TRIGGER WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS THEMES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

Chapter 18: Silence

SCENE: GREY SLOAN MEMORIAL PARKING LOT

(Amber and Andrew make out in the backseat of Amber's car with Amber lying under Andrew)

Andrew: Shouldn't we head inside? Rounds start in twenty minutes.

Amber: Let's call in and just continue what we're doing for the rest of the day. How does that sound?

Andrew: Well, I don't think it's a good-

(Amber pauses Andrew by snaking her hand under his shirt trailing his torso stopping him midsentence)

Amber: (Teasing) It's not a good what? Can you finish that sentence?

Andrew: (Grins) You're the devil you know that?

Amber: (Chuckles) You love it.

(They continue to make out until a knock on the window breaks the spell)

Amber: What the-

(They look out and see Alex waving at them from the outside)

Andrew: (Nervous) Oh man.

Alex: Rounds in twenty, let's go!

(They both groan and fumble of the car. Andrew composes his shirt and looks at Alex awkwardly while Amber slams the door)

Andrew: We just uh thought it would be fun to-

Alex: Make out in the back of a car where all your coworkers and family can see you? You two do know how trashy this looks right?

Amber: Says the man who had sex next to a corpse.

Alex: Oh, now that's just mean. Let's go, you two can continue…this after work. Amber your on Jo's service, DeLuca your on Bailey's.

Amber: Oh, Jo's back? How is she? How did her trip go?

Andrew: Her trip? What trip?

Amber: She went to Pittsburgh to meet her birth mom.

Andrew: Whoa, why didn't I know about this?

Alex: Because you were a distant ass to everyone including your girlfriend slash my sister for a week.

Andrew: Yeah, that's it.

(They continue to talk as they walk inside the building)

Amber: So how is she?

Alex: Uh she's okay, I think. She's a little distant, she left the loft before we could talk.

Amber: Okay, she'll probably talk to you when she wants to. Just give her time Alex.

Andrew: Speaking as someone who has been distant to their loved one, just give Jo room to breathe and she'll talk to you when she's ready to talk.

Alex: Thanks Bonnie and Clyde. I got to go today's my last day as chief and I want to make sure everything's taken care of when Bailey gets back. Now get ready because rounds start soon.

Andrew: Yes sir.

Amber: (Mockingly salutes)

(Alex leaves the two of them)

Andrew: So that was awkward.

Amber: (Chuckles) Oh, please it's not the first time he's caught me making out with a guy in a car. In my car definitely.

Andrew: You know from your point of view this is funny but in mine it means certain death. The guy beat me up and put me in the ICU for something he thinks I did, imagine what he's gonna do to me for something I am definitely doing.

Amber: (Teasing) Are you doing it? Because I barely notice it at my end.

Andrew: (Sighs) Can you please be serious for one second? He just caught me making out with his only sister in the back of a car. I'm pretty sure that's not gonna win me approval points.

Amber: Approval points? He's not my dad Andrew.

Andrew: No, he's just the guy who raised you when your dad or mom couldn't. When one of my girlfriend's dads has a problem with me, I just ignore it. If he has a problem with me it's gonna be pretty hard to ignore since we work together.

Amber: That is a good point. What do you want me to do? Do you want me to butter him up tell him that you treat me like a lady except in the backseat of my car?

Andrew: If you exclude the car thing that'll be great.

(Amber gives Andrew an incredulous look)

Andrew: Come on, please? I am begging you.

Amber: (Sighs) Your lucky your cute.

Andrew: (Chuckles) I owe you one.

Amber: Yes, you do.

HALF AN HOUR LATER AT ALEXS OFFICE

(Amber knocks on the door and opens it to find Alex at his desk going over paperwork)

Amber: Hey do you have a minute?

Alex: (Stares at the papers) I do but I can't promise you I'll actually listen.

Amber: (Sits across from him) Okay great then I'll make this quick. Andrew is afraid that your gonna hurt him for making out with me in the back of my car so I just came here at his request because I want to put my boyfriends mind at ease.

Alex: (Still typing) That's idiotic.

