Chapter 25: Like Crazy
SCENE: AMBER AND ANDREWS APARTMENT
(Amber and Andrew stare at the ceiling blankly as they lie in bed under the covers after having sex. They both lie there in silence for a moment. Amber sighs and moves first sitting on the side of the bed getting dressed with Andrew watching her. He sits on the opposite side getting dressed as well with their backs to each other. Amber stands up and walks out of the room stiffly and quietly)
LATER AT ALEX AND JOS HOUSE
(Amber walks inside the house exhausted before hearing two shrill voices)
Alexis and Eli: Auntie Amber!
Amber: (Smiles in joy) Oh my god! Hi!
(Amber bends down and lets the twins tackle her and hug her tightly)
Amber: Hi my beautiful niece and handsome nephew, oh I missed you guys so much! (Pulls away) How are you two?
Eli: Good.
Alexis: Good.
(Alex and Jo come in and greet Amber)
Amber: That's good and what do you think of your new house? Do you like it better than your other one?
Eli and Alexis: (Shake their heads)
Amber: (Chuckles) No? Well, I don't blame you we don't have horses here but don't worry you'll get used to it. What are you guys doing up so late? I thought you would be jet legged.
Alex: Uh yeah but they wanted to wait for you so I let them stay up until you got here and you're here so let's go guys. Let's get to bed.
Alexis: (Whines) But I want to talk to auntie Amber.
Amber: (Grins) I know sweetie but auntie Amber is pretty beat right now and I should go to sleep too.
Jo: (Looks at Amber suspiciously)
Amber: So how about you guys do the same and get some rest for tomorrow? Because that's when the real fun begins.
Alexis: Okay. Good night.
Eli: Good night auntie Amber.
Amber: Good night you little rugrats.
(Alex takes the twins upstairs while Jo approaches Amber)
Amber: (Sighs) Hopefully I have enough energy for those two tomorrow because-
Jo: Something has happened.
Amber: Um well nothing happened yet we have to wait till tomorrow and-
Jo: I'm not talking about Eli and Alexis I'm talking about you. You said you wanted to give Andrew the apartment and be done with it. You said it shouldn't take long but instead we wait with the twins for two and a half hours and I can see that your blouse is missing a few buttons.
Amber: (Breaks) Okay fine I had sex with Andrew.
Jo: (Shocked) What? What the hell did you just say?
Amber: (Confused) But you just said-
Jo: I didn't know for sure I was just guessing. What were you thinking? You slept with your ex the second he got out of treatment?
Amber: We didn't sleep together we just had sex and I walked out the second it was over. Oh god I know what a walk of shame is like now.
Jo: (Sighs) So I take it you're not getting back together.
Amber: No, we are not back together, we just-I just had a moment of weakness that's all.
Jo: You also had a moment or several moments two days ago when you slept with your other ex comically named X, two exes in two days. I can practically smell the sex on you.
Amber: I know, I know God I feel so dirty, we agreed that it had to end and then we ended up in bed. Oh god I am so weak for my exes who have excellent skills in bed. I hope 19 doesn't come by soon so I don't jump Maya next.
Jo: (Sighs and looks at Amber)
Amber: I'm going to bed now…alone.
Jo: I hope so good night.
Amber: Good night.
(Amber heads down to her basement in shame)
SIX NIGHTS LATER AT ALEX AND JOS HOUSE
(Amber sits in the kitchen with Alex watching in amusement as Jo attempts to make her own cookies like the twins have. Levi studies by the counter eating the cookies)
Levi: (Moans) These are so good; I swear these might be the best cookies I've ever had.
Jo: How do you two know how to do this so well?
Eli: Mommy taught us; she says to add sugar before the eggs so it's extra sweet.
Jo: Huh and here I thought it was just mushing a bunch of stuff together.
Amber: Ha! So did I but these two Gordan Ramsay's taught me a thing or two or are trying to as I fail miserably.
Alex: Sis no offense but you can't cook or bake to save your life so be thankful we have these two otherwise we would starve.
Eli: Is auntie Amber a bad chef?
