The Call- Chapter 8

They had spent most of the morning lying in bed together. They were both off today and had not made definite plans, but just wanted to spend it together. After their talk last night about Burke, Cristina felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. It felt good to get this out of the way of their complicated journey. She knew she had not told Owen everything, but there would be time for that later. She just felt relieved that he knew of her past relationship and what it had done to her.

She had gotten up to make coffee and felt him walk up behind her. He slid both arms around her waist and planted a kiss on the side of her neck.

"Morning beautiful"

"Morning" Cristina whispered with a grin.

She turned in his arms and draped her wrists loosely around his neck before lightly kissing his lips.

Owen smiled while looking into Cristina's eyes "I love your bed-head hair and can I just say that you look so damn sexy wearing my shirt?"

She instinctively ran both of her hands through her hair to attempt to tame it.

"Don't. I love it"

He quickly kissed her again before releasing her and heading toward the door for the paper. He returned to his living room and the couch where Cristina had carried two cups of coffee. He fell back into the couch bringing her with him where they stayed for another hour in silence. Reading the paper and enjoying being with each other.

"What do you want to do today?"

She returned his gaze with a rather large smile communicating with her eyes what each of them was thinking.

"While I would love nothing more than spending the day in bed making love to you, we at least need to go to the grocery. I have absolutely no food here and if we are planning a day of "it", then we will need our energy"

"So…………I am going to hop in the shower and then you can take one. Unless you would like to join me?"

"You know what happened the last time we showered together"

He smiled at her while walking toward the bathroom. She rose to carry their coffee cups to the sink. She heard him turn the water on and briefly thought about joining him not really caring if they ever ate again. The sound of Owen's cell phone ringing startled her back to reality. She glanced toward the bathroom and back at his phone. She reached for it and read the display. Mom. She smiled while wondering if she should answer it. Had he told his mother about her? She decided that he must have and flipped open the phone.

"Hello?"

"Oh. Hello. I must have dialed the wrong number. I am sorry"

"No wait. Are you trying to reach Owen?"

"Yes. Yes I am"

"Who is this?"

"Um. It's Cristina Mrs. Hunt. His girlfriend"

"His what?"

Well, perhaps he had not told his mother.

"Is Owen there?"

"Yes. He is in the shower. I can get him for you"

"In the shower? Are you in the Army too?"

Cristina frowned. Why would she think she was in the Army?

"No maam. I am a doctor too. I work with Owen at Seattle Grace"

The silence was deafening. Had she hung up?

"Mrs. Hunt………are you there?"

"Yes. I'm here. Are you in Seattle now?"

What the hell was wrong with this woman Cristina thought to herself? Was she senile? Owen had not mentioned she was suffering from dementia. Great she thought. His mother is as crazy as mine.

"Yes maam. I am at Owen's apartment. Let me get him for you"

"NO! Please don't get him. Please don't tell him I called"

"Um……why?"

The only sound Cristina heard was the dial tone. What the hell was that all about?

Owen rounded the corner from the bathroom wearing a towel around his waist.

He halted quickly when he saw Cristina's face. "What's wrong?"

Cristina handed him his cell phone. "Your mother called. She asked me not to tell you."

Owen's heart sunk along with his shoulders. "What did you say to her?"

"Well, I told her you were in the shower and that I was your girlfriend. Although I am pretty certain that she was not shocked by the fact that you have a girlfriend but apparently more surprised by the fact that you are in Seattle. Where exactly does your mother think you are?"

Cristina could tell by the look on his face what his answer was.

"Owen……….please tell me that your mother does not think that you are still in Iraq fighting this senseless war. Tell me that you would not let your own mother think that you were in harms way when you are safe and sound back on American soil"

"I need to get dressed"

Cristina watched him turn and walk away towards his bedroom. This was it. He wasn't even going to attempt to explain this?

"Owen…..we need to talk about this"

Silence. He said nothing. She slowly walked toward his bedroom and found him sitting on the edge of the bed holding his head in his hands. Cristina walked toward him and gently reached out and stroked his hair.

"Owen………talk to me"

"No one know's im home. I haven't told anyone from my past"

"I don't understand why"

He knew she didn't understand. He didn't know if he understood. He didn't know if he could explain this to her.

"I can't bear to see the pain on my mom's face when she see's me. As soon as she see's me she is going to know that the old Owen is no longer here. He died. He died in Iraq"

"She is your mother. She loves you no matter what you have seen or done. She deserves to know you are safe"

"Why? Why does she need to know?"

"Owen, listen to what you are saying. She loves you no matter what! She needs to know"

"NO SHE DOESN'T! WHY DID YOU ANSWER THE GOD DAMN PHONE??"

Cristina stepped back in shock. He had never spoken to her like this. In this tone. She reached for her clothes and headed for the bathroom.

"Cristina wait"

She hurriedly dressed and threw her hair into ponytail. She thought it was best to just leave him alone at this point. He was clearly upset about the entire episode and needed some space. She opened the bathroom door to find him standing in front of it.

"Cristina"

"It's ok Owen. I'm just going to go and let you think this through. I need to give you some space"

"I don't need any space. I need you. I need you to help me through this. I'm so sorry I yelled at you"

She instinctively fell into his arms to comfort him. She wrapped both of her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest. She could hear and feel his rapid heartbeat.

"It's ok. You know I can handle a little raised voice"

"Honey…………you gotta tell your mom. A little piece of her is dying every day not knowing if you are going to make it through. Think of it as me. I couldn't handle it. I couldn't handle not knowing if you were dead or alive. I know you. I know you don't want to hurt her or anyone in your family but they will learn to accept that you are not the same man. They love you no matter what. Think of some of the patients we see. Some of them are left brain dead and the families still can't let them go. They still love them. Your mom and your brothers and sister are still going to love you"

She felt him suck in a breath and could tell that she had struck a cord. She looked up into his eyes to see one tear escape down his cheek. She knew she had penetrated that stubborn head of his and knew he was now opening to the fact that he had to tell his mom.

"Will you come with me? To see my mom? I need you with me"

"Owen I love you. I will follow you anywhere"