(authors note: this is set sometime in Season Six. The shooting has not happened yet, but it will be mentioned. Teddy has also not yet met Henry. I will be playing with the time line after season 10/11 and bringing Teddy back to seattle sooner. I don't like Owen and Amelia and my plan for Annie need's Teddy in Seattle. )

Mid December

Teddy hesitated at the door to the theater. Annie had invited her to come watch her compete in something called the jingle bell jig. She knew it had something to do with highland dancing and that there would be bagpipes involved but that was it. Checking her watch she saw that she was early, but she stepped into the lobby of the highschool auditorium. She noticed a table with a pair of women selling tickets and programs and stopped to get her ticket and pick up one of the programs.

"Which dancer is yours," the older woman at the table asked.

"Annie McKellar," replied Teddy.

"She's very good," praised the brunet, "my Elizabeth has been competing against her since they were 5 and Annie wins every time."

"Thank you, we're very proud of how hard Annie works," Teddy replied.

She walked through the lobby looking for Annie but the identical hair styles and similar outfits of all of the girls were making it a challenge. She knew Annie was in dark blue, the same colour as Teddy's scrubs and saw from the program that Annie was dancer 284 today. She searched the bouncing faces and swirling kilts for her daughter.

Annie bounced towards Teddy, " Teddy we're over here!"

Teddy picked up her pace and met Annie in the middle of the room for a hug. This drew the attention of many of the dancers. Annie was known for being a phenomenal dancer, kind and polite but typically shy off stage. Annie was not known to start conversations with her fellow dancers though she was always a cheerful and friendly participant.

"Are you ready for today," Teddy asked.

"I am," replied Annie, "it's just long steps today and only 6 dances."

"Only 6," Teddy said sounding surprised, "that sounds like a lot to me."

"We can do 8 in a day and do that often," Annie said, "my mom and Jessica are already in the audience. I usually wait in the warm up area with Mrs. Laura, my teacher."

"You go finish your warm up and I'll see you when you're done," Teddy said.

"You can stay the whole time? No hospital emergencies," Annie asked.

"I'm supposed to be off today and I have another cardio attending in the hospital. He knows not to call me unless it gets out of hand. I even left my pager at the hospital last night," Teddy said, "today is all yours."

Annie hugged Teddy again, "thank you."

"Good luck and have fun on stage," Teddy replied. She noticed the difference in her daughter in this setting. It was like her blue kilt and jacket outfit were armour. Annie moved with a confidence Teddy hadn't seen a couple weeks ago at UBC. Teddy also noticed how heavy and warm the outfits appeared to be. Yards of heavy wool tartan wrapped around the dancers waists and hips, thick jewel toned velvet jackets and slim fitting sleeves and silver buttons, she was surprised by the socks, knee high and thick like the ones she wore when it snowed. There was also something about the neatness and precision of the girls outfits that reminded her of the army, crisp straight lines, flashes of silver or gold in trim and buttons. The slicked back buns high on the girls heads.

Teddy thought back to the night her and Annie had the heart to heart in her hotel room. She pictured her little girl first crying then laughing with delight when she realized the depth of Teddy's love for her and how much she had always been wanted. They had become closer since that night, messaging daily through whats app and skyping a couple of times a week. Annie's semester was done now and she was waiting for her exam marks.

"Who was that," asked Mrs. Laura as Annie rejoined her teacher and classmates.

"My birth mom," replied Annie, "Teddy had the day off so she came to see me dance."

"Does your mom know," asked Mrs. Laura.

"She does it was her idea to ask Teddy to come today," replied Annie, "they've talked a few times lately and mom wrote her a letter every month or so until October telling Teddy what I was up to."

"Do you want to go sit with her between dances," Mrs. Laura asked.

"No, I want to stay with you Mrs. G, Julia and Heather," Annie said, "far away from Jessica. Teddy wanted to sit with my parents."

In the auditorium Teddy looked around for an open seat, she wasn't sure how she felt about approaching Leslie and Dan.

Leslie noticed Teddy standing near the door, "that must be Teddy. She looks like Annie all grown up."

"It has to be," said Dan.

The couple waved at her and pointed to the empty seat beside them. Teddy waved back and headed up the steps towards where they were sitting.

"You must be Teddy," Dan greeted, "I'm Dan McKellar and this is my wife Leslie."

"It's great to see you again," Teddy said, "it's been almost 20 years."

