HEY GUYS HERES PART TWO, ENJOY AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.
Chapter 28: BLM PART 2
MAY 28, 2020
SCENE: SEATTLE STREET
(Nick walks with Travis and Vic marching with the crowd chanting 'No justice, no peace'. Nick marches and bumps into the back of someone with no mask and holding a beer bottle)
Man: Watch it!
Nick: Sorry, (Reaches into bag) Here take a mask.
Man: (Drunk) Why? How do I know you didn't spread your diseases on that mask huh? How do I know you're not giving me the kung flu?
Travis: Okay sir we're just making sure you're walking through the streets safe okay? We're firefighters and we know how to stop the spread of covid.
Vic: Yeah, and if you're gonna march at least be safe about it.
Man: (Angry) I'm trying to protect my property; all you people think because some guy died that gives you reason to block my driveway.
Nick: (Scoffs) Okay you know what don't wear a mask but you can't stop us from peacefully protesting.
Vic: Yeah, come on guys.
(They walk past the guy who gets agitated)
Man: Here's your peaceful protest you chink!
(He throws the beer bottle at the back of Nick's head causing it to break and Nick to become disoriented and shocked before stumbling over. Vic and Travis help lay him down and check on him)
Vic: Nick, Nick! Can you hear me?
Maya: (Runs over with Carina) What the hell happened?
Travis: Some angry drunk threw a beer bottle at his head. Pupils are reactive, pulse is steady, Nick can you hear me?
Carina: (Pulls out phone) I'll call an ambulance and the hospital.
(They all tend to Nick who is awake but groggy)
MEANWHILE
SCENE: BREMERTON PARK
(Amber practices her speech to Bailey)
Amber: I appreciate everything you have ever done for me Dr. Bailey. I would not be where I am in my career without you. You taught me to be brave and face each obstacle in my path with a clear head and good conscience. Which is what has led me to decide to leave indefinitely to Italy to support Andrew and Carina DeLuca and join them in fighting covid over there. (Finishes) How was that?
(Maggie is revealed to be sitting at the bench across from Amber drinking her coffee)
Maggie: Bring back pure Italian roast coffee.
Amber: (Groans) Bailey wouldn't say that.
Maggie: Well like you I don't know what Bailey would say about this. I mean to be honest I don't know what to say about this. I mean I feel like hugging you because I'm gonna miss you but I can't.
Amber: (Surprised) Really? No argument about how I'm making a mistake and am gonna derail my career more than it already has?
Maggie: Well, a few months ago I would but that was before I too took the plunge and decided life is too short to not be with the man you love.
Amber: (Gasps) Oh god, is Winston getting deported too?
Maggie: No, wait where have you been the last week?
Amber: Uh let's see I've been busy with the half-brother I just met, my nephew who had a health scare in front of me, the boyfriend who has to follow his deported sister back to Italy. It's been a pretty crazy two weeks for me.
Maggie: Well, let me catch you up to speed. Winston proposed to me and I said yes.
Amber: (Screams in joy)
Maggie: (Surprised and chuckling)
Amber: (Happy) Oh my god! Really?
Maggie: (Smiles) Yeah, I know it's a little crazy.
Amber: No! It is so romantic and that coming from me is saying something. I mean it's crazy yeah but good crazy, I am so happy for you.
Maggie: (Smiles) Yeah me too.
Amber: (Smiles) Okay tell me everything, when, where, and who are you wearing?
Maggie: Uh we haven't really discussed plans yet. Winston just got a job here and he's driving down from Boston with his things while I'm here worrying about him every second.
Amber: (Realizes) Right well don't worry, okay? If anything goes wrong, he will call you, okay? And besides with the way the world is reacting the cops aren't stupid enough to pull a stunt like that again.
Maggie: I know you mean well Amber but calling a man's murder a stunt is kind of degrading to the tragedy.
