Chapter 6

A/N: Sorry for the wait everyone, school was keeping me very busy these days But here it is. This chapter is a little lighter. It's kind of a preparation for the next one, which is going to be very hard and heartbreaking. And for all those who were asking about Meredith, don't worry, she is here, just not in the main focus right now. I would very much appreciate the reviews. Anyway, thank you for reading.

Hours later, after a tiring fight with brain bleeds, Amelia was finally scrubing out pretty satisfied with herself. She knew she was skilled, but she had some trouble focusing in the beginning. So this little victory over herself was much bigger in her mind than it seemed. As she was getting out of the scrubing area she saw Derek walking towards her.

''Is the surgery over?'' – Derek said without any particular expression on his face.

''My part of it, yeah. But Hunt and Torres are still in there. I think they're finishing up, too. They'll be out soon. Why? You need the OR? – Amelia answered sounding really exhausted.

''No.'' – Derek said roughly – ''And I heard what happened in the ER earlier.''

''I see...So...You heard that I basically saved that boy's life.'' – Amelia grinned at him.

''Amy, you were lucky! How could you do something so reckless? What were you thinking?'' – he stared at her angrily.

''I was thinking about saving the patient's life. And..that's not luck, Derek. That's called being a good doctor and a very skilled surgeon.'' – she was starting to get irritated.

''You never think things through, don't you?''

''Do not even start with that big brother crap and lectures. Go work for the president and leave me alone!'' – she told him with anger in her voice.

''Well, I might actually do that!'' – he said and clenched his teeth in anger.

''Do it then. I might actually have a one night of sleep at home, since you and Meredith can't stop screaming at each other every night.'' – she responend quickly.

''That's not your business, Amy!''

''It becomes my business when you start taking your frustrations out on me.'' – she stopped to look at him better – ''Now move and go talk to your wife.''

''She won't talk to me...'' – he sighed desperately.

''Like you said... it's not my business.''- she said sarcastically and then countinued more calmly - 'I've been stuck in surgery for hours. 'I'm exhausted and hungry. Goodbye Derek!''

At the same time, situation in the ER finally started to calm down a little bit. Patients, who were seriously injured, were admitted and the rest of them were sent home with sutures and some of them with cast on their limbs.

It was a hell of a day. Especially for a first day as an intern.

Through the day, Alison felt like she was on a roller coaster. From being late and stared at, to standing frozen in the chaotic ER, to being terrified and thrilled at the same time while helping Dr. Shepherd, to being yelled at a couple hundred times while just trying to help with the chaos in the ER.

And just on top of everything, she saw her mother for the very first time and it brought up so many emotions. So many overwhelming emotions that threatened to choke her at some point. But Alison was determined to push them back inside and try to keep her cool. That task proved to be very hard. Especially after she and her new intern friend Zack Mitchell were pushed around by Dr. Grey and Dr. Pierce all day.

Somehow Alison and Zack found themselves in the middle of the clash of the titans. Two doctors were going head to head for hours while treating a patient. When Dr. Grey would order Alison and Zack to do something Dr. Pierce would order something completely different and vice versa. Tension was palpable in the air. And of course that new interns would end up as collateral victims of a battle that was going on between their superiors.

''I'm so tired and hungry. You think we could run to cafeteria and grab something to eat?'' – Zack turned to ask Alison.

''Tell me about it. I flew from NYC this morning and since I was already late I haven't had any time to eat. It's 4pm, so yeah...I'm starving. Let's go.'' – Alison rambled out.

Zack slightly laughed with few question marks in his eyes, but decided to let it go knowing that they would probably spend a lot of time together in the next year, so they'll have more than enough time to talk and get to know each other.
So he just said eagarly – ''Let's go. Who knows when we'll catch a break again.''
Alison chuckled and nodded agreeing completely with him.

As soon as they started eating their sandwiches Alison felt even more hungry and more exhausted. And she was sure, that wouldn't help with emotional heaviness she felt weighing on her chest all day. But she was sticking with her decision from earlier, not to think about it for now.

Too bad that the universe had kind of a different plan for her.
The two of them were so hungry that since they bought those sandwiches not a word has been spoken 'till they were finishing them up. Zack was amazed with his new friend so he couldn't keep himself from talking anymore.

''So Alison, I don't want to be rude, but how old are you?'' – he asked.

''I'm 18. What do you say about that? I guess your around 25, old man?'' – she smiled teasingly.

''18? How did you manage to finish school so early?'' – he was a bit shocked – ''And I'm actually 23, you baby intern.'' – he teased back.

''I'm kind of smart so they let me pass.'' – she laughed – ''And heeeeey, don't call me a baby ever again, you 'not that old man'! I figure you're not so dumb yourself, ha?''

''I wouldn't consider myself dumb either. Fine than smartass, you're not a baby.'' – he chuckled – ''But seriously, I heard you kicked ass this morning with Dr. Shepherd.''

''What if you call me just Ali? As we're going to be friends and everything... And yeah, this morning was pretty thrilling.'' – she tried to make it clear that she didn't want to talk about it.

''Okay, Ali.'' – he smiled and took a sip of his coffee – ''Hey look, isn't that Dr. Shepherd walking in with Dr. Webber. You should ask her about the surgery. You helped...''

Alison didn't even want to turn around to see her and for sure she wasn't up for another little talk. But after Webber and Amelia took their coffees they started walking in direction of Ali's and Zack's table on their way out.

When Alison saw them coming she felt like she's going to have a panic attack and wanted to run. Too bad for her, there wasn't enough the two approached them Amelia said – ''Jean, if you're finished here come with us to check on our John Doe from this morning.''

''I see you met our youngest intern ever. Such talent.'' – Webber said to Amelia.

Amelia nodded and Alison said – ''Thank you Dr. Webber. I would like to come Dr. Shepherd.''

''Then let's get this party on the road.'' – Amelia said.

''Excuse me, would you mind if I joined your party?'' – Zack said pleadingly.

''Not at all...?'' – Amelia left the question in the air.

'' Mitchell.'' – Zack didn't need to be asked twice.

Amelia nodded again and they started walking towards the ICU. Richard and Amelia were talking about some new research, Zack was excited even more than a child who has just gotten an ice cream, and Alison...She was stuck in her own mind struggling with the fact that the person walking in front of her was her mother and she couldn't say anything because noone knew. She had this strong urge to run as far as possible.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Dr. Webber turned to her and said – '' What does the 'S' stand for?''

''I'm sorry, sir. I'm not following.'' – Alison was confused with the question, just like Amelia and Zack were.

'' The initial in your name. On your coat. Alison S. Jean. What does the 'S' stand for? If you don't mind me asking, of course.'' – Webber cleared.

The three of them were looking at Alison waiting for an answer. But she was stunned with the question. Didn't know what to say. There was no way she would say the truth. She just swallowed hard, looked up and sadly smiled – ''Just something from the past life that I'm still not ready to fully let go.''