Amelia drew her coat closed fighting against the wind as she caught up to Meredith. Usually they car pooled but the weather had warned of a severe storm on the horizon which meant either one of them could end up pulling extra shifts and neither had wanted to be left stranded.
Meredith kept up her pace, eager to get inside and escape the cold. Even though she'd told her husband she wasn't getting involved she was curious about her sister in-law supposedly dating the chief of surgery. She wasn't prying. She really didn't care that much but if it was something then she wanted to be the one to relay it back to Cristina. Hospital gossip was the worst and even though her best friend was also seeing someone new, Cristina would kick her ass if she heard it through the grapevine first. "Did you see Derek this morning?"
"Nope." Amelia hoped the one word answer would end the conversation but after a knowing look she felt her resolve start to cave, "he told you didn't he?"
"Yes he told me." She said it dryly, readjusting her handbag as they fell into step. "He told me again and again... and you owe me. I haven't seen my husband in weeks and don't get me wrong, I'm glad he wasn't bringing up all of our issues but I'm not glad he was thinking about you when we should have been having lots and lots of sex."
Amelia blushed furiously, not sure if Meredith was actually pissed off or if it was just her nature. There was such a contrast comparing her to Addison. Her ex sister in-law had always been more like a mentor whereas her relationship with Meredith was more as equals but she still wasn't sure how the women was going to react to the news that she was dating her best friend's ex-husband.
If they were still dating?
Owen had been stonewalling her for the last couple of days and she didn't know if he was just busy with work or if there was another reason. "I'm sorry, this is probably all really awkward for you."
"Are you kidding?" Meredith lifted her hand, shielding her face from the drops of rain that had started to fall. The weather was definitely getting worse and she squinted turning her head against the whipping wind, "this place is like a giant who dunnit... only it's who didn't do it, with who."
It had become a running joke that all the doctors were somehow sexually related but it really wasn't all that surprising. They basically lived at the hospital and finding a normal guy who was willing to put up with that kind of life was nearly impossible. "You don't need to worry-" she offered the reassurance hoping that it didn't count as getting involved, "Cristina wanted Owen to move on and if she's happy then I'm happy, those are the rules."
Amelia felt a wave of relief rush through her as they neared the entrance to the hospital. It was good to know that Meredith was taking a more rational approach than her brother but she still hadn't really offered her opinion on the situation. "Okay, that's good... I think-" she added, testing how far she could push the conversation, "so you're not taking his side?"
Meredith shook her head. "I'm not taking anyone's side." Even though she lived in the same house and could feel the tension brewing it wasn't up to her to pick who was right or wrong. A lot of people hadn't approved of her and Derek's relationship in the beginning and even though they'd had their fair share of problems she certainly didn't regret being with him.
They moved though the doors and Amelia felt a wall of heat hit her. She was freezing and she shivered, following Meredith into the trauma department as her body adjusted to the change in temperature. She'd missed having someone to talk to and even though her sister in-law could be standoffish, it was still nice to have a form of support. "But if you were? Taking sides I mean..."
"Then I would say that whoever you sleep with isn't really any of Derek's business." She pulled off her gloves, shoving them in her handbag. Judging by the wind outside the storm was going to be bad and she took in a deep breath mentally preparing for the drama that was about to follow.
Amelia realized the conversation was about to end and she hesitantly moved to stand in front of the taller women, "do you know if Derek said anything to Owen?" She averted her gaze wondering if she was jumping to conclusions. They were doctors, they had busy schedules but she just couldn't shake the feeling that he was purposely ignoring her. "I kinda get the feeling he's avoiding me."
Meredith shifted her weight, not entirely comfortable with where the conversation was heading. She could listen, even give the odd bit of advise here and there but she certainly wasn't a guru for relationships. Since Cristina left her person had become Alex and she was wasn't sure how she felt about including not one but two new sisters into the mix. "Have you asked Owen about it?"
"No." Amelia admitted, letting out a breath and tapping her foot. Her sister in-law was right, the only way she was going to get the answers she needed was if she went straight to the source.
"Well, here's your chance." Meredith's eyes landed on the man in question who was walking towards them. He was completely engrossed in his tablet and she called out making him stop and glance up. His gaze darted awkwardly to Amelia as they moved to close the gap and she decided she was even more determined not to get involved. "Derek wanted me to let you know that his flight has been moved because of the storm so if you need an extra set of hands in trauma he can come in."
