Chapter 10: The Ex
SCENE: ANDREW AND AMBERS BEDROOM
(Andrew and Amber are in bed wrapped in a blanket naked and kissing with Andrew on top of Amber)
Andrew: (Pulls back) Okay let's go.
Amber: (Pulls him back) Nope come back.
(Andrew chuckles as Amber pulls him back for another kiss)
Andrew: (Moans as he kisses her) You are going to make us late.
Amber: I don't care now stay.
Andrew: (Kisses her) You forgot what day it is didn't you?
Amber: (Sighs and pulls back) I've forgotten my name by now Andrew so your gonna have to help me.
Andrew: Well Amber today is the day that Dr. Avery does his second laryngeal transplantation on a patient from New York with stage four hypopharyngeal cancer.
(Amber's eyes widen in shock before grabbing her phone to check the date)
Amber: That's today?!
Andrew: Yeah, he's holding a surgical contest down at the lab to see which resident scrubs in but if you want to-
Amber: (Excited) You brew the coffee and I'll get ready. I can't believe this!
(Amber gets out of bed naked and heads to the shower leaving Andrew behind)
Andrew: Okay, I guess I'll do that then!
(Andrew gets out of bed)
LATER AT THE LOBBY
(Jackson waits by the desk for the resident from New York. A Latina woman in teal scrubs and lab coat comes in)
Woman: Dr. Avery? I'm Dr. Ximena Rojas, I'm the fourth year from Langone who arrived with Lucas Blair.
Jackson: (Shakes her hand) Yes, that's right Dr. Jackson Avery, welcome to Grey Sloan. I trust that your flight went smoothly. How's the patient? Is he here?
Ximena: Patient is stable, we did a nasendoscopy the day before bringing him here the cancer has not progressed beyond what his last scans indicated. He's arriving with his parents as we speak.
Jackson: Okay good, we have our donor in the CCU he's being prepped for the transplant right now, family is willing to donate. Now all we need is to find another resident to participate in this groundbreaking surgery. Would you care to accompany me? See if they're as competent as us?
Ximena: (Grins) Sure nothing preps me for surgery like making other residents cry.
(Amber and Andrew walk inside the lobby discussing what couch to get)
Andrew: We can go with leather.
Amber: Your couch is leather and it is uncomfortable as hell I say go with velvet it's soft and plush.
Andrew: Yeah, but isn't there a thing as too much-
Amber: (Spots Ximena) X? Is that you?!
(Ximena turns around and recognizes Amber leaving Andrew confused)
Ximena: Oh my god! Amber Karev?!
(The two women laugh and hug each other with Andrew and Jackson looking at each other confused)
CUT TO BLACK
SCENE: THE LOBBY
(Amber and Ximena sit next to each other in the armchairs with Andrew and Jackson sitting across from them)
Amber: (Surprised) I can't believe you're here; I mean I knew that the resident and patient were from NYU but I didn't think…
Ximena: (Smiles) Yeah, I tried to DM you on Insta but you never responded.
Amber: Oh well that explains it I don't have much of a social life in and outside my phone since I started here.
(They chuckle and Andrew clears his throat to signal that he was there)
Amber: (Remembers) Oh sorry um Andrew DeLuca this is Ximena Rojas but you can call her X. X this is my boyfriend, Andrew.
Ximena: Boyfriend? Wow I didn't know you can use that word the boyfriend part not just the boy. Hi.
Andrew: Hey, so uh how do you two know each other?
Amber: We went to NYU med; she was like two years ahead of me but we had the same Histology class and we were inseparable until I moved to Seattle.
Ximena: Yeah, I got to say you've really stepped up this city is a lot cleaner than NYC and the people have slightly better attitudes.
Jackson: That's nice okay we'll I'm gonna head to the lab and get everything prepped I trust I will see all three of you there within the hour.
Andrew: Yep.
Amber: I wouldn't miss it even if I was killed.
(Jackson leaves the three of them)
Amber: I still can't believe it; I mean what are the odds?
Ximena: Well, I thought the same when I was assigned to this surgery. Are you two competing?
