Objects in the Rearview Mirror

A/N: This idea has been floating around in my head for awhile in various forms and I decided to write it down while I think up the next chapter of Healing Process. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this. Thanks to Chels for the title.


Chapter 1: Calling in a Favor

i got you, i got you on my mind
and it's time to make you see (what i want)
so i'll just make this a little more obvious
cuz i get what i want, and i want you to get with me!

Dr. Richard Webber sat in his office staring at the wall. He was still dressed in his tuxedo from the prom. The once pressed shirt was now a wrinkled mess, the black jacket hung over his chair and the perfectly tied bow tie now sat beside Richard's right arm on his desk. Tonight had been the worst night of his life and Seattle Grace's as well. As of this very moment, the best cardiothoracic surgeon on staff as well as in the country was facing an uncertain future. Denny Duquette was dead following complications from his long awaited heart transplant. And Izzie Stevens, the intern who had shown so much promise, had not only quit the program but also broke a dozen rules in the last twenty-four hours.

This was the type of situation that would have driven any person sane or otherwise to drink. But Richard would not let himself fall off the wagon, not now. He took a deep breath and tried to think of the positive things in this situation. Upon hearing that Preston Burke had been shot the night before, Dr. Hilary Hahn had volunteered to take his place since Mercy West's head of cardio showed no sign of retiring anytime soon. Richard had gratefully accepted the offer.

But there was still the matter of finding an intern to replace Izzie Stevens. Richard had no way of knowing what Izzie's future at Seattle Grace would hold. However, he knew that even if Izzie was allowed to come back, it would take weeks before it would happen. And the fact remained that there were not enough interns at the hospital or in the city for that matter. So, Richard was now faced with the task of finding one outside of Seattle and finding one that could be here by 9am tomorrow morning. But it couldn't be just any intern, he or she had to be the best of the best and have balls of steel. Richard didn't want this one falling privy to the same temptations the other interns had.

What Richard needed was another Bailey. From day one, she was strong and took crap from no one. But at the same time she had the caring and compassion necessary to make a good surgeon. He sighed heavily and put his head in his hands and thought for a few minutes before looking up again and then picking up the phone. He glanced at the clock as he did so. It was now 11pm and Richard knew that he was going to encounter a less than pleased chief of surgery. But he didn't care. This was a matter that couldn't wait until morning.


don't think you know,
how far im gunna do

you can't stop this, feeling!
you can't run away, baby i'm whats on your mind
you can't stop this, feeling!
there's no escape,
no sleep tonight,
you won't get, no sleep tonight

Dr. Kara Fitzgerald was about to drag herself out of her office. It was now 2am and she had been there since 11pm the previous night. As Chief of Surgery at Boston General Hospital, one of the most respected in the country, the hours Kara put in were very long. And while she didn't mind, all Kara wanted was her own bed at this very moment. Just as she was about to drag herself out of the office, the phone rang. Kara glanced at the caller ID which flashed "SEATTLE GRACE," and while she was tempted not to answer it, a feeling in her gut told her to anyway."

"Dr. Kara Fitzgerald," Kara said into the phone.

"Dr. Fitzgerald I'm glad I caught you. This is Richard Webber from Seattle Grace," Richard said on the other end.

"Richard," Kara said with a smile. "It's good to hear from you. What can I do for you?"

"I need a favor Kara," Richard replied, he had known since her med school days. She had been one of his early students. And as it happened, she owed him a favor after he had loaned out Preston to Boston General for surgery last year. "I had an intern quit on me tonight and we're short staffed in both the hospital and the city. So I need a replacement. But I need someone who I don't have to worry about and who has great potential."

Kara laughed softly, "You want the cobra don't you?"

"She came to mind, yes."

"Richard, I will give you any other intern I have. But I'm not going to let the cobra go."

"Alright, you got me. I don't just want her for the hospital."

"Then what do you need her for?" Kara asked confused and then she remembered. "You have the other two don't you?"

"Yes I do."

"You want to have the trifecta don't you?"

"Kara, I need her. Please."

"Richard, Caitlin Taylor is the most sought intern on the East Coast. She had 25 different offers when she graduated from Harvard. I had to fight tooth and nail to get her."

"You didn't have to fight that hard. You were her mentor in school. She followed you like a duck to its mother."

"Ok fine, I surrender. When do you need her?"

"Tomorrow, at 9am Pacific time."

"You'd better give that girl a first class ticket out there because she's on call right now."

"It'll be waiting for her at the Delta counter. There's a flight leaving at 4am your time."

"I'll put her on the plane myself. So Richard, if I do this for you, are we even?"

"Yes Kara we'll be even."

"Good. You'll have her by 9."

