A/N: Hey… I assume everyone's busy with New Year's Eve and such… and so am I, and I have my 8 year old niece over for a couple of days from tomorrow on, so the next chapter might take a few days… :-)

We hope, you're still enjoying our story! Comment, if you like it, or also if not… we're always interested in hearing your opinions :-)

And now enjoy Chapter 30!

And a happy new year to all of our readers! Have a wonderful New Year's Eve =)

Jackson Avery POV:

Jackson didn't even know where he was going until he found himself standing outside a place called The Rooftop. If the crowd waiting outside was any indication this place had to be very popular.

The music coming from inside sounded like much of the techno stuff Jackson heard when he walked into various stores or turned on his radio. Standing across the street Jackson started to see why this was a mistake. He had used to come to these places back in New York.

Filled with people whose only concern was chasing that next great feeling. Problems waited until sunrise and every horrible thing that may have brought them there was the farthest thing from their mind.

It was a feeling Jackson missed more then he could say.

Walking over he disappeared into the crowd as all stood waiting to be let it by the bouncer that stood at the entrance. The people yelling to grab the man's attention started to drown out the music and give Jackson a serious hearing deficit.

What in the hell was he doing? Going in that club was not going to solve anything for him. Turning around he was about to leave when he crashed into somebody making their way through the throngs of people.

"Don't tell me you're leaving already?" the guy said as he steadied himself to regain his balance. Looking at him Jackson noticed that the guy seemed very dissimilar from the other frat boys or business accountants that were currently littering the sidewalk.

"Yeah" Jackson smiled "I think I'm just a little out of my element here"

"Nonsense" the guy said as he slung an arm around Jackson's neck and turned him back towards the entrance.

"Charlie" they guy yelled as he led Jackson towards the bouncer "I'm bringing a friend along tonight" and with nothing but a friendly nod Jackson walked into the night club.

"The name's Caffrey by the way"

"Jackson" he told the man and followed him over to the bar.

"Two bourbons" Caffrey told the bartender and before Jackson could even begin to protest he found himself holding the brown liquid.

"I know it doesn't look like it, but it's the best in the city" Caffrey said to Jackson as he brought the glass to his lips and took a drink.

Based off the man's appearance Jackson was sure that this Caffrey person was a connoisseur of only the best things. Perfectly coiffed dark curly hair and a suit that reminded him of the kind his grandfather always wore when he was trying to impress someone.

"Quite a shiner you got there" Caffrey said as he pointed to Jackson's black eye and averting his gaze Jackson could feel the anxiousness wash over him.

"Don't be ashamed" Caffrey told him with a smile "it makes you look rugged"

"Thanks" Jackson chuckled.

Taking a drink Jackson hissed as the bourbon burned on the way down his throat. Jackson may not have known much about Caffrey, but he did know the man knew his liquor.

"So what brings you out here?" Caffrey asked "this doesn't seem like your normal crowd"

"Do I stick out that much?" Jackson laughed.

"You don't look how you look and not stick out" Caffrey said with a slickness that impressed Jackson.

"Likewise" Jackson said "something tells me this isn't your usual crowd either"

With a smirk Caffrey shrugged his shoulders "You got me" he said "I spend most of my time in New York, but every now and again you gotta get a change of scenery"

"Can't argue with that" Jackson said "I actually grew up in New York...well, more or less"

"Is that so?" Caffrey asked "seems we have more in common with each passing minute. Why don't we get another drink and see how much we can connect the dots"

Jackson could already feel the warm haze from the first drink work it's way through his body. Maybe that would be enough for tonight. Just a nice buzz and a good conversation with a stranger who he knew nothing about and who knew nothing about him.

Two hours, and three drinks later, Jackson found himself talking intently with Caffrey and three other bar patrons who had seemed to gravitate towards the pair.

The lone girl who sat with them was telling a story of her first time sneaking into a club just like the one they were currently in and how the experience had made her a club kid from that night on.

