A/N: A little shorter chapter this time, but both – me and my writing partner – are thrilled that you like the story so much. I just talked to him and it makes us SO, so happy. Really… And we're happy we "portray" the characters so good that you can hate them with passion, even though we DO hope that at SOME point you might change your mind… we'll see about that…
And to reply to SOME of the comments, that included all the same question: Tyler WILL make an appearance… he will even have chapters "of his own", and he will definitely mess up the lives of Jackson and Lewis once again… in one way or another… I'm curious when the first person will "find out" what we're doing here, but it's all about the word choice :-) You all think right now what Jackson did was bad… but just wait and see until he explains himself in one of the following chapters…
And now… enjoy Chapter 29… :)
Michael Holt POV:
Today had been the day. The day his life would probably change with Jackson vouching for him and him maybe getting a permanent position at this hospital. First he hadn't planned on staying here after all, but he had grown to love this life he had built over the past few weeks, and he definitely didn't want to give up. Even though it could mean that he had to battle against this Derek Shepherd about his position, but he wouldn't make it easy for him. And according to some doctors he had heard talking, it wasn't even sure that Shepherd would be able to operate again.
A little nervously he watched Jackson disappear in Hunt's office from a save distance. He just had to make sure that Jackson would follow his orders finally. He hadn't listened to him the last time, so Michael needed to make sure he would this time.
Of course he couldn't understand any word they were speaking and he only saw Hunt's back, but Jackson knew he couldn't afford any other mistakes, or Michael would make his life a living hell and he most definitely wouldn't risk that.
All of a sudden a man stormed past him and when he turned his head to Hunt's office again, he recognized Karev, tilting his head. Now this was starting to get interesting.
The moment Jackson came out of Hunt's office, Karev literally grabbed him and dragged him to a nearby supply closet.
Slowly, Michael followed them, always paying attention not to be seen, but the two of them seemed so distracted - so busy with themselves - that they didn't notice anything besides themselves anyways.
He moved closer once the door was closed and tried to get anything from what was going on in there, but without much luck. The only sounds he heard were the voices of the two men talking to each other pretty loudly, but he only got snippets of the conversation. Single words.
When the name Tyler came up, it definitely caught Michael's attention. Hell, he wanted to know what was going on in there, but he was cleverer than to just burst in there or open the door and get their attention. He would find out what happened through Jackson later. He would just ask him.
Not that he thought Jackson would tell him the truth anyways, but he had his ways of finding out certain things.
If they talked about Tyler, he had to know it, because then it most likely had something to do with Lewis and he would do anything in his power to protect him from whatever pain this part of his past could cause him.
He hadn't really much time to get lost in his thoughts, because all of a sudden, the door of the supply closet opened and Jackson stormed out. Followed by Alex who was literally jumping him and Michael could tell by the hateful look in their eyes, that it was bad. Pretty bad, actually, because only a mere seconds later they were throwing punches until this nurse - Eli - separated them and pulled them away like two kids who had been naughty.
He waited until they were out of sight until he turned around and - knowing Lewis would be there - made his way to the cafeteria, where he really found his best friend sitting at a table and eating some salad.
"Hey..." he greeted his best friend with a smile on his face, letting himself fall on the chair next to Lewis.
"Hey too," Lewis replied, looking at him suspiciously. "Why are you smiling like that?"
"Because I think I have some pretty good news for you," Michael replied without hesitating.
Curiously, Lewis tilted his head. "Really? About what?"
"Karev... and your brother," Michael hinted, causing Lewis to let out a frustrated moan.
"Mikey, you're impossible," he complained. "It's like trying to squeeze blood out of a stone!"
Michael couldn't help the grin on his lips. Lewis barely called him Mikey. Only when he was really desperate and wanted something from him pretty badly. Like the information Michael was still withholding.
"Okay, okay..." Michael lifted his hand in a defending gesture. "I'm talking..."
He leaned forward, looking Lewis directly in the eye. "Today was the day Jackson had to vouch for me... today was the day he was finally talking to Hunt about me getting a permanent job here," he started explaining.
Lewis raised an eyebrow. "So?"
Michael smiled. "I just had to make sure that this time he would do as I asked him to, so I followed him and watched him talking to Hunt. And when he was almost finished and about to leave his office, Karev appeared and then things got really interesting... and intense," he went on.