Andrew: Yeah, I mean this surgery has only been performed twice in the whole world.
Ximena: Are you a plastics guy?
Andrew: No, I'm gonna be a general surgeon.
Ximena: (Gives a look) Huh.
Andrew: (Confused) What do you mean huh?
Ximena: Nothing, I think general is great it's just not a useful skillset in this type of surgery. I mean kidneys are great it's just the throat is a little more delicate and requires steady hands.
Amber: (Nervous) Uh well Andrew is an amazing surgeon, you should see his anastomosis, it's like he knows microsurgery like the back of his hand.
Andrew: (Cocky) Yeah, I mean even Dr. Avery says he's impressed with my suture technique so…I think I got the delicate part down.
Ximena: (Grins) I should hope so because a surgery like this gets you favorite points on your boards. What year are you?
Andrew: Fifth and I'm the chief resident.
Amber: (Blurts out) Well, you weren't the first choice. Did I say that out loud?
Andrew: (Shakes it off) So you guys are good friends?
Amber: Yeah, we did practically everything together.
Ximena: (Chuckles knowingly) Todo, incluye mucho el uno al otro.
(Andrew can translate what she said and grins awkwardly as he knows what Amber and Ximena's history is now. Amber purses her lips as she understands too)
Amber: Did I mention that Andrew is Italian?
Ximena: (Wide eyes) What?
Amber: Yeah, he's fluent in both English and Italian.
Ximena: (Understands) So you could-
Andrew: Yep, Spanish and Italian are relatively the same so yeah.
Ximena: (Awkward) Oh…I'm gonna go help Avery now, it was nice to meet you nice seeing you, Amber.
(Ximena leaves them in the awkward scene)
LATER IN THE RESIDENTS LOUNGE
(Amber and Andrew get ready for the lab)
Amber: Okay I know that was a surprise to you and I didn't expect her to just blurt it out like that but-
Andrew: (Normal) It's fine, I'm okay with it Amber.
Amber: (Confused) Are you sure? Because you acted like you were hit with an anvil at that lobby.
Andrew: I mean yeah, I was surprised but I know that you have a past same as me and I was surprised to see it in the lobby but…I'm okay with it now. Unless you don't want me to be.
Amber: No, no I am glad that your shockingly mature about this whole thing and I uh I hope it doesn't get awkward in there if…either of us are picked.
Andrew: Why would it be awkward? Come on its gonna start soon.
Amber: Um you go ahead I'll catch up.
(Andrew leaves with the rest while Amber is left alone in the lounge)
CUT TO CARDIO
(Amber anxiously approaches Maggie by the station ready to help)
Amber: Hey, do you have any cases I can help with? Or any post ops I can check?
Maggie: (Confused) Um no I'm pretty good here without my resident who should be downstairs competing with the other residents for a chance to scrub in on a throat transplant.
Amber: Yeah, I decided to skip it. Hey, I see you have a coronary bypass later I could-
Maggie: Whoa, whoa, you're skipping out on a throat transplant? Why on earth would you do that?
Amber: (Tries to find an excuse) Cardio is my true love?
Maggie: (Looks at her) What is it?
Amber: (Exhales) Fine the resident from Langone is my ex and she blurted out how she used to do me in front of Andrew.
Maggie: Oh damn.
Amber: Yeah, so chances are that I'll be picked and I don't want to be stuck in an O.R. for 13 hours with my ex while my current boyfriend watches from a gallery. I mean that sounds like it should come from a telenovela.
Maggie: (Incredulous) Let me get this straight, you're not competing for a spot in a groundbreaking surgery because your worried about upsetting your boyfriend?
Amber: Well, when you say it like that, I sound stupid.
Maggie: You are, this contest will determine your skills in microsurgery and I've taught you how to handle instruments like those so your gonna kill it.
Amber: I'm not competing. It's gonna get awkward and messy if I get picked and my sex life will be open for everyone to watch.
Maggie: Woman up. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, this surgery in your second year is gonna look great on your boards and it might even get you chief resident when the time comes. Now you are gonna go downstairs, head to the lab and kill that anastomosis. Make me proud She-Karev, make me proud.
