TRIGGER WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS THEMES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Chapter 9: Scars Part 2
SCENE: NAOMI'S LIVING ROOM
(Amber looks at Naomi curled up on the floor with her injured face sobbing heavily. Amber's left hand starts shaking at the sight which she tries to keep a grip on)
Amber: Naomi it's okay your safe now, I'm here to help like I told you this morning, do you remember? I said I would help you when you've decided you've had enough and I meant it. Can I come closer? I need to see how serious your injuries are.
Naomi: (Keeps sobbing for a few moments and slightly nods)
(Amber slowly walks toward her and kneels down at face level looking at Naomi)
Amber: Your lip is bruised and split, I think your eye needs to be aspirated and your nose looks displaced. Naomi is Eddie here? Is he around?
Naomi: (Shakes her head) He (Sniffles) He left for a business meeting.
Amber: Okay and where's your daughter? Is she here?
Naomi: (Crying) She's with my mom in Fremont, I didn't want her here in case it happened again.
Amber: So, this has happened before?
Naomi: (Sobs) …You were right what you said before about my injuries…they weren't accidents, none of them were accidents.
Amber: Okay let's get you up before Eddie comes home we can call the police and have him arrested so he doesn't get to you again. Can you let me do that?
Naomi: …It wasn't him; it wasn't Eddie, he didn't do this.
Amber: (Confused) But you said-
Naomi: It was someone else, it was the same guy from before. He comes when Eddie is out of town and…
(Naomi sobs again and Amber looks at her shocked)
Amber: Naomi…do you know who this man is?
Naomi: … (Voice breaking) No.
CUT TO THE DRIVEWAY
(Levi gets off the phone with the cops when a Prius parks by the mailbox)
Levi: (Scared) Oh no.
(Eddie comes out of the car wearing a suit and a mask confused by Levi's presence)
Eddie: Can I help you?
Levi: You need to go right now.
Eddie: What? What the hell are you talking about? This is my home you need to go.
Levi: (Tries to be brave) I already called the cops and they're on their way. I suggest you leave before they see when you did.
Eddie: (More confused) Look I don't know what your on buddy but you need to get off my property before I bust your ass.
Levi: Like you busted your wife?
Eddie: (Shocked) …You have got some nerve little man.
Levi: Your wife called my friend Dr. Karev and she's inside right now treating her.
Eddie: What are you talking about? I left my house at 3, my wife's been at home all night alone why are… (Face falls as he processes Levi's words) what you mean treating her?
Levi: (See's his reaction is genuine) You really haven't been here all night?
Eddie: (Looks scared for Naomi) Where is she? Where is my wife?!
LATER AT NAOMI'S LIVING ROOM
(Naomi talks about what happened with Amber kneeled down in front of her)
Naomi: (Shaky breath) He put his hand over my mouth…and pushed against me until I felt his gun.
Amber: He had a gun?
Naomi: I-I-I told him just to take what he wanted and to leave, but he shoved me down on the couch. (Reliving it) Please leave, please leave.
Amber: (Holds Naomi's hand) You're not there, you're here with me right now, what did he do?
Naomi: (Crying) I-I called out for Eddie but I remembered he was out; I was all alone. After that he…he turned me around…pulled my pants down and then he tried to…I kicked him hard, he fell off me.
Amber: He did?
Naomi: I tried to get to the door but h-he grabbed my hair and I fell into the table. (Voice breaking) He punched me until I passed out and he…I woke up and my pants and underwear were on my ankles and he was gone. I called you and-
Eddie: Naomi.
(Amber turns and sees Eddie and Levi behind her with shocked looks on their faces)
CUT TO BLACK
TEN MINUTES LATER
SCENE: NAOMI'S HOUSE
(Police and ambulance are swarming the house with Naomi being wheeled out on a gurney. Amber is walking with her while Theo Ruiz checks on her while she's unconcious. Eddie is standing by the ambulance looking torn up with Levi beside him trying to keep his emotions in check)
Theo: (To radio) Grey Sloan this is Ruiz on aid car 23, I have a 28-year-old female with trauma to the face and abdomen, possible concussion. Requesting trauma unit as soon as we arrive.