Amber: I wouldn't necessarily say bad-
Alex: Yes, she is, guys be thankful that your mom taught you to cook because her dishes would probably give you diarrhea or an ulcer.
Levi: I second that.
Amber: (Scoffs) Okay food critics some people have skills in the kitchen, or an art room or an O.R. I have those skills in one area more than the other.
Alex: Yeah, and we know it's not in the O.R.
(Amber punches Alex's arm and grabs a cookie eating it)
Amber: Oh my god! You two are some kind of genius pair or something. You better make more before you guys leave tomorrow so I have something to remember you by.
Levi: Yeah, and I'm sure her stomach will digest it lovingly.
Amber: (Finishes the cookie) Oh it definitely will.
Eli: Dad, how's Uncle Richard doing? Is he still sick?
Alex: Um yeah but your auntie Mer is working really hard to make him better.
Amber: Trust me honey Dr. Grey is the best there is if anyone can figure out what's wrong it's her.
Alexis: What about daddy?
Amber: Well, your daddy is good but he's no Meredith Grey.
Alex: Thanks.
(The doorbell rings)
Levi: That's probably the food I ordered.
Alexis: I'll get it.
CUT TO THE FRONT DOOR
(Alexis opens the door revealing Andrew on the other side who looks at Alexis confused)
Andrew: Oh, um hi (Chuckles) I'm sorry I think I have the wrong house.
Alexis: Are you looking for my daddy or Jo or auntie Amber?
(Andrew's grin falls slowly as he looks at Alexis in confusion)
Andrew: I-I-I'm sorry could you ask that question again.
Amber: (Out of view) Who is it sweetie?
(Amber arrives at the door and is taken back by Andrew at the door. She turns to Alexis who looks at them confused)
Amber: Go back to the kitchen and keep baking with your brother.
Andrew: (Eyebrows rise at the mention of a brother)
Alexis: Why?
Amber: Because I'll let you watch a movie with me after bedtime if you do, okay?
Alexis: Okay.
(Alexis goes back to the kitchen and Amber closes the door behind her to be alone with Andrew at the front porch)
Amber: What are you doing here? You can't just show up here.
Andrew: (Still in shock) Who is the little girl and why did she call you auntie Amber?
Amber: (Doesn't answer) You gotta call first.
Andrew: Who is she? And who is her brother?
Amber: It's my new niece and nephew, what are you doing here?
Andrew: (Still confused) W-W-What? What the hell do you mean your new niece and nephew? What is going on here?
Amber: Nothing, what are you doing here?
Andrew: (Still distracted) Amber, you just told me your brother has a son and daughter and you're not gonna explain it to me? I think that warrants at least a sentence or two with context. I need to know because I feel my brain piling on with questions you're not answering so explain.
Amber: (Groans) Fine your due for an explanation and a shocked reaction anyway.
CUT TO THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE
(Levi watches discretely by the window as Amber talks to Andrew on the porch. Jo joins in)
Jo: Hey what's going on?
Levi: DeLuca is back and by the looks of it he met Alexis for the first time and is confused.
Jo: Amber didn't tell him?
Levi: They didn't exactly have a lot of time to talk with everything that happened.
Jo: Oh, wait look.
(Andrew's mouth gapes open as Amber continues talking. He closes his eyes and scratches his beard with a shocked and confused look)
Jo: There it is, that's the face I got when I found out.
Levi: I had that same face too but DeLuca pulls it off better than me.
Jo: Well, that's because he's prettier than both of us.
Levi: True.
CUT TO THE FRONT PORCH
(Andrew still looks shocked and he sits on the porch swing. Amber purses her lips and joins him)
Andrew: …Oh wow I was so wrong about you freaking out over nothing.
Amber: (Scoffs) I know it's insane. Embryos that turned into a new niece and nephew. I mean I didn't consider it in the beginning I just thought my brother was being a whore not a dad so we were both wrong. I thought Izzie, their mom, was a lying bitch so I did a paternity test and it turns out…they're his, they're actually his. I'm an auntie.
