No Time | Grey's Anatomy // Book 1 // COMPLETED |

72 | Surgery Successful

"I am so sorry, Dr. Avery." April apologized as we stood silent in the O.R., "You gave me one job...suction. I mean, what kind of person ruins an entire sur-"

"Dr. Kepner, stop talking, now!" Catherine told her as she took deep breaths, "Okay, new game plan. We harvest the saphenous vein from his leg and use it as extension tubing."

"If we used a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, we wouldn't need to cut into his leg," Mark suggested.

Catherine shook her head, "I'm not familiar with that technique."

"It's been used recently in genital reconstruction surgeries," Mark explained.

Jackson nodded, "I've seen him do it. The results have been amazing."

"More natural-looking, ages better, there'd be no visible scarring," Mark continued, "less post-op pain, fewer post-op complications. You want me to go on?"

"It sounds like a good idea." I joined the conversation.

"I'm not going to risk Ryan's penile function because I bruised your ego." Catherine sighed.

Mark looked to her, "I'm not trying to impress you. Let me do this, and that'll come naturally. Come on, Dr. Avery. Step into the future with me."

Catherine thought about it for a moment, "Well, if you feel comfortable doing it-"

"Hell, I feel comfortable letting your kid do it." Mark cut her off, "Avery, prep the abdomen."

"I'm on it." Jackson gave his mother a 'ha!' look before getting to work.

About half an hour later we were well into our plan B. "All right." Mark nodded, "Good anastomosis, Dr. Avery. Perfect flap."

"Thank you." Jackson continued to work.

Mark looked up to the ladies' side of the table, "And Mrs. Dr. Avery here is your brand new dorsal vein. Impressive, no?"

"If it actually works." Catherine sighed as she looked at it, "I mean, right now all we've got is a sad, old grey penis with a piece of belly in it. Dr. Kepner, release the clamp."

April swallowed hard, "Uh, maybe you should do it..."

"Shh." Catherine told her, "Girl, get in there."

Without having to be asked again, April reached in a released the clamp. We all watched as the blood began to flow again. "Yup. Pinker." Jackson commented.

"Oh, that is pinker." April nodded.

I chuckled a little, "Good idea, Dr. Sloan."

"Thank you." Mark smiled under his mask, "Well, I don't know about you. But I'd say that's just about the pinkest penis I've ever seen."

Jackson smirked, "Yup."

"Well, congratulations to you, boys." I told them, "Would you like a pat on the back."

"Love one." Mark chuckled.

Once the surgery was over, I exited the O.R. and took a giant breath of what felt like fresh air. Ryan was heading back to his room, so I went to grab something to eat before we went to see him. On my way, I ran into Christina as she rushed through the hall. "Where's the fire?" I asked.

"Oh, uh." she stopped for a second before rushing off again, "It's Zola."

My eyes widened. Zola was the little girl from Africa that Meredith and Derek were trying to adopt. 'I hope she's okay' I thought as I grabbed an apple from the cafeteria before heading up to Ryan's room.

"I just need a second," Ryan told us as we gathered around.

Catherine nodded, "Take all the time you need."

"It's like Christmas friggin' morning, dude." Chat chuckled as Ryan gave him a look, "I will shut up."

Ryan swallowed hard, "Okay. I'm ready."

Catherine smiled as she lifted up the blanket from Ryan's body, "There's quite a bit of swelling, but that will go down."

"And It'll do everything it's supposed to," Mark added.

Ryan took a sigh of what I hoped was relief and smiled, "It's great. Thank you." he looked to Chad, "You want to see? I'll give you one last look."

"I'm good, bro." Chad told his brother, "I'm happy if you're happy."

After a long and rather hard day, I went to Joe's with Catherine, April, and...Jackson. I didn't want to be in the same O.R. as him, let alone sitting at the same table. However, my need for a drink was overpowering my need to stay 'hidden'.

"I am so sorry for suctioning that vein." April sighed.

"April. Stop apologizing." Catherine told her as Jackson walked over with the drinks.

Jackson sat down, "Would you let it go? It's all worked out."

Catherine smiled, "Yeah. Honey, you gotta learn how to relax. You're making a good day feel bad."

Just then, some guy walked up to April, "Hey. I just wanted to thank you for the drink. It was really nice."

April looked extremely confused, "I don't...um, I'm-I-I think that you may have-"

"I think he has the drink that you sent him," Catherine spoke up.

"Oh, uh..." April looked to her before getting it, "Oh."

Catherine nodded, "And this is the part where you get up and go and play darts with him."

April reluctantly took a swig of her drink before walking off with the man. Catherine instantly began to laugh. "Why are you such a meddler?" Jackson asked her.

Catherine smiled, "I'm using my powers for good. Cheers."

Taking the last sip of my drink, I stood up, "Well, I think I'm gonna head home."

"Why not stay a little longer?" Catherine asked.

I shook my head, "Long day today and most likely another long one tomorrow. Thanks for letting me be on the surgery today though, It was amazing."

"Anytime!" Catherine laughed as I slipped my jacket on and headed out into the dark night.

Truth is, I could've stayed longer if I really wanted to, but any more time with Jackson and I probably would have exploded. I mean, I literally confessed my love for him like I was fricken Juliet or something. Like, who does that?