Teddy lead Danika up to the peds floor and got her signed in.

"Do I have to stay overnight," Danika asked.

"Probably not," Teddy replied, "I talked to Mark if it goes well you'll come home tonight. It's minor they just want you signed in so everyone who works with you has your chart."

"Do you have to work or are you staying," Danika asked.

"Staying," Teddy assured, "I can even watch your surgery from the gallery. You'll only be out of my sight for five minutes."

"Will it hurt," Danika asked.

"A little today and tomorrow," Teddy said, "but we're going home as soon as possible and you can curl up with Milly we have that Channing Tatum dance movie you like tonight and we'll see how you feel tomorrow."

"I don't want to do this," Danika whined.

"You have to," Teddy said, "I want it done now when there's no infection to make sure you don't get another. It's harder to do when there's an active infection."

"Dr Sloan May I do the procedure on Danika Altman," Jackson asked.

"No " Mark replied.

"I've done ear tubes with you before," Jackson said.

"On an attendings child," Mark asked.

"Child," Jackson said, "that's her kid?"

"Sister," Mark said, "Altman is her legal guardian."

"Why are they doing this," Jackson asked.

"Chronic ear infections at 14 need to be treated," Mark replied.

Lexie walked in to see Danika, "Danika Altman?"

"Yes," Danika replied.

"Your here for tubes in your ears," Lexi said.

"She is," Teddy replied, "little grey use the proper names for procedures."

Lexi explained the procedure to Danika and what would happen. Danika wasn't too worried Teddy had talked her through the whole thing and shown her a surgical tape of the process so Danika knew what would happen.

"A few questions before you go into surgery, " Lexi said, "dr Altman I need you to step out."

"Dr Grey," Teddy glared.

"Your her guardian, I have to ask you to step out," Lexi repeated.

"Fine," Teddy huffed.

Teddy stepped out of the room and closed the door.

"Danika its question time. I need you to answer me honestly which is why I asked your sister to step out," Lexi explained, "your answers are confidential and I will not be telling Teddy. What you say is between you and I."

"I don't know what you'd ask me that she wouldn't," Danika said looking confused.

Lexi suddenly realized the 14 year old really looked 11 and might be much more innocent then any one assumed.

"Danika when was your last period," Lexi asked.

"Never had one," Danika replied.

"Have you told your sister," Lexi asked.

"She'll figure it out," Danika said, "Auntie T told me what they are."

"Are you on any sort of birth control," Lexie asked.

"Eww no," Danika snapped.

"And I have to ask this are you sexually actively," Lexie asked.

"Never been kissed," Danika snapped.

"It's standard procedure," Lexie replied.

Lexie opened the door for Teddy to come back in.

"We're almost ready," Lexie said.

"I'll come to the OR and be in the gallery to make sure your ok," Teddy promised. She knew it was a minor procedure and an intern could do it but Mark had assured Teddy he would do it himself.

They gave Danika the medications to prep her for surgery and rolled the gurney to the OR.

"Altman want to scrub," Mark offered.

"I do," Teddy replied, "but I'll try to take over. I'm going to stay until she's under then be in the gallery."

"Do you spend all day in here," Danika asked teddy.

"Some days," Teddy replied, "I like it. Once they give you the medications I'm going to step out and be right up in that window there."

"Don't leave," Danika whined.

"I have to Dani," Teddy said, "I can't be in here when they operate on you. Dr Sloan is the best and I will be right there. I'll meet you in post op and be there when you wake up."

"Promise," Danika asked.

"I promise." Teddy replied.

"Okay Danika its time for you to take a nap," Warren said.

"No," Danika argued.

"Hold my hand," Teddy said taking Danika's hand.

"Count back from ten," Warren directed.

Danika counted back only getting to five.

"She's out," Teddy said, "I'll be in the gallery."

"Your daughter de Altman," Ben Warren asked.

"Half sister," Teddy replied, "our dad remarried when I was in my early 20s."

"Your dad is here with her then," Ben asked.

