For hrhyellowroses who wanted to see Big!Alex interact with Little!Jackson. I do have the reverse of this prompt on my list and we'll get to that one eventually!
This is sort of a short-ish, fluffy installment to make up for the angsty start!
"So, we'll see you back next week for pre-op," Jackson says, doing everything to keep his voice crackle-free.
"I can't believe this is finally happening," Jasmine says, her eyes clouded with tears. "I mean, you're sure?"
Jackson almost rubs her arm then thinks better of it given his symptoms. As it is, he's lucky she hasn't asked about his mask. "Yes. Dr. Torres and I agree your leg is ready for this. You've come along way, Ms. Sanchez."
"I've told you about a million times to call me "Jasmine", Dr. Avery," the 30 something year old woman rolls her eyes. "I'm barely older than you."
Jackson chuckles, instantly regretting it when the pain hits his throat. "Force of habit, ma'…" he trails off. If she doesn't want to be "Ms", there's no way she wants to be called ma'am.
Jasmine has certainly come a long way. She was one of the victims in the bus crash on the way to the awful "camp" about 8 months ago. There was a small fire towards the back, leaving a terrible burn. On top of that, she broke her knee. Callie performed numerous surgeries to help the bone. Their amazing physical therapist got her walking again. Now, it's just a matter of grafting the skin to remove the horrible scar from the leg.
"I'll have to relay all this to your caregivers," Jackson says, writing down some final notes. "How's that going, by the way?"
"Amazing." Jasmine grins. "I still can't believe it. Stacey and Kendra are amazing."
"I'm glad it all worked out for you," Jackson says, sincerely.
It's bittersweet watching the victims of the bus crash find their happy endings. There were a handful of parents who realized they were wrong. A good majority, including Jasmine's, planned on sending them back. Given the enormity of the crash, social services stepped in. Almost all of those investigated ended up matched with real caregivers.
Jackson wonders what his life would've been if social services stepped in. But then, his dad wouldn't have been his caregiver. So, he tries to swallow any jealousy.
He informs Jasmine's foster parents just what he did
her. The happy family exits the hospital, arm in arm. Jackson ducks back into that empty room and pops yet another cough drop in his mouth. That only makes his throat hurt worse. He rubs at his ears, hoping in vain to get rid of how clogged they feel.
Jackson hoped he could make it through his shift before sneaking to Alex. But the pain has only worsened. As has the reality that his mind is slowly shifting. He managed to make it though Jasmine's appointment but caught up between thinking of the camp, seeing her with her caregivers and the fact that he feels like absolute crap, it's inevitable. It'd be irresponsible to keep treating patients.
Putting on a new mask, Jackson walks back out to the nurse's desk. Frankie, fresh from maternity leave, sits there. She smiles up at him.
"How can I help you, Dr. Sloan?"
"Have you seen the other Dr. Sloan?" Jackson shifts from one foot to another, drumming his fingers against his lab coat.
"He's in surgery right now. But I believe it should be done soon. Do you need him?"
"No, no!" Jackson is grateful for his mask hiding his soft whine. "I just, um, just wondering."
Before she can question further, Jackson dashes to the elevator. Alex's working the ER today. It's a simple ear infection, Jackson's sure of it. All he needs is a little amoxicillin and he'll be good to go. Ripping off the mask, he presses the button to bring him downstairs.
Alex's day is filled with caring for children and Littles alike whose caregivers freak out at the slightest fever or cough. Rather than urgent care or their general practitioner, they crowd the emergency room. If they want to pay an insane bill, that's their job. At least Alex has no shortage of consults. Even if half of them annoy him. Not the kids or Littles, they're cute. But the parents…well, they remind him of his parents. Luckily, he's avoided any colds or flus this season. At the very least, Meredith can diagnosis him so he doesn't have to see Arizona.
"I'm going to grab a bite to eat," he tells his intern, Sandy Lucas. "Page me if needed or if Dr. Robbins is looking for me."
Sandy nods. "Yes, Dr. Grey-Shepherd."
"And if Dr. Grey or Dr. Shepherd come looking for me…"
"You're with a patient and cannot be bothered." She smiles.
Alex matches it. "You're not so bad."
Sandy chuckles. Alex barely makes it out of the ER when Jackson bumps into him. He's rubbing his hands over his arms and slightly pouting.
"I need you to write me a script."
Alex tilts his head. "For a patient?"
"No…for me."
Alex consults his cousin. His face is paler, making his freckles more pronounced. Pupils dilated. He's unable to hide a frown.
