A/N: Heeeeey Here's the next chapter… So far I think I'm doing okay with posting at least one chapter a week, and I promise to try and keep up the pace.
The people who asked about Alex and April: You never know what could or couldn't happen, but I wouldn't give up hope… me and my partner have definitely ideas who will be "end-game", but we don't wanna take the fun away from you by "spoiling" that… but there will come some April/Alex scenes in the future =D
And now, enjoy Chapter 68!
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2 Days Later
Alex Karev POV:
Alex walked into Seattle Grace Mercy West at 9 in the morning feeling flustered and anxious. It had been the first time away from the hospital since Jackson and April had been admitted. He would have stayed the night had Arizona not all but forced him to go home to an actual bed and take a shower and get some sleep.
Alex had argued with her, but after giving the very astute advice that he would be no help to either April or Jackson if he was using all his energy just to remain on his feet he had given in.
He was a surgeon and he knew what tiredness could do so sucking it up he crashed at his apartment and was surprised that he had actually gotten 7 hours of solid sleep.
A quick shower and a cream cheese bagel later and he was heading towards April's room when he ran into Addison.
"Addison" Alex practically shouted in order to get the woman's attention. She turned around and upon seeing Alex gave him a tired smile.
"He Alex" she said "what can I do for you?"
"You look exhausted" Alex replied "have you been able to sleep?"
"Yeah" she told him "it's just long mornings that lead to even longer afternoons and evenings"
"If you want to catch some sleep you can sneak off to one of the on-call rooms and I promise your secret will be safe with me"
The comment got a laugh from Addison "I think I'll pass. I know what goes on in those call rooms"
"Oh, right" Alex chuckled "I don't blame you"
"I'll be good Alex" Addison assured him "I just had to spend most of the night convincing Mark that he can sleep for a few hours without the world ending"
"How's he doing?" Alex asked "I haven't really had a chance to see him since the thing with Lewis"
"As good as one might expect" Addison said "most of his time is spent at Jackson's side. I think he has convinced himself that if he, or someone he trusts, isn't watching Jackson 24 hours a day Lewis and Michael will sneak in and perform that surgery"
Alex knew how scared Mark was, but he didn't have it in him to let the man know he believed they were fighting a war they couldn't win.
Lewis was Jackson's brother by blood and therefore had final say in whatever treatment Jackson would have. Despite sharing Mark's thoughts about the untrustworthiness of Holt Alex knew Lewis too well.
True the two men had been on a rocky path, but Alex had seen the man's heart and he knew that he truly wanted nothing more than to make Jackson well and start to mend the mistakes of his past.
Alex's fear was that Lewis would let himself be blinded by Michael Holt and their history. Everyone knew the kind of man Holt was. Months of torturing Jackson, even after Lewis begged him to stop. Then getting the man drunk to take advantage of a compromising situation.
Lewis had done the right thing by cutting the man out of his life, but now Alex could see Lewis' walls were crumbling. First with believing Holt's lame story of doing nothing with Jackson that night and now convincing Lewis to let him perform Jackson's surgery.
If Lewis couldn't protect Jackson and himself from Holt then that was something Alex would have to do. He truly loved the Avery brothers and he wouldn't let anyone hurt them.
Not anymore, but first he had a more pressing matter.
"So what have you been up to, Alex?"
Shaking his head free of his previous thoughts he gave Addison a smile "I've talked to Arizona and brought up the suggestion of April going to the NICU to finally get a look at our little girl" he said "Arizona just thinks it would be best to get your approval first"
Addison nodded her head "I think if you could wheel her down there it may be a good idea" Addison said "it might be good to help her get back to the world"
"Back to the world?"
Addison's face looked sombre "She's just experienced a multitude of traumas" she told Alex "premature labour, risky surgery, not to mention the fear of her best friend being in an accident. It could make anyone withdraw into themselves"
Alex could understand that, but he felt that if she had just gotten one good look at the beautiful baby that was waiting to finally see her mother all could be well. If only for a few moments.