(Amber sighs as she caves in walking away. Maggie smacks her behind for support causing Amber to be startled)
LATER IN THE LAB
(Jackson and Ximena stand at the front with the residents including Amber and Andrew looking on in anticipation)
Ximena: All right people this is it, today is the day. One of you will get the chance to scrub in on one of the most groundbreaking surgeries that have only been performed twice in the whole world.
(Taryn yawns due to being at work for 12 hours with Ximena noticing)
Ximena: Was that a yawn? Avery, you saw her yawn, right?
Jackson: (Authoritarian voice) Helm you're out.
Taryn: (Shocked) Wh-I was just-
Jackson: If you can't handle one overnight shift, you can't handle this 13-hour surgery. Look alive people.
(The residents sit up straight and stay alert while Taryn leaves)
Ximena: (Whispers) I love this job. (Normal voice) Okay who can tell us the most difficult part of a laryngeal transplant?
Jackson: DeLuca?
Andrew: Anastomosing the bilateral superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves.
Jackson: Correct that is why you have vascular instruments and chicken breast in front of you.
Ximena: A surgery like this requires elegance and a delicate touch that I am assuming none of you have mastered. The surgeon to do the best end to end anastomosis of their chickens' femoral vessels will scrub in with us.
Jackson: That's right, so be cautious and careful pretend you're holding a throat in your hands if you actually want to. Begin!
(The residents get to work on the anastomosis)
TEN MINUTES LATER
(After half the residents fail the other half including Amber and Andrew stand last. Ximena observes Amber's station)
Ximena: Nope, to the back.
Amber: (Shocked) What?
Ximena: Sweetie, your left hand is shaking like it's on speed.
Amber: Uh it-it's just tired.
Ximena: I hear you, now step to the back.
(Amber exhales and reluctantly goes to the back)
TWENTY MINUTES LATER
(Levi and Andrew are the only residents left standing)
Jackson: Schmitt you're out. DeLuca you'll be the resident who will scrub in with us.
Levi: What?
Ximena: Yeah, your suture is good but DeLuca's is almost perfect. But don't worry you'll be joining us on the side in case Dr. DeLuca gets tired.
Andrew: (Grins) Which won't happen I assure you.
Jackson: All right the rest of you can go and watch from the gallery if you can.
(The residents leave but Amber approaches Andrew)
Amber: Congratulations, if it can't be me at least it'll be you. Even though I wish it was me.
Andrew: (Chuckles) Thanks.
Ximena: Dr. DeLuca?
Andrew: (Turns to her) Yeah?
Ximena: We're gonna head to Lucas Blair's room now to explain and prep him for the surgery.
Andrew: Thank you I'll be there. (To Amber) I'll see you later.
Amber: Kick ass.
(Andrew leaves the room with Amber left anxious over what will happen)
LATER AT THE CAFETERIA
(Levi sits with Amber, Sam, Taryn and Casey eating a whole pizza with Levi eating most of it)
Sam: You know all that grease might make you sleepy, slow down.
Levi: 13 hours, that's the longest I'll ever be in an O.R. I need all the energy I can get and I don't want to risk getting kicked out because my stomach was growling.
Taryn: (Grumpy) Or yawning because you had an overnight shift.
Casey: Still 13 hours is impressive I think that's probably the longest an intern's been in an O.R.
Taryn: (Eyes widen in anger) I did 24 hours with Dr. Grey on that total duodenectomy in a frozen abdomen!
(Amber drinks her green juice not paying attention as she continues to stress over the surgery her boyfriend and ex are gonna do together)
Sam: No, you didn't you did 11 hours after the first intern tapped out so I think Schmitt is gonna have you beat.
Taryn: (Scoffs) He's gonna be on the sides in case DeLuca gets tired which I highly doubt is gonna allow him even one hour of operating.
Sam: (Chuckles) Hey Amber you can answer this how's DeLuca's stamina of late?
(Amber clicks her pen staring at the table in stress and didn't hear her)
Sam: Hello? Earth to She-Karev.
Amber: (Looks up) What? Oh, sorry what were we talking about?
