Doing The Dance (Jackson Avery Fanfic)

forty-three

2017

I knew I needed to focus. I couldn't let what had happened last night occupy my mind. So, April still wanted to be with Jackson, so what? He loved me, right? He told me so before I left and again when he texted me last night. But then again, he and April had known each other a long time, had been married, and had been through losing a child and birthing a child together. He took her virginity for god's sake!

I was overthinking it. I needed to stop and relax, maybe get some water. I needed to stop.

I found a water fountain and began to take a drink when a voice broke me out of my own thoughts.

"Taylor Dawson? Is that really you?" I looked up and found a man standing in front of me, who I knew very well.

"Doctor Klein!" I gave him a hug immediately.

"Are you sitting your boards today?" I nodded.

"Yeah, finally finished my fifth year. Why are you here?"

"I'm moderating. Uh, I'm doing mainly east coast residents though. How are you? You look healthy" I smiled.

"I'm good, I'm back in Seattle at Grey Sloan like I always said I would"

"I only wished we could have kept you here in LA. How is your health?"

"It's not bad. Almost ready to take the tumour out according to Derek Shepherd. Just the mets in my liver but each PET scan shows them shrinking"

"Good, that's great to hear. Any particular specialty you're interested in following?" I nodded.

"Trauma."

"Interesting. I'll keep that in mind. We always need fellows who know what they're doing" I smiled.

"Thank you, Doctor Klein. But I think if I get the right offer, I'll be staying in Seattle" He nodded.

"Of course, you've got your life there. A man?" I chuckled.

"Yeah, I guess so. He's a chief as well and on the board"

"Sounds like a good one, don't let him go. I heard about the car accident that lost you guys a resident last year, were they in your year?" I sighed and nodded.

"Luke Gallagher. We were living together and were actually about to get engaged. He'd asked me, I hadn't said yes yet."

"My condolences. How did you recover?"

"I took a six-month break from surgery, moved out of our apartment, and went to therapy."

"You're a smart girl, Dawson, I'm not surprised. Six months off and you still got enough hours to sit your boards?" I chuckled.

"You know me, sir, nothing can hold me back for long" He nodded with a smile.

"Evidenced by your life story. Well, although I am sad that you will most likely stay in Seattle, that offer will still come. I want you to seriously think about it, okay?" I nodded.

"I will"

"It was great to see you again, Doctor Dawson. Best of luck"

"Thank you, Doctor Klein"

"Did you know that guy?" Jo asked, joining me. I nodded.

"Bill Klein, chief of surgery at UCLA's Reagan Hospital. He was my chief of trauma when I was a resident there."

"Wow, is he on the moderating board?" I nodded again.

"Yup, he said he's mostly covering hospitals on the east coast. Which is good, because the last thing I need is a conflict of interest messing with today"