"Thank you Kara"


you want me, you want me all the time
and you don't need nothing else
and you seem to be a little oblivious
so i'll show you the way if you think that you need some help

tell me baby
are you coming, with me

you can't stop this, feeling!
you can't run away!
baby i'm whats on your mind!
you can't stop this, feeling!
theres no escape,
no sleep tonight, you wont get no sleep tonight

Caitlin "The Cobra" Taylor walked to Dr. Fitzgerald's office. She was tall with dark red hair and piercing green eyes. At 20, she was the youngest intern on staff. But the cobra's age was nothing in compared to her skills. She earned the nickname her first year of med school for her quick thinking and problem solving abilities. She struck like a cobra in the face of a problem; quick, accurate, and never wrong. She only attempted things if she knew the outcome. If not, she sought direction from a higher power. That ability was only mastered once one finished residency, but sometimes it was never mastered at all.

She reached the door a few minutes later and knocked.

"Come in," Kara said from the other side.

Caitlin stepped inside, "You wanted to see me Dr. Fitzgerald?"

"Yes Caitie I did. I received a phone call from Seattle Grace Hospital in Seattle about 10 minutes ago. It seems that they are in need of an intern."

"And you want me to go?"

"Yes. But don't worry, the position is temporary. I'm not planning to give you up that easily."

She smiled, "Thank you Dr. Fitzgerald. When do I leave?"

"There's a flight a 4am."

"I'm leaving now?" Caitlin asked in shock.

"I'm afraid so. Dr. Webber needs someone by the morning."

"But I have to go home and pack."

"I know. That is why I'm going to drive you to the airport myself."

"You are? Oh Dr. Fitzgerald, are you sure? It's late. I know you must be tired."

Kara smiled, "I am. But I want to make sure you get to Seattle safely. I don't loan my star intern out to just anyone."

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me. Go get your stuff. I'll meet you downstairs."

"We'll do."


no sleep tonight,
no sleep tonight,

boy you won't be sleeping
no sleep tonight
do i have to spell it out in black and white


boy you won't be sleeping
no sleep tonight
do i have to spell it out in black and white

oh oh oh oh oh!
no sleep tonight
oh oh oh oh oh!

The mood in the intern's locker room the next morning at Seattle Grace was a somber one. Cristina, George, Alex, and Meredith were for once quiet as they waited for Bailey. Denny's death and Izzie's decision to quit weighed on them.

"I can't believe Izzie quit," said George.

"I can't believe she cut the LVAD wire," Alex said.

"I can't believe she stole a heart," Meredith said.

"You know what I can't believe," Cristina said. "I can't believe all of you are in disbelief. This is Izzie we're talking about here."

"But no one expected her to quit."

"I wonder who they're going to get."

"Who says that they're going to get anybody? We can still be interns with just 4 people."

"The entire hospital is short staffed Mere. We need another intern. But the chief probably won't have someone today. It's too short notice."

The door opened then and Caitlin entered the room dressed in jeans, a fitted Kelly green blazer, ballet flats, and a solid colored top underneath. Her hair was up in what looked to be an intricate bun. The interns fell silent as Caitlin went to an empty locker, opened it and proceeded to change. Alex turned just in time to see her back and a cobra tattoo in green and silver in the middle of her back.

"Nice tat," He said.

"Thanks," Caitlin said as she pulled on her scrub bottoms and tied her shoes before going over to them. "Hey you wouldn't happen to be Dr. Bailey's interns would you?"

"Who wants to know?" Cristina asked.

Before Caitlin could reply, the door opened again and Miranda Bailey came in. Even she appeared to be somewhat somber.

"Rounds people," She said, but this time her voice lacked the forcefulness that they were used to.

"Excuse me, Dr. Bailey?" Caitlin said stepping forward. "I'm Caitlin Taylor, your new intern.

"Oh right," Bailey said. "People, this is Caitlin Taylor, she's filling in from Boston General until this situation is sorted out."

"Most people just call me Caitie," Caitlin added.

"Right, well here's your pager," Bailey said handing it to Caitlin. "Your fellow suck-ups will explain my rules. Any questions?"

"None."

"Good, let's move people!" And with that Bailey went out the door with the interns behind her.

"Izzie quit less than 12 hours ago," George hissed in the back with Meredith and Cristina. Alex and Caitlin were farther ahead. He was explaining Bailey's rules.

"I know," Meredith replied. "How did she get out here so fast?"

"Well I'll tell you one thing," Cristina said watching Caitlin carefully. "She had to be pretty damn special to be flown out from Boston overnight."

As they were crossing the bridge into the surgical wing, Addison Shepherd was coming out on the other side. She had barely slept all night and despite the chief's offer to have a day off, she refused. Work was the only thing that was constant for her. She couldn't give that up.

When Addison passed by the interns, making especially sure not to make eye contact with Meredith Grey, a flash of red caught her eye and she looked up. When she did, Addison saw her own self staring back at her.

"Caitie?" She said in surprise.

"Hi," Caitie replied softly.


no sleep tonight
oh oh oh oh oh!
no sleep tonight
oh oh oh oh oh!

you can't stop this, feeling!
you can't run away!
baby i'm whats on your mind!
you can't stop this, feeling!
theres no escape,
no sleep tonight, you wont get no sleep tonight


Lyrics- "No Sleep Tonight"-The Faders

Well what do you guys think so far? Coming up in the next chapter, the interns learn or rather see who Caitie is. Caitie and Addison have a talk.