Levi: What is with you? I mean we're talking about a laryngeal surgery and you're staring off into space.
Casey: Yeah, what's gotten you so stressed? If anything, Schmitt is the one who should be a mess right now.
Amber: Nothings wrong it's just…my boyfriend is gonna spend 13 hours in an O.R.
Sam: Yeah, we know that.
Amber: With the Langone resident.
Casey: (Confused) Yeah? Hey, you went to NYU med did you know her while you were there?
(Amber looks at Casey with wide eyes before grabbing a pizza. Levi recognizes the look she has and figures it out)
Levi: (Shocked) No! Tell me you didn't.
Amber: (Mouth full) I did in the past and now it's here.
Levi: Oh my god!
Sam: (Confused) I am so confused right now, Hellmouth do you speak them?
Taryn: Nope I don't speak Wonder Twin.
Casey: (Takes a while but figures it out) The resident from Langone is an ex of yours, isn't she?
(Taryn chokes on her soda and coughs)
Sam: (Hands a napkin) You've got soda coming out of your nostrils. (To Amber) What?!
Amber: (Groans) Yes, she is and she is gonna spend 13 hours with my boyfriend with a gallery watching in full view.
Casey: (Chuckles) Oh my god this is too good. (Sam smacks his arm) What? It is!
Levi: How does DeLuca feel about this?
Amber: Uh he says he's fine with it which is-
Sam: (Knows as well) DeLuca speak for 'I'm not fine with it'.
Amber: Bingo. What do I do?
Sam: Here's what you don't do, you don't torture yourself or make things more awkward by being in the gallery. The less you witness the better and DeLuca won't feel weird seeing his girlfriend watching him work with her ex.
Amber: I was planning to avoid the surgical floor all together.
Sam: Good, that's smart.
Casey: Oh! Heads up she's coming.
(They all act natural as Ximena approaches the table)
Ximena: Schmitt, you ready?
Levi: Oh, um I-I was just eating but I'm uh I'm done now.
Ximena: Great you're coming with me and we're presenting to the family before we do this surgery. Let's go.
(Levi follows Ximena as the others stare)
Taryn: Wow she's hot.
Casey: Totally.
Sam: Where's the lie? And I like boys.
(Amber finishes her pizza and leaves the table)
LATER AT THE SURGICAL FLOOR
(Andrew, Jackson, Levi and Ximena stand in the room ready to present to Lucas Blair with his parents in the room. Ximena hands Andrew the tablet)
Ximena: Now's your moment to shine.
Andrew: (Takes the tablet) Lucas Blair, 16 diagnosed with stage 4 hypopharyngeal cancer at 14. After aggressive chemo and radiation failed last year, they opted to do a tracheotomy to take out the cancer cells all together.
Ximena: Until I heard about Dr. Avery's successful laryngeal transplant two years ago and gave them an option that would save Lucas's life and preserve the quality of it.
Ken: Are you sure that this transplant is the best option? I mean what if Lucas doesn't take the organ?
Jackson: Then we would do a tracheotomy as previously planned but I am confident that he will accept the organ. The donor is a perfect match and his throat is in pristine condition.
Lisa: Are you sure? Because I don't want my son to lose his voice but I also don't want to lose him and-
Ken: We just want to know if the pros are better than the cons here.
Jackson: I'm not gonna lie to both of you this surgery is rare and has only been done a few times but I am confident to say that if the organ takes Lucas doesn't have to do chemo ever again and he doesn't have to go the rest of his life without his vocal cords.
Ken: (Sighs in anxiety) Lucas, I know you told us you don't want to do tracheotomy but that's the safer option here. Are you absolutely sure you want these doctors to do this?
Lisa: We won't love you any less if you can't speak honey, not being able to is not the end of the world. Please reconsider this.
(Lucas looks at all of them as he contemplates his choices for a few moments before typing on his phone)
Phone: I want the transplant. I want a chance to be able to talk and to not have this thing standing in my way anymore. I want the transplant, that's my decision.
(Ken and Lisa hold each other in comfort as they give their consent by nodding)
Jackson: Okay, Dr. DeLuca is gonna prep you and we'll get the donor tissue ready for transplantation. Rojas you're coming with me, Schmitt help DeLuca.
