A/N: Heya :) There I am again with the next chapter and it's some kind of „lead-in" for what's about to come… it's not gonna be over already and it's definitely different than what some of you might thing. Especially when it comes to Alex and Jackson ;-) And by the way: "I love you" does not only count for romantic relationships. Best friends can love each other too. I do get that best friends usually don't have THAT kind of encounter, but it still doesn't mean Alex and Jackson will be a couple from now on!

We're also glad to hear you like the characters of Lewis and Tyler… just in case someone hasn't really read that: we pictured Michael Ealy and Warren Kole when we wrote them or rather we still do :-)

And now enjoy Chapter 61, it's gonna be a long one, but the next one will be even longer…

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Alex Karev POV:

Alex walked into his room holding two glasses of orange juice just as Jackson started to wake.

He rubbed his eyes and looked around and once he focused on Alex he smiled.

"Morning"

"Morning" Alex said as he practically sprinted over and adjusted himself so he was sitting behind Jackson, the man with his back to Alex's chest and his body between his legs.

Reaching around Alex gave Jackson one of the glasses. Watching him drink Alex placed a kiss on his shoulder. Leaning back into Alex's warmth Jackson smiled.

"So, I was thinking" Alex said "you hop in the shower; get dressed and then we can get breakfast at that diner down the street. Then just hang out until you have to go see Owen and once you're finished you can come back here and I can drive you to the airport"

"You have the whole day planned" Jackson laughed as he turned his head to look at Alex.

Giving him a peck on the lips Alex pulled him closer "I just want to get every spare moment I can with you before you leave."

He did his best to keep the sadness out of his voice and overall Alex thought he did a pretty good job.

Jackson moved out of Alex's hold and stood up to look down at the man "It won't be the last time we'll see each other" Jackson said "you know you'll always have a place to stay with me"

"I don't even know where you're going"

Jackson looked at him for a long moment and Alex knew he was debating on whether to let him in on the truth.

Leaning down Jackson kissed him on the cheek "New York, but that's only for you to know"

Another thing that Jackson trusted him with and the guilt started to build in his stomach. The two had experienced something so monumental last night and what Alex was going to do...what he needed to do...was going to make that night the last good memory the two would have for a while.

Jackson headed out into the hall and watching him go Alex took a moment to relive the previous night's events. Hearing the shower come on Alex shook himself out of his revere.

He had a job to do.

Fishing his cell phone from his jeans he quickly found Lewis' number. Alex took a breath to gather up the courage. The pain of catching him and Tyler was still a fresh wound, but he was no longer a man who was mad with grief and anger.

Jackson had cured him of that and for Jackson Alex was going to put his own feelings aside, at least for the moment.

Dialling his number Alex waited for the man to answer.

"Hello" a voice that was not Lewis' said.

It was a punch to the stomach.

"I need to speak to Lewis" his voice was even and cold. He would not let either of them get to him like that again.

"Alex" Tyler said surprised "I-I...he's in the shower" his voice sounded worried "how are you?"

"I need to speak to Lewis. It's important"

"Yeah, okay" and the next few seconds were filled with rustling and quiet murmurs before he heard Lewis' voice.

"Alex" the man said urgently "I was worried sick about you. Where are you?"

'I bet' Alex thought, but now was not the time to get into an argument.

"I'm with Jackson"

The words got a solid 10 seconds of silence and Alex got a petty joy out of it. It felt good to leave Lewis stunned and incapable of speech.

"Are you serious?" Lewis asked.

"Of course I am" it came out much angrier than Alex intended and breathing deep he closed his eyes and pictured Jackson's smile from a few minutes earlier.

"Where are you?" Lewis was frantic and he imagined the man was probably buzzing a million miles a minute. Despite the anger that Alex had towards him this was Lewis' brother and Alex got no pleasure in torturing the man by holding Jackson's location secret.

"We're at our old apartment"

"I'm heading there n-"

"No!" Alex yelled into the phone then looked quickly behind him and listened to make sure Jackson hadn't heard. The shower was still running and there was no indication that Jackson was privy to anything Alex was doing.

"What… why?"

"He's leaving tonight" Alex said "this was only a temporary thing. He has some business to finish up here and then he'll be on the first plane back to wherever he went to"

Alex was not going to betray every secret Jackson had entrusted him with.

"I have to see him" Lewis pleaded.

"We need to all talk to him. Together" Alex said "an intervention. It's our only shot"

"Alex" Lewis responded "we've tried that and it didn't go very well"

"You're going to make sure Sloan is there" Alex said "that's what will make the difference"

Another moment of utter quiet.

"How do we do it?"

"I've convinced Jackson to spend the day with me" Alex told him "around 6 he's going to fill some paperwork out for Hunt and then come back here so I can drive him to the airport. Have everyone here by 6:30. Also, April isn't speaking to me right now so if you can find a way to let her know what's going on I would appreciate it, but I don't want her here. She's going through enough"

"Okay" Lewis said. "I will, but Alex?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think we can talk alone before we speak with Jackson?"

