Changes... can only be effected by alterations in the original. The only thing not prerecorded in a prerecorded universe are the prerecordings themselves. The copies can only repeat themselves word for word. A virus is a copy. You can pretty it up, cut it up, scramble it - it will reassemble in the same form. -William S. Burroughs
"Please don't wake up… Please don't wake up…" the tanned skinned woman whispered to herself as she quietly gathered her black heels from off the hotel room floor. She took one last look at the sleeping blonde man lying on the bed. 'Okay Ava… just leave… leave before he wakes up…' she told herself.
She proceeded to the door closing it behind her quietly and sighed in relief. "Jesus would not approve of this…" she told herself out loud while proceeding to press the elevator button and put on her heels. Stepping into the elevator she lifted her head to the shiny almost mirror like doors. There staring right back at her was a blue-green eyed woman with her long disheveled auburn hair covering the right side of her face. Ava quickly gathered her long hair and twisted it into a bun. "… Jesus would definitely not approve…" She told herself out loud. The elevator doors opened and she quickly stepped out and made it out to the street, waving her arm up in the air to hail a cab as a sudden outburst of rain started to pour down.
"Will ten hail Mary's cover it!" Ava yelled up at the sky rain pouring down her perfectly structured face.
"It's just Seattle weather dear… No prayer on earth will control this city's weather" an elderly women passing by told the beautiful tanned skinned women yelling up the sky.
Ava gave the women a smile revealing her dimpled cheeks "I..I wasn't…I was...It was worth a try" she shook her head keeping a smile across her face.
"First time in Seattle?" the elderly women asked offering Ava a newspaper so she can use to shield herself from the rain. "No… I was born here before I moved to Boston with my parents when I was three months old" Ava responded taking the newspaper, unfolding it and placing it over her head.
"Oh… Well then, in that case welcome back" the elderly women replied as she parted ways.
"A baby… she's still a bab… and they… THEY! Will be allowing her to take a seat on the board!" Chief Bailey yelled out to Zola Shephered as they made their way up to the conference room.
"Who's a baby? What are we talking about?" Asked the curvy dark long hair women; jogging to catch up to Zola and Chief Bailey.
"It will be discussed in our meeting in a couple of minutes " Chief Bailey shoot back stepping into the conference room.
Zola and Sophia exchanged a look before following Bailey into the room and taking a seat.
"And where in the hell is Bailey Shep…" Chief Bailey yelled turning her head to look at Zola.
"Right here Chief!" The tall blonde blue eyed man interrupted the Chief while walking into the room and taking a seat next to his sister Zola. "Good Morning Zo" he told her kissing her on the cheek. The caramel skinned woman smiled at her younger brother "You're a Fellow now Bailey and part of the board as well you need to show a little more responsibility…Showing up late to a meeting isn't acceptable"
The blonde man flashed her a smile "Come on Zo-Zo… your sounding like my mom and dad I'm not a baby anymore"
"You're all babies as far as I'm concerned!" the Chief bellowed out. Everyone stared and the graying haired woman sitting at the far end on the conference table. She looked at all the young surgeons with an annoyed look on her face. "And can someone please get Yang on the phone for a conference call!"
Sophia Sloan quickly dialed numbers on a phone set up across from her, the phone gave a couple of rings until a familiar voice was heard on the other end."Can we make this quick" the voice bellowed out.
"Yang we all have things to do… it will be quick" Chief Bailey bellowed out. "Now that we are all here… As we all know this hospital was founded on doctors running this hospital… All your parents ran it… Bailey and Zola you not only represent this hospital but your parents as well… Sophia does the same for both her mother's… So the Avery foundation proposed that since there hasn't been an Avery sitting on this board since Jackson Avery left back to Boston to take over the foundation since his grandfather's passing they will be implementing a replacement Avery"
"WHAT!... we been doing great in running things smoothly without one!" Sophia yelled out as she leaned against the table. "It's just their way to further control things… Did they mention who?" Zola replied rolling her brown eyes. She leaned back against the leather chair and crossed her arms.
"Think of it like this… we can stick this new Avery to do all the clerical work" Bailey said as his blue eyes looked at all the faces in the room. Who all stared back at him annoyed looks "…or not" he let out.