After acquiring a wheelchair Alex strolled into April's room with a huge grin "You're car awaits, Dr. Kepner"
She laid with her back to him and turning the top half around to look at Alex he took notice of the absent look she gave him "I'm tired" then turning back around she pulled the covers over her body.
"I know, April" Alex said softly "but I got permission from Addison to bring you to the NICU unit. I have it on good authority that a special guest is waiting for you"
Grabbing for the covers April snatched it back quickly "I said I don't want to go" her voice was a hard line and it took Alex by surprise.
"Come on, April" Alex pleaded "I think this might be good for you and her"
His hand had been on her shoulder and the instant he mentioned their daughter he felt her whole body shiver in what appeared to be disgust.
"April?"
"Get out, Alex"
"It's been two days and you haven't been able to see your daughter yet"
"GET OUT" She screamed at him and it caused him to jump back "I told you I don't want you near me"
The words still hurt even though he had heard them before.
"Come on, Alex" Addison said as she helped lead him out of the room and into the hall. Once outside Alex turned to Addison frantically.
"What's wrong with her?"
It was a moment of silence before Addison spoke "I suspect it's Postpartum Depression" she said and the moment Alex heard her say it he knew it made perfect sense.
"But she was so happy to be pregnant" Alex said "how could this happen?"
"The delivery almost killed her, Alex" Addison said "I shouldn't even be telling you this, but you're that little girl's father and I think she's going to have to rely on you for the foreseeable future"
"Why?"
"Some mothers who have gone through dangerous deliveries can only see the product of said delivery as a terrifying reminder of the life they nearly lost"
"So what?" Alex asked "She just hates her daughter for the rest of her life?"
"Of course not" Addison scoffed "but it's going to take medication and therapy. I'm hoping to have Amelia come and talk to her later. She's dealt with a pretty bad situation herself"
"You have to make her better, Addison" Alex said "you have to find the April that used to be there and bring her back to us"
"I'm going to try my best Alex. I promise"
Mark Sloan POV:
2 days had passed. 2 days and 3 nights since Jackson got admitted to Seattle Grace Mercy West and nothing had changed about his state. Not visibly, that was. Hunt had told Mark, that Jackson's vital signs were approving, and that they could do the surgery in a couple of days if it stayed that way.
A surgery Mark didn't want for Jackson under any circumstances. Mark was convinced that Holt hat tried to kill Jackson when he ran him over, and because it hadn't worked, he now was gonna try it again. Through the surgery.
Mark couldn't believe that Lewis couldn't see it, even worse, that he started trusting Holt again. After all he did to Jackson.
For a moment there he had really thought Lewis could have changed. That he cared for Jackson. But right now he was sure he had been wrong.
If he loved Jackson he would do everything to save him, and not throw him under a bus again. A bus called Michael Holt.
Letting out a sigh, Mark got up from the chair he was sitting on. He leaned down and kissed Jackson's forehead.
"I need to leave you alone for a while now, baby… but I will be back as soon as I can… you know, after all I'm a doctor here and I have work to do… Hunt told me that he needed me back as soon as possible…"
A sad smile appeared on Mark's lips.
"Believe me, if I could, I would be here 24/7, and I wouldn't even have left to take a shower or sleep a couple of hours, but Addison is right…" he admitted.
"I might have blacked out at some point if I hadn't listened to her…"
Grabbing Jackson's hand, he kissed the back of it, before he let go and moved a few steps backwards.
"I will be back soon, I promise… I'm sure if you could talk, you would want me to get back to work. Help people. After all, that's what we do, right?"
He knew how silly it might have looked for anyone to see him talking to Jackson as if he was awake, but he just had to believe that maybe, just maybe, Jackson could hear some of it. That Jackson would know deep down that he had been by his side every step of the way.
"I'm pretty sure Tyler and Eli will take good care of you until I'm back… just please don't die, okay?"
The moment he had said it, his beeper started to go off and Mark let out a sigh.
"Hunt… he wants me in his office… I really need to go now… see you later, Jackson… I love you…"
Turning around, Mark left the room and went to the nurse's desk, to talk to Eli, who was sitting there, filling out some forms.