Amber: Your right I'm sorry. I am your girl today, okay? I will be in the pit but I can take your phone while you're in surgery and tell you if Winston calls. I need something to take my mind off my new half-brother protesting out there.
Maggie: Especially with the war against PD he and his team are at. (Stands up) Speaking of, we should really get back in there, the protests are peaceful but cops won't see it that way.
Amber: (Walks with Maggie) Yeah, it's gonna get insane, but not as insane as my meeting with Bailey tomorrow.
Maggie: Yeah, that will be violent.
Amber: (Glares at Maggie) You could sugarcoat it.
Maggie: I am not exactly in a friendly mood today. I have to pick out a place to live with my fiancé and it takes me months to pick out a new brand of soap so this will be challenging.
Amber: (Groans) I know what you mean. I wanted to pick out a new place with Andrew but then immigration closed so now I have to wait to pick it out with him. Would it be wrong of me to pick out our new place without his knowledge or opinion?
Maggie: Very yes and the fact that you're asking proves it.
(Amber rolls her eyes as they continue walking)
MEANWHILE
SCENE: PARKING LOT
(Andrew gets off his bike and Alex walks by)
Alex: Hey.
Andrew: Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you would be with the kids today.
Alex: I was but there's marching in my neighborhood. I thought the kids would be safer with Izzie at her skyscraper hotel.
Andrew: Yeah, there's not a peaceful protest that didn't end so. I'm helping out at the pit today.
Alex: Me too. Is there still no word about your sister's visa?
Andrew: None and I know what you're gonna say but I did not force Amber into this decision. I did not blackmail her or give her an ultimatum.
Alex: I know because if you thought you could force my sister to do anything it would end up with you in the doghouse and without Jazz for company.
Andrew: That's true, I am trying to be there for Carina like she was there for me all these years. I mean that's the main reason I'm going with her to the country our mama, nonna and uncles died and where our manic father lives. I'm trying to make the best out of this crap situation and…Amber is one of the only good things I have in my life right now and I don't want to lose that.
Alex: You do know what skype is right? Look, I get it, if it was me I would want Jo to come with me too. I'm just trying to make sure my baby sister is as serious about this as I would be. I mean if it was a different time and circumstances, I wouldn't be so worried but-
Andrew: Look I get it; I would be worried too and the fact you are is something Amber appreciates.
Alex: (Chuckles darkly) Yeah, she didn't seem that way yesterday. I swear I feel like a dad scolding his 15-year-old daughter when she's starting to date.
Andrew: I think you're practicing for the real deal when Alexis hits that mark.
Alex: (Groans) I am not ready for that man, if you and my sister are still together in 9 years can you take care of that for me?
Andrew: (Chuckles sarcastically)
Alex: Yeah, I didn't think so.
(A car screeches and stops behind them alerting them. A 16-year-old girl comes out holding a screaming baby)
Mary: Are you doctors?
Andrew: Um yeah what's wrong?
Mary: (Worried) It's-It's my son, Tony, he won't stop crying, he won't eat, he won't sleep. I-I tried everything.
Alex: Okay I'm a pediatric surgeon, give him to me.
(Mary hands the screaming baby to Alex)
Alex: Hey buddy don't worry we're gonna help you. DeLuca run ahead and let the NICU know I'm coming and check his vitals with me.
Andrew: Got it.
(Andrew runs ahead of them while they walk to the hospital with Tony still screaming)
MEANWHILE
SCENE: THE PIT
(Amber orders an x ray for Jo's patient when she spots Nick wheeled in on a gurney with Travis and Vic by his side)
Amber: (Shocked) Nick?
Nick: (Groans) Hey Amber. I'm guessing I'm not here to get a tour huh?
Amber: What the hell happened? Is he okay?
Travis: He's stable, slightly disoriented though.
Vic: Some racist jackass was on the street ranting. We got in a verbal fight with him and he hit Nick in the back of the head with a beer bottle it broke on impact. We called an ambulance as soon as it happened.
