And we're back with the next installment. A little bit short, but just gearing up for the next one which I expect to be a bit lengthier.

I was very sad with no reviews on the previous chapter, so please please, take a moment to review if you could! I so appreciate it!

-K

Chapter 3

The tone of the intervention had changed considerably. After what could only be described as a screaming match, Addison caved in and supplied Amelia with a small amount of oxycodon to keep her quiet. She had hoped this would allow the intervention to run smoothly, but instead it had turned Amelia into an unresponsive figure propped up on the couch.

"Amelia?" Sam pushed her to speak. "Are you hearing us at all?"

"I hear you." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Okay, good. This is good." Addison added. "Do you want some water? Or food, maybe? I can bring you food."

"Where's Charlotte?" She asked, unaware of how pitiful she sounded.

"Uh…" Cooper, who had recently rejoined the group, hesitated for a moment, "She's…working."

The brunette nodded, looking down at her feet. "Could you…could you please get her?" Her voice was weak. "Could you get her?" She repeated. "I need…I need her here."

"Amelia, I'm not sure it's a good idea." Cooper knew that no matter how angry his wife may have been, she would have come running if she saw the state that Amelia was in. But he couldn't help trying to protect her from all of this. She was already emotional and vulnerable, and he just wanted to keep her safe.

"I'll get her." Addison interjected, rising from her seat, making a quick escape toward Charlotte's office.

"Addison, wait." Cooper followed.

"Are you kidding me, Cooper?" She spun around to face him as soon as they were out of view. Her eyes were filled with rage. "Please tell me you have a good reason for what you just said, because I swear…" She trailed off.

"Amelia really hurt her, okay? And it scares me that she has the ability to do that, because there are very few people out there who can actually get to Charlotte." He avoided eye contact with the redhead. "People have said a lot of awful things to her, and she brushes it off. It's amazing, really. But she's hurting right now…really hurting…and I have to protect her."

"We're all hurting!" Addison shouted. "What, you think this is easy for me? This is one of the worst days of my life, Cooper, but I'm not backing down and I'm not running away because this isn't about me!" She took a moment to compose her thoughts. "Look, I know you're just trying to be a good husband, and it's all very noble and chivalrous, but now is not the time, Cooper. Today isn't about Charlotte." She looked him straight in the eye. "Charlotte won't die if she doesn't get to rehab today." Addison could feel tears forming in her eyes, but fought them back. "So lay off, Cooper."

"She told me I was barren." Addison stormed into Charlotte's office.

"I'm sorry?" Charlotte looked up, taken aback by her colleague.

"Amelia. She told me I was barren…among other things…many other, very hurtful things…" Addison clarified. "And I'm not going to forget what she said…I can't forget it. And at some point down the line, we'll talk about it like two adults. But right now, she's not an adult. She's not even a child…I don't…I don't know what she is."

Charlotte pursed her lips, "She's an addict."

Addison sighed, taking a seat. "Yes. And she needs our help or she will die." She paused, "She needs all of our help…including yours."

The blonde shook her head. "I'm going to be honest with you, Addison…but don't you tell anyone what I'm saying in here, alright?"

"Okay…"

"This…is very hard for me."

Addison threw her hands up in the air, clearly frustrated. "Well, sound the alarms! Charlotte King has feelings."

"I don't appreciate your sarcasm." The blonde's voice was stern. "This all hits very close to home, and I'm not goin' to be able to get to a meeting until tonight…" She paused. "And I need…I need a break."

"I'm sorry." Addison's tone softened. "I know this is hard for you. I know it's different for you as a former addict, and I know you've got your own issues to deal with." She sighed, "But we're talking about Amelia, here. Amelia. And I know you care about her…I know you do. You don't smile at anyone, Charlotte, but you smile at her." She sees Charlotte about to interrupt, and holds up her hand to silence her. "Don't even deny it. Won't do you any good. I'm very perceptive, you know."

"Fine." Charlotte rolls her eyes. "I care. Happy now?"

"I'll be happy when you prove that you actually give a damn and act like a real friend." She sighs. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean that. I'm just…I'm under a lot of pressure right now." She takes a shaky breath.

Charlotte leans back in her chair. "It's alright."

"So…I'm gonna go now." The redhead nods, seeing herself out. "But while you sit here feeling sorry for yourself, just know that she's asking for you. She needs you."