"Listen, Eli… I… I need to get back to work today, or Owen is gonna kick my ass… but I'll be back as soon as my shift ends. Will you take care of Jackson for me, please?"
A friendly smile appeared on Eli's lips.
"Of course. You don't even have to ask…"
Nodding, Mark took a few steps away from him when something came to his mind.
"And please… please don't let Lewis or Holt near him, okay?"
Eli got up from his chair and moved towards Mark, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You know as good as I do, that Lewis is his brother and has every right to see him, but even if he does, I promise, I'll have an eye on Jackson… on them… nothing's gonna happen to him, okay?"
The mere thoughts that any of those two could sneak inside of Jackson's room and hurt him, killed him from the inside, but he also knew that Eli was right, and that this was probably the only thing he could do.
Mark knew, that Lewis had every right to see Jackson, whether he liked it or not, and he knew Lewis had done so a couple of times over the past few days. Whenever he wasn't there.
Which Mark was thankful for. As long as he didn't have to see him, he could plainly ignore the fact that he even existed.
Walking towards his office, Mark was just about to put on his lab-coat when there was a knock at the door and only a few seconds later, Owen looked inside of the room.
"Dr. Sloan. Good to see you here. I paged you, but you didn't answer."
"I'm sorry," Mark apologized immediately. "I was just on my way to your office. I know I'm late but…"
"No worries," Owen cut him off, walking inside of his office and closing the door behind him.
"There is something I need to talk to you about. That's why I paged you in the first place."
"Oh," Mark blurted out, leaning against his desk. "Sounds… serious…"
A dull feeling started rising inside of his stomach and he bit his lower lip.
"Is it about Jackson?"
"No… I mean… not directly… it's mostly about this hospital…" Owen replied, crossing his arms above his chest.
"Look, Mark… I need doctors I can rely on here… and you can't run the plastics section all alone…"
"I won't…" Mark interrupted him. "As soon as Jackson gets better he will go to rehab and then he'll be back…"
"You don't know that," Owen disagreed, and before he could say anything more, Mark had interrupted him again.
"Yes, I do… Because I will do everything to get the Jackson we all know and love back. He will be back."
Even though Mark wasn't this convinced himself he knew he at least had to sell it to Owen. This was Jackson's future they were talking about and Mark would do everything in his power for Jackson to keep his job.
"Okay… but even though… it will take weeks, if not months until he's back and we need someone until then, don't you agree with me?" Owen asked, and even though Mark wasn't sure he meant it that way, Owen's words sounded sincere. Like he really wanted to release some stress from Mark with everything going on in his life.
"Well… what do you suggest, then?" Mark asked back, because he had no idea where this conversation would lead.
"I hired someone," Owen blurted out, looking very guilty all of a sudden.
Staring at him in shock, it took a moment for Mark to react.
"You did what?"
Shaking his head, Mark grabbed the edge of his desk.
"You gave away Jackson's job? Jackson is my partner… I don't want to work with anyone but him."
"I understand," Owen replied. "And that's why I hired him only temporary. He comes from another hospital. He has just finished his plastics fellowship and he was the best in his year. Please, Mark, at least give him a chance. He knows that as soon as Jackson is back for good, he will be back at his own hospital. So it's a win-win situation for all of us."
"Is it?" Mark asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't like it…"
"You don't have to… you just have to try and get along with him, okay? I just met him and he's a really nice guy." Owen gave back.
Again, Mark stared at his boss wide-eyed.
"He's already here? When were you planning on telling me?"
"Right now. That's why I'm here, Mark… to tell you that you have a new co-worker from now on. He will support you the best way he can, he assured me. And wouldn't it be good to have someone to disburden you at least a little bit?" Owen wanted to know, moving towards Mark and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Believe me, Mark, this is not me going behind your back, this is me supporting you. I know how hard this whole situation with Jackson must be for you, and with Dr. Whale in our team, you would have the opportunity to see Jackson more often than you usually would…"
"Dr. Whale?" Mark asked and his mouth dropped open.
