A/N: The title comes from the Corrs song Stay - acoustic version entitled With Me Stay - from their comeback studio album, White Light (2015). This happens after the events of 4x19.
She still did his surgery. She still did Cornelius Rhodes' surgery.
Ava knew there was a shooter at the ED when Connor's father was brought on the CT floor. She knew that Connor was supposed to be the one to take care of everything his father needs but he got caught in the ED. Honestly, she got scared of what would happen to him. Then his father arrived, barely alive. She wanted to pass on operating on the detestable man but Dr Latham was in another operation and wouldn't be done in a couple more hours. Mr Rhodes needed the operation immediately. She had no other choice but to do it.
Connor didn't want her help, actually. He made it clear when she told him that he shouldn't be the one examining his father because he is family. She would do it, "rising above any personal animus". He denied her of the help he needed. But it had now come to this.
When Ava informed Connor about the atrial septal defect that she found when she opened his father, she didn't let him say anything at all. She told him right away that the look he was giving her was the closest she could get for a thank you and she walked away.
It's not because she is angry at Connor for not wanting her help. She is actually angry at herself for keeping his father alive. His father who told his son that she seduced him, that she instigated sleeping with him for money for his Hybrid OR. He is the reason why Connor isn't with her now, why Connor gave up on her.
She is in her room, a glass of wine in her hand, and reviewing her surgical notes. The moment she sees Mr Rhodes' name in her own handwriting, the memories of that unfortunate night invades her psyche.
Dinner. That was all she asked for. Sure she might have flirted a little with him in his office but it was so that he would agree. But not this.
It starts in the car, on the way back to the hospital where she was supposed to be attending Connor's going away party. He is going to Rochester in two days. When she looks outside, she realises that they aren't going in the direction of the hospital.
She asks Cornelius where they are going. He just smiles. No. Smirks, that creepy smirk he has that she noticed the first time they went out last year for some sort of event, just to appease him. Also because he had his colleagues there. She might get some donations the CT department needs. And she was intrigued what it was between him and Connor. And then he takes her hand, kisses it, and immediately moves it down to his crotch.
Ava is mortified at what he is about to do and she pulls her hand from his grasp. But he grips it tighter, pulling her close to him. She is shaking but he doesn't notice.
Do you really think it was just dinner I want, he whispers to her ear. You are about to get a lot of money. For what? To keep my son in Chicago?
He chuckles at his own hypothesis.
The driver doesn't seem to notice what is happening at the back or he does but is used to it.
When they arrive at their destination, Ava notices that this is the Rhodes' home. But it never crosses her mind that this is where Connor actually grew up. She is immediately taken to Cornelius' room. She doesn't notice the pictures of the young Connor and his sister, Claire that are on the walls. She doesn't see anything except the stark white of their father's dimly lit room.
She tries to run away, to fight, just like she did before. She doesn't believe that this is happening again. Cornelius pushes her on his bed and pins her down, her hands above her head.
No, she cries. Please.
Stop fighting, he tells her. Or you will not get what you want.
She stops and looks at him. She needs him to donate the money to Connor's Hybrid OR. Whether he will stay or not, the hospital's ED needs the OR. If he still chooses to leave, the Hybrid OR will be his legacy.
If you keep fighting me, he continues. I will pull all future funding at the hospital. Mine and my colleagues.
She looks at him incredulously.
You won't do that, she tells him, angrily. The hospital needs its private donors.
Cornelius just laughs.
Exactly, he sneers, caressing her face. So either that or you do exactly what I want.
She surrenders.
Ava doesn't know how much time passes. It seems like days. She is putting on her clothes, feeling exhausted, sore, as if something really heavy fell on her. She is almost at the door when Cornelius Rhodes stops her.
One more thing, he says. Don't say any word of this to Connor.
She doesn't turn around, disgust filling her.
My driver will take you home, he waves. Thank you for this perfect night. You're perfect.
She dashes out the door, silent tears falling on her cheeks. The driver doesn't even question her.
She throws up when she arrives home and doesn't even remember getting to bed and falling asleep.
She can't even look Connor in the eyes the next morning.
Ava puts her surgical notes away and goes to the kitchen. She places the empty wine glass in the sink, promising herself to wash it tomorrow.
She is disgusted at herself for taking Connor's dad's case but she made an oath the moment she put on the coat. She is a doctor and she will save lives, no questions asked. Cornelius Rhodes had done despicable and disgusting things to her, things she can never even tell Connor about, things that his father twisted. Yet, he becomes her patient.
She doesn't draw lines tonight. She manages to control herself this time.
But she cannot control the memories that turned into nightmares and night terrors operating on the elder Rhodes brought.
Connor decided to stay.
Now you see, Connor says. If I'd gone to Mayo, that's exactly the kind of collegial interaction I would have missed.
He goes in his car and looks at her as he pulls off the curb and she smiles at him. The smile vanishes the moment his car joins the others in the highway. If only he knows.