"You look like shit."
Jackson scoffs then rubs his throat. "It's an ear infection, alright? I just need some amoxicillin."
"Your throat hurts too?"
"Yeah, but it's all connected."
"I didn't realize you were an ENT," Alex quips, raising a brow.
"I studied it." Jackson rolls his eyes. "Can't you just write me the script so I can move on with my day."
"Not without an exam."
Jackson's pout returns. "Alex…"
"One, that doesn't work with me. Two, this could be a number of things. If it's strep, you need to quarantine 24 hours after the first dose."
"I don't think it's that…"
"Then it's a matter of a small exam, right?"
Jackson kicks his foot. This time, Alex hears whining. There's no way he's going to stay in an adult headspace long. Alex squeezes his shoulder.
"C'mon, buddy. We'll get you set up in a room. I'll even run your vitals and all that to make it faster. Let's page your dad."
"No!" Jackson stomps his foot. "I agreed to the stupid exam. He doesn't need to come."
"Jackson, legally he has to be there. Your classification status says he makes all medical decisions." Jackson's mouth drops open. "As your pediatrician, I'm privy to this information."
"I didn't know you knew words like "privy", Farmer in the Dell," his cousin mumbles.
"Hey, that'd be April. Being from the Midwest does not automatically mean farmer." Alex shakes his head. "Also, Uncle Mark will have to buy the medicine as again, medical power of attorney."
Jackson sighs, folding his arms over his chest.
"Finally," Alex adds. "Even if you had a different status, I would rather not get murdered by Uncle Mark for keeping something from him. Nor grounded for life by my parents when he gets mad."
Jackson sighs but nods. Alex wraps an arm around him and leads him to the first intern he sees. Sadly for him, not Sandy.
"Please page Dr. Sloan and tell him to come to Exam Room 6 in the ER."
The man tilts his head. "Which one?"
Alex rolls his eyes. "Considering I have this one right here, what do you think?" The intern squeaks a little. "Right."
He's trying to be nice to the interns, he really is. But how the hell is he supposed to do that when they're asking stupid shit like that.
Then again, maybe he was that annoying. Bailey sure acted like it.
Jackson slumps against his shoulder as they head back towards the room.
"Hurts, 'lex," he mumbles.
"I know, Jack Attack," Alex assures him, squeezing the back of his neck. "I know."
Mark receives the page as he walks away from updating his patient's family. Well, these days, it's less of a pager and more of an app. Mark is still getting used to it.
Please come to Exam Room 6 in the ER. The other Dr. Sloan is waiting.
Mark smiles a little as he heads for the elevator. Jackson hasn't asked him for help on a case in awhile. He's grown confident in his skills and doesn't need his dad's help too often anymore. It'll be nice to spend a little time together at work.
When he reaches the exam room, he finds his son sitting on a cot. Alex stands next to it, a cart of supplies out. Mark's smile drops.
"What's…"
He trails off when he sees Jackson's face. Immediately, he's by his side. Jackson makes grabby hands. Mark sits behind him on the cot and pulls him on his lap. Jackson rests his head against his shoulder.
"Hurts, Daddy," he whispers.
Mark rubs circles on his back. "What hurts? Do you have a boo boo?"
"Nuh uh."
"He came to me saying his throat and ears hurt," Alex explains. Mark cuddles Jackson closer. "Wanted to wait to check him over until you got down here."
"Thank you," Mark whispers, stroking his baby boy's cheek. "Can I hold him while you do the exam?"
"Of course. I'd expect nothing less."
Mark finally looks up. "You know your parents would do the same for you."
Alex shakes his head, but his smile remains. "I have no doubt."
First, the peds surgeon goes about checking Jackson's blood pressure and heartbeat. The only time he has to move is when Alex holds the stethoscope to his back to listen to his breathing. Once that's done, Jackson leans right back into his daddy.
Alex removes the thermometer as it beeps. "99.2. High, but not a fever."
"That's good," Mark says, bouncing his leg, moving Jackson with it.
"How long have you felt like this, Jack?" Alex asks.
Jackson shrugs. "Coup'e hours."
"Why didn't you come get me?" Mark asks.
"Didn't think it was s'bad."
Mark nods. "It's very good you went to Alex when you did." He doesn't want to lecture him too much right now, given how ill he's feeling.
"That's right," Alex says. "Now, I'm going to check those ears and your throat."
He doesn't even have to hold the otoscope to each ear very long.
"Yup, double ear infection," Alex confirms.