Amber: Tell them no males, women only.
Theo: (Adds) Requesting all female team, no males.
Radio: Copy that.
Theo: (Turns radio off) How did you say you found her again?
Amber: She called me after, I gave her my personal number this morning.
Theo: I'm guessing there was an unfortunate reason for that.
Amber: (Guilty) I thought…I thought it was her husband but I was wrong. I was so wrong.
Theo: Well she's lucky she had you to call, don't forget that.
(They arrive at the gurney where Eddie goes to her side heartbroken)
Eddie: (Tears in his eyes) Naomi, baby can you hear me? Is she breathing?
Amber: She is, we gave her a sedative for the pain and it knocked her out but she's still stable. We're going to Grey Sloan Memorial a unit will be ready by the time we arrive.
Eddie: I-I'm coming with you.
Theo: (Sighs) I'm sorry sir but you can't it's a new protocol only medical and fire personnel are allowed in ambulance.
Eddie: Are you serious? I'm her husband I can't… (Voice breaking) I can't leave her alone again please.
Amber: (Feels bad) She won't be alone I'll be with her and I'll make sure she's okay, is that alright with you?
Eddie: (Sniffles and nods) I'll meet you over there and if she wakes up just…just tell her I'm so sorry please tell her that.
Amber: (Nods) We need to go now; do you know the way to Grey Sloan?
Eddie: Yeah, I'll meet you there.
Theo: Let's go.
Amber: Go to the front and ask for your wife.
(Eddie nods while Amber and Theo get Naomi in the aid car. Theo shuts the doors and the truck starts with the siren on moving out of the driveway)
TEN MINUTES LATER
SCENE: THE DRIVEWAY
(Teddy and Bailey stand outside the driveway waiting for the aid car that stops in front of them. The doors open revealing Amber and Theo inside taking care of Naomi)
Bailey: (Confused) Karev? What are you-
Amber: (Cold tone) Naomi Richards, 28 years old, I found her inside her house. BP is 120 over 70, breath is steady but slightly shaky. Multiple traumas to the face and abdomen, her left eye is swollen shut possibly needs to be aspirated. She was conscious at the scene but passed out when we gave her a sedative for the pain.
Theo: Police are already on their way to ask questions when she's awake.
Teddy: Okay let's get her inside.
(Amber and Theo wheel her inside)
Teddy: Okay let's get her to trauma one, get radiology for a chest, abdominal and head CT, we need to cover our bases here. Get one of the interns to help out.
Amber: Get Alma Ortiz, no one else just her. She won't gawk and cry like the others will.
(The nurse nods and leaves to page Ortiz. Bailey recognizes the patient)
Bailey: Karev is this the patient you told me about today? The one you thought was being abused by her husband.
Amber: (Cold tone) She is.
Teddy: Her husband did this to her?
Amber: No, he didn't, I was there after it happened he wasn't at the house. He was in a meeting when it happened that's what she told me.
Bailey: Are you sure? (Amber stiffly nods) Then who did this?
Amber: (Inhales sharply and her voice quivers with anger) It was a goddamn burglar.
(They get her into trauma one where they start to work on her)
Bailey: Karev you can go we got this.
Amber: I'm staying, my covid test came back negative tonight so I can be here.
Teddy: Karev-
Amber: (Clipped tone) I don't want her to wake up in a trauma room surrounded by strangers and terrified. I promised I would help her when she was in danger and I'm not gonna go back on my word so short of getting security to drag me away there's nothing you can do to get me to leave. I am staying.
Bailey: …Okay then you need to change into your scrubs and PPE, we'll still be here by then, go.
(Amber reluctantly leaves the room to go to the lounge. As she walks, she notices her left hand shaking, she tries to control it by pressing her thumb against her palm)
LATER AT THE LOBBY
(Eddie is leaning against the desk frustrated with the nurse who refuses to let him in the pit)
Nurse: Sir I'm sorry but covid protocol states only medical personnel in the room, visitors are required to wait outside for an update.
Eddie: My wife is inside and she is scared and hurt I-I need to be there. I need to make sure she's okay, just let me see her please!
