Chapter 4: Go and Fight

After a few days Aelwyne found herself in Dr. Burke's service along with Cristina, who looked somewhat odd. Cristina had told her that she needed to tell her something in case Meredith ever needed help. Aelwyne had asked what it was but Bailey had yelled at them for not paying attention. So Cristina simply said 'later' and continued to walk along.

First they went on rounds and each intern got a turn to present. Then they got a call about a patient with possible diverticulitis. As they made their way towards the elevators they could hear the patient yelling and demanding to speak with the chief. Meredith went pale and stopped.

"What are you doing here?" The patient spat at her.

Cristina reached for the chart while Aelwyne got the account from the paramedics. Cristina was reading the chart out loud when she stopped before saying the patient's name and when Bailey pushed for it. Cristina looked at Meredith who was starting to scurry away.

"Ellis Grey." She said quietly but loud enough to be heard by Bailey.

All of the interns and Bailey turned to look at Meredith. Who was now hiding behind the wall. Aelwyne walked towards her, grabbed her hand and led her to the locker room. Once there everyone wanted to come in and say something. But Bailey stood at the door not letting them through. Aelwyne just stood there next to Meredith as she had not let go of her hand. Then Bailey assigned everyone to their attendings including Aelwyne who was again with Burke and Cristina. She pried her hand away from Meredith's and squeezed her shoulder reassuringly before walking away.


"Man now how do we help her? Like do we help her? That's her mom and she has Alzheimer's. Like how do you even deal?" Cristina asked quietly.

"I don't know but I hope we can somehow help her." Aelwyne replied.

"We'll figure it out. I hope. Anyway, do you miss her?" Cristina asked casually.

"Huh?" Aelwyne replied.

"The She-Shepherd? You had been with her since she got here until a few days ago." Cristina continued.

"Why would I… I mean she's a good teacher… but like… I mean… no?" Aelwyne attempted.

"Oh Aelwyne … you've got to hots for McHot. Don't you?" Cristina asked teasingly.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She replied.

"Well you're not denying it." Cristina chuckled.

"Cristina" she warned.

"Ok. Ok. I mean there's nothing wrong with liking ladies you know." Cristina said.

"Cristina I'm straight. I mean I think. But her. I don't know what happens with her. I don't know makes me doubt. Please don't tell anyone. Please Cristina." She begged.

"Hey it's ok" Cristina said nudging her slightly.

"Promise me, Cristina." She continued. "Promise."

"Ok. Fine. I promise not to tell but why be ashamed? I mean I like both. Life is too short to keep yourself tied to one flavor. If you know what I mean." Cristina said with a wink and smik. Aelwyne smiled and shook her head.

But she was scared. Scared of this thing. Was it a feeling? What kind of feeling? And she's a teacher. And she just met her. Well not entirely met her she knew next to nothing about her. All she knew was that she was successful and alone in a marriage that had slightly pushed her to cheat. And cheating was an escape. And she had paid. And from the look in her eyes on her face she was still paying it. And she wasn't excusing her but Derek was also to blame. But how? How could he leave her alone? How could he leave a woman so smart and kind. Painfully kind as Meredith had put it one time. She was beautiful. So how? How did he do it?

"Aelwyne…" she heard her name distantly.

"Aelwyne…" but she was still trapped in her thoughts.

"Aelwyne!" Cristina shook her slightly.

"Huh? What?" She was back to reality.

"Where'd you go dude?" Cristina laughed.

"I'm sorry. My brain took me for a spin." she forced a chuckle.

"You're thinking of things you think you can't have?" Cristina tried again looking for her eyes.

"No… no I was thinking about the surgery. Yeah that. The surgery." She tried to explain more to herself than Cristina.

"Sure" Cristina dragged the word. "Let's go to this surgery."