Lewis rolled his eyes. "Get to the point."
Michael could tell that he was starting to get impatient.
"I'm trying to," he defended himself. "But you don't make it easy..." He sighed. "But to get to the point... Karev grabbed your brother and dragged him away and I could totally tell that he was angry. Very angry. They disappeared in a supply closet and then I heard them screaming at each other."
"Really?" Lewis asked curiously. "About what?"
Michael shrugged. "I'm sorry, I didn't understand much of it, because the door was closed, but things got pretty ugly."
"What makes you think that?" Lewis wanted to know, pushing the bowl with the salad away to make sure, Michael had his full attention.
"Because all of a sudden Jackson stormed out and then Karev was all over him, bringing him to the ground and then they were punching each other in the face like crazy. Until this nurse got in between and separated them." Michael replied.
Shocked, Lewis looked at him. "Are you serious?"
Immediately, Michael nodded. "Of course I am. I wouldn't joke about this... so if your plan was to thoroughly ruin Jackson's and Alex's friendship, you've succeeded. I doubt they will talk to each other this soon again." He patted Lewis' shoulder. "You're really on a good way."
"That's good..." A small smile appeared on Lewis' lips. Not even a real one.
Confused, Michael tilted his head. "Why aren't you happy about it, then?"
"I am. What makes you think I'm not?" Lewis immediately replied, causing Michael to sigh.
"I know you, Lewis, and you should be really satisfied with yourself."
"I am... I'm just..." Lewis bit his lower lip, turning his gaze away. "I'm just asking myself if Alex is okay."
"Why do you care?" Michael asked even more confused. "You can stop screwing him now, mission one accomplished. And now you should focus on getting Jackson's boyfriend. That was your plan, right?"
Lewis nodded. "Right." He looked back at Michael. "But I... I care for Alex..."
Shocked, Michael stared at him. "Please don't tell me you're in love with him."
"No! No! Of course not," Lewis replied hurriedly, shaking his head. "Seriously, I'm not."
"Are you sure?" Michael demanded to know, shifting closer to him. "Because if you changed your mind..."
"I haven't..." Lewis cut him off. "But this thing between me and Alex... It feels good... he's exactly what I need right now. He makes me feel so good and I really like him. I'm not in love with him, but I do care for him and I really think he and I could become friends. If he still wants to have anything to do with me after he finds out the truth, that is," he sighed. "I just enjoy being with him... With him everything is so easy... and I feel free... sounds lame, huh?"
Michael shook his head. "No... And you deserve whatever is good for you, so if it's Alex at the moment, then go on enjoying it..."
Smiling, Lewis nodded. "Thanks, Mikey."
"You're welcome." Michael grinned. "But stop calling me like that. You know I hate it."
"No you don't," Lewis disagreed. "You love it, because you love me."
Amused, Michael rolled his eyes. "Okay... maybe I don't... whatever..." He got up from the table. "I need to get back to work now, though... and since I got closer to my goal as well, I don't need to withhold the information about Jackson's mysterious boyfriend any longer either, so if you're ready for the truth, let me know."
Lewis nodded. "I will... even though I might already know who it is anyways. See ya later!"
And with these words, Michael turned around and made his way back to the neuro section, because he needed to prepare for a surgery in about an hour, but he just had to tell Lewis about the things he had just witnessed. He couldn't just let it go. For his and Lewis' sake. He hadn't told him about hearing Tyler's name during the fight, but only because he knew it could and would hurt Lewis and maybe if he knew what it was all about he would tell him later. Maybe.
Jackson Avery POV:
The room was filled with enough tension to choke a full grown man. Jackson and Alex stood on opposite ends of the room with Eli placed directly in the middle.
"Can somebody tell me what the hell that was about?" Eli sounded much angrier than Jackson had ever heard the man. In all honesty he wasn't even sure Eli was capable of anger like that.
"Why don't you ask pretty boy over there" Alex spitted out "See if he can be honest about anything"
Jackson looked over at Alex. Their distance growing with each passing second.
"I'm not the one who ambushed somebody and pounded my fists against my chest to try and prove a point" Jackson said "you're a goddamn embarrassment, Karev, you know that?"
Alex was about to leap forward until Eli lifted a hand "We're going to keep calm heads" pointing down at two chairs that were place directly across from one another he told the two men to sit.