Amber: Yeah, I know but to be fair you did beat him up before so…I'm not gonna give a speech so I'll just tell you that he's a good guy who treats me well and wants you to accept him in my life. And I am hoping that you also talk to him and tell him we had this talk and that you're not gonna hit him again because I like him and I want to continue seeing him can you do that?

Alex: (Still typing but heard her) Sure.

Amber: (Stands up) Great I'm glad we had this talk and I will see you later bye.

(Amber leaves the office)

LATER ON THE SECOND FLOOR

(Amber sees Jo looking at her tablet in the sea of people coming in and out)

Amber: Morning.

Jo: Hi um what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on someone's service?

Amber: I am, I'm on your service today.

Jo: (Flatly) Right. I don't have any surgeries today and I need Bailey's approval for a grant before she goes back to being chief.

Amber: Oh, okay maybe I can help you with this grant stuff.

Jo: Do you know what funding limits are on an R90 or R15 grant?

Amber: Um no sorry-

Jo: (Flatly) Okay you can go to the pit or go back to cardio with Pierce and tell her I said it was okay.

(Amber walks with Jo around the crowd while she goes through her tablet)

Amber: (Concerned) …Are you okay?

Jo: Yeah, why wouldn't I be?

Amber: Well, its just-you seem a little off, like your here physically but that's about it. Alex told me you left before you talked, did something happen when you went on your trip?

Jo: Amber I'm-

(Jo stops when she bumps into a woman with a cut on her cheek)

Jo: Oh my God! Sorry. Sorry.

(Amber and Jo notice the cut on the frightened woman's cheek)

Amber: Ma'am are you okay?

Jo: Hey, you... (Points to her cheek) you have, um, a...

Abby: A-A crap sense of direction and can't find my way to the ER.

Amber: Oh um-

Jo: It's one floor down, and then, if...You know, why don't I take you? Amber, why don't you go down to the pit and make sure there's a bed and a nurse on standby.

(Amber nods and heads to the pit)

LATER AT THE PIT

(Amber stands by with a cotton swab and betadine while Jo gloves up. Abby is in bed growing more anxious)

Jo: You'll need stitches. I'll have a nurse bring you a blanket.

Abby: I feel so stupid. I was putting away dishes and just...smacked myself in the face with the cabinet. Such an idiot.

Jo: That cut looks pretty deep, so Dr. Karev will have to numb it before we can clean it. When did this happen?

Abby: Last night. I thought it would be fine, but it just keeps bleeding.

Jo: Dr. Karev and I can help with that. Karev clean the area, make sure it doesn't get infected.

Amber: I'm just gonna put a little Betadine around the area, and you're just gonna feel a little stick and a burn.

Jo: Abby, are you hurting anywhere else?

(Amber tries to rub the cotton swab on the cut but Abby jumps at the sight of Andrew)

Andrew: Hey. Dr. Bailey's been looking for you, something about a grant deadline?

Jo: Oh, okay. Um, I'm gonna be right-

(Abby grabs Jo's hand tightly as her breathing quickens. Amber notices this and looks at Jo who looks at Abby before turning to Andrew)

Jo: My patient here, Abby, she...hit her face on a cabinet. So if you could give us some room, please, so I can suture her facial lac? And tell Dr. Bailey that I will be a while.

(Andrew gets the message and leaves)

Jo: Thank you. Hey, why don't you sit up, okay? We'll sit you up. Okay.

(Amber puts the supplies down and hears a whimper from Abby when she tries to sit up)

Jo: Is your belly hurting?

Abby: No, it's just the cheek. You can fix it now, right? So, I can go.

Jo: Dr. Karev, um, can you go get me some 4-0 MONOCRYL, and can we please close those?

(Amber nods and closes the curtain. She approaches a nurse)

Amber: Make sure that no male doctors or nurses go to Abby's bed, tell them that only females are allowed around her.

Nurse: Sure, why?

Amber: Because I think we have a patient who was sexually assaulted.

LATER IN THE SURGICAL FLOOR

(Andrew paces around the hallway before approaching Alex in front of the surgical board)

Andrew: Hey.

Alex: Hey, any surgeries today?

Andrew: Uh no not at the moment, you?

Alex: Nope I gotta make sure things are in order before Bailey comes back tomorrow. I tell you man I am going to miss this job. I actually got used to wearing suits at work.