Amber: Was there any bleeding on the scene?
Travis: No none but he was groggy after it happened.
Amber: Nick follow my finger (Moves finger back and forth with Nick following it) Good now close your eyes and nod if you hear this (Snaps fingers on both sides of his ears and he nods) Smell this, (Holds peppermint to Nicks nose and he sniffs)
Nick: Peppermint.
Amber: Very good now smile for me.
Nick: (Smiles)
Amber: Good your neuro exam is good but I'm gonna page Koracick and order you a head CT.
Nick: (Sits up) Look I'm fine I just want to leave and get back out there. I've taken a bowling ball to the face a week ago and I was just fine.
Amber: And a beer bottle to the head added to that could have caused a subdural hematoma. I am gonna book you a CT and see what the damage is, do not argue with me because you're not the first brother I've talked out of dumbass decisions.
Nick: (Rolls eyes and lies back down)
Travis: (To Vic) Hey we should get back out there; Miller and Warren might need us at the front.
Vic: (To Amber) Your good with him?
Amber: Don't worry, I'll call you if anything changes. Give them hell.
(Vic and Travis leave and Amber leaves to book a CT)
LATER
SCENE: NICU
(Alex and Andrew tend to the still screaming Tony while Mary is behind them looking at him worriedly)
Mary: He won't stop screaming. I know babies cry, but it's been like 14 hours. He won't eat. He can't sleep.
Alex: Hyperactive reflexes, increased muscle tone.
Andrew: He's tachypneic. Pulse ox is borderline.
Mary: Can't you give him something?
Andrew: We will. After we diagnose what the problem is.
Alex: Eli's pretty small for 15 days. Was he premature?
Mary: Mm-hm.
Alex: How many weeks?
Mary: Um, like two?
Alex: Are you asking me?
Mary: No sorry I just-I haven't slept it's the screaming. He came two weeks early.
Andrew: He looks malnourished and dehydrated. Is he eating? Are you breast feeding?
Mary: No um he likes formula.
Alex: (Suspicious) And why is that?
Mary: (Distracted by Tony) What?
Alex: Most mothers breast feed right after birth, was he having trouble latching?
Mary: (Agitated) Why does it matter? Just help him.
Andrew: (Suspicious) Mary you don't look like someone who gave birth to a baby 15 days ago.
Mary: (Swallows uneasily and looks down on the ground)
Alex: This isn't your baby, is it?
Mary: (Sniffles and shakes her head slightly)
Alex: Okay, you need to explain what's going on right now, or we're going to call the police.
(Mary stays silent for a moment causing Andrew to take off his gloves)
Andrew: (Starts to walk away) Okay.
Mary: Wait.
(Andrew stops while Alex hands the nurse Tony's chart to talk to Mary as well)
Mary: Uh, his mom...My mom. She's a heroin addict.
Alex: Tony is your brother?
Mary: She gave birth to him, brought him home and then left to score. He was three days old. But it's been over a week, and she hasn't come back.
Andrew: Did you try to find her?
Mary: No, but—
Andrew: Have you called the police? Do you know if she's okay?
Mary: I never know if she's okay. Look my dad left us when I was baby so it's just been her and me until now and…The first time she left me, I was 4. I woke up one morning, went downstairs and there was no one. The house was empty. I didn't know what to do and I was scared, but I didn't wanna be alone, so I reheated some soup and watched cartoons. She came back a few days later. She said she got stuck at work. But she worked in some office, and it didn't make any sense. But then she acted normal, so I did too. I just...I didn't want it to happen again.
Alex: (Sighs and sympathizes with her) But it did?
Mary: (Shakes her head) Of course. Sometimes she would tell me that she was leaving, other times she'd just be gone. Eventually, when it got really bad, one of my teachers figured it out. And that was the first time I was put in foster care. After that...It was just a lot of back and forth.