Rolling their eyes both pulled their respective chair out and collapsed onto it. Still not sparing the other one more than a glance.
"What happened to you two?" Eli asked bewildered "A few months ago you were going to attend in Miami and now you can't be in the same room…"
"It's not important" Jackson said and rising up he felt Eli put a strong hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down in his chair.
"It isimportant" Eli told him "because what just happened in that hallway is enough to get you both suspended if even one person decided to go to Hunt"
The realization of what just took place was finally sinking in and Eli was right. It could put an already tenuous job position in even greater danger.
"Alex" Eli said as he looked at the man "Why was it so important for you to confront Jackson like this, to lie to me about the reason you needed to see him?"
Jackson saw Alex bow his head "He hurt somebody I care about and I thought he needed to know that I wasn't going let that stand"
Jackson gave a bitter laugh "Oh, please"
"Blow me Avery" Alex shouted "you spoiled piece of shit"
"That's my brother's job, isn't it?" Jackson asked.
Eli turned his attention towards Jackson; shock apparent on his face "Lewis?" he asked.
"Seems my brother has managed to turn Karev here into his ever loyal guard dog" Jackson said "even taught him how to attack on command"
Alex's hands held onto the side of the table so tight that Jackson could see his knuckles turn completely white as blood rushed away from it "You don't know what the hell you're talking about".
"And what, you do?" Jackson asked "You listen to a one-sided story from five years ago and instead of asking me, the friend you've known for years, you decide to just trust him and write me off before even trying to hear my side of the story?"
"What is there to hear?" Alex asked "Is anything he said not true?" Alex asked and the shame Jackson felt made him avert his eyes. What could Jackson say? What Lewis had said wasn't completely true, but it was how everything had looked to Lewis. That Jackson had slept with his brother's fiancé for no other reason then to hurt him.
"Is that what you want to hear?" Jackson asked "Yeah, you're right. I did something horrible because I was in a very bad place, but you know what? I'm done apologizing for it" Jackson said as he stood.
"You choose to believe a man who used you for no other reason then because it was convenient" Jackson said "I do consider you a brother Karev, but I guess we both know how it ends when it comes to my brothers"
He was about to walk out when he felt Eli grab his shoulder "Jackson, wait" he said "with all the people you've lost are you both really willing to walk away from this friendship?"
"I'm tired of fighting for people who don't want to stay in my life" Jackson said as he looked back at Alex one more time and the man didn't look in his direction and opening the door he walked back into the hall and headed back for his office.
"Avery" Jackson heard just as walked into his office "I'm glad I managed to catch you"
Michael walked in right behind Jackson and closed the door behind him "Quite an exciting day, isn't it?" he said with a smile that made Jackson's skin crawl.
"What?"
"Come on Jackson" Michael said "let's not pretend that eye of yours isn't dangerously close to becoming swollen shut"
Touching his eye with his finger Jackson could feel it becoming bigger. Make-up wasn't going to cover this and now Jackson had another serious problem on his hands. How was he going to explain this to Mark, or his other patients for that matter?
"So what had Karev's panties in a twist?" Michael asked as he took a seat and placed his feet on Jackson's desk.
Walking around he pushed Michael's feet off, causing the man to almost topple over in his chair.
"What the fuck?" Michael was on his feet in an instant and as he stood in front of Jackson he stared the man down.
Jackson shivered slightly at the anger he saw in Michael's eyes. Two beatings in two days had put him on edge "Don't put your feet on my desk"
"You've suddenly grown a pair?" Michael asked "don't forget who you're talking to"
Jackson had smiled up at him "I know who I'm talking to" he said "a pathetic excuse for a man who needs to intimidate his best friend's little brother in order to keep his job, because he is nowhere near talented enough to keep it on his own"
Jackson watched the colour drain from Michael and the man's mouth opened in surprise
"Do you know what Alex and I were arguing about?" he asked Michael "seems Lewis couldn't keep his mouth shut and told Alex about Tyler, thus ending my need to listen to you or your orders any longer"
"Is that so?" Michael asked, but he didn't sound nearly as flustered as Jackson thought he would.
"Yeah" Jackson told him "I only wish the fight had come before I vouched for you to Owen. Just so I could see Derek Shepherd come back and kick you out of this hospital himself"
"I can definitely see why people have a habit of kicking your ass" Michael said "but do you want me to tell you why you will continue to do what I say?"
