Being a Friend, Being a Parent

Ted's POV:

Since Phoebe has left for the airport and will be occupied with our parents, I steal the opportunity to go and see Josh alone. I still have rather mixed feelings towards his and my sister's relationship, but I would be lying if I didn't still care about him. Plus I did promise Phoebe I wouldn't intrude anymore. If only he hadn't slept with my little sister. I knock on his hospital room door and enter once I hear he calls out.

"Can I come in?"

"Do you have the pizza, wedges and beer I asked for yesterday?" I shake my head. "Damn I would give one of my malfunctioning kidneys for a beer" Josh asks comically. He laughs a little at his joke, but stops when the pain sets in. I wonder if he has told Phoebe how sick he actually is.

"Sorry buddy, but a few beers and the next time I come to New York might be to your funeral." I comment, then frown.

"True. At least now I know that you don't want to kill me. Still want to take a swing at me?"

"No, I have done that already. Remember?" I say raising my eyebrows and we both smirk.

"How could I forget?" In retrospect, we both find a little humor in the events that have transpired. "How is Phoebe? I don't want to hurt her, and I am worried about her"

"She is alright. Confused and worried about you, but she needs some time to think things through." I tell him.

"I am sorry that I have put you through all this stress, it wasn't my intention."

"Why didn't you let me know what was happening? We have so many mutual friends, but none of them told me anything. You shouldn't have asked them not to tell me. We have been best friends for a long time!" I rebuke.

"Except, you and I haven't exactly been on the best of terms. I didn't know if you would care or not" Josh points out.

"Of course I would care, regardless of what has happened recently. I should have known as should had Phoebe. We have both been a significant part of your life." I rebut.

"I want to be with Phoebe. I love her, but I don't want a repeat of the problems and conflict. I don't want to hurt you also" Josh informs me.

"I know. I just want Phoebe to be happy, and I didn't think she would be with you. When you left she became distant, and she lost a lot of her spark. For the first time, Phoebe was dreadfully sad, even lost. If my sister wants to be with you again, then I am happy for you both. But if you ever hurt her again, I will make you pay. Forget malfunctioning kidneys, I will be the biggest hazard to your health" I feel a small pinch of guilt warning Josh considering he is in a hospital bed right now, and especially since I didn't support them both in the beginning. I just never want to see my sister as depressed and remote as she was for months after Josh left.

"I won't, I intend to get better, so I can be with Phoebe. She gives me hope." Josh is sincere and honest.

"I have to go. I will call you tomorrow morning from Seattle." I tell him noting the time on my watch.

"I understand. Lily and the kids are probably eager to get you back to Seattle, and they won't be too happy if you miss your flight"

"I actually have the GEH jet with me, and I am not scheduled to fly out for a few more hours. To be honest I have an appointment downstairs" I state.

"Oh, are you okay?" Josh asks worried.

"Yes I am perfectly well, but you are not. I am going to go and get tested, to see if I am a match for you. I want to see if I can donate a kidney"

Christian's POV:

I softly wake Ana as our flight lands in New York, and slowly she responds. I have missed traveling with her in the GEH jet, but these are extreme circumstances. I didn't want to order the jet back home. I wanted it in New York so Phoebe could leave immediately if her encounter with Josh went poorly. We disembark the flight first and exit through the VIP section of the airport.

Unbeknownst to us, Phoebe is waiting for us. A look of relief comes over her when she sees us, and she throws her arms around Ana. I hate that Phoebe is being put under so much strain and that there is little that I can do about it. I start to rub my daughters back in a similar fashion to what I use to do when she was young and upset. I hate not being able to control this situation.

"I am so glad you are both here. I need help" Phoebe's tell us.

"Just tell us what you need and we will do it" I reply. I start to feel a sense of control knowing that my daughter is willingly asking for help. She still needs us, and we will always be here.

"Just tell us what you need and we will do it" I tell her confidently.

"How resourceful are you dad?" Phoebe queries.

"Very" I don't actually intend to sound conceited, but I have worked long and hard to have the resources that I do at my fingertips, and I will use them to ensure my family doesn't suffer.

"I need you to find Josh's father. He is overseas somewhere, but no one truly knows exactly where. I have his full name, Adam Joseph Harris, and some details. Josh needs a kidney and his sister and mother are not a match. I need you to find him so we can ask to get tested, and if he is a match, return to America and donate a kidney. Mom and dad, we have to do this! Josh's life depends on it. I spoke to Josh's sister, and she has given me all the information she has on him" Phoebe holds up an envelope. "This is Josh's best hope. However, I am waiting to see if I am a match just in case." Suddenly a feeling of dread hit me, and I start to shake my head. NO!

