Objects in the Rearview Mirror

Chapter 2: All About Caitie

I hitched a ride with a vending machine repair man
He says he's been down this road more than twice
He was high on intellectualism
I've never been there but the brochure looks nice
Jump in, let's go
Lay back, enjoy the show
Everybody gets high, everybody gets low,
These are the days when anything goes

As they were crossing the bridge into the surgical wing, Addison Shepherd was coming out on the other side. She had barely slept all night and despite the chief's offer to have a day off, she refused. Work was the only thing that was constant for her. She couldn't give that up.

When Addison passed by the interns, making especially sure not to make eye contact with Meredith Grey, a flash of red caught her eye and she looked up. When she did, Addison saw her own self staring back at her.

"Caitie?" She said in surprise.

"Hi," Caitie replied softly.

"Dr. Montgomery-Shepherd," Bailey said. "This is our new intern, Dr. Taylor."

"We've already met. Dr. Montgomery-Shepherd lectured at Harvard from time to time."

Miranda looked between Caitie and Addison, but somehow she didn't buy the story. There was something more to this. She knew that there had to be. But it would have to wait. Patients had to be seen.

"Well, it was nice seeing you again Caitie," Addison said, quickly. "Welcome to Seattle Grace, I guess I will be seeing you around."

"I guess you will."

"Alright people, enough chit-chat let's move!" Bailey said and they all proceeded to move across the bridge again.

Everyday is a winding road
I get a little bit closer
Everyday is a faded sign
I get a little bit closer to feeling fine

"So you graduated from an Ivy?" Cristina asked Caitie at lunch later that day. She didn't trust the girl as far as she could throw her. As far as Cristina was concerned, anyone who appeared less than 24 hours after Izzie quit couldn't be trusted.

"Yeah Harvard," Caitie answered as she took a small bite of salad.

"Wow," said George in amazement. "How old are you anyway?"

"I just turned 20 at the beginning of May."

"We have a genius in our midst then," Cristina replied with a hint of sarcasm.

"Forgive her, she's always like this around fresh competition," Meredith chimed in. "Are you from Boston?"

"No, I'm from New York actually."

"Another New Yorker, what is it with this hospital and doctors from New York?" Cristina asked.

"Do you have a problem with New Yorkers?" Caitlin asked putting down her fork and giving Cristina a look daring her to say otherwise.

"N-no, of course not."

"Good," Caitlin said with a smile as she picked up her fork and resumed eating.

"Guess what I heard?" Alex asked as he sat down at the table.

"What Evil Spawn?"

"The Cobra is here."

"No way!"

"Yes," Alex said.

"Do you know who it is?" Meredith asked.

"No, but I bet you it's that surgeon who's filling in for Burke."

"Wow, I'd like to get in on one of her surgeries," George said longingly.

"Fat chance O'Malley," Alex said and turned to Meredith. "What was going on between you, McDreamy, and the vet last night?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Meredith said, suddenly becoming very interested in her food.

"Who's McDreamy?" Caitlin asked.

"Derek Shepherd, he's an attending that Meredith was involved with," George said.

"George!"

"What? She asked."

"He's married to Addison though," Cristina said.

"But you probably already know that," Alex said turning to Caitlin. "You said you know her."

"Yeah I do. But last time I heard they were happy."

"No way. She banged his best friend Mark Sloan. That's why he came out here. Sloan was out here a couple of months ago trying to win her back, but Addison refused."

"Wow, it all sounds so complicated," Caitlin commented, no longer interested in her food.

"Complicated is an understatement."

"He's got a daughter he calls Easter
She was born on a Tuesday night
I'm just wondering why I feel so all alone
Why I'm a stranger in my own life
Jump in, let's go
Lay back, enjoy the show
Everybody gets high, everybody gets low
These are the days when anything goes

"Chief, do you have a minute?" Miranda Bailey asked coming into his office.

