A/N: First: I'm excusing myself for eventual errors and mistakes in the author's note, but I had some "minor surgery" on my finger, therefore a bandage on one of my fingers and typing isn't that easy…

Thanks again for all the comments! *opens a bottle of champagne* :-) We really reached 100 comments… or rather, you… we're really, really thankful for that and also happy that some of you still enjoy our story… :-)

If you have any critique or something else to say: feel free to… we're always curious what people think :)

And now enjoy Chapter 39… as far as possible… =)

Jackson Avery POV:

Jackson was turning off his office lights and heading out the door when suddenly Michael Holt appeared in front of him, effectively blocking Jackson's path and causing him to jump slightly.

"Sorry" Michael said "I didn't mean to scare you"

"It's okay" Jackson told him as he willed his nerves to calm down "you need something?"

Michael looked at him and cocked his head to the side "I just wanted to make sure you were okay" Michael said "I know that last night was...unexpected and I didn't want you thinking I didn't give a damn about what you were going through"

Seeing Holt like this, being so concerned about his well being really threw Jackson off, but as weird as it might be Michael may have been the only person who could probably understand some of the man's stress.

Jackson just really wished it wasn't because the two had sex. Jackson was never going to forgive himself for what happened between them and what he had done to Mark, but that wasn't Holt's burden to bear.

"I'm good" Jackson told him "I appreciate you checking in, though"

Putting a hand on Jackson's shoulder Michael gave him a small smile "Do you even remember anything about last night?" he asked and Jackson shook his head no.

"I'm sure that if we both were in our right minds we wouldn't have done it, but for what it's worth I don't regret it. Not one bit" and Michael moved his hand from Jackson's shoulder to cup his cheek.

Stepping back slightly Jackson looked at the ground shamefully "I don't cheat" Jackson said plainly "I know what Lewis told you, but I never slept with Tyler while they were together. It seems to come as a surprise to a lot of people, but I love Mark and everything I did and everything I go through is because I love him and the idea of losing him terrifies me which is why I have no idea why I...slept with you"

Michael closed the space between them "We were drunk, Jackson" Michael told him "I wanted to make sure you got to bed okay and I saw you struggling to get your shirt off" and reaching down Michael grabbed one of Jackson's buttons "so I walked over and tried to help and you had the same scared look you gave me just a minute ago, but after you recognized it was me you smiled and I don't know Jackson, that smile triggered something in me and I kissed you, which I know I shouldn't have, but you look the way you look and I would be hard pressed to find anyone, man or woman, who could resist that smile"

"Mich-" Jackson started to say before Holt held a finger to his lips.

"You backed up for a moment, but then you kissed me back and I just...just needed you. Then I laid you down on the bed and we took each other's clothes off, then I kissed that birthmark on your upper thigh. I know, at least in that moment, you wanted me too and we had sex and it was spectacular, Jackson" Michael finished and closing his eyes he leaned in to give Jackson a kiss only to have the young doctor turn away.

"I'm sorry Michael" Jackson said, his voice full of sadness "I just...I can't"

"I'm sorry" Michael responded and stepped away "I shouldn't have-"

"It's not your fault" Jackson said "don't blame yourself. I'm an adult and whatever decision I made it's on me to deal with the consequences"

"You don't have to do it alone" Michael told him "we can go to Mark and tell him it was a mistake"

"Tell me what was a mistake?" A new voice said from Jackson's doorway and both men turned to see Mark standing there. His eyes hard and his body rigid.

Jackson could feel his heart beating so fast that it felt like it was going burst out of his chest "What are you doing here?"

"I came to give you a lift to my apartment" Mark told him as he walked into the room "now what was this mistake you wanted to tell me"

"Jackson and me have an opportunity to do a big surgery in Iowa, but it wouldn't be until after you've returned so he turned them down, but now he's regretting it" Michael said looking from Jackson to Mark, then back to Jackson.

"Is that true?" Mark asked as he looked at Jackson.

"Yeah" Jackson responded "I thought it would be best for you to decide on something like that"

Jackson could tell Mark was trying to decide whether to believe them or not, but after a few tense moments he gave a tight smile "I trust you to make the best decisions for this department" Mark said and grabbed Jackson's hand "now how about we head out, I'm feeling a little hungry"

"Yeah, sounds good" Jackson told him "I'll catch you later, Holt"

"Okay" Michael said and watched as the two men headed out.