"Phoebe Grace Grey, you are not going to get tested. I forbid you!" I admonish sternly. My daughter is obviously shocked at my heated and negative response that she has taken a step back.

"I already have. I am just waiting for the hospital to ring me" Phoebe says cautiously.

"Then regardless of the result, you are not going to donate a kidney. I refuse for you to put your life in danger. Don't you realize the medical issues you would expose yourself to and the limitations it would put on your life? You are too young and have too much of your life to live. No!" I scold harshly.

"Mom?" Phoebe looks to Ana in the hope of support but is silent due to shock.

"Phoebe, you can't. I agree with your father" Ana responds sympathetically, and then grabs her hand. "Phoebe sweetheart, you don't even know if you will be a match. It is exceedingly unlikely. Christian, we should just focus on getting hold of Josh's father. I know him, and he will want to help Josh. He probably doesn't even know. The divorce was pretty nasty, and he left to get away."

"I will get both Barney and Welch on to it" I take the envelope in my daughters that contains all the information that she has and pull out my phone to ring Seattle immediately. Just before I step away from the two of the most special women in my life, I put my hands on Phoebe's upper arms and kiss her forehead. "I will help you and Josh with every resource I have, I only ask that you don't do anything that will put you in danger. Your mother and I couldn't bear it"

"I will try" Phoebe says but fails to promise. I know I will have to intervene to ensure she doesn't put her life in danger.

I open the envelope and read the information. There is actually a lot of information here. Name, date of birth, general information, last known location, even a credit card number. I relay all this information to Welch and tell him to keep my up to date. I don't care what they need to do, but I want this man found.

# # # #

"Dad you are still awake?" Phoebe looks surprised, after finally arriving home. I had been in bed with Ana, but when I couldn't sleep and knew Ana was fast asleep, I got up and started to do some work. We have been in New York for two weeks now, and neither Ana nor I want to leave Phoebe, though we know that we both need to return home soon. I look at my watch, and my lips form a hard line when I notice the time. It is 1am already.

"Dad, I am twenty one, I no longer have curfew" Phoebe responds, accurately reading my reaction.

"Maybe you should, this way you wouldn't stay at the hospital so late." Phoebe rolls her eyes as she proceeds the go to the fridge and then the pantry. I hate that my daughter's whole life right now is primarily focused on going to the hospital. Josh is still too unwell to be released, and even then I know that they both haven't discussed what they will do when he is allowed to go home, I do not want Phoebe to stay in New York. I can't bear the possibility of my daughter relocating here, it will be just like when Ana did with Ted. If Josh and Phoebe recommence their relationship I intent to persuade them to return to Seattle.

Phoebe retrieves the peanut butter and jam jar and starts to make her old time favourite sandwich ever. "Gosh I am hungry"

"Didn't you eat?" I question. Phoebe instantly avoids making eye contact. She doesn't need to answer my question, I know the answer already. "When did you last eat?" I demand to know.

"Breakfast" I give her a scolding look and narrow my eyes. Instantly Phoebe looks taken back, similar to how she would react when I told her off when she was growing up. "I am sorry dad, I know it is one of your issues, but I forgot to eat."

"Sit." I order and doesn't hesitate to obey. I walk into the pantry and pull out the white bowl and remove the foil. I stick into the microwave, and once it has finished cooking, I place it in front of Phoebe and hand her a fork. "Eat. All of it"

"Or I can't leave the table. Right?"

"Yes, and then there will be no TV and I will confiscate you iPad this weekend" I respond. Phoebe and I both look at each other and then we both commenced to laugh. It wasn't so funny when I threatened her when she was hesitant to eat all her dinner as a child and teenager.

"Please eat Phoebe. I don't want you to be hungry" I ask softly.

"I will, besides I am famished" Phoebe commences to eat, and I pour her a glass of milk. She use to have milk when she ate macaroni and cheese as a child. Once I am placated by the amount Phoebe is eating, I pull a chair up and sit next to her.

"How was Joshua today?" I probe.

"Same. The infection is finally gone, but he is weaker. Josh's doctors are reluctant to let him go home, though he is hopeful." I nod in acknowledgment. "Dad is there any word on Josh's father?"

"No, but my people are still looking" I lie. I have received some information today, but I don't want to get Phoebe's hopes up.

"I wish Josh's father would just turn up. If he doesn't then maybe I should ring and get my test…." Phoebe suddenly stops talking realizing what she is saying. I know that she meant finding out if she qualifies to donate a kidney. Ted also got tested but isn't a viable donor, though I wouldn't want him to put himself at risk. He has a family that needs him. Phoebe doesn't know yet that I was able to find out the results of her tests. Phoebe who always aimed to achieve high results, has beaten the odds and is in fact a match. I haven't even told Ana. I can't let my daughter even entertain the possibility of donating a kidney, regardless of the circumstances. I want her to live a long and healthy life. Rather I decide to change the topic.

