Chapter 8: Morning After
SCENE: GREY SLOAN PARKING LOT
(Amber pulls into the parking lot and sees Andrew waiting for her a few spaces away by his bike grinning at her)
Amber: (Composed face as she walks) Don't do that.
Andrew: (Walks beside her) Do what?
Amber: Grin at me and look at me like you've seen me naked.
Andrew: (Chuckles) It's kind of hard to do when I have.
Amber: Even so I don't want that at work not now. I don't want to give us away.
Andrew: Okay, should I be offended?
Amber: Look we're personal but our workspace is professional and I would rather not mingle the two.
Andrew: Hmm that's a bummer I had a whole day packed of having sex with you in every room in the hospital. (Amber glares at him) I'm kidding, are you always this grumpy the morning after having sex?
Amber: Not usually but I guess it's about the person instead of the act. If the act was poor, I would be running for the hills.
Andrew: I guess that's a compliment for me then.
Amber: Oh, it is definitely a compliment, I compliment you for last night.
Andrew: (Sighs) And I compliment you for last night too.
(Andrew tries to grab Amber's hand who pulls away as they enter the lobby)
Andrew: Okay so should we go back to the parking lot to continue…that?
Amber: No because right now we are doctors not…whatever we are right now. Can you try to act somewhat professionally today? At least until we get to your place?
Andrew: I will be the most professional doctor in this whole hospital. At least until we get to my place or…run into each other in a call room.
Amber: (Sighs) I will see you tonight, keep the flirting to yourself until then.
Andrew: (Groans) Fine tonight.
Amber: Thank you.
(Amber leaves Andrew and heads to the lockers)
LATER AT THE SURGICAL FLOOR
(Amber approaches Jo who is smiling and in navy scrubs)
Amber: Morning.
Jo: (Excited) I think you mean good morning, fantastic morning in fact because I am about to scrub in my first solo transplant surgery!
Amber: (Happy for her) Wow, that is amazing Jo I'm so happy for you, you're doing it alone?
Jo: Um no Bailey will be there but it's exciting right? I mean it's a liver transplant but still. Oh hey do you want to scrub in with me?
Amber: Well I am on your service today so yeah sure. So how goes the new job for you and my brother?
Jo: (Groans) He's grumpy all the time and he's super busy it's like the job is sucking him whole. I mean we haven't had sex in-
Amber: (Yells) Jo I don't want to know about your sex life with my brother so please-
Jo: Got it I am shutting up now. (Notices something different) Hey are you doing something different?
Amber: Um no why?
Jo: Hmm I don't know something's changed from your normal feel.
Amber: (Tries to avoid it) So um should we head to the patient now and get her a liver?
Jo: Yeah sure, come on.
CUT TO ROBERTAS ROOM
(Amber, Jo and Bailey enter the room finding Roberta and Denise there)
Roberta: No organ music, okay? I want the deli platter from the good deli, and everyone should wear black. Don't listen to my brother, who says you're all gonna wear white. In fact, kick him out if he wears white. I want Sicilian-widow-level mourning.
Denise: Can you smack some sense into her? Hi. Denise. Best friend.
Jo: (Shakes her hand) Hi.
Bailey: Hi, Denise. Uh, Roberta, you know we brought you in here because we have a liver for you. It's on its way as we speak.
Roberta: I know. I've been burned before. This time I'm prepared. She wants me to cry, but I'm not giving her the satisfaction.
Bailey: Go ahead.
Jo: Roberta Gibbs, 45 years old, was born with Wilson's disease, has received multiple chelation treatments, and had a TIPS procedure last year. She is scheduled for a liver transplant.
Roberta: Which I probably won't get.
Denise: Would you stop?
Nurse Taylor: Dr. Bailey. UNOS is on the phone.
Roberta: See?
Bailey: Wh…They're probably calling to say the liver's ready.
Roberta: No. I know that look. That's the "the liver got diverted" look.
(Amber scoffs and looks to nurse Taylor who gives a look confirming it disappointing them)
Nurse Taylor: I'm sorry.
Roberta: (Takes a beat) Okay, uh, none of this comedy roast, "sing a funny song" crap. I want a proper funeral, where everybody's crying. Write that down.
CUT TO THE HALLWAY
(Amber, Jo and Bailey walk away from Roberta's room to check on Ned Billings)
Amber: Sorry your first solo transplant went bust.
Jo: It's fine I'm not the one you should feel bad for. Poor Roberta, three livers in one year? That's crappy luck.
Bailey: Sometimes that's how the dice land.