Alex knew the man was leading up to that question and even being in the same room with Lewis was going to be hard enough. He really didn't know if he could handle a face-to-face conversation.

Luckily that was when the shower turned off.

"Jackson is coming back. I'll see you later" and before Lewis could say anything else he ended the call and stuffed the phone back in his jeans.

"At least the shower still works in this place" Jackson said as he walked into the room with a towel around his waist.

"Thank goodness for small miracles" getting up Alex turned to look at Jackson.

He knew last night was a one-time thing, but it didn't mean that he still could stop his cock from getting hard at the sight of Jackson wet and in nothing but a bath towel.

"I'll leave you to it" Alex said and started to head out before Jackson grabbed his arm.

"Don't be ridiculous. Get dressed" he said "it's not like you have anything I haven't seen before"

He dropped the towel long enough to put on his boxers and just like that the tension was wiped away. Alex knew he and Jackson could still be this comfortable with one another. The connection was only that much deeper now.

"You've got a point" Alex responded with a laugh and reaching down he put on his jeans as Jackson did the same "just don't let my amazing skills ruin you for anyone else"

Jackson laughed deeply and when Alex looked at his eyes he saw the sparkle in them. It filled Alex with an euphoria he hadn't felt in such a long time.

"I'll do my best" Jackson chuckled.

As they continued to get dressed Alex knew they would be okay. No matter what might happen tonight and what the two might say to one another they were going to make it through to this point again.

They loved each other too much not to.

Lewis Avery POV:

When Lewis opened his eyes the next morning he was confused to find Tyler in his arms, still asleep, but then the memories came back rushing into his mind. It was all there again and all of a sudden, being with Tyler in that moment was too much. Was something he couldn't bear.

As careful as possible, he pushed Tyler off him, watching him hugging the pillow and turn to the other side.

He had cheated on Alex. With his ex-fiancée. Not the first time, but the first time Alex had walked in in the middle of it and catching them.

Lewis felt still bad to say at least to have put Alex through this, and he wasn't sure what to do next. He wanted to apologize to Alex, needed to tell him how sorry he was and maybe there was still a way for them, even though he wasn't completely sure if he wanted that at all.

Letting out a sigh, Lewis got up from his bed and stood there, looking down at Tyler and watching him for a long time.

He loved this man. More than anything else in the world. He wanted to be with him. He had already made his decision, and if Alex hadn't walked in on them, he would have told him in a couple of days anyways, but he catching them made it almost impossible for Lewis to hurt him like that again.

Kneeling down beneath the bed, Lewis started stroking Tyler's face, leaning forward and kissing his lips, waking Tyler up with it.

"Good morning…" Tyler murmured, and the sleep was still visible in his voice.

"Morning," Lewis replied, forcing himself to smile. Which of course didn't stay unnoticed from Tyler.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Lewis replied immediately. "Everything," he concluded.

"I… I really messed up with Alex and I'm… I'm so scared that he's gonna hate me forever. We shouldn't have done this."

Immediately, Tyler sat up, staring at him.

"Do you regret it?" he asked, and his voice was shaking. This whole situation wasn't easy for him either, and Lewis knew it.

Sitting down next to him, Lewis grabbed his hands.

"Depends on what you mean," he admitted, leaning his forehead against Tyler's and pressing a soft kiss on his lips.

"I love you… you know that."

"I love you, too. Lewis, you're… you're everything to me. You're the reason I wanna stay here. I want us to have another shot at this, because I know we can make it work this time," Tyler said, stroking the back of Lewis' hands. "I can't lose you again."

"You won't," Lewis promised, just looking into his eyes when he pulled back a little bit.

"And to get back to your question. No, I don't regret sleeping with you. I just regret that we couldn't wait until I had the chance to talk to Alex. All he ever did was trying to make me happy. I shouldn't have lied to him. And after all he's been through it's… it's awful what I did to him. If I could undo it I would."

"I understand," Tyler replied. "Believe me, I really do… I mean, with what I knew… I should have told you before I jumped your bones."

"We both made a mistake," Lewis clarified. "We did the wrong things for the right reasons, because what better reason is there than how much we love each other?"

A small smile appeared on Tyler's lips. "You're right."

"Of course I am," Lewis gave back, letting go of Tyler's hands and getting up again. "I'm gonna take a shower, okay?"

"Yeah, sure," Tyler replied, getting up from the bed, too. "Wanna have some breakfast?"

"I'm not really hungry. But coffee would be nice," Lewis admitted.

Nodding, Tyler leaned towards him, stealing another kiss from his lips. "Coffee it is then…"

"You're awesome."

With another smile he turned around and opened the bathroom door before he entered said bathroom. He got rid of his boxers and stepped into the shower, turning on the warm water.

He had no idea how long he had been enjoying the hot water relaxing his whole body, until all of a sudden the bathroom door opened and Tyler's voice sounded in his ears.

"Lewis! Alex is on the phone. He wants to talk to you."

It was only one sentence Tyler said, but it made Lewis' whole body tense immediately.

"Just a minute," he gave back, turning off the water and grabbing the towel Tyler reached him.