They went to the OR and scrubbed in to watch the thoracotomy. They watched and took mental notes as the surgery went on. Dr. Burke asked them questions as he went. Each of them answered correctly. But then when Cristina's turn came around again she stammered out her answer. Aelwyne had noticed her jitters and the slight sheet of sweat that had formed on her forehead. She kept rocking back and forth and was breathing heavily.

"Are you ok?" Aelwyne whispered.

Cristina didn't answer and suddenly she went pommeling down to the ground. Aelwyne caught her head just before it hit the floor. Then her fingers found her pulse point and she called for a gurney and the oxygen. Burke kept asking what was happening but she was focused on Cristina. She felt Bailey next to her and Izzie. The gurney came in and they got Cristina on it. Bailey told Burke she'd let him know what was going on as they rushed to do an exam and take her to get some films.

"Aelwyne" she spoke in whispers taking off her oxygen mask.

"Cristina I got you. We got you." Aelwyne said, trying to readjust the oxygen back again.

"No. Aelwyne. Please" Cristina said again taking the mask off once more and tugging at her.

"Cristina it's ok." She reassured her again.

"I'm pregnant. Aelwyne. I'm pregnant." She said weakly and then went unconscious again.

Aelwyne looked at Izzie who was just as surprised as her and then at Bailey who was also in the same state. Then they stopped.

"Wait, we're not going there. We're going to pre-op instead. Aelwyne go get Shepherd. As fast as you can. Tell her it's an emergency but be discreet." Bailey directed.

Aelwyne nodded and then she was off. She ran to the OB floor and was told Addison was not there that she had gone to see the chief about leaving. So Aelwyne ran for the chief's office.


Addison, Richard, and George were coming down the steps as Aelwyne ran for them.

"Dr. Shepherd. Can you come please? We need you." She said quickly. "It's one of our interns. Please. Cristina's collapsed." She begged.

"Why does she need me?" Addison asked, looking at Aelwyne.

Then Addison understood and so did Richard but it was George who spoke.

"Cristina's pregnant?" He asked.

"Quiet!" Aelwyne said to him then turned to Addison. "Please come." She begged again.

"I'm still leaving in the morning. This changes nothing Richard." She called as she went down the rest of the way.

And then they were off. Addison followed her to Cristina's new room. Vitals had been collected and the ultrasound was ready to go by the time they got there. Addison made quick work of the task and found what was wrong in an instant.

"It's an extrauterine pregnancy. Her ovary burst. She's bleeding out." Addison explained. She turned to say something to Aelwyne but she was already walking out.

"I'll book an OR right away doctor." she called and then was gone.


Addison was a master in that OR she went every which way repairing and healing. Cristina would have died had it not been for her. At some point Meredith tried to come in almost fought her way in but Bailey wouldn't allow her. It took several hours but surgery was done and Cristina was now safe and fast asleep in her own room.

Aelwyne checked on her vitals and updated the chart. While Addison revised her work once more.

"Why are you so fidgety, Neirhem? You're making me nervous." She said once they were outside of the room which was in front of the nurse's station.

"I'm not." Aelwyne replied looking at her then down at her hands.

"Yes you are. Are you doubting my skills? Cristina is fine. She'll be all set. Plus she has you and Meredith and Bailey to keep her safe and sound." Addison smilled.

"I would never doubt your skills." She replied seriously, looking at her with those piercing eyes.

"I- umm thank you. But then why are you so fidgety. Is there something you want to say?" Addison asked, a bit concerned.

"It's just.." she stopped.

"It's just what?" Addison motioned for her to continue.

"It's just you said you were leaving. And I don't.." Aelwyne began 'want you to go'

She couldn't say that. What the hell was she doing? She couldn't tell her to stay. What would be the reason? What would justify her staying? There were no more emergent cases which would require her expertise. She had come for one consult and somehow she had been here way longer. And why did she want her to stay? What could possibly drive her to keep Addison here? Here she could see how much Addison suffered. Maybe she had tried to hang on to something she shouldn't have. It was clear that Derek didn't want anything with her. It was the main topic around the halls of the hospital. She'd be better off leaving. She wouldn't have to stand the whispers and judgmental stares from everyone.