The moment Owen was about to reply something, there was another knock at the door and Mark tilted his head.
"This must be him," Owen said, moving towards the door and opening it, before Mark had the chance to do anything about it.
"Glad you found Dr. Sloan's office, come in," Owen greeted the guy, and the moment he appeared in Mark's focus, he thought he was dreaming.
"This is really you, isn't it?" Mark asked, moving a few steps towards the other doctor.
Before he could do it himself, Victor had already pulled him into his arms and Mark couldn't do anything but return the embrace.
"Victor. It's so nice to see you…" he whispered into his ears, burying his head into his shoulder for a moment.
He had to admit, he hadn't really thought about him since the day of Jackson's accident, but right now he was more than relieved that it would obviously him he would work with, even though he still didn't like the fact that he had Jackson's job for now.
"You know each other?" Owen asked into the silence, and Mark knew that was the sign to let go of the younger guy if he didn't want to raise any suspicions already.
"We… we kinda met… briefly…" Mark replied, and he couldn't help the smile spreading over his face.
"At a bar…" Victor went on.
"None of my business," Owen replied, and now it was on him to raise his eyebrow.
"It's not like that…" Mark hurriedly said, before turning back to Victor. "You didn't tell me you're a plastics surgeon…"
"That must have slipped my mind… I'm sorry," Victor apologized, looking up at Mark.
"And I'm sorry for appearing here like that, but believe me when I tell you I'm not here to take away Dr. Avery's job. I'm here to help. When I heard there was a temporary job opening here at Seattle Grace Mercy West, I took my chance," Victor explained.
"And I have to admit, I hoped to see you again, too…."
"I'm seriously glad it's you," Mark admitted. "And not some douche bag from the street just passing his boards and thinking he's way ahead of me…"
"You really think I would have hired someone like that?" Owen asked in between.
Shrugging, Mark looked at him. "You hired Holt."
"Because he's good," Owen defended himself. "But let's not talk about him right now." He turned to Victor and then back to Mark.
"You two think you will get along?"
"I have a very good feeling we will," Mark smiled, watching Owen turn towards the door.
"Good… then I'll leave you two alone for now…"
Mark waited just until Owen was out of the door, and then he hugged Victor again, feeling Victor hugging him back.
"It's really so good to see you…" he repeated what he already had said before, feeling Victor's hands on his back.
"It's gonna be okay, Mark…" he heard Victor say, letting go of him enough to look him in the eye.
"What is?"
"The thing with Dr. Avery…" Victor replied. "Dr. Hunt hasn't told me very much… only that you and he are close and that he's in a coma right now… When I arrived here, Dr. Hunt showed me everything, also the ICU, and when I saw you sitting there at his bed, I knew he was the one… the one you told me about… the one you're still hung up on…"
"He… it's… it's complicated… we're not even together, and still the thought that he might die kills me…" Mark admitted, and somehow it was so easy to talk to Victor about all those things. And he barely knew the guy.
"I can only imagine what you're going through right now, Mark… but if there is anything I can do for you, even if it's only listening to you, I'm here, okay?" Victor offered.
"Truth to be told, when I heard I would be working with you, I did everything so no one else would get this job…"
"And I'm glad you did…" Mark replied. "Like I said… I don't think I could have dealt with a complete stranger, but working with you… I'm sure we'll be a good team."
And he really was. His day had started badly, but right now it felt like things could get better again for him after all. He never expected to see Victor again this soon, but right now he was thankful that destiny seemed to have a plan for him. That after things got so bad they probably started to get better again. He still wasn't completely okay with the fact that Victor had Jackson's position, but it was only for now, and Mark would move heaven and hell for Jackson to be back at some point, and until then, he would make the best out of it.
Eli Lloyd POV:
Eli was finishing his lunch when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around he was pleased to see the smiling face of Sasha Mills staring down at him.
"Hey Sasha" Eli stood "how are you?"
The woman looked fatigued, more than Eli could ever remember seeing her, but the past few days had wiped all of them out. That was what concern and endless back and forth made of you.
