Anna's mother rushes into the hospital room.
"Anna! What happened? Why would you do something like this?" she asks, tears filling her eyes as she looks at her daughter.
"I'm so sorry mom. It was stupid. I know that. Was your boss mad? Are you going to lose your job? I'm really sorry…" Anna says, in a panic.
"Mrs. Renward, I'm Dr. Stevens. I'm the one who called you," Izzy says, as she enters the room.
"And I'm Dr. Grey," Meredith says, "You have a lovely daughter."
"Anna…" her mom says, unsure of what to say.
"Mrs. Renward, I am not only Anna's doctor, but we know each other from the support group that we both attend. As I'm sure you know, Anna's life has gotten hectic and stressful over the past few months, not to mention the trauma she suffered following the, ummm…assault," Izzy begins.
Mrs. Renward and Anna both nod.
"I think the pressure of working two jobs and keeping up her grades, as well as dealing with the current stresses that she has been dealing with, were too much for Anna to handle. Unfortunately, Anna chose to deal with that by hurting herself rather than seeking out the help of those who care about her," Izzy says, giving Anna a look.
"I know. It was stupid. I said that already. I won't do it again. Just go back to work, Mom. If you lose this job, we're going to lose the apartment! The landlord called again last night. The rent is due, and…" Anna is cut off by her mother.
"Anna! These are adult concerns and you are not the adult. I will handle everything. I promise, everything will be okay," Mrs. Renward says, with tears in her eyes.
"Dr. Grey is going to take Anna to the sixth floor for a psychiatric evaluation. We need to determine that she is not a danger to herself in order to release her in your custody," Izzy explains.
Meredith quickly leads Anna out of the room despite her protests.
Once alone, Mrs. Renward collapses onto the chair next to Anna's hospital bed.
"I want to be with her. I don't want to be away from her all the time. And I don't want her to worry. She takes on too much . She's so scared all the time. And after what happened to her, I wish I could take better care of her, but I can't. I have to work, or we'll be out on the street. You must think I'm a terrible mother…" she says to Izzy.
"You can't be a terrible mother. You have a wonderful daughter. You must be a terrific mother. We all have our difficult decisions to make. We do the best we can," Izzy says.
"Are you a mother?" Mrs. Renward asks.
"No…" Izzy says, sadly, thinking of Hannah. "But one day I'd like to be and I hope my child turns out half as great as your daughter. In the meantime, I think I can help," Izzy says.
"Oh. You've done plenty already. We'll be alright. Anna and I will make it. I promised her. I promised her things would be alright. Oh god…what if I break that promise. No. I'll make things alright. I don't care if I have to work 24/7. She'll go to the prom and go to college and do all the things the other kids are doing. And she's not going to work anymore. If its too much for her, I'll just have to take on some extra odd jobs. I'm sure I can…" Mrs. Renward thinks out loud.
"Please have Dr. Grey page me when Anna comes back. I want to talk to the two of you together," Izzy says.
Mrs. Renward nods and Izzy can see that her brain is still spinning.
(Break)
Alex and George run to the ambulance at Bailey's request.
"Twenty-eight year old female. Fractured scalpula. Severe sexual trauma. Conscious but uncommunicative. Further information is attached to the chart," he says, as Alex and George wheel the gurney inside.
"Oh man. This is her," Alex says as he opens the chart.
"Who?" George asks.
"It's Elizabeth Mansfield, the missing victim of Dr. Talbot's. They found her last night. Don't you ever read a newspaper?" Alex says, surveying the young woman.
"I was here all night last night. I didn't have time to lounge on the couch with a newspaper. Does Izzy know?" George says.
Alex shrugs his shoulders. "She's been with that teenager suicide kid. I don't know what she knows," he says.
Callie comes running in. "They said someone needs some bones set. Let me see the chart," she says.
George hands it to her and Callie gasps, "This is her! It's Elizabeth Mansfield," she says.
"Does everyone know about this but me?" George asks.
"I think so, Bambi," Alex says. He is quiet for a moment. "This could have been her…Izzy…it could have been Izzy…" he says.