Jackson could relate. He had snuck into his first club at 14. The allure of the bright neon lights and loud atmosphere had enthralled him for many years. Jackson thought of how easily he fit into this group of complete strangers and yet still felt like an outsider when it came to the people he had known for years.

What was wrong with him?

"How about we kick this up a notch?" the blond haired guy who was sitting next to Caffrey said.

The other four looked at him and reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small baggy with an assortment of pills. This was also something Jackson was more then familiar with.

Jackson could feel the nervousness roll around in his stomach.

"Don't worry" the guy named Gary said "nothing here will have you running down 33rd St. naked or anything, it just helps takes the edge off.

The group agreed to it very quickly and they looked at Jackson expectantly.

"I-" Jackson started to say before he felt his phone vibrate telling him that he had a text.

"Excuse me" he said and hopped off the bar stool to make his way across the room. Opening the phone he saw that it was from Mark and a smile instantly appeared.

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

The nervousness had turned into a full on panic. How had he found out? Jackson was sure that the something else was his talking to Hunt about Shepherd's position. Otherwise Mark would have had no need to bring the man's name up. Was it Hunt who told him? He knew Holt wouldn't lose whatever bit of leverage he had over Jackson.

What was he going to do?

Feeling a hand on his shoulder Jackson jumped and turned around to see Caffrey looking at him.

"You with us?" he asked.

A long moment had passed and shaking his head he followed the group into one of the private rooms in the back.

Gary had passed two pills to each person. Jackson got two white ones and he stared at them contemplatively.

"We ready?" Gary asked the group and looking up Jackson saw everyone nod their heads yes.

"Bottoms up" Gary said and without thinking about it Jackson followed everyone's lead and swallowed them.

An hour later and the night was winding down. Jackson's world felt like a barrier had been put up that left him surrounded by this feeling of wonderful euphoria.

Caffrey had flagged down a cab for him and as Jackson opened the door he felt the man pull him back slightly. Turning around Jackson stood face to face with the man.

"I had a great night" Caffrey said "and if you ever find yourself in New York, Jackson, make sure to look me up" he placed a napkin with his name and phone number into the back pocket of Jackson's pants.

"Will do" Jackson smiled "thanks for everything this evening".

"Don't mention it" Caffrey responded and with those parting words Jackson got into the cab and closed the door.

"Where to?" the driver asked Jackson. He told him the first address that came to mind and 25 minutes later Jackson was standing outside of Mark's apartment.

Closing his eyes and enjoying the feeling that the pills from the club had given him Jackson knocked on the door and waited for Mark to answer.

When the door swung open Mark stood there in a t-shirt and slacks.

"Where the hell have you been?" he asked Jackson.

"I'm sorry I went M.I.A." Jackson said "I just needed to clear my head" Jackson had spent many years hiding the effects of being on any kind of substance. He kept his voice calm and his senses alert.

"Come in" Mark said as he stood to the side and let Jackson walk into his apartment "we have some things to discuss"

Taking his jacket off Jackson placed it atop the love seat and once he was in the middle of the living room he turned around to face Mark.

"First things first" Mark said as he walked up to him and brushed a finger of Jackson's swollen eye "Are you okay?"

"Yeah" Jackson whispered "it looks worse then it actually is"

"What the hell happened, Jackson?" Mark asked "I thought you and Karev were tight"

"I thought so too, but I guess we were both wrong" he told Mark.

"I need a better answer then that" Mark said "I had to convince Hunt not to suspend you, or worse, today"

Jackson knew their fight would have had to be ramifications, but something that severe still surprised him. "Alex has decided to...explore a relationship with my brother and we disagreed on whether that was a good idea or not"

"Alex?" Mark asked astonished "I thought he was with Kepner?"

"Not anymore" Jackson said and he could feel the first traces of residual anger coming back "I guess I didn't take him long screwing her over too well. It was my fault really and I'll tell Hunt that tomorrow"

"No" Mark said "you and Karev will squash this and you both will go in and tell Hunt that you made a stupid mistake that will never happen again"

"Okay"

"I mean I get that you would be upset about April, but if he makes your brother happy…"

Jackson almost told Mark the truth about exactly why Lewis was with Alex, but in the end thought better of it. He wanted Mark as far away from that situation as possible.