(Levi stays with Andrew as Ximena leaves with Jackson)
LATER IN O.R. 4
(Amber retracts and suctions as Maggie does her coronary bypass surgery)
Maggie: Do you see any healthy blood vessels we can use as grafts?
Amber: (Looks at the chest wall) I see it by the ascending aorta, it's the same size and color looks good.
Maggie: Very good, we'll use the continuous suture with-
Amber: polypropylene monofilaments, I know.
Maggie: Right. They should be starting the surgery right now, are you nervous?
Amber: What makes you say that?
Maggie: Maybe because you're helping me with a simple cardio procedure you've assisted multiple times instead of watching a groundbreaking one from the gallery. Are you afraid Andrew and…?
Amber: X, I call her X.
Maggie: (Chuckles) That's fitting, are you afraid Andrew and X are gonna duke it out over who gets to hold the throat?
Amber: Maybe and I'm also afraid that X might spill some secrets from my past that I haven't told Andrew.
Maggie: You live with the man, what could he possibly not know about you?
Amber: (Gives a look)
Maggie: Right, I forgot who I was talking to, 3-0 vicryl please.
FIVE HOURS LATER IN O.R. 1
(Andrew, Ximena and Jackson work on the micro anastomosis with Levi on standby behind Andrew to step in for him)
Jackson: (Exhales) All right guys that completes the work on this right superior thyroid artery. Only 13 more hours to go so everybody stretch and take a breather.
(Andrew stretches his neck as Ximena stretches her hands)
Jackson: Good work on the anastomosis Dr. Rojas I was particularly impressed with your technique.
Ximena: Thank you Dr. Avery that means a lot coming from you. I've read up on your work with alternative vaginoplasty and your spray on skin research and I was very impressed.
Jackson: Thank you, I take it you're interested in plastics?
Ximena: Already looking into plastic surgery fellowships as we speak.
Jackson: Well, you are bound to get them with this surgery in your resume. Has Langone done anything this revolutionary before?
Ximena: (Chuckles) Not in the least and certainly not like a face transplant. I mean Mark Sloan was the plastics god in life and in death.
Jackson: Another thing that we can agree on.
Andrew: Should we uh get started on the right brachiocephalic vein.
Jackson: Yep Dr. Rojas would you like to start?
Ximena: (Smiles behind the mask) Please.
(Ximena gets started on the anastomosis)
Jackson: So, I'm guessing that you went to NYU med before starting your residency?
Ximena: Yeah, I like the atmosphere there and the residency program is astounding.
Jackson: I take it that's where you met Dr. Karev?
Ximena: Yeah, Amber's the best. We go all the way back to my third and her first year.
Jackson: (Insinuates) Really?
Ximena: Oh no not like that we never dated.
(Andrew and Levi look at her in confusion)
Levi: But she said that you two were together.
Andrew: (Annoyed) Schmitt.
Ximena: Oh no yeah, we did that but you know how it is in med school. We put in a lot of hours didn't have the time or the energy but we needed an outlet so…
Andrew: That's nice, and what else did the two of you do besides…that.
Ximena: Uh you know we studied, watched movies, I came with her to comic con so that she wouldn't be alone in a sea of nerds.
Levi: (Intrigued) I'm sorry did you say Amber took you to comic con? Amber took you?
Ximena: I'm sorry how do you know Amber?
Andrew: Schmitt is her best friend.
Ximena: Wow I didn't think Amber could like people that much after med. Yeah you don't know? Amber's a total fanmag.
Andrew: A what?
Levi: (Astonished) She's a fantasy fan, what fantasy does she like? Please be specific.
Ximena: Uh all kinds; Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, especially Game of Thrones. I mean I can't blame her sex, death, hot men and women it's practically made for Amber. Although strangely she doesn't like sci-fi says it's completely unrealistic.
Levi: (Shocked) How did I not know this? (To Andrew) Did you know this?
Andrew: (On edge) Not a clue.