The Chief slowly got up from her seat "Her name is Ava Avery… She was a cardio fellow at Mass. Gen. before the Harper Avery foundation plucked her out from her position there to relocate her here… You will all have a chance to meet the baby… I mean at the Gala that the foundation is throwing… I will assume with exception of Yang that you all will attend?"
Bailey, Zola and Sophia all opened there mouths to protest but the Chief cut them off "It's mandatory!"
"Okay… Baby Avery will be sitting in on a seat on the board… is that all?" Yang replied over the intercom on the phone.
"Yes" the Chief replied. "Good! Well let me know how that goes? Until the next meeting" and with that Cristina hung up.
"Meeting adjourned then… See you all at the Gala" the chief gathered her tablet and looked at her peeping pager and with that she swiftly left the room.
" So… Anybody just as annoyed as I am about this…" Zola asked getting up from her seat.
"I heard she graduated early from high school had to get mommy and daddy's written permission to attend college… She's going to roll up in a big wheel… complete snob and a typical generic Avery" Sophia laughed following Zola out the conference room. "Won't be much of a looker like the rest of them… with the exception of her father of course… Gorgeous man by the way" the Latina looking women said tossing her long dark hair over her shoulder.
"You two need to just cut this person some slack… Having an Avery isn't the end of the world… Besides her father was on the board before her and she was born here" the blue eyed man joined the conversation following the two best friends out the room.
"Also says the baby" Zola teased as Sophia laughed at her teasing. "Besides… where the heck were you this morning I must have called you a million times, you didn't come home last night" She said eyeing her younger brother.
"Well… I hit the town last night got a little wasted didn't fell like driving and let alone making a cab man drive all the way out into the woods , so I stayed at a hotel" Bailey replied as the three of them walked down the familiar halls of Grey-Sloan memorial.
"Alone?" The two women asked together eying him for an answer.
"I need to get to surgery" Bailey said looking at his watch. With that he left the two women. "I'll take that as a yes!" Zola yelled bout as Bailey turned the corner and disappeared out of her sight.
Ava entered the gala lobby gripping the soft material of her gown. She was more than a few minutes late; she was contemplating pacing back and forth in her hotel room whether to come to the stupid gala that her stupid family was throwing to bring in money. She took one last look at herself on a large mirror in the lobby she gazed back at her reflection looking at her navy blue cap sleeve mermaid style gown. She turned her head from side to side checking if her auburn hair was still in an updo checking if any hairs were out of place. She quickly adjusted the diamond necklace around her neck. Taking a deep breath she approached the doors to the gala two men standing outside the doors gave her a nod and a smile.
Ava smiled back and nodded back, the men opened the doors revealing people sharply dressed mingle ling around with one another. She took another deep breath and stepped into the ball room her gowns tail following elegantly behind her. Her green-blue eyes scanned the room looking nervously for a familiar face. She walked across the room to the free bar, looking straight ahead as she tried to ignore guests heads turning as she walked passed, whispering among themselves. She arrives at the bar and quickly orders a scotch. She takes a sip hoping the drink will calm her nerves.
"You look just like your father" She heard a familiar voice and quickly turned around with a smile. "and those dimples… just like your mothers"
"Dr. Bailey" Ava let out a sigh of relief. Finally someone she knew. The short graying haired woman approached her giving the beautiful tan women a hug.
"Your late Avery… very unbecoming" the short woman shot back looking at the blushing woman in front of her. "How's Kepner and your father?"
"Good… their doing good" Ava replied looking at the woman in front of her "Listen Dr. Bailey I know your not happy with me being here with a my new position on the board… but I…"
"Ava… I'm not, not happy with you being here… I'm just annoyed. I'm happy to have you here, to see you all grown up… But it's not me who you have to worry about, I know your parents history and I was there when you were born I know you're a capable surgeon but it's the rest of the hospital you'll have to prove to yourself too, to them you are the enemy the invader… The Avery foundation are the ones who cut their research fund, they are one's who kept the board members parents from winning a prestigious award like the Harper Avery" Chief Bailey told the young women putting her hand on the younger woman shoulder. "Now let's introduce you to the rest of the board members… Sloan! she Shephered!" Chief Bailey yelled out to the two women surgeons approaching them. The two women turned their heads, looking at the chief who gestured with her head to come over.