Andrew: (Still shocked) You're an auntie. Why the hell didn't you tell me this when you got back?
Amber: (Sighs) When did I have the time? With you having a mental breakdown to us fighting to me slapping you to me fighting with my brother to you having frost bite to-
Andrew: Okay I get it there was no right time for you to tell me this very shocking information. God knows we had enough going on at the time.
Amber: Yeah, you made my complications at the time seem minor.
Andrew: (Still trying to comprehend) Alex and Izzie have kids?
Amber: (Also finds it shocking) Thank you!
(Amber rubs her temples and sighs)
Amber: What are you doing here Andrew?
Andrew: (Decides to back out) …We can do this later when my brain isn't melting.
Amber: Just tell me.
Andrew: (Sighs) I wanted to talk about what happened last week with you and me.
Amber: (Inhales and stands up) Yeah let's not do this now.
(Andrew stands up)
Andrew: I love you; I miss you. Do you miss me?
Amber: (Turns to face him) Andrew stop please, just stop. I can't handle this not now.
Andrew: Then when?
Amber: I don't know, but I do know that we are still broken up and we're still bad for each other.
Andrew: Because you think I'll be another crazy person in your life you'll resent?
Amber: (Sighs) Yes.
Andrew: I've been in treatment; I've been taking my meds-
Amber: Have you? Have you been taking them?
Andrew: (Narrows his eyes) What is that supposed to mean?
Amber: …You look exhausted, I've seen you moving around the hospital all day and night and you're obsessing over Webber's case like-
Andrew: Yeah, because he's my friend Amber, he's my mentor, what am I supposed to do while he's lying in bed getting worse? Nothing? Is that what you want?
Amber: Andrew…I don't want to fight not with the kids inside so let's make this quick and you can leave. Are you taking your meds? Look me in the eye and tell me so I know if you're telling the truth.
Andrew: (Sighs and looks at her eyes) Yes, I am, I'm taking them.
Amber: (Analyzes his reaction) …Okay…okay then were done here you can go now.
Andrew: Amber, you never answered my question. Would you be with me knowing I was keeping up with my recovery? Knowing I wasn't gonna end up like our parents? Would you?
Amber: …I-I-I don't know.
Andrew: You don't know? That's the only answer you can give me.
Amber: (Frustrated) Yes that is the only answer that I can give because I know how I feel about you but I know that I don't want to want to be with you. I want to be happy I want to feel safe and I don't know if you can make me feel that way with this hanging over our heads I…I don't know. But I do know that I won't get a clear answer fast enough if you keep showing up and ambushing me with questions so, please just…leave please.
(Andrew looks at Amber and sighs looking up at the ceiling)
Andrew: Okay.
(Andrew goes down the porch steps and heads to the bike riding off. Amber takes a deep breath and goes back inside)
THE NEXT MORNING
(Amber comes downstairs with Alexis after helping her pack to Alex and Eli by the door ready to leave as well)
Amber: Okay clothes are packed, toothbrush is in side pocket and birthday present is in her backpack.
Alexis: Auntie Amber got me the Harry Potter and the philosophers stone, she wants to give me the chamber of secrets for Christmas.
Amber: (Grins) I say philosopher instead of sorcerer because it sounds cooler.
Alexis: She says I'm really going to love Hermione; she says she's super smart like me.
Alex: (Chuckles) Well she's not as smart as you I can guarantee that.
Eli: (Typical brother behavior) Nuh uh, Alexis can't even multiply yet.
Alexis: Yeah huh.
Eli: Nuh uh.
Alexis: Yeah huh.
Alex: (Chuckles) Okay you guys are both freakishly smart, can we just leave it at that and get in the car so we can take you back to your mom.
Alexis: Okay daddy.
Eli: Okay. Where's Jo?
Alex: Jo is at the hospital now helping out she has a peds patient who needs to smile and she is gonna help do that.
Amber: That's right but she sends her goodbyes and kisses to both of you and I will too right now. Okay my little muggles give me a hug goodbye.
(Amber kneels down and hugs the twin's goodbye)
Amber: Stay safe, I'll skype you guys soon and you can tell me what being six is like.
