Annie walked into the ICU after finishing her surgery with Teddy. She wanted to take a good look at her sister before returning to the Pit and working on more patients. Annie stood silently at the foot of Jessica's bed. She thought for a few moments, gathering her thoughts. This was the person who had both pushed her towards leaving BC but at the same time cost her her first family. Annie now realized that without Jessica's bullying she would not be the same person, it was too late to wonder who she would be otherwise but she knew her experience had shaped her, made her stronger, taught her to use her voice and to fight for herself, to trust her own judgement. Without Jessica she would never have been as close to mama as she is, she wouldn't have found her place in her seattle family, the family that helped her climb back up from the lows and shed light on her darkest days, the family that celebrated the wins and successes with her and loved her simply for being herself.

"I never hated you. I was jealous that you fit in, that you were really theirs. We will save you Jessie. You have the best working on you, uncle Owen and uncle Nathan they are great. I know that we have a lot to talk about," Annie said to the still figure, "I don't think we ever got to know each other to really understand each other . If you wake up I want to try. No matter what Jessie I still love you. We've lost a few years but we're going to try. I'm going to try harder this time. The last time I saw you you hurt me. Today I kept you alive, I saved you. We're going to figure out how to make this work. I think we're even now. Please forgive me Jessie. I forgave you a long time ago but I never got the chance to tell you. I want to try to be sisters again so my baby knows her auntie Jessica like she'll know her uncle Chris and auntie Allison and Uncle Leo. We have a lot to figure out but with time and some help I think we can. I have to get back to work but I'll come check on you later. I love you Jessie."

Annie turned to walk out of the ICU and return to her patients. She stroked her growing belly and silently told her baby that she would never have to feel as alone as Annie had felt.

"Annie," Leslie cried. It had been eight years since she had seen her daughter in person. Every time they tried to see Annie, Jessica did something to interfere. They had been better about emailing in the last few weeks and knew Dan's parents were seeing Annie once a month now and that she looked forward to seeing her grandparents.

"Mom," Annie gasped, "dad?"

She was not prepared for this. She wanted Josh, she needed him or Teddy with her to face them. But they were both in the pit or OR, who from their family was up here? She needed Josh to hold her hand and tell her she would be okay. Someone to protect her and her daughter.

"Annie," Dan said.

"I can't believe it's actually you," Leslie said, "calls and photos don't do you justice."

"Can you stay," Dan asked.

"I'm in the hospital working until this calms down," Annie said, "I'm on my way back to the ER. I need to get downstairs."

"Can I have a hug first," Leslie asked.

Annie shook her head refusing the hug, "I really have to get back to work. We're swamped. It's a mass casualty event. I will come find you before I go."

Annie left the ICU and was paged to OR 4 with Dr Karev. Alex wasn't her favorite attending but to get her Peds hours that she desperately wanted she had to work with him.

Leslie turned to Dan, "she really is pregnant."

Dan said, "we've seen photos but to see that."

"She's adorable in her scrubs," Leslie said, "she's about 7 months. She looks good. I wanted to say something but didn't know if I should. Her top seems to be cut differently from other womens scrub tops I wonder if they get maternity scrubs"

"She's been sending us pictures of how it's changing every week," Dan said, "they probably get them and Annie spends a lot of time in scrubs."

"She had another ultrasound yesterday she sent me a video of their little girl," Leslie said.

"You didn't show me," Dan replied.

"It was in her weekly email I thought you would watch it," Leslie said.

Teddy walked in, "Dan, Leslie it's good to finally see you."

"Teddy," Leslie greeted with a hug, "are you sure Annie should be operating tonight."

Teddy offered an awkward one armed hug, even though she didn't want to be hugged by Leslie. Teddy was fighting her anger that this woman who she had trusted to love and protect Annie had hurt her daughter so deeply.

"She triaged on scene she's okay," Teddy replied, "I wanted to check on you and Jessica before I go back into surgery with Dr. Bailey."

"We're okay for now. We'd like to sit with Jessica if that's allowed," Dan said, "and talk to Annie."

"Go sit with Jessica. Annie is going back into surgery," Teddy said, "it's her second trauma tonight and her and I did a big scheduled surgery this morning. There'll be a few more before this calms down. I'll let Annie know you want to talk to her but her and Josh may leave when this settles. Annie will need some sleep after this. She's my first resident to send home when it calms down."

"We still have to meet Josh," Leslie said.

"Your choice that you don't know them," Teddy snapped.