(They arrive at Ned's to find them cleaning out his room)
Bailey: What the hell? Parker? Ned Billings?! We resected his bowel yesterday. He was fine! What happened?
Casey: He coded. Webber thinks he threw a clot. I'm sorry.
Amber: Oh damn great day for the patients so far.
Bailey: Oh, man! I'll call his son. Man, he was an organ donor, too.
Jo: Well, that's not an option now.
Bailey: And he was a blood match for Roberta.
Jo: Salt in the wound.
Amber: More like poison.
Bailey: (Brain struck) Wilson, that's it. (Stops nurses) Wait. Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! Parker, how long ago did Dr. Webber call time of death?
Casey: Uh, seven minutes.
Bailey: (Smiles) Perfect. Five-minute rule. (Pulls sheet back) Hey, Ned.
(Bailey starts CPR to Amber and Jo's shock)
Jo: Dr. Bailey, what are you doing? He's dead!
Bailey: We need to reperfuse the liver. Let's get, uh, cannulas and get an ECMO machine set up in an O.R.
Jo: His heart stopped. His organs are useless.
Bailey: (To Nurse) Yeah. Bag him, please.
Casey: Wow. Is she losing it? Do we need to call someone?
Amber: Possibly.
Jo: My God, Dr. Bailey, his liver is as dead as he is!
Bailey: And we are gonna bring it back to life!
Jo: (To Casey) Go get my husband.
Bailey: No. Parker, get a reperfusion machine. I've been reading these case studies out of Europe, but I've never done one myself.
Jo: Done what? Zombie medicine?!
Bailey: No, we get him on ECMO, then use a normothermic perfusion system for the liver. We can save it, and we can give it to Roberta. Now, help me.
Amber: (Shocked) That's actually possible?
Jo: So, what-you're saying that warm perfusion will bring the liver back to life?
Bailey: Like a corroded penny dipped in acid. They've done it multiple times. (Amber and Jo look at her uncertain) In humans! Take over.
Jo: Thank God!
Bailey: Parker, She-Karev, get the reperfusion machine!
Casey: Uh, yes, ma'am.
Amber: (Excited) This is awesome.
(Amber and Casey walk out of the room)
LATER IN PEDS
(Andrew meets Alex outside Flor's room to talk about the surgery)
Andrew: Hey when's the surgery?
Alex: (Looks at his tablet) In a couple of hours so prep her by then.
Andrew: Yeah I got it.
Alex: (Looks at his tablet) She likes you; you know.
Andrew: (Thinks he's talking about Amber) Y-Y-You picked up on that?
Alex: Of course, I did she practically blushes every time she sees you, hell Flor's family can see it by her bedside.
Andrew: (Relieved but doesn't show it) Oh yeah well…she's not my type so…
Alex: I hope not. Get her prepped in two hours.
Andrew: Got it.
(Andrew exhales in relief as he walks away from Alex)
MEANWHILE IN O.R. 3
(Amber stands by with the reperfusion machine while Jo and Bailey work to get the liver out)
Jo: How did Ned's family take it?
Bailey: Sad, but happy some good might come out of his death.
Amber: (Excited) God if this works, we could save so many lives. I thought I was just gonna scrub in on a simple transplant but we can give people like Roberta hope in the future.
Bailey: That's the hope. Okay, Amber, I need you to prime the inflow and outflow lines. Karev, you know what to do. (Jo cuts out the liver) Good. Are you ready?
Amber: (Smiles) So ready chief.
(They place the liver inside the machine and close the box waiting for it to respond)
Jo: This is so stressful.
Bailey: But good stress, pure. No 'will my husband come home tonight?' stress, no red-tape stress, just 'can we save a life or not?' stress.
(They wait in anxiety for a moment and bask in joy as it functions as a viable organ)
Jo: Oh, my God, it worked!
Amber: (Pumps her fist in the air) Yes!
Bailey: (Laughs) It's alive. It's alive! (Mic drop) Yeah!
LATER IN THE FOURTH FLOOR
(Andrew spots Amber by the station charting with a grin and approaches her)
Andrew: Hey.
Amber: Hey. I heard you're doing a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with Grey and Alex, that's pretty cool.
Andrew: Thanks, but it's probably not as cool as making a dead liver viable.
Amber: (Smiles) I know right? Best morning after ever.
(Jo approaches them with a deflated look on her face. Andrew gets back to charting to avoid suspicion)
Amber: Hey how did Roberta take the good news?
Jo: She's giving consent but she's planning her funeral just in case.
Amber: Well, she's planning ahead that's an admirable trait.