(Levi enters the lobby and notices the scene)
Nurse: I'm sorry but that's not possible, now please move away or I will have you forcibly removed by security.
Eddie: (Stubborn) You know what-
Levi: (Steps in) I'll take him Ginger thanks. Mr. Richards, you need to come with me now.
Eddie: No I am not I need to see her I have to see her!
Levi: I know you do but we can't take a risk by letting you get infected and infecting your wife as well. I know your frustrated but these rules are meant to protect us.
Eddie: I don't care about the goddamn rules, all I care about is my wife! She's hurt and she's… (Voice breaking) She needs me.
Levi: (Sympathetic) I know she does but she also needs space so that the doctors in there can help her. She won't be able to get that if you're hovering over her. I know you think your leaving her alone again but you're not. We have some of the best doctors treating her and they will do everything they can to make sure she's safe. Once she's better they will give you an update and we'll set up a video chat so you can see her.
Eddie: (Groans) You want me to talk to her through a screen?
Levi: I know it's frustrating believe me but…it's better than nothing. Please let me take you to the waiting tent outside and I'll go inside and check on your wife. I will come back here and give you an update, can you let me do that?
Eddie: (Sniffles and sighs) Okay.
Levi: Right this way sir.
(Levi leads Eddie outside to take him to the tent)
LATER IN A PATIENT ROOM
(Naomi stands numbly in the room while Amber and Alma Ortiz get her in a gown)
Amber: Okay Naomi we're gonna get you in this bed and then we're taking you up to radiology. I'm gonna help set you up in a CT machine and your gonna lay perfectly still, can you do that?
Naomi: (Blank face) Yes.
Amber: Okay Doctors Altman, Bailey and Kingston will be in another room and their gonna see how extensive your injuries are and what the best course of action will be after that.
Naomi: You um…you said my eye needed to be aspirated does that mean I need surgery on my eye?
Amber: We don't know yet we'll know more once we get the scans but yes if worse comes to worse, we would need to free your eye out of the socket and drain the blood.
Naomi: (Freaking out) Oh my god.
Alma: It's a simple procedure and you'll be asleep while it happens, you won't feel anything.
Naomi: (Shaky breath) No, no I don't want to be knocked out I don't want it, please.
Amber: I know your scared Naomi but what happened to you is over, your safe do you hear me? Dr. Kingston is a woman, I made sure that your team had no men in it and she is the best ophthalmologist in this hospital. She will make sure you're comfortable and I will be in the room if that makes you feel better. Do you think you can consent to the procedure if I'm in the room while it happens?
Naomi: (Inhales and exhales shakily) You swear you won't leave?
Amber: I swear I will be there every step of the way but right now we need to get you to CT, can you let us do that? Can you let us get you on the bed and take you to the third floor?
Naomi: (Considers for a few moments before nodding)
Alma: Okay let's get you in the bed.
(Amber and Alma carefully place Naomi on the bed and slowly lean her back. A knock is heard and two male police officers come inside. Naomi is frightened and grabs Amber's hand squeezing it)
Alma: Can we help you?
Officer Bradley: I'm officer Bradley and this is officer Williams, we're here to talk to your patient about what happened this evening.
Alma: (Flabbergasted) Are you serious? Who let you in here?
(Teddy comes inside the room and is taken back by the police officers)
Teddy: What are you doing here? Who let you up here?
Officer Williams: The nurse at the front let us in, we need to ask her some questions about the assailant. We need a description of him while the details are still fresh.
Alma: While the details are still fresh? She's lying in a hospital bed scared out of her mind and you think now is a good time to make her relive the trauma?
Officer Bradley: We have to have a full report of the event.
Alma: A report?
Officer Williams: And we need to have one of your forensic nurses collect samples.
Teddy: And we can take care of that for you, right now you need to leave.
Officer Williams: Ma'am you're getting in the way of us doing our jobs.
Teddy: And you're getting in the way of me doing mine. Now this woman is injured, she needs medical attention.
(Naomi shakes her head slightly and has a greenish tint on her face which Amber notices as she squeezes her hand harder)
Officer Bradley: There's a process here doctor.
