It had been a hectic week and Teddy and Owen had hardly seen eachother during waking hours. Owen had been called in to the hospital early for an overnight emergency. Getting up before the kids Teddy walked to put coffee on for herself, she spotted a post it on the coffee maker.
Good morning love,
I got your note when I woke up. I'll come to your office after surgery. This passing like ships in the night is driving me crazy. I miss you. Give the kids a good morning hug for me.
Love Owen
Teddy smiled seeing the note, she would pop one of her own on his desk. They both liked hiding notes for the other to find around the apartment or slipping them onto desks at work. The notes were their way to connect when they couldn't spend a lot of time together. The day before Teddy had found one on her desk that made her blush and she had hidden one in his pocket in response when she found his uniform hung up in the change room outside the scrub room. She knew he had found it because when she got home there was a note in her underwear drawer and she had left one on the bathroom mirror for him. Teddy had all of the notes he had left her tucked into a small box in the top of the closet she wanted to save these from the early days of their relationship for when they were old and gray.
Teddy did her hair and make up and got the kids ready for the day, strapping both into the stroller.
"No," Leo yelled.
"Leo we're going to be late if you walk," Teddy said, "ride now and you can walk home I'll tell daddy."
"Daddy," Leo yelled.
"He's at work Leo he will pick you up from day care," Teddy promised.
Leo continued his tantrum in the stroller on the way to daycare and Teddy explained to the teacher why both kids were out of sorts.
Teddy finished her walk to work and paused at Owen's open office door taking the note out of her pocket and putting it on his keyboard.
Owen saw the OR board as he came out of the surgery that he had been pulled out of bed for. Teddy was in the OR already and he knew it would be a long surgery for her. He had some paper work to catch up on then was to teach some new interns. Sitting at his desk Owen smiled at the note he found.
Owen,
I missed you this morning. When I come in late and you leave early there's no time for us. Only a couple more days and we're both off and not on call. I'm done early today. I'll have your favorite waiting when you get home.
Love,
Teddy
Owen blushed reading her note and sent her a dirty text in reply.
"Who is it," Teddy asked the scrub nurse hearing her phone.
"Owen Hunt," the nurse said, "ma'am do you want me to read it?"
"Does it say one of the kids names," Teddy asked.
"No ma'am," the nurse said.
"Then leave it corporal," Teddy commanded.
"You and Hunt," a tall surgeon asked.
"We have two kids Dave," Teddy replied.
"Just asking Altman," Dave replied, "I knew as soon as you went to Seattle to help his family."
"I came back and you were in the field," Teddy said, "you've been back three days."
"And in that time I find out you had a baby and are living with Major Hunt," Dave said.
"Dave we were work friends who went on a couple dates," Teddy replied, "you can drop this or leave my OR."
"Yes ma'am," Dave replied.
There was more to it than that but Teddy don't want to think of it. For 20 years every man she dated was a substitute for Owen. Dave had been attractive he was decent in bed but he didn't get her. He couldn't see past her in control professional attitude to the real Teddy. The one who played her music way to loud and preferred vinyls, who was an average cook but a great baker. Teddy couldn't show her silly playful side with him or laugh about her memories. She couldn't tell stories of people she'd loved and lost. Owen knew her sometimes better than she knew herself.
At the end of the surgery Dave cornered Teddy in the locker room as she was changing from scrubs to her uniform.
"Captain Alexander I told you we were done," Teddy stated rushing to pull her shirt on.
"Teddy were not," Dave said.
"We are done captain ," Teddy commanded, "leave me alone."
"That's not what you were saying at your place," Dave said stepping closer to her and putting his hands on her waist.
"Let go of me now captain," Teddy commanded.
"What made you change your tune Teddy," Dave pressed forcing her against the locker.
"I said get off me," Teddy said, "let go of me now!"
"Why? What does Hunt have that I don't," Dave teased, "I heard he knocked you up and left you. Why would you be with a man like that?"
"I said enough," Teddy roared, "I am your commanding officer captain. What you corner me in a locker room because there's no cameras? I will be reporting you to the general for sexual harassment."
"We both know you won't because your the CO how will that look the captain harassing the cornel," Dave pressed, "and we have a history of sleeping together."