Jo: Yeah, I don't blame her I mean with her luck and everything. (Grins at Amber) Speaking of getting lucky I've figured out what's different about you. You're having sex.
(Amber's eyes widen with Andrew next to her internally freaking out but still working)
Amber: Excuse me?
Jo: Don't try to deny it. There's a glow I know that glow it's been a while but I know it. I've seen it many times before.
Amber: (Scoffs) Not many times I mean 5…maybe 6 times.
Jo: In any case who's is it?
Andrew: (Asks to avoid suspicion) Yeah, She-Karev who is it?
Amber: (Glares at Andrew) Nobody you would know.
Andrew: Are you sure, I know a lot of people.
Amber: I'm sure. (To Jo) It was some guy from a bar minimally good at best, below average build, definitely not a call back.
Andrew: (Gets the message and grins) I'm headed back to peds.
Amber: Yeah, you do that.
(Andrew leaves Amber and Jo)
Amber: I will O.R. 4 ready right now.
Jo: Oh! Wait we have to talk to Alex and tell him about this and get his approval.
Amber: Why?
Jo: Maybe because he's the chief.
Amber: Ah I keep forgetting I have to officially answer to him.
Jo: Okay let's go.
LATER AT PEDS
(Andrew enters Flor's room to take her up to surgery)
Andrew: Okay. Hello, everyone. Okay, kiddo, time to take you up.
Flor: (Flustered) You're gonna be in my surgery?
Andrew: Mm-hmm. Dr. Grey and Dr. Karev and I are gonna be there the whole time.
Flor: (Nervous) So, you're gonna see inside my belly?
Andrew: Yes, but we're gonna fix you right up.
Flor: Mom…
Laura: Mi amor no te preocupes.
Andrew: (Confused) I'm sorry. Do you not want me there?
Laura: (To Flor) Mi amor, no te pongas asi, el es tu doctor.
(Andrew picks up on Flor's crush on him and looks at the rest of the family awkwardly before deciding to back out of the surgery for Flor's sake)
Andrew: Um…You know what, Flor? I got a whole bunch of work I need to do today, and Dr. Grey and Dr. Karev, I'm their student. And I don't want them getting distracted trying to teach me while you're on the table. I want them focused. So, if it's okay with you, I'm gonna sit this one out, okay?
Flor: (Smiles) Yeah. It's okay with me.
Andrew: (High fives her) You got this.
Laura: Okay. Gracias.
(Andrew leaves the room amused at her crush)
MEANWHILE AT THE LAB
(Jo leads Alex to the lab with Amber inside excited about the surgery as well)
Alex: All right, I'm supposed to be in surgery. What's up?
Jo: (Presents the liver) Ta-da!
Alex: Yeah. It's a liver. Why is it a liver?
Jo: It is a liver that was once in a dead man who is very much alive. Not-The liver, not the man. The man is still dead.
Alex: This liver survived a cardiac death?
Jo: Yep. We brought it back to life.
Alex: (Laughs) Oh, crap.
Amber: (Laughs in joy) I know right?
Alex: I can't believe UNOS approved this.
Jo: They did not. Well, they said that it's not up to them since it's technically a directed donation, so we called the organ procurement center. They said they'd get back to us, and the donor's family consented.
Alex: (Taken back) Get back to you?
Bailey: Uh, they will get back to us with that approval because this is a fully functioning liver. This is a liver that doesn't even know it's outside of a body.
Alex: (Disapproving tone) Please tell me you didn't promise this liver to a patient.
Jo: It's functioning.
Alex: No, no, no, no, no. Shut it down.
Bailey: What?
Amber: What did you just say?
Alex: No. I don't care how cool this is. This liver is not going into a patient.
Jo: Alex, we're gonna save a life here with a liver that would otherwise be trash.
Alex: Which is where our standing would be with UNOS if this goes bad.
Bailey: Well, that's not gonna happen.
Amber: Yeah, you don't know that Alex.
Alex: I know because you're not doing it. Shut it down.
(Alex starts to walk away and Amber gets out of her shock and grabs his arm)
Amber: Whoa just hold on think about what you're saying here.
Alex: I am, I'm thinking about what will happen if this goes bad.
Amber: If Alex, if, we might get the approval if you just let us wait a bit and not-
Alex: I'm not gonna risk our standing with UNOS because your hungry for surgery.
Amber: (Scoffs) This isn't about me Roberta is upstairs planning her funeral like she's planning a trip to the movies because she has lost three livers. Now we have the chance the only chance to get her this transplant and you're telling us to toss it after you've been here for like 30 seconds.
