A/N: Just when everyone thought it can't get much worse, huh? ;-) But we promise, there is a light at the end of the tunnel… :-) Thanks again for the comments and I think, with this chapter we will reach the "magic" 100 mark… this is awesome and we're really happy that people like and enjoy the little story we're building up here :-)
Have fun with Chapter 38…
(We understand if you want Michael to disappear afterwards, he has a VERY dark side, but he's not "evil overall"… you'll see that later…)
Jackson Avery & Michael Holt POV:
Jackson was suffering from a horrible headache. After his conversation with Lewis and fight with Alex it was hardly a surprise, but he was getting tired of dealing with them on an almost daily basis.
He had popped two of the pills that he had kept on him and it didn't take long for them to do their job and ease him into a much more relaxed state.
Jackson was on the losing side of a battle that he had no idea how to fight. Lewis' talk had made him scared about what his brother was going to do with the information he had. Jackson wasn't an addict, he was simply a man who used a minimal amount of assistance in order to deal with problems that he couldn't manage on his own, but Jackson knew Lewis would blow that out of proportion and use that to deliver the final nail in Jackson's coffin.
He was amazed that he could lose so much in such a short amount of time. Alex was more likely to hit him then say hello, April found it hard to be around Jackson because of his connection with Lewis, and he and Mark were merely surviving day to day.
Lewis had promised Jackson that he would take everything away from him and his brother had kept his word.
Hearing a knock on his office door Jackson quickly straightened himself up "Come in"
Opening the door Michael walked in and Jackson was immediately on guard. Standing up he was about to speak before Michael put his hands up in a gesture of surrender.
"I come in peace" Michael said with a smile "I promise"
"What do you want?"
Taking a step closer the older man looked uncomfortable "I-I came to apologize" he said to Jackson "for everything"
"Bullshit" Jackson told him.
"Look, Jackson" Michael started "you have no reason to believe me, but it's the truth. After that argument with Eli I got to really think and understand what an ass I've been to you"
Jackson kept quiet and folded his arms across his chest.
"I let my feelings of loyalty for Lewis get the best of me and I should have known it was his battle to fight...not mine" Michael put his hands in his pockets and it showed Jackson that the man was nervous.
"So you expect to stand here and swallow that the months of threats and blackmail could be chalked up to just some big mistake?" Jackson asked with a bitter laugh "do you really think that I'm that stupid?"
"Of course not" Michael said "but you know how well Lewis can paint a picture and the picture he painted of you was not a pretty one. I expected you to be this heartless, crass, and for lack of a better term despicable person, but I've come to see that isn't the case"
"Despite the many times I tried to tell you?" Jackson still remained suspicious of the man's motives.
"Look at Karev" Michael said "he's known you for how many years?" he asked "and look how fast Lewis got him to believe the very worst about you"
Jackson felt hurt by the words. Holt was completely right when it came to Alex, he and Jackson's broken friendship was a testament to that. Alex was a grown man who was able to make his own decisions and yet Lewis managed to be the person Alex held above all others.
"I'm just saying that if you would allow me I would like to make amends" Michael told him "I know we have that surgery coming up soon and I think it might be a fun experience if we could actually get along during it"
"How would you suggest we get there?" Jackson asked.
"Have you eaten yet?" Michael asked "Meredith told me about this pretty awesome Thai place on 22nd street"
Jackson shook his head "I don't think that's a good idea"
"Come on Jackson" Michael said "you can even invite Mark if you want"
"I'm sure that would go over very well" Jackson responded.
"Just a dinner and some beers" Michael said "I'll even take care of the bill"
Jackson could see the sincerity in Holt's eyes and if Jackson was asking for a second chance from the people he hurt how could he not offer the same in return.
"What do you say?" Michael asked.
"Okay" Jackson said and Michael smiled "Thank you, Jackson" he told the younger man.
***
The restaurant that Michael was talking about was actually a really good one. It was located on the corner of 22nd and Fornet. Michael had requested a table out in the back that gave a pretty impressive view of the bay.
