Author's Note: This story came to me in a dream, literally. I fell asleep today, and this was my dream. Also, I left the end kind of open ended where it could be a one-shot, or continue on as a longer story. Tell me what you think.
Owen Hunt rubbed his eyes tiredly, as he continued to weed through monthly budget reports. It seemed as though nothing was going right anymore, which was partially his fault. His problems at work had no one to blame, just the price of being the chief of one of the country's finest hospitals. However the tension filled nights he spent at home, fell directly on his shoulders.
If he could've taken back the adultery, he would in a second. No matter how infuriating their relationship had been for the last few months, Cristina was the best thing in his life. He'd made a terrible mistake that he was paying the ultimate price for. Before his confession, Cristina had seemed desperate to fix things. And regardless of how angry he was at her, Cristina's determination to mend their relationship brought him warmth and hope. Her fiery passion reminded him why they were married, and how much he loved her.
Now, she seemed lifeless, and drained of all hope. She'd either ask over and over about the affair, similar to Teddy's relentless questioning pertaining to Henry's death, or remain fairly silent. She'd try at small talk, and then excuse herself to the bathroom before quickly going to bed. Gone were the attempts to talk through issues, or mentions of returning to therapy. She was constantly with Meredith and Zola, most times spending the night with them. He could feel her slowly slipping away, taking his heart and strength with her. Now she was flying around the country, visiting different hospitals interested in her. As her Chief of Surgery, he'd received dozens of calls from prestigious hospitals, desperate for her records so they could discuss hiring her with their Chief of Staffs.
Owen couldn't tell her not to go, not after he'd cheated on her. It wasn't fair of him to stand in her way, after he'd completely shattered her. He too was angry, and it seemed as though there was too much anger to salvage any kind of relationship. They both seemed to stand idly by as their heart got ripped apart, neither knowing if, or how to un-break their marriage.
"Hunt," Derek knocked on the conference room door. Owen lifted his head slightly, and nodded his eyes lifeless. Noticing Owen's lack of a response, Derek sat down in a chair, and lifted his feel nonchalantly onto the table. "Classy Dr. Shepherd," Owen grumbled, shooting a small smile in the neurosurgeon's direction. "You look exhausted Hunt," he commented, hoping to some answers. Cristina had spent most nights with Meredith and Zola while he worked away on completing their home. Most nights, he was forced to sleep on the couch because Cristina was fast asleep next to his wife. Usually he'd complain, but he knew how Cristina felt, being cheated on by the one person you were supposed to wholly trust.
However, he'd also been where Hunt is, completely and utterly horrified by their actions of adultery, hoping for some solution and restitution from one horrible, irreversible mistake. He knew both Cristina and Owen enough to know they both wanted their marriage to work out, and Hunt needed somebody. "Hey come on over tonight, let's grill some food and I'll show you the final work-up of the house in the woods," Derek invited Hunt, hoping that they'd have some time to discuss one half of the twisted sisters.
Owen considered declining, but instead said, "Alright, let's head out now. I can't look at another one of these damn reports." Cristina was flying back from New York tonight, so she wouldn't be home until late. He grabbed his lab coat, and gathered up his reports. "I'm going to pick up Zola from daycare; I'll see you over at my house, alright?" Shepherd called over her shoulder. Hunt nodded, and then made his way to the attending's lounge to change for the night.
Zola sat playing with blocks on the kitchen floor as Owen and Derek examined the blue prints for the house in the woods. "This has been a long time coming," Derek explained, pointing out his favorite features of his slowly growing dream house. "I can see that," Owen chuckled, taking another swig of beer. The grill was heating up outside, and the two men discussed every inch of the floor plans, both tiptoeing around the subject of Cristina. Derek had finally worked up the nerve to mention her, when the front door opened causing Zola to get up and make a beeline for the visitor.
"It's probably just Karev or someone, Owen can you go grab her? It's time to feed her dinner anyway. Owen nodded, and chased after the toddling Zola, hoping to catch her before she made it out the front door. "Mama, Cristina," the little girl gurgled, causing Owen's heart to drop. He look up, and was staring at Cristina holding Zola on her hip, and Meredith giving her kisses on her cheeks. Derek followed Owen out of the kitchen when he heard it was Meredith at the door.