Alex: And she might lose her chances all together if this transplant goes sideways and kills her landing us in a mountain of litigations. Stop trying to change my mind.
Amber: (Angry) Stop being a jackass.
(Jo snorts in amusement getting a glare from Alex)
Jo: Sorry she called you…that not me don't be mad at me.
Alex: (To Amber) Look we can't risk this and what I say goes and what I say is shut it down.
(Amber gapes at Alex who ignores her and walks away)
Bailey: (Groans) Can one of you convince him? You're the only women in his life he cares about.
Amber: (Chuckles darkly) He loves to say no to me as you have just witnessed.
Jo: Maybe you should refrain from calling him a jackass.
Amber: I am just calling it what I see it, and now if you'll excuse me, I need to get this anger out of me.
(Amber groans and leaves the lab)
CUT TO PEDS
(Amber spots Andrew by the station and goes to him)
Amber: What time does your surgery end?
Andrew: (Taken back) Um I don't have it, I backed out at the last second why?
Amber: (Exhales) On-call room on three in 5 minutes, knock five times so I know its you.
Andrew: Wha-
(Amber leaves him to it and Andrew stares at her in confusion but decides not to pass it up)
5 MINUTES LATER ON THE THIRD FLOOR
(Andrew goes to the on-call room calmly and knocks five times as instructed. He patiently waits a moment before the door opens and Amber pulls him in surprising him before slamming the door)
Andrew: Um hey what's uh-
(Amber interrupts Andrew by kissing him, Andrew kisses back and moans in pleasure. Amber pushes Andrew into an armchair and straddles him)
Andrew: (Panting) Whoa, what has gotten into you? I mean I'm not complaining but…
Amber: (Takes his shirt off) Alex.
Andrew: (Pulls back disgusted) Oh god ew!
Amber: (Groans) No not like that. He's just being a royal pain in the ass since he became interim chief and he just pissed me off and I am looking to-
Andrew: (Groans in disgust) No this was so promising.
Amber: I'm sorry I'll stop continue.
(Andrew kisses Amber's neck and she moans. Amber takes her shirt off revealing her black sports bra)
Amber: (Realizes what Andrew said) Wait a minute, why did you back out of your surgery? I mean my brother stopped me did he stop you too?
Andrew: (Distracted by the scene) N-No um it's not that important.
Amber: (Pulls back when Andrew tries to kiss her) Tell me.
Andrew: (Sighs and holds Amber's hips) My peds patient has a crush on me and she doesn't want me to see inside her belly so I decided to skip out on it to make her more comfortable.
Amber: (Laughs) Well I can't blame her I know I wouldn't want you to see my insides when I had a crush on you.
Andrew: Eh still I'm a little bummed it's a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.
Amber: (Holds his bare shoulders) You'll have plenty of cool surgeries with little girls who aren't in love with you. (Gives a look) Unless do they all fall in love with you? And if so, should I be worried?
Andrew: (Chuckles) No not one bit.
Amber: Good you'll get your cool surgery soon unlike me who had a groundbreaking transplant taken my jackass of a brother who doesn't know when to back off and-
Andrew: (Sighs) Amber, please no brother talk it kills the mood and I'm already under you.
Amber: Right got it, unload another time.
(Amber kisses Andrew who moans and lifts her up by her legs still kissing her. He puts her on the single bed before pulling back realizing what she's doing)
Andrew: Wait a minute.
Amber: (Groans) What?
Andrew: Are you taking your anger at Alex out by having sex with me?
Amber: (Eyes widen) Um…maybe?
Andrew: (Groans in disgust) And we're done here.
Amber: (Whimpers) No please just forget I said it please?
Andrew: (Stands up and puts his shirt on) Believe me I wish I could.
Amber: (Sits up and gapes at him) Wha-So your just gonna leave me hanging?
Andrew: (Grins) Now you know how I felt this morning.
Amber: (Gasps) Oh you are mean.
Andrew: (Chuckles) Funny that's what I thought too. I'll see you tonight though and please no family talk, I really like having sex with you.
(Andrew kisses Amber who looks at him frustrated but Andrew chuckles at her pouty face before leaving the room)
Amber: (Lays back in the bed and groans) Damn you, Alex.
LATER AT THE SURGICAL FLOOR
(Amber and Jo approach Bailey after she paged them)
Jo: Hey. You paged us?
Bailey: Yeah. I did. The organ procurement center called. Our directed organ donation has been approved.
Jo: (Incredulous) Are you serious?
Amber: (Sighs) I hate your husband.
Bailey: Amber, I want you to book an O.R. and prep Roberta.
Amber: (Confused) What?
