At 4 am Teddy heard her pager go off. She rolled over and groaned, the code that showed was for a transplant. She grabbed her phone off the charger and called the hospital. They had a heart and lungs for a girl Annie's age, who had contracted a virus that had permanently damaged her heart.

Teddy ran to Annie's room and flipped on the light, "sweetheart you need to get up."

"No mom, I just went to bed," Annie moaned burying her head under the pillow.

"Annie it's Teddy," she said shaking the girl's shoulder, "the hospital called. We need to go in now, they found a heart for my transplant patient."

"I'm coming," Annie groaned.

"Is your backpack ready," asked Teddy.

"It is like you told me, clean clothes, home work, toiletries," Annie said.

"Get up now, put your clothes on and brush your teeth," Teddy commanded, " we're leaving in 10 minutes."

"This is why you say to shower when we get home isn't it," Annie said, " luckily my braids hold for 2 days."

"Yes , Just fix the ends in the car," Teddy said, " the ends are fuzzy."

"Make up," asked Annie.

"Throw it in your bag," teddy said, " do it when you wake up fully."

Annie rolled out of bed, "I'm up."

"I'm going to get dressed. Be ready in 5, I already turned on the coffee pot it should be done before we go," Teddy said.

Annie was at the front door with her back pack ahead of Teddy, "yoga pants and a sweatshirt?"

Annie replied, "I assume I'm changing to scrubs when we get there. Cuter close are in my bag."

"You will change right away," Teddy said, "come on donor hearts don't wait."

Annie rushed to the car and hopped into the passenger seat, " what happens when we get to the hospital?"

"You're going to go with Owen and Bailey and observe as they prep the patient for surgery," Teddy said, "i'm going to the heli pad on the roof with Christina. We're going to fly to Portland and get the hear. That will take 3-4 hours to fly, harvest the heart and fly back."

"So i'm at the hospital on my own while your gone," Annie asked sounding hesitant.

"You're with Owen, I texted him while you brushed your teeth," Teddy said, " you know Owen. you are not going to play turtle with him. Miranda Bailey is tough on the surface but she cares deeply. She's a good teacher. Owen and Miranda will make sure you learn."

They walked into the hospital and were greeted by Bailey.

"Mini Altman," she said, "your with me this morning before you meet Grey."

Annie stuck out her hand , "I'm Anabeth McKellar but I usually go by Annie."

"Let's go McKellar, when I move you move," Bailey boomed, " I have 5 rules for you. 1 you don't speak unless I call on you 2 you are here to observe eyes on what my hands are doing 3 don't get in the way 4 only your mom or Hunt can move you from my service before you meet Grey at 9. "

Annie said , "that's only 4. "

"When I move you move," Bailey snapped , "I already said that!"

"Okay," replied Annie, "where are we going?"

"You need to change first," Bailey said.

"I don't know where to get clean scrubs," Annie said, "dr Yang had them ready for me earlier."

"Bailey can you get them for her so I can get the the heli pad," asked Teddy

"Let's go first stop clean scrubs," Bailey said , "what did you do with the old ones?"

"I followed Dr Yang's lead and put them in the laundry bin," Annie said.

"What size did you have," Bailey demanded.

"I think they were extra smalls," Annie said

Christina came up behind them , "they were. I have clean ones ready for Annie. "

"Run with her then," Bailey commanded "I'll meet you at the nurses station."

Annie sprinted down the hall after Christina. Teddy ran in the opposite direction. In the resident's locker room Christina pulled two sets of scrubs and threw them at Annie wordlessly.

Annie seeing that it was only her, April and Christina in the locker room pulled off her sweatshirt and yoga pants and threw the scrub top over her tank top. She was dressed faster than Christina.

"Wow," said April, "how do you change that fast?"

"Lot's of practice," Annie replied, "I'm a ballet and highland dancer."

"How does that make you faster at changing then the rest of us," April asked.

"I have 2-3 quick changes every time I go to a competition. We have very little time to change some pretty complicated costumes. Yoga pants and sweatshirt, into pull on scrubs is way easier than kilt to aboyne," Annie replied.

"What's an aboyne," April asked.

"It's a highland dance costume. Tights, white cotton underskirt and blouse, tartan skirt, velvet vest and plaid on your back," Annie replied.

