Tuesday morning Teddy was getting organized for the day when Mark approached.

"Teddy, how was your weekend," Mark asked.

"Fine," Teddy replied, a little confused why Mark was suddenly paying attention to her, "how was yours?"

"Good," Mark said, "do you have plans tonight?"

"Taking Danika for a pointe shoe fitting. Make her stop dancing for five weeks and she grows," Teddy replied, "she goes back to school next week so we're getting organized."

"What about the weekend." Mark asked.

Teddy realized he was trying to ask her out but her and Owen were trying to keep it low key and professional until she got her permanent contract. She was meeting with Derek later and hoping it was her contract.

"Camping with Danika and a friend," Teddy replied.

"Adult friend or two teenagers," Mark asked.

"Hunt," Teddy replied.

"Do you want to get drinks sometime this week," Mark asked.

"I'm flattered but I'm with Owen," Teddy said, "we've known each other a long time."

"I'm disappointed," Mark said.

"My life is complicated in ways only Owen understands," Teddy said, "it's not just my sister."

"The army," Mark guessed.

"Part of it," Teddy agreed, "I don't talk about it. Right now my focus outside of work is getting Danika to a good place."

"How are her ears," Mark asked.

"She hasn't complained," Teddy said, "we come Thursday for a follow up. The ear plugs to swim are a fight. But she's been swimming at the Webber's she's good friends with Patrick. Webber and Adele remind her to wear them."

"Patrick is Webber's nephew," Mark confirmed.

"Yes," Teddy said, "he goes to school with Danika. There's a group of six of them four girls and two boys."

"Only six in her class, is a small fancy private school," Mark asked.

"Ballet school," Teddy replied, "there's 24 of them total in her grade. I think it grows now for high school. I'm not sure about 4 hours a day in the studio but she's happy. And it's good for her to move like that."

"Ballet," Mark asked.

"The discipline and work ethic are good for her. The training is good for her to learn how to work like that and understand her body," Teddy said, "they train the kids carefully and there's cross training. I have my eye on it and will take injuries to Torres if needed. So far it's only bumps and bruises."

"Where's her parents," Mark asked.

"Descased," Teddy answered, "our dad almost 8 years ago and her mom in May. I have patients."

Teddy turned and walked away, how could Mark go from clearly hitting on her and asking her out to prying into her personal life.

"You okay," Owen asked when she ran to a trauma page.

"Mark Sloan asked me out," Teddy replied, "then when I turned him down asked why I'm taking care of Danika."

"How is she after that text," Owen asked.

"We still have to talk about it," Teddy said, "but she's been hiding in her room with a book and the cat or at her desk with her paints or a notebook. I still have her computer."

"Why do you have her computer," Owen asked.

"Instant messaging friends at two AM when she should be asleep," Teddy replied, "no computer for another week. I took it for two. And no phone in her room at night. She's mad that I have mine on the nightstand for work but hers gets plugged in in the kitchen, she doesn't need it at night. I would love to leave mine down stairs but I don't want them calling the house for calls in the middle of the night."

"When does she get her computer back," Owen asked.

"When she goes back to school. It's still not allowed in her bedroom," Teddy declared, "I hate being the parent sometimes. I actually bought a book on raising a teenager. They have hundreds of so called mommy blogs about different philosophies and ways to raise your kid. I have to pick a philosophy. Because be a good person doesn't cut it."

"What are you doing then," Owen asked.

"Be a good person," Teddy said, "she's still hiding something from me."

"What she said the other night," Owen said.

"There's no way she's my daughter. Owen I might not be good at this raising a teenager thing but I would never walk away from my kid. I'm starting to wonder if this camping trip is a good idea," Teddy said.

"What part of it," Owen asked.

"Taking her out of Seattle, she barely trusts me and doesn't trust you," Teddy said, "but I want her to have normal experiences."

"What was she doing today," Owen asked.

"The chores she refused to do yesterday," Teddy replied, "finishing the summer reading list then maybe going to Emilias if Emilia's mom would pick her up."

"Dinner," Owen asked.

"Pointe shoe fitting at 5:30," Teddy replied, "she's grown over the summer. I have to get dance clothes tonight with her shoes and school uniforms this week. I like the school uniform."

