Amelia

Begrudgingly, I'm back in work, cell phone glued to my hand in case Arizona needs me. I've left Karev with her today. I know he'll give her the right level of care. He knows a thing or two about comedowns from having to look after his mother for years.

It's been five days since the attack now and already the leg is back on and she's started to make her way around the house. She's getting stronger each day and managing to keep down more food. I've been preparing light meals and snacks for her which I've left with Alex today. She's totally adamant that she will be back to normal and back to work sooner rather than later. There's no way that Chief Karev is going to let her push herself like that.

It's going to be my first night back in my own home. The only thing that's keeping me running straight back to Arizona's is knowing that I get to spend some time with Leo and Betty. I also know that Alex and Jo are spending the night in one of her spare rooms in case she needs anything.

Sofia has visited Arizona every day after school. It's amazing to watch the bond between them. Yesterday, Arizona was determined to play outside with her. She managed the stairs and getting outside, but wasn't quite up to running around after the energetic 7-year-old. Instead, she watched and laughed as Sofia ran me ragged instead! I really like that kid. She's smart and sweet and full of fun. Just like her mommy.

I find myself thinking about Arizona like that a lot lately. Even when I should be focused on something completely different. Like, right now. I should be thinking about a consult with a new patient, but I can't help but wonder how she is. Is Alex making her laugh? I want her to laugh as much as possible. I want her to laugh the laugh that brings the sparkle back into her eyes and makes the world a better place. I'm thinking about that beautiful sight so much that by the time I arrive at the room I'm going to, I've completely forgotten who the consult is for.

...

Arizona
Alex has been over-the-top attentive all day. And, it makes me love him even more. My little brother, watching out for me.

"You had enough to eat?" he asks casually. I know inside he's worried about how well he's looking after me. It's about the 50th question he's asked me to make sure I'm alright.

"Alex," I say firmly with a hint of playfulness. "I am absolutely fine! Please stop worrying. Come and sit down. Let's watch a film."

He plonks himself next to me on the sofa. As I flick through the movie channels, looking for something superhero-y, I can feel him shift uncomfortably. He's either about to fart or talk about his feelings. Fortunately for me, it's the latter.

"You know... when I heard what happened to you..." he pauses. I can tell he's thinking carefully about what he's saying. "I wanted to kill him. Like, actually kill him. And, I feel like I still could. I'm kinda worried that the police won't find him before I do because if they don't... I'm gonna be going to jail." He's trying to make it sound like a joke, but knowing Alex, I'd say that's actually a pretty real threat. He's extremely protective over the ones he loves.

"You don't want to waste your life over someone like that," I say, calmly. "Promise me you won't." I look at him stoically and he avoids eye contact with me. He nods but I can tell it's halfhearted. "Alex, I'm serious! If by some crazy coincidence you manage to bump into this guy, I need you to keep your cool." I grab his hand to try and get his attention and he finally looks at me. "I've already lost one brother. I can't lose another."

...

A few hours later, Jo has joined us for a movie marathon. She's taken over the movie selection process and now, instead of watching The Avengers, we're watching Bridesmaids. I love it, but I'm not sure Alex is too keen. He watches with us anyway as we laugh together and reminisce about their own wedding.

It's late when my phone starts to buzz. I see Amelia's name and my heart jumps into my mouth. It's been great having Alex here, but I've definitely missed Amelia today. I excuse myself and walk into the kitchen where I'm out of earshot before answering the phone.

"Hey Amelia," I say, taking a seat on one of the kitchen stools. "How was your first day back?"

"Oh, y'know - same old, same old," she says, brushing the question off a little. "How are you today? Have you rested? Have you eaten? Have you been nauseous at all?"

"Do you want me to answer all of those at once, or...?" I say, playfully. I hear a short laugh at the other end of the phone and she replies.

"I guess not. Just the 'how are you?' one," I can almost feel her smile. The one she uses when she wants to comfort someone.

"I'm fine, Amelia," I say, gently. "I'm going to try and come back to work in the next few days."

"You think that's a good idea?" She asks, concern evident in her voice.

"The sooner the better," I say with a sigh. These walls are driving me crazy. "I just need to run it by our chief first!"

"I'm not convinced Alex is going to let you come back so soon..." She trails off. I know she's right and I need to change the subject because the thought of being stuck in the house any longer is so disheartening.

"How are the kids?" I ask, quickly.

"They're fine. Betty got her one-year sober badge this evening." I can hear the pride in her voice and it makes me smile. "We went out for food afterwards to celebrate."

"That's incredible," I say, sincerely. "She's done so well. And, you... you've just been amazing for her, Amelia."

"Ah, I didn't do much, really. I was just, kind of, there to help." She's so modest and so lovely. I've really missed her loveliness today. Should I tell her? Or, is it too weird? I don't know. Let's find out.

"I... I missed you today," and there's silence. Yeah, it was too weird. "You've been so wonderful to me, recently. I really don't know how to thank you."

"Well... you can take me to the park," she jokes. "Tomorrow - let's take that trip Sofia wanted. I can bring Leo, too."

"That sounds perfect," I beam down the phone. "We could go at lunch. I'll pack a picnic for us."

"You'll do no such thing. I'll take care of that. You just make sure you and Sofia are up and ready for a fun day. I'll pick you up at 12."

...

Alex
Jo has fallen asleep on my shoulder and, with the remote just out of reach, I'm left watching this chickflick. I can't wait for Arizona to come back so she can turn this drivel off for me. She's been gone for like half an hour, who the hell is she talking to?

Finally, she comes back into the room, smiling from ear to ear.

"Who was that?" I ask with raised eyebrows.

"Oh, uh- it was Amelia," she says quickly. "She was just checking up on me. She's so sweet."

"Uh huh," I give her a knowing smirk, but she chooses to catch me off-guard with an entirely different topic of conversation.

"Alex, I wanna come back to work," she blurts out.

"Not a chance," I fire back. "You need to recover."

"Please... Next week, I want to try. I know it's soon..."

"You're damn right it's soon! Arizona, it hasn't even been a week and you're talking about coming back to work."

"The tiny humans need me, Alex! Forget my issues, I'll just have to get over them. In fact, I already am. I'm over it. I'm ready."

"Arizona, you were attacked. Violently attacked. And, whether you think you're over it or not, you don't know how you're going to feel when you arrive at that hospital for the first time. I mean, come on, you couldn't even stay there to complete your treatment. So, come back, by all means. Visit as many times as you want. But, not as a surgeon. Not for the meantime." She's visibly upset and I hate that I've made the women I consider a sister feel like that.

"Ok..." she says, head down, voice barely above a whisper. I grab her shoulder best I can without disturbing Jo.

"You know I wouldn't let anyone come back this soon, right? It's not a reflection on you." She nods, but I know I haven't convinced her. I sigh and prepare myself for the sentences I'm about to utter. "I need you to do something really important for me before you come back," I say calmly. She looks up at me, eyebrows knotted together as though she knows what I'm about to say. "I want you to see someone in psych."