"Thanks." He said with a weak smile, feeling nervous butterflies in his stomach. What could Alex possibly want? Talk? Was he really already ready to talk to him again?

The whole conversation with Alex happened in a blur. Lewis felt like a daze and it was all too much. Too much information. Too much to process.

That Tyler was with him the whole time helped Lewis, though. Comforted him somehow.

"What happened?" Tyler asked once Lewis put the phone down, looking at him with a serious look in his eyes.

"Jackson…" Lewis replied, trying to form a proper sentence in his head, but that was easier said than done.

"Is something wrong with him?" Tyler asked, grabbing Lewis' shoulders and making him look directly into his eyes. "Lewis, talk to me… what about Jackson?"

Taking a few deep breathes, Lewis bit his lower lip.

"He… he's back. He's here. In his old apartment," he finally managed to say. "Jackson is in Seattle."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Tyler asked. "Let's get dressed and drive over."

Lewis couldn't help the small smile that crossed his lips. Especially since this was exactly what he had intended to do in the first second he had found out about Jackson being so close to him.

"Believe me, that was my first reaction, too, but Alex doesn't want me… or rather… us… to show up there just yet," Lewis explained.

Confused, Tyler tilted his head.

"Then what does he want?"

"He wants to spend the day with Jackson… Alex said that Jackson wants to go back to wherever he came from tonight… and that he will catch the first flight tonight. But he wants us all to be there before. He's going out with him to… distract him," Lewis replied.

A small sigh left his lips.

"He wants us all to be there at 6.30. And with all, he meant Sloan, you, me… the people who are closest to him… and since April doesn't talk to him, he wants me to inform her either. So I have to go see Mark… and then April… and maybe even Arizona and Eli… and you said Addison can help, right? So she should be informed, too."

Walking out of the bathroom, Lewis sat down on his bed, burying his head in his hands.

"I think I deserve all this. I think I deserve to be the one to bring the news to everyone after all I did to Alex." Biting his lips he looked at Tyler who had followed him and was now standing in the doorframe.

"And I know I have no right for it, but I… I can't help feeling… kind of jealous that he can spend the whole day with Jackson… have actually a really nice day with him, while all we will get is most likely a fight."

"Hey…" Tyler made his way over and placed an arm around his shoulder.

"You're not alone, okay? I'm here with you. Every step of the way. We will do this together."

"You think that's such a good idea? Especially Mark is already… difficult to handle as it is… if we both try to talk to him, it might not end well…" Lewis suggested. "I better go alone."

"No!" Tyler disagreed. "I won't let you talk to him alone. Not after all he did to Alex. Not after I've seen the way he treated Alex. You can go talk to April alone, if you want to, but not Mark."

"Tyler, I…" Lewis started, but immediately, Tyler cut him off mid-sentence.

"No! This isn't up for discussion. I won't throw you under the bus and let you go through this alone, understood?"

Lewis couldn't help the smile that crossed his lips. "Understood."

He leaned forward, capturing Tyler's lips in a gentle kiss, falling down on the bed and pulling him with him, so he was on top of him.

"I'm… I'm so glad you stayed here tonight after all I said… and did…"

"We were both angry, Lewis. And said things we didn't mean to. This whole situation isn't easy for either of us, but we'll… we'll make it through."

Tyler's words sounded so honest, so sincere and Lewis wanted nothing more than to believe him. To believe every single word he said. He just hoped Tyler was right.

"Jackson is gonna hate us for this, isn't he?"

"Maybe… probably… yes… but he's gonna see that we all do it because we love him so much," Tyler replied.

Lewis pushed Tyler next to him, so he could snuggle close to his body and place his head on his chest.

"I hope so. I really… really wanna make things right now. Not only with Jackson, but also with Alex. But I doubt he's ever gonna give me a chance to talk to him again. I hurt him way too badly."

"Give him some time. He'll come around," Tyler replied, holding him close in his arms and starting to stroke his back.

"I hope so," Lewis replied, closing his eyes and listening to Tyler's heartbeat. "I sure hope so."

Addison Montgomery POV:

Addison knocked on Amelia's door and waited for the woman to answer. She could hear scurrying around and Amelia incessantly telling her to wait just one second.

It was the middle of the afternoon and Addison thought the woman should have really been up by now. Although Addison had enjoyed her late mornings too many times to chastise the woman for it.

At least out loud that was.

Opening the door Amelia peaked her head out. She looked a bit rough for 12:15 in the afternoon.

"Hey Addison" she said breathlessly, as if she had just been out running.

"Hey, I need to talk to you" Addison told her "it's important"

"Okay" Amelia said "just let me-"

"Is someone in there with you?"

The question startled Amelia and Addison had her answer.

"Why would you say that?" Amelia asked flustered.

"There is" Addison laughed and pushed the door open wide enough to see Sheldon standing there in his boxers trying to cover himself up with a blanket.

Addison was definitely shocked. She should have at least suspected something, but the knowledge that the two were actually together seemed to fit like a last puzzle piece to complete the board.

"Don't tell Derek" was the first thing Amelia said and turning around she smiled widely at Amelia.