Eli and Alexis: Bye auntie Amber.
(Amber walks with them back to Alex's van where she helps him put the suitcases in the trunk)
Amber: Your gonna stay over for a week, right?
Alex: Yeah, I thought I'd get to talking with Izzie and we could come up with a plan for the long term at last.
Amber: (Chuckles sarcastically) Yes at last we get a plan for that woman being involved in your life and in extension mine. I can't wait for that I am super excited to see her again.
Alex: I can tell, I'll call you and Jo when I land and get back. And try not to come up with a plan to leave my kids without a mother, please.
Amber: (Groans) Dammit you found my secret file. Fine, bye.
Alex: Bye, text me with updates on Webber.
Amber: Will do.
(Alex buckles the twins in the back and backs out of the driveway. Alexis and Eli wave goodbye to Amber who grins and waves back)
LATER AT THE PEDS FLOOR
(Amber goes to Jo who is with Jackson and Hayes)
Amber: Hey sorry I'm late I was just saying bye to my favorite niece and nephew.
Jo: Yeah, I'm sorry I couldn't be there but Meredith is busy with Richard and general is scrambling to be honest, how were they when they left?
Amber: Good, they're excited to have their dad for another week although I imagine they would be happy to have at least one parent who isn't a host for a demon sent to destroy all of mankind.
Hayes: (Confused) I'm sorry?
Jackson: (Chuckles) She's uh talking about Karev's former wife and the mother of his kids. Amber seems to…well she uh-
Amber: Hates her guts.
Jackson: Yeah, that's it.
Hayes: Not a fan of your former sister-in-law I take it.
Amber: The only kind of fan I would be is the kind that John Lennon had, as in the one who shot him.
Jo: Yeah, let's go and update the patient before Karev goes into a tirade of her negative feelings toward Stevens.
(Amber takes a deep breath and goes with the others to a patient room where they find a teenage girl in bed with her father standing beside her)
Hayes: Morning, Daya. How you doing today?
Daya: I'd be better if I had a smiling photo for this dating app. His, not mine.
Samar: She signed me up against my will.
Daya: (Blank face) And you can see how happy it makes me. Oh, right. You can't. Fun!
Amber: (Chuckles) Daya Burman, 13, presents with Moebius syndrome, a rare neurological condition that inhibits facial expression and-
Daya: And leaves me with resting bitch face
Samar: Not true. And language.
Daya: You'd swear, too, if you could only express your emotions through Bitmojis.
Hayes: Well, fortunately, we're gonna change all that. Dr. Avery?
Jackson: Yes, we are, because today, we are doing a bilateral gracilis transfer, which means we're taking the muscles and nerves from your legs implanting them onto your face.
Daya: Sorry to interrupt but we know the surgery. We've bailed on it four times in the last year. And by "we," I mean (Clears throat and looks at Samar) But I think he's finally ready, and I want to get going before he chickens out again. Last time, I barely got into a gown when he changed his mind.
Samar: Because you don't need this surgery. You're beautiful just the way you are.
Daya: You've been scared of hospitals since Mom died. But I start high school next year, and I want to have friends. Friends I can laugh and cry with and who understand me. Because right now, no one understands me.
Samar: I do, and I think you're perfect.
Daya: (Takes photo of Samar smiling) Now we're talking. Look out, single ladies.
Samar: Hey, just-
Daya: Promise not to chicken out again and I won't post it.
(Amber grins at Daya)
Hayes: All right Amber book an O.R. and prep her for surgery when you're done.
Amber: Yes Dr. Hayes.
(Amber heads out and takes an elevator to the surgical floor and heads down the hall where she finds Andrew arguing with Catherine and Maggie)
Andrew: Okay, you-Look, you don't understand. All right? You're making a huge mistake.
Maggie: DeLuca, this doesn't concern you.
Andrew: Yes, it does concern me, okay? R-Richard's my friend.
Catherine: You've had weeks and have found nothing. I'm taking my husband home.
