Hello everybody,

I know, I am really irregular with posting my chapters. I had a huge period of exams at school, but now it's over and I'm ready to continue. This chapter isn't amazing but it took time to write it.

Hope you'll enjoy

clemhood1437

Answer to the reviews:

Patsy: So happy that you're still following the story, hope the following will last your expectations. Kisses


Chapter 15

Helena was casting a little boy's arm as Torres appeared in the pit, rushing over to her.

"I've been looking for you everywhere," she said plopping down on a chair next to the patient's bed.

"Sorry, I took a long break to visit a friend," the Shepherd girl apologize.

"Don't worry, there is not too much to do today," the ortho surgeon sais. "We can even go watch Addison's surgery later on if you'd like.

"I'd be glad to," she added smiling. "So young man," she said turning to her little patient," Next time you try to be more careful when you drive skateboard in the staircase of your house."

"Sure ma'am," the little boy said running over to his mother.

Helena watched him go smiling. Children could be such little sunshine.

"You do well with children," Torres said next to her.

"You think so?" the young doctor asked not very convincing. "I don't know if I am stable enough for that."

"What do you mean?" Callie asked surprised.

"There is this good friend of mine who asked me for this favor that I am probably not able to complete."

"Look, I'm pretty sure you'll make a great mother," the woman added.

Helena looked at her quite surprised.

"How do you know?" she asked.

"I've seen you with that little girl in the stairs, was right behind you," Callie chuckled. "A wheelchair race? Really?! Must've been really cool."

"It was," Helena said smiling brightly.


Helena was standing in the still empty gallery waiting for Addison's surgery. The first nurses were already readying the OR for the intervention. And what an intervention, an Ectopia Cordis. The babies heart is growing outside of its body, in utero. A complicated case that required a plastic surgeon, a cardio surgeon, and a neonatal surgeon, but also a handful of talented and skillful surgeon.

"I thought well to find you here," a voice said in her back.

Derek.

"What are you doing here?" she asked pretty annoyed, looking away from her brother.

"I'm watching the intervention, just like you."

"What do you want Derek?" she asked.

"Look Leny, I'm really sorry for what happened before. I'm sorry for having been so mad at you before," the neurosurgeon said plopping down on one of the chairs in the first row. "It's just that if I don't get even a little support of my own sister, then I really don't know."

He sighed deeply, running over his tired eyes with his hands.

"I really don't know what to do," he pursued.

Helena turned around, the arms folded over her chest.

"You think this is an easy situation for Meredith?! She really tries her best to get seriously involved with somebody and you just threw her away for an insignificant nurse," she said. "Women are complicated, you must know by the time and your experience."

She chuckled.

"What?" he wondered. "What is it you find so funny?"

"Nothing! Really, it's just that… you and Mark are really the same, you know," he added.

"What do you mean?" he asked puzzled.

"Both of you have a strange relationship with women. Look at you and Addison, and then him and Addison and now you and Mer."

The gallery slowly gets filled with the other surgeons and medical stuff interrupting the conversation between the two Shepherd. The intervention started without a problem.


Downside in the OR, Addison was chatting with her coworkers during the operation.

"So who's the new mystery woman that Derek's dating?" she asked cheerfully. "Who's the unlucky McRebound?" she chuckled.

Bailey threw her a side glance.

"What?" the red-haired exclaimed looking up to the gallery where Derek and Helena where watching. "Oh, is this whole "Mc" thing over now? Surely things haven't changed that much here?"

Bailey cleared her throat.

"Addison, the woman standing immediately to your right, the one handing you the surgical instruments..."

Addison looked to the stated direction. Rose was standing there.

"Hey!" she threw to the nurse.

"Hey!" the nurse added. "Six dates, heavy petting, lots of tongues. Good guy. Scalpel?" she asked.

Addison cleared her throat quite embarrassed.


"Awkward," Helena mumbled to her brother.


The intervention went further. It was now the point where the baby was about to be extracted.

"Go ahead," Addison directed to her team. "A little further. Good, keep him flat. Okay, got him. Karev?"

Alex carefully took the baby to the incubator for a check-up.

"Placenta looks good," the red-haired announced. "You're okay to close, Dr. Bailey?"

"Yep," the general resident called.

"Membrane's intact," Alex cleared from the other side of the room.

"Oh no! She's hemorrhaging," Bailey called as the machines started to beep rapidly. " This blood is moving a little to fast. I need another set of hands, here!"

Addison rushed over to the operation table.

"Her uterus isn't contracting," she noticed manipulating some tools. "Damn it!"


In the evening, Helena was standing in front of the bay window of the maternity ward, watching at the slew of newborn children in their cradle. They were all so sweet and still so innocent. All these children strangely reminded her of Abby, with the difference that most of them still had their parents alive and healthy. Since she first saw Anne again, her requirement runs in her head again and again in her head. Could she welcome that little girl in? Would she be able to raise a child alone? She didn't think so.

"They're super cute, aren't they?" a voice called in her back.