"How long?" Addison asked.

"A couple weeks" Amelia told her "we're still figuring things out so if you could keep this under wraps for now"

"No worries" Addison said. She was genuinely happy for the two and the last thing she wanted to do was cause trouble "I'm actually here because Tyler called me this morning. It's Jackson"

The name got both Amelia and Sheldon's full attention.

"Something happen?" Amelia was focused and seemed prepared for almost anything.

"He's back in town" Addison told her "but he plans on leaving again tonight so if we're going to do anything it has to be now...well tonight to be more specific"

Addison knew it was fast and last minute. An intervention took a lot of work and it could be a make or break moment in somebody's addiction

"That's quick" Sheldon said from behind her "do you think this would even be possible?"

"We have to make it possible" Amelia told him "I've met Jackson and he seems like a pretty good guy. We have to do whatever we can for him"

Addison and Sheldon knew that Amelia was coming from a place that neither one of them had ever been to. Amelia had been the addict and she was more prepared than anyone for what might happen tonight.

"I have to go to the hospital and pick up Henry" Addison said "but I'll come by around 5:30 to pick you two up, but if you think you're not ready and want to back out I don't blame you. Just do it now"

"We're in" and this time it was Sheldon who spoke and he looked just as steadfast in his conviction as Amelia had been just a few moments before.

Beyond how much this meant to Amelia Sheldon was an amazing doctor and he was never one to just sit aside and let somebody suffer.

It was in that moment that Addison was assured that she made the right choice by having them here.

It took her close to 30 minutes to get back to the hospital and when she did she was heading towards the day-care when she heard Tyler call her name.

Turning around she hugged him once he reached her.

"How are you?" she asked him and saw he was buzzing with nerves.

"I can't get my hand to stop shaking" Tyler told her "Lewis is telling April now and then we're going to tell Mark together"

"I can do that" Addison said "tell Mark, that is" she knew the tension that existed between the three men and the last thing either of them needed was to confront Jackson with a chip on their shoulder.

"That's okay" Tyler said "Alex wants Lewis to do this and Lewis is all about making Alex happy these days"

Addison knew something went down and reading his eyes she could see the shame in them.

"He caught us"

"By us you mean you and Lewis, right?"

"Yeah" Tyler told her "and I was a complete dick for knowing what Alex was going through and not saying anything"

"Going through?"

"Mark hasn't been making things easy for Karev and I walked in on an episode" Tyler said "of course I tried to do the right thing and only made it worse with Mark"

"Look Tyler" Addison spoke "you can't help who you love and if anyone knows that it's Karev. He'll understand that. Besides, I'm sure his focus is on seeing Jackson tonight"

A small chuckle escaped Tyler's lips "Alex was the one who told us Jackson is back. He's spending the day keeping Jackson distracted while we plan everything"

Something crossed Addison's mind "How did Alex come to be the one to see Jackson before anyone else?"

"Who knows" Tyler responded "I'm just glad that he did the right thing by telling us"

"Well, Alex and Jackson do care about one another very much and I'm sure Alex knows it's for the best". She'd known a relationship like theirs before and she couldn't stop thinking that there was much more to this Alex and Jackson thing than most people would assume.

Still, it wasn't her business.

"I'm picking Amelia and Sheldon up around 5"30 and Callie agreed to watch Henry while we do this"

"Does she know?" Tyler asked.

"Enough" Addison told her "and since you insist on telling Mark yourself I suggest you do it sooner rather than later. The last thing he needs is to hear it from is Callie or someone else"

"I know" Tyler responded "and I promise to be on my best behaviour" he smiled as he made a cross on his chest.

"I'm going to hold you to that" she laughed and gave him a kiss on the cheek "now go"

"Yes Ma'am" Tyler said and made his way towards April's room to catch Lewis.

She almost missed Michael staring at the two from a distance. When she caught sight of him he turned and quickly disappeared around the corner.

"Michael" Addison said "wait" and she raced up to catch him.

"Why the rush?"

He looked at her and he was rattled. More so than she had ever seen him before

"Something wrong?"

Michael was nervous, but the fact that he hadn't bolted was a good sign.

"I heard you talking to Tyler" Michael said "is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"Jackson...he's come back?"

Michael Holt POV:

Michael hadn't been himself ever since he had found out about Jackson and his drug problem. No surprise Lewis hated him so much after all he had done to his little brother. He should have backed up when Lewis had asked him to, but he had been so full of dislike for the younger Avery that he had lost control over himself.

At some point he just hadn't been able to stop himself from hurting him anymore. He had been nasty to say at least and of course Jackson had to crack under the pressure at some point.

He should have ended it. He shouldn't even have started it in the first place. He was Lewis' best friend. Or had been. He should have told Lewis that Jackson wasn't worth it and that he should let go.

But he didn't.

And he couldn't change that anymore now. And with Jackson being gone he couldn't even make it up to him. Or even Lewis.

If Jackson didn't come back, it was his fault. Mostly.

The past few days, ever since he had found out about Jackson's problem, he hadn't been the same anymore. He hadn't even enjoyed working with Meredith anymore and his goal to hook up with her wasn't important anymore.