"Yeah…" George says, for lack of a response.
"I want the bastard dead. I want him to rot!" Alex says as he looks at Elizabeth Mansfield's face and thinks, It could have been Izzy.
(Break)
Izzy comes running back to Anna's room. "How did it go?" Izzy whispers to Meredith.
"Pretty well. They are going to release her as long as her mother signs that she will supervise her 24/7 until her follow up psych appointment. I'm not sure how this woman will be able to do that, but they are only willing to send her home if mom signs those papers." Meredith says.
"Her mother will be able to supervise her. It won't be a problem," Izzy says, confidently.
Meredith looks at Izzy questioningly, but does not ask too many questions.
"Anna, I want to speak with you and your mother regarding your release papers," Izzy says.
Anna nods and her mother reads the papers. "I can't sign these, Dr. Stevens. I can't supervise her 24/7. I have to go to work or we'll be out on the street. There's just no way. If you think she's that much of a danger to her herself, then I don't know what I'll do…I mean…" Mrs. Renward's eyes fill with tears again.
"I'm not a danger to myself. I made a mistake. I won't do it again!" Anna almost whines. Izzy tries not to smile at the fact that Anna finally sounds like a bratty teenager.
"A pretty big mistake which ended you up in the hospital with a tube in your stomach and rendered you unconscious, got your mother out of work and made a lot of people worry about you. This isn't a little oops, Anna. This is a big mistake," Izzy says, sternly.
Anna looks at the floor. "I know," she says, softly, "I really messed up."
"I want to help. Anna, remember at group, where Fran was talking about doing good for others? Well, I used to do those types of things all the time. Ever since Palmer, well…I haven't been myself. I want to get back to doing things that help people, and the first person I would like to help is the one who helped me," Izzy explains.
Anna looks confused as she waits for Izzy to continue.
"The first time I met you, you convinced me not to let Palmer ruin the rest of my life. You were just this kid, but you had it all figured out. I want to repay you for the wisdom you showed me, and for that first day at group where you saved me a seat next to you. Those things meant a lot to me. I want you to know that…and I want to help you," Izzy says.
Anna is speechless as Izzy tries to find the right words to continue.
"When my fiancé, Denny died, he left me 8 million dollars. I used 6 million to fund the clinic. I still have 2 million in the bank. I want to put 1 million dollars of it into a fund for you. I want you to use it for college. I want you to use it to make your life the way you want it. I want you to go to prom and enjoy yourself. I want you to have fun in high school like I never did. I want you to stop working two jobs, and crumbling under the pressure. I want you to be happy, Anna. And if 1 million dollars can do that for you, I want you to have it," Izzy says.
Anna gasps and looks at her mother. Neither one of them can speak.
Izzy continues. "500,000 will go into a trust fund for Anna to use when she graduates high school. The other 500,000 will go into an account for you to use now. This way, you can be home with her, Mrs. Renward. You can spend time with her. You can enjoy your daughter, because she is very special," Izzy says, her eyes filling with tears.
"Dr. Stevens, we can't…" Mrs. Renward, begins.
"Yes. You can. And you will," Izzy says. "Please, do this for me," she pleads with the mother.
"Izzy, I don't know – I don't even – I mean – Thank you. Just thank you." Anna says.
"There are some conditions," Izzy says, with a warning look to Anna. "First of all, you ever pull a stunt like this again, and I'll take every penny back and give it to my friend Meredith over here," Izzy says, motioning to Meredith. Meredith smiles, with tears in her eyes. She is so proud of her friend, and so happy for this family.
"I promise, Izzy. I'll never do anything like this again. I hurt my mom, you, and of course, myself. I'm done causing trouble. Thank you. I can't even – just thank you," Anna says.
"Dr. Stevens, I don't know how to thank you. I don't even know what to say. You don't know how you will be changing our lives. You can't even imagine…" Anna's mother begins.
"Don't thank me. I'm doing this as much for me as for Anna. And there is one more condition, Anna…You keep coming to group. I think we both still need to be there…" Izzy says with a smile.