The night was actually pretty balmy for late summer, but the weather had only seemed to add to the place's atmosphere.
To Jackson's complete surprise he didn't hate sharing Michael's company. Now that the hostility was gone between the two Jackson discovered that the man actually had a pretty decent sense of humour. Although he was a lightweight when it came to drinking.
"How are you already buzzed after 3 beers?" Jackson asked "I figured a guy of your age would have learned how to handle their alcohol by now"
"That almost sounds like a challenge" Michael said with glassy eyes and a goofy grin.
Jackson was already starting on his fourth beer and, although he was starting to get the warming feeling that beer usually gave him, he was nowhere near as bad off as Holt currently looked.
"50 dollars says I can drink you under the table" Michael said.
"I can't take money from a drunken man" Jackson laughed.
"It's so on" Michael responded with a chuckle as he raised his hand to catch the attention of the waiter. Once the man came over Michael ordered two beers and told the man to keep them coming.
"You have work tomorrow?" Holt asked Jackson and the younger man told him not until late.
"Then you're going down" Michael said "I only have to decide how to spend that money"
"There is this shirt that I've had my eye on for a while, you can spend the 50 I'm going to win picking it up for me" Jackson told him and Michael smiled.
****
10 beers and enough Thai food to make Jackson feel stuffed to the gills and he had technically beat Holt. They were both drunk, but at least Jackson was still able to walk in a straight line. Something Holt had seemed to be having a problem with as Jackson led him to his front door.
"Thanks for le-letting me crash on your couch" Michael slurred.
"The cab is already gone and… and I can't have you ending up on the wrong side of town or thrown out by the driver for talking drunken talk" Jackson said.
"You do like me" Michael smiled as he pinched Jackson's cheek "I knew it"
"Don't go talking crazy talk now" Jackson told him "I simply don't find you as horrible as I did before"
"I call that progress" Michael said.
"You have a point, Holt"
Once the two made it into Jackson's apartment he walked in ahead of Michael and as he was searching for the light he heard Michael curse out. Turning his lights on he saw that Michael had tripped over a cardboard box that had been on the floor filled with things that Jackson didn't recognize.
Had he left that out earlier in the day?
Jackson's mind couldn't really focus so he thought it best to worry about it in the morning.
Crashing onto the couch Michael looked up at Jackson with a lopsided grin "You know, Jackson... for what it's worth Lewis was wrong about you. You're a pretty awesome guy and no matter what I've said in the past I think Mark is a lucky man"
Jackson felt unexpectedly touched at Michael's words. After so many weeks of only hearing how awful he was it was nice to hear that he managed to change somebody's mind about him.
"Thanks" Jackson said "it really means a lot".
Staggering to his feet Michael walked over and gave Jackson a hug "I can try and talk to Lewis. Make him see that this whole thing is unnecessary"
"You don't have to" Jackson told him and after a moment broke away from the hug, but not before Michael had given him a kiss on the cheek.
"I should get to bed" Jackson said, suddenly feeling awkward "I think all that beer is starting to get to me"
"Probably a good idea" Michael told him "I'll catch you in the morning"
"Yeah, goodnight, Holt" Jackson said and made his way up the stairs. He managed to make it to his room and kick off his shoes before falling onto his bed and he was out almost instantly.
Michael had waited 5 minutes after Jackson disappeared to follow him to his bedroom. He could tell how drunk the young doctor was and he congratulated himself on being able to fool Jackson into believing he was more wasted then he actually was.
Walking into Jackson's room he saw that the man was already asleep. Michael could still remember the humiliation he felt at being thrown out of Jackson's office. Jackson was the key to so much and if Michael was to lose his advantage over him now it would be bad news.
Although Jackson had spoken to Hunt on Michael's behalf Derek was still a threat to him in more ways than one. Derek still planned on coming back to Seattle Grace and Michael still had his eye on Meredith. He had seen the way the woman looked at him when she thought Michael wasn't paying attention.