"Derek," she smiled, and gave him a quick kiss. "Owen," she addressed him coldly, anger evident in her eyes. Cristina's eyes were downcast; she hadn't looked at him since she'd entered the house. He could tell she felt betrayed, that he'd infiltrated the only safe haven she had anymore. "Owen and I were grilling out, discussing the new house. I though your plane was getting in later," Derek explained, smoothing Meredith's hair. "Yeah, well plans change," Cristina quipped, the first words she'd said.
Meredith was pissed; it was all over her face. She obviously didn't like Owen being her either, making Cristina uncomfortable. "It's raining, so I guess grilling isn't an option anymore. I suppose I could order a pizza," Meredith suggested, Cristina continued her silence. "How about we just go out for some dinner, Zola loves eating at restaurants," Derek decided, Owen nodded.
"You know, I think Cristina and I will just hang out here, order some Chinese maybe? Have fun little girl," she kissed Zola's nose. "I'll help you get her into the car," Meredith scooped Zola out of Cristina's arms, much to the little girl's dismay. "Cristina," she whined, squirming and reaching back at her godmother. "No baby girl, Cristina isn't going, say bye-bye," Meredith tried to calm her down as they walked out to the car together. Cristina made her way to the couch, and began rummaging around in her purse for her phone. "Shit," she cursed as she realized she'd left it in her car. The house was empty, and Cristina figured she could just run out and grab it without causing a commotion with her friends outside.
Owen patted his jacket pockets, realizing that in the rush he'd left his wallet sitting on the counter. Meredith and Derek were standing outside the car, putting Zola in her car seat and talking in harsh, hushed tones. Owen knew that Meredith was yelling at Derek for inviting him over. Owen opened his door, and ran up to the house. Cristina threw on her coat, and made her way out the door when she ran into someone. "Ow," she mumbled, ready to joke around with who she thought was Meredith. Tears came to her eyes as she realized it was Owen.
Owen rushed to lean down in front of Cristina. "Are you alright?" he asked her, one hand entangled in her hair, and other resting on her shoulder, a concerned look clear on his face. Shrugging away from his contact, Cristina nodded. Gingerly helping her up, Owen apologized then turned to leave. It was the strangled sound of Cristina's sobs that caused him to turn around.
"Did I hurt you?" he asked, afraid he'd caused her some kind of physical damage. Cristina looked up at him, as tears ran down her face. She opened her mouth to say something, but collapsed against his chest and began to sob. Her tiny body shook violently, and Owen protectively wrapped his arms around her. "Shhh," he murmured softly, stroking her hair.
Gasping for air, Cristina finally found the words to speak. "I'm just so angry at you, but at the same time I want nothing more but to be with you. I visit each of the amazing hospitals and listen to all they want to offer me, and all I can think is that they can't give me you. That you wouldn't be there," she wiped a tear that had escaped down her cheek.
"Owen, I want those forty years you promised. I want to be with you, because I love you. And I know you're angry and I'm angry but what's there left to do but love each other? Is there a way to save us? If there is I want to know," she said softly.
Owen was stunned, and for a long time all her could do was cradle Cristina to his chest, kiss her hair softly, and rock her back and forth. Was there anything that could save them now? She was right that they'd gone through every emotion, and all that is left is love. "I want to fix us too, I want those forty years I promised," he whispered to her.
"I know that we have so much stacking up against us, more than just babies and cheating. I know that sometimes it hurts to love each other, but as long as we still love each other, we deserve to fight for what we have. Owen, I want to be able to say I fought until the day you decided you didn't love me anymore. I want to say that we did everything we could," tears began streaming down Cristina's face again.
"I want you to fight too Cristina, I want to fight together," he said softly into her ear. And with that, Owen led her to the stairs and gingerly pulled her into his lap. As the rain softly fell outside, Owen held Cristina tightly in his arms as she slowly fell apart, and put herself together. Tonight he could just hold her, and kiss away her tears. Tomorrow they would begin their uphill battle, but tonight was just for her.