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Chapter 12: Life is Ruff
SCENE: LOFT IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE
(Amber is doing a physical on a 63-year-old Rita Dawson while she lies down on chaise lounge with her black tripod pit bull by her side)
Rita: I appreciate the house call Dr. Karev; I know surgeons don't usually do these things.
Amber: Yeah, but it's a welcome relief from all the chaos back at Grey Sloan. And I gotta say your place is nice, how much does a loft at this building cost?
Rita: Probably more than you make in a month.
Amber: (Chuckles) Yeah probably.
(Rita groans in pain as Amber applies pressure on her lower abdomen where her liver is)
Amber: Is that tender?
Rita: Everything is tender. It's gone to my liver, hasn't it?
Amber: I don't know but we knew that was a possibility. (Packs her stuff) I would like to readmit you to the hospital so Dr. Pierce can run some tests.
Rita: I can't go to the hospital.
Amber: Rita I know that this is scary but-
Rita: I'm not scared. I have stage 4 small cell carcinoma, I've had two courses of chemo, four biopsies, one pneumonectomy. I'm way beyond scared. I'm not worried about me I'm worried about Jazz.
(Rita strokes Jazz's head as Amber is confused)
Amber: Your dog? (Jazz looks at Amber) Rita, I know that your attached, but…
Rita: I'm not crazy, Dr. Karev. Jazz is my world; I spent half my life working to make my art studio a go and it did and it was great but…I thought there would be time for everything else and there wasn't but then I had Jazz. I can't leave him alone.
Amber: (Sighs) Okay I can find you someone if you want, a dog sitter or walker. But you really need to get to the hospital.
Rita: I need to make sure that Jazz is okay. I don't want to leave him with some stranger, he needs someone I can trust.
(Amber looks at Rita in sympathy as Jazz looks at Amber with big brown eyes)
AN HOUR LATER
SCENE: ALEX AND JO'S LIVING ROOM
(Alex and Jo make out at the couch when Levi comes down from his bedroom surprised to see Alex there)
Levi: (Happy) Oh my god!
Alex: (Groans and pulls away from Jo)
Jo: (Grins at Alex's crankiness)
Levi: (Stands in front of them) Dr. Karev you came back, you're actually here!
Alex: (Distasteful tone) Hi Schmitt I see you're still here.
Jo: (Whispers) Be nice.
Alex: I am nice. I didn't kick him in the streets the second I saw him, didn't I?
Levi: (Clears throat) Sorry I didn't-I'm so sorry.
Jo: It's fine, I need to get to the hospital anyway and do you.
Alex: (Bitter) Oh yeah, I have to go back to work in a large hospital overflowing with patients who have covid. And I'm a peds surgeon so there won't be any kids to operate on since their parents are scared to take them to Grey Sloan and who can blame them? And then there's my best friend who's in the covid ward while we're on standby to intubate her in worst case scenario.
Jo: (Rubs Alex's back) Yeah, I know it all sucks but hey let's just take it one step at a time and try to find some not so terrible moments to stick to our brains.
(Amber walks inside and goes to the living room with Jazz on a leash)
Amber: Hey, does anybody want a dog?
Jo: (Surprised) Whoa.
Amber: A temporary, it's a temporary dog.
(Levi awes and kneels down petting Jazz who pants at the attention)
Alex: (To Jo) Is this a not so terrible moment you were talking about?
Jo: I don't know, let's see how it goes.
Levi: (Scratches Jazz's head) Hey buddy where did you come from? And how did you convince Amber to take you?
Amber: He's not mine, he's Maggie's patient. I did a home visit and Rita possibly has mets on her liver from the cancer so I took her to the hospital. She didn't want to leave her dog with a sitter so I offered to take him while she's being tested. Is mom here? Maybe she could look after Jazz. And yes his name is Jazz.
Alex: She went to Spokane to look for fabric for her business, you know the kind that doesn't have cartoons on them. So you went for a house call, that explains why you weren't here when I woke up, hi by the way, I'm back…after not seeing you for two months…because I was in another state…due to a pandemic.