"You're right" Jackson said evenly.

Folding his arms over his chest Mark looked at Jackson questioningly "Hunt also let me in on the fact that you went and vouched for Holt"

The anger was evident and Jackson made sure to think about what he said before he spoke. "Mark it's-"

"Derek is my best friend, Jackson, and you completely threw him under the bus"

"No" Jackson said "I just-"

"Just what?"

Taking a deep breath Jackson walked closer to Mark "I want Derek back" Jackson said "the hospital needs both of you, but Derek has no possibility of being back before the end of the year, if at all. Holt is a good surgeon and his contract is up at the end of this year and I thought that it would be wise for Hunt to extend his contract"

"Why do you feel it was your responsibility?" Mark asked "you work Plastics, not Neuro"

"Holt is Lewis' best friend and Lewis asked if I could put in a good word" the lies felt like ash on Jackson's tongue.

Mark was looking at Jackson intently "That's it?" Mark asked "it was just to help your brother out?"

"Of course" Jackson said as he pulled Mark in for a hug "I would never hurt Derek that way" Jackson said as he ran a hand along Mark's side.

"I know" Mark said "It's just we've been on such different wavelengths lately".

"We should really do something about that" Jackson smiled as he reached a hand in Mark's boxers to grad hold of the man's cock.

"I think we really should" Mark said, his voice husk. Putting both his hands on either said of Jackson's ass he picked the man up and carried him over to the nearby couch. Laying him down Mark collapsed on top of him.

"How do you suggest we fix this problem?" he asked Jackson

"I think you fucking me on this couch would be a good start" he said as he lifted his hips so Mark could feel his erection.

"I love the way you think" Mark laughed and pulled Jackson in for a kiss.

Mark Sloan POV:

Mark knew he and Jackson were having problems, he just knew it, but right now he didn't care. He also was aware of the fact that sex wouldn't solve the differences they had, but he loved Jackson way too much to care at this very moment. And he wanted to be close to him. He felt like it had happened way too rarely lately that they were having sex, because they were fighting far too often, even though Mark had really tried not to.

He also didn't want to fight with him today, but when he found out about Jackson going behind his back and vouching for Michael without even talking to him first, he had felt disappointed. He had felt like this was one more thing that let them drift apart from each other further than they already had. He didn't want this to happen. He had it happen way too often already.

"Jackson..." he said, breaking away from Jackson and taking his face in his hands.

"What is it?" Jackson asked, looking up at him.

Mark hated it to get emotional, but right now he couldn't help it. He needed to tell him how he felt.

"I... I don't wanna lose you... I don't know what I'm gonna do without you."

Confused, Jackson tilted his head. "Who said anything about losing me?"

"No one... but I mean... I'm not stupid, and neither are you... I feel like we're moving in different directions with our lives... I feel like you're slipping away from me... more with every day..." Mark explained. "Before we were together, you would tell me everything. Hell, you would have talked to me first before going to Hunt and vouching for Holt, because we just had a connection."

Gently, he caressed Jackson's cheeks, just looking into his beautiful green eyes he almost got lost in. Those green eyes used to look directly into his soul.

"Sometimes you feel so distant... it's like you're slipping through my fingers... I try to grab you, I try to hold you, but the more I try, the further you get away from me... I don't want this to happen to us."

"Mark, I..." Jackson started, biting his lower lip. "I know I have been really not easy to deal with lately... I know this must be difficult for you... but... it's just..." Jackson sat up, leaning against the couch and closing his eyes for a moment. "So much has happened lately... especially with my brother coming back into my life after I haven't seen him for a while..."

"I understand..." Mark replied immediately, putting an arm around Jackson's shoulder and pulling him close to his chest. "That can't be easy for you, even though you seem to get along very well..."

"Yeah..." Jackson let out a nervous laugh and Mark tilted his head.

