
"I hope so... let's get out of here, okay? I've had enough hospitals for today... I wanna go home. Unless you have something else to do. I mean, I can go home by myself, if that's the case." he said, even though he rather wanted Jackson to join him, but he had never been the clingy type of man anyways.
Jackson Avery POV:
Jackson liked the quiet moments with Mark the most.
The two were currently lying in Mark's bed. Mark laid out on his back and Jackson sitting on the man's waist.
"Can you believe this?" Mark said as he ran a hand along Jackson's thighs "I can actually be back in surgery by the end of the year". Smiling down at him Jackson nodded "I didn't doubt it for a minute. You are too good to not be back in the OR"
Jackson decided he wasn't going to think about Lewis until he knew there was something he could do about it. He would need to call Tyler and apologize and see exactly what went down with Lewis's phone call. Mark had picked up on something being wrong and Jackson worried that he would start pressuring Jackson to tell him things he could never confess.
"I'm glad you were with me" Mark said quietly as he leaned up and gave Jackson a quick kiss on the lips. "I'm glad you trusted me enough to be there with you?"
"Speaking of..." Mark said "what did Dr. Lee want to talk to you about?"
"We have a surgery coming up in a couple weeks and he just wanted to go over some logistics" it was another lie, but it was better than the truth.
Mark looked at him as if he was trying to figure out if what he was saying was true.
"This thing with Derek" Jackson said "you think him and Meredith are going to be okay?"
Shrugging his shoulders Mark looked as if he was thinking about it "Those two have always had a tumultuous relationship, but I don't think Derek has anything to worry about"
"This Holt" Mark said "what do you know about him?"
"April has worked with him a few times and she says he has a bit of an ego, but he's really good"
"Good enough for Hunt to keep him on?" Mark asked and Jackson could tell he was nervous for his friend. "Derek's surgery had been pretty intensive, but if he could get clearance to work again I don't doubt Owen would choose Derek over him"
"What if he can't do it again?" Mark asked "What if that plane crash was the end of his career?"
Jackson had remembered seeing how bad Derek's hand had been and he knew there was a real possibility that the man may not be able to be the surgeon he once was. He knew that was not what Mark needed to hear right now, though.
"I'm sure that Derek will be fine. He has already made an astounding recovery and he is a fighter, just like you"
Mark smiled up at him "Thank you" he said quietly.
Running a hand down Mark's cheek he kissed him "I can see how much you care about him"
"We've been friends for so long" Mark said "he's practically a brother"
"And if not, I can still get drunk and try to seduce you. Then we would be even."
"Well, not exactly like brothers" Jackson said before realizing it.
"What?" Mark asked confused.
"N-Nothing" Jackson said trying to brush it off "forget I said anything"
"We've done this before" Mark said "I thought we both agreed brushing off our problems doesn't work". Jackson really needed to learn how to be in a mature relationship, because so far he was really failing at it.
"What did Derek mean about seducing you to make things even?"
Mark's face didn't hide his shock. Mark made a move to sit up straight. Sitting up Jackson moved further back to give Mark the room.
"I made a stupid mistake when I was in a really bad place" Mark said "I'm sorry" he added.
"You don't have to apologize to me" Jackson said "I had left and we weren't technically together"
"That's no excuse" Mark said "We had just been together and to try and jump into someone else's bed is shameful, especially after I nearly fucked it up with the whole Julia thing"
The images of Tyler flashed through his mind. Jackson had slept with him out of some warped need to make himself feel better. How could he judge Mark for wanting to find solace wherever he could. Although now he knew he could never tell Mark about Miami. If a kiss was bad what would the man think about Jackson sleeping with someone else?
Still, Tyler was not a big part of his life anymore and Derek was a big part of Mark's. Jackson had no right to feel this uneasy about Mark trying to sleep with Derek, but he did.
"You two have never...?" Jackson asked open-ended.
"That was the past, baby" Mark said "focusing on it now just makes things more complicated than they need to be"
It wasn't a no.
"That's like asking if you and Alex ever had something" Mark said with a laugh. Scrunching up his face Jackson shook his head "Why would anyone believe that?"
"Well, you two are close" Mark said "and going down to Miami together made people wonder"
"People?" Jackson asked astonished "as in more then one?"
Laughing Mark pulled Jackson close "Nobody really knew about us and I may have overheard Arizona, Meredith, and Cristina bring it up"
"You didn't believe them did you?" Jackson asked "I mean I love Alex, but no"
"Whatever did or did not happen before we really found each other doesn't concern me" Mark said "we're here now and that's all that matters"
"You're too good for me" Jackson said as he pulled the older man in for a hug. He meant it with all of his heart. Jackson wanted so badly to be better for him.
"I don't want to leave this bed, but I have a favour to ask" Jackson said.
"What's that?"
"You think you wanna help me make some chicken pasta?"
Mark Sloan POV:
Mark looked at Jackson, confused. "But I'm not hungry," he replied earnestly.
Jackson let out an amused laugh. "Neither am I," he said. "But it's not for us..." He started playing with the hem of his shirt and seemed nervous all of a sudden.
"Then... who is it for?" Mark asked curiously. He put his arms around Jackson's waist and pulled him close to his body, which was perfect to do in his position. It felt so good, to be this close to him and he really loved those moments.
"Callie." Jackson finally replied. "Actually, you gave me the idea the other day when you told me that Callie would love my food."