"Do you have pictures," asked April.

"I do," replied Annie pulling out her phone to show April the pictures from the last competition. The photo was of her, her mom and Teddy after awards, Annie was in her aboyne outfit, a rich cranberry coloured set. It was clear that Annie had won a big award; she had a large trophy at her feet and a collection of medals around her neck.

"What did you win," asked April.

"I was high points for 2010 in my province and won the sportsmanship award," Annie said.

"Congratulations," replied April, " you must love dancing."

"Thank you, I really do," Annie said, " Christina is gone can you help me find Dr. Bailey?"

"Of course I can," April said, " I'm with Dr. Hunt tonight to help prep the patient with him and Bailey for the transplant. You'll be with me. Any questions about what's happening this morning, you can ask me."

"Thank you," Annie asked, " are you watching from the gallery as well?"

"I will be," April said, "do you want to sit with me?"

Annie replied, "Teddy said she had arranged Dr. Hunt to sit with me but I'd rather sit with you."

"I'm watching the whole time," April responded, " Hunt will be in and out. But he'll check in on you. Teddy is his best friend and you're her daughter. Hunt will make sure you're okay when Altman isn't around. He'll treat you like family. They are the closest thing each of them have to siblings."

"It sounds like you know them well," Annie said.

"Owen Hunt is my mentor," replied April, "I want to be a trauma surgeon"

"Then why are you here getting someone ready for a heart transplant," asked Annie.

"It's a general surgery task and I train first as a general surgeon then will specialize later as a trauma surgeon," April explained, "have you thought of what you want to do after medical school?"

"I think I want surgery and what I saw yesterday with Teddy was really fascinating," Annie replied, "she said she wants me to see a few types of surgery and other specialties before I decide. Pediatrics could be cool and I know I don't want psychiatry."

"Lots of choices in surgery," Owen said , "what did you like about your time with Teddy today other then seeing what she does. "

"I liked the pace and that things changed constantly. Every patient was different," Annie explained.

"If you like face paced and constant change you'll enjoy trauma. Nothing is ever the same twice " Owen said , "and you're my student today. Grey is home with the stomach flu so I moved April to my service."

Annie smiled, " Owen treats me like family. He talks to me the same way my uncles do, but he likes to show me cooler things. The ER is more exciting than fishing knots and boat motors."

"I agree that the pit is more exciting than boat motors," April said, " do you fish?"

Annie continued the conversation as she kept pace with April, " my family spends two weeks at our fishing camp on the north central coast every summer. I do a lot of salmon and halibut fishing."

"In the ocean," asked April.

"Yes , deep water fishing, halibut and prawns are about 400 feet down," Annie replied, " salmon are 10-100 feet down."

They reached where Bailey and Owen were standing.

Owen greeted them, "Kepner, Annie you ready to prep this girl for surgery?"

"I'm excited to watch," Annie said. She was almost bouncing as she followed the doctors down the hall.

"Annie, it's your lucky day," replied Owen, "I have a couple jobs for you to do."

"I get to do more than watch," Annie nearly shouted.

"When you stop bouncing," Owen said.

"Sorry Dr. Hunt," Annie said, " I get bouncy and springy when I get excited."

"It's okay Annie. You should be excited. We'll tell Teddy when she gets back," Owen said.

"Teddy doesn't know you have jobs for me," Annie asked. She looked very puzzled.

"Teddy and I have different teaching styles. She likes you to watch for longer than I do. I like to get my students hands on right away," Owen said.

"I learn best when I do it," Annie said, " I'm looking forward to doing this. What am I doing?"

"Your job is to talk to the patient and help keep her calm," Owen explained.

"What do I talk to her about," Annie asked.

"Just get her talking and keep her talking," Owen said, " you'll figure something out."

They approached the door to the girl's room. Annie looked puzzled seeing the name on the door.

"Do you know if she was ever a highland dancer, I used to compete against a girl with that name," Annie said.

"I don't know but it gives you somewhere to start talking to her," April said, "ask her about her hobbies."

They walked into the room and Owen made introductions, " good morning Krista, excited for your heart?"

Krista replied, " I am. But where is Dr. Altman?"

