Doing The Dance (Jackson Avery Fanfic)

eighteen

2015

I wasn't sure whether Luke was even home or not but I unlocked the door quietly, in case he was sleeping or had female company over. What I saw next was definitely unexpected and it broke my heart.

Luke sat on the couch, sobbing into his hands.

"Luke?" His eyes snapped up to see me and his body moved quickly toward mine, enveloping me in a bone-crushing hug.

"Oh thank god you're okay!"

"Yeah I'm fine, thanks to Jackson" He pulled away and looked at me. I knew I was stubborn and headstrong at the best of times, but I also knew I was the one who had treated him unfairly and had to be the one to apologize. "I'm sorry for this evening. I didn't realize what it was doing to me and I took it out on you" Luke shook his head.

"No, I should have sensed something was off and stayed with you"

"Let's call it even?" He nodded and we both began to laugh as we sat on the couch. I curled my legs up under me and rested on Luke.

"So what was up?"

"I had an allergic reaction to the new strain they tried on me this morning"

"You went on a new strain?" I nodded.

"And I was so out of it, I didn't even realize I had until Jackson mentioned it, looking through my medical notes"

"Wow, good catch on his behalf" I looked at him.

"Why did you come in all hot and heavy with that dumping Steph crap?" I asked, him sighing.

"Steph got in my head. And I guess I was mad at myself for not noticing when he did. I'm your best friend Tay, I'm the one who should be here for you and that's my fault. I'm so sorry" He pulled me into another hug and I wrapped my arms around him tightly.

"Well, let's be thankful Jackson is a better doctor than he is boyfriend and call it a night. I'm tired" Luke laughed and let me go.

"You're beyond tired. Are you working tomorrow?" I shook my head. "Good, then you're gonna come sleep in my bed, and tomorrow I'm going to take care of you"

"I don't need to sleep in your bed, Luke"

"Like hell you don't. I'm not gonna slip up like that again and Avery would probably actually appreciate someone keeping an eye on you so that you don't end up back there. Now, get a bottle of water, brush your teeth, and get your ass into bed Taylor" I giggled, then yawned.

"Yes Sir"

Soon I was lying in Luke's bed with him right in next to me. As exhausted as I was, I knew that there was something more that he needed to say so I sighed. "What is it?" He also sighed.

"I just feel guilty."

"About what?"

"Leaving you when you were clearly not right" I shrugged.

"Luke, I didn't even realize something was wrong until I got home. Then all of a sudden it just hit me"

"How the hell did Avery see it then?"

"I don't know. You were preoccupied with going to Joe's with Steph though"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I rolled my eyes and rolled over, looking at him.

"Luke, I get it. You like her and you liked the fact that she wanted you to come to the bar. You were side-tracked" He sighed, laying on his back. His hand slipped into mine under the blankets and I turned onto my back too. For a moment we just laid there, still and silent, but eventually Luke spoke.