"Really?" Mark asked, surprised. He didn't expect this answer, but somehow it really made him happy, that Jackson was trying so hard for Callie to like him, and he just hoped and wished for the best. Callie just had to start accepting Jackson, or this whole thing would cause a lot of complications in the long run since Mark was definitely not willing to give up on Jackson.
"Yeah... but if you think it's a bad idea... I mean, I thought... the way to her heart might be through her stomach," Jackson admitted.
Mark placed a hand on Jackson's cheek and gently stroked it. "You're the cutest thing ever..."
"I'm not cute," Jackson said, raising an eyebrow and pouting.
"And now you're even cuter," Mark grinned and gave Jackson a push so he lost his balance and fell backwards onto the bed.
Mark was over him immediately. "I have no idea how I can resist you if you look like that."
"Who said you have to resist me?" Jackson asked, licking over his lower lip and looking up at Mark from his big blue eyes.
Mark swallowed hard. "You... you're so mean," Mark complained, because he knew what Jackson wanted. And Jackson confirmed it only a few seconds later.
"Well... you just have to admit that you want me... that you need me... and you'll get me. But that would mean I won."
Frustrated, Mark let out a sigh, letting himself fall onto the bed next to Jackson. "No!" he simply said, turning his head to look at Jackson who was looking back at him.
"Well... that's bad luck then..." Within seconds, Jackson climbed on top of Mark, sitting down in his lap and pressing his wrists onto the mattress next to Mark's head. "Imagine all the things I could do to you if you just admitted that you want my cock inside of you. Or that you want to fuck me."
Demonstratively, Jackson licked over Mark's earlobe, causing Mark to take in a sharp breath. Jackson knew how sensitive his ears were and he knew how to handle Mark already pretty well and it was pretty hard for Mark to really resist him, but he was still too proud to let Jackson win. He didn't want to give him this satisfaction just yet. He was Mark Sloan; he didn't need to beg for sex. And he was good, too! And he loved to play with Jackson like that. It was kind of turning him on whenever they were doing this dirty talk, even though it also was getting on him. It had been a couple of days without sex, and that was a lot for Mark.
Not the sex itself actually, but to be close to Jackson. He had had longer periods without sex when he had been single, but now he was in a relationship and he was in love and he wanted to feel Jackson, even though it was nice to just cuddle with him.
"Why don't you..." Mark started and rolled them around when he finally managed to free himself from Jackson's grip. "...admit that you want me? That you want me just as much as I want you?" He placed his knee between Jackson's legs, already feeling the slight hardness in his pants.
"Because sex is not everything," Jackson said, winking at him. "And even though I would love to sleep with you right now... to rip off all your clothes and take you right here, right now..." He leaned upwards, biting into Mark's earlobe. "...I don't need to do that... I could live with it if we went to the kitchen and cook right now."
"Really? Is that so?" Mark asked doubtful, but the cheeky sparkle in Jackson's eyes was answer enough. Mark knew he had lost yet again, and if he didn't admit how much he wanted Jackson at some point, he might go crazy.
"Yeah. So... let's go cook Chicken pasta for Callie then?" Jackson asked, placing both of his hands at Mark's butt cheeks and pressing his whole body against Mark's. "Or is there something else you wanna do?"
Sighing, Mark let go of Jackson and sat up. "Fine. Let's cook the perfect meal for Callie," he finally said, even though it took a lot of him not to throw himself at Jackson right now, but he still had his pride, even though he didn't know how long he would be able to keep up this facade. At some point, Jackson might win after all. Mark just didn't understand why it was so easy for Jackson not to have sex with him.
Even though it was stupid, he asked himself, if Jackson wasn't thisattracted to him after all. He was starting to really get frustrated.
All of a sudden he felt Jackson's arms around his neck and a soft kiss on his cheek. "Thank you."
"What for?" Mark asked, moving a little bit, so he could look up at Jackson who was kneeling behind him on the bed.
"For helping me with the pasta. I hope, Callie will like it," Jackson replied.
A small smile crossed Mark's lips. "She will. I'm sure she will." He grabbed Jackson's legs and stood up, causing Jackson to let out a yelp, because he obviously hadn't expected the sudden movement.
"Mark, what are you doing?" Jackson laughed once he tightened the grip around Mark's body not to fall off his back.
"I'm carrying you to the kitchen," Mark answered and did exactly what he had just said. He let Jackson down once he was standing at the counter so Jackson would sit down on it, before turning around and placing his arms on his shoulders. "Am I strong or what?"
Jackson shook his head laughing. "Yes... you're the strongest person I know." He leaned forward, capturing Mark's lips with his own. "And I really mean it. And I don't mean only your physical strength. I'm really amazed how you manage to get through everything and just come out stronger."
"It's because I'm not alone. I have people who I love and who love me. I couldn't do it without either of them," Mark admitted. "And because of that it means a whole lot to me that you try so hard for Callie to like you. And if she doesn't start responding to it soon, I don't know what I'm gonna do with her. She's one of my best friends, but I can't deal with the fact that she doesn't accept the man I love. Derek accepts you, so why can't she?"
"Don't worry... Callie and I... we will work things out. I promise, Mark. You will never have to decide between her and me. I won't let that happen. I won't let her hurt you that way." Jackson said honestly, and Mark couldn't believe how much his words touched him. He pressed his face against Jackson's chest, closing his eyes. Jackson seriously was the most awesome guy he had ever met and he would do everything to keep him in his life.