"Chief Altman," an intern yelled, sprinting into the ICU, "there's more victims coming. Two cardio. "

"Eaket we do not yell in the ICU," Teddy reprimanded.

"Sorry mam," Kira stammered.

Teddy turned to Leslie and Dan, "I'm needed back in the ER. Have the nurse page Owen Hunt who was her lead surgeon if anything changes."

Hours later Nathan came in to check Jessica.

"Mr and Mrs McKellar I'm Dr Nathan Riggs," Nathan introduced himself.

"Riggs like Josh, Annie's husband," Leslie asked.

"Josh is my nephew," Nathan replied, "how do you know Annie?"

"We're her parents," Dan said, "we adopted her as an infant."

"Leslie and Dan," Nathan said, "it's good to meet you. Annie just scrubbed out from surgery with me. She went to change and may come up to see you."

"Is she off," Leslie asked.

"She is. Chief Altman is sending Dr Altman home," Nathan replied, "she should be changing to street clothes. Her and her husband may come up and say hi depending on how she's feeling. Teddy, Owen and my wife Meghan are both very protective of Annie, we all are. They'll be by as well."

"Your Uncle Nathan," Dan said.

"I am," Nathan said, "my wife is auntie Meghan."

After her shift Annie changed out of her scrubs into jeans and was throwing the scrub top into the laundry bin when Josh came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands cradling her baby bump. Josh thought she looked amazing in her jeans and bra. He kissed the top of her head then her cheek, "I've hardly seen you today. I've missed you."

Annie leaned back into her husband enjoying having him close and holding her, before looking up to give him a quick kiss," I've missed you two. But we have one more stop before we go home."

"Annie you're exhausted and did two major trauma procedures start to finish tonight at the end of a 16 hour shift that turned into a 30 hour shift after doing two surgeries and field triage ," Josh said.

"I want cuddles and a massage, maybe a bath when we get home but I told Dan and Leslie I would come see them when I was done," Annie said, "it's crazy but with Ellie I think I want to reconnect with my parents. It's been 8 years. I need to try for Ellie. Please come with me."

"Does Teddy know," Josh asked.

"She does, she's been with them in the ICU," Annie said, "I saw them a while ago but we haven't been able to talk yet. I want to do this but I'm scared."

Annie turned and wrapped her arms around him, her head resting against his shoulder.

"If you want to do this," Josh said, holding Annie close, "I'll be right with you. Every second." He leaned down and kissed the top of her head before pulling the elastic out of her hair letting the curls fall loose on her shoulders.

Annie grabbed her shirt out of her locker and slipped it over her head. She smoothed it down and put on her sweater before facing her husband , "how bad is it?"

Josh kissed her, "cute just like you. I haven't met them yet. I operated on Jessica but haven't met your parents yet."

"Let's go meet them," Annie said, "without a device in the way."

"Let me change," Josh said, "I need out of these scrubs"

"We haven't been this filthy since Haiti," Annie said, "that was my second set of scrubs I changed after my arch dissection."

Josh quickly changed while they compared surgeries and saves.

"Should we go," Annie asked.

"Let's go just a short visit," Josh said, "build up to it when you're not tired."

"Okay," Annie replied.

Josh wrapped his arm around Annie's waist, hand resting on her stomach. She tiredly let her head fall against him. Annie knew if she really wanted Josh would carry her to his truck. They usually drove to work together. It gave them some time on either end of long and hectic days to connect.

They saw Meghan in the elevator, "Annie, how are you holding up?"

"Hi auntie Meghan," Annie replied, "both the surgeries went well and both patients are stable in the ICU."

"Not the patients Annie you," Meghan pressed.

"Tired but the McKellars are here so I'm going to say hi before I head home for a bubble bath and some sleep," Annie replied.

"Does Teddy know you're talking to them," asked Meghan

"mama is in the ICU she'll know," Annie said, "Josh is coming with me."

"Josh take care of her," Meghan said, "at least get her to sit."

Josh smiled, "I'll try auntie Meg but it's Annie she's stubborn."

Annie laughed , "I'll sit. My feet and legs are getting tired."

"Josh look after her," Meghan said one more time as they got out of the elevator.

"I will," Josh said.

"I'll try to listen," Annie laughed.

Annie stopped around the corner from the ICU waiting room and wiped the tears forming in her eyes, "I don't know why I'm so emotional. I'm a hard core cardio goddess, I don't get emotional."