Andrew: (Agitated) Even if it means you're gonna kill him? 'Cause that's what you're doing. You know that, right?
(Amber rushes over to defuse the situation)
Amber: Andrew! Just leave this to them, please.
(Andrew sighs and walks away)
Amber: I-I am so sorry, Dr. Fox. He just got out of treatment and he's exhausted.
Catherine: We're all exhausted.
(Catherine walks away)
Amber: I'm sorry Maggie.
Maggie: This is hard enough without the accusations Amber. Is he taking his meds or sleeping?
Amber: Yes.
Maggie: (Looks at her) Amber, have you seen him lately?
Amber: Yes, and I asked him the same question last night and he says yes.
Maggie: And you believe him?
Amber: (Sighs) I know when someone lies about taking meds and when they tell the truth. I've got you beat by about two decades so I know when he's taken them or not. Look he's still early in treatment and it's a process, they get used to the meds and try to slowly shift back into a stable mind set you don't expect full normalcy overnight. I-I need to book an O.R. and prep a patient, excuse me.
(Amber leaves Maggie in the hall)
LATER AT THE RESEARCH LIBRARY
(Jo enters to find Andrew pouring over files)
Jo: Any luck?
Andrew: (Sighs) No and to make matters worse, Dr. Fox is taking Webber home with an Alzheimer's note despite the fact there's no clear sign of it.
Jo: (Walks closer to Andrew) Yeah, it's awful but there's not much we can do. She is his family and I'm sure she's just doing what she believes is best for him.
(Jo still stands there until Andrew looks up at her)
Andrew: What?
Jo: (Sighs) I am trying to keep out of Amber's personal business because it's her life and I don't want to intrude. But Alex isn't here so I am the designated big sibling at the moment and I have to keep my sister from doing something self-destructive.
Andrew: (Catches on) She told you about last week and you think I used her for sex only so you want to protect her.
Jo: No that's…that's not what I think. I like you Andrew and I know that you love Amber but she is in a very raw place just like you and I don't think hooking up with her ex is helping. I'm saying that Amber needs to land on her own two feet because she has depended on enough people at the moment. (Realizes what she insinuated) I mean it's not like there were a lot of people outside of you in fact there has been no-
Andrew: Save it I know she slept with Rojas in LA and I still slept with her two days after.
(Andrew looks through the files as Jo continues)
Jo: (Eyes wide) …Okay thank you for letting me know. Look the point is that what you and Amber are doing; sleeping around your problems and avoiding them all together is not you guys at your best. I am asking you to think very carefully about what you want and give Amber the same chance because you need to find a real solution or you will continue to cause more problems here.
(Andrew's eyes narrow at what he reads)
Jo: Andrew are you listening to me?
Andrew: (Ignoring her) I have to make a call.
(Andrew leaves the room with Jo left confused)
AN HOUR LATER AT THE PEDS FLOOR
(Amber, Jo, Hayes and Jackson wheel Daya into the surgical floor)
Daya: Are we there yet? To the line you can't cross unless you're a patient or doctor?
Jo: Uh, no. Why?
Samar: (From a distance) Wait! Doctors!
Daya: (Annoyed) That's why. Just keep going. He already gave consent.
(Samar runs over in front of the gurney out of breath)
Hayes: He's your dad, Daya.
Jo: Uh, did you have a last-minute question?
Daya: It's happening again. Dad, breathe. Remember? Please breathe.
Samar: (Breathing heavily) Daya, I'm sorry. I love you. I can't lose you. And you're perfect. You're perfect. You don't need to change.
Daya: I do. I do need to change. Dad, I need this change. Mom wanted this for me. She wanted me to be able to smile. She-She wanted to be able to make me smile. She wanted this, and she's gone, and you're using her death as a reason to not let me have what she and I both wanted for me. That is just (Samar continues breathing heavily) Okay, you have to breathe. Do you need one of those bags?
Amber: Should I get the O2?