"Neirhem?" Addison called. But Aelwyne didn't answer.

She'd suffer here. But Aelwyne was feeling selfish and she wanted her to stay. But again there was no reason.

"Aelwyne?" Addison tried.

She was leaving. She probably needed to go. Derek here staring after Meredith with those puppy eyes was hurting her. Aelwyne had no right to make her stay. She had no say in the matter. And why should she? Aelwyne kept asking herself the same question over and over and over again.

"Ael?" Addison was closer now. Searching in her eyes.

"I.." Aelwyne whispered stunned after hearing Addison use her nickname. The one reserved for the people closest to her.

"Hey, are you ok?" Addison asked worried. She brought her palm up to Aelwyne's forehead. "You look flushed. Did you eat anything at all today? Are you feeling ok?"

"Don't leave. Why not fight? Do you love him?" Aelwyne heard herself say those things but she had no idea why she was saying those things. Her mouth was moving on its own.

"Fight?" Addison stepped back.

"Yes. If there's the remote chance that he feels something for you then why not stay? Go and fight." Aelwyne continued.

Why was she saying these things? Why was she trying so hard to convince her?

"You think I should?" Addison asked. And she sounded so broken. And Aelwyne couldn't help it and her body moved on it's own just as her mouth had formed words.

"Yes." She whispered as she hugged Addison.

They stood there in their embrace for just a moment. But for Aelwyne it felt like an eternity. She was warm and fuzzy and happy. Then the embrace was over. Addison stepped away with a smile then kissed Aelwyne sweetly on her cheek and started to walk away.

"You are right. I'll go and fight. Thank you." She said turning slightly with a smile and walking away.


Aelwyne stood rooted to the spot. Addison's absence had her growing suddenly cold. She had hugged her and then Addison had kissed her cheek. Aelwyne's hand rose to her cheek. The phantom kiss still there, lingering. She blinked once. Twice. Then a tear streamed down her cheek.

"Idiot." Someone called behind her.She turned and more tears streamed down. She looked confused by them.

Cristina was looking at her from her bed. Aelwyne walked in and sat next to her silently more tears running down her face now.

"What did I do?" She finally said.

"Be an idiot that's what." Cristina replied, moving her hand face up in offering.

"I didn't think…" Aelwyne said, taking her hand. "What do I do now?"

"I don't know. I guess you wait. We all know how Derek feels. I'm pretty sure one way or another he'll end up with Mer." Cristina said thoughtfully.

"I pushed her to suffer more. Didn't I?" She said in between silent sobs.


Cristina had nothing to say. But she just held her idiot friend's hand. They heard Meredith and the others coming. Quickly Aelwyne wiped her face and tried to make it look as if she was just tired.

"Hey! There's my person!" Meredith exclaimed and walked in. The rest of the interns along with Bailey followed.

"You look like crap." Alex said and everyone laughed.

"Don't say that to her." Aelwyne responded.

"I meant the both of you." He replied.

"For once we both agree." Izzie added.

"I bet you haven't eaten or rested at all today." Bailey said looking at her. "Go on. Go!" She pushed.

Aelwyne stood and said she'd be back soon then was off. She wandered the halls and let her feet carry her wherever they wanted. Somehow she ended up in front of the NICU. She looked at the babies through the window and she caught a glance of the redhead she had sent off. She walked a little closer to the window and then she saw the results of what she'd done. Addison wasn't alone. Derek was there and they were kissing.

Ok there is chapter 4. Thanks for the previous comments they're encouraging. Now I wanted to address something. While this is a Grey's Anatomy fic and some of the ships in the show will also be canon here I am not going to emphasize them. This fic is for Aelwyne, my OC. So I apologize if anyone was expecting that. That being said some will be explored depending on how close they are to furthering her story. Anyway again thanks for the comments and follows. Keep at it. Criticism is good so keep at it please :)