Josh hugged her and whispered, "two reasons. First time you've seen your parents in person since our first year of medical school. And hormones."

"I don't get emotional over my parents any more," Annie replied, "it's all Ellie's fault."

"Let's go see your parents," Josh said. He took her hand and led Annie to the waiting area.

Annie came into the ICU with Josh.

"Uncle Nathan we think we're done with all the cardio surgeries," Annie said.

"Annie sit, relax and get off your feet," Nathan directed.

"Thank you," Josh said, "she's done two cardiac traumas and started field triage. What was Meghan thinking putting Annie in the field first."

"You, Duncan and Annie led out with her ," Nathan replied, "you did the Haiti trip with us and the avalanche and have seen it live no other resident has."

"I'm fine I was in the command center. The rescue teams were bringing patients to me. I was working fast but it was fine. Nothing more dangerous than the pit," Annie said, "I'm fine, just a bit tired, but I was going to say hi to Leslie and Dan before we go."

Hearing Annie's voice Leslie came out of the cubicle. Leslie smiled seeing Annie in normal clothes.

"Hi mom," Annie greeted.

"Annie," Leslie said, trying to give Annie a hug, "are you doing all right?"

Annie stepped backwards to get away from the hugs.

"I am but we're off and mama sent us home," Annie replied, "I'm well over my hours this week."

"Annie bear," Dan said, coming out then turned back to Jessica.

"She's choking," Leslie yelled.

Annie dashed in, "she's breathing over the tube. This is good. She's breathing on her own. Fighting the tube is a good sign. Josh can you take it out?"

"I'll do it Annie," Nathan said. Nathan entered Jessica's room to remove the tube.

"While uncle Nathan does a couple things you two can stay with me," Annie said, "I know you've talked but have never actually met. Mom, dad this is my husband Josh Riggs."

"It's nice to actually meet you in person," Josh said. Reaching out his right hand to shake theirs. He had his left arm around Annie holding her close to him with his hand on her belly where he could feel their daughter kicking.

"It's good to meet you finally," Leslie said.

"Let's have a seat and we can all talk," Josh suggested, "we'll have about an hour before you can see Jessica and we should head home soon."

"Long day," Dan asked.

"Started at 6am yesterday," Annie replied, "was to be off at 10pm then the stands collapsed at 8 so we were in the field for a few hours before coming back to operate. It's almost 1 pm. I could use food or a nap or both."

"Why don't you two go get some rest and we'll talk later," Dan suggested.

"What's a little longer now," Annie replied, "but I'm going to sit."

There were only three chairs available. Leslie and Dan each sat in one facing Annie's. Josh stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders gently massaging , silently letting her know he was there.

"That's fine," Leslie said, "we're happy to see you."

"How's Jessica doing," Annie asked.

Josh checked the monitors, "stable stats are good BP looks good 120/90 heart rate is 140. 95 O2."

"Those are normal," Annie said, "any word on the head CT?"

"Amelia is going to come talk to your parents," Josh said.

"What is it," Annie asked.

"Wait for Dr. Shepard," Josh said, "she's in surgery and has reviewed Jessica's CT and will come see you."

"It's not a bleed she would have dealt with it, or if it was minor sent Jenna to," Annie said.

"No speculating," Josh said, "you're not neuro."

"Neuro is too slow and too clean," Annie said.

"How are you holding up," Leslie asked.

"I'm used to long days and the quick pace. I do a lot of trauma," Annie said, "are you doing okay?"

"This is hard," Leslie said, "I don't really understand what happened."

"We'll try to explain it," Josh said," we have time."

"Do you want to go down to my locker to get anatomy Jane," Annie asked Josh.

"Is that the weird doll you had that you could take all her organs out," Leslie asked, "someone gave it to you when you were 19."

"It is," Annie replied, "I use it with my peds patients. Dr Bailey, Dr Grey or Dr Kepner picked it out as part of a care package for me and mama that summer."

"It was me," Meredith said walking past.

"Thank you," Annie said, "she was my favorite study tool in med school."

Meredith smiled, "I've seen you using it to teach or to plan out surgeries."

"It helps me think to move things around physically I prefer it to the dissection tables in the skills lab," Annie said

"I still think with mine for big things," Meredith smiled, "but I have patients and the Chief sent you home. Go rest Dr Altman."

"Just seeing some family and I will. Have a good afternoon dr Grey," Annie replied.

"We'll be fine," Dan said.

"How are you feeling Annie," Leslie asked, "how's the baby?"