Now, where he knew he probably could have her, he didn't want her anymore. He had other things to worry about now.

He had even thought about quitting his job here and go back to where he came from, but he knew that wouldn't be the solution, even though he had almost nothing left here. Only his job.

But he was good in his job and he knew Seattle Grace Mercy West needed him. At least until Derek was able to come back to work, even though - as far as Michael had heard - that might not even happen at all.

Standing in front of the hospital, Michael looked at the entrance for a couple of seconds, before he went in and got into the elevator.

He got to his office, and put on his lab coat. He was just about to head out again when he heard a knock and only a mere seconds later Meredith came in.

"Good morning, Michael," she said, smiling at him, and Michael smiled back.

"Good morning, Meredith." He didn't even remember exactly when they moved onto a first name base. Most likely when they had their date.

Michael rounded the table, looking down at her.

"How can I help you?"

"I... here... your post ops... I took care of all of them. I even spent the night here to observe Mr. Specter," Meredith explained, handing Michael some files.

"Thank you, Meredith. You're doing a really good job here," Michael praised her, causing the woman to blush, and it looked adorable.

"Thank you. So... for today... is there anything special on our schedule?" she asked.

Thinking for a moment, Michael shook his head.

"No, I don't think so. If you wanna call it an early day, feel free too," Michael replied nonchalant.

"I actually thought that..." Meredith moved closer towards him, placing a hand against his chest. "That we could maybe have lunch together?"

"Don't you rather want to spend your time with your family? Your husband and your daughter? I'm sure they miss you terribly," Michael said, noticing the light twitch of her body. He could tell from the look on her face that this wasn't what she had expected to hear.

"Maybe, yes. You're probably right. I should probably go." She took a step back and then turned around, heading out of his office as quickly as she entered it.

Michael let out a sigh.

He knew he started all of this, but after all he had done, he actually didn't want to do any more damage than he had already done. He still liked Meredith. A lot. But she was married, and he knew hooking up with her would make things so much more difficult, even though she obviously had developed a little crush on him.

Sighing, Michael left his office. He wanted to take his rounds, checking on his patients, when he saw Tyler and Addison a few feet away, and they hadn't seen him yet.

Slowly, he moved towards them, so he was able to catch some of their conversation.

"You can't help who you love and if anyone knows that it's Karev. He'll understand that. Besides, I'm sure his focus is on seeing Jackson tonight" he heard Addison say, and by the mention of Jackson's name a shiver ran down Michael's spine. It sounded almost as if Jackson was back.

"Alex was the one who told us Jackson is back. He's spending the day keeping Jackson distracted while we plan everything," Tyler said and it confirmed what Michael was already expecting, but still, it totally unnerved him.

Jackson was back and they were planning to do something about it.

All of them.

Addison, Tyler, Lewis, Alex and Mark to say at least. Maybe a few more people.

The rest of the conversation went by in a haze and it was like they were saying something but speaking a complete different language. Michael didn't get any of it. He felt his pulse racing and had to take a few deep breathes, even though it didn't really calm him down. Not very much at least.

When he looked back at Addison, he could see that she was alone now, and she was looking at him. He hadn't even noticed that Tyler had left, but he didn't want Addison to notice how rattled he was all of a sudden.

The news that Jackson was back had hit him like a hammer.

He turned around and rounded the corner, when he heard footsteps and then Addison's voice behind him.

She told him to stop and even though he knew he shouldn't he did. His feet stopped moving and he just stood there, waiting for her to catch up with him.

"Something wrong?" she asked and Michael didn't know what to answer, so he decided to come to the point directly.

"I heard you talking to Tyler" Michael admitted. "Is it true?"

"Is what true?" Addison tilted her head, looking at him.

"Jackson... he's come back?"

Biting his lower lip, he looked down at her, noticing that she was fighting with herself whether to give him that information or not.

"Where do you know Jackson from?" she asked instead of giving him an answer.

"Lewis is... was my best friend... so our paths crossed... more or less." he replied. "But to be completely honest, it's maybe for the better if you don't tell me, before I do any more damage. I'm sorry, Addison."

He turned around, about to leave her standing there when he felt her hand grabbing his wrist.

"Michael. Stop. What's he matter?"

Fighting with himself what to do next, Michael let out a sigh, turning around again.

"You should better keep your distance. I'm not a good person, and I'm definitely not good for you. I destroy lives..."

"What are you talking about?" Addison asked, and the confusion was visible on her face.

"I'm pretty sure Tyler advised you to stay away from me because I'm bad news. You should probably listen to him." Michael gave back. He liked the woman. More than he wanted, even though he barely knew her, and he most definitely didn't want to burden her with something like that.

"I've never been really good at listening what other people told me and I won't start with it right now," Addison replied. "I don't care what Tyler... or anyone else says, because I usually build my own opinion and so far I've only met you as a nice, charming, very likeable guy. That still owes me a coffee date."

A sad smile crossed Michael's lips.