Andrew: (Chuckles) Yeah…listen about what happened this morning-

Alex: My sister already talked to me, so we don't need to discuss this.

Andrew: I uh I think we do; I just need you to know that I don't normally do…that with women that I date.

Alex: You don't kiss them? No wonder you haven't had a long-lasting relationship.

Andrew: No, I mean yes, I kiss them but I don't do it in public in the backseat of a car. I want you to know that I respect women that I date, I don't degrade them in any way. I really like Amber and I know that you raised her and so I feel obligated to set the record straight. What happened with your sister was a spur and spontaneous moment that won't happen again.

Alex: DeLuca, I once saw my sister grab her bra from one of her…trysts in the middle of the parking lot and in front of me and Jo. You made out with her in her car in mostly hidden view. Compared to those guys, your Prince freaking Charming so you don't have to worry about me disproving of the way you treat my sister or hitting you again.

Andrew: …So were good?

Alex: We're good, just keep it in your homes or the on-call room or that weird radiology room on 4 got it?

Andrew: Yes sir.

(Andrew passes Abby's exam room where she's being fitted in a gown by Jo and Amber. Abby is silent and still holding Jo's hand)

Jo: Okay Abby, you need to be examined for internal injuries so you need to get into a gown. Would you like us to turn around?

Abby: (Shakes her head) I-I can't lift my arms…it hurts when I do.

Jo: Okay that's perfectly fine. We can just cut your shirt out and take your pants off for you. Karev, take her sweats off gently and slowly.

Amber: Okay.

(Amber gently pulls Abby's sweats down and blanches at the visible bruises and scratches on Abby's thighs. Amber folds the sweats and puts them in a bag)

Jo: Okay, now grab those scissors and cut her shirt out.

(Amber grabs the scissors and cuts the sweatshirt out exposing the bruises on Abby's abdomen. She and Jo put the gown on Abby)

Jo: Karev, let's get her IM Toradol for the pain and keep her NPO for now.

Amber: Abby, is there someone that we can call? Family member or a friend?

Abby: My husbands in Portland on a business trip. I don't want to...bother him.

(A knock on the door startles Abby)

Jo: It's okay. (Teddy comes in) I called her here to help. Hi.

Teddy: Hi.

Abby: (Scared) Why do I need another doctor? Can't I just keep you two?

Teddy: It's Abby, right? Hi. Dr. Jo and Amber Karev will still be your doctors, but would it be okay if I helped? May I do an ultrasound just to check for internal injuries?

Abby: (Nods)

Teddy: Okay. Great.

Jo: All right, here we go.

Teddy: Let's lie you back. I got you.

(Abby whimpers as she slowly lies back)

Teddy: That's it, I got you. Okay, you're almost there.

(Abby finally lies back)

Teddy: I'm just gonna open your robe.

(Teddy looks at Jo in shock over Abby's injuries)

Teddy: Now a little gel.

(Amber turns to grab a blanket when she notices her left-hand shaking. She makes a fist until it goes back to normal and grabs a blanket for Abby. She puts it on her legs)

Teddy: All right, you'll feel just a little pressure. There we go. Good job.

(Amber feels tears in her eyes while Teddy views the ultrasound)

Teddy: All right, Abby, you do have a tear in your diaphragm, and it's caused your abdominal organs to move up into your chest. You're gonna need a surgery.

Abby: Fine. Whatever you need to do so I can go home.

Teddy: All right, Dr. Karev, can I talk to you outside for a minute?

Abby: (Anxious) No, no, can you stay?

Jo: I'll just be right outside. I won't be more than a couple minutes-

Abby: Y-You can't-You can't leave, please? Just do the surgery, and then I can go home, and then it'll be over.

Teddy: All right. We'll let them know to prep the OR. Amber, come with me.

(Amber follows Teddy outside the room)

Teddy: Book an O.R. but do not let the nurses or anyone else do an antibiotic prep.

Amber: We're not operating on her?

Teddy: Abby's wounds are consistent with someone who's been sexually assaulted, and if that's true, when the nurses prep her with an antibiotic solution, evidence will be erased. So, we wait. We wait and give Abby the chance to talk without taking more of the agency than she's already lost. Go book the OR and come straight back.