Jackson: No, he's okay, right? Nice and easy. Just breathe, okay? Look, Mr. Burman, we know that her condition is not life-threatening, but it is a very serious challenge. We all depend on nonverbal communication every day. You're doing it right now. You're not talking, but we all can see that you are terrified and you're panicked, all because you're scared for your daughter. But we have good news. We know what she has, and we know exactly how to fix it. We just need you to let us do that for her. Let us do that for you.
Daya: I want to smile, Dad. I want to be able to smile. Please.
Samar: (Sighs) Okay.
(Amber grins as Samar hugs Daya)
Daya: Promise me you'll swipe right at least once while I'm in surgery.
Samar: (Chuckles)
Jo: All right. Daya, you ready?
Daya: (Blank face) Are you kidding? Look at this face. I am pumped.
Amber: (Chuckles) I can tell.
Jackson: All right. We got her.
(They finally wheel in Daya past the double doors into surgery)
CUT TO BLACK
TWO HOURS LATER AT O.R. 4
(Amber holds a basin out for Jo as she takes nerves from Daya's thighs)
Jo: Do you think her dad will swipe right, like she asked?
Jackson: Maybe.
Amber: God I hate my generation. I mean why is it that we have to depend on a stupid algorithm to know who we're paired with?
Hayes: War stories from Tinder?
Amber: (Chuckles) Like you wouldn't believe. I don't use those apps anymore not after they failed to get me a date to my brother's wedding. I just meet and analyze in person whether my date is a psycho now.
Jo: Yeah, thank god I got married. I don't even know what I'd put in my profile. I hate everything. Well, except mac and cheese from a box.
Jackson: You know, this looks like the appropriate size. Now we just need to tether the muscle to the oral commissures right here and here. We'll be able to eliminate that constant frown.
Amber: What about you, Avery? Do you use a dating app?
Jo: Wait, what's your profile picture? A shirtless selfie of you on your yacht or on your jet?
Hayes: You have a jet?
Amber: (Chuckles) Oh yeah.
Jackson: No. I mean, my family-The-Like, the foundation, I guess, has a jet.
Amber: Right and that makes you the same as us commoners.
Jo: What about you, Hayes?
Hayes: Definitely not a jet. No dating profile, either.
Amber: Good for you Hayes technology is a nightmare when it comes to humans.
Jo: Plus, you have your own personal matchmaker.
Hayes: What's that supposed to mean?
Jo: Ready to close. Vicryl.
(Hayes looks at Amber in confusion but she just shrugs)
LATER IN O.R. 2
(Meredith and Bailey prepare to start Webber's biopsy)
Bailey: I already informed pathology to put a rush on the report.
Meredith: You okay?
Bailey: (Chuckles darkly) I'd say we should bring in someone who isn't family...
Meredith: That person doesn't exist. Let's go.
Bailey: Ten blade.
(They hear banging and see Andrew in the scrub room grabbing a mask and barging in)
Andrew: Hey, hey! Hey, stop! Wait! Don't cut! Okay?
Bailey: What the hell, DeLuca?!
Andrew: Just stop, okay? I-I'm sorry, but I found something. I was going over Dr. Webber's history again, and he got a hip replacement three years ago in Boston.
Bailey: Richard Webber is sedated on the table. You need to step away from the sterile field and wait outside!
Meredith: And you can tell us about it when we're finished.
Andrew: No, no, no. (Knocks tray of instruments on the floor) How about now? Gonna listen to me now?
Bailey: (Tries to stay calm) …DeLuca I suggest you get out before I get really angry. Uh, we need to re-sterilize.
Andrew: No, no, no. B-Bailey, listen to me, okay? Look, you don't need to do the biopsy, all right? His hip replacement was made out of cobalt.
Bailey: We did a heavy metals test. Wh-It came back negative, right?
Meredith: Not for cobalt. That test is mercury, arsenic, and lead. We wouldn't see that.
Andrew: Right. And if that hip is deteriorating, Bailey, cobalt poisoning would explain the dementia, the depression, hallucinations, tremors, everything, okay? And every second that it stays in his body, he's-he's getting sicker. Bailey, please trust me.
