Hello fan fiction readers; thank you so much f0r all the reviews and inboxes. I'm happy you're all enjoying the story. I also appreciate all of your responses, encouraging me to continue the story. I certainly will be writing this one till it's conclusion. And I am hopeful you'll keep reviewing me and inboxing me. Happy reading!
As Kerry decides to call Judy back; the door to the bathroom opens. So she hangs up, when she hears, "Kerry are you okay?" She takes a breath, flushes the toilet and comes out of the stall to see Katie. She puts on a fake smile as she says, "Yes. I am good. Sorry, I didn't meant to hold up the group." Katie responds, "It's fine the guys went over to hold a table for us. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I know how meeting with Shonda can be."
As Kerry washes and dries her hands, she asks, "Who says I was meeting with Shonda?" Katie replies, "Tony said he thought that's where you went." Not really wanting to share much information with her; she says, "Okay. Well, I am ready to go. I can drive you over if you want." She says, "Sure thing. Darby already left too, and I drove with her this morning."
Not really wanting to hang out; but thinking if she just blows them off it will be more noticeable that something isn't right. She says, "Let's go then." After picking up Josie from her assistant; they head to the eatery.
As they walk through the door; her phone buzzes again. But it stops buzzing when she comes within eyesight of Tony. He's sitting at the table, looking directly at her, as she and Katie walk toward the table.
As she approaches the table; he sees she has Josie in her carrier, something he knows she hates being in. So it's apparent they won't be staying long. Despite being upset with her for not answering his calls; he's glad to see she looks to be okay.
When she reaches the table; he gets up offering her the seat next to him, on the end of the u shaped booth that sat, Columbus, Katie, Darby, Jeff, and Tom. When she sits down; they all greet her and she responds in kind. She's able to fake it till she makes it better than anyone; so nobody is the wiser that she'd rather not be there in that moment, except for Tony.
After ordering a salad, and a glass of wine; she joins in with the conversation, as they discuss the craziness of the meeting. Everyone is shocked at Scott being back on the set, and nobody understands why Shonda went off on Henry. Even Tom feels it was absurd; knowing Henry's personality. He even goes as far as to say he's never seen Henry so upset. Jeff cosigns his statement and says he doesn't know if he'll be back or not.
The thought of him leaving, is a shocker. Nobody is prepared for it; but then again, given how things transpired today and how they seem to argue so much last season. The idea seems more likely than not; that he would use this as a reason to depart.
Tony advises, with his contract not yet being completed; he'd have a loophole he could exercise to leave without penalty. Columbus then says, "So it's basically a done deal. He doesn't have a reason to come back. Not if he's not happy. Plus he was already a shoe in for that roll on 100." Jeff nods as he says, "Yeah, I remember he mentioned auditioning for that. He'd be great for the part."
Darby asks, "So with him gone; who's going to replace him?" Colby asks, "When have you known Shonda to replace anybody; unless it's absolutely necessary. The show is young enough to where if he is in fact gone; he's not an integral character. So his absence wouldn't have an adverse effect. The way I see it; we're all disposable, except maybe Kerry and Tony."
Tony replies, "That's not the case Colby. Nobody is safe per se. If Shonda wanted or needed to get rid of any of us. She could do it." Tom responds, "Yeah, but she'd be getting rid of the show essentially without you two. You're the center of the show." Everyone at the table agrees, and Kerry says, "As much as I understand your points. Tony is right; Shonda could still do whatever she wants when it comes to characters. If you've seen Private Practice; you know what I mean."
Tom responds, "Good point. What she did to Tim, Pete's character on Private Practice was unbelievable." As Tony takes a sip of his beer; he replies, "I couldn't agree with you more Tom." Kerry knows the story all too well, and in this moment. She doesn't want to admit it. But after talking to Shonda herself; she knows he's right. She really is out of control, and overly aggressive when it comes to men who work for her.
Remaining quiet; she allows Tony to explain the story. After Columbus asks for details. In a nutshell, Tim had agreed to do the show for a certain period of time, for a certain amount of money. Well, the time frame was up; but he agreed to do another season. They'd started contract negotiations and he was told everything was going well; he worked a few episodes of the fifth season and one day he asked a question about his lines.
Shonda was not happy about his questions, and felt like he was trying to show her up. So, suddenly he was called and told his character was being killed off." Columbus asks, "What kind of fuckshit is that?" Tony responds, "The kind that only Shonda is willing to produce time and time again." They all nod in agreement, as they continue to sip their drinks, and eat their food. Enjoying the company and the release to gossip and decompress about their day, and their boss.