"She has a uniform," Owen asked.

"Skirt, white blouse and cardigan," Teddy said, "knee socks or dance tights and black shoes. We need royal blue leotards this year. I might just get six so I don't have to do laundry mid week."

"You do her laundry," Owen asked.

"Some," Teddy said, "things she can't be a teenager and throw in the dryer. Why is this so hard Owen?"

"Because in four and a half months you've left the army, moved across the country, adopted your sister for lack of a better word, bought a house and a car, started a new job, a new relationship and got a car," Owen said.

"You're the only familiar thing," Teddy acknowledged.

"You can do this Teddy," Owen assured.

Teddy turned her attention back to the patient, "let's get him up to the OR."

After her surgery and afternoon rounds Teddy drove home to change before taking Danika for pointe shoes.

"You do your fitting I'll find the rest of your uniforms," Teddy said as they walked into the dancewear shop attached to the school.

"Just the blue leotards I only need two," Danika said.

"Doing it my way," Teddy reminded, "your school skirts are too short. Your shirts and sweaters are worn and your blazer is too small. It's messy and disrespectful. We will get uniforms for classes and dance that are in good shape and fit you."

"Richard ," Teddy greeted, seeing Richard walk in with Patrick.

"Back to school shopping," Richard asked.

"We are," Teddy said, "you?"

"Dance and school uniforms," Richard agreed.

"Add pointe shoes," Teddy said, "give her five weeks off and she grew almost an inch this summer."

"Patrick grew a couple," Richard said, "luckily Adele can get his black pants a couple places. We deal with it for his parents because he's here. Amd we see what he needs."

"We need the plaid skirts," Teddy said, "I'm thinking five so we don't worry about laundry."

"Patrick has five or six uniforms," Richard said, "but it's black pants and a white shirt. He only needs the blazer and sweaters."

"White shirts we don't have to get here," Teddy said, "the uniform is easy in the morning."

"It makes getting Patrick out the door easier for Adele," Richard commented.

"I like having a uniform," Teddy said, "I wear scrubs unless I absolutely can't."

"Dr Altman," the woman running the uniform shop said, "what does Danika need?"

"Everything," Teddy replied, "nothing she has fits properly."

"Her file indicates uniforms haven't been bought in three years," the woman said, "I'll need to measure her."

"My last visit I updated a few things that were too small," Teddy said shaking her head. Would the neglect she was uncovering never end. Tomorrow they had to go to the optometrist because no one knew the last time her eyes were checked. June had been ordering Danika's contacts somehow without an eye exam. Now Teddy wanted a full exam and new glasses. She didn't care about doing the health stuff like glasses and braces insurance would cover it.

"She's turning me into one of those girls with the perfectly pressed uniform," Danika complained to Patrick.

"Uncle Richard is two," Patrick replied, "it's like they have something to prove."

"She does," Danika said, "we have a social worker check in randomly. She's making me go to the eye doctor tomorrow and get braces."

"Braces aren't bad," Patrick said, "I have them."

"But they're not cool," Danika complained, "the ear thing, glasses and braces come on."

They finished their shopping trip and went home.

"It's getting late to cook," Teddy said, "you okay with grabbing sushi on the way home?"

"We always get sushi," Danika argued.

"What do you want," Teddy asked.

"Chinese," Danika said.

"We can do that," Teddy agreed, "can you call so I can drive? Just do our usual order."

"Okay," Danika replied.

They picked up their dinner and went home sitting at the kitchen table to eat. When she had lived alone Teddy had often eaten in front of the TV but with Danika they ate at the table or kitchen island with the TV off.

"Teddy," Danika started, "I know you said your not my mom but I can't get the idea out of my head."

"I'll get the photos after dinner," Teddy said, "I am 100% sure you are my sister. Do you want to do the test?"

"How do the tests work," Danika asked.

"I would take a q-tip and swab the inside of your cheek, put it in a test tube and do the same for my own. We send it to a lab and in a couple weeks they mail the results," Teddy replied, "easy, painless. Do you want to do it? We have the stuff to take the samples at work."

"Can we," Danika asked, "I need proof."

