Chapter 16: Parental Guidance
SCENE: MEREDITHS HOUSE
(Amber wakes up groggily in her bed and notices an arm around her assuming it was Andrew. She notices that the fingers are lady like and with blue nail polish causing her to shriek and jolt up. Amber sees Amelia behind her waking up from the noise)
Amelia: (Shrieks) What is it?! What happened?!
Amber: (Confused) What the hell are you doing in my bed?!
Amelia: (Confused) What the hell are you doing in my bed?!
Amber: Your bed? This is my room now. Why aren't you with Hunt?
Amelia: (Groans) It's a long and complicated story that I don't feel like sharing with anyone including the interloper of my bed so please leave so I can get some shut eye before I leave for San Diego.
Amber: Wha-
(Amelia ignores her and turns her back to her falling asleep. Amber stares at her incredulous before throwing her blanket off and stomping downstairs to find Meredith and Maggie sipping coffee)
Maggie: I told you she would notice.
Amber: (Sarcastically) Oh notice what? One of my bosses spooning me in my bed that she claims is hers? No that's not noticeable at all.
Meredith: Okay let's keep the yelling to a minimum with the kids sleeping. I wanted to tell you but you came back from a 30 hour shift last night and Amelia moved back in the night before so I thought you should rest before the big news.
Amber: (Darkly chuckles) Oh you don't have to worry about telling me since your big news woke me up. Okay look I know that she's your sister but she's also the chief of neuro which means she has no trouble finding her own place unlike me. I just got myself settled and I don't want to move back in with my brother in his cramped loft so-
Maggie: Don't say 'she goes or I go' because then you'll be kicked to the curb in your cookie monster pajamas. Amelia is staying and that is that, if you don't like it then find someplace else to live.
Meredith: Maggie is right, this is Amelia's home and she is going through a tough time. She and Hunt just broke up.
Maggie: Correction she broke up with Hunt and he told her she was unlovable.
Amber: Ouch. (Sighs) Fine she can bunk with me but she better keep her hands to herself next time. Although she spoons me better than Andrew, I don't know why.
Maggie: Since your up, you should probably head to pre rounds. Say bye to Amelia for us.
(Maggie and Meredith leave Amber to get ready for work)
LATER IN THE LAB
(Amber heads to the lab before her rounds holding a cup of coffee. Bailey scurries out past her. She enters the room finding Andrew stretching and yawning)
Amber: Hey.
Andrew: (Yawns) Hey, I thought you had pre rounds?
Amber: I do I just wanted to come by and see how you're doing. Carina told me you spent the night here again.
Andrew: Yeah, one of the lambs had a rough night. (Looks at the coffee) Any chance you want to share?
Amber: It's for you actually as a peace offering.
(Andrew grins and takes the coffee)
Amber: Things seem to be going well so far. I guess I was wrong about your dad…I'm sorry I know I overstepped with my own family drama.
Andrew: No, I don't think that at all. I know you were just looking out for me and I appreciate it.
Amber: Thanks.
Andrew: And I really appreciate the coffee. (Sips coffee)
Amber: (Chuckles) Okay well I got to head upstairs. Try to get some sleep.
Andrew: No promises.
(Amber kisses Andrew and leaves)
LATER AT THE SKILLS LAB
(Maggie observes Amber as she sews on her tenth banana)
Maggie: Your almost finished, are you nervous? Is the stress making you nervous? Is anything else making you nervous?
Amber: I know your games Pierce and I will not let you or this banana beat me. I am getting that last suture even if I have to do it on your heart. What are you even doing here? Don't you have to be on tv?
Maggie: Yeah, I'm not sure I want to do that anymore. I mean it's not even about the surgery it's about my backstory, it may as well say 'Genius surgeon finds out she's the illegitimate love-child of other genius surgeons.' I'm a living fluff piece.