Then, when she had walked in on him and Jackson's consultation and Michael had tested her by putting a hand on Jackson's lower back and he had seen her jealousy.
If Michael's plan worked out then Jackson would not have only have helped Michael get Derek's job, but his wife too. Starting the process by removing Jackson's shirt and then his pants Michael was surprised to see the small oval birthmark that became visible when Jackson's boxer brief rode up slightly. That would be information that came in handy later.
Once Jackson was only down to his boxers Michael took a deep breath and removed them quickly before placing Jackson underneath the covers. Jackson was a very attractive person, but sleeping with guys was something that Michael had absolutely no interest in and seeing another man's cock even less so. Quickly discarding his own clothing Michael eased into the bed beside Jackson and laying on his back he pulled Jackson close and laid the man's head onto his chest.
The warmness felt nice and man or not it had been a long time since Michael had felt the comfort only another person could give. Throwing an arm around Jackson he closed his eyes and let sleep overtake him.
***
The first thing Jackson had felt when he had awoken was the warm flesh under his cheek.
"Mark" he said with a smile as he opened his eyes and looked up expecting to see the man smiling down at him.
Instead he saw the slumbering face of Michael Holt and Jackson's heart and seized in his chest. Jumping up and away from the man he let out a small scream that woke Michael up.
"Hey" Michael said as he sat up on his elbows "good morning".
"What...What are you doing here?" Jackson asked "how did you get in here?"
Michael looked at him confused "Don't you remember last night?" Holt asked as he ran a finger up Jackson's arm and the man flinched away.
"No" Jackson told him. All he remembered was going to the Thai place, letting Michael sleep on his couch and then the two men were hugging and Michael gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Oh god Jackson thought he had slept with Holt
Jackson had stood up and only when he saw Michael look down at his naked form did Jackson hurry up and grab a pair of boxers that was by his feet.
"I think those are mine" Michael told him as he pointed at the blue under garment "but I like the way you look in them"
Jackson's world was officially over. He had done the one thing Mark hadn't wanted him to and now Jackson was going to lose the man for good.
Grabbing his pants Michael slid them on and went over to Jackson and put his hands on Jackson's hips "Look Jackson" he started "if you just want this to be a one time thing I understand... I'd be disappointed, but I'd understand"
"I don't even know why I..." Jackson was obviously lost in his own thoughts "what am I going to do?"
"It never has to go beyond this room if you don't want it to" Michael offered.
"Why would you do that for me?" Jackson asked.
"Because I meant what I said last night. I want us to make amends and showing you that I can be trusted with this is a good start"
"I would appreciate that" Jackson said solemnly "if Mark ever found out he'd-"
"Mark won't find out" Michael said and Jackson shook his head.
"Why don't I head out?" Michael said as he gave Jackson another kiss on the cheek before picking up his clothes "Catch you at the hospital later?"
"Y-Yeah" Jackson said and with a warm smile Michael walked out of the room and down the stairs.
Sitting back down on the edge of the bed Jackson buried his head in his hands.
Jackson had officially become the person Lewis always knew he was.
Lewis Avery POV:
Lewis was sitting in his office, waiting for his next appointment. He had decided to talk to a few patients Hunt had given him the files from to maybe provide therapy for them. If they wanted to, that was. So far he still had only Mark, and that was not the way it was supposed to be.
He had to make a name here. He had to start over, even though he had a good reputation, but that didn't help in any way if he didn't live up to it. And he couldn't with Mark staying his only patient. He needed to proof himself.
He had already talked to a couple of patients yesterday, but there was only one he would have a trial therapy session with. The others were either not willing to let him help them or Lewis and them didn't get along in their first conversation and that was never a good base for a working together. He hoped, today would be different, though.
But at least he had something to look forward to. Mark. He had a double session with him today, and that would definitely distract him from the crap going on right now.