Bailey: (Finally listens) Change of plans. We need to draw some blood. D-
(Meredith hands a vial of blood)
Bailey: DeLuca, run this down to the lab. Tell them the chief says move this to the front of the line. Run!
Andrew: Okay. Okay.
(Andrew runs out with the vial)
AN HOUR LATER IN O.R. 4
(Amber stands by as they finish Daya's nerve transfer)
Hayes: No tension. Perfect coaptation.
Jackson: Just need to anchor the muscle proximally and we get to close her up.
Jo: I saw a survey that said 98% of women have been told to smile more at work. Why is there so much pressure to smile all the time? It's not like it makes us better at our jobs. The only people that smile all the time are clowns and sociopaths.
(Taryn enters the room)
Taryn: Dr. Avery, are you almost done?
Jackson: Why? You need my O.R.?
Taryn: No, but thank you. Chief Bailey wanted me to tell you we're taking Dr. Webber to the O.R. because he has a hip made of cobalt, which has been slowly poisoning him.
Jackson: Wait, what?
Amber: You're saying a hip replacement did this mess?
Taryn: Yeah, I know. Dr. DeLuca figured it out.
Amber: Andrew? He figured this out.
Jo: (Looks at Amber in worry) Jackson, go.
Hayes: We can finish and close.
Jackson: (Hands tools to Hayes) Got it?
Hayes: Yep.
Jo: Score one for DeLuca.
Amber: (Impressed) I know right? I didn't think he could crack it but he did.
Jo: (Looks at Amber and sighs) All right I'm gonna overstep again and be your big sister right now.
Amber: What?
Jo: I am going to say something to you, I am going to give my personal opinion. Your probably not gonna like it but you need to know that I say it because I love you and I care about you.
Amber: (Chuckles) Jo say whatever you want.
Jo: I don't want you to get back together with DeLuca. I think he is bad for you at least in the current state that he's in and that you should walk away while you still can.
Amber: (Eyebrows raised) Yep you were right I was not gonna like what you were about to say.
Hayes: (Awkward) Do you two want to leave to continue this or…
Jo: Sorry Hayes.
Amber: Look we're not back together or at least…not yet.
Jo: So, you want to be with him again?
Amber: No, yes, I-I don't know, I'm still deciding.
Jo: Okay see this is what I am worried about. You have to decide how you feel about the guy, does that say anything to you? Does that say how you really feel in this relationship?
Amber: I think it has more to do with me and relying more on my head than my heart. I think that it's reasonable I decide whether to get back together with him and give us another chance given what's happening with him.
Jo: Right but what if he slips? Or what if he lied to you last night when he said he was taking his meds?
Amber: (Immediately) He didn't lie.
Jo: Amber-
Amber: Jo, I know him, I know when a person lies about this and I am telling you that his eyes were truthful last night when I asked him. I know him better than almost anyone so you don't know what you're talking about.
Hayes: Do you two mind if I step in? Maybe give an opinion.
Jo: Go ahead.
Hayes: I don't know you that well Amber but I know that a person can change after a diagnosis and treatment. I know that my wife changed after she was diagnosed with cancer. She was still the same bubbly, kind and warm woman I met at a hotel but…after she was diagnosed, she lost just a little bit of that spark inside her. It's like she became a little less of the woman I married, not different but not the same either.
Amber: What's your point?
Hayes: My point is that this can apply to mental illness as well. Amber, have you considered that perhaps the DeLuca that you say you knew changed after he suffered a mental breakdown? Have you considered that maybe he has figured out how to lie without cause for suspicion? Even from someone with experience in this as you?
Amber: …You two don't know him like I do. You haven't been around him as long as I have. You haven't been around him at his absolute worst. You haven't seen him punch a wall with his already debrided hands when you held an intervention for him. And you haven't heard him break up with you because he knew his illness would trigger you in spite of him planning to propose to you. Does that sound like someone who doesn't give a damn about his treatment and how it might affect the woman he loves? Does it?
(Jo and Hayes look down at the field in shame)
Amber: No, it doesn't, so you can both keep your opinions to yourself.