Amber: (Still focused on banana) So what? You wanted to take the attention away from that hag Kiki and this is definitely attracting attention. Use it to your advantage, you could…casually mention your rechargeable hearts and say you need funding to make it a reality.
Maggie: So, I should beg for money on national tv? That's your advice?
Amber: I am focused on this banana Pierce so my sage advice has been shut down-done! So, done!
Maggie: Let me check to see if all of them are flawless.
(Amber anxiously watches Maggie observe each banana for a minute before putting the last on down)
Maggie: Congratulations Dr. Karev, your gonna suture in the last graft on the next CABG.
Amber: (Happy) Yes! I love you!
Maggie: (Grins) I know.
Amber: (Excited) Please tell me you have a CABG scheduled.
Maggie: No. CABGs are almost never scheduled so you just have to wait for a man or woman to have a heart attack on the street.
Amber: I can't wait!
(Maggie glares at Amber who realizes her mistake)
Amber: I mean…I'm not hoping that someone gets a heart attack just so I can suture in a graft. I just want them to get the best possible care and y-you can definitely give it. Can we pretend I didn't say anything please?
Maggie: (Chuckles) Sure.
(Owen knocks on the door and enters the room)
Owen: Hey Pierce.
Maggie: (Irritably) What do you want?
Owen: (Taken back) I just um wanted to know if your and Dr. Karev have any surgeries this morning.
Maggie: No, we don't why do you ask?
Owen: Teddy just got back from her babymoon with Koracick and the pits filling up, we need an extra set of hands. I was wondering if-
Maggie: (Angry) No! I'm not just gonna let you steal my intern go find somebody else. Maybe they can tolerate your bullying.
(Amber looks at both of them awkwardly in this tense moment)
Owen: Um is there a problem Pierce? Did I do something to you?
Maggie: Oh no you didn't do anything to me you just told my sister to her face that she was incapable of love without remorse and sent her home in tears.
Owen: (Sighs) Look I was upset; she broke up with me after I told her that I wanted her and she just up and told me no.
Amber: (Awkward) Can I leave?
Maggie: No, She-Karev stay. You told her you wanted her the day after you got all pissy with her and ignored her so you could fight with Koracick over Teddy. Did you honestly expect her to stay after that?
Owen: I didn't fight with Tom over Teddy I fought with him over my daughter, I don't want her to grow up with that kind of role model. It's not my fault your sister can't listen to me when I tell her that.
Maggie: Did you throw that in before or after you told her, the woman that you married and raised children with, that she is unlovable.
Owen: I didn't tell her-
Maggie: You may as well have! You ruined her very fragile heart. You should be ashamed of yourself!
(Amber looks between them as they both stare down at each other)
Amber: Okay you know what, I am going to the pit.
Maggie: What?! No! Do not let this jackass go and-
Amber: I am not, I am just trying to avoid whatever it is that you two have otherwise I am going to repeat the Pierce-Altman O.R. scene again. Let me go Dr. Pierce before this gets ugly…please.
Maggie: (Huffs) Fine, you will be on Dr. Hunt's service today.
Owen: Thank you.
Maggie: Don't thank me it makes me want to take an acid shower. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see my wonderful and caring boyfriend. You should try being that some time Hunt.
(Maggie pushes past Owen who later leads Amber to the pit)
Owen: All right we got two traumas coming in so you're in charge of beds 1-4. Page me if you have questions.
(Amber nods and heads to the beds)
LATER ON THE O.R. FLOOR
(Alex walks with Andrew and Carina after a lamb died)
Alex: Figure out why the lamb died, write a report, and I'll review it.
Andrew: Look, I'll talk to papa about getting you back on the research project, all right?
Carina: I don't want back on this project. Andrea, stop pretending you don't see it. These swings-he's up, he's down, he's funny, he's cruel. He is bipolar. He refuses to acknowledge it, and now you are, too. I'm being paged to The Hole.
Andrew: The Pit. Go.
Carina: This is an important project, but my father-
Andrew: Is the one who brought it here.