The two men drove back to Mark's place in silence. Every time Jackson wanted to say something he felt his voice constrict and keep him mute. Looking at Mark's hands as they gripped the steering wheel Jackson could see the white knuckles and strain Mark was using.

He was angry...really angry.

Once they made it to the apartment Mark opened the door and walked in before hitting the light switch and following behind Jackson closed the door.

"You said you were hungry-" Jackson started to say before he was pushed against the wall and Mark was kissing him brutally. Placing his hands on Mark's hips and feeling Mark grind his hips into Jackson's own he tried to catch his breath.

"Mark I-"

"Take off your pants. Now" Mark said

"Mark"

"Take them off or I rip them off" Mark told him as he kissed Jackson and worked on his own pants. Then once out Mark pulled down his boxers and stepped out of them.

Undoing his pants Jackson followed Mark's lead and removed his pants and boxers and once he stepped out of them Mark grabbed him and lifted him up with more strength then Jackson knew he had.

Carrying Jackson over to the couch he threw Jackson on before falling on top of him and reaching over to the nightstand he pulled out a bottle of lube and opening it he slicked his fingers as his lips found Jackson's neck.

Mark prepared Jackson quickly and letting Mark have control Jackson did his best to adjust to one, then two fingers, and eventually the head of Mark's cock as it worked in slowly.

"Mark" Jackson hissed as he dug into the cloth of Mark's shirt.

"Tell me you want it" Mark said as he went in inch by inch "tell me you want me"

"I want you" Jackson said once Mark was inside of him fully "I want this"

Starting with a slow pace Mark looked down at Jackson and using his hand he placed Jackson's chin between his fingers and turned the man to face him.

"You love me?" Mark asked as he increased his pace and found Jackson's spot, causing the man to buck up.

"Yes"

"I want to hear you say it!" Mark told him hitting the spot over and over.

"I love you" Jackson said as he felt sweat start to dot his forehead "I love you, Mark"

Pistoning at a neck break speed Mark wrapped a hand around Jackson's cock and began to pump fast.

"Mark" Jackson said as he turned his head and buried it into the couch. The feeling of Mark's cock making him see stars behind his eyes.

Burying his face in Jackson's neck he gave a few more pumps and felt Jackson release himself between their bodies with a harsh cry.

As Mark's thrust increased even more Jackson knew he was close and moving his hips to meet Mark he felt Mark grab the back of his neck and pull him in for a kiss as he came inside of Jackson.

Collapsing onto Jackson Mark took several deep breaths and placing his hand on Mark's back Jackson ran it alongside the man's spine.

It had never been so...animalistic with the two, but it was something that Jackson didn't mind and actually quite enjoyed if he was honest with himself.

Pulling out of Jackson Mark stood and walked to the bathroom and a second later came out with a wet rag and handed it to Jackson.

"We didn't even have time to take of our shirts off" Jackson smiled "that has to be some kind of new record"

When he looked up at Mark the man's face held the same hard look it had when he had first came to Jackson's office and saw him and Holt.

"Mark?" Jackson asked unnerved.

"I have to get Sofia pretty early in the morning and I planned this whole day for us, so I think you staying the night might not be the best idea after all"

It felt like a punch to Jackson's stomach "What?"

"I just think you would feel better in your own bed" Mark told him and turning around he picked up his clothing and disappeared into the bedroom. Jackson had felt like the air had been sucked out of the room and getting up he walked over and put on his boxers and pants.

He felt an immense amount of something between fear and shame. After he put on his shoes he left the apartment and once he left the building took in a deep breath of air and fought back the tears that wanted to come.

Reaching into his phone he quickly dialled Gary's number and waited for the man to pick up.

"Hey Jackson" the man said happily "how are you?"

"Good" Jackson lied "look, you up for hanging out? I need to clear my head"

"Sure" Gary told him "you know where to find me and I have some new stuff that is astounding if I do say so myself"

"Sounds good" Jackson told him "I'll be there in half an hour"

Jackson didn't care anymore. He wasn't going to delude himself into thinking he wasn't going to do exactly what he was going to do. If his world was falling apart around him he was going to be as numb to it as he possibly could.

