Objects in the Rearview Mirror

Chapter 4: Send in the Flunkies

I will be the answer at the end of the line
I will be there for you while you take the time
In the burning of uncertainty I will be your solid ground
I will hold the balance if you cant look down

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle was the ultimate in five-star luxury hotels. It was also the very place where The American Association of Physicians' nationally top ranked intern, Caitlin Taylor resided in one of the Cascade suites, courtesy of her grandparents. Caitlin was never what one would call a "spoiled rich kid." In fact, she tried to distance herself from her family's wealth as much as possible. The only clue one could glean about Caitlin's background was the fact that she drove a Lexus RX330. Other than that, she was considered by most who knew her well to be a down to earth person. And to those who didn't, she was simply the girl with the really high IQ. But at the moment, Caitie was very content to sleep in the large king size bed. This was one time that she could truly appreciate the Cavalier Corporation's flunkies who were on call 24 hours a day. They had managed to get her this hotel room while she was en route from Boston to Seattle

The memories of the last 24 hours were hazy for Caitie as she came to the surface of consciousness and slowly opened her eyes. Strangely enough, the first person on her mind was her father, whom she hadn't spoken to in months. They had exchanged the occasional email, but Caitie had no interest in what he had to say. She had been unable to forgive him for what he had done as of yet.

June 2005

Caitlin Montgomery sat on the front porch of her mother and Derek's brownstone. She should have been inside with the rest of her family and friends. But instead, she was here sitting on this porch staring across the street at Central Park. Today was supposed to be one of the happiest days of Caitie's life. Just 24 hours earlier, Caitie was simply Caitlin Forbes-Montgomery, a med school student who preferred to go by the name Taylor. And 24 hours later, all of her hard work and all of her time and energy had culminated in her becoming Dr. Caitlin Taylor, M.D, valedictorian and Harvard Medical School graduate. She should have been on top of the world, feeling nothing but pure joy. The accolades she had received after her speech continued long after their return to New York that afternoon. But Caitie felt disappointed. She knew that she shouldn't have felt that way, after all disappointment was an expected outcome when dealing with her father. Still, he had reached a new low after missing Caitie's graduation from med school. With a sigh, reached for her club soda and moved to go inside.

"Well, if it isn't Dr. Montgomery," said a voice to Caitie's back as she turned to go up the stairs.

Caitie turned, "Hi daddy," She said quietly.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it. I was called into surgery at the last minute."

"Yeah."

"Caitie, please don't be mad at me. I tried to get out of it."

"I'm sure you tried really hard," she replied with biting sarcasm.

"Don't start this please?" Mark asked with a weary sigh. "You know how it is sweetheart."

"Yes, I do know how it is. I've been a surgeon's daughter long enough to know how things work."

"Good, then you understand."

"Yeah, I understand," Caitie said, turning to go back inside. But a second later, she turned back. "When will I ever be good enough for you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You heard me. When will I be good enough for you?"

"Caitie…"

"No daddy, I want to know. When will I merit some of your precious time?"

"I had to work Caitlin!"

"No you didn't! You've known about my graduation for months. Mom and Derek were there."

"I'm sorry Caitie, I know that that isn't enough but it's the best I can do right now."

Caitie nodded and looked down, "All I wanted was for you to pay attention to me for once."

"I pay attention to you!"

She scoffed, "Hardly," and then paused, "I was the valedictorian! I spoke in front of a couple thousand people today. Today—today I became a doctor and I thought that you wouldn't miss it this time. You knew how important this was."

"Caitie, I am sorry, really I am. What can I do to make this up to you?" Mark asked, silently begging for her to forgive him.

"You can tell me what it will take for you to deem me worthy of your time."

"Caitie, why are you acting like this?"

"I wanted you there today daddy. I—I needed you to be there."

"I tried to get out of it."

"No you didn't! I've seen you when you want to get out of something. You chose not to come and I don't know why. I've-I've tried so hard to do everything right. I want you to be proud of me. But it seems like nothing I do is ever good enough for you."

"That's not true!"

"Then what is true, daddy? What is the truth? Tell me so I can finally understand!"