Anna nods. "I will. I promise,"
"I'll leave you alone with your mom now. I'm going to get your discharge papers taken care of. I'll see you at group later in the week, and I'll go over everything regarding the account," Izzy says.
She and Meredith walk out of the room together.
"Okay…that was the most unselfish thing I have ever seen…" Meredith says.
Izzy shrugs. "It's just money. They needed it more," she says, nonchalantly.
Derek and Alex come running over to Meredith and Izzy.
"I think you both should hear this from someone, before you read it in the papers. They found, Dr. Elizabeth Mansfield," Derek says.
"And what is her condition?" Meredith asks, falling into doctor mode.
"Physically, she is doing well. I performed a complete neuro exam on her, which indicated there was no physical brain trauma. She's pretty beaten up and Callie is setting a few bones right now, but she is physically alright. However, psychologically, she seems to have suffered irreversible trauma. She is completely unable to interact with her surroundings. It seems to be a result of over a year of being in captivity," Derek says, staring at Meredith.
"Captivity?" Izzy asks.
"The bastard had her locked down in an underground dungeon. The police found her chained up. He needs to die, goddamn it! The bastard needs to die!" Alex explodes.
"Dr. Karev!" Derek says, sharply.
"No! It's true! Everyone here is being all coy, and no one wants to say it, but Dr. Mansfield could have been you, Izzy. It could have been you lying there, unable to make eye contact with anyone ever again. Unable to speak…unable to…" Alex is overcome with emotion as he storms away.
Izzy freezes. "It could have been. But it also could have been you, Meredith. It could have been you too. All because you wanted to help me…it could have been you," she says, softly.
"But we're okay, Izzy. We're both okay," Meredith says, hugging her friend.
"Well, I better go check on Dr. Karev," Derek says, looking at Meredith.
Meredith waits a moment before says, "Thank you, Dr. Shepherd for letting us know."
"You're welcome." Derek says. He pauses for a moment. "Meredith?" he says.
"What?"
"Ummm…nothing. Have a good day," he says, awkwardly.
(Break)
Izzy slips into Dr. Mansfield's room.
"Elizabeth, I'm Izzy. Another one of Palmer's victims. What I went through, well, it doesn't compare to what you went through, but I do know first hand what a monster he is. I want you to know that we are going to take care of you here. We'll make sure you are comfortable. And when Palmer goes to trial, I'll be testifying for both of us. I'm sorry for all you went through, Elizabeth…really, I am." Izzy whispers.
As she sits there, holding Elizabeth's limp hand, George comes in. He sits down next to her.
"Callie told me," he says.
"Oh." Izzy says, for lack of anything else to say.
"I guess that's how you two bonded? Well, I'm glad you don't hate each other anymore…I mean, I wish it could have happened differently, of course, but I'm glad you two see the good in each other," George says.
Izzy nods.
"I'm supposed to transfer Dr. Mansfield to a long term psychiatric care facility. I need to take her now. Her parents are meeting her at the facility. She's not going to come out of this…" George says.
"I know." Izzy says, sadly.
"I'm sorry it had to be anyone, but I'm glad it wasn't you. I'm glad you got away, and you're okay," George says.
Izzy shakes her head, "I'm not okay, George. Not yet. But I will be. I have to be…for Elizabeth Mansfield, for Callie, for all those people who never got to put their attacker behind bars. For all those people…I will be okay." Izzy says, determined.
"And for you." George adds.
"And for me." she says.
Alex bursts into the room. "Did the chief find you yet?" he yells, louder than necessary.
"Dude, we're right here. You don't have to yell!" George says.
"No one found us. Why? Is the chief mad about something? Am I in trouble again?" Izzy asks, worried.
Alex shakes his head and smiles bigger than anyone has ever seen him smile.
"No. Palmer's dead. He got his ass kicked in prison. He messed with the wrong crowd and they beat him to death! I bet his brains were all over his cell wall by the time…" Alex's glee is interrupted by Izzy.
"He's a human being, Alex. We don't gloat when humans are beaten to death," Izzy says.