Alma: And she's been through enough tonight.
(Naomi makes a gagging sound. Amber quickly takes Naomi's mask off, grabs a bowl and holds it over Naomi's mouth right as she throws up)
Naomi: (Voice breaks) I'm sorry.
Teddy: Okay you two out now! Move!
(Teddy pushes the men out of the room. Amber and Alma tend to Naomi who throws up again)
Amber: (Rubs Naomi's back) Let it out.
Alma: (Holds her hair back) Their gone now it's just us.
(Naomi continues throwing up with Amber and Alma helping her)
LATER AT THE OUTSIDE TENT
(Eddie is sitting in tense silence outside as it drizzles with a tormented face when Levi approaches him in scrubs and PPE)
Levi: Mr. Richards?
Eddie: (Looks up) Is my wife…Is she…
Levi: Naomi is in radiology right now their giving her a head, chest and abdominal scan to see what's wrong. Their giving her sedatives to manage the pain but she's stable so far, I will let you know what her injuries indicate and what the next course of treatment is. Do you need me to do anything for you at the moment?
Eddie: (Inhales and exhales) …I got promoted at work last October, I'm a business consultant so I sometimes travel to new businesses and see what they can do to expand their name and brand. I went to San Francisco in November and when I came back…
(Eddie shudders and Levi sits next to him looking at him sympathetically)
Eddie: Naomi was in bed at 3 in the afternoon, our daughter was in daycare but it isn't like her to spend the day alone and doing nothing.
Levi: You don't need to defend yourself to me, I'm not judging you I'm just making sure your given every update.
Eddie: I know it's just…she changed after than night. She looked over her shoulder every five minutes, she said no to sex every time I came to her and…she got worried before I left for a business trip. She said it was because she didn't trust airlines but it was because she didn't want to be left alone. She didn't want me to leave, she needed protection and I still left. I left and he barged into my house, beat her, he…he touched her. (Crying) Why didn't I stay? Why didn't I protect her?
(Eddie continues crying as Levi looks at him in sympathy staying quiet)
LATER IN RADIOLOGY
(Amber enters the dark room where Teddy, Bailey and Dr. Kingston are reviewing her scans)
Bailey: Karev? Your supposed to be with Naomi.
Amber: I left Ortiz with her I wanted to come and see what the damage is, how bad is it?
Teddy: Bad. Two of her ribs are fractured from the scans it looks like blunt force like she was in a car accident.
Amber: Or someone kicked her in the stomach to keep her down. What about her head scan? Is there a contusion?
Bailey: Shepherd cleared her with a mild concussion, her facial scans are the most concerning though.
Kingston: Her nose is displaced in the nasal bone, maximal and septal cartilage, a closed reduction is the only way to get it back in place. Her left eye is swollen but the eye isn't stuck inside the socket. However the surrounding is slowly filling with blood as we speak. If we want to make sure this woman see's we need to aspirate as soon as we can and Dr. Avery can do the closed reduction right after.
Teddy: Her ribcage is fractured but only slightly, rest and bandages will take care of that.
Bailey: Okay we need to get her into an O.R. but not yet, Karev you need to go to her and see if she'll consent to a rape kit. If we prep her with an antibiotic solution evidence will be erased so we wait for her to talk and then we ask her. Can you do that Dr. Karev? I think she'll respond better if it's coming from you.
Amber: Of course I'll ask her and page you if she consents.
(Amber leaves the room)
CUT TO NAOMI'S ROOM
(Amber and Alma tell Naomi the procedures that she needs)
Amber: Your nose is broken is multiple places so we're having our best plastic surgeon do a closed reduction right after the aspiration. After that we're gonna fit you with bandages around your ribcage to heal the fractures and after that…
Naomi: (Scared) What?
Amber: (Clears throat) You'll need the HIV cocktail, the morning after pill, STD prophylaxis and a pelvic exam. Would you be okay with all of that?
Naomi: (Inhales) Yes just do it, just do the surgery I consent.