Leslie replied, "it has been. Thank you for coming today Annie was really excited you could make it but she'll be in turtle mode at this today. Her sister is competing which is rare and always stresses Annie out. You're just in time for them to get started."

"I didn't know Jessica would be here today," Teddy said.

"Jessica decided to do a late entry two days ago," Leslie replied, "Jess isn't as strong of a dancer as Annie, we're not expecting Jess to place but expect that Annie will be top 3 in all her dances. But I'm glad that they split the age categories the way they did. Annie is in an 18-20 class and Jessica in a 14/15. The last time they both competed it was 15 and up, that didn't go over well"

"Annie won and Jess didn't place any of her dances," Dan said, "it's better when they don't compete against each other."

"How competitive is Annie," asked Teddy.

"She likes to do well and be good at what she does but it's more a competition with herself. She doesn't tolerate making mistakes, she's a massive perfectionist," Leslie said.

Teddy replied, "so am I. If it's not perfect it bothers me. Luckily in my field perfectionism is a prerequisite. Mistakes aren't an option when you have someone's heart in your hands."

"I don't know how you can do that without feeling squeamish," said Leslie, "I had a hard time with the bleeding the time Annie stepped on the glass Jess dropped and didn't tell anyone about. Annie needed 8 stitches in her foot that day."

"My first few surgeries as a medical student the blood bothered me but you get used to it over time," Teddy said, "Annie has been asking me about surgery lately."

"She's always talked about being a doctor or pediatrician but since she's been talking to you she's started to consider surgery. Our concern is how long the training is and if she can be that competitive for that long," Dan said.

"I've told her that she needs to get into medical school, do all of her rotations in various specialties and then when it's time to apply to and match for residencies , we can talk specialties," Teddy said, "she can keep it as a goal but she needs to experience everything before she decides. Even if she chooses surgery she'll find the right mentor who helps her find where her talents are. But first she needs to get into medical school. One step at a time."

"If she chooses to follow your path what are we looking at for training," Leslie asked.

"She'll finish out her next couple years at UBC. This summer we should start preparing for the MCAT and making sure she's on track for that. I will help her to be ready for that. She takes that exam next spring and uses her score to apply to medical schools. Does she have dual citizenship," Teddy asked.

"She does have dual citizenship but rarely uses her american passport. Because she was born in Texas and has an american birth certificate and adoption papers it was easy for us to do," Dan replied.

"Good that opens up some more options at a few schools that I would recommend," Teddy said, "after her 4 years of medical school she'll do 5 years of surgical residency starting in general surgery and rotating through all subspecialties, cardiothoracic, neuro, orthopedic, plastic, pediatric and a few others. If she chooses cardiothoracic that's a 2-3 year fellowship on top of her residency. She will get more responsibility and independence as she gets more experience. I have a third year resident who is ready for solo valve replacements, I stand and watch while Christina does the surgery."

"So there's no home state or home province requirement on medical school," Dan clarified, "we thought we were restricted to UBC."

"If Annie is open to going to an american school it's not a problem, if she wants to stay in Canada then she is limited to UBC," Teddy said.

They were interrupted by the sound of the bagpipes and 6 younger girls walking onto the stage. Leslie leaned towards Teddy, "this is the fling. All of the dancers will do it today. We start with the youngest , the 4 year old primaries and work our way towards the adult classes the 18-20 and 21+."

They watched each of the dances, the 3 highlands of the day the Fling, Sword and Reel. After the reel Teddy noticed the rush of mothers out of the seats, "what's happening?"

Dan replied, "quick change. Annie is fine, she would rather her mom not be back there. Her teacher will help if she needs it."

They danced two more dances with Leslie and Dan explained were the nationals, softer more graceful movements in a sharp contrast to the crisp bouncing of the previous three. Teddy smiled watching Annie glide through her Blue Bonnets and at the joyful spring she demonstrated in her Earl of Errol.

"Another quick change," Teddy asked as Leslie rushed past her.

"Yep," Dan replied, "time for the Jig"

The jig was different from the others, dancers stomping their feet and clicking their heels in festive looking red and green outfits, complete with matching shoes. She held in a giggle at Annie's choreographed temper tantrum, stomping her heels, punching the air and shaking her red skirt.

After the Jig finished Annie went to the seating area still in her Jig dress. She flopped down on the step beside Teddy's seat and took a long drink from her water bottle.

