Now the plan to go to Couples therapy is in action for Owen and Cristina. However, the therapist is not like any other, but will throw challenges their way that may help them or damage them in more ways than one. Enjoy this reading folks.

As Owen and Cristina got up on a Monday morning, they were heading to their first therapy session with Dr. Shirley Russ. Meredith and Derek say that she was a well known therapist that has a very good success rate of bringing couples closer together. On the drive, Cristina couldn't help, but think about what if this therapist can't help them. She thought about when Derek and Addison went to therapy, but later on got divorce. Of course, Bailey and her husband Tuck went to therapy as well, but ended up divorcing as well. The more she thought about it, the more sadness that was coming over her, she even felt a little tear drop come out of her eye.

While driving, Owen would look at Cristina and seeing her looking very quiet and looking out the window she was. He thought for a moment he saw a tear come out of her eye, but was not for sure. He reaches over and held her hand. She looked up at him and gave a little smile.

As they got out of the truck, he walks to the front to speak to Cristina before they go in.

"Cristina, we have nothing to worry about, we are going to be fine."

"I hope so. I mean, look at our friends and coworker, and what happened to them when they would try therapy. What happens if that happens to us," as she starting to cry.

Owen hugged her to comfort her. "Listen; look at everything that we have been through together. We have faced a lot of things together and have always won in the end. This is another one for us to face. I promise, we will get better and spend the rest of our lives together," as he caresses her face and kiss her on the lips. She smiled and nodded. Then they walked into the building together.

When walking into the therapist office, they were surprise to see no other couples or people in the waiting room area. The only person that was in the area was a receptionist at a desk, who was doing some typing on a computer. They walked over there to her to check in.

"Except ma'am, but we have an appointment with Dr. Shirley Russ."

The lady turned around. "Oh yeah, you must be Dr. Hunt and Dr. Yang. Please sign in here and Dr. Russ will be with you guys in a few minutes. Just have a seat folks."

While Owen was signing them in, Cristina couldn't help but ask, "I am sorry to ask, but why are there no couples or other people here. I mean, she's a well known therapist. It just seem strange that no one else in the waiting room."

As the lady looked up at Cristina, she said, "Oh, well, Dr. Yang, let me explain. She leaves her mornings open for clients that are new or that may need the most help. Now, please take your seat and she will be right with you both."

As they were finding a place to sit down, she whispered to him, "Gee, where did she learn to be that way for people that to a place like this for help?"

"Cristina, let's just sit down and keep low until the doctor is ready for us."

"Whatever."

Without their knowledge, the receptionist said to herself, "I am surprise they didn't come to therapy sooner. But, however, I sure wouldn't mind helping that husband of hers out in more ways than one."

After waiting for while, the phone at the receptionist's desk rang, and the lady picked it up.

"Dr. Russ said that you both can go in now. Just go through the door and make a right turn to her office and have a sit."

"Hey, aren't you supposed to show us? I mean, you …" as Owen interrupted what Cristina was trying to say.

"Thank you" as Owen and Cristina walked through the door.

"Owen, I am going to tell this Dr. Russ woman, that she really needs to find a new receptionist. That woman is crazy."

"Cristina, please, let's just meet Dr. Russ and fix our marriage," as he was begging her to not do anything crazy.

"Fine I won't, but if we come back tomorrow and she acts that way, than I will report her to her boss. I promise you on that."

As Cristina and Owen approached the door of Dr. Russ, the nerves were coming up again. They knocked on the door and a woman invited them in.

"Hello, I am Dr. Russ, please come in."

Meredith did mention to Cristina that this therapist was not like any other. She was a woman about 5'5'' tall, little be on the heavy side, and seems to have a bright personality. She was someone that would always try different ways to help couples work out there troubles. It was never an easy thing, but she was someone who loved challenges and willing to help them out as much as she could.

Owen and Cristina took their sits on the couch. It was very comfortable, with being flurry and cotton. Cristina really liked it and started wondering where she got the couch from.

"Ok, Dr. Hunt and Dr. Yang, here is what we are going to during the course of these sessions that lies ahead for us. The first couple of sessions will be where I will be getting to know each of you as individuals as well as a couple. It will give me an idea of what we need to work on and how to work it out. Now, it will take more than one session to help your marriage, but as long as you guys are willing to do work on fixing this marriage, than I will help you."

"We do appreciate you helping us. We both are willing to do whatever it takes to fix our marriage. Isn't that right Cristina?" Cristina did nod with agreeing that she wanted to fix their marriage.

"Ok, let's get started. Dr. Hunt, or May I call you Owen?"

"You can call me Owen, pretty much everyone does."

"Owen, can you give me a general background of your life. At least give me an idea of who you are and where you come from."