Ximena: Oh, don't feel bad I found out when I walked in on Amber dressing for Cosplay, she was…I can't remember the name it's such a weird name, it was the lady with the dragons and white hair?
Levi: Daenerys Targaryen?
Ximena: Yes! That's it.
Levi: (Gasps) This is the best thing I've ever heard in my life.
Ximena: Then prepare for this, do you want to really set her off?
Levi: (Eager) Yes, please.
Ximena: Ask her what George R.R. Martin is doing right now.
Levi: (Exhales) How did neither of us know this? I mean I get me but you live with her DeLuca.
Andrew: (Scowls) Stop talking.
Ximena: (Intrigued) You and Amber live together? Wow it must be serious then because the last person Amber lived with was her roommate and even then, she hated it. Kudos to you.
Andrew: Thanks.
(They continue to work on the suture in silence)
LATER IN THE ATTENDINGS LOUNGE
(Amber goes to the lounge and finds Jo on the couch going over post ops)
Amber: (Exhales in relief) Thank God you're here. Can I sit?
Jo: Um sure, go ahead.
(Amber plops on the couch in exhaustion with a worried look on her face)
Amber: I need your help.
Jo: Okay are you asking as a resident or as a sister?
Amber: Sister, I have a personal problem that I need advice on.
Jo: Okay shoot.
Amber: You know the throat transplant that's happening right now?
Jo: Everyone knows about it; God I wish I was a resident again just for the chance to scrub in on that-
Amber: (Impatient) Yeah so, the resident that came along with the patient is an ex-friend with benefits of mine and Andrew was picked and is operating with her as we speak.
Jo: (Eyes widen) Oh wow, you definitely made the right choice coming to me. How is Andrew taking it?
Amber: (Sighs) He says he's fine with it which is guy speak for-
Jo: He's not fine with it, yeah Alex speaks that language too. Well, he knows that your pan and that you have an…extensive history so he should accept that.
Amber: He does, he does accept it, it's just…it's one thing to accept and it's another to work with that history for 13 hours straight.
Jo: Your friends with his ex-girlfriend who he dated before you and your mentor is an ex of his I think he can handle this.
Amber: And there was that thing with you.
Jo: (Clarifies) Okay there was no thing, you know that.
Amber: He was in love with you and even though you rejected him it counts.
Jo: Fine. The point is he has a history that you work with closely so it should be fair that he does the same with someone who's not even gonna be here for another day. If he can't then maybe he doesn't fully accept you, I know because I have accepted Alex's past.
Amber: I mean to be fair he only dated like two of his co-workers so I think Andrew has him beat.
Jo: (Laughs hysterically) Oh man you don't know your brother at all. When I started as an intern, he slept with all of my intern buddies.
Amber: Oh, come on I mean the guy got around but there's no way-
Jo: Leah, Heather, Susan, Stacey, Irene, Tina, Heather again, Leah again and-
Amber: (Shocked) All right I get it my brother is a man whore. How did you accept that?
Jo: Easy Alex made sure that I knew I was the only person he wanted in his bed for the rest of his life.
(Amber nods as she looks at the clock ready for the surgery to be over)
EIGHT HOURS LATER
(Andrew, Jackson and Ximena stand by ready for the anastomoses of the bilateral superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves)
Jackson: All right Dr. DeLuca are you ready?
Andrew: Yep, micro forceps and 2-0 propylene.
(Andrew is handed the tools with Jackson and Ximena observing with anxiety)
Ximena: Now remember the arteries are fragile so you need to be-
Andrew: Gentle I know. It's not like a kidney but I can handle a throat Dr. Rojas.
Ximena: (Scowls) I'm just saying if you don't feel up to it, let Schmitt do it otherwise this patient loses his shot at a cancer free throat because you didn't want to admit you were tired.
Andrew: I'm not tired and this isn't my first extensive time in a O.R. I assisted Dr. Grey in a pancreas sparing total duodenectomy in a frozen abdomen.
Ximena: I've read about that, I read that it took 24 hours.
Levi: (Butts in) It's the current hospital record making DeLuca the first resident to operate for that amount of time.