"Good" she told him "I've been making sure to keep an eye on Dr. Kepner since the birth"
In all the confusion and hyper-focus on Jackson Eli forgot that April was also a patient here. He felt ashamed that he had yet to visit her and he made a mental note to do just that.
"How is she?"
"Better" Sasha told him "she's no longer in imminent risk and the baby is getting healthier with every passing hour"
"A girl, right?" Eli remembered briefly talking to Arizona about the girl April and Alex could now call theirs. The woman couldn't stop smiling and telling Eli how wonderful she was. Eli knew she was going to make a terrific aunt to her.
"Yes" Sasha beamed "the most adorable one you've ever seen. I think she's going to be a red head like her mom"
Eli grinned "They name her yet?" and just like that Sasha's smile was gone and the woman looked almost dower.
"What's the matter?"
Sasha looked up at him "Dr. Kepner is not having an easy go of it right now" she said "I think the trauma and stress of everything has taken a lot out of her so Alex thinks holding off on a name is best, at least for now"
Eli felt his heart grow heavy. He loved this hospital more than his own home most days, but sometimes he remembered everything it had cost the people inside and he hated it just a little.
He wanted to reach out and pull Sasha in for a hug, but things between them weren't what they used to be. He had feelings he couldn't explain and overstepping his boundaries terrified him.
So he settled for some encouraging words "It's going to be okay Sasha" he told her "you know the kinds of things she's been through and you know April is as tough as they come"
"I know" she murmured before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around Eli's waist in order to lay her cheek against his chest. He could feel his heart literally skip a beat as the warmth of her embrace travelled through his body.
"I realized I never had the chance to say thank you for sticking up for me at Jackson's place" Sasha said "that was a real stand-up thing to do"
"I...everyone was just really on edge, but Alex had no right taking it out on you" Eli told her and looking up at him Eli could feel his heart beat faster.
"I need to go check on Jackson" Eli said as he separated from Sasha "I promised Mark and I should really...get to it"
Sasha looked at him with utter confusion "Oh… okay" she said "I'll catch up with you later"
"Later" Eli smiled "will do" and with that he hurried down the hall like a dog with it's tail between it's legs"
Why couldn't he act like a damn grown up around her?
Eli needed a distraction and taking care of Jackson was the best one he could think of. Going to the supply closet Eli had taken out a wash basin and filled it with soap and water.
Grabbing some sponges he made his way to Jackson's room making sure to keep sturdy hands. Walking in he was taken aback to see Lewis sitting by Jackson's bed.
The minute Eli entered Lewis looked at him like he had just been caught stealing from the cookie jar.
"Sorry" he told Eli as he stood "it's just I didn't see Mark and I thought I could maybe squeeze in a few minutes before he got back" he made a play for the door before Eli told him to sit.
Lewis did so without hesitation.
"You're his brother, Lewis" Eli said "you have every right to visit him"
"I just don't want to make things worse than they already are" Lewis looked down at Jackson "it's bad enough everyone will hate me for letting Michael do that surgery on Jackson"
"Do you think it's Jackson's best chance?" Eli asked and after a moment of thought Lewis nodded his head "I really do" he told Eli "Michael is one of the best and I know without a doubt he wants nothing more than to save Jackson"
"Then you stand by that decision" Eli said "don't let anyone intimidate you into not doing what you think is best"
"It's a lot easier said than done" Lewis told him "it's a battle of one vs. many and I'm not sure I can win"
"Not one" Eli responded "I'll back you up"
Looking at Lewis' face he could tell his remark surprised him "Why?"
"Because I've seen you pray for your brother and I've gotten to witness the love you have for him" Eli said "that kind of stuff you can't fake"
Lewis looked down and Eli pretended not to see the grateful smile on his face.
"What are you doing?" Lewis asked
"I have to bathe Jackson" Eli told him as he reached into the basin of warm water and pulled out a soapy sponge. "It's protocol with all coma patients on day two"
Nodding his head Lewis watched as Eli raised Jackson's arm and ran the sponge up then down and back again. "Some doctors believe the sensation can actually jog something in the brain and a patient has been known to react to it by twitching a hand or foot"
Lewis watched Eli bathe his brother and for a moment Eli pictured Lewis as a 5 year old. Silent and obedient; not wanting to disturb the process.