Mark Sloan POV:

After Jackson had left, Mark felt alone. And dirty. And ashamed of himself. He had Jackson literally forced to have sex with him, and it was quick, and dirty and without much emotion. Mark probably had never felt this distant to Jackson when he was so close to him at the same time and it was eating him from the inside.

That had been the main reason for him to literally throw Jackson out afterwards. To send him away. Because he couldn't bear to be with him anymore. Not now.

The look in Jackson's eyes had made everything so much worse and Mark couldn't get it out of his head. Why couldn't they just be happy? Why did there always have to be something or someone standing in between them? And why for fucks sake couldn't Jackson just be honest with him? Mark didn't get it. He didn't get him.

He moved from one side of the bed to the other, pressing his face into the pillow Jackson had just recently slept on and that still had his scent on it, feeling tears burning in his eyes.

How could the situation have become so difficult? Almost too difficult to handle? Mark didn't know how they could ever get out of this by themselves, but maybe there just wasn't anything he could do anymore.

He definitely didn't want to give up on Jackson, but he was desperate and today had showed it. He had become the person he never wanted to be anymore again. A person he felt ashamed of. A person his father had made out of him when he had just abandoned him after the death of his mother.

His father had left him alone literally. He had always been there without really being there. Mark hadn't seen him in over twenty years, and he never wanted to see him again. Hell, he didn't even know if his father was still alive, but he didn't care either. When Mark's mother had died, Mark had needed him, but instead of being there for his son, he had started to drink and soon he was married to his couch and only left the house to get some new booze anymore. He hadn't given a damn about Mark at all.

If Derek hadn't been there, Mark probably would have gone to the dogs. Derek had pulled him out of this crap and literally gave him a new family with Amelia and his three other sisters. Derek had been the brother he never had and he still was. Derek knew everything about him. So much more than Jackson would ever know about him. So much more anyone would ever know. His father was a dark chapter of his past, but right now he couldn't help but think about him.

He had become someone he had hated so much, and now he was on his way back there, if he wasn't really careful. Just because he was angry. Angry with Jackson. It had always been like that with his father. Being angry and not talking anything out. It had made him a sex-monster. He was a good lover and he knew that, but there had been times where he hadn't given a shit about what the women he slept with felt. A time when he had just taken what he wanted.

Not that he had ever had sex with anyone against his will, but he hadn't been very careful or loving or attentive and definitely not recipient for other people's needs.

He never wanted to become that person again, but today Jackson had brought him in a very difficult situation with all those lies, because he still didn't really believe that what Holt and he were talking about in Jackson's office had been about a case.

A sigh left Mark's lips. He already knew that this would become another night without any sleep and so he got up off the bed and made his way to the living room, turning on the light.

When he looked down at the couch he felt anger bubbling within him. Anger he had no power of controlling any longer, so he started kicking against the couch until it bounced and then he punched against it so it tipped over with a very loud noise. Again and again Mark punched and kicked against it until he couldn't take it any longer and literally broke down. He sank down next to the couch and only after a few seconds did he notice that hot tears were running down his face.

He just wanted him and Jackson to be okay, but he felt like the more he tried, the more Jackson slipped away from him.

All of a sudden he felt a hand on his shoulder and he heard a female voice that seemed totally distant for a moment, until he was able to focus again.

"Mark... what's wrong? What happened?" an overly concerned Arizona asked, gently touching his face.

Mark moved away from her immediately, getting up and turning his back on her. "Nothing."

"Don't you dare lie to me!" Arizona shouted at him, grabbing his arm and turning him around with a strength Mark didn't know she had. "You don't have to tell me what happened if you don't want to, your decision, but don't fucking lie to me. You're crying and I'm sure the couch didn't slip on something, stumbled and fell, right?" Her eyes moved to the furniture laying on the floor.

Mark looked at her, swallowing hard, fighting an inner fight whether to tell her anything or not.

"I... I think..." Mark started, wondering how broken he sounded. "I think Jackson has an affair..."

Arizona let out a laugh, shaking his head, causing Mark to get even angrier than before.

"You think that's funny?" he blurted out.

Arizona looked at him, becoming serious again. "Yeah, I think it is... We're talking about Jackson here. And didn't we have this conversation before?" She let out a sigh, moving towards Mark again and putting her hands on his face, to make him look at her directly.