Carina: Could ruin it if you let him.
(Carina leaves the floor)
Alex: Is that your take?
Andrew: Look, he's not easy. H-He's never been easy. But neither is my sister, and she doesn't have the right degree to diagnose him. The two of them, they-they do this. Always have.
Alex: Get me that report.
(Alex leaves)
LATER AT THE CAFETERIA
(Amber sits with her mom eating her lunch)
Helen: What's wrong? You look sad.
Amber: (Sighs) I just got approval from Pierce to actually sew in a graft on a heart.
Helen: That's great honey, you must be so excited.
Amber: I was but then Hunt came in and tried to steal me which led to him and Pierce fighting which was super awkward. I agreed to go to the pit so I wouldn't witness those two killing each other. So instead of actually assisting in a surgery I put bandages on day drinkers who fell down some stairs. And now I'm complaining to my mother while she makes a…what is this exactly?
(Amber looks at the large, knitted object in Helen's hands)
Helen: At first it was a scarf for Jo which became a sweater but I kept going and now it's a…I'm not sure what it is.
Amber: Maybe a parachute?
Helen: (Chuckles) Maybe. How is it going with Andrew's father?
Amber: Um its going good actually. I didn't think it would but he seems to be stable and making progress with this project.
Helen: And how it his mental health? Is it still wary?
Amber: Yeah, he has…outbursts when things don't go his way but it's not like chasing people with knives or anything.
(Helen looks at her knitwork in shame)
Amber: (Guilty) Sorry, I'm sorry I-I didn't mean it like that.
Helen: No, it's okay honey. I self-deprecate enough for the both of us if it makes you feel better.
Amber: (Sighs) How are you? Really?
(Just as Helen is about to answer, Amber's phone beeps)
Amber: Damn it. I gotta go to the pit, I'm sorry.
Helen: It's okay honey, go and save lives.
Amber: (Grins) I'll see you later.
(Amber leaves the cafeteria. Bailey throws her lunch away and sees Helen sitting alone)
Bailey: Mrs. Karev? Hello. Uh, I'm, uh, Dr. Miranda Bailey. I was Alex's chief resident when he first came here.
Helen: Oh, my gosh. Hi. It's so-I'm happy to meet you. Here. Sit, please.
Bailey: Oh, thank you.
(Bailey sits on Amber's chair)
Helen: Wow. You must be proud, Alex making it all the way to chief of the hospital.
Bailey: (Annoyed but grins) Mmmmmm. So, what are you knitting here?
Helen: Well, it was a scarf that became a sweater, and then I just kind of kept going, and now it's...
Bailey: Oh. It's maybe a car cover.
(They both laugh)
Bailey: Alex said you'd extended your stay, so you must be having a good time.
Helen: I don't travel much. And, uh, I'm glad I did it, but it's been a lot for me. I'm a little nervous about making the trip back.
Bailey: Oh, I see. Um, have you told Alex or Amber?
Helen: No. No, they've all been so great, Jo and Alex and Amber. They're just so busy. I'll feel better. I will. I'm just so ready to be home.
(Bailey looks at Helen with sympathy)
LATER AT 3 AM IN THE ON CALL ROOM
(Amber sleeps in the top bunk when Levi walks in and plops on the bottom bunk)
Amber: (Tired) From the sound of that I'm guessing you had a crappy day too.
Levi: (Tired) It was literally crappy. I was on B-team today, this time was more bed pan than barf or blood. I would've gladly taken blood, at least it doesn't smell.
Amber: I had to take the pit or Hunt and Pierce were gonna murder each other. I choose to stich up booboos over suturing in the last graft on a CABG. I've been on my feet for 17 hours, I even told Andrew 'I'm dead find somebody else' when he came in for a quickie. I'm so tired I even passed up terrific sex with my hot boyfriend.
Levi: Same. Nico is amazing but it takes energy which I do not have.
Amber: (Sniffs) What is that smell?