(Amber nods and heads to an O.R. with her hand shaking again. After booking an O.R. Amber grips the station trying to steady her hands with her breath shaking)

Andrew: Hey.

(Amber flinches at Andrew affectionately touching her shoulder but composes herself)

Amber: Hi. What are you doing here?

Andrew: I just came to say hi, are you okay?

Amber: Yeah, my patient is in distress with bruises and scratches on her thighs and abdomen. She's uh she's also scared to death and wary of men and strangers.

Andrew: (Realizing) Oh, you think she was raped?

Amber: I don't think I know, the only way to prove it is to get her to do a kit. She needs surgery so we have to do it now or evidence will be erased.

(Amber exhales sharply with Andrew looking concerned)

Andrew: Are you okay? You seem a little on edge.

Amber: I'm fine. I-I should head back to Abby's room.

Andrew: Amber-

(Amber leaves and heads back to Abby's room where Jo and Teddy console a crying Abby)

Amber: Um is there anything I can do?

Teddy: Yes Dr. Karev. Go to the supply closet and come back with a rape kit, please.

(Amber nods and heads to the supply closet and comes back with the kit. Amber gowns Teddy with Jo by Abby's bedside)

Teddy: Are you ready?

(Abby nods)

Jo: You have to say it, it's the law. You say yes, we go to the next step. You say no at any time, we stop.

Abby: (Breathes deeply) Yes.

TWO HOURS LATER

(After successfully performing the last step on the kit, they turn the lights back on)

Teddy: Abby, we're done.

(Abby shakes and cries)

Jo: I'm here, okay. I'm right here.

(Jo hugs Abby in comfort as she continues crying. She sits up and Teddy listens to her heart)

Teddy: She's becoming increasingly tachypneic. Let O.R. 1 know that we're on our way.

(Amber leaves the room and gets a gurney and nurses back to the room where she sees Jo and Teddy trying to calm a distressed Abby)

Teddy: Abby. Abby, listen to me. If we don't do this surgery now, it could kill you.

Abby: (Crying) I can't. I can't leave here this room. Everyone has his face, every man. It's all I see. Even when I close my eyes…please. I can't see his face. Please don't make me see his face, please.

Jo: You don't have to, Abby. You don't have to.

(Abby continues to cry and whimper. Amber holds her hand tightly to keep it from shaking)

LATER AT THE NURSES STATION

(Amber approaches Andrew after being told by Jo what to do)

Amber: Hey, I need you to do something.

Andrew: Sure, what do you need?

Amber: Our patient, the one who was raped, she's terrified of seeing another man's face and refuses to go to an O.R. Jo wants this hallway to be lined with women so that Abby can have an easier trip. I already got the men out and Jo paged the women here, she just wants you to stand guard in the doors and make sure no men enter the hallway. Can you do that?

Andrew: Yeah, of course. This was Jo's idea?

Amber: Yeah, it was. I have to head back, stay on guard.

(Amber grabs a blanket from the supply closet)

Meredith: (To Bailey) Dr. Karev asked us to all stand here? Do we know why?

Amber: Just... that a patient needs us. She needs all of us.

Meredith: Okay.

(Amber heads back to the room and covers Abby with a blanket. A female nurse goes in front)

Nurse: Okay ladies, we need you all to line up either on the right side or left. Please keep this middle aisle clear.

(The women all line up on both sides of the wall)

Jo: Are you ready?

(Abby breathes deeply and sees the line of women in front of her in shock)

Abby: (Calm) Yes.

(Jo holds Abby's hand as they wheel her to the elevator with the women giving Abby comforting looks. They go inside the elevator and bring her to the O.R. She's transferred to the operating table with Jo still holding her hand. Amber and Teddy begin to scrub)

Teddy: What your sister did was…I don't have any words for it because it was so kind.

Amber: Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.

Teddy: Charles Glassman. (Sighs) It's days like this that reminds me the kind of world I'm gonna bring my daughter in. How am I supposed to reassure her that good things happen to good people when I witness horrific things happen to good people like Abby? (Voice breaking) How do I raise a daughter in this terrifying world?