"Dr. Altman is on her way to Portland to pick up your heart. I'd Dr. Hunt a surgeon here. This is Dr. April Kepner my resident and our pre-med student this week Annabeth McKellar," Owen replied.

"Annie McKellar, the highland dancer," asked Krista.

"Yes," Annie smiled at her, " I haven't seen you in a couple years."

"Annie, why are you here," asked Krista.

"Dr. Altman is my birth mom," Annie replied, "I'm pre med at UBC and starting my applications to medical school so Teddy thought I should spend the week observing with her."

"That's so cool," Krista said.

"It is," Annie agreed, " Teddy said I could watch your transplant from the gallery."

"You're watching them take out my old heart and put in the working one," Krista asked.

"Annie will be joining a group of medical students, residents and interns to observe. We're a teaching hospital. Every procedure is an opportunity for our attendings like Dr. Altman to teach," Owen explained.

Krista's mother responded, "we've known Annie for as long as Krista has been dancing. They competed against each other from the time they were four. Annie is welcome to watch wherever Dr. Altman wants her to."

Owen replied, "thank you mam. I will pass the information to Dr. Altman. However this is Annie's first week observing so in my professional opinion she's best in the gallery where we can have someone explaining the procedure. It's a first heart transplant for our interns as well so our head of the transplant program will be narrating in the gallery for them."

"This might be a question for Dr. Altman," Krista said, "but when I get my new heart will I be able to dance again?"

"You should have full function in a few months after your transplant, there's no reason you won't be able to dance again," said April.

Annie jumped in, "I'd love to see you at competition again!"

Krista paused, " you're probably years ahead of me now. I'll have to go back to pre championships for a while."

"You were technically flawless," Annie replied, " it won't take long before you're fully back. I want my biggest competition back."

"As soon as your mom says I can dance I'll be back," Krista said.

"Let me know when you're competing again and I'll tell Teddy," Annie said, " she's been coming to lots of my comps."

As April and Owen worked on Krista, Annie kept up the conversation about dance. They laughed about funny things that had happened at games and workshops in the past and on stage mishaps.

Owen interrupted the girls, " Krista it's time to go to the OR. Annie run ahead to the scrub room and say hi to Teddy. She texted me asking to see you before she goes in."

Annie sprinted down the hallway.

Owen called after her ," No running in the hospital."

From the gurney Krista spoke up, " in case you haven't noticed Annie doesn't walk. She usually bounces."

"You know her well," asked Owen.

"I competed against her and her brother. We were all at dance camp together most summers. Her sister was a couple years behind us. Annie is the best dancer of the three," Krista said, " but she's also the quietest and nicest."

"We really like Annie here," Owen said, " her biological mom is my best friend."

"Annie doesn't live with her mom," Krista looked shocked, "is Annie adopted or something?"

April replied, "bingo. Annie is adopted."

Annie burst into the scrub room.

"Slow down little bear," Teddy said.

"Owen already told me not to run in the hospital but I was excited to see you," Annie replied, bouncing from one foot to the other.

Teddy put her hands on Annie's shoulders, " what are you so excited about?"

"Watching the transplant and I got to help Owen and April keep her calm. I used to compete against Krista and go to dance camp with her every summer," Annie said.

Teddy smiled at the excitement streaming off Annie, "so you know the patient well?"

"I do," Annie said, " I'm going to watch from the gallery and when she's healthy enough to compete again you have to come and watch."

"I will come watch when she competes against you," Teddy promised, " now I need to scrub. This is a long procedure."

"How long," asked Annie.

"8-10 hours if all goes as planned," Teddy said, " your welcome to flit in and out of the gallery. As much as my heart wants to bring you into the OR with me I need to be focused on this surgery. When you're a med student you can see one with me. I want to be there when you do your first transplant as a resident."

"That would mean doing my residency here," Annie said.

"Yes it would. I missed your baby milestones, I get your surgical milestones," Teddy said, "I'll be the one calling or writing your mom to tell her how amazing you are and how you're growing."

"One day. You and I will operate together," Annie said.

"I'll be the attending on your first solo surgery. We will be a mother daughter surgical power house," Teddy said.

"What about me," asked Chrstina.

"Annie is 6 years away from her residency at least," Teddy replied, " You'll be off somewhere awesome, being amazing and winning awards. I plan to stay here and teach my daughter."

