Chapter Two: Breathe In, Breathe Out

"Cancer," Addison repeated for the third time as she and Alex stared at the lab results.

"Ovarian cancer in a sixteen year old. Have you ever seen that before?" He asked.

"Karev," She sighed, "I don't think it's Ovarian Cancer. It looks like it's spreading from somewhere. We have to find out where…Let's go tell her."

When they reached the room, Addison took a deep breath before knocking.

"Natalie…" She began, "When we did the CT Scan we found tumors on your ovaries."

Three pairs of eyes widened in shock and horror.

"How…How did this happen? Is it cancer? Why didn't any of the other tests catch it?" Dave asked.

Addison sighed again. "The tumors could have easily been missed. That explains why we didn't catch it sooner…It appears to be cancer but we don't know what kind or how advanced it is yet. We won't know until we find out where it started, because I don't think it started in her ovaries."

"What happens now? What do I do?" Natalie asked quietly.

"We need to get the tumors out as soon as possible. I'm scheduling a surgery for this Friday, the 16th."

"That soon?" Natalie asked.

Addison nodded sadly. "Yes."-She gave her niece a tight hug-"I'm so sorry sweetie."

Addison and Alex left the room and turned down another hallway. Addison leaned against the wall, holding back a sob. Alex put his arm around her shoulders as a tear finally slid down her cheek. He led her into a nearby stairwell and sat down on the steps with her.

"Nattie was the flower girl in our wedding," She told him, "She was only five and she was so cute…Her brother had cancer too, you know. Aaron. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma when he was thirteen. He's 19 now…There's four other kids in the family. Sean's the oldest. Then Emily and Aaron and Nattie. Allison's 12 and Dana's only 9…Pneumonia? How could the doctor think it was Pneumonia?" Her voice cracked and she leaned into Alex's embrace.

"We'll find the cancer." He said reassuringly, "Don't worry. She'll be okay."

Addison swallowed hard and stood up. "Thank you, Karev."

Two days later, Addison arrived at the hospital early to make sure everything was ready for Natalie's surgery. She met Bailey and the interns just in time for rounds. They followed her into Natalie's room.

"Natalie Giambattista, sixteen. In for a surgery to remove tumors on her ovaries," Alex presented.

"Right Karev," Addison said turning to the family, "Someone will be up to do a pre-op in about an hour. Okay?"Catherine and Dave nodded but Natalie looked at her aunt with fear in her eyes. Addison gave her a hug. "Be brave Nattie. I'll take care of you."

Natalie nodded and watched as Addison followed the other doctors into the hall.

"…Alright people," Bailey was telling the interns, "Dr. Montgomery needs two interns. Let's see, Karev and Stevens, you're on her case. Now,"-she gave them all a stern look-"that is Dr. Shepard's niece and Dr. Montgomery's ex-niece, or whatever. Be nice to her. She is sixteen and scared. The family has a history of childhood cancer so they know the risks…Behave yourselves. This case is not to be joked about in any way. Got it?"-they all nodded-"Okay. Yang, you're with Burke. O'Malley, Grey, pit."

"What about Dr. Shepard?" Meredith asked hopefully.

"He's on scut. Now go save some lives."

A little while later, Addison was standing outside her niece's room when Alex and Izzie arrived to do the pre-op. Addison stopped them as they started to enter.

"Wait, don't go in yet…She's praying. If you disturb her it will upset her."

The interns did as they were told and waited quietly.

Addison broke the silence. "Don't…Don't treat her differently."

"What?" Izzie asked.

Addison sighed. "She's sixteen. She plays tennis, skis and runs track. She plays tuba and she's in all honors classes. This shouldn't be happening to her but it is. Don't treat her like a kid with cancer. Just, treat her like a teenager."

They nodded and Addison motioned toward the room and watched as they began the procedures.

"What are you reading?" Alex asked his patient.

"Catcher and the Rye. It's for school," She replied, showing him the cover.

"That's a good one," He remarked, "What else do you read in 11th grade English?"

"Um, Macbeth, Scarlet Letter, Great Gatsby, Death of a Salesman. I don't remember what else."

"That sounds exciting," He said sarcastically.

"Forgive him. We doctors tend to be more into the math and science stuff," Izzie told her.

"Yeah, me too," Natalie agreed, "I loved Bio and Chem."

Izzie smiled at her. "Good choices. Have you thought about being a doctor?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe."

Alex and Izzie finished up the exam and left. Natalie noticed Addison in the doorway.

"Aunt Addie! You can come in."-Addison obliged and sat on the edge of the bed-"Do you care if I still call you Aunt Addie? I know you're divorced but still…"

Addison gave her a small smile. "I don't mind. Where are your parents?"

"Getting coffee I think…Hey, does the hot doctor have to see me naked? 'Cause it's kinda weird."

Addison laughed. "I'll do my best to see that he doesn't. You know they call your uncle 'McDreamy?"

"You're kidding! Who says that?"

"His girlfriend, her friends."

"Which one is she?" Natalie asked, curious.

"Dr. Grey, the tiny one with the brown hair. Remember Mark Sloan? They call him 'McSteamy."

Natalie giggled. "Ew. Seriously? McDreamy and McSteamy? Are there others?"

Addison shook her head. "Not that I know of."

"Aunt Addie?" Natalie said suddenly.

"Yeah?"

"I'm scared."

Addison gave her a hug. "That's okay. We all are."

"Am I going to be okay?"

"I hope so Nattie."

"Thanks Aunt Addie."

"I'm here to help you fight this. If you ever have any questions or you're scared or you need someone to talk to, call me. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Good. Now I have to go change but I'll see you in a little while."

Natalie nodded bravely. Addison gave her a hug and left the room.

A half hour later, Addison entered the OR followed by Izzie and Alex. Alex picked up a scalpel but Addison shook her head.

"No Karev. Let Stevens do it."

"Seriously? Why?"

"I told Natalie that I wouldn't let you see her naked."

He raised his eyebrows. "Why?"

"Because Karev," Addison sighed, "She is a teenage girl and you are a 'hot' doctor."

Izzie laughed as Alex handed her the scalpel. "Fine. Whatever."

"Thank you Karev."

Izzie opened their patient up and the doctors surveyed the damage done by the tumors. They removed the tumors and Addison let Izzie close. When Addison looked up she noticed Derek watching from the gallery. She caught his eye and gave him a thumbs up/ He smiled and left.

Later that day, Addison, Izzie and Alex entered Natalie's room.

"How are you feeling Nattie?" Addison asked when she saw her niece was awake.

"Gross. Exposed."

Addison smiled sympathetically and addressed the family. "Well, the good news is that the surgery was successful. The tumor is out, but we still don't know where the cancer started or how advanced it is. I want to keep Natalie overnight to keep an eye on her and run some tests, okay?"-Natalie nodded-"And Derek and I will both be on call so if you need anything we'll be here."

"Thank you Addison, for everything," Dave said gratefully.

"It's nothing. Natalie deserves the best and Seattle Grace is the best. We will find out what's wrong, I promise."

Author's Note: Wow! I was shocked when I checked my email this morning to find so many reviews! Thank you! I'm glad so many people are reading Natalie's story. I want to start out by saying that, medically, I'm sure that not all of my information about testing, surgeries and cancer treatment is correct, but I did my best. It is true that Natalie was treated for Pneumonia. All the information about the activities Natalie's involved in is true. She's very smart and athletic. She's also very religious. The Giambattistas are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. Natalie's brother Aaron really did have cancer also. The title of this chapter came from the song "Breathe In, Breathe Out" by Mat Kearney. I think the lyrics really fit with this chapter.

Please continue to read and review!