"At least I got the impression that you two are really close..." Mark said, watching Jackson very closely. He could tell that there was something Jackson wasn't talking to him about. Something about Lewis.

"Well... having him in my life on a constant base is something I just need to get used to, though... Of course him being here changes things," Jackson explained, placing a hand on Mark's leg and looking up at him. "But do we really have to talk about him right now?"

He swung one of his legs over Mark's and turned around, so he was sitting in his lap. "I thought you would rather fuck me..."

He didn't even give Mark the chance to reply, because he had already caught Mark's lip between his teeth, nibbling at it, turning it into a full-tongue kiss that made Mark shiver in anticipation and forget everything they were just talking about.

"Fucking you... sounds nice..." he whispered into the kiss, already opening Jackson's belt and the button of his jeans. When he pulled down the zipper, Jackson's cock almost sprung out, causing Mark to let out a moan. "No underwear..." he commented, feeling a heat rise within him. It was so fucking sexy when Jackson didn't wear shorts and he couldn't wait to bury his cock inside of his tight ass, fucking him senseless.

"Damn right..." Jackson replied with a grin. "I thought I wouldn't need it, considering the fact that I would come to you... I thought we could..."

"Yes?" Mark asked huskily, grabbing a hold of Jackson's cock and starting to massage it.

"We could have hot... passionate... sex..." Jackson replied under heavy breathes, moving back and forth on Mark's lap and causing a friction to Mark's cock that made him want Jackson right the fuck now.

He literally threw him off his lap, so he landed with his back on the couch and looked down at him for a moment. "Have I ever told you how sexy you look like that?"

Jackson smiled up at him. "Like what?"

Mark leaned over him, licking at his earlobe. "So messy... with your shirt slid up just enough so I can have a look at your perfect body and with your Cock standing straight, waiting for me to take care of it, but most of your clothes still on your body... it makes me so fucking hot."

Jackson's arms looped around Mark's neck, pulling him close. "So why don't you do something to get going, then?"

Grinning, Mark let a hand slide underneath Jackson's shirt, twisting one of his nipples between his fingers. "I will, baby, I will, I promise... I just love to enjoy the view..."

He shoved the shirt upwards until Jackson's nipples were laid open, starting to trail kisses down his chest, licking at every one of them for a couple of seconds, feeling them harden in his mouth, until he went further downwards and kissed his way down Jackson's stomach muscles, hearing Jackson moan softly.

"You like that?" Mark asked, despite knowing the answer already.

"I love it... please don't stop," Jackson hissed, sending bolts of pleasure down Mark's spine and between his legs. His pants had grown very tight over the past few minutes and he couldn't wait to get rid of them and have Jackson touch his neglected cock.

"I don't plan on stopping... this is just the beginning." Mark replied, before taking Jackson's cock in his mouth with one gulp and starting to pull at his jeans almost the same time.

Jackson reared up; pushing his cock deeper into Mark's throat and Mark used the chance to pull his jean down his ass, before starting to move his head up and down his cock.

He just stopped to get completely rid of Jackson's jeans, but immediately leaned back down; swallowing his cock again and making Jackson shiver in pleasure.

"You taste so good..." he said with his mouth still wrapped around Jackson's cock, making humming sounds, because he knew just how much Jackson loved the vibration around his cock.

He stretched one of his hands to touch Jackson's face, letting his fingers stroke Jackson's lips and Jackson immediately understood and took two of his fingers in his mouth, starting to suck at them and wetting them with saliva. With his free hand, Mark pushed Jacksons legs further apart and then his wet fingers were at Jackson's entrance, touching the sensitive hole and causing Jackson to buckle up.

"Mark... oh god... please... please, give me more..." he literally begged and with one perfectly targeted thrust, he buried one of his fingers deep inside of Jackson.

"God, you're still so tight, baby..." Mark said, starting to move his finger inside of Jackson to find the right spot. He wanted to make Jackson feel really good, but even more so he wanted this to last as long as possible. He just needed this night to feel close to Jackson again and to make the feeling of them drifting away from each other go away.

