When we least expect it, our weaknesses become everything we are. Of course, it happens when life needs you to be the strongest… and soon you come to realize that you could very well be facing a life-changing storm in a sea of darkness.

"I'm Captain Rachel Valdosa, my friend, Cadet Alex Montgomery was brought in 2 days ago – he was the one with the gunshot wound to his upper quadrant and femur. Please! Can you tell me where he is?"

A young woman had rushed up to the nurse's station in the E.R. She was wearing her army fatigues and looked as if she hadn't slept in days. The darkness in her eyes carried many stories, gruesome tales of survival and moments of unbelievable bravery. You could tell she was strong, not just physically though there was no doubt about that, the way she had charged toward the attending in navy blue scrubs was plenty to say she was a determined woman – a fighter.

"Uh- I'm sorry but we can't just release information to non-family members I –" Callie could tell that she was fighting a lost battle. The woman's desperation touched something in her heart but before she could figure out what it was Owen had rounded the corner and came over in two great strides.

"Rachel! What – are you – are you ok? Is anything wrong, what do you need?"

"Major Hunt? Owen!" Rachel gave into Owen's comfort and squeezed him as hard as she could. She needed to hold onto something at least for a minute.

"It's Alex, he – we were on leave and some guys at the bar we were at started getting rough – and and you know how Alex is… he tried breaking them up but one of them pulled out a gun and shot him. I tried running after them but – I didn't want to go too far and leave Alex. I went back to base and let our C.O. know what had happened. And then I – "

"It's ok. Everything's going to be ok. Look at me," Owen placed his hands on her shoulders and held her gaze, "You're safe. And Dr. Torres here is going to take you to his room and she's gonna give you a look through, you look live you've been through hell kid." Owen chuckled and turned to Callie who had sat there throughout the entire scene and was intrigued by the mysterious woman in uniform.

"Owen sorry, I didn't know she - "

"No, it's not your fault just please take good care of Captain Valdosa here, I saw her grow up and I trained her myself. She's a helluva surgeon too so," before Owen could finish his pager went off, "Ok I have to go but uh – ladies I'll catch up with you as soon as I can," he set off on a run and left the two women in a bit of an awkward silence.

"So, let's get you checked up first and then I can take you to your friend's," Callie gave the Captain a warm smile and led the way.

"Dr. Torres?" Rachel spotted the name on the doctor's white coat.

"Uh – yes?"

"As in the ortho genius – cartilage prodigy, Dr. Torres?" Rachel couldn't help it, she was always a flirt, and beautiful women were just her weakness.

"Y-yea, wow, you know about that?"

"Of course! I'm a fellow Ortho surgeon, but you know lately I've been more on the trauma side of things," Rachel sat down on the examination table and immediately a sharp pain shot through her side.

"Woa! hey what's wrong?"

"Uh I don't know, I guess I haven't really had time to notice," Rachel felt pressure build up in her chest; she had to lie down to relieve it.

"Ok, you're gonna be ok I'm gonna take good care of you. Now just stay still. I'm going to get the ultrasound to see what's going on in there," Callie slipped the O2 mask onto Rachel's face and smiled warmly at her patient.

Rachel. Huh. Always had a thing for that name…

"Bailey, you haven't seen Callie around have you?" Arizona had been feeling the cold shoulder from her colleagues lately, especially from Miranda Bailey.

"Why? So you can go ahead and make her even more miserable? Well I haven't seen her. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a patient," Bailey turned on her heel and left a defeated looking Arizona at the surgical board.

"This. Is just."

"Dr. Robbins, I've been looking for you," a soft seductive voice called from behind Arizona and startled her. Immediately causing Arizona's stomach to drop and make her all sorts of uncomfortable.

"Lauren – I – uh hey. What did you need?"

"Well, I can think of a few things, but I have a feeling you're not really up for them right this minute. Can you at least tell me when we can talk? You know instead of constantly avoiding me?" Lauren stared at Arizona, like a bear with little hunger lines coming off her like in the old Saturday morning cartoons…

"You know I can't. I'm married. What happened between us was a mistake," Arizona whispered back. She was getting really tired of the constant walking reminder of her failure as a wife.

"If I remember correctly, you being married didn't stop you. I said it before and I'll say it again. I'm not going anywhere." A smirk crossed her face and Lauren grazed past Arizona, making sure her hand touched her thigh in the right spot before leaving her flustered and confused.

"Captain, you have a broken rib! How you managed to walk around like that for what looks like – what, almost 3 days now is beyond me!"

"Dr. Torres, please, call me Rachel. And to be honest with all the commotion I was really on a one-track mind – you know finding – OW – ugh, my buddy Alex."

"I'm used to calling officers by rank, my w- uh right, Rachel you can call me Callie. I'm going to get you patched up so,"

"No! Please, I have to see Alex. I need him to know I'm here." Rachel grabbed Callie's hand and pleaded, she felt a wave of warmth blanket her as she realized what she had done.

Callie was taken aback by Rachel's motion, she couldn't help but give in to her patient's desperation and dedication to her friend, "Ugh, fine but I'm only giving you five minutes and then you're getting prepped for surgery!" Callie had leaned across to reach the O2 switch over the bed and she could feel Rachel's breath on her chest as she pulled the O2 mask off.

"Only if it's you taking me," Rachel gave Callie her signature smile and let out a breath that tickled Callie's chest right above her.

"Uh – yea. Of- of course" Callie smiled nervously. She could tell Rachel was gonna be trouble.

"Lets get you to Alex's room then." Callie took the breaks off the her patient's bed and went around so she could wheel it out when she felt Rachel's hand reach for hers again.

"Thank you, Callie," Rachel let go of her doctor's hand and waited to be shown to her best friend's room. After the chaos of the last few days it seemed like the sun was starting to come out…

"You're welcome, Captain Valdosa," Callie smiled as she wheeled the bed out of the room. In a sea of unbearable emotions, the human touch was an unexpected savior, especially for those who for so long have looked for their saving ship.