Amber: Okay with that being said we need to ask you if you are willing to do a rape kit before the surgery. The best time would be now since prepping you will erase evidence and-
Naomi: (Breath shakes) No.
Alma: Ms. Richards, you wounds are consistent with that of someone who has been sexually assaulted. I know the kit is uncomfortable but it's your best chance of catching whoever did this.
Amber: I will be right here while they do it, I won't leave your side.
Naomi: (Shakes her head rapidly) I can't, I-I-I can't do it, I said no so just prep me and get me into an O.R. I'll sign whatever.
Alma: Naomi if we prep you, we extinguish all evidence and whoever did this will get away with it. Do you really want that to happen? Do you really want him to get away with what he did to you?
Amber: (Stern) Dr. Ortiz. It's your choice Naomi, it is always your choice you don't have to report what happened right now, you can let us gather evidence and we can seal it away until you are ready to come forward.
Naomi: (Cold tone) You think he'll get away with it if I don't do this kit? What makes you so sure he won't get away with it if I do? I'm not an idiot Dr. Karev I know what happens in cases like this I've seen the news I've done research. Do you two know the percentage of sexual assault cases that end in felony convictions for the rapists? 0.7 percent, I looked it up 0.7 percent!
(Amber and Alma look at her heartbroken as they understand where she's coming from)
Naomi: Will your kit prove that the first time this happened I was alone at home… (Voice breaking) with my little girl upstairs sleeping? That he grabbed me from behind, p-put his hand over my mouth, dragged me to the couch and whispered in my ear… (Shaky voice) "If you don't lie still, I'll do this to your daughter instead?" and that I was so afraid for her life I lay there and let him… (Crying) Can your kit prove that the reason I didn't call the cops was because I was afraid he was watching, can you prove that?
(Amber and Alma hold back tears as Naomi cries continuing her rant)
Naomi: (Voice breaking as she cries) Can you prove that the second time this happened he got smart and got a gun?! That he pressed it to my back and took me upstairs to my bedroom that I sleep in with my husband every night and kept it pressed to my back the whole time it happened? That he said he would kill me, my daughter and my husband if I ever went to the cops? Can your kit prove that this time he waited until I dropped my daughter off at my moms and attacked me as soon as I opened the door? That for once I tried to fight him off but he was too strong and he beat me up so bad that I passed out?! (Starts to hyperventilate) That the next thing I knew I woke up on the floor bleeding and hurting and I was…sore down there, will you kit prove to a jury of strangers and a judge I never met that I had to choose between getting raped and or watching my family die in front of me? Can your damn kit prove all of that?!
(Naomi hyperventilates causing Amber to grab an oxygen mask and put it on her face as Ortiz checks her vitals. Naomi breathes heavily as she continues crying causing Amber heartache and sympathy for her. Amber decides to try something else)
Amber: Ortiz leave the room; I'll signal you when you can come back in.
(Alma nods and leaves the room closing the door. Amber waits until Naomi's cries die down a bit before speaking)
Amber: I know this is scary for you, I know the pain your feeling is indescribable, I know that you feel like there is no hope left in this world.
Naomi: (Crying) No, you don't, you don't know.
Amber: …But I do, I know exactly what you are going through right now.
(Naomi's cries quiet as she looks up at Amber who looks at her with kind eyes before continuing)
Amber: It didn't happen at my house and it wasn't a stranger, it happened in the office of my clinical professor. It was…it was my second year of med school I was struggling to make end meets and I took grants to keep going to NYU. In the spring of 2014…I got a pell grant that required I assist a Dr. Charles Mance in his gastrointestinal project, I was excited when I got the grant and not just because I was saved from financial turmoil. Mance made a name for himself in the surgical game even then with research into rewriting genetics so that pig livers could be transplanted into a human. He was my idol and it felt like a dream to work for him…but not long after it became a nightmare. A few days into us working together he…he offered me a drink in his office to celebrate our partnership. We drank a couple of glasses of whiskey, we laughed, we made casual conversation until he kissed me. He kissed me and I was shocked I got away from him and told him I was gonna report him to the medical board. Before I left, he told me to rethink my decision because he could end my career before it even began…sure enough a day later the financial office called to say my scholarship was pulled unexpectedly. That night…I came into his office and he was waiting inside. I begged him to get my scholarship back and he said he would do it…if I helped him with whatever he needed throughout my grant. That night was the first time I was raped by him and throughout the next 87 days he raped me 95 times.