Levi: That's me, I was skinning tilapia for Dr. Avery's fish people.
Amber: I'm so tired I'm not even gonna question that or let the rank wake me up.
(Amber yawns and sleeps along with Levi who snores under her)
THE NEXT MORNING
(Alex and Amber look at their mom in the office after Bailey tells them about Helen's fears)
Alex: She told you she's afraid to go home? But she seems to be doing fine.
Amber: Yeah, this is the most stable I've seen her.
Bailey: And she is. But, you know, mental illness is like cancer and diabetes, any other chronic illness, you have to monitor.
Alex: Why was she even telling you this?
Bailey: I asked her how she was.
Alex: Is this some kind of crusade for you, Bailey? I mean, first going after Dr. DeLuca, now my mom.
Amber: (Stern) Alex.
Bailey: Wh-I'm not "going after" anyone.
Alex: Cause it seems like you're prejudiced.
Bailey: It-What?
Alex: Against people with mental illness.
(Amber pinches the bridge of her nose at Alex's comment as Bailey gets offended)
Bailey: (Angry) I'm not prejudiced, you jackass! I am a person with mental illness! (Sighs) And I cope with it every day. I take my medication, and I'm doing great. But, sometimes, I need help. That's-That's why I asked you to stay on as chief. And it's hard to ask for that help. Your mother needs to ask, and she can't. Your jobs are to make it so that she can. So do your job, son. Prejudiced. (Scoffs) Jackass.
(Bailey leaves in a huff and Alex and Amber look at each other)
Amber: Do you want me to talk to her and ask?
(Alex's phone beeps alerting him, he looks at the message)
Alex: What the hell?
Amber: What is it?
Alex: It's about Vincenzo DeLuca come on.
(Alex and Amber head to the ICU where Teddy meets with them)
Alex: Tell me what happened.
Teddy: Last night, I found Vincenzo DeLuca counseling my patient to gestate her premature baby in a bag.
Alex: What? He talked to your patient.
Teddy: Yeah. He said that the fetus would be safe and sound in an artificial womb.
Amber: (Shocked) Oh my god.
Alex: (Sighs) Listen. He-He's working on-
Teddy: I transfused multiple times overnight to buy time, but I'm just wasting blood. I'm gonna have to operate soon. But, Alex, we can do this? (Hopeful) I mean, we can save my patient's 21-week-old baby? Can we really save them both?
Alex: …No we can't, I'm sorry. Vincenzo DeLuca had no right to make it seem like we did to a distressed couple. Where is he?
Amber: I'll call Andrew.
(Amber calls Andrew who answers)
Amber: Hi Alex needs to talk to your dad, where is he?
Andrew: He's in the lab. Carina and I are headed there now, we'll see you there.
Amber: Okay thanks and Andrew I'm…I'm so sorry.
Andrew: (Sighs) Yeah me too.
(Andrew hangs up the phone)
Amber: He's in the lab.
Alex: Thanks. Go down to the pit I'll take it from here.
Amber: Okay and what about mom?
Alex: One family crisis at a time all right?
(Alex and Amber part ways)
LATER AT THE PIT
(Sam and Amber chat in the mostly empty pit)
Amber: I can't imagine what that couple must be feeling, especially after the stunt Vincenzo DeLuca pulled.
Sam: I know right. I mean their filled with hope one minute and the next they have to lose their baby and any chance of having another one. This sucks.
Levi: What sucks? I just got back from plastics, what's going on?
Amber: You remember that couple from yesterday? The one's who are pregnant? Last night Vincenzo DeLuca promised them that he could safely grow their 21-week-old baby in a gestational sack.
Levi: Really? Wow I didn't know he was that far ahead with the project.
Sam: He's not.
Levi: Then why did he say he could?
Amber: He has…issues.
Sam: Yeah, we've all heard about the incident in Italy.
Amber: (Irritated) God! Does this place have a grape vine or something? I might just find an ax and tear it down.