"I'll get the stuff from the lab tomorrow," Teddy said, "why don't you believe me?"

"I don't know who to trust," Danika admitted, "I want to trust you but in the last couple months you've changed everything."

"We've had a lot of changes," Teddy said.

"But you make the decisions," Danika said, "and tell me."

"What decisions," Teddy asked.

"My phone stays in the kitchen at night but you get to take yours upstairs," Danika said, "my ears, braces, you send me to bed at 9:30 but stay up late. I hear you on the phone."

"You're 14," Teddy said, "sometimes I have to act more like your parent. We tried your phone in your room and you were texting all night and didn't sleep. That's not okay, you need to sleep."

"But you don't," Danika countered.

"Yes I often talk to Owen after you go to bed," Teddy admitted, "that's our time in the day to connect if he's not in the OR or with patients. I made the choice to talk to him after you go to bed because I want to spend the time with you after dinner and be able to help with homework."

"I can do my own homework," Danika said.

"I'll still supervise," Teddy said.

"I've done it on my own since I was 9," Danika countered.

"And we're going to get your grades up," Teddy replied, "which means sitting here or at your desk and doing it and I'm going to check over your math."

"Mom didn't care as long as I was out of her way," Danika yelled, "you don't need to bother."

"I do care," Teddy said, "your school work has to be well done. I care more about your academic classes then your dance ones. Dani I know you miss your mom and I'm not your mom. I'm not trying to be your mom. I'm not a mom, I know that. I'm doing the best that I can, we're figuring this out together. It will be easier next week when we get into your school routine. I've changed my OR schedule to match your school one."

"Why would you do that," Danika asked.

"Because I want to be home with you when I can," Teddy said.

"I'm okay on my own," Danika said, "I've been fine on my own before. I've done overnight on my own before."

"When did you do that," Teddy asked.

"Christmas," Danika said, "two nights. I'm okay."

"No your not," Teddy said, "we are using partial boarding when I have to work overnight but most nights your home with me."

"You don't have to do this," Danika said, "you could have just flown out here changed the paper work at school and gone back to where ever."

"No I couldn't," Teddy said, "I had been fighting with June to see you for two years. When I came back I was figuring out how I could legally force it. You called on Friday and I was meeting a lawyer the Monday about it."

"Why," Danika asked.

"Because I missed you," Teddy replied, "I went back to New York because I knew people there. I was going to invite you to come spend time with me over the summer. Fly to New York then spend a week or two."

"Do you miss New York," Danika asked.

"Not really," Teddy said.

"Why didn't my mom want me," Danika asked.

"I don't know," Teddy said, "her and I never got along. When I visited I focused on you and dad. That's one reason dad would go see me and usually brought you if he could. You were only about eighteen months and dad brought you to see me at med school. I used you as a test patient for my peds class. You kept trying to hide behind me in the lab."

"Why didn't mom want me around," Danika asked.

"I have a theory but I'm not sure," Teddy said.

"What's your theory," Danika asked.

"I don't think she ever got over dad's death," Teddy said, "and you were a daily reminder of what she had lost. And we've talked about the drugs I found. Dani I think she was an addict from the amounts she had and them being from a few different doctors. I asked for the results of her tox screen, the test for drugs, after she passed and the levels of narcotics in her system were beyond anything I've seen or heard of."

"Did she even want me as a baby," Danika asked.

"I wasn't around enough to know," Teddy replied, "I think she did. I remember them being excited when I went to visit and they told me you were coming. We were all excited. I was finally getting a little sibling."

"Did dad want me," Danika asked.

"Dad loved you," Teddy said, "you were so young when he got sick. You don't remember much do you."

"Not really," Danika said, "he used to read to me at bedtime and tuck me in."

"He always did," Teddy replied, "he did with me as well. I used to call a couple times a week to talk to dad after you went to bed. Half the time I'd call and have to wait for him to finish your second or third story. June would put the phone beside him so I could hear the story and say good night to you."

"I remember that," Danika smiled.

"Are you finished eating," Teddy asked.

"Yes," Danika replied.

"You put the dishes away I'm going to get the photo albums I wanted to show you and rinse the plates please," Teddy directed.