(Naomi stops crying and keeps breathing in her oxygen mask as Amber continues)
Amber: I was faced with an impossible choice just like you, let a man violate me or let him take away my education and all my hard work. I didn't go to the police because I was convinced, they wouldn't take me seriously, I was convinced they would think I slept my way to the top. The last time…the last time was something the cops wouldn't spin at. I was about to leave his office on my last day with him when he said he wanted me one last time. I said no, I said no because we agreed it would only happen during the project and the project was over but he didn't like that, he didn't like that I said no. I tried to leave, I tried to walk out that door but he pulled me back so hard my left wrist broke. I tried to fight him off but he was bigger and stronger than me and he beat the crap out of me so bad I passed out… (Voice breaking) when I woke up, I was alone and my pants were around my ankles. I…I was numb after that, I got up and I let my mind go into autopilot after that. I let my body guide me and my mind was blank, all I knew was that I had to get treated. It was Greek week so I could pass through the crowd without anyone noticing how bad I looked and I looked so bad. I went to the hospital where a friend of mine worked the nightshift and…she found me in the closet trying to get gauze and I…I passed out again. I woke up in a hospital bed with her in the room and only her, she reset my wrist, sterilized my split lip and reset my nose. She said my appearance was enough evidence the cops needed to catch the guy but I refused. I told her not to call the cops I made her promise to keep what happened between us and she did. I knew the statistics just like you and I made a choice that night just like you are right now. I made a choice to get through what happened to me on my own, I made a choice to not trust the system because it let me down before. After that night…I moved forward as best as I could, it took a while but eventually I laughed, I smiled, I went on dates, I even had consensual sex with men again. I matched here across the country so I could leave the place where it happened and it helped a lot…but there are days when I wonder "what if?"
(Amber rubs Naomi's back as her breathing finally steadies)
Amber: Every once in a while, I think to myself, "What if I made a different decision that night?" "What if I let Ximena call the cops that night?" "What if let her collect evidence so I could report what happened to me someday?" "What if I had been a little more brave?" I have a good life now, I have a job I love, I have a brother who loves me, I have a sister-in-law who treats me like I'm blood, I have a niece and nephew I adore and I even had a man who let me know what it was like to be loved. But there's always a part of me that just wants to know if I could've held Mance responsible for what he did if I did a rape kit that night. I don't want that for you Naomi, I don't you to spend the rest of your life in limbo because maybe you'll change your mind one day, maybe you'll want justice for yourself. And I want to make sure that when that day comes you will have all you need to do that. It's too late for me to get justice but it's not too late for you.
(Naomi looks at her in thought now fully calm as she puts the oxygen mask down and swallows)
Naomi: (Sniffles) You'll keep it in case I need it?
Amber: Yes, when you want to use it is up to you.
Naomi: …Do it.
(Amber nods and signals Ortiz who comes inside)
Amber: Ortiz, lets get Dr. Altman in here and I want you to go to the supply closet and get the sexual assault kit.
(Ortiz nods and leaves to do so)
Amber: (Holds Naomi's hand) I'm gonna be right here while it happens, I got you.
(Naomi sniffles and holds Amber's hand)
LATER IN NAOMI'S ROOM
(Teddy preps herself as Naomi lies back in the bed with Amber by her side)
Teddy: Are you ready?
Naomi: (Nods)
Amber: You have to say it, it's the law. You say yes, we go to the next step and if you say no at any time we'll stop.
Naomi: (Inhales deeply) …Yes.
(Teddy gets to work)
SIX HOURS LATER
(Amber is at Naomi's side after her surgeries with Ortiz checking her vitals. Naomi wakes up with a bandage over her left eye and her nose in a nasal splint)
Naomi: (Groggy) Dr. Karev?
Amber: Hi, how are you feeling? Any pain?
Naomi: A little bit.