"That would be so cool," Annie said, " but I haven't picked a specialty yet. So far i've liked what we've done but I also liked the couple hours I was in the ER with Owen."

"Cardio Trauma," Teddy said, " not many of us. And not many women in that speciality. You would rock it."

The scrub nurse called, "Dr. Altman we're almost ready for you."

Teddy hugged Annie, "go enjoy your day in the gallery. Make sure you follow April when she gets paged. Owen will teach you today. I'm going to scrub."

Annie held up her pinkie finger to Teddy, " what's this?"

"Pinkies," Christina said, " dancers do it before shows for luck."

"Break a leg," Annie said when Teddy connected her pinkie to Annies.

"Where's mine," asked Christina.

Annie shook pinkies with Christina.

"Run up to the gallery," Teddy said, "Owen is saving you a front row seat."

"I told April I'd sit with her," Annie said.

"Good thing April is Owen's favourite resident," Teddy countered, " now I have a life to change."

Annie rushed to the gallery and found the front row seat April and Owen were saving for her. She gratefully accepted the cup of coffee Owen handed her. She sat on the edge of her seat and watched as Teddy made the first incision and opened Krista's chest. She was fascinated asking a million questions about what was happening and why. Richard Webber sat behind her and pointed things out and asked Annie questions to gage her understanding.

Richard spoke, "Annie, I was impressed by your work in the skills lab yesterday. With your question today I think you're going to be an amazing surgeon one day. I've been at this game a long time and I never see this level of passion this early. Have you thought of where you want to go to med school?"

"I've always thought of UBC but Teddy pointed out that with my american citizenship and a reference from someone here as well as the work I'm helping Dr. Anne Milner with at UBC, I may have a shot at Harvard, Columbia or Stanford if I wanted," Annie replied.

"Those are all good schools but why UBC," asked Richard.

"I grew up just out side of Vancouver, in Canada there's residency requirements for medical school," Annie explained, " UBC runs the program at the main campus in Vancouver, the Kelowna Campus and the Prince George Campus. I'm hoping for Vancouver."

"Trying to live with your parents while you're in school," asked April.

"I'm in a dorm at UBC," Annie replied, " my younger sister and I don't get along so my dorm is the safest place for me."

"Safest place," asked Owen.

"Jessica has some challenges," Annie said, "she gets violent when she's angry. She's usually angry at me."

"Teddy told me about what happened at the dance competition and skiing," Owen said.

"If you need somewhere and you can't get a hold of Teddy, I'm always her back up," Owen said.

"I have a key to Teddy's house," Annie said, "we have a text and come deal."

"Good, " replied Owen, "everyone needs that person to go to."

"I have Teddy here, and I can always go to my grandparents or my older cousin Shannon," Annie said.

"Good," Owen said, "Teddy will be happy to know that you have people in your corner."

Annie went silent and turned her attention back to the surgery. She continued to ask intelligent questions.

Owen's pager went off, "Annie in coming trauma are you coming?"

"What will I miss here," Annie asked.

"Teddy will keep sewing in the grafts on the donor heart. It will take a couple hours," Owen replied.

"How long will this one take," Annie asked.

"About an hour," Owen replied.

"I'm coming," Annie said.

She followed Owen to the pit and watched fascinated as he xrayed and located the marbles young man's stomach that had been swallowed on a dare. It took Annie everything she had not to roll her eyes and laugh out loud at the man.

"I have to operate and remove them," Owen said, "these ones are magnetic. If I don't go in and remove them all it could rupture your stomach or bowels."

Annie followed Owen to the OR floor.

"Annie this is about an hour procedure if it goes as planned do you want to scrub in and watch," Owen offered.

"Will I still be able to see Teddy's transplant," Annie asked.

"We will be done in time to see her take Krista off bypass and test the heart," Owen said.

"I'm in," annie said bouncing down the hall.

"Two things," Owen called, " McKellar we walk in the hospital, two has Teddy taught you how to scrub?"

"Fine, I'll try to walk," Annie replied, " and Teddy taught me yesterday. I copied her both times."

"You'll copy me then," Owen replied.