Levi: What incident?
Sam: I'll tell you about it later.
(Suddenly one of the monitors start to beep rapidly springing them into action)
Amber: He's hypotensive and clutching his chest. What the hell happened?
(Sam reads the chart as Amber quickly gets a chest ultrasound)
Sam: Dylan Cahill, 35. He came in two hours ago after a boxing match presented with chest pain but the x ray was clear.
Amber: Yeah, well that was two hours ago. He has fluid in his chest and his lungs are collapsing.
Levi: I'll page cardio.
Sam: Altman's in surgery and Pierce is doing a talk show.
Amber: (Wheels Dylan into Trauma 1) Get Pierce down here right now tell her it's urgent.
(Levi runs out of the pit)
Sam: Damn it, He needs a chest tube now.
Amber: All right I'll do it. Somebody get me a chest drain, local anesthesia and drape him now!
(The nurses drape Dylan and put the chest tube supplies next to Amber who gloves up with Sam watching in shock)
Sam: Have you done this before?
Amber: Not an actual human being no but I've watched Pierce do it a lot. Okay Dylan even with the anesthesia and sedatives your still gonna feel this sorry.
(Amber slices the side of Dylan's chest who winces at the pain)
Amber: Okay now here comes the hard part.
(Amber inserts the tube causing Dylan to scream as fluid comes out causing him to breathe again. Maggie enters the room wearing a light blue pantsuit)
Maggie: What happened?
Amber: He developed a pneumothorax and was bleeding into his chest. I inserted a chest tube in and his vitals are stable now. I didn't think you would want me to wait.
Maggie: Okay let's book an O.R. and get a chest x ray on standby.
(Sam leaves to book and O.R. with Maggie and Amber behind her)
LATER AT ALEXS OFFICE
(Alex sits across Andrew and Vincenzo with Carina standing by)
Alex: Look, I believe in your research. I do. But what happened with this patient was a major breach of protocol. I can't have that. So, I've decided-
Vincenzo: (Agitated) You need to reconsider right now what you're about to say.
Andrew: Papa, don't argue.
Vincenzo: Do not interrupt me.
Andrew: Papa, you need to get help before somebody gets hurt.
Vincenzo: Like that baby? I might have saved that baby. (Points at Andrew) But you let it die, (To Alex) and you let it die, (To Carina) and you let it die!
(Carina leaves the room hurt while Vincenzo continues to rant)
Vincenzo: Because of your cowardice and laziness, you will never know if that child had to die at your hands. (Stands up) Damn it! You're stopping my research? That what you're about to say? No! You don't get my research! You don't deserve it! I take it and go! Cretini!
(Vincenzo leaves the room with Alex and Andrew looking at each other in disbelief)
MEANWHILE AT THE O.R.
(Maggie does the thoracoscopy with Amber holding the camera)
Maggie: Do you see how I'm closing the leak?
Amber: Yeah, it looks like most of the fluid is drained.
(Owen enters the O.R. holding a mask in front of him)
Owen: What happened? I was in the O.R. when I heard one of the interns inserted a chest tube in the pit without an attending present.
Maggie: (Harsh tone) He was bleeding into his chest Hunt. Altman was in the O.R. and I was in the lobby when he started to get hypotensive. Dr. Karev was there and saw to it that this man gets the care he needs.
Owen: She is an intern Pierce she shouldn't have done a risky procedure that she wasn't trained for and-
Maggie: (Angry) And if she hadn't taken the risk Dylan would've been dead in seconds. Would you rather that happen?
(Amber stands in the room awkwardly as Hunt glares at Pierce in anger)
Maggie: Dr. Karev is being trained by me and I saw to it before today that she knows how to insert a tube and she hasn't disappointed. She performed this procedure flawlessly according to the chest x ray. We have Dylan open here so unless you have something important to say you can just go.
(Owen exhales and leaves the O.R.)