"Jackson admires you... and he loves you... he wouldn't do that..."

Mark was surprised how much she had Jackson's back when he should be the one not believing any gossip he had heard or misinterpreting any situations.

"I am not so sure about that anymore... there is something going on between him and Holt... I can feel it... and Jackson is constantly lying to me... Combining that with all the things Holt has told me, it all makes sense..."

"No!" Arizona replied immediately. "I'm sure you're wrong... and Holt is... he's an idiot, okay? And he's good in manipulating people."

"You don't even know him that well..." Mark said, looking down at her.

"I know that Sofia doesn't like him... and that kids her age have a common sense for what's good and what isn't, and this Holt is very bad news." Arizona stated.

"When has Sophia met him?" Mark asked curiously, for a moment pulled out of his dark thoughts.

"Couple of days ago," Arizona gave back immediately. "Callie and I were on our way out of the hospital when we met him in the hallway. She didn't even want him to touch her and started crying immediately when he stroked her head."

"Maybe she was just moody," Mark assumed, but Arizona shook her head.

"No... it was him... she didn't like his presence at all, even though Callie tried to excuse it with her just being tired, but I don't like him either, so I understand her." Arizona replied, wiping away the last tracks of Mark's tears. "Seriously, Mark... Who would start anything with an arrogant asshole like Holt when he can have you?"

"I'm not as good as you give me credit for, Arizona..." Mark gave back. "There is so much you don't know about me... and who knows... maybe it's exactly that characteristic that turns Jackson on..."

"Bullshit. Have you even talked to Jackson about that?" Arizona asked, causing Mark to shake his head.

"Not exactly... I mean, I have asked him once and he denied everything but... there is so much going on lately and I can connect the dots... they are spending their lunches together, Jackson is cooking for him and they even went out for drinks the other night... as far as Holt told me, and since Jackson wasn't with me that night it's highly possible that it's true... and he constantly lies about everything that has to do with Holt..." Mark explained.

Arizona rolled her eyes. "There has to be an explanation for everything, okay? I know Jackson... and I know he loves you."

"Sex isn't always about love... in fact it barely has anything to do with love. If anyone should know then it's you..." Mark shot back, knowing that he would hit home with it. "You just have to look at our daughter and you see proof of it every fucking day."

"Hey, that's not fair," Arizona replied angrily. "And you and Callie know each other since forever... long before I even met her... and you always loved each other. Maybe not the way you love Jackson or Callie and I love each other, but it's still love." She lifted her hands, placing them on Mark's face again. "Jackson doesn't love Holt in any way, okay? He doesn't even like him, and he wouldn't do that, so please... please just let it go..."

"I can't..." Mark said, freeing himself from her grip. "Not as long as he's lying to me constantly... I don't even know how to trust him anymore...and tonight... tonight I recognized one thing... that he's able to bring out the worst of me... that just can't happen again. I tried everything, Arizona... I just... I don't know how we can ever be a normal couple again... if we even ever were..."

"You can get through this... and if you expect me to stand by and watch you destroy the best thing that has happened to you in a while, you're wrong. I know your relationship is none of my business, but I love the both of you way too much to just let go of it..." Arizona moved forward, standing on her toes and placing a kiss on Mark's cheek. "He's worth fighting for. You know I'm right, and I just think you two need to really talk to each other about your problems... in all honesty."

She turned around, pointing to the couch. "And now move your ass and help me get up your damn couch so I can get back to sleep, because I don't think our daughter will have the mercy to let me sleep in, before I bring her to you."

With the mention of Sofia, a small smile crossed Mark's lips and he nodded. He was looking forward to spending the upcoming day with Sofia, because maybe it would help him relax. Maybe it would help him forget his problems with Jackson for a while, and maybe... just maybe... Arizona was right at least a little bit. Mark wasn't ready to let go of this relationship just yet.

Alex Karev POV:

Alex was having a restless sleep.

He had wanted to go see Lewis, but he had been too tired to make the drive so with the apartment being closer he decided to crash there after promising Lewis that they would spend the next night together. Dinner and a movie. A real date.

He was staying in the apartment he used to share with April and Jackson, but even though it had only been a few months since he moved out, when he was here...alone...it didn't feel like home. Although Alex wasn't quite sure what place did.