Amber: Ortiz lets give her 0.5 milligram of fentanyl.
(Ortiz does that)
Amber: You did great, the surgeries were a success, you'll need bedrest for a few weeks and monitoring for the next 24 hours but hopefully you'll be able to go home by then.
Naomi: (Breathes deeply) …I-I can't go back to the house I just-I just can't.
Amber: Okay we can tell your husband that and you can stay at a relatives or a friend's house by then.
Naomi: …Is Eddie, okay?
Amber: He's outside in the waiting tent, he hasn't left his chair since last night. Dr. Schmitt has given him every update so he can know how you are. Would you like me to videochat him? We can get a nurse to do that if you want.
Naomi: …N-Not right now I…I don't want him to see me like this.
Amber: Okay that's alright we can do whenever your ready, and we'll tell Eddie that you need a little more time. is there anything else you need?
Naomi: …Do you think I should've called the cops? The first time it happened should I have-
Amber: Let me stop you right there because that is a dangerous thought exercise designed purely to bring you down. We can't change the past, we can't spend the rest of your lives wondering what we could've, would've or should've done because it's just gonna keep us locked in that moment forever. All you can do is try to move forward as best as you can and acknowledged that what happened to you didn't break you down and it didn't make you weak. What you did was incredibly brave Naomi, you took that pain because you wanted to protect your loved ones. A woman's worst nightmare happened to you and you survived.
Naomi: (Looks at her in thought) …I survived. I never thought of it that way before. I survived.
Amber: You survived.
(Dr. Kingston knocks on the door and comes in)
Kingston: Hi, so sorry to interrupt but I need to check Naomi's eye to make sure it's healing properly.
Amber: Okay, um Naomi I need to go and chart your paperwork. I'll make sure your kit is properly stored in case you want to report this. If you need anything just give me a call.
Naomi: (Sniffles) Thank you Dr. Karev I…thank you so much.
Amber: Of course.
(Amber and Ortiz leave the room and go to the station where Amber charts tensely)
Alma: You were great in there, I…I've seen plenty of social workers work with women like Naomi and they were good but they don't resonate like you just did.
Amber: (Angry tone) Well one of us had to make sure she felt safe because it sure as shit wasn't gonna be you.
Alma: (Taken back) Excuse me?
Amber: (Turns fully to her revealing her angry face) No you are not excused, I asked for you to work this case specifically because I thought you would try to make her feel better but instead you shamed a woman for making a choice a choice that was hers and hers to make alone. And because of that she had a panic attack which she didn't need because she was in enough pain as it is. You have no problem voicing your opinions I get that and on any other day I would have admired it but today I want to punch it out of you.
Alma: Dr. Karev I-
Amber: Quiet! I speak, you listen and if I want your response I will ask for it got it?! Nod or shake your head.
Alma: (Wide eyes and nods her head scared)
Amber: Let me ask you something, have you even been assaulted? Have you ever been on the other side of someone punching you? Have you had a man on top of you and felt suffocated because his weight feels like an anvil on your chest? Have you?
Alma: (Shakes her head)
Amber: That woman has been through a horror that you can't even imagine, if you think you sympathize with her you are wrong, you don't understand a fraction of the pain that she is in. She needed our support tonight not our judgement I would think you'd get that but clearly I was wrong. It is her body and her choice and if we feel she could make a different decision that might get her some semblance of peace in the future we gently guide her to it we don't push her with questions that will take her back to the worst moment of her life.
(Andrew is walking down the hall checking his charts when he notices Amber and Alma ten feet away)
Amber: It is our job to make sure that patients like Naomi feel safe and comfortable after the trauma they just experienced. It is not our job to let our personal beliefs get in the way of that, I would think you'd know that but since you don't, I'm assigning you to scut for the next two weeks. Hopefully by then you'll have some common sense drilled inside that thick skull of yours on how to treat patients and if you don't then you shouldn't be a doctor. Do I make myself clear? You may respond in 5 syllables or less.
Alma: (Blank face) …I understand ma'am.
Amber: Good now I'm off to personally update her husband downstairs, don't follow me.