"Yes Miranda," He said looking up. "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about Caitlin Taylor, the new intern from Boston."

"What would you like to know?"

"Why did you pull her from Boston General? I know we're short on interns. But why fly someone out from across the country?"

"Caitlin Taylor is the best of the best. I don't want what happened here the other night ever to happen again."

Miranda nodded, "I understand. But there's something else. Addison seemed to know Caitlin."

"Caitlin is an old family friend, that's all. I also thought it might help Addison to have someone here."

"Oh ok. Well, thank you chief. I appreciate your time."

"You're welcome Miranda."

Everyday is a winding road
I get a little bit closer
Everyday is a faded sign
I get a little bit closer to feeling fine

Derek Shepherd was walking down the hall, trying to successfully avoid his wife whom he hadn't seen since the night before. Suddenly, something red caught his eye and he looked up to see Caitlin at the nurse's station writing in a chart.

"Caitie?"

Caitie looked up in surprise, "Derek, hi."

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm filling in for the intern that quit."

"Really?" Derek asked surprised. "When did you get here?"

"At 7, I caught a flight out at 4am."

"Did Richard call you?"

"No, he called Dr. Fitzgerald, the Chief of Surgery at Boston General."

"And he requested you? Just like that?"

"I presume so."

"Well you look really good sweetheart."

"Thanks, so do you."

"I have to go prepare for a surgery, but how would you like to go to dinner tonight, just the two of us? We can catch up."

"That would be great."

"What time are you off?"

"6, I think."

"Good, page me when you're done."

"Ok."

"You really do look good Caitie," He said with a smile, kissing her forehead. "I'll see you later."

Caitie smiled and watched as he walked away before returning to her chart. Maybe being here wouldn't be so bad after all.

I've been swimming in a sea of anarchy
I've been living on coffee and nicotine
I've been wondering if all the things I've seen
Were ever real, were ever really happening

"Miranda, you haven't seen Caitie Taylor have you?" Addison asked approaching the nurse's station two hours later.

"No, I haven't," Miranda said looking up from her chart. "Addison, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"How do you really know Caitlin Taylor?"

"She told you—I used to lecture at Harvard from time to time."

Miranda examined her face closely, "Why don't I believe you?"

Addison sighed and pulled Miranda over to a corner, "Ok, I'll tell you. But Caitie can't know that I did."

"She won't."

Addison took a breath, "Caitie's my daughter."

"Your daughter?"

"Yes my daughter. I had her when I was 18, when I was young and stupid."

"How old is she?"

"She just turned 20 in May."

"So she's a genius."

Addison smiled, "Yes, she is."

"Why didn't you say anything before?"

"I don't know. Caitie was separate from my life in some ways. We're close, but she was in med school at Harvard and then she chose to stay in Boston after graduation. I guess I didn't mention her because Caitlin is the only part of my life unaffected by Derek and Meredith and my infidelity."

"So what you're saying basically is that your daughter has no clue about what's been going on."

"Not a thing."

"Are you planning to tell her?"

"Yes, but I'm trying to find a good time to."

"Addison, there is never a good time for news like that."

"I know, but I want to find my own way to tell her. It's a lot to take in."

"Yes it is."

"Miranda, will you promise not to say anything until she's ready?"

"Of course I will. By the way, what's with her last name?"

"Taylor was my mother's maiden name. She took it when she went to med school because she didn't want to receive preferential treatment."

"Caitie sounds like a good kid."

"She's the best." Someone cleared their throat from behind Addison and she turned, "Hi Caitie."

"Dr. Shepherd, may I speak to you?"

"Of course," she said and led Caitie into an empty on-call room.

Caitie waited for the door to shut before she blurted out, "You slept with dad!?"

Everyday is a winding road
I get a little bit closer
Everyday is a faded sign
I get a little bit closer to feeling fine

Lyrics: "Everyday is a Winding Road" – Sheryl Crow

I hope you enjoyed the update! Sorry it took so long. Please R/R!