Teddy walked into the restaurant where she was to meet Owen.

"Teddy," Owen greeted with a hug, "how was your day?"

"Dull and domestic," Teddy laughed, "found two places I like but I want to bring Danika to see them on the weekend. One is for sale and the other would be rented both are available right away."

"What one do you prefer," Owen asked.

"The one for sale," Teddy admitted, "the down payment isn't an issue, it's perfect. Three bedrooms so I could have an office, one story, two bathrooms, open concept. I like it there's lots of light, a porch. Everything I dreamed of growing up in a New York apartment."

"How far from the hospital," Owen asked.

"Ten minutes," Teddy replied, "and 10 to Danika's school so the location is perfect. She can have her own room and bathroom. The other place is a two bedroom apartment five minutes from the hospital but only one bathroom and smaller than the house."

"I went the house route," Owen said, "old fire hall actually. I'm going to restore it."

"You bought a fire hall," Teddy laughed, "is the garage big enough for your truck? Did you get to keep the fire pole?"

"Yes," Owen chuckled.

"So many dirty jokes," Teddy said stifling a laugh.

"I know how your mind works," Owen replied, "you could come see it after dinner."

"Depends on the time," Teddy said, "I promised I would be back to say goodnight."

"Clingy," Owen asked.

"Lost," Teddy replied.

"I remember losing my dad when I was nine that was hell," Owen replied, "losing both. I don't know how you're still standing some days."

"You find purpose and move forward," Teddy said, "you've had your share of brutal losses."

"But I had you there," Owen said, "it's still your step mother are you okay?"

"I never had a relationship with June," Teddy said, "my focus is Danika. Even then she was boarding in fourth grade. She's so mature in some senses and very young in others."

"So you're going to stay here, run cardio and raise your sister," Owen said.

"That's my plan," Teddy replied, "and to spend a lot of time with you."

"I told my mom you're here," Owen said, "she'd like you to come for Sunday dinner. Danika is welcome if she's comfortable."

"I haven't seen your mom since," Teddy began.

"Come for dinner," Owen said, "do you have weekend plans?"

"You're coming with us to get Danika's stuff," Teddy replied, "June died in the apartment. I'd like you to make sure it's not a crime scene and covered in blood before I take Danika in. The social worker said June overdosed so it should be okay but just in case."

"Of course," Owen replied, "no 14 year old needs to see that. I meant other than that."

"That's Saturday and you've just invited me to your moms on Sunday so that's my weekend," Teddy replied, "I'm not so sure how to do this older sibling thing? What am I?"

"Her big sister," Owen said.

"How do I do that and still be the authority figure," Teddy said, "someone besides the school needs to teach her right from wrong. It sounds like June wasn't super involved."

"You put your kid in boarding school at 9," Owen said.

"June didn't want to be a parent," Teddy admitted, "that was my dad. Dad thought he would be there for her. But a pack a day habit changed that."

"Teddy I'm sorry," Owen said.

"It's a long time ago," Teddy said, "we have to move forward."

"So forward means what," Owen asked.

"I haven't figured that out yet," Teddy said, "house, sort out Danika, new job."

"Where do I fit," Owen asked.

"My best friend," Teddy replied, "see what happens."

"When you're settled I'd like to take you for a real date," Owen said.

"I'd like that," Teddy smiled.

"What are you doing tomorrow," Owen asked.

"I meet the social worker again," Teddy groaned, "he's like 22 fresh out of school and has to do everything by the book."

"Checking boxes," Owen said.

"And right now I'm failing because I'm not working but have a signed contract to start Monday, I don't have a place to live, I hardly know Danika," Teddy said.

"You've upended your whole life in a week," Owen said, "you need time to make arrangements."

"Owen I'm 37 I should have this together," Teddy replied.

"You're an amazing surgeon who just left the military," Owen said, "they can be patient."

"I don't have a home, I'm living at the ballet school," Teddy said, "I know exactly one person out here."

"It's an adventure Teddy," Owen said, "embrace it."

"I guess," Teddy said, "this was easier with out Danika to worry about. I could enlist on a whim after my parents died but with Dani theres a sudden pressure to be settled."