"Please, Addison. Just... just stay away from me, okay? I wanna do the right thing here and you deserve better than what I'm able to give you. It's my fault that Jackson is in this situation, and if something happens to him, I will never forgive myself for torturing him so much."

He closed his mouth immediately. He had already said way more than he wanted to, but the words had just slipped from his mouth.

"I... I need to go now." He dragged himself out of Addison's grip and turned around, making his way towards the exit.

He could feel he familiar burn in his eyes and just hoped, he would arrive there before anyone saw him like that. He hated this side of him and barely anyone had ever seen him like that, but right now it was just all too much. The guilt was killing him from the inside and he had no idea how to make up for everything he had done.

Addison Montgomery POV:

Addison couldn't let Michael just leave when he was so obviously distraught.

She could pretty much assume that he and Jackson's history was a very bad one, but judging by the man's reaction to Jackson being back it was much worse then she had assumed.

She found him sitting on the bench outside of the hospital. She didn't know the man very well, but he couldn't have done something so awful to look as devastated as he did.

She didn't say a word as she sat beside him.

The two remained quiet until Addison decided to speak.

"You know you were right when you said Tyler told me to stay away from you"

"It's probably really good advice" Michael said "and that says a lot if someone as inept as Browning recognizes it"

Turning around Addison grabbed the man's hand and when he looked over she gave him a smile in hopes of easing some of his distress.

"What happened?"

"I-I can't" Michael told her "you're the only person left in this hospital who treats me with a modicum of respect and I don't want to lose that"

"You should know something about me, Holt" Addison said "I respect people who are honest with me. You did some messed up things, but one look at you and it's obvious you regret them"

"Regret doesn't give Jackson his old life back" Michael told her "regret doesn't get Lewis to stop hating me"

"You talking about it might" Addison said. She didn't know exactly why she cared so much about making Michael feel better, but a man who seemingly hated himself this much shouldn't be alone.

"I first met Lewis when we were in college" Michael said "and we hit it off immediately which for me, a guy who doesn't make friends easily at all, that was quite something"

Addison sat quietly and listened. She knew this was something he needed to get off his chest.

"I didn't even know he had a younger brother until a year after we became roommates. It was Lewis' birthday and Jackson called… I picked up and we were pretty drunk by that time and even through the alcohol I could hear the fear in Jackson's voice. I told Lewis that he was on the phone and in an instant Lewis' mood changed. He went from happy and loopy to bitter."

"Why?" Addison asked "because of Tyler?"

"Lewis hadn't even met Tyler yet" Michael told her "this was about their father. Their father loved Jackson far more than Lewis, at least according to Lewis. He used to say that it was like living with two different families. One was Lewis and his mother and the other was Jackson and his father. After his dad died Lewis had let his resentment grow and by the time the two were adults it was just too big to curb"

Addison felt bad about the fascination she was getting from Michael's story. She had heard about the Avery family ever since she decided to become a doctor. The family was royalty in the medical world and to get this peek into their real lives was intriguing and more than a little depressing.

"Tyler told me about Jackson's behaviour and I never questioned that it was only coming through the eyes of an angry brother. Then when the Tyler thing happened Lewis was destroyed. Just completely shattered and I had to put him back together piece by piece. It bonded us. He's my brother and there was nothing I wouldn't do for him. So, when he calls me up and says that after everything that Jackson had done to him the guy was living it up in Seattle. A girlfriend, a good job, and friends. It made him furious"

"What did he do?"

"Seattle Grace was looking for a neuro surgeon and my contract was ending so I thought why not? Michael said "a new place might be interesting for a while and Lewis was going to join me once his own contract ended and it was just screw with Jackson a little. You know freak him out, make him nervous and then once things settled go on from there"

"What happened?" Addison asked him, knowing that something that trivial wouldn't cause Michael to feel this awful.

"At some point it stopped being about Lewis" Michael told her "Jackson fought back and I became fixated on making his life hell. I forced him to do whatever I said under the threat of telling Mark about Tyler. It did a pretty good job of keeping him in line, but I could see the toll it was taking on him, then when Lewis came he had both of us to worry about. He was lying to everyone and that's when he and Alex's friendship started to fall apart. I did a pretty good job of isolating him from everyone. Then..."

"Then what?"

"Then he stopped listening to me" Michael said "and it pissed me off and I did something that...it was bad."

"Michael?"

"I made him believe we slept together" Michael told her "he was drunk and couldn't remember anything so I used it to my advantage and he believed it. By then Lewis had begged me to stop, but I couldn't. I just hated Jackson so much and he had gotten me so angry that I just...couldn't"

"Why?" Addison asked him "what was Jackson to you?"

"He was everybody who I was never as good as" Michael said "I saw him as nothing but a spoiled entitled brat who screwed over his brother to get what he wanted. He stopped being an actual person"

Standing up Michael looked down at Addison "So you see, Addison, Tyler was right. I am the monster who all put stuffed those drugs into Jackson's body and you'd do well to hate me too. I'm disgusting"

Standing up Addison pulled him in for a hug. "A monster wouldn't feel the guilt and pain you are feeling right now, Michael. You're not perfect. None of us are, but you're no monster and you are my friend"

She knew it wasn't much, but she hoped her words helped him at least a little.