He hadn't really seen Alex since the incident with April. Either Alex had worked or he had been with her, and Lewis definitely couldn't blame him for that. He knew Alex still loved her as much as April loved him, even though they both had agreed that it wouldn't be good for either of them to get back together under those circumstances.
Still, Lewis felt somehow sad. Of course he cared a lot for Alex. The guy meant much to him, that had never been a lie, and he wanted the best for him, but he also wasn't ready to give up on him. Give up on them, even though that was an egoistic thought. A thought he couldn't help.
There was a knock on the door that pulled him out of his thoughts and he looked up from his patient files.
"Yeah?"
He took a quick look on his watch, but he still had time before his next appointment, so it couldn't be a patient.
He was surprised when the door swung open and he saw Alex, who stepped in and closed the door again.
"Hey..." he greeted Lewis and Lewis could tell that he didn't get much sleep last night. He hadn't seen him since the night before yesterday, but he looked tired.
"Hey..." Lewis replied and got up from his chair, rounding his desk. "You alright?"
Alex let out a sigh. "Yes... No... I mean..." Alex moved closer and literally threw himself into Lewis' arms. "Can you just hold me for a moment?"
"Of course, Baby..." Lewis replied, putting his arms around Alex' body and closing his eyes when Alex leaned into him, inhaling his scent. He could feel Alex relax in his arms and was more than just happy that he could provide that kind of comfort for him.
"How's April?" he asked after a while, breaking the silence with it.
"She's... she's okay... as far as someone can be with the knowledge that she could still lose her baby..." Alex replied, looking up at Lewis. "This Hemsfield wants to run some more tests and everything, but I still don't think he does his job the way he should."
"I'm... I'm sorry, Alex... if there's anything I can do..." Lewis started, but Alex cut him off mid-sentence.
"Just... hold me..." he replied, and of course Lewis complied.
"She's gonna be fine, Alex... I promise... they are gonna be fine..." he whispered into Alex' ear. "And in a couple of months you're gonna be a dad..." He started stroking Alex' back, hoping, it would calm him down. It felt really good that Alex turned to him - to him and no one else - to help him get through this, and it meant a whole lot to him.
"I need to talk to Meredith..." Alex said after a while, letting go of Lewis and looking up at him. "April needs a few things and they are at Meredith's house... I can't believe she hasn't even noticed that April is gone yet... She hasn't even visited her... April's here since two nights..."
"Maybe she's busy..." Lewis tried to say, but he knew that wasn't an explanation at all.
"Too busy to see your friend? Who's in the same hospital you work, by the way?" Alex rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right... I think she's too busy drooling over your so called friend who seems to not be able to keep his hands off a married woman."
"Hey, that's not fair," Lewis replied immediately, feeling that he had to defend Michael. "He would never do that if she wouldn't give him some signs. There are always two sides of a story..."
"Yeah, whatever..." Alex waved dismissively. "I need to go now... can I see you tonight?"
A small smile crossed Lewis' face. "Sure... if you don't need to be somewhere else?"
"I need to be with you," Alex replied, leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss on Lewis' lips, letting it form into a full-tongue kiss, before he took a step back. "I need to feel you... I need to hold you... and I need you to hold me... you think you can do that?" he asked, grabbing one of Lewis' hands and kissing his fingers.
Lewis pulled him into his arms again, kissing him passionately. "Yes... I think I can do that... See you later..."
And with those words he let go of Alex and watched him leaving his office. Now he felt a lot better, because as it looked like Alex still wanted him. Alex still needed him, just the way he needed Alex.
Mark Sloan POV:
Mark was really looking forward to see Jackson today. He had planned on surprising him once his therapy session with Lewis was over. He was just on his way to the hospital, feeling really good. He was still making a lot of progress and he just knew he would be fine soon again. He would be able to operate again and then he and Jackson could prove Hunt that they were able to separate their job and their private life and still do what they were expected to.
