s13. April gets locked in the hospital during the explosion.
She knows that it's a dumb idea to go back into the hospital for more supplies, and she also knows that she's usually not one to break the rules. She likes order and structure, and she's the perfect person to lead in situations like this, but she also knows that they could've been better prepared. It'll only take five minutes, and she'll be in and out before she knows it.
April grabs a few boxes of assorted bandages and minor medicines from one of the supply closets quickly, trying to tune out the general feeling of anxiety coursing through her veins. The fact that a little girl is missing just reminds her of the own anxieties she feels as a parent - which often at times feel amplified due to the loss of Samuel. She prays all the time for Harriet, and for Jackson, in the hopes that they never have to go through something like that again. That Harriet can grow up in a world in which she can feel safe, and seen, and known. Now is not the time to worry, she thinks to herself, knowing that she has to put those thoughts to the back of her mind and get back out there. People are relying on her to be a leader, so thats what she'll be.
Its the sound of an explosion that rattles her, causing her anxiety to skyrocket, because the last time she'd been witness to an explosion, she'd thought that Jackson was dead. They're not even together - not officially yet, having been so busy since the Montana trip that they haven't had much time to decipher what it meant or where they stood, but that doesn't mean she doesn't worry. She manages to make her way back out into the hallway, grateful to be safe from whatever it was that exploded, but the uneasy feeling returns once again when she realises that her pass doesn't work, and that the doors won't open. She's trapped, and is unsure what to do, or if there's anything she even really can do, except wait it out and pray.
Jackson manages to bump into Owen after being rattled by the explosion from the outside of the hospital, desperately searching for April. He knows that Harriet is safe with the daycare staff, thank god, but he needs to know that April is okay, too.
"Owen, where is she?" He asks, feeling himself beginning to panic, "I thought she was supposed to be with you?"
"She went back inside for supplies...before the explosion. They've called a lockdown."
"Damn it!" He cusses, feeling his heart beating faster. He makes his way to the doors of the hospital, only to be stopped by the police that have since arrived, insisting that no one is allowed inside whilst there's a lockdown. It's the sound of Bailey's voice that saves him, telling them that she needs all the help she can get. He doesn't even hesitate to go in (even though that he knows that he probably should, in case something happens to both him and April), because he can't even think about that right now. All he can think about is finding April.
It feels like the longest ten minutes of his life, doing his best to wade through the halls and avoid the smoke. His pass manages to override parts of the lockdown (and he's never been more grateful to be part-owner of the hospital), but he still has no idea where to look for her. It feels like he's just running on adrenaline, until the sight of the tiny redhead stops him in his tracks, heart skipping a beat. She's alive and well and she's fine, completely unharmed by the explosion, thank god, and suddenly, everything makes sense to him. Now he understands why she'd freaked out when she thought he'd died in that bus explosion.
He swipes his pass against the door, pulling it open frantically. "You're okay?" He manages, practically running to her and enveloping her in possibly the tightest hug she's ever felt.
"I'm okay. A little annoyed that I got locked in here, but okay," She chuckles softly, "Jackson, you're kind of suffocating me."
"Sorry, sorry. God, I'm so relieved." He loosens his hold on her, hand moving to her caress her face. Without much thought, he kisses her, and realises that he wishes he'd never had to stop. She doesn't even seem to question it, despite not being sure where they stood with one another, "Don't ever scare me like that again."
She feels her heart flutter at the kiss, wanting to cherish it but also being very aware of the situation they're in, and the fact that they both have to get back to their jobs. There's still supplies that she has to take outside, and people that she has to help.
She smiles at him softly for a moment, but it soon turns to a frown when the rational, rule-abiding, worry-wart side of her seems to kick in. Swatting him across the chest, she states, "Why'd you come in after me anyway? What about Harriet?! What would your mom tell her if we'd both been burnt to a crisp, huh?!"
There she is, He thinks to himself, finding it hard to wipe the subtle smile off his face. Grabbing some of the supplies off the floor, he opens the door for her, and they both get back to helping in whatever way they can. They can figure the rest out later.