Teddy walked to grab the albums she had found in the apartment both Junes and her own that she had put in storage when she joined the army. She put them on the kitchen table and opened to a picture she knew she wanted in her own album.

"Danika come look at this," Teddy said, pointing to the photo.

"It's you and dad and my mom," Danika said.

"What else do you notice," Teddy asked.

"The date is a month before I was born," Danika said.

"Look at your mom," Teddy pointed.

"She's pregnant," Danika said.

"Look at me," Teddy said.

"You look like you," Danika said, "your hair is longer."

"It was then," Teddy agreed, "looking at this how could your mom not be your mom?"

"Photoshop," Danika said.

"This is before photoshop," Teddy said, "this was taken with a film camera."

"How do you know," Danika asked.

"Look," Teddy said, pulling it out and showing Danika the dates on the back and the marks from the photo lab.

"Why would Emilia say that," Danika asked.

"Because it happens in books and movies," Teddy replied.

"Why did you drop everything to come here," Danika said.

"I didn't," Teddy said, "I was out of the army a month, still looking for a job, living in a friend's guest room. This was new and exciting."

"You didn't want me but you had to," Danika said.

"I was surprised but when you called and told me I knew I had to get to you," Teddy said.

"I still miss my mom," Danika said.

"I miss mine two," Teddy said, "what do you miss?"

"I don't know," Danika said, "I haven't really lived with her for years. I guess knowing she's there. That someone out there will notice if I'm gone."

"Dani," Teddy sighed, "I love you and I will always be there. I used to look forward to getting your emails. I worried about you the weeks I didn't get them."

"Really," Danika asked.

"I thought something had happened when there wasn't an email for a week," Teddy said.

"I didn't have anything to say," Danika replied.

"Hi Teddy I'm okay not much going on this week," Teddy said.

"My mom said not to bug you," Danika replied.

"I looked forward to your letters and emails," Teddy smiled, "I always looked for yours first when I logged in."

"If my mom didn't want me around why do you," Danika asked.

"Because you're you," Teddy countered.

"Did you have a choice," Danika asked.

"I did," Teddy admitted, "but that wasn't the question you wanted to ask is it?"

Danika shrugged.

"You wanted to ask if this is permanent," Teddy said.

Danika shrugged again.

"I signed a five year contract with Seattle Grace today," Teddy said, "this is our home. We are here, this is home."

"But in 5 years," Danika asked.

"If I'm still happy I renegotiate or I look at other local hospitals," Teddy replied, "you'll be 19 so in college or dancing."

"Only planning until I'm out of school," Danika asked, "Take a five year break then go back to your real life."

"Five year contracts are standard," Teddy replied, "it's the longest one I've signed."

"Would you have come seen me if my mom hadn't died," Danika asked.

"I was prepared to fight her legally to see you," Teddy replied, "I was meeting with a lawyer to see what could be done. I had a trump card I was prepared to play."

"What was it," Danika asked.

"I wasn't going to authorize the next year's tuition from your trust until I saw you in person," Teddy replied, "I was talking to a friend of my moms that she worked with. My mom was a lawyer."

"Does she know you're here," Danika asked.

"Yes," Teddy replied, "dad had Vivian set up the trust and all the documents that mean I have final say until you're 21. She knows I'm here and that I have physical and legal custody."

"What does that mean," Danika asked.

"Legally I'm responsible for you," Teddy said, "your well-being, actions, education, that you have everything you need until your 18."

"Then why is Mr Paton around," Danika asked.

"It's his job to make sure we're okay," Teddy explained, "he's doing what he needs to."

"But he showed up after dinner the day after had tubes in my ears," Danika complained.

"That was bad timing," Teddy agreed.

"Was he mad at you," Danika asked.

"Not when I explained what had happened and called Dr Sloan to talk to him," Teddy replied.

"Do you have one of the light blue doctors," Danika asked.

"Christina Yang is my resident," Teddy replied.

"Is she nice," Danika asked.

"Good doctor, were working on being a human," Teddy replied, "that's why we had Lexie Grey work with you."

"She asked me three weird questions," Danika said.

"I have to ask any woman over 12 those questions. Were you honest with her," Teddy asked.

"I was," Danika replied.