He could read it in Lewis' eyes "You mind giving me a hand?"
"What?" Lewis asked "no, I shouldn't"
"It would help me get done faster and I would take it as a huge favour"
"If Mark were to come in-" Lewis started.
"Jackson is my patient, Dr. Avery" Eli told him "I make these decisions now grab a brush and work on his right side"
Reaching over Lewis grabbed the second sponge and slowly lifted Jackson's arm. He moved the brush towards the skin at a snails pace "He doesn't bite" Eli said.
"Right" Lewis said embarrassed and making contact with Jackson's arm he followed Eli's earlier movements of moving it up and down gently.
A part of Eli wanted Mark to see this so he could see how tentative Lewis was being. Watching the man in action no one could deny how much Lewis loved his little brother.
Once the two were done with the arms they moved down to wash Jackson's legs and feet. Eli could tell Lewis wanted to soak in this moment of being able to care for his brother so the nurse didn't rush through the procedure.
"You're good at this" Eli said and Lewis chuckled "I've bathed myself enough times to get a good handle on it".
Eli laughed at the joke and the room was able to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere.
Once the two men finished Eli looked at Lewis "Okay" he said "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to step out"
"Did I do something wrong?" Lewis asked fearfully "I didn't hurt him, did I?"
"Of course not" Eli smiled "but I have to move onto Jackson's genitals and there are some things a brother just shouldn't see"
"Right" Lewis laughed "I agree" and as he stood he rolled down his shirt sleeves "I have to go talk to Michael anyway."
Lewis put the sponge back in the basin and made his way to the door, but then turned around at the last minute "Eli?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you" the words were simple but Eli understood the river of emotions behind it.
"Anytime" Eli smiled at him and once Lewis left Eli turned back to the task at hand. Yes, sometimes he could hate this hospital, but when it came down to it Eli could never imagine being anywhere else.
Michael Holt POV:
Michael was still glad that he didn't have to stay in hospital for too long. He actually had only been there over night and had been released the day after the accident, with the instruction, to rest another day, and now he was back at work.
The moment he walked into the neuro section and saw Meredith standing in the hallway with a patient's file, he was sure things would be really awkward for a while. They hadn't really talked since the incident, heck, Meredith hadn't even visited him when he was staying in the hospital.
Not that Michael could blame her. It was probably better that way, and he really didn't want to destroy her marriage. He had done enough damage for a lifetime, and he knew that this thing – whatever she felt for him – would go away eventually.
The moment she laid eyes on him, she moved towards him, smiling up at him.
"Good morning, Dr. Holt. How are you?" she asked as if nothing ever happened.
Which caused Michael to raise an eyebrow suspiciously.
"Good… I mean… it… it was only a concussion, and I'm really fine…" he replied, too stunned to form a clear thought.
He was pretty sure – after rejecting her – she would hate him, but she looked nothing like it.
"I'm sorry I didn't stop by to visit you, but I had to take over here and re-schedule surgeries. I've been pretty busy," Meredith explained.
"Don't you worry about that… it's… it's no big deal, really. It wasn't as if I was dying, right?"
A nervous laugh left his lips, but the look on Meredith's face told him that he had said the exact wrong thing. Of course he had. Jackson and Meredith – even though it looked nothing like it lately – must have been friends for a while.
"How is he?" Meredith asked a few seconds later, clinging onto her folder.
"I… I don't really know… And I don't think Mark… Dr. Sloan would want me near him. He doesn't even want me to operate on him to save his life," Michael replied truthfully.
"But you could save his life if you operated on him?" Meredith looked up at him with a flicker of hope in her eyes.
"I think so, yes. The procedure is a small one. To release the pressure in his brain and I know I can do it. Of course there could be complications, like with every other surgery, but I know I'm his best shot," Michael replied.
Nodding, Meredith put away the file, turning his back on Michael to grab another one.