"I'm feeling good," Annie said, "she's growing fast. Did you see the video?"

"That was fun but we don't really know what we're looking at," Leslie

"When things are calmer we'll show you. She was really active when we did that. It wasn't an actual check up my friend Cassidy is an OB / maternal fetal surgery resident and we were killing time. We were just seeing if we could get video of her being active with the new high resolution machine. Cassidy wanted to try it on me before an actual patient. There's a trick to the new machine," Annie said, "where are you staying?"

"We haven't figured that out yet," Dan said.

"I know a couple places close by I can call," Owen said.

"We would appreciate that," Dan said.

"I'm looking for the McKellar family," Amelia said.

"Over here Dr Shepard," Annie said.

"Mini Altman I thought you were off," Amelia said, "weren't you in emergency surgery all night. I was told your mother sent you home."

"These are my adoptive parents," Annie said, "Jessica is my sister."

"Mini Altman you'll need to step out," Amelia directed.

"Annie can stay," Leslie said.

"I stay, Josh stays," Annie replied.

Annie had her back to the door and hadn't noticed Teddy slipping in.

"Josh was one of her surgeons," Teddy added.

Owen had brought over some extra chairs so the whole group was now seated.

Annie was sitting beside Josh and he had his hand causally resting on her thigh, his thumb rubbing gentle circles on her leg.

Watching them Leslie realized how deeply connected Annie and Josh were. He knew her and was silently reassuring her showing her he was there. He had been the whole time they were there. Letting her do most of the talking but being a constant calm presence. Leslie had also noticed that through the whole conversation Annie and Josh had kept some form of physical connection.

"If you're alright with both Dr Altman's and Dr Riggs staying I would like to discuss Jessica's CT with you," Amelia said.

"Please tell us dr," Leslie said, "I'm sorry I don't know your name."

"Amelia Shepherd I'm the head of neurosurgery," Amelia replied.

"Why do we need a neurosurgeon? Does she have a brain injury," Dan asked.

"She did not sustain a brain injury in the accident," Amelia said, "her CT was brought to me because there is a large tumor in her frontal lobe. I would like to do further investigations and determine what it is."

"Where is the tumor," Annie asked.

"Frontal lobe, it is affecting her impulse control, reason and decision making," Amelia said.

"How long has it been there," Annie asked.

"Judging by the size and deformation of healthy brain tissue at least 15 years. It's likely slow growing. If it's what I'm thinking it is, it's slow growing. Has Jessica ever shown any irrational or violent behavior, changes in personality, substance abuse challenges or addictions," Amelia said.

"She has," Dan replied, "typically targeted at Annie, Chris or Leslie."

Annie stood, "I'm going to head home but the short form Dr Shepard is that when I was 19 Jessica nearly beat me to death with a pool cue. I had emergency surgery then mama will fill you in on that later. She also stabbed me with a steak knife across my left shoulder blade and ribs when I was 21. Those were the major ones there were also several minor incidents that resulted in bruising or me requiring sutures. I had my whole medical record transferred when I started as an intern; the dates for the major incidents or ones that required medical care will be in my file please pull it if you need to. I hadn't seen her from the time I was 21 until she was brought to me by the rescue workers to triage."

"Thank you Dr Altman," Amelia said, "I'll explain the process to your family and you can check the chart when you come back tomorrow."

"Yes mam," Annie replied, "thank you for taking this on yourself. I know you're busy."

Teddy whispered to Josh, "take Annie home and get her calm."

"I will," Josh said, "this is going to be hard for her."

"Home, eat and sleep," Teddy directed, "get her off her feet and to lie down. She's going to struggle with this. Just be there and hold her. I'll come when I can."

"I will," Josh said, "it's taking everything she has to stay awake and composed. She's close to coming apart."

"Take her home," Teddy said.

"We're going," Josh replied.

"Have her call me after she sleeps," Teddy said.

"I will," Josh answered.

Leslie heard the interaction between Josh and Teddy before Josh slipped out of the room. Annie's husband knew her well and loved her. It was clear that Teddy and Josh were both very protective of Annie; it sounded like they were trying to keep her calm and grounded. Leslie had no doubts that Owen would be as protective. What she had seen of Meghan Hunt and Nathan Riggs, Leslie knew the whole family in Seattle would come together for Annie and to support her. The surgeons who were working on Jessica were Annie's family even the neurosurgeon seemed to care for Annie. She also realized that the people here knew Annie and respected her if not loved her.