He was happy that he and Jackson hadn't been in another big fight since that one the other night, even though it had been pretty difficult. Their relationship was like a mine field and right now they were both trying their best to not step onto one of those mines. That was a progress, too. He was so sick of fighting all the time.
Smiling, he entered the hospital and went to the fourth floor to the therapy room.
He waited in front of the door for like a minute, but then he knocked and went in, greeting Lewis as he saw him standing at the parallel bars.
"Hey Lewis... how are you?" He was glad that their incident at the restaurant was already forgotten and they were able to get along just fine. Just like before. Now if only Lewis and Jackson could get along... but maybe there still was a way for them.
"Fine, thank you... just a little stressed out, you know..." Lewis replied smiling.
"Oh... sorry to hear that... hope, you and Alex are okay?" he asked concerned.
"Yeah... sure... it's just with April being in the hospital..." he started, and Mark interrupted him immediately.
"Oh my god, is she okay?"
"You didn't know? I thought Jackson must have told you..." Lewis replied, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't even think Jackson knows... I mean... I haven't seen him the whole day yesterday... so I don't really know what he's been up to... maybe he knows and he just forgot to tell me..." Mark bit his lower lip. Why wouldn't Jackson tell him something like that? April was his best friend and he - Mark - would have been there for him.
"Maybe he really doesn't know..." Lewis replied, placing a hand on Mark's shoulder consolingly.
"How is she?" Mark wanted to know. "Is everything okay with her and the baby?"
"Well... I don't really know... but at the moment they are trying their best to help her keep the baby..." Lewis said earnestly. "I'm sure she's gonna be okay... that's what I told Alex, too..."
"Yeah, I hope so..." He let out a sigh.
"Wanna start with our session?" Lewis asked, taking Mark's thoughts away from April and Jackson and everyone involving them.
He nodded immediately. "Yes, please..."
***
Two hours later Mark left Lewis' office with a good feeling. Lewis had just told him that he wanted to talk to Hunt about everything, but that he could be back at work sooner than he thought he would, since he hadn't had any new episodes in a while and everything looked fine.
That was just great news. News he couldn't wait to share with Jackson.
So he immediately made his way to Jackson's office, knocking and storming in, even before Jackson had asked him to.
Jackson was sitting at his desk, looking up at him.
"Hey, Mark!"
Mark closed the door and rounded his desk, leaning down and capturing Jackson's lips in a fiery kiss.
"Wow..." Jackson smiled. "Someone seems to be very happy..:"
"I am..." Mark cheered. "Lewis said I could probably be back at work in like a month... if there are no new episodes and such, he's gonna clear me for surgery soon."
Jackson got up to hug him, and Mark lifted him up and twirled him around. "Jackson, I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am right now..." he said, looking up at the man in his arms and pressing him against the back wall of his office. "We should celebrate..."
"As much as I would want to... right now's not a good time..." Jackson replied, looking away immediately.
Mark raised an eyebrow, letting Jackson down again. "You okay?"
"I... I... yeah, sure..." Jackson replied and Mark could tell that it wasn't the truth, but that was another mine he didn't want to step on right now.
"Is it because of April? Lewis just told me about her being rushed into the ER yesterday night..." Mark asked. He wouldn't blame Jackson at all if that was the reason for him looking so upset, and he just hoped, there wasn't something else AGAIN.
Jackson Avery POV:
Jackson stared at Mark dumbfounded
"April was rushed to the ER, when?"
"Lewis said he and Alex ran into her at the apartment and she started having complications... you didn't know?" Mark asked as he tilted his head.
"No" Jackson whispered "I-I didn't know"
"What I don't get is why she would even go to the apartment when you had just went there for her the night before?" Mark asked and looking up at him Jackson felt trapped.
"I have to go see her" Jackson said "I have to make sure she's okay" and walking up to Jackson Mark put a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Do you want me to go with you?"
Shaking his head Jackson put his own hand over Mark's "I appreciate it, but I need to talk to her alone"
"I understand" Mark said "make sure to give her my best" and shaking his head yes Jackson leaned over and gave Mark a kiss on the cheek "I'm so sorry" he said against the man's ear and Jackson was apologizing for so much more then Mark would ever know.