"Do you want me to talk to him? I'm not sure he would listen to me, though… or I could talk to Derek… I mean, he's his best friend and if someone can talk him into it, it's him…" Meredith suggested.
"That's not really necessary," Michael gave back, causing Meredith to look up in surprise.
"Because it's not his call to make… it sounds rude, I know, but he's nothing to Jackson… not even his boyfriend anymore, so it's…"
"It's up to Dr. Lewis Avery to make the decisions," Meredith finished his sentence. "I bet Mark doesn't like that very much either."
"No," Michael admitted. "He definitely doesn't… but Lewis… I'm pretty sure he will let me operate on him. We're not on best terms right now, but he wants what's best for Jackson. And so do I."
"You sure about that?" Meredith asked, and Michael couldn't even blame her for being suspicious after all the rumours running around in this hospital.
"Listen, Meredith…" He grabbed her arm with a gentle force, pulling her away from the nurses station enough so he could talk to her more privately.
"This is actually not really your business, but after all that happened between the two of us, I think I owe you at least an explanation… I know everyone thinks I've slept with Jackson, but I haven't… I have said that to hurt him, and I really feel ashamed for it… but nothing ever happened between us."
Meredith looked at him as if she was weighing up whether to believe him or not, but finally she nodded.
"I believe you… that doesn't mean I like that you spread a lie like that… Jackson is my friend and this thing probably ruined his relationship with Mark."
"I know," Michael answered. "But that's why I wanna save him… to give him the chance to make things right with Mark. I will come clean to him once he's responsive again, and I will apologize to him. I know I went too far, and I'm sorry for that…"
"You don't have to tell me that…" Meredith said, letting out a sigh.
"But you do believe me, don't you?" Michael just had to know.
"Yes," A small smile appeared on Meredith's lips. "Yes, I do… you've done some bad things, but you've also done the right thing when you rejected me… I don't think I could have ever lived with myself if I cheated on my husband… so even though I wasn't sure in the beginning, you are capable of doing the right thing."
"Well, thank you…" Michael smirked, patting Meredith's shoulder.
"So things between us are okay? We don't have to be awkward around each other?"
"No, no we don't… it never happened…" Meredith replied.
"Good… then let's get to work…"
They were just finished with their morning rounds when Michael saw Lewis standing at the nurses station, obviously waiting for him.
"Can you do me a favour and take Mrs. Archer's blood? I need to…"
"Consider it done," Meredith said, before he had even finished his sentence. Obviously she had spotted Lewis, too.
"Thanks…" Michael said, before he moved towards Lewis, stopping in front of him.
The whole situation was a lot more awkward than he expected, and it was obvious that they both didn't know how to act around each other.
"Good morning, Lewis…" Michael started the conversation, looking at him. He looked pale and exhausted and Michael was pretty sure he hadn't left the hospital since Jackson's accident. If they were still friends, he would definitely say something about it, but right now he felt like he had no right to do so.
"Good morning. Michael, I need to talk to you about Jackson," Lewis came straight to the point, and Michael nodded.
"I assumed as much, yes…"
"I just spoke to Chief Hunt. Jackson's vitals are stabile and he thinks we should do the surgery soon. Like tomorrow?" Lewis explained, and he looked pretty nervous about it.
"If that's okay with you of course. And if you're really up for it already. I just… want it done as soon as possible…"
"I understand…" Michael replied, fighting back the urge to touch Lewis. He looked like a lost puppy and it hurt him deeply to see him like that. Especially knowing, that it was part of his doing that brought them to the point they were now.
"And I'm up for it. I can schedule the surgery for tomorrow morning. But are you really sure you want this? Lewis, you need to be a hundred percent sure about this, or I won't do it. You need to trust me."
Looking up at him, Lewis took a deep breath.
"I am sure. And I trust you. I trust your medical skills. You said you can do this. Have you changed your mind?"
"No!" Michael assured him. "I haven't. I know I can do it, and I know I will be successful. Jackson is gonna be okay, I promise."