Amber: (Still angry with him) Hey I would hug you but you know six feet plus who knows what you caught from that mucus filled barnacle you're inviting to attach to the side of this house.
Alex: (Pursed lips) I saw that coming from Kansas. Look, will it make you happy to know that Izzie declined to stay here and is instead gonna stay at the Archfield?
Amber: Only a little bit, I'm still pissed your letting that woman jerk you around again and me this time.
Alex: You know one of these days you're gonna have to see her and she might demand an apology for what you pulled in Kansas.
Amber: Okay if we're keeping score here, I did a paternity test behind your back after she kept your kids from you for five years does that about tally it up?
Alex: (Sighs) I don't have time for this. I'm going to the hospital.
(Alex stands up and scratches Jazz's head walking away)
Amber: (Yells out) So is that a no on the dog?
Alex: No!
(Amber sighs and looks at Jo with pleading eyes)
Jo: I have a lap chole this morning.
(Amber looks at Levi who continues petting the dog and sees the question in her eyes)
Levi: (Sighs reluctantly) I don't work till tomorrow.
Amber: Great, here's the leash. (Hands him the dog bag) And here is everything Rita left me, there's an instruction manual and his favorite chew toy is the hot dog. You two crazy kids have fun!
Jo: And don't pee on the couch.
(Amber and Jo leave for work with Levi left alone with the dog)
Levi: You know believe it or not, you're the best thing that happened to us since the year started.
TWO HOURS LATER
SCENE: CARDIO FLOOR
(Amber and Maggie go through Rita's scans on the computer)
Maggie: What do you see here?
Amber: (Sighs) Mets in her liver that go back to her RUL and RML. Did the biopsy come back?
Maggie: It did and it's malignant. We could do a resection and try chemo again, has her oncologist arrived yet?
Amber: Yeah, he's in her room right now, so is DeLuca. I thought he could do the resection with Grey in the ward and Jo in surgery.
Maggie: Good thinking, let's go.
CUT TO RITAS ROOM
(Amber and Maggie go inside with Andrew and Dr. Gendall inside. Rita is in the bed)
Gendall: I want you to press this button whenever you have discomfort.
Maggie: Hi Rita, morphine huh? The pain is getting worse?
Rita: (Nods)
Andrew: Her side is also hardening; it could be the liver.
Amber: Don't worry we're scheduling you for a resection and hopefully after the chemo it should start to subside.
Gendall: I'm actually not recommending that.
Maggie: But if we can give her a few more months then…
Gendall: I know you're a surgeon and you like to fix things and Rita told me how good you two are. But we've been on this road too long and I think that maybe it's time to let go.
Amber: I think that's not your call.
Rita: No, it's mine.
Maggie: (Shocked) What?
Amber: Yeah what?
Rita: I'm sorry girls, you did your best and I am so grateful for how long you kept me going. But he's right, I've decided.
Amber: There are other options besides chemo Rita.
Andrew: She knows I've given them to her and she still decided to stop treatment.
Rita: He's right. I think I was holding on to my life. but once you agreed to take care of Jazz, there's no reason to anymore. It's time.
(Amber and Maggie solemnly respect her choice)
CUT TO BLACK
SCENE: NURSES STATION
(Amber updates Rita's chart when Andrew approaches her)
Andrew: Hey, I'm sorry I couldn't get her to agree to treatment. I know how hard you and Maggie pushed for her to get better.
Amber: It's fine it's not your fault, it was her choice. It's better she chooses it instead of some virus unexpectedly taking her.
Andrew: Yeah, it's sad what we consider a better option now. Hey what did she mean when she said you agreed to take Jazz? Did you promise her you would learn music or something?
Amber: (Chuckles) I wish it's her dog. I agreed to take him so she could come here.
Andrew: But you hate pets.
Amber: When have I ever said that?
Andrew: Amber, the one time I brought up the idea of us getting a dog you said and I quote 'when hell freezes over and cancer is cured and only then'.
Amber: (Groans) Fine I hate pets you're right I'm anxious over a dog in my house possibly peeing in my bed and eating my face cream.