"No," Teddy replied, "dad passed 8 years ago now. I'm Danika's legal guardian and she lives with me. I'm her only relative."

"She trusts you," Ben observed, "have you had custody long?"

"The bevy of May," Teddy replied, "we emailed a few times a week when I was in the army. Dani knows I always come no matter how hard or how scary I will be there."

"Altman are you staying," Mark asked.

"Gallery then I'll sit in post op Mark she's scared," Teddy said.

"Altruist a routine planned procedure. I'd let Avery do this if it wasn't your sister," Mark replied.

"Let him," Teddy countered.

"Your okay with this," Mark asked.

"It's ear tubes and how we teach residents," Teddy replied, "have him observe one side and do the other."

Once teddy was seated in the gallery mark and Jackson placed the tubes in Danika's ears and sent her to post op.

"Teddy," Danika asked.

"Right here Danika," Teddy said squeezing her hands.

"Too loud," Danika whined.

"Sorry," Teddy whispered.

"Can we go home now," Danika asked.

"A couple hours," Teddy said, "Mark said it went really well. The tubes are in and he got the extra fluid out of your ears."

"It's loud." Danika whined.

"I'll see if we can move you to a room," Teddy said.

The nurses moved Danika to a room and Teddy grabbed Danika's chart to read marks surgical note. With Danika still sleeping off the effects of the medication Teddy read the chart, she wasn't surprised be Lexie's notes from earlier and made a mental note to talk to Danika about it soon. She knew 14 was on the older end but with the way Danika danced she wasn't surprised. She also realized Danika was small for her age. Teddy was hoping that five weeks of no dance would be good for the teen to relax and let her body rest.

"Dr Altman," Richard said from the door, "how's Danika?"

"Sleeping," Teddy said, "but it went well."

"Do you have a moment," Richard asked.

"I need to stay with her," Teddy said, "but you can have a seat."

Richard took the empty chair.

"Altman do you have support," Richard asked.

"What do you mean," Teddy asked.

"For you," Richard said, "a friend to talk to."

"Hunt," Teddy replied, "we've been close for a few years."

"If you ever need help driving or picking up Danika Adele has offered," Richard said.

"I'm still working some of that out," Teddy admitted, "we have a partial boarding option planned for when I'm on overnight but I do think she should be home."

"Adele and I have convinced her sister to take Patrick out of boarding to live with us. Adele will be picking him up and dropping off. Your on her way to the school she's happy to pick up or drop off Danika."

"I would appreciate it," Teddy said, "let me know if you ever need help driving Patrick."

"They seem to get along well," Richard observed.

"They do," Teddy said, "she likes going to hang out with him at your house."

"Patrick liked the night he had dinner at your house," Richard said, "is it just friendship?"

"She's just 14," Teddy said, "she's young and innocent."

"So is he," Richard said, "Adele hovers a bit at our house."

"I'm enforcing my moms no boys upstairs rule," Teddy said.

"Adele and I are the same," Richard said.

"Hunt is at my house a lot," Teddy said, "but I'm always home if hes there and I'm trying to have Danika only have friends over if I'm home for now. Until I get to know them and parents get to know me."

"Strict," Richard asked.

"She needs rules," Teddy said, "she's a good kid but I've seen so many young soldiers who were struggling because they never had guidance. I'm her sister not her parent but I have to be the parent."

"What is the age gap," Richard asked.

"23 years," Teddy said, "she could easily be my daughter. I was in med school when my dad and June had Danika."

"That must have been tough for you," Richard said.

"It was hard but I was in Texas then DC and Florida before going to Columbia," Teddy said, "so I didn't see a lot of Danika. I'm enjoying getting to know her."

"What I've seen of her she seems like a nice kid," Richard said, "her and Patrick get along well.l

"Chief it may be more than just friends," Teddy said, "but she's innocent and a child in so many ways."

"He's very young that school shelters them in some ways," Richard said, "do we agree only in public areas at home?"

"That's her only choice," Teddy said, "and we don't have the space you do so if they're in the living room I can hear them from the kitchen."