Amber: Two fights in two days with me as a witness that has to be some kind of record.
Maggie: What you did was completely reckless. There's a difference between cadavers and actual human beings She-Karev. If you had missed the chest tube could've punctured his heart and we'd be having an entirely different conversation.
Amber: (Confused) Um was you standing up for me to Hunt in my imagination. I thought you said I did the right thing. He would've bled into his chest and died by the time you got there, would you rather I stand by and do nothing?
Maggie: You could've called someone else, someone nearby who's actually done this procedure before. It doesn't take that long to page someone, remember that next time.
(Amber looks at the camera in sadness)
Maggie: But otherwise…nice job.
(Amber grins as they continue to work)
LATER IN THE SCRUB ROOM
(After finishing the surgery Amber gets ready to scrub out when Alex walks in)
Alex: Hey, I heard what happened, nice job kid.
Amber: (Smiles) Thanks, today marks the first time I inserted a chest tube. I think I'm gonna buy a cake after this.
Alex: Let's go to the bakery another time. We need to figure out what to do about mom, any ideas?
Amber: (Sighs) I can talk to her for the both of us.
Alex: I can come with you.
Amber: Thank you but no Alex. I was there when mom got better so I should be the one to talk to her, I'll text you how it goes.
Alex: All right, let me know when to buy the plane tickets to home.
Amber: Will do. Hey, how did it go with Vincenzo DeLuca?
Alex: I tried to suspend him and he accused us of being cowards and walked out yelling nonsense.
Amber: (Groans) I was afraid it would get bad but not this bad…how are Andrew and Carina?
Alex: Same as us whenever mom would go psycho, just give him time and space. God knows we needed it.
(Amber bitterly nods and pats Alex's shoulder as she leaves to talk to their mother)
LATER THAT NIGHT IN THE PARK
(Amber sits with Helen on the bench after she expresses her desire to go home)
Helen: I thought I could handle being away from home and my job for a while I really did it's just…it's been a lot for me. Now I'm nervous about making the trip back and I've been convincing myself that it'll get better but it hasn't yet.
Amber: Why didn't you talk to us about this? You've seen us every day since you got here.
Helen: I-You both have been so busy with running a hospital or residency it's just…I didn't want to be a burden on the two of you again.
Amber: (Sympathetic) Mom…you can always ask us for help, you know that. Back then it was exhausting having to take care of you but now your better and Alex and I are grown up. We're your family, you don't have to be afraid to ask us for help.
Helen: Thank you, I would really like it if the two of you could come with me and make sure I come home safe, would either of you mind?
Amber: Um no I can text Alex to buy three tickets back to Iowa for tonight hopefully he and I can get a few days off.
Helen: Okay, thank you so much.
(Amber nods and the Karev women look at the view for a silent minute before Amber asks a question she's been avoiding)
Amber: Am I the reason you haven't gotten full treatment? Were we burdens on your broken mind?
(Helen looks at Amber surprised of the question)
Amber: You got better two years after I left for med school before that Aaron had left and before him Alex. The timing pretty much says that your three kids were the main reasons you didn't keep up with your medicine and…I've tried not to think about it but it's kind of hard not to. It kind of makes sense, kids are hard enough as it is without schizophrenia in your life…it makes fighting a mental illness that much harder.
(Amber picks at her nails while her mother moves closer to her)
Helen: Do you remember when you graduated from high school? It was five months after you were discharged and a month after your brother and I were out of involuntary hold. The nurses told me that you were graduating and I told you brother about it and suggested we go but…he couldn't face you yet after what happened. I-I already missed Alex's graduation I just wanted to see at least one of you walk across that stage and prove everybody wrong. You were up there with your hair done so pretty and you were wearing high heels. I don't know how you afforded to look so pretty when you were in foster care at the time.
Amber: My foster mom at the time was a hair stylist, she couldn't let me be on that stage with a ponytail and converse even when I wanted to.