Andrew: I'm sorry about that, but why did you lie and say you were Tony's mom?
Mary: Because Tony doesn't deserve what I went through. He should have someone who can take care of him. Always. And that can be me.
(Alex and Andrew look at her worriedly)
MEANWHILE AT THE PIT
(Amber waits for Bailey to consult her patient. Bailey arrives)
Bailey: Yes.
Amber: (Presents) Chad Anderson, 40s, no past medical history, according to him. EMTs brought him. He evidently collapsed while jogging. I've given him O2, but he's still experiencing shortness of breath, as well as foot irritation.
Chad: (Mask under his nose) Look, I'm fine, okay? As I was trying to explain to your nurse here-
Amber: (Looks up offended)
Bailey: (Defends her) Dr. Karev. She's a third-year surgical resident.
Chad: Yeah, but-
Bailey: Pull your mask up.
Chad: (Pulls mask up) Yeah. Okay, look, I was just trying to tell her that it's-I-Sometimes, I get shortness of breath when I run. It's not a big deal. I mean, you know, my inhaler's expired, so you just, you know, you put me on a nebulizer treatment and you write me a new prescription for albuterol, and there'll be one less guy in the room.
Bailey: Mm-hmm. Dr. Karev, has his oxygen saturation been above 92?
Amber: Hovering around 88.
Bailey: Mr. Anderson, is it possible that you've been exposed to COVID-19?
Chad: No. Uh, it's-That's a no.
Bailey: Hm. Mask up. Hospital policy. Move him to an isolated room and give him a full workup. Chest X-ray, lower extremity duplex, and a COVID test. Page me with the results.
Chad: (Pulls mask down) Okay, hey. Doc, look, I'll take the workup, okay, but I don't care what your little test says 'cause I know that it's not real.
Bailey: What's not real?
Chad: Covid. Do I look like a sheep, alright? I know it's a scam.
(Amber looks at Chad perplexed as well as Bailey)
AN HOUR LATER
SCENE: RADIOLOGY ROOM
(Alex and Hayes look at Tony's scans)
Hayes: (Sighs) It's not good, he has neonatal abstinence syndrome, you said the mother is an addict?
Alex: Yeah heroin, no doubt she was using while she was pregnant. We should start with a methadone taper but look here. He's got a congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation. We need to remove it or his lungs are gonna be compromised.
Hayes: The baby is barely two weeks old and he's premature, he's too weak for open surgery.
Alex: Yeah but if we wait longer the risks are gonna increase tenfold. Any little virus or cold is gonna make him oxygen deprived.
Hayes: And with covid in the air it's more likely to happen. Is DeLuca booking an O.R.?
Alex: No I got Ortiz to do it, DeLuca is calling the mother to see if she can come down here to give consent. Although with what Mary told me I don't think she has the right to make it.
Hayes: Is there a father in the picture?
Alex: No just the sister, Mary, she says her mom told her Tony's dad was a dealer of hers.
Hayes: How old is she?
Alex: 16 and she's already been through hell with her mom. But she wants to do right by her brother and raise him away from their mom.
Hayes: 16 is too young to make that kind of decision, has she petitioned for guardianship?
Alex: No so this call is the mothers. Let's just hope DeLuca can find her.
Andrew: (Goes in) I found the mom.
Hayes: (Eyebrow raised and turns to Alex) Do you some kind of magic powers or something?
Alex: Where is she?
Andrew: She's in the waiting room, I told her what happened and she says that she's clean.
Alex: (Shakes his head) Yeah, she says, take us to her.
CUT TO PEDIATRIC WAITING ROOM
(Alex, Hayes and Andrew talk to Joanie)
Joanie: Did I leave to score drugs right after Tony was born? Yes I did but I changed my mind.
Alex: (Looks at her disgusted) Oh so where were you? Partying all hours of the night? Drinking yourself to death at a bar?
Joanie: Getting clean.