"Ok, well, I grew up here in Seattle, raised by my mom and father. She was a school teacher and my father was a colonel in the army that was station near Seattle. I have a big brother named Jack, who is an army career man. I have a little sister name Betty, who is a surgeon as well, but specializes in OB-GYBN. Well, I went to Northwestern and then transfer to Harvard medical school. After graduation, I worked at Maryland Stock Trauma, where the attending saw my talent and knew that I would be very good in the field of trauma. Around the time of 9/11, I decided that after I finish my residency there, I would join the army as a trauma surgeon. I served for five years as an major army surgeon, than I received an honorable discharge, where I came to work at Seattle Grace Hospital, as the head of Trauma."

"That is a very good background. Now, Cristina, tell a little bit about you."

"Well, I was raised in Beverly Hills, California. From a baby to the age of 9, I was raised mostly by my dad. From then to 18, I was raised by my mom and stepfather. My parents were never really married. I have no siblings. I went to Smith College first, and then went to Stanford medical school, where I graduated at the top of my class. I came to Seattle for my residency at Seattle Grace. Now I am on my last year before I decide on a fellowship in cardio."

"Wow, it sounds like you both have very big backgrounds in education. Give me just a minute."

During that moment, both Owen and Cristina notice that she was taking notes which seemed to be based on some of the information that they have given her. Cristina wonders what she was writing down or what she was really thinking about them. But, the worrying stopped when she realized it was too early to pass judgment on them.

"Ok, now that I know a little bit about each of you, I would love to hear about your relationship together. Now, I will ask questions and each of you can answer. Anyone of you can answer; I just want to know about what makes your love for each other strong."

They looked at each other wondering who wanted to start. Owen looks at her, like he was asking if she wanted to go first or should he. She looked like he should go first, but she didn't really mind any way.

"Ok, how did you two met?"

Cristina decided to ask first. "We met about four years ago at the hospital, where we both work at now. But, at the time, he was an army surgeon and on leave. There were three ambulances that came in with three seriously injury traumas."

Owen jump in to add in his part. "I was on the scene of the accident where a limo had slipped on some black ice on the road. My truck cut through the intersection." Cristina came back in.

"Well, I was assigned to the Chief to attend the first patient. When the doors opened to the ambulance and there he was breathing into a tube of some sort to help the man breath."

"Cristina, I am just curious, how did you feel when you first saw Owen?"

"Well, the procedure was pretty amazing, I thought."

"Right, but Cristina, how you felt when you first saw Owen."

"Well, the word that came to mind was…." She paused to look at Owen and back at Dr. Russ.

"Hot. I was impressed with the procedure, the way he did it, and of course, there was the fact that I was starring at his ass."

"Ok, Owen, "as she was giggle a little, but went to serious mode, "please tell me how you felt when you first saw Cristina for the first time?"

"When I first really saw her it was inside the hospital pit area. She was talking to the chief about one of the cases that came that came in. When I saw her, I thought she was a beautiful woman, who looked hard working, and just someone that I would like to get to know better. Of course, during to the course of the night, I got to spend a little time with her. The more time we spend together, the more my interest for her was growing. Of course, before I left to go back to Iraq, I kissed her in the trauma room."

As more of the session went on, it seemed to be more a trip down memory lane for Cristina and Owen. But, during that time, Cristina got to learn a little more of how he really thought about her and what she really meant to him. The same was for Owen when he was hearing Cristina's thoughts and feelings. They were meant a lot to each other more than they knew then.

"Well, it sure sounds like you both have been through a lot. Ok, now I am going to ask you both some questions that may sound personal, but it helps when deciding the best way to help you both. So, just bear with me. First question is how much time do you both spend time together at work?

Owen spoke up first, "Well, before I became Chief, I was mostly in trauma which was in the pit area or in the OR. Cristina would mostly be on Cardio, since that was her specialty. But, when we both would be on break and bump into each other in the hallway, we would spend time together. At night, if not on-call than we would go home together."

"Second, what was the last surgery you two performed together?"

Cristina spoke this time. "We both work on our friend Callie, who was in an accident. But, there was one time, where we perform a cardio surgery, which actually was during our honeymoon. But, I had a bit of a panic attack, which cause me to leave the OR earlier than the rest of the team."

"I see. Third question, did you guy live together before you got married?"

Owen spoke up. "Well, we were planning to, but some issues came up and then of course, the shooting at the hospital, so plans had to change. However, I usually would stay over at Cristina's place to sleep; it made sense she lived across the street from the hospital. She had a roommate, who didn't mind at all."

Cristina spoke to add to the question. "In fact, it was like we were living together, but my friend Callie and her girlfriend, stayed as well."

"Alright, question four, how often did you two go out on dates and spending time outside the hospital?"