Jackson Avery POV:

The things Mark was making him feel sent Jackson into overdrive. The pills from the club added to the sensations of Mark's touch and it made Jackson only want it more.

With Mark's mouth around his cock Jackson thrust up, wanting to feel more of that glorious heat and wetness. He felt Mark's finger working inside him and he started to remember the wonderful burn.

It had felt like Jackson had been fighting to protect his relationship with Mark for so long that he had forgotten to actually enjoy it. When Mark had held Jackson's face in his hands and told him his fear of losing him it made Jackson ashamed.

The man deserved better then Jackson, but he was far too selfish to let Mark go.

The feeling of Mark increasing his pace on his cock made Jackson realize that he was dangerously close to going over the edge.

"Mark" he said as he touched the man's face gently and pulling away from Jackson's cock he smiled.

"It feels like you're ready for the main event"

"More then ready" Jackson said as he pulled Mark to him and gave him a kiss. Putting his hands between their bodies Jackson worked on unbuttoning Mark's pants and once done he pulled them down with the speed that only a man in the midst of a lustful encounter could have.

Once Mark lay back atop him he kicked off his pants and let them fall next to the couch, right beside Jackson's own.

"I missed you" Jackson said looking at Mark "I'm sorry that I let us become so distant". Jackson knew the toll this was taking on Mark. Most people would have given up a long time ago, but here Mark was. Telling Jackson that they were still worth fighting for and if Mark was willing to do whatever it took so was Jackson.

He would put up with Holt, with Lewis, and even Alex if it just meant that he could just end everyday in Mark's arms. It was really the only place he felt safe anymore.

"We're going to get past this" Mark told him "I'm not giving up on you… on us" Leaning down he kissed Jackson so passionately that it took Jackson's breath away.

Leaning over Mark reached into the night stand and was about to pull out a condom before Jackson grabbed his wrist.

"Wait"

"What's wrong?" Mark asked, concern in his voice.

"I-" Jackson tried to say "I- I wanna feel you Mark, all of you". Jackson could feel his heart beating rapidly. He wasn't sure if the two were ready for this level yet, well more like Jackson didn't know if Mark was ready.

Mark was looking at him and Jackson couldn't read his expression "Are you sure?"

"Yes" Jackson made sure to make himself sound confident. He was firm in his decision "I trust you". Something crossed over Mark's face and Jackson knew it was doubt. It was gone as quickly as it came, but Jackson saw it clear as day.

Mark didn't trust him, not completely.

"Do you think we're ready?" Jackson asked him "if you don't think we are then that's okay" Jackson wanted to let Mark know that he wouldn't hold it against him. Mark had every reason in the world to distrust him.

Mark ran a hand down the side of Jackson's body "I trust you Jackson" he said and the words sounded true to Jackson "I want this too" he said as he pulled his other hand away from the night stand.

Leaning down Mark started to kiss his neck as Jackson reached down and started to pump Mark's erection and felt it grow to full mass.

"The things you do to me, Jackson" Mark said once Jackson let go of his cock and Mark lined it up to Jackson's opening. Jackson could feel the head rub against him and he ran his hands across Mark's back.

The breaching felt different then the other times. The flesh of Mark's penis rubbing against his own skin, inside of him, created a completely different heat. He had only forgone protection with Tyler, and that was only after two years, with Mark the two hadn't even reached half that, but his love for Mark was more then he could have felt with anyone else in a lifetime.

Looking up at Mark Jackson watched him try to control himself. His eyes were closed tight and Jackson knew Mark wanted to go as deeply as possible, as quickly as possible.

"Do it" Jackson told him "go all in"

"I don't wanna hurt you" Mark said.

"You never could"

Opening his eyes Mark finally met his gaze and the words had affected him. He looked touched and for the first time Jackson could see the love Mark had for him.

"Do it" Jackson repeated and in one swift motion Mark was all the way inside. The pain only lasted a few seconds and wrapping his legs around Mark's waist he angled his hips to allow Mark better access.