"Addison!" the woman sighed turning to face her friend. "Congratulation for the surgery. I'm glad it finally went well."

In fact, Addison managed to save the mother with the help of Bailey and Hahn, together with Alex and Mark managed to rebuild the skin flap around the baby's heart.

"The whole team has done a pretty great job," she said pulling off her cap. "Saving the baby was the most important part."

"Don't even try to denigrate your work Addy," Helena interrupted. "What you've done to save that woman was pretty impressive."

Both remained silent for a moment.

"I've heard about the story of your friend from Doctors Without Borders," the red-head suddenly said. "It's so sad."

"Yes, it is," the Shepherd girl sighed. "And guess what, she asked me to take care of her child after her death."

"What?! Do you mean like a godmother or something."

"No," Helena regained. "More like an adoptive mother or so!"

"Oh my god, honey!" Addison exclaimed. "It's so wonderful! You're gonna have a child!"

"I didn't give my answer yet," the Shepherd girl said leaning against the wall and slowly let herself slide to the cold floor. "I don't know if I am ready to take a child in. I'm kind of scared, Addy. Anne was there for me at a time where I really needed help and now I just feel useless 'cause I have this feeling I can't help her. But I don't want to disappoint her, you see?"

"I think you should open up to her and tell her about how you feel, she's a mother, she should understand that."

"You're probably right," the black-haired girl said standing up. "I should go tell her now! Thank you, Addy."

She kissed her friend on the cheek and went away!"

"You're welcome!"

And the Shepherd girl left. Addison glanced back at the babies.

"She's gonna be a wonderful surgeon," a voice said in her back.

The red-haired turned around to see Richard standing against the desk behind.

"You're surely right. She just has to choose a specialty yet. You'll have to watcher her when I'll be gone," the woman added.

"So you're sure about it?" the elder doctor asked folding the arms over his chest.

"I do miss some of this sometimes," Addison sighed looking back at the babies.

"You know I could put the paperwork through tonight, you could start work tomorrow," he added glancing down at her.

The woman let out a deep sigh.

"I needed to come back, to see that it was right to leave," she added smiling weakly. "You need to fill my position."

The chief looked away sighing. But somehow he knew she was right. He knew she wouldn't be coming back.


Helena was ready to go as her feets led her to Anne's room. She stood there, in the hallway for a few minutes, thinking about either going in or not. After some time, she took a deep breath and walked the few steps that separated her from her friend. As she walked in, the blond immediately looked up and a small smile appeared on her lips. Helena also immediately spotted Abby who was crouched on the armchairs, sleeping deeply.

"How do you feel?" the young doctor asked her friend.

Anne shook her head.

"Not better than before, but at least not worse," she said smiling weakly. "I'm just worried about her."

She said stretching out her pale arm to her daughter. Helena suddenly felt a strong sense of guilt came up. She felt bad for Anne, it was her fault that she was in that situation.

"Look, Helena, I understand that what I demand from you is really big but I just ask you to think about it," Anne said slowly, sitting up with difficulty. Helena sat down on one side of the bed and breath slowly.

"I thought about it, Anne. Really, I have," she added. "And...and… and I don't know what to say to you. I'm really sorry but I don't think I'll be able to take in your daughter."

Anne let herself fall back on her pillows, coughing loudly.

"Hey, hey, take it easy," the doctor said taking her hand. "Breath," she added calmly to her friend trying to calm her down. "Should I call the nurse for her to give you some more painkillers?"

"No, no please, Helena, it's fine," the blond said breathing heavily.

Helena kind of felt responsible for causing her friend that much pain.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" the black-haired woman asked.

"Yes, would you please call my sister?" Anne said sniffing loudly.

Helena noticed her eyes were filled with fat tears.

"Her number is in my handbag in the closet," the blond pursue. "She needs to get her before I die."

"Don't say that Anne," the Shepherd girl said. "You still have time."

"Don't do that Helena, please. You as a doctor should perfectly know that giving false hope to the patient is absolutely not correct."

Helena lowering her head.

"I'm sorry, it's just that I don't really know what else to do."

"Just call my sister please, the blond said turning her head away. "I'm tired I'd like to sleep now."

"Anne…," Helena tried.

"Leave," Anne concluded.

Helena stood slowly up, sighing. At the door, she stood still, looking back at her friend who was crying silently.

"I'm sorry," the black haired girl said before leaving the room with the head hanging low.


After having given a quick call to Lea, the older sister to Anne, who had been extremely saddened to learn about the bad health state of her sister, Helena quickly went changing in her normal clothes before joining the elevator. She had an appointment with James at Jo's bar in the evening and this time she would be on time. Although, she wasn't in the best mood right now. Her discussion with Anne remained in the back of her head. She felt so guilty for not helping her friend but she just wasn't able to do what Anne was waiting. The doors of the lift opened with the distinctive ding.

Derek was standing in the elevator.

"Hey you," he greeted her as she got in.

He immediately noticed that something was wrong.

"You're okay? Have you seen Anne?"

Helena nodded in the affirmative but remained silent.