"I really enjoyed watching you do that," Teddy said.

"Thank you for coming and staying all day," Annie replied.

They quietly chatted until Jessica appeared in front of Annie, "move loser and take the woman who threw you away with you."

"Jessica," Leslie reprimanded, "that was uncalled for. Apologize to Annie and Teddy then sit down silently."

"No," argued Jessica, "she knows exactly what she is. They both do."

Annie whispered to Teddy, "can you hold my water bottle? I'm just going to run to the washroom."

"Of course," Teddy replied. Struggling to keep her anger under wraps. She wanted to smack Jessica. Seeing that the two sentences Jessica had hissed at Annie she could see why Annie was so shy and reluctant to be part of a group. Her sister was abusing her.

After a moment Teddy whispered to Leslie, "Annie went to the washroom. I'll go check on her."

"We should go together, then I'm going to pack Jessica's costumes and take them to the van," Leslie replied, "Dan is going to take her to the car. Her day is done."

"Will Annie be okay on the way home," asked Teddy.

"This has happened before she'll go back with Mrs. Laura. She's okay with that. Mrs. Laura knows and will let Annie have a good cry then take her for ice cream," Leslie responded.

"Should I go see her or will Annie want some space," Teddy asked.

"Annie is going to be mortified right now. She likes you a lot but she doesn't usually do well after one of Jessica's outbursts like that," said Leslie, "this one was very public and very pointed. Annie will be upset."

Leslie led Teddy past the washroom and into the change room, they saw Annie crouched over her open dance bag laying costumes inside, "I'm almost packed up. I just need to do my jig after awards but I would be happy to go now."

"You are staying for awards. Whats going to happen is that you are going to hold your head high, look people in the eye and celebrate the effort you gave today. Dad and I are taking Jessica to the van to wait. You can choose if you want Teddy to wait with you or if you want to find Mrs. Laura and wait with her," Leslie said firmly. Giving Annie no room for an argument.

Annie kept putting things in her bag and collapsed the hanging rack, laying it across the costumes already inside, "can I wait with Mrs. Laura and Teddy?"

"Yes," replied Leslie, "that is a choice. You need to make a choice now not to let your sister ruin your day. Dad and I will deal with her in the car while we wait for you."

Teddy asked, "how can I help Annie, what do you need done?"

"I'm all packed up but I will need help getting the zipper down at the back of my dress when I'm totally finished for the day," Annie replied.

"Okay I can help with the zipper when we're done for the day," Teddy said, "lets get up and go find Mrs. Laura."

"I can't, I'm too dizzy to get up," Annie whined.

"What are you feeling Annie," Teddy asked, noticing that Annie's cheeks were bright red and her knuckles were white from gripping the sides of her large dance bag.

"My head is spinning, my heart won't slow down, my chest is really tight," Annie replied, panic rising in her voice.

"Has this happened before," Teddy asked sitting on the floor beside her.

"Yes," Annie whispered.

"When," asked Teddy.

"Last time Jessica made fun of me at church," Annie replied.

Teddy looked at Leslie.

Leslie crouched down with Annie and Teddy, "she's had panic attacks before."

Teddy asked, "Annie can I check your pulse?"

Annie nodded.

Teddy took the girl's wrist in her hand and placed her fingers where she knew she would feel the pulse, "that's fast. But not out of normal range."

"Is she okay," Leslie asked.

"Without hooking her up to a monitor and running labs I would say physically yes," replied Teddy.

"Mom can you go and take Jessica home," Annie whispered.

"We can but how will you get home," Leslie said.

"I already asked the Petersons, I can get a ride with them," Annie said, "they were going for dinner on the way home. I have enough american cash."

"Do you think you'll be okay," Leslie asked.

"I do. Just get Jess out of here. Knowing she's still here is making it worse," Annie said.

Leslie hugged her daughter who shook it off, "I love you sweetheart, text me when your on your way home."

She turned to Teddy, "we're not going to leave the area until we know Annie is okay. She knows the Petersons well, the mom was her counselor for a few years. If Jennifer says Annie isn't okay call me"

"I will," Teddy promised.

Teddy was now beginning to understand the other aspect of Annie's turtle mode. When Annie left her shell and tried to build relationships her sister did everything she could to tear it down and break Annie appart. Teddy wasn't going to let that happen.

"We should go back in there," Annie said, her voice and body shaking.