Andrew: So why did you agree to take care of her dog?
Amber: Because I have only saved one life since this whole thing began one life that's it! I wanted to help Rita and get her treatment and I decided hey it's just for a little while I can handle a temporary dog. But now Rita is in hospice and I have a three-legged pit bull being looked after by my best friend.
Andrew: Her dog has three legs?
Amber: Yeah, she adopted him from a shelter three years ago he came that way. I swear that woman is a saint and she's probably gonna be an angel after death.
Andrew: Doesn't she have family to look after Jazz?
Amber: She had a brother but he died 10 years ago, it's…it's just her. God this is sad.
Andrew: Yeah, I agree.
Amber: I need donuts does your lounge have pastries?
Andrew: Uh I think we have some Danish in the pantry it's store brand though.
Amber: I'll risk it.
(Amber turns to walk away before deciding to say something)
Amber: Listen um…I'm sorry for what happened last night. I know that was not how you wanted to spend your evening and I felt awful afterward.
Andrew: It's fine.
Amber: No, it's not I was awful and ungrateful when you were being understandably pissed and…most guys wouldn't have done that for their exes and the fact that you did speaks volumes. Thank you for doing that for me and I won't ask you to do something like that again.
Andrew: Don't make promises you can't keep.
Amber: (Chuckles)
Andrew: Hey I've been meaning to ask, when did you start learning Italian?
Amber: Oh, that uh I started when you brought up us possibly going to Italy to meet your family. I wanted to learn so I could impress them and not have them think of me as white trash. I mean Russian is only spoken by dictators and communists I didn't want to give them that impression.
Andrew: (Touched) Wow that's uh actually really sweet that you would do that for me.
Amber: (Shrugs) I have my moments.
Andrew: Well, uh while we're on the subject your diction is good but your pronunciation needs work.
Amber: I'll be sure to let Rosetta stone know that. I'm off for a sugar binge, see you in an hour.
(Andrew grins as Amber leaves)
LATER AT THE ATTENDINGS LOUNGE
(Jo shows Alex her seven-week ultrasound on the tablet)
Alex: (Marveled) Wow, look at that, that's our baby. We're having a baby.
Jo: (Grins) Yeah, I told you two weeks ago I thought you processed that by now.
Alex: I guess it hits you more when you're actually here to see it grow. There are no deficits so far? Is the heartbeat normal?
Jo: Carina says everything looks great, the baby is developing and we should know the sex in about nine weeks. How did the kids take it?
Alex: They jumped up and down in excitement and are currently fighting over whether it's a boy or a girl. I think they took it better than I did when my mom got pregnant both times.
Jo: (Smiles) God two months ago I was contemplating having two kids so they can entertain each other and now-
Alex: This kid is gonna have enough entertainment to keep us up at night. Do you think the timing is bad? With covid and me getting to know the kids I already have?
Jo: I think good timing was never really our forte. I am happy though, covid or not, step kids or not, ex-wife or not I just…I can't imagine doing this with someone else.
Alex: (Grins touched) Me neither…knowingly at least.
Jo: (Chuckles) I love you.
Alex: I love you. I want to kiss you so hard right now and do other less innocent things.
Amber: Keep it PG, would you? We're not in the loft anymore.
(Jo and Alex look up to see Amber entering the room. Amber pulls out a box of Danishes eating them instantly)
Alex: I take it things went well with Rita?
Amber: (Mouth full) It looks like I'm gonna have a dog longer than I thought.
Jo: Your patient…
Amber: Choose hospice. She's refusing treatment and she's gonna die. From the looks of the scans, it could be a week, maybe two.
Alex: (Sighs) I'm sorry kid.
Amber: (Eats a Danish) She's dying alone. No family, no friends, no dog. I don't suppose you want a second dog? I mean I know Izzie is a handful as it is but-
Alex: (Stands up) Okay I am trying as hard as I can to be neutral but I need the same from you. I know you've had a hard day hell you've had a hard year so far but this is happening. Izzie is coming up here and she is gonna live here so I can raise the kids with her. I have defended you. I have gotten Izzie to let you around the twins but I need you to not give her reasons to regret doing that if not for her sake, then mine.