Alex knew that wasn't the only reason, though. His mind had been racing a hundred miles a minute. Between worrying about April, still not hearing back from Addison, and going over the things Jackson had told him earlier in the day he was finding it hard to keep his eyes closed.

Was the man right? Was Alex leading April on after telling her countless times that they wouldn't work out? Just because they couldn't be together didn't mean that Alex shouldn't care about her well being.

Giving up the notion of a proper rest he walked into the kitchen, the floor cold against his bare feet, and poured himself a glass of orange juice.

He was almost finished when he heard the front door swing open and someone come stumbling in. Walking back into the living room Alex watched as Jackson closed the door and made a clumsy attempt to head for the stairs.

"Hey" Alex said aloud and drew the attention of Jackson who looked at Alex confused.

"What are you doing here?" Jackson asked as he stood up straight and tried to look sober, or at least not tweaked "didn't you move out?"

Jackson was able to get three steps towards his bedroom before he started to stumble back and rushing over Alex was able to catch him before he hurt himself.

"What are you doing, man?" Alex asked concerned "you can't possibly think this is a good idea"

Rolling his eyes Jackson snatched himself out of Alex's hold "Sorry dad. I wasn't aware that going out for drinks was such a sin"

Shaking his head Alex crossed his arms over his chest "You're still using that drinks excuse?" he asked "so you're going to pretend that no drugs are in your system right now?"

Something unfamiliar crossed over Jackson's face "Like you really give a fuck" he said.

"What?"

"Why don't you save all the mock concern for April? She still gives a damn about what you think"

"Now comes the anger and defensiveness" Alex said "at least you stick to the script"

"Go to hell, Karev" Jackson put a strong grip on the banister and started to make his way up again, but as if a thought had just crossed his mind he turned around and looked at Alex with a smile.

"Tell me, Alex; while you're here being so concerned answer me this question. What happened to make April get sent to the hospital?"

"Sh-She has placental abruption"

"That is only discovered after a particularly stressful event and it was you and Lewis who were there, right?" Jackson asked "now it makes me wonder what she could have seen or heard that would cause her so much stress"

"I'm only trying to help you, Jackson" Alex said through clenched teeth "you should be glad someone cares enough to do so"

Stumbling back down the stairs Jackson stood directly in front of Alex "Why don't you worry about your pregnant ex-girlfriend and new boyfriend. Seems your life is screwed up enough without trying to play hero to a guy who can't stand the sight of you"

Alex had no idea how Jackson was constantly able to get him so angry, so quickly.

"Does Mark know how badly off you are?"

That had seemed to wipe the smile from Jackson's face "Mark is none of your concern".

"So I take it he doesn't?" Alex asked.

"I took your name off the lease two weeks ago Karev, so if you're not out of this apartment by the time I get up I'm calling the cops" and with that Jackson seemed sober enough to make it all the way to his room.

Alex watched the man go and he wondered how things had gotten so bad between them. Less then 6 months ago he and Jackson were planning on conquering Miami together and now the two couldn't seem to stop attacking one another, physically or verbally, whenever the two were in the same room.

Alex had lost too many people in his life and when he told Jackson that he wasn't going to let the man destroy himself he meant every word, but Alex knew this was something he wasn't going to be able to do alone.

Alex wasn't sure how serious Jackson was about his threat, but he had thought it best not to push the issue. So leaving before Jackson had awoken Alex had went to the hospital and after checking in on April he was making his way to the Peds wing when he ran across Eli leaving a patient's room.

"Hey Karev" Eli said as he was marking something off on a chart "you're here awfully early"

"I wanted to check on April"

"Yeah, I saw her last night" Eli told Alex "sorry to hear about her condition, but I have to say I'm in total agreement with your thoughts on Hemsfield"

"You heard about that?" Alex asked embarrassed.

"Don't worry" Eli laughed "most people know how...old fashioned Hemsfield can be and he's not one to take criticism of any kind lightly"

Alex was glad that at least he wasn't the only person who could see how short-sighted Hemsfield could be. Eli was just about to walk away before Alex had placed a hand on the man's forearm.

"Wait" Alex said "mind if we talk for a minute"

"Sure thing" Eli said "everything okay"

Alex didn't know whether he was doing the right thing, but after Eli had stopped he and Jackson's fight Alex could tell that the man did care about their well-being.

