Thank you so much to those who reviewed! I really love reviews, they definitely inspire me to post more, sooner!
This chapter is a bit of a filler chapter, but I'm trying to fully develop these characters at the same time as progressing the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Private Practice.
Addison finishes getting ready for work as Amelia showers. She still holds lingering reminders of the image she could not quite get out of her head. Amelia had always been so... comfortable with her body, it was hard not to look at her in admiration. And blush, because, let's face it, the girl had quite the body.
Plus, it's not as though Amy hadn't caught her in quite, er, compromising situations before. She wouldn't be surprised if the girl hadn't seen her partially naked, at least once. The thought makes her laugh to herself, as she finishes applying the final coat of her mascara. She feels someone behind her in her room, and turns to see Amelia, clad only in a towel, smirking at Addison, as usual.
"Do you ever knock?" Addison asks, feigning annoyance, but a smile tugs the corner of her lips.
"Only when I'm clothed," Amelia retorts, throwing a wink her way. "Anyway, sis, what are you laughing about? You know that laughing to yourself is one of the first signs of madness, or something along those lines."
Addison pokes her tongue out, then blushes at her display of immaturity.
"I was just laughing at how you have not changed a bit, in all these years," She replies.
Amelia's face momentarily darkens, and she wonders whether she has said the wrong thing.
"A-Anyway", She stammers, "I have to get to the practice. I'm on call later at the hospital, so I need to get in early."
Amelia nods.
"I have to get to the hospital soon to check on Kayla, anyway" Amelia admits. "We can have lunch or something later? Only if you want, though." She looks embarrassed, as though Addison is going to say no to her invitation.
"Of course, Ames" Addison smiles, walking past the younger girl, and places a chaste kiss to her temple. "I'll catch you later."
Amelia can't believe that she'd called Addison 'sis'. What a monumental freudian slip. She doubts the red head had even noticed the slip of the tongue, though, as the two have been so close for so long, inseparable, practically sisters, that the word was traded interchangeably with no issue.
Towel drying her long, brown hair, she thinks about the reason that she was here. Here being Addison's ridiculous beachside condo. She has screwed up yet another opportunity; a fellowship with a world renowned neurologist. She was so angry with herself.
She thought that she'd changed, that she was far beyond this self sabotaging behaviour. Sure, it worked out in her favour this time, as the patient had woken up from a coma, with no perceivable brain damage so far, but she had still done the wrong thing by questioning her superior. She applies her makeup slowly, as her hands shake with anger. Anger at herself, mainly. As usual.
She can't call Derek to ask for a job; he will be only too eager to offer her a fellowship at 'Seattle Grace Mercy West', and she would forever be 'McDreamy's' little sister, and in his debt. Amelia just couldn't handle that. She has been under Derek Shepherd's shadow for far too long. Come to think of it, she had always been under his shadow. She loves him, she really does, and she was so grateful to him for introducing her to Addison, but she had always been compared to her older brother, and it was getting old. She didn't need him to rescue her anymore.
She wasn't the drugged up loser that she had been in the past. She was clean, now. She was trying.
That should be enough.
Amelia walks into the hospital cafeteria later that afternoon, to meet with Addison for lunch, as they had planned. She has spent the morning checking on Kayla, running bloodwork and checking scans, and, so far, all is good. Finding an empty table for two, she sits down and checks her phone absentmindedly whilst she waits for Addison. As she checks her messages, she finds that she has an unread message from someone named Taylor James.
"Hello Dr. Shepherd, my name is Taylor James, Violet Turner's lawyer. As you may know we have a custody trial in action at the moment, and, I heard you were in town, and was wondering if you could possibly be an expert witness for Ms. Turner. Please call me back on the number listed. Thanks."
Amelia frowns, but types in the number and presses 'dial'.
"Hello, James and Jackson legal, this is Taylor."
"Hi Taylor, this is Am- I mean, Dr. Shepherd speaking. I received your message just now." Amelia twirls her hair as she talks.
"Oh, hi Dr. Shepherd. So, I take it that you are interested in being an expert witness for the trial?"
Amelia sighs. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer, my sister-in-law is dating the defendant, so it would possibly be a conflict of interest."
She hopes that this conversation is almost over, as she can see Addison walking down the hall, coffee in hand.
"I understand. Well, the trial starts tomorrow morning at 10:30am sharp, and runs for a few days. Call me if you change your mind."
"Will do. Bye."
She hangs up quickly as Addison approaches the table.
"Hey honey", Addison begins, as she takes a seat at the small table. "Sorry if I interrupted your call - you could've kept talking."
"It's fine", Amelia replies, "It was just a nurse with the results of Kayla's bloodwork."
Addison smiles.
"How is she?"
"She's fine", Amelia replies, fishing a twenty dollar bill out of her purse. "I'm going to grab a salad - is there anything you'd like?"
Addison hands Amelia her credit card. "It's on me, Ames. You're the visitor." Amelia can't help but blush at the woman's kindness. "Thanks, Addie. My shout next time, though." Amelia stands up and walks over to the cafeteria line, getting two salads and two bottles of water. She pays for the food, then walks back to the table, watching Addison as she does so. If she looked great this morning, she looks even better now. She is dressed in a dark purple dress, just fitted enough to show off her amazing figure. Amazing figure? Where did that come from?! Amelia shakes her head of the thoughts, and puts the trays down on the table, sitting down across from the red head.
Addison thanks her, and they both eat in silence, until a third party sits down at their table. Sam. Amelia can't help but be a little bit jealous as she watches Addison's face practically light up at the intrusion. This was meant to be their lunch, time to spend just her and Addison. She blushes, feeling a bit childish. Might as well try to get along with him, she decides.
"Hey, Sam", She smiles softly. He beams back at her, and turns back to look at the gorgeous red head to his left. "Addison, can I please talk to you for a moment, in private?" He asks, glancing in Amelia's direction. Addison looks at Amelia questioningly, and Amelia stands up, pulling her purse over her shoulder and nodding at the two still sitting down. "I've got some paperwork to catch up on, I'll leave you guys to it." She walks off, not even waiting for a response, as the two seem positively entranced with each other. She stops momentarily to throw her barely touched salad in the bin, and walks out the door.
Amelia really doesn't know why she's so angry at the other woman's actions, because, well, she's not sixteen anymore, she doesn't need all the attention from everyone, she doesn't need Addison to only spend time with her. So she really doesn't get why she has this feeling, in the pit of her stomach, like a burning jealousy mixed with rage, and something else that she can't quite place. She guesses that she's mad at Addison for being so damn insecure, and so needy. She's already dating Pete! Amelia thinks angrily. Why does she need to play around with Sam, too? In the spur of the moment, she pulls out her phone and dials.
"This is Taylor James."
"Hi Taylor, Dr. Shepherd. I'm in for tomorrow. See you then."