Jackson was almost out the door when he heard Mark call his name "Can you stay with me tonight?" he asked Jackson and with a smile the young doctor smiled "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else" and with that Jackson made his way to the front desk to get April's room number and once he got it he scurried off as fast as possible.
Once he reached her room he looked in through the small window and she appeared to be asleep and for a moment Jackson thought of leaving, but he had to make sure she was okay. He had to hear April say it, see it with his own eyes that she was going to be alright.
Opening the door he walked over to the woman and grabbing her hand he gave it a light squeeze and it was enough to cause April to stir and her eyes to flutter open.
Once she was able to focus she saw Jackson and smiled.
"Jackson" she said groggily "hey"
"Hey yourself" he responded as he pulled a chair close to her bed and took a seat without ever letting go of her hand.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't here sooner" he said.
"It's okay" she told him "you're here now and that's all that matters" then sitting up she was able to put herself upright.
"What happened?" Jackson asked her and she turned her head away in a show of shame and it made Jackson angry because he knew if it was Lewis and Alex who were there it was them who were most likely the cause.
"Dr. Hemsfield said something about placental abruption, not that I even know what that means" April said and to be quite honest Jackson didn't know anymore then she did, but it sounded scary.
"Are you and the baby doing okay?" Jackson asked.
"We're good, but Alex seems to think getting a different doctor would be for the best" April said.
"What?" Jackson responded "I thought he believed it best if he had absolutely nothing to do with this kid"
"He cares, Jackson" April smiled, and the man could see the hope spring into her eyes instantly and it saddened him that Alex could still play her so well.
"Do you think Dr. Hemsfield is good?" Jackson asked and April shrugged her shoulders
"He seems pretty okay, but Alex has a right to voice his concerns, Jackson"
"Just don't let him dictate how you take care of your baby, April" Jackson told her "The only person who's opinion matters is yours and I don't want you to go along with Karev just because you feel you owe him something"
"It's not like that, Jackson" April said "but I can't do this alone"
"What are you talking about?" Jackson responded with a smile as he stood up and walked around the bed to climb in beside her and pull her close "You know I'm always going to be here for you April. I'm going to be the best uncle any kid could have" and laying her head on his chest and throwing an arm around his waist she laughed.
"You're going to spoil them rotten?"
"You know it" Jackson told her and kissed the top of her head.
The two remained in a comfortable silence until April spoke up "Do you ever think what our life would have been like if we never came here?"
"What do you mean?"
"If Mercy West had never closed and we didn't get transferred… maybe Charles and Reed would still be here, maybe we wouldn't have gone through all the horrible things we've had to go through"
Looking down at her Jackson sat up "Sometimes" he told her honestly "You, Reed, and Charles were some of the first and best friends I had in Seattle and I miss it being us four every now and again. Then finding Lexie and losing her, the shooting...everything else" Jackson drifted off thinking of Lewis, Alex, his problems with Mark, and all the other things that were swirling around in his head "I wondered if we would be different people if were able to stay at Mercy"
"Do you regret it?" she asked softly.
"No" he told her "because if it could all lead to this amazing person being born" Jackson said as he placed a hand on April's stomach "I'm willing to go through it all again, because if I know anything in this world, April, it's that you are going to be an amazing mother and I want to be there to see it"
He could see the tears roll down April face as she leaned up to give him a kiss on the cheek "Thank you, Jackson" she said "you are going to be the most amazing uncle ever"
***
Jackson had felt more at ease laying there with April than he had in such a long time and he really didn't want to give it up, but he could tell the woman was tired and he did have surgeries to set-up.
Easing out of the woman's hold Jackson could see she had fallen asleep. After placing her head onto the pillow he gave a kiss to the woman's cheek and quietly snuck outside.
After he closed the door he had to stop abruptly as Alex was just about to enter.