"We will in just a moment. I want to try something I learned from Christina to help you calm down. It's called deep pressure, I've seen her use it with Owen when he has a PTSD attack. I think it could help you," Teddy said in her calm, authoritative doctor voice.

"What do I have to do," asked Annie.

"You're going to stand right where you are. I'm going to hug you as tight as I can until I feel your body relax. The pressure of the hug is going to calm your central nervous system. It will send signals to your brain that you're safe. You're going to want to fight me off at first but I'm not going to let go. You will feel your body relax and your breathing and heart rate will slowly start to match mine," Teddy explained.

"I guess we can try it," Annie responded, letting her arms fall to her sides.

Teddy wrapped her arms around Annie and held her tight. Annie tried to jerk away, but Teddy held on and whispered, "match your breathing to mine."

Slowly Annie's breathing slowed and her heat rate followed. Teddy felt her go limp in her arms.

"Okay, now we're ready to go find your group and see where things are at," Teddy said.

Annie turned to her, "thank you for calming me down Auntie Teddy."

"Where did auntie come from," Teddy asked.

"A couple weeks ago you said you could see yourself being like an aunt for me, that you wouldn't try to take mom's place but did want to be there for me. I thought auntie matched your description well," Annie said.

"Then Auntie Teddy it is," Teddy responded.

Annie led the way to where her classmates and teacher were sitting. On stage they were just finishing up with the older intermediate class, they still had 20 minutes or so for Annie's results.

Mrs. Laura leaned across the over to whisper to Teddy, "did you see what happened before Annie went and hid?"

Teddy replied, "Jessica had some nasty words for her. She's okay now and is going home with the Petersons."

The grandmotherly dance teacher replied, "Annie is a strong, sweet, brilliant girl. Probably the smartest girl I've ever taught. Annie told me you're her birth mother this morning."

"I am. She's decided today that I'm Auntie Teddy," Teddy smiled, " I haven't introduced myself. I'm Doctor Teddy Altman."

"Laura Granger," replied the dance teacher, "highland teacher, adjudicator and examiner. What type of doctor are you Teddy?"

"I'm head of cardiothoracic surgery at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital," Teddy replied in doctor mode again.

"That would be why Annie has mentioned wanting to look into being a surgeon recently," Laura smiled, "I think with her drive, commitment and perfectionism she could be a great one. She's fabulous with the little kids and adults. She just needs confidence with kids her own age. But the last two years living in dorms have helped that."

The two women chatted amicably for a while Teddy pleased to hear the dance teachers glowing praise of Annie not just as a dancer, but more importantly as a person and a student. Her dedication was unwavering, and she would persevere through anything. She also learned about the sunny cheerful attitude Annie could be counted on to have every day and that she never had an unkind work for anyone.

The 18-20 year old class was finally called for awards. Annie sat on the edge of her chair waiting to hear her number. Teddy slowly ran her hand across Annie's back, using light pressure to let her know that she was okay. When Annie's number was called she quickly and purposely walked to join the group on stage. Annie stood with her hands at her side and her toes pointed outwards.

The called the awards for Fling starting at sixth place, counting down towards first, they got through second and Teddy knew it was between Annie and the girl in teal for first. Annie's number and full name were called for first. Annie neatly stepped forward cutsied and allowed the young woman with the medals to hang the gold medal on the blue ribbon around her neck.

This medal ceremony was repeated 5 more times, each time it went to just Annie and one other dancer without a medal Teddy held her breath. Every time she breathed a sigh of relief. At the end the announcer called the aggregate winner for the day, Annabeth McKellar was the overall winner in the premiere 18-20 years class.

"Well done sweetheart," Teddy said, "what did you win?"

"A medal and $50 for each dance plus $200 for being the overall winner," Annie said, she looked at her teammates, "we all had a great day. Everyone placed in most of their dances."

"What will you do with the prize money," Asked Teddy.

"I'm coming down later this week to do some christmas shopping with Jen and Meggie," Annie replied.

"How long we're you coming down for and which days," Teddy asked.

"We were just coming for the day Thursday," Annie said.

"I'm in the office unless there's an emergency on Thursday and off Friday. Ask your friends what they think but why don't you spend the night with me on Thursday and head home Friday. Break the driving up," suggested Teddy.

"I'll ask when I get home and let you know," Annie said.

Annie got up and began to follow the group.

"Where are you going," asked Teddy.