"Have you thought about what you are going to do with your company when you are return to Seattle?" I probe.

"I don't know. I haven't thought about it that much." Phoebe shrugs.

"You know you could always return to Grey Enterprise," I tell her.

"Do you still not trust me professionally? I know I have a lot to learn and Grey Enterprise is the ideal place for me. However I don't want to go back and have every word I say discounted"

"I understand. I promise that I will give your ideas and suggestions the same time I will give any other employee. But you need to keep in mind that I will still scrutinize them as I would any employee, even though you have had some recent success in the M&A world." I advise her.

"Of course. I have always wanted that."

"Then do you agree to come back and work at Grey enterprise?"

"Yes, Mr Grey I do." Phoebe says formally.

"Excellent that makes me exceedingly happy. Even more excited than the fact you have eaten." I lean over and kiss her forehead.

"I am exhausted. I need to go to bed. Good night dad. I love you"

"Love you too Princess." Phoebe stops and looks at me smiling.

"It has been a while since you called me princess"

"I know, but you never stopped being my princess." I admit. I get up to open up my suitcase, retrieving the document that I have been wanted to return to Phoebe. She looks inside and raising her eyebrows at me.

"It's yours. I should never have taken it away or frozen it."

"Dad, you don't need….." I hold my hand up, interjecting.

"I want to. I also want you to go and get some sleep. You just admitted to me that you are exhausted, and I know you haven't been sleeping enough." Phoebe nods and then comes over to me. I hug her tightly. I want her to know how much I love her.

After Phoebe goes to bed, I allow myself to get lost as I play that grand piano as I occasionally look out the glass wall of the apartment. The lights of New York illuminate the city that never sleeps. My thoughts are broken when I feel Ana's familiar arms around my neck.

"You should be in bed asleep, Mrs Grey" I comment playfully and seriously at the same time.

"And so should you Mr Grey" Ana points out. I grab her hand and pull her over my lap. "When did you get out of bed?"

"After I knew you were fast asleep and I couldn't sleep. I got up and started to do some work, then Phoebe came home. She is in bed asleep"

"She needs to spend less time at the hospital. Maybe I should take her to a show or something. Were you answering emails?" I nod answering Ana's question. "Any word for Welch and Barney?"

"A little. They have tracked Josh's father to the UK. He arrived there yesterday according to the flight details. " I inform Ana. She yawns and rests her head on my shoulder.

"Let me take you back to bed, Anastasia. You need to sleep!"

"Only if you promise to stay in bed this time." Ana reaches up and kisses me. I trace Ana's perfectly shaped lips with my index finger before I commence to possess her mouth.

"Oh I definitely promise to stay in bed, but I am not tired right now. You may have to help me feel tired." I say playfully.

"Good thing I had an excellent teacher on that very thing" Ana grins and I bend down and sweep her up. I will never get my fill of her.

# # # #

I am startled awake by my cell phone. I answer it quickly and exit the room, so Ana isn't disturbed. .

"Grey… Where is he? ….. Excellent. Email me his current address and contact number" I hang up from my call with Welch and swiftly I receive the contact details. As expected, Adam Harris is still in London. Wasting no time I ring the number, I don't care what time it is over there. It takes me two attempts but finally Adam Harris, Josh's father, answers his phone.

I explain who I am and inform him of his son's medical condition. I wait for a standard reaction, but he remains emotionless. Twenty minutes later I hang up. I have never been so angry. I contact Taylor who has traveled with us and recall the GEH jet. I don't want to wait for it to arrive in New York, but I will need it where I am going.

In our bedroom, I start to throw some clothes and toiletries into a bag before I wake Ana.

"Is it time to get up?" Ana yawns.

"No, but I need to go. Taylor is booking us a flight to London. Promise me you will stay close to Reynolds." I request

"London? Have you found Josh's dad? I should come with you" Ana says getting out of bed.

"We have found him, but I want you to stay here. Reynolds is staying to ensure you are safe, and Phoebe shouldn't be alone" I advise her.

"But I know Adam Harris. You haven't even met him before. Have you even talked to him yet?"

"I just spoke to him"

"What did he say? Is he coming home?"

"He said that I shouldn't be the one asking for help. That I have hurt Josh with my disapproval of his and Phoebe's relationship, and he won't come home" Ana looks devastated by my recount of the phone call. "I am going to London to being him home. I don't know what I am going to do, but I need to bring that man home."

Authors Note:

I know that many readers have mixed feelings about the course of this story, but I wanted to write something different. Also as I stated before my holidays are over so I cannot update as often as I was. I will do longer chapters, its just that I have been very busy. Sorry. I do hope you are still enjoying this story. Review if you wish.