Jo: But the liver-Alex told us to shut down the perfusion machine. It's dead.
(Bailey gives them both a knowing look causing them to gasp)
Bailey: The liver is alive. And as a result, Roberta will be for many years to come.
Jo: I don't know if Alex will forgive me for this.
Bailey: If Roberta dies and you could have saved her, you'll never forgive yourself.
Amber: (Unbothered) I'm fine with him not forgiving me, I mean I didn't forgive him for 8 years so I will prep her and the O.R. right now.
(Amber pats Jo's back and goes into Roberta's room with a grin)
LATER THAT NIGHT IN O.R. 2
(Amber suctions and retracts as Bailey and Jo finish with the transplant)
Bailey: Okay. Just secure that last stitch. (Jo secures it) Okay.
(Bailey listens for flow and is elated to hear a soft whooshing and heartbeat)
Jo: Blood flow sounds good.
Amber: Oh my god, it worked!
Bailey: And we have liftoff, people! (The gallery applauses) This liver is fully functioning in this recipient.
Jo: We did it!
Bailey: (Laughs) We really did. Look at that. Whoo!
(Jo stops cheering and Amber spots Alex in the gallery with a disapproving look causing her to roll her eyes)
Amber: Are you guys good to close here?
Bailey: Oh, we're good Karev.
Amber: Great I have somewhere to be.
(Amber takes her gown and gloves off and heads up to the gallery where she finds Alex outside waiting for her)
Alex: Look I told you that-
Amber: Oh, shut up if we had done it your way Roberta would be dead and a perfectly good liver would be in the trash. I know this job is stressful and you take it out by being more prickish than usual but don't blame Jo for being the woman you love. So instead of being mad at her marvel at her for being a medical Picasso who for some reason choose to marry your brooding ass.
Alex: Are you done?
Amber: No, I want to yell at you some more.
Alex: Well don't because I want to have sex with my wife when she's done.
Amber: What? I thought you were mad at her. You only get that look when your really angry.
Alex: Oh, I am but I'm also really turned on by her brain and I want to show it to her.
Amber: Gross, well by all means don't show it to me. I won't be home tonight thankfully.
Alex: What? Where are you going?
Amber: None of your damn business.
Alex: You know I am your boss so you really shouldn't talk to me that way.
Amber: What? Stroke your giant ego like everyone else and make you more insufferable? No thanks.
(Amber leaves Alex at the floor and heads to the lockers to)
LATER AT FLORS ROOM
(Andrew examines a flustered Flor)
Flor: What's your favorite food?
Andrew: (Amused) Um…barbecue.
Flor: What's your favorite color?
Andrew: Blue. Definitely.
Flor: Who's your favorite band?
Andrew: Hmm. That's a hard one. Radiohead? No. The Beatles.
Flor: Oh, my dad likes The Beatles.
Andrew: Oh, yeah?
Flor: Do you have a girlfriend?
Andrew: Uh, no, I do not.
Laura: (Chuckles) Ay. Flor.
(Andrew finishes his exam)
LATER THAT NIGHT IN ANDREWS APARTMENT
(Amber and Andrew are across from each other in the bubble bath enjoying each other's company as they relax from the day)
Amber: (Sighs in the hot water) You know I didn't think I was a relaxing bath after work kind of girl but your right it is pleasant.
Andrew: (Strokes Amber's propped up knee) I told you and it's even nicer to share it with someone.
Amber: (Smiles) So I saw that peds patient of yours on the way out.
Andrew: (Chuckles) You did? What did you want a leg up on the competition?
Amber: (Teasing) Yeah and I wouldn't blame you if you left me for her, she's cute.
Andrew: She is but she's not really my type I like my women a couple decades older. Or in your case ten years older.
Amber: (Chuckles) Yeah that is every guys type thankfully.
Andrew: (Grins and strokes her leg) So uh…can I run something up the flagpole while we're in this intimate space?
Amber: As long as it's not 'get out' I'm game, shoot.
Andrew: So…are we dating? Like officially dating?
Amber: (Grins) What you want something to keep the bashful little girls away in the future?
Andrew: (Chuckles) Maybe or I want to know if this is going beyond one night or not? So, is it?
Amber: (Considers her answer) If…hanging out and talking to each other and having good sex on a regular basis is dating then yeah, we are dating. Do you have a problem with that?
Andrew: (Grins lustfully) Not even a little.
Amber: (Smiles) Good. Because you still owe me for this afternoon.
Andrew: I am way ahead of you.
(Andrew leans forward and kisses Amber who moans and proceeds to make out with him)