Amber: (Incredulous) God why are you defending that woman? I mean if anything you should be more pissed than me. This is the woman who abandoned you, she abandoned you with a note and a 200,000 dollar medical bill. Cut to ten years later she raised your kids without informing you she was using your magic juice. I mean you should be enraged not engaging in casual conversation with that she-devil. Jo tell him!
Jo: Oh no I am not getting involved it never goes well when I get in the middle of a Karev showdown.
Andrew: (Enters the room) Hey I wanted to check on you, how-
Alex: I am doing what is best for my family, don't you want that?
Amber: (Yells) She's poison Alex!
Alex: Amber can you just-
Amber: Look what she did to you! I mean she vanished for months leaving you in debt and broken as hell because she heard a rumor. She's back now that you found someone who actually stays and knows how to love. Don't you see she's just back to ruin your life again?!
Andrew: (Awkward) I see I came at a bad time.
Alex: She had cancer! Her best friend died! Can you tell me you would think rationally after suffering through that kind of crap?!
Amber: (Scoffs) Did she tell you that? Because that is mandarin for manipulating your gullible ass ten ways from Sunday.
Alex: Why are so determined to hate her?!
Amber: Because I can't have her do this to you again! I can't have her come back into your life and break you again! I don't know if you can come back after that!
(Alex stops and looks at Amber. Jo and Andrew stand there looking at the tense scene)
Amber: Alex I just…I just want you to be okay. You would do the same for me, you know you would.
(Alex sighs and sits down)
Alex: Your right I would, but it's like I told you at the farm I don't want to be with Izzie. I want to be with Jo, if you think I would do something like that to her after all we've been through that's your problem.
Amber: I know you wouldn't, I trust you Alex…I just don't trust her. If you want to move your kids here and get to know them, great. But Dolores Umbridge is a deal breaker just leave her in Kansas to sink her claws on some other poor bastard.
Alex: I don't want my kids to move back and forth between parents right now. You know the risks and I can't take them. Izzie agrees that it's best for us both to live here so that's what's gonna happen. I need you to go with me on this Amber and I need you to try to get along with her. I know you hate her but at least try to be civil, don't do it for her sake or yours but for the kids. They don't need to get a fraction of the mess you and I grew up in, do you?
Amber: (Sighs) …I can't.
(Amber stands up to leave before deciding to add)
Amber: You think I'm being hard on your ex but I have something that's gonna keep you quiet about that.
Alex: Really? And what's that?
Amber: You beat a man I loved to a bloody pulp.
(Alex quiets as Andrew looks at Amber shocked with Jo widening her eyes)
Andrew: She's got you there man.
Amber: Exactly and now if you'll excuse me, I have to go back to my patient whose dog I have taken in.
(Amber does a mic drop before leaving the lounge)
LATER THAT NIGHT
SCENE: PET STORE
(Amber is browsing for items with Levi who has Jazz on a leash)
Amber: You know what, I am a good sister, great even. I mean I forgave Alex; I extended a hand in wiping away the bad blood between us and how does he repay me?
Levi: (Holds a chew toy) I have a feeling you're gonna tell me.
Amber: He tells me to be nice to the woman who has made it her life's mission to make ours a living hell. I mean I'm a nice person but there's only so much I can do for that man. I am sorry cancer or not that woman gets no sympathy from me.
(Jazz barks)
Amber: (Pats his head) Thank you at least someone agrees with me.
Levi: I think he's telling you to stop complaining and get me some food.
Amber: (Chuckles and stops) Oh my god, look at this.
(Amber leads them to a costume rack where she pulls out a sailor dog outfit. A saleslady notices)
Amber: What is this? Do dogs sail now? Did I miss the doggy memo?
Levi: (Laughs)
Saleslady: It's a sailor outfit, you can take your doggy to a yacht or cruise ship in it.
Amber: …I'm out of here.
(Levi stops Amber from walking away)
Levi: This uh this isn't her dog it's a temporary dog she's taking care of. So, no sailing but thank you.