"…Oh my god! She did drive here on her big wheel" Sophia whispered to Zola as they approached the Chief and Ava. Zola gave her a grin before nudging Sophia's side. They stopped in front of the young auburn haired woman and their Chief of surgery.
"This right here is Dr. Ava Avery our new cardio fellow and board member" Chief Bailey gestured towards Dr. Sloan and Dr. Shephered. The two women looked on with fake grins on plastered on their faces. "Nice to meet you and excited to be working alongside great doctors such as your selves" Ava told the two older women who just kept giving her blank stares.
"Beautiful bone structure… I think I already hate her" Sophia whispered to Zola.
"Excuse…" Ava asked not quiet catching what the curvy dark hair doctor in the red gown had said to the Caramel skinned woman standing next to her standing gorgeously in a long silk black gown. "I was telling Dr. Shephered here that you have a beautiful bone structure" Sophia confidently told the now blushing blue-green eyed woman.
"And she's modest" Sophia grinned. "I'm a plastic surgeon I notice these things"
"Ah… Got it" Ava nodded her head, turning to Zola now "Are you following you father's footsteps and picked neuro? I'm a big fan I used to follow his research on brain mapping"
"No actually… I'm General" Zola stated a matter fact. "My little brother is the Neuro god just like our father" she said looking around spotting the tall blonde man talking up possible investors. Her gaze met her brothers and gestured with her head to come over. She watched as her brother excused himself and walked towards her direction "And here he comes".
Ava followed Dr. Shephered's gaze. Her eyes landing on a tall blonde young man approaching them. Her heart started pounding… it was him. The guy she left home with the night before.
Bailey slowly approached the four women his blue eyes landing on one in particular. He grinned at her stunned expression. "Good evening ladies" Bailey said shooting Ava the 'Derek Shephered smile'. "Dr. Shephered this is Dr. Ava Avery our new Cardio fellow and board member representing the Harper Avery Foundation" Bailey's smile slowly disappeared and had the same stunned look on his face as Ava had moments ago. She was the girl he had picked up at the bar the night before and had brought her back to a hotel room. He had slept with the Harper Avery Foundation Board member representing them at Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital. "Well nice to meet you " Bailey stretched out his hand to Ava. She took it and he couldn't believe how soft her hand were, shaking it lightly. "Likewise I'm sure" Ava replied their eyes never leaving each other, letting go of each other's hands go slowly.
"Okay well looks like were all introduced here now back to business and bring in those investors money" the chief said looking at all four surgeons "Get to it and I'll see you all first thing tomorrow morning" and with that she departed heading towards the open bar.
"Oh look...Charles Maxwell" Sophia said pointing towards an confident looking elder man "He owns practically half of Seattle" she said fixing her cleavage and tossing her long curled hair. "He's mine"
"Unless I get to him first" Zola said passing right by her friend heading towards the man. "Oh its on!" Sophia said following her friend. They both loved competition. Ava watched as and 'she' depart towards the rich man. She turned her head back to the blonde man still standing in front of her… and starring.
"You left" He said taking a few steps to approach her. "Was I that bad last night that you had to leave without saying a simple good morning and goodbye…? I could of bought you breakfast you know". Ava rolled her eyes "I had things to do" She simply replied. "And I think it would be best that we never mention or talk about what happened last night ever. We need to keep it professional here… and you…you can't keep looking at me like that" She said her blue-green eyes meting his blue eyes.
Bailey Shephered grinned getting closer to Ava putting his lips near her ear "Like what?..." he huskily whispered slipping his hand on her lower back.
"Like you seen me naked" Ava replied backing away from Bailey making her way towards the bar. Bailey followed behind her. Grinning to himself as he got a good view of her backside. He watched her abruptly stop in front of the bar.
"Scotch please" She told the bartender. "Make that two" she heard the familiar voice beside her; she gave Bailey an annoyed look. "Are you stalking me now" She said with an annoyance in her voice.
"Not necessarily…" Bailey said taking his drink. "You Avery's always making it about you."
