A/N: I do not own Private Practice...if I did, why would I be posting mediocre fic? :)
Okay, I am LOVING the Amelia/Sheldon relationship and I'm really sad to not see more of fics of them, so I'm taking it upon myself! REVIEW!
Addison Montgomery was not one to sit by and let those around her self destruct. She had far too much experience with pain and destruction with Derek and Mark and the subsequent angst that followed. She knew first hand that sitting by passively and hoping beyond hope that everything would work itself out was a waste of time. In the end, sitting on the sidelines only increased the likelihood of disaster and catastrophe striking.
As a woman who had finally alleviated decade's worth of guilt over failed marriages, aborted babies, and destroyed lives, she would not allow Amelia to guilt her into believing that Addison had no place in trying to save her.
Worst case scenario-and most desperate scenario-Addison could play the last ace in her hand, the employer card. It was her job as the boss to keep her employees in line, even relapsed addicts. She needed to protect those who worked for her, and protect those subsequent patients. Amelia had saved countless lives in otherwise impossible situations. It was up to Addison and the rest of Oceanside Wellness to save Amelia from the medical board. They were vultures circling the practice, looking for any excuse to bring them down.
All of her motivations to help Amelia, however, paled in comparison to the not so subtly hidden motivations of Sheldon Wallace. Sheldon, who had worked himself into a frenzy looking for his friend (whom he claimed to have strictly platonic feelings for). Sheldon had set up a mini-command center in her living room. As he said, "It's the most convenient place. I can keep searching here and keep an eye on her house in case she comes back."
Addison had been reluctant to allow his invasion of her home. She had enough going on in her own life that she was hesitant to allow her sanctuary to be invaded. However, the frenzied, lost look in Sheldon's eyes made her pause and allow the psychologist to set up shop in her living room, which conveniently had a window with a direct view into Amelia's home.
Her living room had been into a center of operations in "Operation Amelia". Sheldon had a map of the county spread across her coffee table, with a small, red "X" to denote where Sheldon had already decided Amelia was not. In addition, a small list of hospitals and morgues was next to the map. Sheldon had frantically called each hospital, first asking whether or not Amelia had come through, and then giving his contact information in case she did.
The calls to the morgue were the worst. He dreaded that he would have to hear that they had found her body. He would have to take the long drive down to the morgue, then identify her body. He hoped to God he would never hear the words, "Yes, Dr. Sheldon we do have a Dr. Amelia Shepherd here."
In addition to his maps and lists, Sheldon had set up a phone system so that any of his police contacts could alert him to any new developments in the search for Amelia. Addison still wanted to know exactly how Sheldon had these police contacts, but she refocused on Sheldon's frenzied search.
Addison leaned against the doorway, observing the psychologist. He was constantly moving-pacing the floor, clicking his pen, loosening and tightening his tie. It was so unlike the Sheldon she knew. So still and calm in the face of all of Oceanside's crises. Now, Amelia's disappearance, almost 72 hours ago now, sent the psychologist into a frenzy.
Addison stepped in before Sheldon could run himself into the ground.
"Sheldon. It's been almost 3 days. Maybe she doesn't want to be found. You need to stop," at this Sheldon's eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared in disagreement, "Fine. Maybe not stop, but at least slow down. You won't be doing Amelia any good if you can't even keep yourself healthy."
With a helpless glance towards the empty, darkened windows of Amelia's home, Sheldon responded, "Addison, I can't stop. Amelia needs us-needs me. She's in a bad place right now, her medical license is potentially on the line, and more importantly, her life is on the line. So no, I can't stop, I won't stop. I will sacrifice the luxury of sleep until Amelia is safe again."
On that note, Sheldon's face softened, frustration and desperation fading away, leaving only vulnerability on his handsome face.
"I don't know what this feeling is that I have for, yet. All I know is that I have this inherent need to protect her and care for her-keep her safe. If we give up on her-if I give up on her-I'm giving up on this feeling, and I'm not ready to do that yet."
He turned away from the sudden pity and understanding that resided in Addison's eyes. The last thing he needed was pity, he just needed someone to be as desperate as he was to find Amelia. It looked like Charlotte was the only one at this point, but he wasn't ready to jump in the middle of whatever it was that Charlotte and Amelia had going on.
Addison spoke, "Sheldon, just please think about yourself. I get that you're worried about Amelia, but while you are worrying about Amelia, who is worrying about you? I know we've never been particularly close, but I care about you. The whole practice cares about you. Just," she paused, knowing she had to tread carefully here, "remember that Amelia is an addict."
Sheldon glared at the term, as if it was an offensive word.
"Addicts bring those around them down, Sheldon. I just don't wanna see you hurt. If Amelia proves to be unreachable or lost to us, I want you to be able to move on from this."
She searched for any sign of acknowledgement or understanding, but only saw steely determination in Sheldon's eyes. Finally, Sheldon spoke.
"I will consider it, but I won't consider her gone. She's had a relapse. I will save her."
He turned away and focused on his maps and lists of hospitals which he started to update.
Addison smiled a soft, sad smile and turned away, whispering, "I hope you do. I hope you do."
PHEW. Alright, that's chapter one. The next chapter we will see Amelia and her take on the scene where she wakes up naked with a roomful of strange men...PLEASE REVIEW!