"Told you," Jackson says, sticking out his tongue a bit.
Mark pats his back. "Be nice."
"You did, Jack Attack," Alex says, clearly being nice given their different states and Jackson's illness. Mark has a feeling he'll get back at him once he's better and they're either both feeling big or both dropped. "Let's check your throat now. Can you say "ah"?"
Jackson complies. Once again, Alex doesn't even need to use the laryngoscope that long before shutting it off.
"I'm still going to run a culture," he says, looking at both of them, not just Mark. "But I can say with almost certainty that this is strep throat."
"It's that bad?" Mark asks, cuddling Jackson closer.
"Yup." Alex busies to the cabinet to get out the test. He glances over his shoulder at Jackson. "This isn't going to be very fun, but it'll be 2 seconds."
Jackson squirms and sputters as Alex performs the culture. When he's done, the younger plastic surgeon is glaring at his cousin.
"Mean," he mumbles.
"Be nice, Jackson," Mark warns. "He's just doing his job."
Alex chuckles. "It's alright. I'd be miserable too. But you've been a good patient for the most part. Usually I save these for the end of visit, but I think you can use them now." Alex reaches into his lab coat pocket and pulls out a roll of stickers, ripping off an entire sleeve. He passes them to Jackson. "Toy Story."
"'tickers," Jackson mumbles with a small smile. "Tank y'u, 'lex." He gives them to his dad for when he's in regular clothes. Mark tucks them away for safe keeping.
"Of course, buddy. I'll be right back with your results."
As soon as Alex leaves, Jackson's thumb heads for his mouth. Mark quickly shoos it away. Jackson looks up at him with the most devastated, wide green eyes and pout.
"I know, I know," Mark coos. "But that's yucky. Especially considering you're sick. As soon as we're done here, I'll get you changed into some jammies and you can have your binky."
"Nap in Daddy's office?"
"Nope, you'll take a nap at home in Daddy's bed. We'll head home for the day."
Jackson's brows furrow. "Surg'ey?"
"No more for me today and certainly not for poor sick baby boys."
Jackson nods, clinging to his daddy's scrubs. Mark gently rocks him.
"You need to get me when you feel poorly, Ducky," Jackson gently reminds him.
"Busy."
"Never too busy for my precious boy." Mark runs his fingers through Jackson's short curls. "You know that, don't you?"
"Uh huh."
"So, why didn't you have me paged sooner?"
Jackson shrugs. "Silly Baby Jack."
Mark holds back a laugh. He has to really be trying to earn points if he's calling himself a baby.
"Well, no more silliness, at least when it comes to being sick, okay?"
"Yeah, Daddy."
"That's my boy."
Alex returns a few minutes later holding some forms.
"Yup, it's strep." Mark nods. "I've prescribed amoxicillin, a bit of a higher dose than usual given he's got the trifecta. Also submitted a note to my dad excusing the both of you from work tomorrow. But honestly once the medicine kicks in, he should be okay. Just lots of fluids, softer foods…do I really gotta give the whole spiel?"
"Nah, but I appreciate it." Mark rises to his feet, cradling his son close. "I'll get us changed before I pick up the medicine. Thanks, Alex. I appreciate it."
"Of course." He smiles at Jackson. "Feel better, Jack Attack."
"T'ank y'u," Jackson whispers.
"Tell your dad I'll call him later," Mark adds. "And Hunt. So they don't blow up my phone."
"You know they'll just do it anyway," Alex points out.
Mark makes a face. "Yeah, you're probably right."
"I'm definitely right."
Mark arches a brow. "You want me to tickle you in front of your patients?"
"On that note…see you in a couple of days."
Mark makes a mental note to be grateful for Derek's idea to put a changing table in his office. It fits in with the furniture and the top half can be removed if he has a meeting to blend in as drawers, but it makes life a lot easier.
"Okay, squirmy worm, let's get you in some jammies," Mark says as he settles his baby on the top. He's already changed into his own sweats.
Jackson frowns. "Wanna sleep."
"In your scrubs?" Jackson chews on his lip. "As I thought. Here." Mark fishes out his pacifier from the bag and plucks it in his mouth. Jackson instantly quiets as he sucks on it.
The changing takes no time at all, proving how subdued the man is by his illness. Mark gets him in his new red footie pajamas with little elephants sprinkled across. His son is soon back on his hip with Hank and Ranger in his arms. Mark secures the pacifier to his pajamas.
"Let's go pick up your medicine and then we can head home, hm?"
