This is a shorter chapter but an emotional one. I truly hope you're all enjoying the story so far. There will be a bit of a climax soon (like next chapter soon) so stayed tune.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or quotes from Grey's Anatomy, nor do I own the lyrics to Joshua Radin's song Closer.

Chapter 12- Closer

So, we're alone again
I wish it were over
We seem to never end
Only get closer
To the point where I can take no more

It had been nearly a month since Dan and Melanie had started dating. They had managed to keep their relationship on the down low. Unless Hannah and Erin were both on call, Mel would stay in his apartment for sleepovers. Melanie was cuddled in his arms and blankets went her cell phone alarm went off that morning. "Baby, I need to get up."

Dan groaned and let her go. "I wish you didn't have to," he said as he watched her pull on the clean clothes that she had brought with her the night before.

"You know what you were getting into when we started this. I'm an intern. I work long hours and wake up at ungodly hours," she chuckled as she leaned down to kiss him.

"You're right," he replied. "So do you want to grab lunch today?"

"I can't. I'm meeting with my mother today," she said as the smile crept away from her face. Her tone became more serious. "She insisted and it's a step. I do kind of miss being able to turn to her."

"It'll work out," he encouraged.

"I hope you're right," she sighed. "I'll see you around hun."

"See you later babe," he murmured before he fell back to sleep.

Melanie arrived at the hospital a few minutes early. She did her pre-rounds and managed to get placed in the ER for that day. When she saw that it was a slow day she could tell that some force was conspiring for her to have a long conversation with her mother. At ten there was no one waiting who she hadn't already referred to someone else. Satisfied with a job well done, she went down to the cafeteria where she knew her mother would be waiting for her.

Kathleen was sitting at the same table she had been when she first told Alex about Melanie. That moment had been imprinted into her mind. She made a pact with herself to say the things she needed to tell Melly. It had been too long for a mother and daughter to not speak. She didn't really count the time at Izzie's because Mel had turned her away before anything could be resolved. Today, they would both be prepared to say what needed to be said.

"Mother," Melanie spoke dragging Kathleen out of her mind. "It's good to see you."

"You look well," Kathleen responded, standing up to hug her daughter. It wasn't a particularly warm one, but it showed promise.

Melanie sat down, "You look bigger. The baby must be doing well."

"He is, only 3 more months." Kathleen answered. "I'll be going on bed rest in two weeks. My age makes it a high risk pregnancy."

"How's Ted? Is he going to be around for that?" Melanie asked.

"He's going to China the day after tomorrow to finish up some business. After that he'll be able to stay home for a while to help with the baby," Kathleen smiled. Melanie nodded back. "Melly, I really wanted to talk to you before I went on bed rest. I think you know about what."

Melanie solemnly said, "Yes. I just don't know where to start."

"When was the last time you went to Mass?" Kathleen solicited.

"The last time I went with you," Mel reacted, slightly taken aback. "Why?"

"Well, I've been talking with Father O'Leary about you and I," Kathleen started. "He made me realize that this fight we've been in isn't worth it."

"I agree," Mel interrupted.

"I'm just worried about you. I think you should go to confession." Kathleen completed.

"Confession?" Melanie snarled. "Mom, I never liked having to tell some priest everything I did wrong. I don't honestly think I have to go."

Kathleen looked down, "I'm never going to condone your decision and I can't forgive you until you ask for forgiveness."

Melanie looked away from her mother for a moment to try and stop the tears. This wasn't what she had been prepared for. Her mother's words felt like an attack rather than the embrace she was expecting. Melanie's pride wouldn't let her show Kathleen that. Instead she snapped back, "What do I have to be forgiven for? Not being you Mother?"

"Now sweetie," Kathleen began.

"No. Don't 'sweetie' me. You haven't changed," Mel gasped. "You just kept judging me and what's more you talked about something I confided in you with someone who I don't trust. I made my choice because it was the right one for me."

"Clark would have married you, I'm sure." Kathleen countered.

"I know, he asked me." Melanie responded. "But here's the thing, I didn't want to marry him. I just wanted to finish medical school, which I wouldn't have been able to do if I had kept the baby. He told me that he didn't want me to." Kathleen stayed quiet. "This was just a giant waste of time."

Kathleen spoke up, "Don't leave yet. I'm not trying to be the bad guy. I just want you to do what is right."

"No, you want me to do what you think is right. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not you. I'm never going to be you and that's that," Melanie asserted.

"Melly, would you just look at things from my perspective for a moment." Kathleen requested.

"What's the point? You already said you're never going to accept my decision because God forbid you ever look at things from my perspective." Melanie looked at her mother in the eyes for a reaction. She was disappointed to see only judgment. "Forget it. If all you're ever going to do is judge me, you can go to hell." Melanie stormed away leaving her half drank coffee.

Kathleen just sat there alone sipping at her tea, tears rolling down her face. It had gone as wrong as possible. It was their fight from three years all over again. Kathleen missed her little girl and she didn't know how to get her back. She only hoped she could fix things before it was too late and she missed too much.

Please leave a review for inspiration and as always thank you for reading- Jen