Dave slammed Teddy against the locker and kissed her forcing himself on her.
"Get away from me," Teddy screamed.
"Why did Hunt make you change your tune," Dave asked.
"We are done here captain," Teddy commanded, "dismissed. You are done for the day."
She darted to gather the rest of her things and ran for her office. She slowed seeing Owen at his desk.
"Owen," Teddy croaked from the door.
"Teddy," Owen said standing up, "what's going on?"
"I need you to sit with me so I can report something," Teddy said.
"Teddy what happened," Owen asked he could see she was badly shaken.
"Captain Dave Williams kissed me," Teddy said, "slammed me against the lockers and kissed me."
"Teddy," Owen said, "are you okay?"
"No," Teddy began to blubber.
"Did anyone see," Owen asked.
"No," Teddy said, "it's my word against his but I'm going to report it."
"What can I do," Owen asked.
"I have to call the general," Teddy said, "he's my CO and scares me."
"I'll sit with you," Owen promised.
"My office," Teddy said.
They walked to her office with his hand on her shoulder to comfort her, Owen knew she was shaken.
Teddy went through the niceties on the phone first, "sir I need to report Sexual Assult and Sexual Harassment."
"Who was assaulted," the general asked.
"I was," Teddy said fighting to keep her voice steady.
"What happened Altman," the general asked, "who was it?"
"Captain David Alexander," Teddy replied, "he cornered me in the locker room outside the OR and pressed me against the wall before kissing me. About three years ago we had a brief very casual relationship. I ended it because it wasn't working for me."
"Are you alright," the general asked.
"I think so," Teddy said.
"Are you alone Altman," the general asked.
"No sir," Teddy replied, "Major Hunt is in my office."
"Which Hunt," the general asked.
"Owen," Teddy replied, "we're a couple. He's the father of my daughter."
"This was before he was back on active duty then," the general said.
"He's been back five months and Allison is 14 months so yes," Teddy replied, "I've known him since I enlisted."
"Thank you for reporting the assault," the general said, "take the rest of the day and we will investigate. I will send someone."
"Thank you sir," Teddy replied then hung up.
"You okay," Owen asked.
"No," Teddy admitted, "I want to go get our kids and go home. I'm going to lose it and I can't do it here."
"Okay you have to give me permission," Owen said.
"Get your stuff and the kids," Teddy said, "I'll see you at home."
"You're okay," Owen said, "I'm right here."
"I want to go home," Teddy whispered.
"Then we'll go get the kids and go home," Owen said.
Teddy stood and wrapped her arms around him hiding her face in his chest, he rubbed her back as he held her. He knew she was shaken, this was rare for Teddy to lose it at work. The last time she had broken down at work was when Henry had died.
"Lets go home," Owen whispered, "take the kids and go spend the rest of the day on the couch with movies and junk food."
Teddy nodded.
Owen helped Teddy gather her things to go home finding her jacket and bag, tucking her water bottle back in her bag.
"Let's go," Owen said.
Teddy was frozen.
"Teddy you're with me you're safe," Owen said, "he can't touch you."
Owen took Teddy's hand gently and led her from her office and out of the building.
"Altman," Dave called.
"Captain you need to leave me alone," Teddy commanded.
"Please," Dave begged.
"She said no captain," Owen replied.
"Teddy please," Dave tried.
"Enough," Owen roared, "she is your CO. You are being insubordinate and disrespectful. You had your hands on her."
"She wanted it," Dave said, "she was willing."
"I said no," Teddy said, "I told you to leave."
"Why would I," Dave said.
"Leave now," Owen roared.
"You think you can swoop in and she'll be with you," Dave insinuated.
"We are done, captain," Teddy snapped, "I have reported you to the general."
"I'm so scared," Dave said.
"I will also be reporting this," Owen said, "now we are leaving and I am sending you home."
"Running away with your boy toy," Dave taunted Teddy.
"Going to get our children from day care," Teddy replied, "this has been sent up the chain of command captain. The more you speak to me like this, the bigger problem we have."
"Go home captain," Owen commanded.
Owen and Teddy walked to the day care and signe out two happy kids, who were excited to be going home early and it was Friday so they would be home together all weekend. They listened to Leo as he babbled about his day.