Looking at him Jackson cocked his head to the side "By all means"
"You're a pretty dense guy" Michael started "you probably didn't catch on to the fact that Mark has been questioning our closeness for quite some time now" Michael brushed a hand down Jackson's arms and the man jerked it away "Once he finds out how easily you spread your legs for Tyler do you really think he won't believe that we have been fucking for all these weeks"
Jackson took a step back "Of course he would never believe that"
"Really?" Michael asked "He's feeling pretty insecure ever since his accident and I would put money on the fact the he believes his young hot boyfriend would go find greener pastures somewhere else"
"Mark knows I love him and when I explain-"
"Explain what?" Michael laughed "the lunches you've cooked me that we have had privately in your office, or the nervousness he sees whenever he interrupts us, the fact that you sold out his best friend in order to keep me here, or maybe that I can get Lewis to tell him he knows for a fact that I've brought you to our apartment on late nights and fucked your brains out?"
Jackson felt like he was going to be sick. How could he have not seen this coming? He thought the weird request for lunches and late-night shifts were only to keep Jackson in his place, but they were a fall back plan for Michael and Jackson had fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
"Not to mention Lewis has Alex so wrapped around his finger that he would tell Mark he walked in on you blowing me while we laughed at the prospect of Mark never quite living up to his reputation."
Jackson only saw Mark's face as the scenario played out and it made him feel like his heart was being put in a vice.
"I'm sorry" Jackson said as he looked down at the ground "I didn't mean-"
"I know you didn't" Michael said as he gave a quick pat to Jackson's cheek "but don't you ever talk to me like that again"
Nodding his head yes Jackson looked up to see Michael walking towards the door "You know" the man said "Tomorrow, I think I might be in the mood for a good steak. My lunch is at 2"
"Okay" Jackson said "I-I'll bring it in"
"Good" Michael smiled "I'm glad to see we could come to an understanding" and with that he left Jackson's office.
Walking around to his desk Jackson felt like his whole body was mere minutes away from completely given out on him.
He wanted to forget that the day ever existed and standing up he grabbed his coat and hurried out of the office and then sped out of the hospital.
Tyler had told him he was strong enough to not revert back to the man he used to be, but if the day had proved anything it was that Jackson was far weaker then Tyler gave him credit for.
Mark Sloan POV:
Mark had been just on his way to the day care to collect Sofia when he accidently overheard 2 nurses talking about some incident that happened earlier, and when he heard them mention Jackson's name, he couldn't just pass by, so he stopped and looked at one of the nurses, who took a step back startled.
"Doctor... Doctor Sloan..." she stammered. "I... I didn't know you were here..."
Mark raised an eyebrow. "Yeah... I assumed as much... I am sorry, I didn't want to eavesdrop, but I heard you talking about a fight?"
The black-haired woman laughed nervously. "I'm sure it's no big deal, and maybe it's just a rumour anyways..." she tried to shake it off, but Mark wasn't this easy to distract.
"I wanna know anyways... what have you heard?"
"It's... it's just... none of my business... I should get back to work," she replied, turning around, but Mark was quicker and grabbed her shoulder.
"Come on, please, tell me. I swear I won't tell anyone else," he promised, feeling a little bad because he didn't even know the name of the woman in front of him. In fact, he barely knew her, but he knew she was working in the neuro department. Where he barely spent any time.
She looked around, obviously searching for her friend she was just talking to, but the other nurse was already gone, slipped away the first chance she got, Mark assumed.
"Okay," she finally gave in. "But like I said, it's maybe just a rumour."
"Just spill it out," Mark replied, not wanting to sound rude, but he hated to wait for something, especially for answers.
"Doctor Karev and Doctor Avery... it seems they had a fight. A bad one," the nurse replied.
Mark looked at her surprised. "Which Doctor Avery?" he asked immediately, since now there were two of them running around and even though he already knew the answer - because why would Alex have a fight with Lewis? - he needed to hear it.
"Jackson. It got pretty bad and they hit each other... I mean, that's what I heard, I don't know how much of it is true. You know how it is with rumours in this hospital. Maybe they just had an argument." she babbled.
Mark nodded. "Yeah, maybe..." he said, letting go of the nurse and watching her making her way down the hallway as soon as possible while Mark stayed behind. A bad feeling started to rise within his stomach and the first thing that came to his mind was to look for Jackson.