Hayes: You went to rehab?
Joanie: No doctor, I did it myself.
Andrew: She locked herself in a motel room for 12 days and detoxed.
Alex: Yeah, well that would've been great before you got your son addicted to heroin while carrying him.
Hayes: (Stern) Dr. Karev-
Joanie: No, he's right but I got clean.
Alex: Okay no offense but you've been clean for 12 days and you've been an addict for years, your daughter told us all about it.
Joanie: I don't need you to tell me about addiction. Okay I am trying for Tony; I am doing everything for my son so I can be a good mother this time.
Andrew: You walked out on him right after giving birth.
Joanie: No, I didn't, I left him with Mary. And I called over and over but she never answered and she never called me back.
Hayes: Your saying Mary is lying?
Joanie: (Sighs) She has issues with me and I know I deserve it. I know I wasn't there for her enough and I know I wasn't a good mother to her but I don't want to do that to Tony. I went away to get clean, it was miserable, it was brutal, the shaking, the sweating, the wanting to die but I did it anyway. I did it for Tony because he is my second chance and I am not gonna screw this up.
(The man look at each other with uncertainty)
CUT TO CONFERENCE ROOM
(Alex, Hayes and Andrew discuss their options)
Hayes: How did you find her?
Andrew: I called her cell and told her to come down here.
Alex: Okay so what? She left her newborn to get high.
Andrew: She didn't get high she got clean and that means something.
Alex: She detoxed less than two weeks, that's just one step. There's a multitude of triggers that Joanie needs to overcome before becoming a parent again.
Hayes: He's right, it's admirable that she got clean but does that mean she's ready to take care of Tony and all the problems he has?
Alex: Mary is.
Andrew: She's a kid Alex.
Hayes: Really Karev? Do you believe that? Does she have an apartment, a job, somebody to help out with Tony?
Alex: There are plenty of competent single teen moms out there and resources we can give her.
Andrew: And that's great but Tony is sick, he's gonna need care 24/7.
Alex: Yeah, well believe me he's not gonna get it from Joanie.
Andrew: Sembra che tu stia progettando piu che aiutando. (It seems like you're projecting more than helping)
Hayes: Mostra il tuo superior rispetto. (Show your superior respect)
Alex and Andrew: (Surprised) You speak Italian?
Hayes: We're getting off track here, we need to call DCFS.
Andrew: (Sighs) Well Joanie is better than the system.
Alex: Mary is better than Joanie.
Hayes: (Stern) I am calling social services, hopefully you two will resolve this by then. Arrivederci.
(Hayes leaves them to call social services)
LATER AT RADIOLOGY
(Amber is in the dark room with Koracick while Nick is getting a head CT)
Amber: What kind of person throws a beer bottle at someone's head?
Koracick: Obviously someone who's been arrested for assault before. (Turns mic on) Evans, can you tell us your full name and date of birth?
Nick: Uh Nicholas Kirk Evans, I'm a Cancer, I was born July 15, 1999, and I like slow walks on the beach.
Koracick: Hmm funny so do I we should set a date. (Turns mic off) Cognitive skills are intact and there's no obvious head injury is there a special reason we're wasting resources on him?
Amber: Why are you asking me?
Koracick: Oh come on Karev we're both adults even though I look it more than you. Did you try firefighters again and went down the pole with him?
Amber: (Disgusted) Ew! No what the hell is wrong with you? I mean aside from all the usual stuff that's wrong with you.
Koracick: You know the one thing I missed while I was passed out from covid was your sparkling personality. Fine if you won't tell me maybe your boy toy will.
Amber: Okay fine, he is not just a firefighter…he is my half-brother.
Koracick: (Unfazed)
Amber: You don't seem as surprised as everybody else was when I told them.
Koracick: I know that Karev had two kids come out of nowhere I now know he got that from your father.