"You feel so damn amazing" Mark whispered in his ear as he slowly moved within him. Mark was kissing him as he increased his speed and it didn't take long for Mark to hit the spot that made Jackson's toes curl.

"Mark" Jackson whispered huskily "harder" and Mark did not have to be asked twice.

Leaning over Jackson Mark grabbed his hips as sweat started to dot his forehead and now he was pounding into Jackson at a rabid pace. It was strong enough to send Jackson up the couch every time Mark barrelled back into him.

"Tell me you're mine" Mark said.

"I'm yours" Jackson said as he wrapped his arms around Mark's shoulder just as the man wrapped a hand around Jackson's cock.

"Only mine"

"Only yours" Jackson told him and the sensation from Mark's movements of his cock and hands was all it took to send him over the edge and spill on he and Mark's stomachs.

"Jackson I-" Mark said as he continued to pump inside of him.

"Come on, Mark" Jackson said and looking at him Mark gave him one last kiss as he released himself inside of Jackson.

Jackson could feel it. It felt hot and strong.

Collapsing onto Jackson Mark closed his eyes.

"I love you Jackson" Mark said "so much"

"I love you too" Jackson told him with a kiss on top of his head.

The two laid in comfortable silence "What say we head into the shower then I can make you an awesome steak dinner" Jackson said.

"You are nothing short of an angel" Mark responded as he smiled up at him.

"Let's go" Jackson said as he stood up and grabbed Mark's hand to lead him into the bathroom.

"Don't call me an angel when I plan on doing a lot of unheavenly things to you once we get in that shower"

With a laugh Mark let himself be lead into the bathroom in order to once again lose himself in Jackson.

Mark Sloan POV:

Mark was leaning on his elbow watching Jackson sleep. Jackson had just fallen asleep a couple of minutes ago, but Mark - even though he was tired as hell - wanted to watch him a little longer.

They had had sex in the shower and then Jackson had made them steaks - exactly as he had promised. They hadn't managed to eat everything, because it had been just too much, but Mark had definitely been full afterwards, and after watching a movie on the couch, just being together, and Jackson already almost falling asleep, they had decided to go to bed, where Jackson had literally passed out after a couple of seconds.

Gently, Mark started touching his face, letting his fingers trail over Jackson's cheekbones and his lips. He wanted to memorize everything, wanted to always remember how beautiful this moment was.

He moved closer to Jackson and placed his head on Jackson's chest, listening to Jackson's heartbeat. He grabbed one of Jackson's hands, feeling Jackson's hand respond by squeezing his and lifted his head. He thought he had woken him up, but he hadn't. It probably was a reflex, an instinct and it put a smile on Mark's face.

Jackson loved him, and he loved Jackson. There was no doubt about that. He was worth fighting for and Mark would do everything in his willpower to not let him slip away any further. He needed to keep him in his life, now where like everyone he cared for accepted him as his boyfriend. Even Callie started to love him, even though she most likely wouldn't tell that to anyone, but Mark could see it in her eyes. That she was happy for him.

Closing his eyes and shifting even closer to Jackson, Mark let the sleep take over. He wanted to have that always and forever. Fall asleep with Jackson and wake up next to him the next morning.

Mark felt like he hadn't slept for very long when he heard Sofia cry through the baby monitor. He turned it off immediately, turning around to see Jackson was still sleeping, and gently lifting Jackson's hand off his body to be able to get up. He sneaked out of the bedroom as quietly as possible and got into Sofia's room, where his daughter was sitting in her bed, looking up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Good morning, honey-bunny..." He looked down at her and immediately she stretched her little arms for him to pick her up, which he did only a few seconds later.

"Are you hungry?" he asked her, softly wiping away the tears from her eyes.

Sofia - as if she had understood him - just nodded and held onto Mark's shirt.

"Okay... then it's breakfast time now..." Mark replied, even though he was still very tired. When he looked at his watch he noticed that it was only seven in the morning so he - indeed - hadn't gotten that much of sleep, but he was willing to make this sacrifice for his daughter.