"Adele is usually around," Richard said, "and never in the pool if one of us isn't outside."

"She's a good swimmer," Teddy said, "better than I am."

"It's the liability," Richard said, "there's two groups of them in their grade a Patrick and Danika's group who are young and innocent and just want to hang out and a more wild group. There was some trouble with that group last year a few of the wild ones came in with alcohol poisoning."

"I'll talk to her about it," Teddy said, "thank you for checking on us."

"Let us know if you need anything," Richard said.

"We will," Teddy smiled, "I'm always happy to help with driving Patrick."

Richard left the room leaving Teddy sitting beside a sleeping Danika.

"Teddy," Danika croaked.

"Yes Dani," Teddy answered.

"I'm thirsty," Danika whined.

"I have some water," Teddy replied, "we're going to sit you up a bit first."

Teddy moved the bed to a seated position and handed Danika the glass of water.

"Why is everything so loud," Danika asked.

"Mark drained a lot of fluid from your ears that was muffling your hearing," Teddy explained, "he said the amount of fluid in your ears would have made it hard for you to hear. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't know," Danika said, "it's really loud."

"This is normal hospital volume," Teddy said.

"What is all that beeping," Danika asked.

"Monitors," Teddy replied, "we can probably unhook yours now."

"Can I go home," Danika asked.

"I'll page Mark and if he says okay we'll go home," Teddy agreed.

She paged Mark who came to look at Danika's ears.

"It looks good," Mark said, "follow up with me in two weeks. NSAIDs for pain if needed and don't get water in the ears. I've sent the form to audiology for custom molded ear plugs to be made. You have to wear them to swim."

"Really," Danika asked, "I'll look like a dork."

"Its that or ear infections," Mark said, "its a year. I'll follow up every couple months and see how it looks. Teddy any questions?"

"No," Teddy said, "I'll call if any come up but we're going to go home, curl up with our cat and a few movies."

"Just keep her quiet for a couple days," Mark said.

"Get dressed and we'll go home," Teddy told Danika, handing over the bag with Danika's clothes.

Danika walked to the bathroom to get dressed.

When they pulled in the driveway they saw Owen's truck.

"Why is Owen here," Danika asked.

"Dropping a couple things off," Teddy replied, "saying hi and leaving."

"What is he dropping off," Danika asked.

"A couple things I forgot at his place last weekend, and his mom made us dinner so I didn't have to worry about it tonight," Teddy said.

"Last weekend," Danika asked.

"When you spent the night at Jillian's I stayed at Owen's," Teddy said, "I will spend time with him. It's normal for him and I to spend the night together once in a while. We're both adults in our mid thirties. I will not have him spend the night when you're home or stay at his place if you're home. I won't leave the two of you alone until you are ready for me to. I'm not asking you to have a conversation with him right now just be polite."

"Is he having dinner with us," Danika asked.

"I told him not today," Teddy said, "he'll make sure we're okay then go."

"Pet Milly," Danika laughed, "he always plays with Milly."

"He does like your kitten," Teddy smiled.

Seeing them get out of the car Owen hopped out of his truck.

"How did it go," Owen asked.

"Mark did it, and it went as planned," Teddy replied.

"How are you doing Danika," Owen asked.

"I'm tired," Danika yawned.

"The anesthetic will do that," Owen chuckled, "I have dinner and cookies from my mom and I picked up a couple movies and some treats for you."

"You didn't have to do that," Teddy smiled as she unlocked the door.

"I wanted to," Owen said, "old disney ones I used to watch as a kid when I was sick."

"Can I have a nap," Danika asked.

"Just go lie down on the couch," Teddy said.

"Where's Milly," Danika asked.

"Your kitten will find you," Owen said.

Danika laid on the couch and was soon asleep.

"Coffee in the kitchen," Teddy offered.

"Are you sure," Owen asked.

"She's asleep," Teddy replied, "I've told her she won't be alone with you until she's ready and you won't stay over. But she knows you and I will spend time together."

"Is that okay," Owen asked.