Owen nodded, grateful for the offer. Even though he'd been actively trying to avoid Derek he'd just spoken with the weather bureau and it looked like they were going to need everyone they could get on-board. The storm was rolling in faster than they'd anticipated and they were looking at the brunt of it hitting in the next couple of hours so the more resources he could tap the better. "Tell him I would really appreciate that."
"Great." Meredith smiled widely and didn't think twice about bailing from the situation. She didn't even look back, just kept walking as she pulled out her phone and dialed Derek's number.
Amelia watched her sister in-law flee and took a deep breath. She was an adult, completely capable and she tried not to be put off by the uncomfortable silence that had started to stretch out. "I... how are you?"
"I'm good-" he nodded a few too many times, hating the awkwardness that had settled between them, "you?"
"I'm good." She was about to tell him she was fine but stopped. Obviously she hadn't imagined the tension that had been building and she frowned crossing her arms protectively, "actually no, that's a lie. See there's this guy I like... and we had a thing, which was all going really well until he just started avoiding me for no reason."
Owen breathed out feeling the weight of her accusation sit tightly in his chest. He wanted to smooth things over but he could see the nurse behind reception listening in and he gently pulled her aside, away from the prying staff member. "Look..." he lowered his voice, trying to find the right words, "it's complicated. I just... I think we should slow things down, just for a bit."
A muffled sound caught in her throat and she lifted her head feeling a wave of frustration wash over her. If they went any slower there'd be nothing between them and she refused to accept that as an answer. "Is this because of Derek?" It was the only possible explanation she could think of and she watched his expression change, trying to decipher the flash of guilt in his expression. "Oh my god-" the realization dawned on her and she took a step back, "he's spoken to you hasn't he? Warned you off?"
"No, it wasn't-" he tried to argue the point but he couldn't lie to her. Even though her brother had arguably good intentions he had broken some boundaries and Owen shifted uncomfortably trying to make her understand. "Derek did raise some valid points. I'm not saying he was right but you said it yourself, I can be a distraction."
She threw her hands on her hips unable to believe what she was hearing. She knew Derek could be manipulative but this went beyond what she'd come to expect from him. She shouldn't have been surprised but the fact Owen had sided with him hurt, a lot. "Exactly, I told you that. I made it perfectly clear because that's what I do. If I need something I ask. I can make my own decisions."
"I know you can-" he lifted his arms trying to calm the anger in her voice. It was a valid point. The truth was he'd never seen anything to make him doubt her focus or her strength and he breathed out slowly realizing he'd let Derek get inside his head. It was a mistake. Her brother was drawing from past experiences but he should of known better and he scrubbed a hand across his forehead trying to figure out where that left them. "I was just trying to do the right thing."
"The right thing isn't taking my brothers opinion over mine-" she shot the retort back, aware she was starting to draw attention to their argument. Even though his apology seemed genuine she wasn't ready to accept it and she took a deep breath lowering her voice, "people have been taking his side my whole life and you know what, I'm done with it."
She turned on her heal and a wave of regret washed over him. The last thing he'd wanted to do was hurt her and he quickly chased after her, shoving the tablet he was holding at a passing nurse, "here take this, keep me updated... Amelia, Amelia wait!"
He caught up to her but she refused to slow down and he stepped in front of her herding them into an open supply closet. A look of annoyance crossed her face but he pulled the door closed anyway, breathing heavily as he approached her. She pinned him with a glare waiting for him to defend the action but he couldn't.
He wasn't thinking.
All he could focus on was the fact he wanted her.
A gasp caught in her throat as his lips crashed to hers and she felt her anger start to dissolve. He'd made a mistake but any doubts she had about his sincerity were lost in the kiss. It was full of need and desire, like she was the only thing that mattered to him and she felt her heart skip as he hesitated. He always wanted to be sure and even though she didn't want him to stop she had a surgery to get to and he no doubt had a list of things to do in preparation for the storm. "You have no idea how much I want..."
She trailed off and even though he completely understood he wanted to hear her say it, "what?"
She smiled coyly and breathed out a sigh, "I've got surgery."
He nodded, holding onto her a moment longer before reluctantly letting her step out of his arms. She was right, they both had jobs to get back to and the next few hours were going to be a nightmare. If seeing her again was his incentive to get through it, then he figured that was a deal he'd take.