He carried Sofia to the kitchen and put her blanket on the floor, alongside a few of her toys, and sat her down on it.

"Be a nice girl and play a little while Daddy prepares breakfast for you, will you?"

He leaned over her and placed a kiss on her forehead. "And try to be quiet... Jackson is still asleep..."

Sofia tilted her head. "Jack... Jack... Jack-son..." she replied, causing Mark to let out a sigh.

"Yes, Jackson..." He knelt down next to her, smiling at her. "I still can't believe he's your first word... you must really adore him, huh? But who could blame you... Jackson is awesome, and if things between us work out... and I will do everything in my power to make them work out... maybe one day I'm gonna make it official... and then he's gonna be your second daddy... something like that..."

Mark didn't want to rush things, but he couldn't deny that the thought of marrying Jackson did cross his mind already. He knew it was way too early for that, but he loved Jackson like he never loved anyone before, and he wouldn't let him go, no matter what. And if the plane crash had taught him anything, it was that you never knew how much time you have. He wanted to keep Jackson in his life forever and he didn't want to have to regret anything at some point in his life.

He could totally imagine Jackson and him having a good life together once he was back at work and everything was going back to normal. But maybe it was best to first ask him to move in together. That would be the next step, right?

Sofia made a squeaking sound, pulling Mark out of his thoughts and reminding him of the fact that she was still waiting for him to prepare her breakfast.

"I'm sorry, Sofia... I will take care of your breakfast right now, okay?"

He got up again and opened the fridge to take out one of the glasses with baby food he had bought for her. Apple and Grape mush. She loved those.

He opened the glass and put the mush into one of Sofia's plates, putting it into the microwave for a couple of seconds so it wasn't too cold for her to eat, before he grabbed her spoon and put the meal onto her highchair.

"Food's ready..." he sing-sang and turned around, only to find the blanket Sofia was just sitting on empty.

"Sofia?" He said out louder, but no sound came back. He ran into the living room, searching for Sofia wherever he could imagine her, even running back to her room, but she was nowhere to be found.

A slight panic increased within him and he tried to take a few deep breathes. "Okay, okay, Mark... calm down..." he said to himself. "Panicking won't help you right now..."

He remembered the moment when Bailey was looking for her son in the day care and how scared she had been, and only now he could imagine how she must have felt. But Sofia couldn't be far, right? The door of his apartment was still closed and all the windows were closed as well. She must be here somewhere.

Jackson came to his mind. He would wake him up - even though he didn't really want to pull him out of his well deserved sleep - and make him help him look for his daughter. Callie would kill him if something happened to her and he would never forgive himself if something had happened under his watch.

With a few long steps he made his way into the bedroom, already prepared to wake Jackson up, when he found Sofia sitting on the bed next to his lover, her little hands touching his face, and Jackson starting to blink.

"God, you scared the hell out of me, little lady..." he said, moving closer and sitting down on his side of the bed. "How did you even get in here? And on the bed?" He shook his head, smiling. "Looks like you're already bigger than I gave you credit for..."

He looked at Jackson who was slowly waking up, biting his lower lip. "I'm sorry she woke you up... I didn't even notice she was sneaking inside of here, until it was already too late... I promise I'll take better care of her next time..." he apologized, watching Sofia moving closer to Jackson and smiling at him.

"Jack-son... Jack-son..." she said, patting his face again and the whole scene was really touching, Mark had to admit. And it warmed his heart. Sofia wanted to keep Jackson in her life just as much as he wanted to.

"You love him, huh, Sofia?" He said, caressing her head. "I love him, too. Very, very much."

When he felt a familiar burn in his eyes, he turned his head away. He normally wasn't someone who would cry like that, but right now it was just all too much. Too much to bear. He couldn't stand the thought of ever losing what he was having right now, and looking at Jackson and Sofia made that clear once again. He took a few deep breathes, hoping the heavy feeling on his heart would go away soon, because Jackson shouldn't see him that way. So he got off the bed and turned around so he was looking out of the window, trying to put his focus back on Sofia and preparing breakfast.