Amber: (Slaps table angrily) He is nothing like our father, okay? Those two are worlds apart, Alex did everything to get his kids here while our father left both of his families.
Koracick: Fine no need to be so harsh 2.
Amber: (Scoffs) I am harsh?
Koracick: (Looks at Amber surprised by her tone)
Amber: I am harsh! You call me 2, you compared my brother to our father and I am harsh? Oh my god you are just-just-
Koracick: 2 may I remind you who you are talking to?
Amber: Yeah, I'm talking to a jackass. I have taken a lot of misogynistic and misanthropic crap from you because you are my boss and I have to fight the urge to kill you but I only have so much patience. I want you on this case because Nick deserves the best but if you compare me or my brothers to our father again I am gonna strangle you got it?
Nick: Uh guys I can hear everything from here you know that right?
Amber: (Looks and sees she turned the mic on accidentally) Sorry Nick the image is coming up soon.
Koracick: (Looks at image) No intracranial bleeding or swelling. Congratulations it's a grade 3 concussion, 2 what's the treatment?
Amber: Rest, minimal stimuli, dim lights, no screens.
Koracick: Good now get him in a patient room for tonight and go back to the pit. I'm afraid if your around me any longer I'll end up a patient again.
(Amber rolls her eyes and goes to get Nick ready for his room)
Nick: He's not one of your buddies huh?
Amber: (Chuckles darkly) Not in the least. The man embodies everything wrong with your gender.
Koracick: Mic is still on 2.
Amber: Walk away Koracick. (Exhales) I am gonna kill him.
Nick: (Sits up) You might not want to implicate me in your murder plot.
Amber: (Gets Nick's shoes)
Nick: (Realizes) Oh hey is Levi in today?
Amber: (Looks up surprised)
Nick: Dr. Schmitt, is Dr. Schmitt in today?
Amber: Uh yeah, he is but he's in the hyperbaric chamber with Dr. Grey. He's gonna be in there all day lucky him. Are you two still…?
Nick: No that is done.
Amber: I'm sorry about that, I know that the last thing Levi needed was to get dumped but it's your choice, I guess.
Nick: No, I-I didn't dump him. (Amber looks up) I mean I did when I found out he was friends with you but then when you came to me and apologized I uh…I wanted to give it a go again. I even got into bed with him until-
Amber: Alex walked in; he told me.
Nick: (Puts shoes on) Yeah well after…that, me and Levi talked and…he doesn't want to hang out anymore.
Amber: (Shocked) Levi said that? Levi?
Nick: He says that he owes you guys too much and that he doesn't want it to be a problem for you. He even said he still wants to be friends.
Amber: (Groans) Not the friend's line.
Nick: Yep, he used it. If I actually became friends with my exes after that line, I would have more contacts on my phone.
Amber: Me too. I'm sorry Nick I…I'm not entirely okay with it but it would be fine if he wanted to go out with you again. Do you want me to talk to him?
Nick: No. If I wanted a woman to interfere in my love life I would have stayed with my mom. I'll be fine, I just need some rest and then I can get back to work and try to forget this whole mess with Levi.
Amber: (Chuckles lightly) You really are my brother. (Checks her tablet and groans) Okay well if your good here I have to go back to Bailey's patient to tell him he has covid that he incidentally doesn't believe is real.
Nick: (Groans knowingly) Good luck, try not to tear him one like you did with the old guy.
Amber: (Chuckles) You know what I'm gonna tell him you called him that because I need a win today. I'll see you later, have the nurses page me if you need me, I'll take your stuff to your room after my consult.
(Amber leaves with a bag of Nick's stuff. Nick is with the nurse who gets him in the wheelchair)
LATER
SCENE: NICU
(Alex checks Tony's vitals with Mary looking at him in worry)
Mary: (Shudders) Should I…if I brought him here earlier would he be, okay?
Alex: Mary, this isn't your fault I know your blaming yourself but you did everything you could just like us. Don't beat yourself up over your mothers' mistakes, it's gonna mess you up believe me.