"Jackson" Alex smiled brightly "it's good to see you"
"Yeah" Jackson said quickly as he walked around Alex and headed down the hall.
"Please man, I'm sorry about what happened the other day" Alex told him "isn't there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
Stopping in his tracks Jackson turned around "You want to do something for me?" Jackson asked.
"Of course"
"Then stop jerking April around" Jackson said "stop giving her this hope that one day you're going to come around and be the man she wants, because we both know you have no intention of ever living up to it"
"What?" Alex asked confused.
Jackson pointed to the stuffed animal and balloon Alex was holding "Things like this" he said "it's only leading her on and April is too good of a person and deserves way more then a bunch of false illusions"
"That's not what I'm doing?" Alex told him "I'm just worried about her and the kid"
"Your kid, Alex" Jackson corrected "your kid. So either let her know you want to be a father to it, but not be with her, or just walk away, because what you're doing right now just isn't fair" and turning back around Jackson continued his path to his office.
Mark Sloan POV:
Mark could tell something was off the minute Jackson left his office to see April. Maybe even before. His reaction to the news about April being rushed to the ER was... strange... and his reaction to Mark's question was even stranger. But Mark somehow didn't want to snoop around. Still, he didn't understand why Jackson would lie to him again. There was no reason for it at all.
He left Jackson's office and closed the door after him, thinking about what he could do. He still wanted to see April. He still wanted to talk to her and see that she was okay.
Mark knew how stressful complications could be and remembered damn well that moment when Callie and Arizona were rushed to the ER after their accident and not only Callie but also Sofia almost died.
He could be glad to have the both of them still around, and to go through something like that was really upsetting. Mark wanted to tell April that if she needed someone... anyone... that she could talk to him, even though they didn't know each other that well, but he was the boyfriend of her best friend, so maybe that would mean something to her.
When he made his way into the cafeteria his stomach started to growl, which was a sign for him that it was time to eat.
He looked around, seeing Michael Holt sitting at one of the tables, but this guy was one of the last he would want to see right now, so he decided to go somewhere else. At least that was his plan, but all of a sudden, Michael called out his name.
"Doctor Sloan, hey..."
Mark put on a fake smile and turned around, seeing the other man wave at him.
"Hello Doctor Holt..." He moved towards him, stopping in front of his table. "How are you?"
"I could ask you the same question. Making any progress with Lewis?" he smirked, and Mark couldn't help feeling as if his question sounded really ambiguous.
"My healing progress..." Mark clarified, because he didn't want Michael to get any ideas. "...is really good, and Lewis said I might be able to operate again in about a month."
"That's awesome!" Michael cheered, looking up at Mark. "Wanna sit down? Have lunch with me?"
Mark shook his head immediately. "No, thanks. I should get going. I have my daughter for the night..."
"Must be such a difficult situation for you..." Michael replied, causing Mark to look at him, confused.
"Difficult situation? What do you mean by that?"
"Well... with Torres and Robbins raising the baby and you seeing her only from time to time..." Michael replied, looking almost caring, but Mark didn't buy it at all.
"Who told you that?" he asked curiously.
"Who do you think?" Michael grinned, placing his head on the back of his hands which he had leaned on the table with his elbows.
"I don't care who told you, it's none of your business... and just for your information: It's not true either. Callie and Arizona live next door from my apartment and I can see Sofia whenever I want." he replied. "I don't even know why I'm telling you that, but maybe you should consider getting another informant. He's not very good at his job."
"If you say so..." Michael gave back and the arrogant tone in his voice made Mark's toes curl.
"I need to go now..." Mark said, turning around, when he heard Michael's voice once again.
"Since I don't know if I see Jackson again today, could you please tell him I had a lot of fun last night?"
Immediately, Mark turned towards Michael again, staring at him. "What are you talking about?"
"We were out last night... didn't he tell you?" Michael answered willingly, and Mark rather wanted to wipe the smug grin off the man's face. No, he seriously couldn't stand him at all.