"I have this...friend" Alex started "He is a really good person, but the past few months have been very hard on him and-" Alex took a deep breath. If he said this there would be no turning back and good or bad something was going to come out of it.

"And what?" Eli asked concerned.

"I think he may have found a bad way to deal with it" Alex told him "a really bad way"

He could see the way Eli was looking at him. As if the man was connecting the dots and really didn't like the picture he was getting.

"Karev" Eli said "are you absolutely sure about this?" he asked "because this is a serious allegation"

Looking down at the ground Alex shook his head "I've tried to talk to him, but he doesn't trust me and it's just getting worse and I don't know what to do anymore"

"You shouldn't have to deal with this on your own" Eli told him "I'm glad you told me"

Alex couldn't lie. It felt great to finally talk to someone else about this. Lewis had only blamed himself for Jackson's current state and Alex couldn't talk to the man without feeling even worse for making Lewis feel guilty.

"What do I do?" Alex asked.

"We-" Eli corrected "see how bad it is and then we take it from there, but first, I think I need to talk someone who may be able to help"

"You can't tell Hunt" Alex said urgently "if the Chief finds out he's going to fire Jackson...I mean" fuck, Alex had said his name and now it was out there, but Eli didn't look the least surprised.

"I'm not talking to Hunt" Eli assured Alex "it's a friend who is just as worried, but may be able to get through to him better than us. Trust me, Alex"

Normally the words would have the opposite affect on Alex. Somebody asking to be trusted only meant they were going to screw you over, but with Eli Alex felt as if he could believe him completely.

"Okay" Alex said "and thank you"

"Thank you, Alex" Eli responded "I know you may think you're not doing the right thing, but you are. I promise"

Alex hoped that Eli was right.

Arizona Robbins POV:

Arizona had a rough night behind of her. She had just delivered Sofia at Mark's place and was now on her way to the hospital. Arizona knew she shouldn't be THIS invested in Mark and his relationship with Jackson, but she couldn't help it. Especially after seeing him like that last night.

Sighing, she stopped in front of the hospital and looked at the building, when Jackson passed her by without even noticing her.

"Jackson, hey!" she addressed him, causing the younger man to twitch.

"Arizona, good morning!" he said, turning around, but barely looking at her. It was like he looked directly through her and he seemed very distracted right now, and his eyes were kind of glassy, but maybe Arizona was imagining things. "I didn't see you, sorry," he went on, scratching the back of his neck.

"I noticed that..." Arizona replied, coming closer and looking at him, making him turn away his face immediately.

"Something wrong?"

"No... I'm just..." Jackson started, gesturing with his hands and obviously searching for some kind of excuse. "I'm just tired... I haven't slept very good..."

"Neither have I," Arizona said, biting her lower lip. She knew it probably was a mistake to get in the middle of it, and she also knew Callie wouldn't like it if she ever found out, but she couldn't ignore what she had witnessed last night.

"And Mark hasn't either..."

Immediately, Jackson's look grew hard. "I think I should get inside now... I have some work to do..." He turned around, but Arizona grabbed his arm the same second, causing him to stop.

"Please, Jackson," she started, hoping, Jackson would at least listen to her, but at the moment he wasn't moving, so that was a first step.

"I know your relationship is none of my business, but I already told you I'm on your side... Mark is my friend, but he's not a saint and no matter what he did to you, you should talk about it," she suggested, hoping her words would reach Jackson.

"Why do you think he did something to me?" Jackson asked without turning around or looking at her.

"Because he told me so... I mean, not exactly, but last night he was extremely depressed when I found him..." Arizona replied willingly. "He said something about that you have brought out the worst in him, and to me that sounded like something has happened... that he did something to you... maybe I'm wrong, but if neither of you is really talking to me, I can't help you!"

"Who said we need your help?" Jackson turned around, glaring at her. "Who said we want your help? Arizona, this is none of your fucking business, so stay out of our relationship." he literally shouted at her, sending shivers down Arizona's spine, but luckily she was able to cover that up and just looked at him. She didn't want Jackson to know how much the whole situation stressed her. Never before had she seen him like that and that was the first time she was almost afraid of him.