George looks at her, incredulously. "Izzy…after what he did to you? Who are you? Gandhi?" he asks.
"Oh fine…I'm happy. I'm trying to rise above, but I'm happy! I'm glad he's dead. I am glad that another human being got beaten to death. Wow! I never thought I'd say that!" Izzy says.
The room is silent for a moment as Izzy takes Elizabeth's hand. "He got what he deserved. He did. I wish you could celebrate with me," she says.
She feels a squeeze on her hand, and in that moment, she tells herself that Elizabeth has heard her and agrees.
"Goodbye. Good luck," Izzy whispers to her, as George wheels her away on the gurney.
Alex pulls Izzy into a hug.
"Dr. Karev, I didn't know you were the hugging type…" she smiles.
"Only with the right type of girl," he smiles back.
(Break)
ONE YEAR LATER
"Meredith! Are you ready? Alex and Derek are waiting downstairs! I don't want to be late for our reservation!" Izzy says.
"I'm almost ready. Tell them I'll be down in a minute!" Meredith yells from the bathroom.
Izzy sighs, but relays the message. The phone rings.
"Hi George!" she says, looking at the caller ID.
"Callie and I are running late. We'll be there as soon as we can. Callie got held up at the hospital, and…" George is cut off by Izzy.
"Ugh! You two are always late! See you when you get there. And tell Callie that she left her cell phone in my car if she's looking for it," Izzy says, as she hangs up the phone.
During the car ride they all talk animatedly about their work at the hospital, and as they pull into the parking lot, Izzy sees Mrs. Renward waving to her.
"We saved you front row seats. She's so happy that you're here and that you brought your friends. She was so nervous and then she was upset because everyone else has big families with aunts, uncles and cousins, and she just had her boring old mom! Now she has a team of doctors cheering for her!" Anna's mother says, laughing.
Izzy hugs her. "You must be so proud of her! I know I am!"
They all take their seats and wait as the ceremony begins.
I'd like to call upon valedictorian, Anna Renward to lead the class of 2009 in the pledge of allegiance.
Anna walks timidly to the podium.
I pledge allegiance to the flag…
Izzy catches Callie's eye. Callie smiles at her. "She did it!" she whispers to Izzy who smiles back at her.
And now for the valedictory address by Anna Renward who has achieved the highest grade point average of the class of 2009.
Anna takes a deep breath and looks out at the audience.
I'm sure I'm supposed to inspire you all with some kind of "valedictory wisdom." I'm not sure how to do that, so I'm actually going to apologize in advance if I fail in that department. The last four years have been so difficult for me, that I can't believe I'm actually standing here graduating, let alone speaking to all of you as the valedictorian.
Usually the valedictorian is someone who has sacrificed so much to achieve this position. The truth is, that I used my studies as a hide out for the first three years of high school. You see, I was raped early on in high school, and rather than deal with the social aspects of high school which became terrifying to me, I threw myself into my school work, which was something that I could control. That, coupled with the fact that I was working two jobs to help my mother make ends meet, made getting involved with all of the activities that defined high school for most people, near impossible. However, the one thing I could be sure of was that I could study hard and get good grades. It stopped me from thinking about anything else, so thank you to my teachers for allowing me the opportunity to block out my life's challenges for the first 3 years of high school. Besides my mother, who is the strongest person in the world and who has sacrificed so much to give me everything she could, even when all she could give me was a roof over my head, I made sure not to connect with anyone.
At the end of my junior year, I met someone who changed my life. I wandered into a medical clinic and met Dr. Isobel Stevens, who helped me that day. I thought I would never see her again, but as fate would have it, our paths crossed again. She had been through so much, but never stopped letting people in. She always opened her heart to people, and through her example, I learned to do the same. She also showed me the epitome of human generosity, and changed my life. It is because of her that I look forward to a future, let alone a future of success. I can only hope as I attend Cornell University in the fall as a pre-med major, that I can change the life of a young girl one day, the way she has changed mine. Thank you, Izzy, for everything. Today belongs to both of us.
Congratulations to the class of 2009. May you all find someone who reminds you everyday to be the best version of yourself.