Helen: (Chuckles) You walked across that stage in that awful smelling gym and got your diploma and I just felt…proud, like I had done some good after all. When you and the others went outside afterward, I walked up to you and congratulated you and (Tears pool her eyes) you told me that you wished Aaron had gone after me that night instead of you.
Amber: (Guilty) Mom I was angry I didn't-
Helen: No, no I know you meant it sweetie. I know because your brothers have said awful things to me that I have fully deserved but…their eyes told me that they did it to help me. To help me see my mistakes. That day in the parking lot I saw…malice and nothingness in your eyes. I knew then that you wanted me dead or worse.
(Amber feels tears stream down her cheeks and Helen hands a tissue packet that she's also using. Amber grabs one and wipes her tears)
Helen: (Voice breaking) After that day I knew that I had done the impossible, I had broken all three of my children because of my inability to fight. I choose not to fight because I thought it would be possible for me to get through the voices and delusions without medication but I was fooling myself. I didn't fight because I was weak, I was a weak and selfish woman who has dragged her children down with her.
(Helen sniffles as she wipes her tears away. Amber looks at her in sadness over her confession)
Helen: But after seeing this…strong, bright, kind and beautiful woman stand up for the mother who has disappointed her time and time again. I knew I haven't broken her, she's just as strong and kind and beautiful as ever. She was just rightfully angry at the woman who was supposed to protect her and fight for her. Letting you and your brothers down is…my biggest regret to this day. I am so sorry for not being the mother you deserved.
(Amber looks at the view in contemplation)
Amber: Growing up I thought that…there was something wrong with me, that there was some tick in me that caused my father to leave and my mother to go crazy. Alex and Aaron would try to explain to me that it wasn't me but…the feeling never really goes away you know?
Helen: I know that I am the very last person for you to take wisdom from but for once take it from me. You are worthy of good things in this life, you were just dealt a bad hand that was out of your control. I have seen your life here and it is what you deserve, you have a wonderful brother and sister who care about you so much because they know you care about them too. You have an amazing boyfriend who understands the pain your parents have put you through and you have wonderful friends that accept you. You are worth fighting for Amber Karev, do not forget that.
(Amber tears up and hugs her mother who hugs her back)
LATER ON THE ROOF
(Alex comes up to find the residents and Bailey enjoying the fish fry Webber is making with the leftover fish from Jackson's project)
Alex: I thought I read the text wrong, but, no, you are hosting a "fish fry."
Webber: Yeah, waste not, want not. Hey, grab a plate.
(Alex finds Bailey and goes to her)
Alex: Bailey, can you do me a favor? Look, I need your help now. Can you take back the chiefship, just for two days? I still have a couple weeks left, I'm gonna take them.
Bailey: I-It's not a fast-food joint, Karev. We don't cover shifts for each other.
Alex: I need to fly with my mom back to Iowa. Amber talked to her, and you were right. She needs to get home.
Bailey: Did you tell her I talked to you?
Alex: Hell, no. I look like a thoughtful son.
Bailey: Hm. I will try to fill your shoes. Hey, tell your mother thank you for the hat.
(Alex leaves the roof to make the flight)
LATER THAT NIGHT AT THE LAB
(Amber enters the lab in her casual wear to find Andrew packing boxes)
Amber: Hey, what happened to the lamb?
Andrew: My father's arranging transport back to Italy.
Amber: (Sighs) I'm sorry.
Andrew: Go ahead. Say 'I told you so.'
Amber: (Offended) I wouldn't want to and it pisses me off you think I would.
Andrew: (Guilty) I'm…sorry. I just-I shouldn't be around people right now.
(Andrew leans on the table brooding with Amber looking in sympathy)
Amber: I…I'm gonna be out of town for a few days. Alex and I are flying with our mom back to Iowa tonight. I'll text you when I land and get back, just let me know if you need anything.
Andrew: Thanks.
(Amber nods and heads to the lobby to meet up with Alex and Helen)