"Good," Teddy replied, "and if you ever have any questions about any of that you can come to me."

"I guess," Danika said.

"I know you don't want to talk about it but I would rather you come to me and I give you the correct

Teddy's phone rang.

"Yang this better be good," Teddy snapped.

"Penetrating chest wound with the fish hook in the chest," Christina replied.

"It's a fish hook," Teddy barked, "figure it out."

"Hunt told me to call you," Christina snapped.

"Pass me to Hunt," Teddy demanded.

"Teddy," Owen said, "this isn't a fish hook, it's what you would use to catch jaws through the whole chest cavity."

"Danika," Teddy said.

"Kepner and little Grey," Owen replied.

"I guess. We'll be there in 20," Teddy replied.

"What's going on," Danika asked.

"I have to go to work for a trauma. I'm The only one that can fix this. Put yoga pants on and your sneakers you have to come," Teddy commanded.

"But it's late," Danika said.

"In the office closet there's a blue backpack go get it," Teddy said, "you'll want it. And glasses not contacts I don't know how long we'll be."

"What am Ii doing," Danika asked.

"I'll explain in the car," Teddy replied, "you have five minutes go now."

In the car Teddy explained, "you have to be faster next time. When I get called like that we have to go now. Those calls mean someone dies if I'm not there."

"Really," Danika asked.

"Really," Teddy replied, "Owen wouldn't have had me called in unless he knew it had to be me to fix it."

"What am I doing," Danika asked.

"Dr Grey from your surgery is meeting us," Teddy said, "she'll show you where to hang out. There's some snacks in your bag and money in the front pocket. You have pajamas and a toothbrush, a new book, sketchbook, pencil and pencil crayons."

"When did you do this," Danika asked.

"Before moving day," Teddy replied, "I'm Surprised we haven't needed it yet."

Reaching the hospital Teddy ran for the OR as Lexi met Danika.

"What do you want to do Danika," Lexie asked.

"Do I have choices," Danika asked.

"I want to watch from the gallery and you can come with me or I can find you a spot somewhere quiet," Lexie said.

"Can I watch? I want to see what she does," Danika said.

"Come on," Lexie said, "do you want coffee?"

"Teddy doesn't let me have coffee after dinner ," Danika said, "but I used to get it at school."

"Hot chocolate," Lexie offered.

"Yes please," Danika replied.

"So you live with your sister," Lexie asked, "I live with mine two."

"Is yours like 20 years older," Danika asked.

"She's 7 years older," Lexie replied, "Meredith, that's her coming this way."

"Babysitting," Meredith asked.

"This is Altman's sister Danika," Lexi introduced, "and my sister Meredith. I'm bringing her to the gallery."

"I'm scrubbing in on shark bait," Meredith said.

"Shark bait," Danika asked.

"Teddy is taking the fish hook out," Lexi explained, "they'll call her dr Altman. Unless it's dr Hunt who calls her Altman or Teddy."

Lexi grabbed hot chocolate and led Danika to the gallery.

"Hi dr Webber," Danika greeted.

"Danika," Richard looked surprised.

"Teddy got called in," Danika explained.

"Do you want me to point out who's who," Richard offered.

"Teddy had birds on her hat," Danika said.

"Yes she's on the left there closer to the man's head," Richard pointed, "she's the lead surgeon everyone will do what she says. Owen Hunt who I think you know is in the green cap on the right he's her first assist. They are an incredible team."

"He's okay," Danika said, "he's around a lot."

"Are they a couple," Meredith asked.

"Yes," Danika replied, not knowing Teddy and Owen were down playing their relationship.

"GI joe and desert storm Barbie," Alex sneered, "isn't she raising her so called sister."

"Alex," Lexie yelled, "this is dr Altman's sister Danika."

"Sister," Alex asked.

"Sister," Danika replied.

"Karev," Richard warned.

"Teddy look in the gallery," Owen said.

"Concentrating here Hunt," Teddy replied.

"Teddy," Owen said, "look up for two seconds."

Teddy glanced up, "Danika in the gallery?"

"Webber's been pointing things out to her," Owen said.

"Fourteen," Teddy said, "it's young."

"Let her watch. Which resident is babysitting," Owen asked.