Jackson nods, resting his warm forehead against Mark's neck. The older surgeon is thankful for how much has changed. There's no more sneaking Jackson out of the hospital with a hood up. He's comfortable to be carried around in his footie pajamas and pacifier with the knowledge that no one will make fun of him.
Mark balances his clingy son as he shoves the brown paper bag with the amoxicillin into the diaper bag. It nearly drops to the floor but a familiar ginger grasps it.
"Thanks," Mark says as Owen tucks it into the outside pocket.
"Of course." He gives Jackson a sympathetic smile. "Don't feel good, bud?"
Jackson shakes his head, removing his pacifier and allowing it to hang from the leash attached to his jammies. "Gonna sleep in Dada's bed."
"That'll fix you right up. Dad cuddles are magic," Owen tells him with a wink.
Mark smirks. "And here I thought you were anti-co-sleeping."
Owen rolls his eyes. "Yeah, that lasted until April got pneumonia."
"Ap'l sick?" Jackson asks, his eyes widening again.
"No, no," Owen assures him. "This was a long time ago. She's fine. Off helping actual sick patients."
Jackson calms a bit. He looks up at his dad.
"Thirsty, Dada."
Mark pulls out a sippy cup with orange juice from the insulated part. "There ya go." Jackson instantly begins guzzling. "Take it slow, alright? Let's say goodbye to Uncle Owen."
Jackson waves, not moving the spout from his mouth. Mark promises to keep his friend updated before carrying his son out to the car. He glances into Derek's parked beside him. Alex's car seat is properly installed. Mark glances down at Jackson. He's pretty sure it's time to get him one, but that'll be an argument for another day. For now, he just wants to get his poor ducky home.
The subject is not brought up until their next official day off. Jackson is much better, though still finishing off the rest of the antibiotics. Mark gets a notification that the package has arrived. He ducks down to the lobby to pick it up. Jackson is fresh from a post-workout shower when he sees it.
"Is that a gift for Alex or April?"
Mark shakes his head. "Nope."
Jackson narrows his eyes. "Another Little you know?" Mark is silent. "Because that sure as hell…"
"Language."
"I'm not sitting in a car seat."
"It's just for when you're dropped," Mark explains. Jackson makes a face. "Look, usually you do a good job, alright? But there have been some times when you get just a bit too excited. Which is natural. However, it also means we need to be careful."
"I've been with you almost a year, Dad. We haven't had any serious incidents."
"And now, we never will."
Jackson throws himself down on the couch with a huff. Mark smiles down at him. Jackson pulls a face.
"Don't laugh at me."
"I'm not laughing, bub. I'm just wondering how you pulled off faking being a neutral for so long."
A pillow is thrown at his face. This time, Mark laughs. Jackson pouts.
"Aww, my little pouty boy." Jackson pulls out his phone. "Who are you texting?"
"Alex. I'm sure this is all his fault."
"Trust me when I say I have never spoken to Alex about this."
"No, but he has one."
"So does April."
"Great, I'll send it to the group chat."
Mark plucks his phone out of his hand. Jackson grumbles. Once again, Mark really, really does not understand how he pretended for so long.
"Meredith, Derek and Owen have been trying to convince me for months," he clarifies. "I just finally bit the bullet."
"Great, so I'm officially no longer speaking to them again."
"Jackson. "
"It's so stupid."
"It has a cup holder," Mark advertises like a salesman. "And it can reasonably fit you, Hank and Ranger. Plus your dumb appendix pillow."
Jackson eyes the box with a bit more interest now. Mark squeezes his shoulder.
"You'll be fine."
"I don't really have a choice, do I?"
"I mean, no. But you also hated having to my hold in public and you got used to that one too."
"Yeah, well, the alternative is that dumb harness and I am not being lead like a dog the way Alex is."
Mark snorts. "Stop bullying your cousin."
"He makes fun of me all the time!" Jackson argues.
"Yes, and your uncle just as equally steps up for you." Jackson smiles a little at that. "See? You can't stay mad at him."
"Suppose not. But this is still Alex and April's fault."
Mark shakes his head. "Sure, Jack Attack. Wanna help me install it?"
"Might as well test the thing out," Jackson mumbles.
"Aw, see, coming around already."
"No, I'm not. You're just not giving me a choice."
Mark waits to laugh until Jackson hears for his room to get his sneakers and jacket.
Next time, we'll have a bit more angst, because moderation and all that. But, we'll finally get to see Addison and one of her Oceanside Wellness friends.
As always, let me know what you think and feel free to leave prompts!