Andrew: (Starts the anastomoses) Thank you Schmitt. I assure you Dr. Rojas that I wouldn't risk a patient's life for the sake of my ego.
Jackson: Agreed now let's stop whatever this is so that DeLuca can concentrate and get this anastomosis done, don't you agree Dr. Rojas.
Ximena: You're the attending.
(They all go quiet and start to work)
AN HOUR LATER IN THE SCRUB ROOM
(Andrew stretches his neck after the surgery. Ximena enters the room exhausted as well)
Ximena: Your anastomoses was impeccable the blood flow is good and so far, the patient is accepting the organ.
Andrew: (Scrubs) Good, that's good. I helped out but you were the one who brought him here so…
Ximena: Look I should uh apologize for how I acted in there and this morning. I was just stressed because I've been working with Lucas for 9 months, I went over every scenario with him and waited for UNOS to finally come up with a match and…I didn't want to let some cocky resident screw that up.
Andrew: (Nods) I get it, I've been there, you'd be surprised by the screw ups that we have here.
Ximena: Well, you've clearly proven me wrong so…I'm sorry.
(Ximena walks to the door when Andrew asks a question)
Andrew: Can I ask you a question?
Ximena: Sure.
Andrew: How long were you and Amber…?
Ximena: Um on and off for about…three years.
Andrew: (Eyes wide) Wow three years, that's uh that's a long time.
Ximena: Yeah, even though we never went on one date during that time…you know three years between us and I've never seen her as happy as she is with you in those five seconds, I saw you two together. She must think your really special, which is good because so is she.
Andrew: (Nods in agreement) I think that's the first thing you and I can agree on.
(Ximena grins and leaves the room with Andrew feeling less worried)
LATER THAT NIGHT IN THE RESIDENTS LOUNGE
(Amber walks in to get a cup of coffee only to stop at the staring from Sam, Casey and Levi)
Amber: Hello?
Sam: (Looks away) Hey.
Casey: Surgery went great, gallery was full, I'm surprised you weren't there at all.
Amber: (Chuckles darkly) Why? So, I could see my sex life on display? How bad was it between the miss and the mister?
Levi: Uh it was a little tense, not because of you just two surgeons keeping score that's all.
Amber: Sounds good, anything else go on down there?
Sam: (Wants to avoid) Nope.
Casey: (Follows suit) None at all.
Amber: (Exhales in relief) That's a relief.
(Amber heads to the Keurig when Levi blurts out a question he's dying to ask)
Levi: Amber. What's George R.R. Martin doing right now?
(Sam and Casey silently snicker as Amber turns to Levi with an angry expression from both the reveal and the question)
Amber: (Agitated) …Not writing.
(Sam and Casey burst out laughing as well as Levi. Amber shakes her head slightly grinning)
Amber: All right fine I spent a lot of time in the public library because it was the only place, I found solace during my childhood and…J.K., Gaiman and Tolkien provided escapes from my horrible life. It later evolved into…cosplay.
Casey: (Chuckles) I swear you are the last person I thought would even say cosplay.
Levi: (Chuckles) Why did you keep this a secret?
Sam: It's adorable.
Amber: (Points to Sam) That is why, need I say more?
Levi: (Smiles) Okay next comic con, you and me. I'll be Bilbo and you'll be Galadriel; it's going to be epic.
Amber: (Shrugs) Might not be so bad, I know I'm as badass as Galadriel and you do have the stature of a Hobbit.
(Amber pats Levi's shoulder and leaves the room running into Ximena on the way)
Amber: Great work on that surgery.
Ximena: Thanks.
Amber: (Bitter) Although you could've done without the unnecessary information on what I like to do in my down time.
Ximena: Oh, come on I thought you grew up enough not to be ashamed and come out of the nerd closet.
Amber: Well, you were wrong, I have a reputation here and I don't think dressing up in costumes and going to conventions is gonna support that.
Ximena: Message received it won't happen again.
Amber: Thank you.
(Amber turns to walk away when Ximena speaks again)
Ximena: I'm surprised you know.
Amber: (Stops) Surprised by what?
Ximena: You uh…you dating a man after…I just-I didn't think you would be with a guy seriously after what happened.