(Amber exhales and helps Jo close Daya's leg)
LATER AT THE PICU
(Amber stands by with Hayes and Jo informing Daya and Samar about what happens after surgery)
Jo: The surgery went well, and the bandages should be able to come off soon.
Hayes: Recovery will be slow. You'll need rehab and speech therapy.
Daya: See, Dad? Everything was fine.
(Katrina Scott comes in and goes to Samar)
Katrina: I came as fast as I could. How is she doing?
Samar: (Awkward) Um…uh…we're great.
Daya: Ms. Scott? Why are you here?
Katrina: (Flustered) I…I was in the neighborhood, and I thought maybe you might want to catch up on your homework.
Daya: (Catches on) Oh, my God. Dad, you're dating my algebra teacher?
Samar: Um…only kind of. It's just…We have the same dentist. She set us up. I didn't know she was your teacher at the time.
(Jo and Amber look at each other amused)
Katrina: We didn't want to tell you until after the school year was over and you weren't in my class.
(Daya makes a face)
Samar: Oh, honey. Please. Don't be upset.
Daya: I'm not upset. I'm trying to smile.
(Samar chuckles. Jo and Amber leave the room)
Jo: Well now we know why the dad never swiped right.
Amber: (Chuckles) Good for them their dentist actually had good taste.
Jo: (Chuckles) …Um look I'm sorry for overstepping in the O.R. its just-
Amber: No, it's okay I know you were just looking out for me. If Alex can't do that, then I guess the task is passed off to you.
Jo: (Nods) Amber…I just want you to be happy and I know that DeLuca has made you happy in the past but are you sure you can be happy with him in the future?
Amber: Jo we've been in a happy relationship for almost two years now, do you think I should stop that because of a little mental illness that he's trying to tackle? Would you ask me this if he had a stroke or a heart attack?
Jo: No, but it doesn't matter what I think, it matters what you think and what you want. I think you should ask yourself if you want to be with DeLuca because you still love him or because you want what you guys had before all this. Because you're not gonna get that back Amber not completely and not with his mania in his genes. He may be in treatment but he's not magically fixed, it doesn't mean it won't happen again. Alex stood by me after my episode, it was hard but he stood by me because he loved me and he wanted to be with me through all of it. Are you willing to do that with him now? Are you willing to be with him and take on his problems now? Are you all in?
Amber: (Sighs) …I need some air.
(Amber leaves Jo in the peds floor to go outside)
LATER THAT NIGHT ON THE SURGICAL FLOOR
(Amber walks numbly down the hall trying to leave the day behind her when Levi approaches her in his casual wear)
Levi: Hey.
Amber: Hey, you heading out?
Levi: Yeah, Jo and I want to take advantage of an empty house so we're doing a Riverdale marathon with wine on the side. Do you want to join us?
Amber: (Chuckles lightly) I wish but I have the night shift, tomorrow night?
Levi: Yeah, I mean…assuming you even want to stay at the house still and not with DeLuca.
Amber: (Groans) Levi can you just-
(Amber stops when she spots Andrew sitting on the floor and leaning against the nurse's station crying. Levi looks too and looks at Amber in worry)
Amber: (Hushed voice) You can go now.
Levi: You sure?
(Amber nods and Levi leaves her in the hall. Amber walks to Andrew and kneels down to face Andrew)
Amber: (Gentle voice) Hey its me. I heard what happened and that Richard is okay, he's okay because of you. It's over now, okay? It's over.
Andrew: (Voice breaking) I don't…I can't, uh…I don't know what's going on.
Amber: (Heart breaks for him) Okay, okay. It's gonna be okay, you need some rest first, okay? Now let's get you up. Come on.
(Amber helps Andrew up and lets him put his arm around her and she leads him to an empty on-call room)
Amber: Okay let's get you in the bed.
(Amber gently leads Andrew to the single bed where he lies on his side)
Andrew: (Tired) I…I love you; you know that right?
Amber: (Voice breaking) I know you do…and I love you too. Get some rest, okay?
(Andrew nods and closes his eyes. Amber kisses the top of his head and leaves the on-call room)
THE END