(The saleslady leaves and Amber pinches the bridge of her nose in frustration)
Amber: Okay this place is insane; we are in retail purgatory. All because I'm trying to do a good deed for my patient? I knew I should've dropped out of high school.
Levi: It's just shopping.
Amber: For a dog, a dog that isn't even mine. I barely spent an hour with him and you spent a whole day tell me is this dog worth all this?
Levi: Come on look at his eyes, look at those eyes and tell him he's a burden.
(Amber sighs and looks at Jazz's brown eyes. She begins to warm up to him)
Amber: I guess he is kind of cute, but don't think this means I want to get a dog all of a sudden. I still detest your kind; you can spread the word.
(Jazz barks at Amber)
Levi: (Chuckles) Come on let's keep looking.
Amber: Fine.
Levi: Hey this looks good.
(Levi holds up a red harness with a small zipper pocket)
Amber: Tasteful yet functional plus the color would bring out his fur.
Levi: Do you think Jazz will like it?
Amber: I think Rita will like it.
MEANWHILE AT ALEX AND JO'S HOUSE
(Alex exits the bathroom and finds Jo in bed reading Dune)
Alex: Since when did you read for fun?
Jo: Since I got pregnant with your baby who somehow inherited your sister's love for books and pop culture. I think our kid is gonna spend their free time at comic con or waiting in line for the next fantasy book.
Alex: Yeah, hopefully it's the only thing they inherited from her.
Jo: (Looks up) Alex.
Alex: I guess this is the part where you get in the middle of a Karev showdown.
Jo: Look I see this from your point of view I do, but maybe you can see it from her's too. She doesn't know Izzie like you do, she doesn't have history with her. All she has are the stories and one of them includes you being miserable after she left you. I mean if you heard DeLuca did something like that to her before you even met him, you would beg her not to let him in her life.
Alex: There's a difference I don't want her I want you and I want my kids to grow up with both parents. I'm not entirely thrilled about this either but I have to make sacrifices and make sure my kids get the family we didn't have growing up. I mean you would think Amber would understand that but no.
Jo: (Sighs) I…I wasn't happy when you told me you wanted Izzie to move here. I was petrified with having the mother of your kids and your first big love back into your life. I was angry that you would do that without even thinking about how that would affect me. I was probably in the same place as Amber is right now.
Alex: So, what changed?
Jo: I realized that this wasn't about Izzie, it wasn't about past feelings you had for her, it was about the kids. It was about you wanting to be a father and giving them a little brother or sister to grow up with. I mean you came back to me after Kansas, that showed me that no matter how many exes come into our lives or however many surprise kids either of us bring up…we're forever. It's you and me no matter what.
Alex: (Grins) Damn right it is.
(Alex climbs into bed and kisses Jo)
Jo: If I can come to that conclusion then so will Amber just give it time…and maybe take it easy on her. You got two kids and a gorgeous wife while she got a breakup and moving back in with her brother.
Alex: You make an excellent point as always.
(Jo chuckles as Alex lies down in bed)
THE NEXT MORNING
SCENE: CARDIO FLOOR
(Amber is going over Rita's transfer papers. Maggie approaches her)
Maggie: Hey did Rita choose a home yet?
Amber: She's moving back into her loft. I've already helped her pick out a live in nurse to help her with the pain. She has enough room and money for that trust me.
Maggie: Are you bringing her dog over by then?
Amber: Yeah, he's with Jo right now, she's on call.
Maggie: Great I am going into surgery and handing my post ops to you. If you have trouble page Dr. Altman.
Amber: Will do.
(Maggie leaves Amber to go to the surgical floor. Amber looks through the tablet when she hears knocking. Amber looks up and sees Jo on the other side of the glass door with Jazz on a leash. Amber rushes over opening the door)
Amber: I thought you were on call?
Jo: (Rushes) Yeah well, I got called for an emergency liver transplant in ten minutes. I tried finding a dog sitter but no one responded. I tried a neighbor but I don't know her so she doesn't feel the need to look after a dog I claimed was mine did I mention I have a liver transplant?