"I love you, Jackson. The both of you. And I care for you. Don't you see that I just want the best for you?" she asked almost desperately, not knowing how to get through to Jackson. Also, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something with Jackson wasn't right here, because he had never acted like that towards her.

"Then just let it go, okay?" Jackson said a lot more calm, his shoulders sinking down. "This is our problem, not yours, and maybe we get through this, maybe we don't... but it's not your job to take care of us... or me... you have your own life. You have a family. It shouldn't be your responsibility to fix me and Mark. And maybe there isn't even something to fix anymore."

"I think there is... listen to me, Jackson... I don't know what reason he would have to do that, but I think this Michael... Holt... is trying to sabotage your relationship," Arizona said. She just had to warn Jackson. If she couldn't do anything else, that was the least she should do.

Shock was visible in Jackson's eyes when she mentioned Michael's name and Arizona tilted her head.

"Wh...What are... are you talking about?" Jackson stammered, seeming really nervous all of a sudden, and Arizona had no idea why he was so choked up because of him.

"I am talking about you spending time with him... you two were out for drinks the other night, weren't you?" she asked directly.

"How do you even know?" Jackson asked back, staring down at his hands.

"Because he told Mark... and Mark told me... Mark still thinks that there is something going on between the two of you and you not telling him about such things doesn't help at all..." Arizona sighed. "Look, Jackson... I have your back here and I tried... I tried so hard to make Mark believe that you would never do something like that. That you would never cheat on him, but you're not making it really easy for me to get through to him."

"I... I really need to get to work, Arizona..." Jackson interrupted her words, seeming pretty short spoken all of a sudden. "I'm really sorry, but I have to go now..." He didn't even give Arizona the chance to reply anything else, because he literally fled the scene, leaving a very distressed Arizona behind.

"Now that went well..." she murmured to herself, rolling her eyes. Jackson acted really strange. Was it really only because she mentioned Holt's name? And if that was the case, maybe Mark wasn't totally wrong, was he?

Arizona stilldidn't want to believe that Jackson would do something like that. That he would do something like that to Mark. Not after she had seen how Jackson looked at Mark. There was so much love in his eyes, and when she saw him with Holt there was... nothing. So far she had gotten the impression he didn't even like him very much. This all didn't make any sense at all.

Letting out a sigh, Arizona made her way into the hospital and went to the locker room to get dressed for the day, before she made her way to the paediatric station, running into Eli once she left the elevator.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry..." she apologized, bending down to help Eli collecting the files he was carrying.

"No problem," Eli smiled. "In fact, I was just looking for you."

"For me?" Arizona said, while she and Eli got back up again. "Something wrong with one of my patients?"

"No... no, don't worry," Eli hurriedly said. "It's... more private to be honest... it has something to do with Jackson."

"Oh... really?" Surprised, Arizona looked at him. "I just met him in front of the hospital... and he acted really strange..." she admitted. "And he definitely tried to get rid of me... Which he has never done before. Not like that..."

She looked around in the hallway, seeing a few nurses talk to each other, but she didn't want any audience for this talk, and she was sure, neither did Eli.

"Wanna come to my office?"

Eli nodded immediately. "That would be good, I think..."

"Okay... then just come with me..." Arizona smiled, even though she had a very bad feeling. A feeling that she wouldn't like what she was about to hear.

Since Arizona was still limping a little bit, it took them a little longer, but Eli didn't seem to care. In fact, he even helped her made her way into her office.

"Here we are..." she said, sinking down on her chair and offering Eli the one in front of her desk, where he willingly took a seat on.

"What happened between you and Jackson that made you say he never acted like that before?" Eli asked directly, and only thinking about the situation made shivers run down Arizona's spine again.

"He... he shouted at me... he was so angry and aggressive, that for a moment I really was afraid he would do something to me..." Arizona replied, biting her lower lip. "I mean... I know that's totally stupid... it's Jackson we're talking about here, but there was so much hate in his eyes... and he seemed so distant... I almost didn't recognize him... something's wrong here, Eli... and it looks like I'm not the only one noticing that... right?"

She looked at Eli expectantly, hoping, he wouldn't agree with her and that she was maybe imagining things, but deep down she already knew that it was bad, and that the news Eli was going to bring would only make the situation that much worse. She could just hope she was wrong.