Tyler Browning POV:

Tyler could see Lewis talking to April in her room. It looked tense, but the fact that she hadn't thrown anything at the man's head was a good sign.

Once he was finished Lewis walked out of her room and upon seeing Lewis he smiled and walked over for a hug.

"How did it go?"

"She's not exactly my biggest fan, but she's happy to know Jackson is back and she promised to keep her distance tonight"

"Surprising" Tyler responded "I'd thought she'd put up more of a fight"

"I did too, but she's done the one thing I never could. Put Jackson first"

"You're doing that now, baby" Tyler said and gave Lewis a kiss "look at everything you're doing for him"

Lewis nodded his head, but he still look unconvinced.

"Let's go talk to Sloan, shall we?" Tyler asked as he held Lewis' hand and walked towards the man's office.

It took 10 minutes and several deep breaths, but when Tyler knocked on the man's door and heard Mark tell him to come in he opened up and he and Lewis walked in.

Mark looked angry instantly.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"We need to talk" Tyler said and looked at Lewis who seemed scared "it's important"

Michael Holt POV:

Michael couldn't believe the woman in front of him. He couldn't believe she was real. He couldn't believe that she was hugging him, embracing him like he really mattered. Not like the monster he thought he was. After all he had told her, he couldn't believe that someone could still like him.

Another well of tears burned in his eyes and he pressed his face into Addison's shoulder, holding onto her.

"I'm... I'm so sorry... I wish I could make it up to him... I wish I could make it up to everyone I hurt... especially Lewis... he is... was my best friend and I destroyed it all..."

He knew his voice must have sounded as broken as he felt, and he could see it by the sympathetic look in Addison's eyes, once she let go enough to look at him.

Gently, she placed her hands on his cheeks and wiped away the single tear that was making his way down his face.

"Jackson is back..." She said gently.

"And I will do everything in my willpower that he stays right where he is... and then you will get your chance to make things better. Everyone deserves forgiveness. Everyone deserves a second chance."

"How can you even say that?" Michael asked disbelieving.

"How can you say something like that after everything I have told you?"

"Because it's the truth... believe me, I'm no angel either... I've done bad things, too..." Addison replied with a sad look in her eyes.

Surprised, Michael looked at her. "You?"

"Yes, me!" Addison chuckled. "For example... I've cheated on my husband with his best friend... Not something I'm very proud of, but I... I think I really loved him... and it made me do it... and instead of just following my heart, I decided to do the right thing and went back to my husband... and of course it didn't work out... he didn't love me anymore and neither did I."

"But you loved the other guy. You did it because of it," Michael said, letting out a sigh.

"And you did it because you loved Lewis. Yes, you lost control, but you wouldn't have started it, if it wasn't for Lewis," Addison commented.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Michael. You're a good person, and I'm sure Lewis knows that, too... Deep down he just knows and he will forgive you."

"How can you be so sure?" Michael still had big doubts, but the way Addison said it sounded so sincere.

"I just know it." she smiled, grabbing his hand again. "Come on, let's get back in, I think I want that coffee date now."

Michael couldn't help the smile that crossed his lips when he followed her in. He still felt terrible for what he had done, but it looked like even in his darkest hour, there was a ray of light, and she was exactly that right now. His ray of light, even though he maybe didn't deserve it. But he was thankful for it.

Mark Sloan POV:

Mark was still in a very good mood when he woke up the next morning. His evening with Victor had been so much better than he ever imagined. He hadn't even planned on meeting someone, let alone kiss him and nearly make out with him, but it had felt good and for the first time in a while he had felt like a man again.

Like a desirable man.

Like someone who could go out and pick up someone any time.

It pushed his self-confidence enormously and he would always be thankful for it. He would always owe Victor for that. For pulling him out of his depressive phase he had been in ever since things with Jackson had started to go downhill. Even before he disappeared.

Making his way to the hospital and into his office, Mark sat down on his desk and grabbed some patient files.

Again, Victor came to his mind, and it was the first time in quite a while, either, that it wasn't Jackson he saw when he closed his eyes, but Victor.

He grabbed his wallet and took out Victor's card, looking down at the number.

He should call him.

But maybe it was too early? It wasn't even twelve hours ago since he last saw him. He didn't want to rush things and he definitely didn't want to lead him on again.

Before he could think about it any more he heard a knock at the door.

Immediately, he put the card back in his wallet and the wallet back in his pocket.

"Come in!" he shouted towards the door with a smile on his face, but the smile died on his lips when he saw who was entering his office.

Lewis.

And Tyler.

Together.

Immediately, his good mood vanished and a well of anger started to rise within him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked, knowing that his emotions were visible in his voice, but he didn't even want to hide them.

"We need to talk - it's important" Tyler replied and Lewis was right behind him, but he looked way more scared than Tyler did.

"There is nothing we have to talk about." Mark said, standing up and rounding his desk.

"I want you to leave. I don't want you here in my office."

"No!" Lewis blurted out, looking up at him. "We're not leaving."