Mary: I just want to protect him you know?
Alex: Yeah, I know more than you think.
(Hayes leads Joanie inside the NICU. Mary turns and looks at Joanie with disdain)
Mary: What are you doing here?
Hayes: She just wants to be with her baby Mary. She's the mother and we need her consent.
Mary: She hasn't been any kind of mother to me or Tony, she shouldn't have a say.
Joanie: (Walks to Tony and cries at his state) Mommy's here, mommy's here baby and I am never leaving you again.
Mary: (Scoffs) Liar, you're a liar. You're gonna do to him exactly what you did to me and he is gonna end up exactly like I did. Bouncing around strangers, scared and alone because of your junkie ass.
Alex: Mary now isn't the-
Joanie: I am clean now, okay? I got clean.
Mary: Oh, right until Tony cries or you have a bad day at work or some guy dumps you that's all it's gonna take.
Hayes: This isn't the place let's just-
Mary: I will not let you hurt him; you are damaged you are a bad inf-
Joanie: (Agitated) I have a problem, okay? I am fixing it because for the first time in my life I have a reason to fix it.
Mary: Oh, so I wasn't worth it?!
(Tony's monitor beeps rapidly causing Mary and Joanie to stop)
Mary: Oh my god what's happening?
Alex: (Checks Tony's vitals) Hayes we need to intubate right now his oxygen is low and he's having trouble breathing.
Hayes: No we can't intubate it will increase air trapping in the damaged area of the lungs it'll make things worse. We need to get him to the O.R. right now.
Mary: No but you said he wasn't strong enough for surgery.
Joanie: Let them do their job.
Mary: You don't know what you're talking about, you're the reason this is happening.
Joanie: Mary enough!
Mary: It's completely your fault it always is!
Hayes: Surgery might kill him but waiting definitely will now move!
(Mary and Joanie move for Alex and Hayes to rush Tony to an O.R.)
MEANWHILE AT THE GENERAL FLOOR
(Bailey and Amber enter Chad's room where he is without a mask to their annoyance)
Bailey: Mask up, Mr. Anderson.
Chad: (Amused) Mm. Sorry, I forgot. The whole "coro-no-virus."
Bailey: Sir, I need you to listen to me. Your covid test came back positive. Additionally, (Shows scans) you have ground glass opacities in your lungs. That's why you're having trouble breathing. And your toes aren't red because you run without socks. Y-You have what's being referred to as "COVID-toe."
Chad: "COVID-toe"?
Bailey: Yes.
Chad: (Amused) Really? That's the best you got? (Laughing) COVID-toe? Are you guys even trying?
Amber: (Inhales to stay calm) This is serious so I suggest you take it that way.
Bailey: This ultrasound of your leg reveals a clot that we need to treat immediately, so-
Chad: Okay, well, whose leg is that?
Bailey: I'm sorry?
Chad: Well, see, I'm a-I'm a runner. We don't get blood clots. But it's a-that's a nice try, though.
Bailey: Mr. Anderson, please.
Amber: (Annoyed) This isn't a scheme or a plot, okay? So just-
Chad: (Pulls mask down) Okay. Look. You know what I've figured out? Huh? I figured out that this little cold that y'all are so terrified of, biggest moneymaker since crypto currency. And speaking of, h-how do you get your kickbacks? I mean, is it like a flat fee from every patient that you diagnose or is it like a-a percentage deal, or...?
Bailey: (Angry) My m- (Stops herself) Um, I…Be back in a moment. I need to answer a page. Karev come with me.
Amber: (Gritted teeth) Yes chief.
Chad: Yeah, yeah. Take your time.