"He has to be, Michael. I… I don't know what I'll do if I lose him. You have to save my little brother." Lewis said, and it was obvious that he was fighting back his tears.
"He'll be okay," Michael re-assured him once again, placing a hand on his shoulder and gently pulling him closer.
He almost expected Lewis to fight him, to push him off immediately, but instead he leaned against Michael's chest and wrapped his arms around his torso for a moment.
"Just help him," He whispered and Michael could barely understand him, but he didn't have to. He knew what Lewis was thinking, like he always did.
"I will," he promised, holding him tight for a moment, before letting him go and smiling at him.
"I'm gonna talk to Amelia right now and tomorrow your brother will be okay again. It will possibly still take a little time for him to wake up and talk, but his life won't be in danger anymore…"
"Thanks," Lewis said, and then he turned around and left and Michael watched him do so.
He still missed him more than he ever thought he would, but somehow it felt like they were on a good way of being friends again at some point and there was nothing Michael wanted more right now. Nothing he wanted more than having him back in his life.
Making his way towards the nurses station he let one of the nurses page Amelia, so he could talk to her about the surgery.
About an hour later, Michael was standing in front of the OR Board, looking at Amelia with a smile.
"Thanks for scrubbing in with me."
"I don't think Mark would forgive me if I didn't and besides, I wanna help Jackson, too, even though I barely know him. But Mark's my friend and Jackson needs to be okay." Amelia replied.
Nodding, Michael grabbed a marker and started writing down his and Amelia's name when he heard Mark's voice behind him.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I've just scheduled Jackson's surgery. It's tomorrow," Michael replied truthfully. Lying wouldn't do them any good right now anyways.
"No, it's not. You're not going to touch Jackson," Mark replied, wiping the field Michael just wrote into clean with his sleeve.
"I don't think there is anything you can do about it. Lewis has filed the consent papers. It's gonna happen, whether you like it or not," Michael said. He didn't want to be so hard on Mark, but Mark didn't leave him much of a choice.
"I won't let that happen," Mark commented. "I'm gonna talk to Hunt."
"Mark," Amelia finally stepped in. "I will be there every step of the way. We will do the surgery together. Nothing is gonna happen to Jackson, I promise."
"He… he ran him over with his car, I'm pretty sure he will find a way to kill him during that surgery. I… I can't lose him. Amy…"
Seeing him so broken really made Michael realize how much damage he had done to everyone and the guilt was eating him from the inside.
"I won't kill him," Michael promised. "Mark…"
"It's Dr. Sloan," Mark interrupted him coldly, crossing his arms above his chest.
"Okay… fine… I won't argue with you about that," Michael gave in, looking straight back at him. "I won't kill Jackson, whether you believe me or not… I'm a doctor and I'm here to help. I've sworn an oath and I won't break this oath."
"I don't trust you," Mark said, but not looking away.
"You don't have to… but you have to let me do my work. To save Jackson's life. Let me tell you a story," Michael said, moving an inch closer towards Mark.
"If I wanted to kill someone during a surgery, I could have done it years ago. I had the man who killed my wife laying right there on my table. I could have done anything. I could have made a little mistake that would have killed or paralyzed him, but I didn't. Instead I saved his life."
"Why should I believe you?" Mark wanted to know, but Michael could tell that he was starting to warm up to the idea of Michael operating on Jackson.
"You don't have to believe me, but it's the truth. I didn't kill him back then and I for sure won't kill Jackson. I'm gonna save him, but if it makes you feel better, you can scrub in with me and watch me do it," Michael said, and even though the mere idea of having Mark in that OR with him made cold shivers run down his spine, he was willing to allow him in there if that was what Mark needed.
"I don't think that's necessary," Mark finally said, and Michael let out a breath he wasn't aware of holding.
"Amelia will be there with you, but I swear to god, if something happens to Jackson, I'll kill you with my own hands."
"I know." Michael said, nodding at him. "But I won't…" and he really wouldn't. This was going to be okay, and Michael just had to have faith in himself. He would do everything in his power to help Jackson, and he prayed to god that there wouldn't be any complications during the surgery. Jackson needed to live.