In his head he wondered what would have happened if he had married Beth and they had had children. Would he be bringing them to the OR. What would happen when him and Christina had children, would they learn to scrub in with their mother and save a life with their father. Teddy was his best friend, his family, that made Annie his niece. Today he got to be Uncle Owen and teach the first child in his family how to save lives. He was proud to have Teddy's daughter beside him at the scrub sink.

"Annie, you look just like Teddy," Owen said, " dressed to operate and in a scrub cap. But we stole one of Teddy's caps for you."

"What do you mean one of Teddy's caps," Annie asked.

"Each attending has their own," Owen explained, " I thought the first time you scrubbed in with out her you should wear one of her caps."

"It has birds on it," Annie said.

"Tonight ask Teddy about the birds," Owen said, " it's an important part of her story. What animal would you want on yours?"

"Sea Otters," Annie said, " they're my favourite animal. I love watching them play in the kelp beds by the fishing camp. Did you know they use a favourite rock they keep in a pouch in their armpit. They use the rock to open shells."

"Lets go Miss Annie," Owen said.

"I'm ready," she replied.

Annie took her place to observe the same way she had the day before. As he operated Owen found that he needed another set of hands to hold a retractor.

"Annie, I'm not an octopus neither is Kepner," Owen said, " I'm going to show you exactly how to place your hands and your going to hold this for me."

"I'm scared, what if I do it wrong," Annie said.

"I'm going to place your hands," Owen said calmly, " I only need them for 5 minutes. You have to start somewhere."

"Okay, I'll try," Annie replied. She stepped forward.

"Teddy will be sad she missed this," April said, " the first time Annie is hands on."

"We'll tell her all about it after," Owen said, "Annie stand right here and give me your hands."

Annie let Owen position her hands on the retractor.

He noticed the miniature version of his best friend relaxing. This tiny Teddy looked like she belonged in the OR.

After the surgery and scrubbing out Owen asked Annie, "so what did you think of that?"

Annie hugged him, "that was so cool. I can't wait to tell Teddy and call my Mom."

"We'll go see where Teddy is at," Owen said.

They reached the gallery for Teddy's OR. She was ready to start taking the patient of bypass.

"Annie this is the good part," said Richard.

Annie sat forward on her chair and listened intently as the experienced surgeon told her what was happening. She joined in with the cheers in the gallery when the heart started beating and the grafts were holding.

Teddy stepped back and allowed Christina to close. When the patient was stable and ready for transport Teddy stepped into the scrub room.

"Let's go see your mom," Owen said to Annie.

"I can't wait to tell her what we did," Annie said bouncing towards the door.

In the gallery Richard turned to Bailey, " that girl is going to be an amazing surgeon one day."

"I've heard her all day," Bailey said, " she has her mother's looks and brain. When it's time we should have her here for her residency."

Richard, "Teddy has mentioned it to me. She wants to be the one to train Annie."

In the scrub room Annie gushed, "Teddy, I scrubbed in with Owen when he removed some magnetic marbles from an idiots stomach."

Teddy replied, "how did it go?"

"All the marbles are out and he's stable," Annie said.

Owen jumped in, "you haven't told her the best part of our surgery."

"The best part," asked Teddy, "scrubbing in as premed is pretty amazing."

Annie nearly shouted, "I got to hold a retractor."

Teddy hugged Owen, " thank you for teaching her and letting her be part of your surgery."

"Teddy she's my niece," Owen replied, "I was excited. One day you'll be bringing my kids in with you on their first procedure."

"Kids," asked Teddy, "is Christina pregnant?"

"No, I was just daydreaming," Owen replied.

"Good, I couldn't bear to lose my resident now," Teddy said, "Annie what did you think of your surgery?"

"I loved it," Annie gushed, "how long until I can do this every day."

"Finish next year, 4 years of med school then your an intern," Teddy said.

"Fine," Annie replied, "but that's too long."

Teddy looked at Owen, "she's been bitten by the surgical bug. Thanks for bringing my daughter over to the dark side."

"She'll be a good one one day," Owen said, " and she looked just like you. I even borrowed one of your caps for her."

"When we get home can you tell me about the birds," Annie asked.

"Okay that can be tonight's story," Teddy said, "last night was a marathon talking about Steven. We both need a bit of sleep tonight."