"Wanna talk about it?" he asked looking with a caring glance down at her.

"No," she answered as the door opened for the second time.

Meredith came in, barely looking at Derek and walking straight to the back of the square room.

At the next level, Addison walked in, clicking on the lobby button. As the doors were about to close, Rose stepped in, holding the door. Derek looked up to trade a quick glance with Meredith who finds a sudden interest in her shoes. What an awkward situation. The tension was tangible.

At the first floor, the door opened again. Mark was standing there. As he saw the five, the plastic surgeon let out a playful chuckle.

"Ooh…," he said stepping in between Derek and Rose. "I bet you wish you'd taken the stairs right about now," he whispered.

Derek chuckled nervously. The plastic surgeon then stepped behind next to Helena.

"You're alright Froggy?" he asked throwing an arm around her shoulders.

She nodded without saying anything.


As the group entered the bar, Meredith directly went to the desk, where Cristina was already sitting. Derek and Rose isolate together in a corner and Addison joined Dr. Hahn and Callie at a table. Helena remained alone with Mark at the entrance.

"So, do you want a drink?" he asked smiling.

The little woman nodded but her face remained neutral.

"Come on Leny, cheer up," he friend said pulling her along with him to the desk.

But she wasn't in the mood for laughing and joking, the only thing she wanted to do was to drink as much as possible to forget her encounter with Anne as soon as possible.

"A double whiskey for me please, Jo," Mark ordered. "And..."

"A vodka for me please Jo. And you can leave the bottle here," she added.

The bartender threw her a weird glance and then to Mark, who also looked at the woman with surprise.

"Come on Jo," the Shepherd girl said putting a wad of banknotes on the desk.

Sighing, Jo put the whole bottle on the desk. Helena quickly fills up her glass and drank the shot quickly.

"Wow, slow down Froggy," her friend chuckled.

Both joined Abby, Hahn, and Callie who were talking actively.

"Any of you ladies want to dance," Mark asked.

"Ugh!" the red-haired sighed loudly. "For the thousandth time, the answer is no, Mark!"

"Beat it, Sloan," Hahn told.

"I'll dance with you," Torres said quickly standing up.

Both walked away as Helena sat down next to them.

"Dr. Shepherd," Hahn greeted her. "I'd be pleased to know more of the sister of the famous McDreamy."

"Do you plan to drink the whole?" Addison asked as the younger Shepherd put the bottle on the table and filled her glass again.

"Yep!" Helena answered swallowing another shot.

"I get the table with Anne didn't go well," the red-haired added.

"Nope, but let's not talk about it now okay?" the black-haired girl said filling up her glass another time.

The three woman remained silent for a moment. Hahn look was focused on Callie who was dancing stuck and tight with Mark.

"She's pretty, huh?" Addison teased.

"She's beautiful," the head of cardio nodded.

"OMG, you're totally into her!" exclaimed owning the looks of a few people sitting around them.

But Hahn didn't object. She even looked a little disappointed as Callie took Mark to the bathroom to do God knows what.

At this moment, the tinkling of the small bell at the entrance be heard and James entered the crowded place.

"There he is!" Helena said loudly waving over the crowd.

"He's pretty handsome, honey," Addison whistle. "Nice pick!"

The black haired girl smiled brightly as he stepped closer.

"Hey, hunk!" Helena said throwing her arms around his neck.

Surprised, James softly hugged her back. Addison, who was still sitting on her chair right behind, spoke up.

"You must be the famous James I heard so much about. I'm Addison, her friend from Los Angeles, she is more than just tipsy like you can see and you should probably take her back home."

"You're probably right," the man said looking down to the small woman who was still in his arms. "Come on princess, let's get you home," he said picking her up from the ground and caring her bridal style to the door.

"Is she okay?" Derek asked coming nearer with a glass of whiskey in the hand.

Addison looked up to her former husband.

"She had a long day, so James took her back to his apartment," she said, standing up from her stool and paid her order.

"Take care of her okay?" the woman said turning back to Derek.

"So you won't stay?" he asked. "You go back to LA?"

"Yep, it felt like the right thing to do."


Meredith was sitting at the bar, alone. Cristina had gone home, tired and angry at Hahn. She spotted Addison standing up.

"You're leaving already?" she asked.

"I have a plane to catch," she said putting on her coat.

She was ready to leave but suddenly decided to move back.

"I walk on the beach now. I buy aromatherapy candles. I'm very Zen," the red-haired said to Meredith calmly. "But I want to kick your ass so bad right now, it's killing me."

"Excuse me?" the younger woman asked astonished.

"I'm talking about Derek," Addy continued. "Derek Christopher Shepherd. Are you letting him get away? Because I swear to God, Meredith. If you let him ride off into the sunset with that doe-eyed little thing."

And she turned around. Meredith sat back alone at the bar with her tequila. Maybe Addison was right. Maybe she shouldn't let Derek get away. She glanced at the corner of the room where he and Rose were coiled in each other's arms. The jealousy in her veins makes her blood boil. It should be her. She should be the one with him.