Amber: …People can survive this terrifying world and what it gives them. They can even rise above the terror and make joy in the darkest of places. I mean look at Jo, she was abandoned by her parents and abused by her ex and yet she made sure Abby was given the support she needed. She took the crap this world gave her and rose above, if she can do that then there's no telling what your little girl will be capable of with a mom like you. You just make sure she knows that no matter what happens to her, she has the capacity for great strength because her parents gave it to her.

(Teddy's eyes swell with tears and finishes scrubbing)

THREE HOURS LATER

(Teddy works on Abby with Amber holding the camera)

Teddy: I've seen soldiers like this. Young women and young men, brutalized, with no idea how to talk about it. What you did today with Abby, that was not protocol-

Jo: I know, I know, and I'm sorry.

Teddy: I'm saying it should be.

Amber: It really should.

(They continue to work on Abby)

LATER THAT NIGHT IN THE PACU

(Amber checks Abby's vital when Abby wakes up)

Teddy: Abby, hi. We were able to repair your diaphragm. We had to place in a chest tube for drainage, but that'll probably come out in a few days. And your kit will stay here, if you decide to report it.

Abby: You think I should do it, don't you?

Jo: That is not our call to make.

Amber: It's your decision Abby, it's as simple as that.

Teddy: But we do think that you should talk to someone. Doesn't have to be your husband. But someone.

Abby: I keep going over it in my head. If I hadn't been so distracted by my phone. If I had just trusted my gut and not gone down that street with the broken lamplights.

Teddy: Abby. This was not your fault. You didn't ask for this. There is nothing you did to deserve this.

Abby: I can't. I just can't...

Teddy: Okay, that's okay. I'll check in on you in a little bit, all right? Try to get some rest.

(Amber readjusts the side rail and leaves the room with Teddy)

Teddy: You should go home Karev. It's been a long day and Jo has Abby; I'll see you tomorrow.

Amber: See ya.

(Amber turns to head to the lockers but sees Andrew talking to Hunt and turns around to avoid him)

LATER THAT NIGHT IN AMBER AND AMELIAS BEDROOM

(Amber and Amelia sit up in bed eating chips watching Black Swan on Amber's laptop)

Amber: Remind me why we aren't watching this downstairs in the living room on the big screen tv.

Amelia: Because Meredith doesn't want to risk one of her kids walking in on Auntie Amelia and her bedmate watching lesbian porn. Oh! Here we go, Mila and Natalie are getting it on. Wow those two are not holding back. Question, who would you do in that hot girl scene?

Amber: (Considers) Natalie.

Amelia: Really? I would go for Mila anytime and any day. What she saw in that kid from Home Alone I'll never know.

Amber: (Chuckles) Are you sure your straight? Because I'm probably gonna have to stop sharing a bed with you so that I don't cheat on my boyfriend with the chief of neuro.

Amelia: Eh I don't really believe in labels and settling for just one gender.

Amber: Same here girlfriend.

(They clink their water bottles)

Amelia: Seriously though you don't have to worry about me coming on to you. Your great and your beautiful but I'm…kind of getting my supply elsewhere.

Amber: (Shocked) Really? So soon after Hunt? Who is he or she or it?

Amelia: He is a guy I met in San Diego; he actually works at the hospital.

Amber: Wow, so is it serious or is it a rebound?

Amelia: Definitely a rebound, I am not ready for a relationship after what happened with Owen and Teddy and Koracick and Owen and Teddy's unborn baby. I am just taking pain relief.

Amber: I get that, I had a bunch of pain relief after breaking up with Maya, some of it helped some didn't do the job right.

Amelia: (Groans) I swear there should be an instructional manual so they don't disappoint.

Amber: There is, it's called porn. Kind of like what we're watching here.

(Amber and Amelia continue watching the movie when Amber gets a text from Andrew)

Text: 'I just clocked out, want to come over?'

(Amber considers her answer uneasily before responding 'I have a night shift, sorry' Amber puts her phone down and continues eating and watching with Amelia)

END NOTE: AMBER'S BEHAVIOR THROUGHOUT THIS CHAPTER IS MEANT TO BE FORESHADOWING OF A FUTURE STORYLINE I WILL WRITE LATER SO HANG TIGHT AND PREPARE YOURSELF