Ava looked down at her drink guilt slowly spreading catching his arm as left the bar. "Okay I'm sorry… It's just this… This is awkward… an…and I hate these benefits I know the foundation puts these together but I always hated these events" She said letting go of his arm. "I…I…didn't mean to be rude…I wasn't trying to act like an 'Avery' making it about me" She stuttered hanging her head she made her way towards the door placing her full glass of scotch on waiters tray as she passed him by. She needed to get out of there. She approached the men at the doors who kindly opened them for her as she stepped out of the gala. She grabbed her gown so she can walk out the lobby quickly without stumbling over the material. Blinking her eyes quickly as tears started to form. She suddenly felt two hands on her waist stopping her.
"Hey, Hey… slow down there" she heard turning her head to meet Bailey's face. "I didn't mean to upset you" he said putting both his hand on her face.
"It's not you…" Ava started "I…I… didn't want this position… I didn't want to be the intruder the Avery spy that intrudes into your hospital" She said blinking her eyes once again to stop the tears. "It's all this pressure from the foundation… doing what they want with me like I'm some type of puppet…" looking up to man in front of her she looked at the confused look on his face. "I…I'm sorry… I'm rambling and you… your looking at me like I'm a nut case" She said biting her lower lip.
Bailey smiled at her. "No not a nut case… a little neurotic, but definitely not crazy" he looked at her dropping his hands from her face and grabbing her hand. "Come on… I know somewhere that I can take you that'll relax you" he said leading her to the elevator. Ava quickly pulled her hand from his "I'm not sleeping with you again if that's what your getting at" She replied angrily.
He let out a laugh taking her hand again. "Come on Avery… trust me" he told her with a reassuring smile. She nodded walking slowly behind him. He led them into the elevator, pushing the button to the top floor. They stood in silence still hand in hand. The elevator stopped and doors opened up. Bailey led them out into a long hallway stopping at a door at the end of it. He let go of her hand and grabbed a brick that was tucked away nearby. He opened the door gesturing towards Ava to step outside. He used the brick to keep the door from closing.
Ava slowly walked towards the ledge of the top of the building. She couldn't believe the view it was breath taking. She put her palms on the ledge and leaned against it "Wow… this is…it's…"
"Beautiful… I know" Bailey finished the sentence for her, stopping beside her with his arms crossed over his chest. "Whenever the foundation makes these gala type of things… I always sneak away and come up here; you won't get a better view than the top of this building… It clears my head just looking at the buildings, the lights…" He trailed off as he watched Ava mesmerized by the view. She slowly began to talk as he snapped out of his trance.
"I mean I thought I had a view from my hotel room… but this… this is wow" She said turning her head to face him. Her heart pounding fast when she noticed him looking at her. He uncrossed his arms; setting them by his side; his heart also pounding fast in his chest; looking at the beautiful women in front of him had him in daze once again. He let out a sigh "Uh… we should get back" He whispered.
"Yeah… yeah… we should" She replied sliding her hands down the sides of her dress in a nervous kind of way. Bailey stepped closer never breaking their gaze.
"Okay…" he huskily whispered putting his face inches from hers. She let out a sigh as she looked from his eyes to his lips "Lead the way" she replied liking her lips.
Bailey placed his hands on her face, his forehead on hers. She let out a sigh and closed her eyes. He placed a gentle kiss on her plump lips, when she didn't pull away he continued. She slid her hands up his chest then around his neck as she followed the rhythm of his lips against hers. He then slid his hands from her face down to her narrow waist gripping her hips and moving her closer to him. Kissing her passionately, as the ground beneath them felt like it was spinning.
He broke the kiss resting his forehead against hers "we should… we should really get back" he told her. As much as he loved kissing her and admiring her beautiful features he knew that the Chief would have their behinds if she knew that they skipped the party. She slowly nodded and gave him a weak smile. He grabbed her hand and led her back to the door held open by the brick. The elevator down to the ball room was silent once doors slid open, Ava stepped out first leaving an entranced Bailey behind, he shook his head and stepped out the elevator as well. He stopped right outside the elevator doors. He watched her as she walked across the lobby and stop in front of the gala doors, the men at the door opened them for her and she disappeared inside the doors closing behind her and she was gone.
He stood there, mesmerized and speechless. She was just a girl at the bar that he took home; he ran his clammy hands down his tuxedo pants. And now he was falling for her.