(Amber stops breathing and walks to Ximena at face level so no one would overhear)
Amber: (Hushed voice) Andrew DeLuca is a good and kind man who never hurts anyone intentionally. He is not him he is far from him.
Ximena: (Nods) Okay I'm glad, you deserve someone good like that. Does he know?
Amber: (Inhales and exhales) No and nobody does, including my family so don't even-
Ximena: (Sympathetic) I won't, I promised you that day and I have kept it.
Amber: Good.
(Jo walks up to Amber oblivious to the tense atmosphere)
Jo: Hey I heard the surgery went really well, have you talked to Andrew yet?
Amber: (Composes herself) Um no not yet.
(Ximena looks at Jo curiously which Amber notices)
Amber: Sorry, X this is Dr. Jo Wilson my sister-in-law, Jo this is Dr. Ximena Rojas she's-
Jo: (Gasps and realizes) Oh you're her!
Ximena: Her?
(Amber scowls at Jo)
Jo: (Comes up with an excuse) Your…the resident from New York that came with the patient, that-that's what I was talking about.
Ximena: (Chuckles) I'm sure, sister-in-law? Your brother remarried?
Amber: And invited me to the wedding.
Ximena: (Surprised) Oh so you guys are speaking again?
Amber: Yeah, I forgave him and we're close again so…
Ximena: That's good I'm glad and I'm glad you have a sister to boot.
Amber: (Grins) Yeah me too. I have to go so bye and have a safe flight.
Ximena: Bye.
(Amber and Ximena hug and walk away from each other with Jo following Amber)
Jo: (Thinks Ximena is hot) Go Amber.
Amber: Shut up.
LATER THAT NIGHT AT THE ON CALL ROOM
(Amber walks in to find Andrew asleep on the single bed)
Amber: (Chuckles) Long surgery huh?
Andrew: (Rubs his eyes and wakes up) Hey, yeah it was 13 hours I don't even think I can go home tonight; I might just sleep here.
Amber: (Grins) Want some company?
(Andrew nods and Amber curls up against Andrew with her head on his chest)
Amber: I heard you and X had a spat.
Andrew: Yeah, it was just her being stressed over the transplant not working, afraid I would screw it up.
Amber: Which you didn't.
Andrew: No, I didn't, otherwise it went fine.
Amber: (Flinches at the word fine) Look I have accepted your past one of which includes my mentor and my sister. I'm just hoping that you can accept mine as well and-
Andrew: (Confused) What are you talking about? I told you I was fine with it.
Amber: (Groans) Andrew even I know that fine is guy speak for not fine.
Andrew: Well in Andrew speak it just means fine.
(Amber gives Andrew a look of disbelief)
Andrew: Amber I know that you have a past and I accept it, I do. I know that you've been graceful enough to be mentored by my ex and become friends with Sam and be sisters to someone I thought I was in love with. It's one of the reasons that I love you and when I said I was fine this morning I meant it. I mean you have to work with my past everyday and you still have your sanity, I figured I could do the same being in an O.R. with your ex-sex buddy for 13 hours and I did. I was fine then and I am fine now.
Amber: (Shocked) You were really fine with it?
Andrew: Yes.
Amber: (Astonished) So I freaked out all day for nothing?
Andrew: (Grins) Yes but your cute when you freak out if it means anything to you.
Amber: (Chuckles) My god I need to look into curing my neurosis.
Andrew: It's called sedatives.
(Amber and Andrew chuckles before enjoying a quiet moment curled up in each other's presence)
Andrew: Where do you keep your fantasy stuff in our place? I mean we live together I think I would notice a Harry Potter costume in the closet.
Amber: (Groans) It's in a trunk in the back of the storage closet.
Andrew: You said that's where you keep your junk food.
Amber: I lied I keep the junk food in another hiding spot you are never gonna find buddy.
Andrew: (Chuckles) We'll see about that.
Amber: Promise this doesn't make me less scary.
Andrew: Honey, nothing can make you less scary.
Amber: (Grins) Thank you.
(Amber kisses Andrew before they fall asleep in the single bed)