"It's how it is," Teddy replied, "just like I'll only spend the night if she's at a sleepover or something like that. I know this isn't how you pictured things, or how I would have when we met."

"I understand Danika comes first," Owen said, "you want to set a good example."

"She knows I spent the night at your place," Teddy replied, "I won't lie to her. But she also knows that I'm 37 and that I need time with adults away from work. Owen I can't do this alone. I don't know how. I can operate under fire but figuring out how to raise Danika I don't know. There isn't a course on this Owen."

"I know Teddy," Owen said, "I will help however I can even if you just need someone to listen."

"What if I can't do this," Teddy asked.

"You can Teddy," Owen reassured, taking her hand across the table.

"The medical side," Teddy said, "but what about the mental?"

"You've always been there for me," Owen said, "you'll know how to be there for her. What can I do now?"

"I need a hug," Teddy admitted.

"Stand up," Owen commanded.

"Why," Teddy asked looking confused.

"Teddy just stand up," Owen commanded.

Teddy stayed in her chair with her head in her hands.

"Altman I said stand up," Owen commanded again.

"Why," Teddy questioned.

"Just do it," Owen said, "look at me."

Owen had both hands reaching towards her.

"You said you need a hug," Owen said, "come on."

Teddy stood and fell into his arms, he held her tight and rubbed her back.

"You're okay," Owen whispered, "you can do this."

"Teddy," Danika whined, "I don't feel good."

"I'm coming," Teddy said.

"Go," Owen whispered, "I'll stay here to help."

"I think I'm going to throw up," Danika whimpered.

"Bathroom," Teddy directed, "it's all part of the medications you had."

Teddy followed Danika to the washroom and held her hair back.

"Hunt," Teddy called, "can we get a glass of water and her toothbrush?"

"I'm on it," Owen said.

"He's here," Danika asked.

"I need his help," Teddy said, "I don't want to leave you alone so he can grab what we need."

Moments later a hand appeared with the toothbrush and a glass of water.

"Thank's" Teddy replied, "Danika, water and brush your teeth. You'll feel better."

Danika did what she was told, "can I just go to bed?"

"Do you want to take my laptop to watch a movie in your bed," Teddy offered.

"Can I," Danika asked.

"I'll bring it to you," Teddy said.

Once Danika was settled Teddy went back downstairs to sit with Owen on the couch.

"Thanks for staying," Teddy whispered.

"She's okay," Owen asked.

"Nothing unexpected," Teddy said, "I think she just wants to be alone. She's not used to having someone look after her. It's like this when she's tired or had a bad day. She can be whiny and clingy with me then push me away. The counselor says it's normal and she's testing boundaries and if I will come when she needs me."

"Counselor," Owen asked.

"She's seeing a grief counselor," Teddy replied, "I've had a couple meetings with the woman just for strategies to help."

"Good," Owen said.

"I'm checking all the boxes," Teddy said, "I need the social worker off my back."

"How much longer," Owen asked.

"Until Christmas time," Teddy replied, "home visits unannounced. Interviews with both of us, her medical records all of it."

"You're doing the right things," Owen said.

"Dani won't be pleased with the next thing I'm making her do," Teddy said, "again it's been neglected. The dentist says she needs braces. I'd like to do it sooner than later."

"Glasses and braces poor kid," Owen said.

"Contacts most days," Teddy said, "you see her at home and relaxed. It should be done. I'll let her not be mad at me about this first. I'm going back and fixing things that were neglected. Her ears should have been done when she was 9 or 10. If I had known I would have pushed to get it fixed."

"I know you would have," Owen said, "you're doing the right thing."

"But she doesn't like me for it," Teddy complained.

"Who has she called for all day," Owen asked.

"Me," Teddy said, "but she doesn't have a choice."

"There hasn't been one I want my mom," Owen said, "she calls for you and lets you be there."

"I felt like her mom waiting for her today," Teddy said.

"She'll be okay," Owen said, "so will you."

"I know," Teddy said leaning against Owen, "it's just hard."

Please Review

He wrapped his arms around her, "you can do it and I'm her with you."