"Jackson's not my slave or anything like that... he's my boyfriend and he can meet whoever he wants when he's not with me. I trust him." Mark replied, hating it that Michael got to him that much.
"Well... if you say so," Michael got up, lifting up his plate. "I need to get back to work now. Have a nice day." He commented as he passed by and it took a lot of him not to go after him.
Yes, Lewis had told him Michael was absolutely straight, but his comments made him starting to really doubt that.
He stood there for a moment, before he made his way to the janitor to get April's room number and made his way towards her room as soon as he had it.
He looked through the window, seeing her talking to Karev who was sitting in front of her bed and thought for a moment whether to go in or not, but the decision was taken from him when April turned to look at him and a smile crossed her face.
Only a second later he entered the room, causing Alex to look up at him.
"Karev... hey... I can go and come back later, if you two rather want to be alone..."
"No! No, it's okay..." Alex replied hurriedly, getting off his chair. "I need to get back to work anyways..." He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on April's forehead. "See you later, okay? I'll come by before I leave..."
April nodded, smiling at him and Mark waited for Alex to leave the room, before moving closer to April.
"How are you?" he asked, causing April to roll her eyes in annoyance.
"I'm sorry, I know this is not your fault, but the next person asking me how I am, I think I'm gonna throw something at." she grinned. "But thanks for asking anyways."
"No problem..." Mark smiled, sitting down at the chair. "Then let me say this: I know what you're going through... I mean, not exactly, but I know how it feels to be scared for your kid..."
"Yeah... I know... it's just the uncertainty that kills me... not knowing what's gonna happen..." April replied. "They still want to run some tests but Doctor Hemsfield wants to release me tomorrow..."
"That's good news, isn't it? I mean, if he thinks you're good enough to go home, that means you're okay, I would say..." Mark smiled.
April nodded immediately. "Yeah, I hope so... I hope he knows what he's doing..."
"You have doubts?" Mark wanted to know, looking her in the eye.
"I... I don't know... I mean, at first I didn't have... but Alex doesn't trust him, and that scares the hell out of me... I... I just want the best for this kid..." April said, letting out a sigh.
Mark placed a hand on her Arm consolingly. "I'm sure you're both gonna be okay... but I mean, it can't hurt to consult another doctor... right?"
A small smile appeared on April's lips. "No... you're right... it can't..."
"By the way... why were you even in the apartment? I thought Jackson brought you everything you needed a couple of days before." Mark demanded, tilting his head.
And so did April, looking very confused all of a sudden. "What?"
"Jackson... he was at my place the other night when he got a call from you and then he told me he had to get some stuff for you from the apartment. He was back a couple of hours later." Mark informed her.
"Right..." April responded, looking as if she was trying really hard to remember, until she hit her forehead with her hand. "Oh yeah, that night," she said after a couple of seconds. "I'm sorry, but the meds must make me forget anything, I remember... I forgot something and that's why I went back and when I was about to leave, I ran into Alex and Lewis. Thank god, because who knows what would have happened if they hadn't been there."
Mark watched her very closely and he could tell that she was nervous. She was talking her head off, and if Mark knew one thing about her, then that this was her way of dealing with anxiety. He didn't believe her at all, but he didn't call her on it, either. He just didn't know how to deal with the knowledge that Jackson had lied to him again.
"I think I should probably go now... I'm having Sofia for tonight and it's my job to get her from the day care... and you should probably rest anyways..." Mark said, getting up from his chair.
"You're probably right," April said, looking up at him with a very innocent look in her eyes. "Thanks for seeing me, though... You can come back any time you want..."
"Maybe I will," Mark replied. "Take care of you two."
"I will..." April gave back and then Mark left the room, walking down the hallway like he was in a daze. This was bad. Pretty bad, and he really didn't know how to fix it anymore. Things between him and Jackson had been pretty difficult lately, and now he discovered another one of Jackson's lies. How could he ever trust him again?