"Dinos," Leo asked.
"Do you want a dino movie tonight," Teddy asked.
"Dino food," Leo said.
"We can have dino food when we get home," Teddy promised, being present for her kids this felt normal.
"Dino food," Owen asked.
"He learned that dinos eat leaves at day care this week," Teddy replied, "he likes lettuce and spinach right now he calls them dino food. This is what happens when you work late all week."
"You do next week," Owen said.
"Yes," Teddy said, "I'm demanding an immediate transfer of Alexander."
"What happened in the locker room and the courtyard," Owen asked.
"We went of a few dates in the weeks before Meghan was found," Teddy said , "maybe 8 dates over two months. I slept with him once. Then we found out about Meghan and I flew to Seattle and I couldn't go back to what I was doing before. Then you and Ameila broke up and you came here. It's been three years since I was with him."
"It doesn't matter you said no," Owen said, "you didn't want him near you. No is no."
"If I hadn't been with him before," Teddy said.
"No Teddy," Owen said, "he's not entitled to any explanation. That you were together three years ago means nothing today. What if it was Allison?"
"I'd kill him," Teddy said, "and if Leo ever did that to a woman I will take our son out with my own two hands."
"Then we will protect you," Owen said.
"It's part of the job," Teddy said, "it happens more than you think."
"And it needs to change," Owen said.
"How," Teddy said, "it's happened to me for years. It happened to Meghan in Iraq. It's getting better."
"Change it," Owen said, "you have more power than ever now you can change it."
"I am slowly," Teddy said, "mentoring women, forcing new staff to do the sexual harassment training."
"That was common sense," Owen said, "did I really need to?"
"Every new person in my hospital does it," Teddy replied.
"Mommy dino food," Leo demanded as they walked in the door.
"Go wash your hands," Teddy said as she unbuckled him.
Teddy walked to the kitchen and washed her own hands before putting lettuce, carrots and spinach on a plate for Leo.
"Dressing," Owen asked.
"He'll eat it like this," Teddy replied, "let him eat it."
"Our son likes veggies, that's fine with me," Owen said.
"Tonight," Teddy said.
"Dinner, movies, put the kids to bed then we can just hang out," Owen said.
"Cuddle," Teddy asked.
"I can hold you," Owen agreed.
"Right now I need a shower," Teddy said.
"I'll order dinner," Owen suggested.
"It's early for dinner," Teddy said.
"It'll figure it out and I have the kids," Owen said, "you go have a bath."
"We have two kids when do I have time for a bath," Teddy asked.
"Go," Owen said, "it will help you relax."
"I just want to be with the kids," Teddy said, " a quick shower and then I want to play with my babies."
"Okay," Owen agreed.
Teddy walked into the master bedroom and grabbed a pair of leggings and a tshirt, just wanting to relax at home and be comfortable. Owen settled both kids at the table with snacks and pulled out his phone, he knew the report he was making should be made to Teddy but it involved her so he was going over her head.
"Sir," Owen greeted, "yes I know Altman is my direct superior but this involves her."
"What is it Major," the General asked.
"I need to report Captain David Alexander sexually harassing Teddy Altman," Owen said.
"I am aware she called it in earlier today I sat with her," Owen said.
"Yes sir I understand sir," Owen said, "I witnessed a second incident on our way out today."
Owen described what had happened in the court yard.
"Thank you major," the general said, "is she alright?"
"We're home with our kids," Owen said, "she'll be fine."
"I will investigate," the general said.
"Thank you sir," Owen replied and hung up.
Teddy came out with her wet hair in a messy bun in leggings and a tank top with a cozy sweater thrown over top. It reminded Owen of the night he had flown here to confess his love.
"Hi babies," Teddy said as she sat on the floor by the toy box.
"Mama," Allison said.
"What are you playing with," Teddy asked.
"Dinos," Leo said.
"Ocks," Allison said.
"Are you building with blocks," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Allison said.
"Mommy tops," Leo said.
"Is that your triceratops," Teddy asked, "can you find the trex?"
"Rarr," Leo said, handing Teddy the trex.
"Roar," Teddy laughed back, "you are so smart."