(Amber leaves Alma in a huff as Andrew looks at Amber from behind stunned by her outburst)
LATER IN THE WAITING TENT
(Amber and Levi approach Eddie inside the tent who stands up)
Eddie: Dr. Karev? Is Naomi out of surgery? Is she okay?
Amber: Yes she's out of surgery she's recovering in her room a nurse is with her taking care of her. Her surgery went flawlessly and she should be able to check out in a couple of days if things go well.
Eddie: Can I call her?
Amber: Um…she says she wants some time alone; she doesn't want you to see her like this at least not right now. I think it's best if you respect her decision and just wait until she's comfortable enough to talk to you.
Eddie: (Bitterly nods) Did she say if she wanted me to call the police and get her statement?
Amber: She uh she didn't say but we were able to consent to a rape kit. If she feels like reporting what happened to her we'll release the kit to the police so they can have evidence and DNA. But until then she needs to heal…and so do you.
Eddie: (Confused) Me? I'm fine Naomi was the one who was-
Levi: What happened to Naomi was awful but that doesn't make you any less human, it doesn't make you feel less in pain. I know you feel guilty because you thought you could've protected her from this but…life doesn't have certainties and that's not your fault.
Eddie: (Voice breaking) I-I'm supposed to take care of her.
Amber: Eddie I don't know what the future looks like for the two of you but maybe instead of just you taking care of her, you could both take care of each other. I think that might be the first step to healing after tonight.
(Eddie sniffles and nods before sitting back down in his chair)
Amber: I'm gonna go home now, the nurse will let you know how Naomi is doing and if she wants to videochat with you.
(Amber and Levi turn to leave when Eddie calls out)
Eddie: Dr. Karev (Amber and Levi turn to face him) thank you…for everything.
(Amber nods gratefully before turning to leave)
AN HOUR LATER
SCENE: HOSPITAL PARK AT DAWN
(Amber and Levi sit in the bench drinking coffee in silence exhausted after yesterday)
Amber: (Sighs) So much for a relaxing night huh?
Levi: (Nods) I heard from Sara that you chewed out her mom in the middle of the surgical floor.
Amber: (Sips her latte) Hmm more like chewed her up with my razor-sharp teeth, spit her out and stomped on her.
Levi: Any reason why?
Amber: She was being a dick.
Levi: (Chuckles quietly) Could you be more specific?
Amber: Yeah she shamed Naomi for going against the rape kit and causing her to have a panic attack. She's lucky I didn't bitch slap her to oblivion.
Levi: That she is…do you think she'll be okay?
Amber: Oh, please she's a big girl she can take a verbal lashing.
Levi: Not Ortiz, Naomi, do you think she'll be okay after what happened to her?
Amber: …I think so, she's stronger than she knows.
Levi: And Eddie? Do you think he'll get past his guilt?
Amber: (Sighs) I don't know, I don't know what's gonna happen to them after this, all I'm doing is just hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.
Levi: (Nods) God I can't even imagine what she's been through. I'm not just talking about the pain I mean she kept this to herself for months. She had that hanging over her for so long. I mean the pain that she kept to herself and from her family it's…I mean can you imagine?
Amber: …I don't have to imagine.
(Levi processes her words for a moment before looking at her with slightly shocked eyes and gaping mouth before composing himself)
Levi: (Tries to find the right words) …Um…I have questions.
Amber: (Looks at the park with a tormented face) I know you do.
Levi: But I'm not gonna ask them if you don't want me to.
Amber: (Blank face but grateful) Thank you.
Levi: …Does anyone else know? Your family?
Amber: No, they don't know, it's just X…and Naomi. I told her my whole story so that she would do the kit.
Levi: It's good that you did that, it made her feel less alone.
Amber: Yeah at the time I thought that she shouldn't be the only one with exposed scars…its weird.
Levi: What's weird?
Amber: Before it happened I didn't think my scars would get any deeper than the ones I already have…but that night he proved me wrong.
Levi: (Feels sad for her) I'm…I'm so sorry, truly I am.
(Amber feels a tear down her cheek with her face still blank. Amber and Levi continue to look out in the park in silence as the sun comes up)