He hesitated for a moment, "I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I don't know Caitlin! Unlike you, I don't know everything!"

Caitie looked as if she had been slapped, "There's the truth I was looking for," she said quietly.

"Caitlin I--," Mark started, instantly regretting what he had said.

"No, please don't. I wanted to hear the truth and I got it. I hoped that you would be able to see me beyond all of this. But clearly I was wrong. I'm sorry to have disappointed you," Caitie said and before he could say another word, she went back inside.

If it takes my whole life I wont break I wont bend
Itll all be worth it worth it in the end
Cause I can only tell you what I know
that I need you in my life
When the stars have all gone out
youll still be burning so bright

The memory of that day on the steps was still painful, but Caitie forced herself to shake it off. She was about to turn on the TV when there was a knock on the door. With a sigh, Caitie got out of bed and padded to the door before opening it and finding Derek on the other side.

"Hi sweetheart."

"Derek, oh my god, I forgot!"

He smiled, "It's ok Caitie, Dr. Grey told me that she sent you home."

Caitie stepped aside so he could come in, "I just woke up."

"So I see."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, I know you must be exhausted."

"I was but I'm better now."

"This is a nice place," Derek commented, looking around.

"Thanks."

"Who came up with this?"

"Brandon, one of my grandpa's flunkies."

"Ah, so you called in the flunkies."

"I did."

"So, how have you been Caitie?" Derek asked, sitting in a chair by the fireplace.

"Before today I was doing just fine," Caitie replied sitting across from him.

"And today?"

"Today, I'm just confused."

"The time change will do that to you."

"It's more than that. I know about you and mom, about the divorce."

Derek sighed, "Caitie, I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I just want to know why you didn't tell me about all of this."

"I know how you feel about your dad and your mom and I wanted you to stay focused."

"But why did they have to do this? Mom loves you."

"I know she does and I love her too."

"If you love her, why are you getting divorced?"

"We've both hurt each other too much. At this point, it's in everyone's best interest if we move on."

"You mean because of Meredith?"

"How-how did you know about her?"

"She was talking about you today at lunch, McDreamy."

Derek cringed, "Don't say that again."

The smirk Caitie had been wearing had vanished, "Okay."

"Meredith and I were together before your mother showed up three months later."

"I see."

"Are you mad?"

"No. I'm still recovering I guess. One minute my family was there and the next minute they're gone," She said looking down.

"Hey," Derek said, causing her to look up. "You're still my family, divorce or not."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. My martial status and your mom's doesn't change that. I'm here for good."

"But why? Why would you do that?"

"You and I are a team Caitie, always."

Caitie smiled, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now how about some food?"

"We could order room service?"

"That sounds like a plan."

Cast me gently into morning
For the night has been unkind
Take me to a place so holy
That I can wash this from my mind
The memory of choosing not to fight

A few blocks away at the Archfield Hotel. Addison sank down on her bed and pressed speed dial on her cell phone before putting it to her ear and waiting for someone to pick up.

"Sloan," said a voice on the other end.

"Mark, it's me."

"Hey Addison. How's the rainiest place on earth?"

"Good, it's good."

"Good."

"I was wondering if you could come out?"

"To Seattle?"

"Yes."

"Sure…I've got some time off stored up."

"Great!"

"Addison, what is this about?"

Addison sighed, "Caitie, she knows about us."

"Damn."

"I know. So I was thinking you could talk to her."

"Addison, Caitie hasn't spoken to me in 6 months! What makes you think she'll talk now?"

"The fact that you've been trying to be a better father."

"She'll never believe that!"

"Mark, just please say you'll come."

He frowned, "Who for? You or Caitie?"

" Maybe a little bit of both."

Mark smiled, "Ok, I'll call you when I can get a flight out of here."

"Thank you Mark,"

"Thank you for the opportunity."


If it takes a whole life I wont break I wont bend
Itll all be worth it worth it in the end
Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
And when the stars have all burned out
Youll still be burning so bright
Cast me gently into morning for the night has been unkind

Lyrics- "Answer,"-Sarah McLachlan

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