He made his way to Jackson's office, but when he opened the door, he found it empty. Next was to look for him in the plastics section, but no one there knew where Jackson was either. Sighing, Mark let himself fall on a chair. Maybe he had misunderstood him when Jackson had told him he had the late shift? Or maybe he had called it a day because he didn't have much to do? The only other person who could knew where he was, was Hunt, so he made his way to Hunt's office.
Knocking, he waited for Hunt's reply and entered the room.
"Doctor Sloan," Owen replied, looking at him. "What a surprise to see you. I didn't really expect you."
"Neither did I," Mark said earnestly. "And I'm sorry to bother you with something like that, but do you know where Doctor Avery is? Jackson Avery, I mean... I need to talk to him."
Now Owen looked really astonished. "I don't really know, I thought he was in his office."
"I thought so, too, but he isn't," Mark gave back, getting more and more worried with every second.
"I need to talk to him anyways," Owen said. "But that will have to wait till tomorrow, as it looks like."
"About what?" Mark asked without even thinking about it.
Owen raised an eyebrow. "I don't know if that's any of your business, Doctor Sloan."
Mark bit his lower lip, thinking about an explanation, which he had within seconds. "Well, if there's something wrong with the plastics section, it's my concern, too, don't you think? I plan to come back in a couple of weeks and take over again for Jack... Doctor Avery."
"Well... I heard he had been in a fight with Doctor Karev..." Owen gave in. "And if that's the case, I need to talk to both of them, because it just can't happen that they throw punches in my hospital."
"I'm sure it wasn't that bad," Mark tried to defend Jackson, but that only caused Owen to get angrier.
"I don't care how bad it was, it's just nothing I'm gonna accept. I am responsible here and if two of my doctors go for each other's throats, I need to do something about it," Owen said with a very strict voice.
Mark nodded slowly. "I understand... but can you do me a favour?"
"Which one?" Owen asked curiously.
"Let me talk to Avery first... I know there's no excuse if they really hit each other, but I mean... Derek and me... had a fight like that too... we talked about it... we cleared the air and it never happened again, so don't you think Avery and Karev deserve the same chance?" Mark looked him directly in the eye.
Owen thought about it for a moment, and then nodded. "Yes... yes, you're right. I still need to talk to them about it."
"I understand," Mark replied. "Thank you anyways."
He had already turned around, when Owen called his name again.
"Another thing, Doctor Sloan... it's about Doctor Shepherd."
Mark looked back at him immediately. "What about him?"
"I talked with Doctor Avery today, and he strongly suggested that I make Doctor Holt's contract a permanent one because Doctor Shepherd probably won't be able to operate again. I'm well aware of that, but I was still surprised that he vouched for him like that." Owen said, looking up at Mark, who felt like someone pulled the rug out from under him.
"What?" he asked, feeling the colour drain from his face. "He did what?"
"I was just wondering if you know anything about it... the thing is... I'm usually very loyal towards my employees and Derek's my friend... And if there's any way for him to come back any time soon, I won't even consider keeping Doctor Holt, but if not..." Owen started, looking everything but happy about the words he said.
"I... I understand..." Mark replied. "It's not a question about loyalty, it's business... and of course this hospital needs someone to take care of the neuro section. But Derek's a fighter. You know that... he will move heaven and earth to come back as soon as possible, so please just give him a little more time."
"I will," Owen promised.
Mark nodded, turning towards the door again. "If that's all, I need to collect Sofia from the day care now."
"Sure..." Owen replied, already turning his attention back to the papers on his desk, so Mark made his way out. He couldn't believe what he just found out, and he didn't understand it either. Why would Jackson go behind his back like that? Why would he betray him like that? What was so special about Doctor Holt? Meredith seemed to be head over heels for him as well - as far as Derek told him - and now Jackson too?
Mark grabbed his phone and started typing a message to Jackson.
Where are you? I need to talk to you. It's important. I heard about your fight with Alex, and then there is something else I need you to explain. I just talked to Owen, and I think there are some things we have to discuss. Please call me. Mark
He sent the message away and made his way to the day care, trying to shake his dark thoughts away, but that was easier said than done, because he just didn't understand what had happened. He just hoped there was a simple explanation for everything, even though he didn't know how that explanation would look like.