"You'll work it out," Owen said, "you always do."

"Tell me about the hospital," Teddy said, "what are the people like?"

Owen told Teddy about life at Seattle Grace and what he had observed in the last few months.

They spent the night laughing and sharing stories and memories.

The next morning Teddy sat down with the social worker again. She had made sure to dress very professionally for this meeting, she was put together and stylish, she knew she had to make a good impression on the young social worker.

"Dr Altman," John called.

Teddy stood and walked towards him.

"How are things going with Danika," John asked as they had a seat.

"She's still having a hard time accepting what's happened," Teddy said, "it's a big adjustment. There's a small memorial on Friday that her and I are going to. It's important that she has the opportunity to say goodbye and to greive her mother."

"Are you prepared to support her through this process," John asked.

"I lost my own mother to a drunk driver seven years ago," Teddy said, "about 10 months after Danika and my dad passed. I know how she's feeling."

"Last week when we met I asked you to get a few things in place so that you could gain custody of Danika," John said, "how is that going?"

"I have a job and start as the head of cardiothroatic surgery at Seattle Grace Mercy West hospital on Monday," Teddy replied, "I've viewed two posible homes that I want Danika to go see with me so we can choose together. I'm leaning towards the one that is for sale. It's ten minutes from the hospital and her school. I would like Danika to eventually live with me as she feels comfortable. She's very comfortable at her school, and I would like to have the option for her to do partial boarding for the one night every two weeks I'll be on call overnight."

"What support do you have personally," John asked.

"Most of my connections are in New England," Teddy admitted, "I have a very close friend that I served with in Seattle."

"Is there a romantic partner," John asked.

"No," Teddy replied, "I'm single. I'm not at a place I want to date right now. I want to get settled with Danika and make sure she's thriving first."

"If the opertunity came up," John asked.

"I wouldn't say no," Teddy said, "again Dani has to come first. She would not meet anyone a boyfriend or my friends until I'm confident it's a good choice for her. She's anxious and shy. Right now she'll talk to a couple friends, me and her house mother. Her teachers say this is unusual."

"What have you learned about Danika," John asked.

"She's a good little dancer, smart, her grades are decent, her teachers like her, she likes to read and is a good writer," Teddy said, "we've done a bit of shopping for a few things she needed that June neglected."

"Neglected what do you mean," John asked.

"Danika was living off her $25 a week allowance," Teddy said.

"That should be plenty for a 14 year old girl," John siad.

"Not when you're buying clothing, toiletries, laundry soap," Teddy said, "June was expecting Danika to live off the allowance I was giving Dani for those things. So we've done some shopping."

"Any changes to her immediate situation," John asked.

"I'm allowing makeup to be worn off stage," Teddy said, "she wanted it. I'm still in the family suite at the ballet school. We've been going off campus which she hasn't done since Christmas. I will keep her in her current program until the end of the school year, then she's going to dance summer session but I want her to live with me."

"How much dancing is she doing," John asked.

"4-5 hours a day," Teddy replied, "two hours of ballet technique six days a week, then a few other lessons rotate. Character, ballroom, contemporary, pas de deux, variations, jazz. I'm not concerned about the training hours, their day is well structured with academics, dance and enrichment courses. Danika has music, visual art, dance history and photography each once a week."

"What do you know about her health," John asked.

"I've spoken with the health care team at the school, the doctor and physiotherapist," Teddy replied, "a few minor kid things in the time she's been there, colds, strep throat, pink eye, sprains, bumps and bruises. I am taking Danika on Tuesday for a full work up with the head of pediatrics at Seattle Grace for my own piece of mind. She seems healthy from my observations."

"How is it going building a relationship with her," John asked.

"She looks for me after class now," Teddy said, "we sit together and do her homework. She's been asking about our dad. We talk about her day. It's coming."

"I have to ask do you want full legal guardianship of Danika," John asked.

"Yes," Teddy replied, " full custody of Danika is what is best for her. My plan is to do whatever it takes. when do we meet again?"

"Three weeks and I need to see a solid plan for permanent housing," John said.

"I will let you know if it happens before then," Teddy replied. She stood and shook his hand before leaving the office.