Leo kept naming all of his dinosaurs as he lined them up in front of Teddy. Making her smile as she played with the kids. This was where she was happiest at home with Owen and their babies. Yes their apartment was a bit small for four of them especially with two growing kids but it was home. Toys had taken over her once pristine living room and rubber ducks and toy boats cluttered her tub. She wouldn't change anything, the sloppy baby kisses and morning snuggles, family movie nights with the kids snuggled in their arms, reading them bedtime stories and letting them fall asleep in her bed.
"I reported it," Owen said, "the more reports the more he has to deal with it."
"We can't do anything about it until Monday," Teddy said, "tonight, you me and our babies."
"I like seeing this side of you," Owen smiled.
"What," Teddy asked.
"You playing with our kids," Owen said.
"I like this," Teddy smiled, "our home and having them curl up with me for stories and playing with them."
"This is what I always wanted," Owen said, "you, our family."
"What about your white picket fence and dog," Teddy asked.
"The house is in Seattle if we want to go back," Owen said, "it's waiting when we're ready to leave this. We can have our white picket fence when we're done saving the world."
"When the kids are ready for school," Teddy said, "isn't that our plan look at going back when Leo is ready for school."
"Let's see how they're doing," Owen said, "how we're doing."
"It's years away," Teddy said, "lets have our big life here. There is an american school on the base they can go to."
"Maybe kindergarten here for them and go back for first and second," Owen saidl
"See where life takes us," Teddy said, "you're rushing again."
"This is what I want," Owen said.
"Me two," Teddy said, "we know we want this. We have time off coming up."
"I booked flights," Owen said, "yesterday."
"Thank you," Teddy smiled, "fly into SEATAC?"
"Yes," Owen replied, "I told my mom we'll stay with her."
"Good the kids need grandma time," Teddy said, "we need time with your mom. What about Megan?"
"We have three weeks," Owen said, "maybe spend four or five days with her."
"Camping," Teddy suggested, "we'd have to buy camping gear but that's not too bad."
"Mine is all at my moms," Owen said, "so is my truck."
"Vehicle and camping gear," Teddy smiled, "were going on a family camping trip."
"I've taken Leo," Owen said, "baby leashes we need leashes for both camping."
"I'm not putting our children on a leash," Teddy said, "theyre not dogs."
"Maybe have my mom come," Owen said.
"Megan and Riggs," Teddy suggested, "find something halfway between them and your moms. On the beach."
"Sand camping," Owen said.
"You, me, sand, sun, surf," Teddy teased.
"Kids," Owen said.
"With Megan and Riggs they can help with the kids," Teddy said, "Faroke should know his cousins."
"A family camping trip," Owen said, "with Megan's family."
"You always wanted that," Teddy smiled.
"I do," Owen agreed, "with our kids. The four of us."
"I'll call Megan," Teddy said, "once the kids are in bed. It'll still be early there."
"Summer camp outs with our kids," Owen said.
"Our kids," Teddy said, "and our family."
They spent the night playing with the kids and having a family movie night after the kids went to bed Teddy called Megan to begin planning the camping trip. They loved face time and that it used wifi so they could call across the globe and not be charged for it. As Teddy hung up Owen poured her a glass of wine.
"Now I'm thinking about that bath with you," Teddy said.
"Take our wine," Owen suggested.
"Our," Teddy smiled, "I like how you think. Get rid of the duckies and light some candles."
"I'll remove the ducks you find the candles," Owen said.
"And the boats," Teddy said.
"All traces of children," Owen said, "wine and candles."
"Was this the open bottle," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Owen said.
"I'm grabbing a new one," Teddy said, "a good one I've had put away."
"I'm going," Owen said.
"Me two," Teddy smiled over her shoulder as she walked into the kitchen.
Owen gathered the kids bath toys and tucked them back into their basket and slid the basket into the kids room. He found Teddy's bubble bath and poured a generous amount into the tub and turned on the water letting it get boiling hot the way Teddy liked her showers, so hot it made her skin turn pink. Teddy brought the candles and wine into the bathroom. She lit the candles placing them on the counter and turning off the light so the room was dimly lit. They helped each other out of their clothes and got into the hot water.