Amber: In ten minutes.
Jo: I'm sorry.
(Jo hands Amber the leash and bag and runs off. A nurse comes to her immediately after)
Nurse: Dr. Karev, Mr. Holland just plummeted to 70 over 50.
Amber: Crap!
(Amber looks around fast and spots Sara Ortiz by the station a few feet away. She runs with Jazz and stops in front of her)
Amber: Hey Ortiz, do you want a dog? Great, here you go!
(Amber hands a startled Ortiz the leash)
Sara: No-No I can't take this-
Amber: I'll be back later. (Runs away) You got this little Ortiz!
(Amber rushes back to the floor leaving Sara and Jazz. Owen enters the floor and stops at the sight of a confused Sara holding Jazz's leash who looks at Owen)
Sara: I know, it all happened really fast…What do I do?
Owen: Get him out of here now.
Sara: Where do I-
Owen: Ortiz I don't care where just get him out before Dr. Fox sees him and we both lose our jobs.
Sara: Yes Dr. Hunt.
(Sara rushes off with Jazz)
TWO HOURS LATER
SCENE: HALLWAY
(Andrew walks in his casual wear ready to leave when he hears whining and scratching. He looks to his left and finds the source coming from the intern locker room. Andrew opens the door and Jazz comes out calmly)
Andrew: (Kneels down) Hey buddy, are you friendly?
Jazz: (Licks Andrew's hand)
Andrew: (Pet's his side) Friendly. Good, okay you're a handsome boy. Who do you belong to?
(Andrew looks at the collar and finds the tag reading the information)
Andrew: (Eyebrows raised) Rita huh? I take it your the Jazz Amber told me about. And I take it she left you with an intern who locked you in there?
Jazz: (Looks at Andrew and licks his own nose)
Andrew: (Chuckles) Well I caught you at a good time, I just clocked out. How about we take a walk in the park and I take you to Amber when she's done, how does that sound?
Jazz: (Bark)
Andrew: Okay come on.
(Andrew stands up and walks down the hall with Jazz)
FOUR HOURS LATER
SCENE: CARDIO FLOOR
(Amber finishes her post ops and approaches Maggie)
Amber: Allan Holland went into sudden cardiac arrest but I brought him back, Kelly Punter pulled her ventilator out of the socket but Chee got to it before me, and Brian Wallace's cardio enzymes look good and is getting discharged right now.
Maggie: Excellent, Rita is gonna transfer right now. Do you want to give her the dog before they do that?
Amber: (Relieved) God yes. I'm paging Ortiz now and hopefully she didn't lose that fur ball.
Maggie: You left a dog with an intern?
Amber: (Calls Ortiz) Your patient was coding would you rather the dog barks while I resuscitate? (Ortiz answers) Hey Ortiz where are you? I need the dog back…you left him where?!
CUT TO THE LOCKER ROOM
(Amber opens the door and is horrified to find it empty)
Maggie: Are you sure she said she left Jazz in there?
Amber: (Pulls out phone) I'm sure where is he? Do we issue a code pink?
Maggie: For a dog?
Amber: I'm panicking!
Andrew: Looking for something?
(Amber turns around to Andrew walking toward them with Jazz)
Amber: (Exhales in relief) Where did you find him?
Andrew: (Points to the room) In there, he was scratching and crying, I felt bad for him so I decided to take him for a walk. I'd look into a kennel if I were you or maybe just an intern who will actually pay attention to a breathing creature.
Amber: Well, I don't have to Rita is gonna be transferred and she can take him with her. I'm sorry to see you go buddy but you know…bye!
Nurse: Are you talking about Rita Dawson?
Maggie: Yeah, she's my patient, we're going up to see her.
Nurse: I wouldn't do that if I were you.
Amber: Why not?
Nurse: She died five minutes ago; Ginger just informed me it was a stroke.
(Amber and Maggie stand there in shock as well as Andrew. Jazz whines at their reaction causing Amber to stroke his head)
Amber: I'm sorry buddy.