"Do I have to call security?" Mark asked, raising an eyebrow. He was just about to grab the two men and literally push them out when Tyler spoke up again.

"It's about Jackson."

Freezing immediately, Mark stared at him in shock. His heart started racing and he grabbed the edges of his desk.

"Is he dead?" he asked, his voice shaking his legs trembling.

"What?" Tyler tilted his head. "No!" he hurriedly said. "No, he's not dead. He's back."

"He's... back?" Mark repeated, but the information that Jackson obviously was okay took a load off his mind. He couldn't help the relieved sigh that left his lips.

"Yeah. But not for long." It was Lewis who started speaking again.

"Look, Mark. I know you hate me... us... right now, and you have every right to, but today we need you. Today we need to pull together. All of us. We need to convince him that we all love him and care for him. And that running away isn't the right solution."

"Why do you think he would listen to any of you?" Mark asked. "After all you did to him."

"He won't listen to us if we try to talk to him alone. So all of us have to. Lewis... me... Alex... you... we need to do this together. And Addison is gonna help us." Tyler replied.

"Addison?" Mark couldn't help the surprised look on his face. "What does she have to do with anything?"

"Not much... but in this case, that's a good thing, because she's an outsider... she's not as much involved as all of us, and she knows what we're going through." Tyler commented.

Thinking about it for a moment, Mark nodded.

"Amelia..." he simply said. Mark and Addison didn't have the most contact over the past few months but he definitely knew what was going on over there with her and he knew about Amelia's drug problem. It hadn't been the first time she had been using, but possibly the worst, because she had lost so much because of it.

"Yes. She's here, too." Lewis continued for Tyler. "And they all want to help us."

"You think that's a good idea?" Mark asked. "Amelia... she went through so much and having her here, making her go through it again literally... I doubt that's good... what if she relapses because of it?" Another well of anger rose within Mark. "I can't put her through this... she's too fragile."

"I won't relapse," A voice came from the door. "I'm stronger than that now."

Shocked, Mark stared at the dark haired woman. "How much of it did you hear?"

"Enough," Amelia replied, stepping in, stopping in front of Mark and looking up at him. "I'm here because I want to be here and because I want to help. I'm maybe the only one that can really relate to what Jackson is going through, because I've been there."

"Exactly." Mark stated. "And that's why this is not a good idea. I'm worried about you."

"I know. But you don't have to. I know I can handle it, so just... trust me in this, okay?" Amelia said, grabbing Mark by the waist and hugging him. "Nice to see you, by the way."

Mark held her tight for a moment, before he let her go again, looking at Tyler and Lewis who were still standing there.

"I still don't think cornering him like that is a good idea... he's gonna hate all of us."

"He already does." Tyler replied. "Whether you like it or not, he already hates most of us."

"An intervention won't change anything," Mark disagreed, and that was when Amelia spoke up again.

"Yes, it does. Back then I... I would have agreed with you, Mark..." Amelia explained. "I felt trapped and I felt betrayed by all of my friends when they locked me in in the practice, but when I had he chance to really think about it... when I was clear enough to see through it, I recognized they did it because they loved me so much. And that was when I realized I needed therapy. Because there were people that loved me. People who didn't want to lose me."

"But Jackson is not you. What if it doesn't work with him?" Mark asked, feeling a heavy weight on his heart.

"We have to at least try," Lewis spoke again. "Or he will disappear again and this time for good. We can't let that happen."

A small sigh left Mark's lips. "Okay... when?" he finally gave in, still not knowing if it was the right decision, but what other choice did he have?

"6.30 at his old apartment." Lewis replied. "Thank you, Mark."

"I'm not doing this for you," Mark spat. "I'm doing it for him."

"I know..." Lewis grabbed Tyler's hand and pulled him towards the door. "See you then."

And with this, the two of them were gone and Mark was alone with Amelia.

"It's nice to see you, too, by he way." he said to her with a weak smile.

Amelia leaned against the desk next to him, poking his shoulder with her own.

"What do you think we go to the cafeteria and grab a coffee and you catch me up with everything that has happened lately? Seems like I've missed a lot."

"Sure thing... I just... need to finish something. See you there in ten?" Mark asked and with a Nod, Amelia was out of the door, too.

Mark moved towards his sofa and sank down on it. He felt like every bit of strength had left his body and it was just all too much for him.

Jackson was back.

The realisation hit him once again, and immediately he had to think about Victor again.

Just when he was about to move on... when he was at least trying to move on, Jackson was back. Probably back in his life for good, and it kind of hurt. More than he was willing to admit, because with Jackson back all the bad memories were back, too, and the realisation that he had failed him.

That he hadn't been there for him when Jackson had needed him most.

That he hadn't seen what Jackson was going through.

Oh yes, he would hate him, and Mark would have to live with all the things Jackson would throw at him, because every single one of them would be true.

He didn't know how he could make it through this day, thinking about Jackson constantly, but he knew the evening probably would be worse than everything he had experienced before. But he had to be strong. For Jackson. He couldn't let him down again, and he wouldn't.