Author's Note:
I apologize for the delay in my posting this chapter. I was nearing the end of my second pregnancy when I started this story. Now that my son is sleeping through the nigh and I'm back to work, I have more free time to write. Enjoy!
You could have let me heal
I hate the way it feels
Now I suffer still you're rubbing salt in the wound.
Being dead must be better than this.
Already hurts but you couldn't resist.
Moving on way too quick…
Theory of a Deadman ~Salt in The Wound~
" Alex is looking for you," Meredith announced to Cristina as she approached the nurse's station near the cardiac wing later that morning.
" I bet he is," muttered Cristina as she grabbed an iPad and pulled up her patient's chart.
How was dinner with the kids last night?"
" We wound up ordering pizza. How did your night go?" Cristina opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by Alex as he walked up to the two friends.
" So does Mer know about you and Hunt shacking up last night?"
" We were not shacking up. We fell asleep watching a movie," she replied innocently, avoiding Alex's eyes.
" Oh really? Then what's with the hickey?" he challenged, pointing to a spot on Cristina's neck.
" Don't you have some dying kid to save or something?" said Cristina in a rush, eager for Alex to leave.
" Nope. I'm enjoying watching you squirm," Alex responded as a frustrated Cristina grabbed Meredith's arm and left in a hurry.
" What's his deal?" Meredith asked as they stepped into the nearby locker room.
" He came home this morning from Wilson's apartment to find Owen and I asleep on the couch," she replied as she eyed a spot on her neck.
" That's all?"
" I may or may not have mentioned the syphilis…" Cristina said as Meredith leaned in closer to inspect the mark as well.
" Jesus Cristina…are you sure the two of you didn't have hot, kinky sex last night?"
" I wish," answered Cristina with a sigh as she grabbed the bottle of cover up Meredith had handed her.
Owen has morals now apparently when it comes to hot, kinky sex. Something about taking things one day at a time and not screwing it up this time around."
" So what exactly are you two doing then?" Meredith asked as they headed back towards the surgical unit. Cristina's pager began incessantly beeping, prompting her to glance at the display.
" I need to take this…incoming critical cardiac patient in the ER."
" We'll talk later?"
" Yeah…yeah," responded Cristina as she hurried off towards the Pit.
Owen smiled as he exited his office later that day, glad to be done with what seemed like an extremely long shift. He zipped up the jacket he had just put on and slung his bag over his shoulder as he headed towards the elevators. Owen was eager to be on his way home as he and Cristina had made plans for later that evening. He climbed aboard the elevator and was just about to push the ground floor button when he saw Derek Shepherd jogging towards him.
" Hunt. Wait up," he shouted, causing Owen to thrust his arm out in an attempt to keep the elevator doors from closing.
" What's going on?" inquired Owen as the doors closed.
" Meredith ordered Zola and Bailey a new swing set. It seems like I'm going to need a small army to assemble it. Are you in?"
" I…can't. Not tonight anyway," Owen stammered as a chime sounded, signaling they had reached the ground level of the hospital and the doors whooshed open.
I don't have surgery until 2p tomorrow. How about then?" he rushed anxiously in an attempt to escape Derek's inevitable questions. Owen could almost guarantee that Cristina had divulged details of their rendezvous to Meredith, who in turn had revealed them to her husband.
" That's fine. I'll see you in the morning," said Derek as he turned back towards the elevators. Owen breathed a sigh of relief as he continued to head for his truck. As he approached the vehicle, his phone buzzed, signaling he had a message.
Derek: By the way, Cristina owes me $200 for the wine. See you tomorrow. (Sent at 6:26 P.M.)
Thirty minutes later Owen pulled his truck into a parking spot outside of Amore, a local Italian restaurant across town. He and Cristina had frequented the eatery during their relationship. Owen had placed a to go order shortly after he had left the hospital, deciding to surprise Cristina. He entered the busy restaurant and was promptly greeted by a hostess.
" Welcome to Amore. How many are in your party sir?"
" I'm actually here to pick up a to go order."
" Can I get the name on the order?"
" Hunt." The woman was silent as she brought up his order on the computer screen in front of her.
" That will be $106.21," she stated as Owen handed her his Visa card.
It looks like they're putting the finishing touches on your meal as we speak. If you'd like to have a seat in our bar, I'll have it brought to you as soon as it's ready." Owen turned to his right in the crowded lobby and elbowed his way to the bar. He quickly sat down on an empty bar stool and signaled to the bar tender that he wanted to order.
" I'll take whatever you have on tap," instructed Owen as he pulled out a five dollar bill and handed it to the man. While his beer was being poured, he turned his attention to a television, which was showing highlights from the latest Seattle Mariner's game. A moment later he heard the sound of footsteps approaching the bar and the person took the empty seat beside him. When he heard the person's voice Owen nearly choked on his beer.
" Emma?" The person whirled around to face Owen.
" Hello Owen," Emma replied nonchalantly as she turned her attention back to the glass of wine in front of her at the bar.
" Emma…I'm sorry."
" Sorry for what? Sorry that you broke my heart? Or sorry that I found the panties?" she challenged.
" I didn't mean for things to happen this way. You have to believe me."
" So you didn't mean to screw your ex-wife and forget that her panties were sitting right out in the open next to my things on the couch?" Owen sighed.
" I'd be lying if I said I didn't still love Cristina."
" Did you ever love me?"
" Emma…it's complicated," he stated as a waitress approached holding his to-go order.
" Dr. Hunt, I have your order ready. One eggplant parmesan, one chicken parmesan, salad, an order of breadsticks, and a bottle of wine." Owen cringed as he took the bag from the waitress and gave her a tip.
" Complicated my ass," Emma spat angrily. Before Owen knew what was happening, he felt Emma's palm smack him across the cheek, her ring slicing into his flesh.
Enjoy your dinner," she responded as she tossed the remainder of Owen's beer into his face before stomping out of the restaurant.
" I was starting to think you stood me up," Cristina said as Owen stepped out of his truck nearly twenty minutes later. She stood from the chair she had been sitting in on the porch of the trailer.
What happened to your face?" she exclaimed as Owen walked up the stairs.
" Emma," he replied as Cristina examined his cheek, which was bleeding, briefly recoiling at the smell of beer.
" You smell like a distillery."
" Yeah…that was Emma as well," said Owen as they went inside.
If you'll excuse me, I'm going to shower."
" I could join you," Cristina responded seductively as Owen went into the bedroom.
" Nice try."
Ten minutes later, Owen exited the bedroom smelling less like a Budweiser factory and more like his favorite body wash. He found Cristina sitting on the front porch at a fully set table, a first aid kit in hand.
" I was going to surprise you," he stated, wincing as Cristina cleaned his cheek with antiseptic.
" Seems like Emma surprised you," Cristina replied as she applied a series of small bandages to the cut.
" So…how was work?" Owen awkwardly asked, trying to steer the conversation away from Emma.
" You know…just the usual. I spent most of my shift making sure my residents didn't kill anyone."
" That's always good," he replied as he took a sip of wine.
" Oh…and Karev spotted the hickey you apparently left on my neck." For the second time that evening Owen felt himself nearly choking on his alcohol.
" I'm going to need more wine," Owen said as he quickly finished the remainder of his glass.