Andrew: (Pets him) I'm sorry too.
(Amber tears up for the poor dog)
LATER AT THE RESIDENTS LOUNGE
(Amber sits on the couch sad with Jazz laying his head on her lap as he lies on his stomach. Levi and Taryn enter the room taken back by the dog)
Taryn: Whoa, was it bring your dog to work day?
Amber: (Sniffles) Not now Hellmouth.
Levi: What's wrong?
Amber: (Sniffles and wipes a tear away)
Levi: (Sighs) Rita?
Amber: She died.
(Levi sits across from Amber as well as Taryn)
Levi: I'm sorry.
Taryn: I'm sorry too…but what is up with the dog?
Amber: He was her dog and now…now he has to go back to the pound because Rita didn't leave a directive for what happens to him when she dies. I thought…I thought that just once I could save a life. I got into this job for the high of saving lives and now I'm this close to taking anti-depressants because of the job. Why can't I just get that high back even if it's just for a little bit? Why?
Levi: …Maybe you still can.
Amber: What do you mean?
(Levi looks at Jazz and back at Amber who gets the message narrowing her eyes)
Amber: No.
Levi: Come on you said you wanted to save a life and keeping him from death row is saving his life.
Amber: You just want a dog.
Levi: That's true but I also think you two could help each other.
Taryn: True I mean it could be beneficial for your health too. (Amber glares at her) I'm serious, you know people who own dogs can diminish their risk of death by over 30 percent plus your chances at a heart attack are 11 percent lower.
Levi: You two need each other, he needs a home and you need a healthier heart. Come on, are you gonna argue with that?
Amber: …I work twenty hour shifts I wouldn't have time to play with him and give him the care he needs.
Levi: You live with three people, at least one is bound to keep him company.
Amber: I left him with an intern today and she left him in the lockers. Does that sound like dog owner material?
Taryn: There are growing pains in the beginning. Haven't you ever had a pet before?
Amber: I had a stray cat I fed scraps too occasionally, I called her Putty Tat. But then I ran out of tuna so I gave her chocolate and she died.
Levi: Well at least you know what not to give cats and dogs.
Amber: We're looking for a place and it might not allow pets, what then Little Einstein's?
Levi: Your brother has a backyard and two kids who grew up on a farm. I'm sure they would look after him for you and he would appreciate the fresh air and love. I think that'll earn you favorite auntie status for life, so bonus.
Taryn: He was already owned and he seems to be house broken so no training would be needed.
Levi: Plus…you told Rita you would take care of him. I mean if you can't keep a promise to a dead woman then you have some serious issues my friend.
Amber: (Sighs and looks at Jazz)
Levi: Come on Amber, save a life.
(Amber leans back and thinks it over)
LATER THAT NIGHT
SCENE: ALEX AND JO'S HOUSE
(Alex enters his house and hears noises from the back. He goes to the backyard and finds Amber giving Jazz a bath in a metal bin)
Jazz: (Shakes causing water to drizzles on Amber)
Amber: (Wipes her face) Okay I'll give you money if you don't do that again, what do you say?
Alex: Do I want to know what I just walked into?
Amber: (Shampoos Jazz) Hey, I uh I have a dog now officially he's my dog. I was gonna talk to you about it but Jazz was in the hospital all day and I wanted to give him a bath. I wanted him clean so I would seduce you to the dog side.
Alex: And he doesn't like it does he?
Amber: No, he doesn't maybe it's the shampoo or just the fact that I'm not Rita. I don't know I'm just trying to remind myself that's it's growing pains and it'll all be worth it. Are you just gonna stand there like a statue or are you gonna help me?
Alex: (Heads to them) What do you want me to do?
Amber: Just grab that pitcher and pour water after I lather, I'm at repeat so after that we'll be done.
Alex: Okay he's housebroken right?
Amber: Rita trained him so there won't be any pee or poop stains all over the house, don't worry. I know I should've talked to you but I just…I just wanted to do something good for someone and animal or not I think this counts.