Owen spoke up. "Well, since being doctors, we didn't go out on dates as much. I mean, every once in a while we would go out, or just get a drink from Joe's Bar, or we would just go back to Cristina's place."

Cristina spoke up. "We did go out on holidays and try to be together. But, as for being surgeons, a lot of time is spent in the hospital."

"Ok, last question and it may make you both feel uncomfortable, but how often do you both have intercourse?"

At this point, they both looked at each other. They were like; it is none of her business. At this time, Cristina spoke up. "I am sorry, but don't see how knowing how often my husband and I have sex is going to fix our marriage."

"Well, studies have shown that most couples that have sex very often and started having problems, they will use sex as a tool for avoid their problems. So, how often would you both have intercourse?"

Owen spoke up. "Well, before I was chief, when we would have breaks at work, we would usually meet in an on-call room and you know, which a lot during the day. I mean, every time we met, we didn't do it, but most of the time, yes we did. At her home, we would a lot at home, which would usually depend on the kind of day we both had. Now, that I am Chief, we had shortened a little bit. So, we have no more sex at work, but a little at home."

"Wow, very interesting. Ok, we are going to take a break for about 15 minutes and when we meet, I will have a plan ready for you. So, please enjoy some coffee, and snacks in the lobby. See you both in 15 minutes."

When the 15 minute break was up, they made their way back into the room. They were really curious to hear the plan that Dr. Russ thought would help them fix their marriage. As Dr. Russ took her sat, the more curious of what the doctor had to say.

"Alright, I believe that you both can fix this marriage and from the information you both gave me, shows that you both are willing to save this marriage in anyway."

"Yes, ma'am, Cristina and I are willing to do whatever to get our marriage back on track."

"Well, the plan is giving you both some balance in your lives, in the workplace as well as at home. So, I have a set of rules for the both of you to follow and these will help you balance out your issues and to focus and deal with them as they can."

"Wait, just minute, let me get this straight. You are giving us rules, a married couple rules for us to go by. Dr. Russ, Owen and I live together; we barely have rules in our home."

"Well, this is to see if it will work. One of the biggest things that I have notice is that Owen is a person that is all-business, and believes in many ways of handle things, but I sense that there is still some hurt and pain he is holding back. However, I sense too that there is some pain with you as well and only sees things are as they appear which means that you are not very open minded. So, I will establish rules for you both to follow to the T and report to me on how it goes once a week. I promise you both that I can help you both fix this marriage that is if you both are willing to work at it."

Both of them looked at each other and realized that they wanted to be together forever. So, if this helps their marriage, than they were willing to do it. They both nodded their heads.

"Rule #1: You both must have at least one date a week. It would give time to be together talk about whatever. This would be a way of spending time together."

They both thought that didn't sound so bad.

"Rule #2: Owen, if you are ever schedule on have to be on a case to where you can have a resident with you, I would like for you to see if you to see that Cristina is on your service. This way, it would help you both work as a team. Part of working as a team is seeing the roles between a husband and wife.

Again, that didn't seem so bad. Owen, in fact, had been trying to be back on a surgery case for a while, because he missed being in on the action. This would be good, since thanks to him, Cristina has been taken off of Teddy's service for a while.

"Rule #3: When it comes to decisions that involve you both, find the time to make the best decision for the both of you."

Owen knew this was one of the many areas that they needed help in. He always let her have her way and he would end up compromising. He hoped that this would be the chance to learn to make decisions together as a married couple.

"Rule #4: Try to share what happen during your day at work or wherever. Always keep the lines of communication open."

So, far, Cristina and Owen were ok about the rules so far, but then there was the fifth one. This one would be one that was unexpected.

"Last, rule #5: I truly believe that until your both work out your problems and issues as well as dealing with them as they come, there will be no sex between the two of you."

Owen spoke up. "Did I hear right, in saying that my wife and I can't make love until you basically say so. That is crazy, no offense."

"Listen, Dr. Hunt, from what you both told me, it seems like you use sex a lot to avoid talking about your problems. So, I believe it is best if you don't have sex. Now, you both can still sleep in the same bed, but no sex. I know, this is not what you about wanted to hear, but I believe that if you both follow these rules, things will start to improve in your marriage."

As Owen and Cristina left the office and headed toward the truck, they couldn't believe what this therapist was suggesting for them. But, after thinking about it for a while, they realize they do use sex to avoid talking about their problems. When they got home and ate supper and got ready for bed, they felt a little bit better with how the session went and felt they were on the road towards healing and happiness. They gave each other a short kiss good night and went to sleep.

I hope everyone enjoy this chapter. I add things from Thursday's that I felt were important. Please leave a comment. I would still love to hear ideas or what you thought of it. It helps. Chapter 3 will be up soon.