"Little Grey," Teddy said, "she was good with Danika surgery day."

"Babysitter everytime this happens," Owen asked.

"No need," Meredith said from her side of the table, "let her get to know the place, show her which on call room to nap in and she'll be fine. I did it with my mom. At 14 she would have left me at home."

"Too young," Teddy said, "I'm not leaving her overnight."

"You sound like a mom," Christina teased.

"Concerned big sister," Teddy said, "she's not used to being alone and isn't in bed when I come in really late. She'll be on the couch watching tv. This could be all night she was emotional today."

"She's okay," Owen asked.

"Still the mom thing," Teddy said, "June wasn't much of a mom. She wants proof I'm her sister. We'll do the DNA test. I'll swab her cheek before we go home. I showed her pictures of her mom and I weeks before she was born. She's still feeling alone."

"It's hard when you lose parents," Christina said.

"I just need to reassure her and keep telling and showing her she's important and that I'm here," Teddy said.

"So camping," Owen said.

"That's still a go," Teddy said.

"All the camping treats," Owen said.

"Maybe," Teddy said, "she's not a sugar fan. Ice cream."

"It's a beach," Owen said, "I'm bribing your sister with ice cream."

"She's still struggling," Teddy said, "she questions who loves her and if I really want her or if I just had to be here."

"Just tell her the truth," Owen said.

"I am, I've told her many times I want to be here and I love her" Teddy said, "but is this okay for her."

"She's in the gallery," Owen said, "talking to little Grey. Richard is there."

"Good Webber knows her," Teddy said, "Danika hangs out with his nephew that lives with Richard and Adele."

"I saw them at the bbq," Derek commented.

"Danika and Patrick are good friends," Teddy said, "they go to school together."

"I saw them dancing," Derek commented.

"They dance four hours a day," Teddy commented, "they train hard."

"Where do they do that," Derek asked.

Teddy answered, "Parkridge Ballet Conservatory it's a private ballet school with a good academic program. She likes it and I'm happy with the academic program. She has long days 8am to 6:30pm so it's good for my schedule. Day students can be dropped off at 7:30 so we do that so I make it for 8am rounds."

They scrubbed out after midnight.

"Little Grey, where's my sister," Teddy asked.

"On Call Room 5," Lexie replied, "the one with the one set of bunks. I put a sign on the door saying there's a sleeping minor and only you were to wake her."

"Thank you," Teddy replied, "let me talk to the family with Owen then I'll go see her. Thanks for looking out for her Lexie."

"She's a nice girl," Lexie said.

"She is," Teddy smiled.

Teddy walked to meet the family and told them the good news before slipping into the oncall room she saw Danika was in her kitten pajamas that had been in her bag.

"Dani," Teddy whispered sitting on the side of the bed, "it's Teddy."

"Teddy," Danika moaned.

"Hi sweetheart," Teddy said, "it's about 2am. I'm exhausted. I stopped in the locker room and quickly brushed my teeth. We're both going to sleep here. It wouldn't be same for me to drive right now."

"Here," Danika asked.

"Yes," Teddy replied, "I wanted you to know I was here. Go back to sleep. I'm going to be on the top bunk."

"Did you leave the sign," Danika asked.

"I took it down because I'm here but I locked the door," Teddy said.

"No strangers," Danika said.

"No strangers," Teddy assured, "go back to sleep."

"No Owen," Nikki asked.

"He's gone to another surgery," Teddy said, "just us now. Go back to sleep Dani."

"Good night," Danika whispered.

Teddy slipped off her shoes.

"Good night," Teddy smiled in the darkness, she brushed Danika's hair away from her face and kissed her baby sister's forehead.

"You do love me," Danika mumbled.

"I do," Teddy yawned, "it's time for both of us to sleep."

"Love you," Danika yawned.

"I love you too," Teddy replied, climbing into the top bunk. It had been a long and challenging day but she had gotten through it. They had made what felt like a breakthrough after dinner. Danika asked questions, real questions. Teddy noticed the teenager was wondering if she was loved or if people wanted her. She knew it would take a long time to build that relationship with her sister but she was ready to fight for Danika and to be the person her sister trusted.

Please review.