Alex: It's fine I told Izzie that maybe a dog would help the twins adjust to city life. I think he might be good for them, just as long as he doesn't bite them. (To Jazz) You even snip at them and I'm gonna have your nuts clipped.
Amber: He's neutered so good luck with that.
Alex: (Pours water on Jazz) …I shouldn't have been hard on you.
Amber: (Eyebrow raised) Which time?
Alex: I'm sorry, okay? I know that this isn't your dream come true and I should have expected some kind of cold treatment. Especially with all you've heard about Izzie that caused you to pull that stunt. I…I know you did what you did because you thought you were protecting me; I didn't like it but I understood it. I know you're doing that now trying to get me to call off the move but I don't need you to protect me. I can handle myself and I know you're afraid I'm gonna let her break me but don't be. I've learned years ago that I deserved better than what Izzie did to me, I've learned to be the kind of person that Izzie and Jo would love. Hell, I've learned to be a better brother because of that. I've learned to be as good a sibling as you.
Amber: (Scoffs) Okay now you're just flattering.
Alex: I'm not, I mean you have a million reasons to hate me and you still love me. It's what I love about you kid and it's why I want you to trust me when I say I know what I'm doing. I want you to respect my decision and if you need time to warm up to Stevens then I support you. Plus, you were right I did worse with DeLuca and didn't hear you giving me this much grief.
Amber: Really?
Alex: Really, I just want you to be okay.
Amber: …Thanks.
(Amber continues washing the dog with Alex waiting for a response)
Alex: Isn't this usually the part where you say you love me too?
Amber: (Narrows eyes) You know you look like a dog person but you're awfully needy like a cat lady.
Alex: (Chuckles) Trainwreck.
Amber: Jackass.
(They continue washing Jazz who wags his tail)
LATER THAT NIGHT
SCENE: AMBERS BASEMENT
(Amber sits on the couch in her black satin cami top and shorts reading Shadow and Bones. She hears knocking coming from upstairs)
Amber: Come in!
(The door opens and Andrew comes downstairs in his jeans, gray t shirt and leather jacket. Amber closes her book)
Amber: Hey.
Andrew: Hey, I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time.
Amber: No, it's fine I was just reading, I'm gonna hit the pillow soon. What's up?
Andrew: Can we talk?
Amber: Yeah sit.
(Andrew sits down on the couch across from Amber)
Andrew: Um I know you had a hard day today and I know you probably don't want me here but there's something you should know.
Amber: Andrew if this is about Meredith, I'm really not in the mood I'll just find out how she is tomorrow. I mean I'm not really-
Andrew: I love you.
Amber: (Stops talking and looks at him shocked)
Andrew: I'm in love with you Amber, I want to be with you. I know that things are messy between us but I don't care. Life is crazy and things can happen and I don't want to waste another second that I could've spent letting you know how I feel about you.
(Amber scoffs and puts her book on the coffee table standing up)
Amber: I can't believe I am hearing this.
Andrew: Amber, don't go please.
Amber: I cannot believe you would come here, step into my house-well my brother's house but that's beside the point. And knowing our history blurt out that you love me and you want to be with me.
Andrew: (Looks down in sadness)
Amber: (Grins) Because I was hoping you would.
(Andrew looks up surprised as Amber locks the door and walks toward him with intent)
Andrew: Amber?
Amber: (Straddles him) It took you long enough DeLuca.
(Amber kisses Andrew and they proceed to make out. She takes off his jacket and shirt as he runs his hands under her cami causing her to moan in his mouth)
Amber: (Pulls back smiling) This has got to be a dream.
(They continue making out until Andrew moves to lay her on the couch)
CUT TO AMBERS BEDROOM
(Amber wakes up after falling on the floor from her bed with a thud. She pants as her dream comes back flashing in her mind)
Amber: (Horrified) Oh god no, please no.
I KNOW YOU HATE THE TEASING BUT TUNE IN FOR MORE BECAUSE THERE'S ONE MORE CHAPTER COMING AT 3 AND ANOTHER ONE AT 6 BECAUSE I'LL FEEL LIKE SHIT LEAVING YOU IN A CLIFFHANGER FOR A WEEK