"It's picture time. Then we change to real people clothes, go for dinner then head home," Annie said.

"I'll stay for pictures and to help you with your zipper then I should go. I have 3 surgeries tomorrow to prep for and make sure I've sent Christina the right information," Teddy said.

"Okay," replied Annie.

After the photos and getting changed Annie turned to Teddy, " thank you for coming today Auntie Teddy. I'm sorry it wasn't a calmer competition day."

"I enjoyed watching you dance Annie," Teddy said, "that impressed me today. What your sister did and said was not your fault and only makes her look bad not you. Remember nothing can make me love you any less."

Teddy decided to call Owen on her drive home. She needed a friend to talk to and while this situation was better for Arizona's advice, she didn't want to deal with the bubbly sweet paediatric surgeon.

"Teddy," Owen answered his phone enthusiastically, " how was that thing today with Annie."

"Hi Teddy," Teddy heard Christina and Evelyn call in the background.

"Hunt put me on speaker because you know your mom is just going to want you to tell her everything," Teddy responded.

"Okay Altman you're on speaker phone," Owen replied, setting his phone on the table between the three people gathered around it, "what was your thing with Annie today?"

"I went to watch her highland dance competition in Marysville," Teddy said, "she did really well. She came first in all of her dances and won the overall in her age group. It was $500 in prize money."

"That is a good day for a highland dancer," Evelyn said, "I remember when Meghan used to compete the overalls were a big deal. Which dances did she do today?"

"Fling, the one with the swords on the ground, one where they started in a line of 4 and then started spinning each other, Blue something, Earl of Erroll and Jig," Teddy replied.

"So Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Strasphey and Reel of Tulloch, Blue Bonnets , Earl of Errol and the Irish Jig. That's a hard day and a busy day," Evelyn responded, "short or long steps."

"She called today long steps," Teddy said, "I was impressed with how athletic it was she jumps the entire time and those costumes are heavy. The only one I didn't think she would overheat in was her Jig dress. She's a little machine onstage. You wouldn't think it of her, she's only about 5'3" and tiny, maybe 100 pounds if that."

"Meghan was tiny two and she was a power house," Owen said.

"She trained hard and never gave up," Teddy said, "watching Annie today kind of reminded me of Meghan."

"Other than the dancing how did it go," Evelyn inquired.

"It was great Leslie and Dan we're wonderful they really love her and know her well. I liked her teacher Laura Granger."

"She dances with Laura Granger," Evelyn said, " that woman is known to be the toughest judge on the west coast. Meghan could never place if she was judging."

"I liked Laura, she was wonderful with her students and had great insight into Annie. Laura taught Leslie as well and grew up with Leslie's mom," Teddy said, "Annie seems to love her and be very relaxed with her. No Turtle shell with her teacher or teammates."

"Did she do her turtle thing again," asked Owen.

"This went beyond turtle to full on panic attack. Jessica her sister was competing and was a bully and said some really hurtful things about Annie and about me not loving Annie," Teddy said, " Annie was mortified and devastated. I was able to try the deep pressure thing and get her calmed down with it though. Christina thank's for telling me about that one."

"It worked for panic attacks," Christina asked.

"It did, I held her until she went limp and got her to match my breathing," Teddy said.

"It sounds like you were a real mom to that girl today Teddy," Evelyn said.

"I'd like to see her again," said Owen.

"She may spend Thursday night with me. Her and two friends are coming down to do some Christmas shopping, I offered for them to spend the night and I'll do dinner and breakfast for them," Teddy said.

"Let me know if they come. Invasion of the college kids could be fun," Owen said.

"You'll need tequila delivery," Christina added.

"I'll be fine. They can't drink here yet but they all do at home. Their drinking age is 19," Teddy said.

"I should hang up and focus on the drive back," Teddy said.

"See you tomorrow Altman," replied Owen.

"Rounds at 6:30 Yang, I'll see you for coffee Hunt," Teddy replied, hanging up the phone.

On the way to her cottage she thought about the events of the day. She saw how confident and bouncy Annie was with her friends and dance teacher and how quickly Jessica tore Annie to shreds. Teddy knew that one day Annie would need a safe place away from her sister. Somewhere to go and lick her wounds, rebuild her life. Teddy had rebuilt her life with help from Alison and Claire. She knew Annie had friends, relatives and dance teachers. But something in her said that Annie would come to her the day she finally had enough of Jessica's abuse.