(Amber and Bailey leave the room fuming. Bailey looks at Amber and growls softly pointing at the stairwell. Amber nods knowing what she's saying before Bailey goes in. Amber inhales and exhales deeply heading to the station where she left Nick's bag. A moment later Nick's phone rings and she sees Mom on the caller ID. She pulls it out and answers it)
Naomi: (Rushed and panicking) Nicky are you okay? I've called you ten times and you didn't answer.
Amber: (Straight to the point) Okay it's okay your son is okay. This is Dr. Amber Karev. I was here when he came in, he's resting now and he's gonna go home tomorrow.
Naomi: What happened?
Amber: He was marching on the streets and some guy threw a beer bottle to his head. There was no bleeding or brain trauma, just a concussion but we're keeping him here overnight for observation.
Naomi: (Shocked) Somebody threw a beer bottle at his head?
Amber: Yes, I am so sorry but the good news is it could've been a lot worse. I'm watching him I'm not gonna operate on him for family reasons but I will tell you if anything changes, I swear. He's in good hands, the best hands.
Naomi: (Inhales and exhales uneasily)
Amber: (Knows she's in pain) I would ask if you're okay but your breathing on the other end tells me enough. But still are you okay?
Naomi: I will be I just need a minute.
Amber: Take your time, I'll still be here. I would prefer talking to you right now than my patient if you believe that.
Naomi: (Takes a beat) Nicky told me about you, he told me that you reached out to him. Can I ask you something? As a mother looking out for her son?
Amber: Of course.
Naomi: Why are you doing this? I'm just trying to see why you feel the need to know the son of the man who abandoned you. My son is smart so I want to believe he's making a good decision letting you in his life but knowing Jimmy I have reservations.
Amber: I totally get it. I had the same reservations with Nick when I first found out. I kind of gave him the impression that I hated him.
Naomi: So, what changed? What's your angle here?
Amber: (Sighs) There's no angle I'm just…I'm just trying to fix what my father broke for all of us. I'm trying to fill that empty void he caused by leaving all of us. Nick was 5 when Jimmy left and I was 2, I know what that pain is like. But even with the pain he caused, my brothers did everything to mend it and to make sure I knew it wasn't my fault. I'm not saying it was always easy between us but we always knew that we had each other's backs in the corner. I guess what I'm saying is, I want to do that for Nick, be in his corner, be his big sister. I get that our backgrounds are different and if you did for him what my brothers did for me then I'm happy he had that but…I just want you to know he's gonna have that from me too.
Naomi: (Sighs) …Your father really was an ass you know.
Amber: (Laughs) Yeah, my mom and brothers made sure I had that drilled into my head.
Naomi: But you've said more endearing things than he has in the five years I've known him. If I didn't hear your name, I wouldn't believe you were his daughter.
Amber: That's nice to hear from the second wife he abandoned, (Filters) I am so sorry.
Naomi: No, it's fine the bastard left us both and we're both better off.
Amber: Yeah, we really are…I'm sorry that Nick had to go through this I…I can't even imagine how it is for you and him to face this unjustified hate.
Naomi: …Did you know a family was attacked by a 19-year-old in a Sam's parking lot? The victims were a 6-year-old and a 2-year-old, did you hear about it before I told you?
Amber: (Appalled) No I didn't I'm sorry.
Naomi: I know kids aren't supposed to stay kids forever but as a parent you kind of hope they do. I mean we know firsthand how scary the world is but they don't and they get these big dreams to go out and explore and you think 'stay still before a car hits you'. I did everything I could, I taught him how to be safe, how to drive, how to choose a career he wants. And then one day when he was 15 he gets shot in a driveby!
Amber: (Stays silent and sniffles)
Naomi: (Voice breaking) It's the worst feeling in the world having your child get hurt without you there to comfort them.
Amber: I can't even imagine what you must be feeling right now.
Naomi: I supported him when he told me he wanted to join the fire academy but my mind was racing with all these scenarios of how he could get killed out there before he reaches 30. I was mostly okay with it because he was living at home and I could know when he walked through that door that he was okay. But then he got fired and he decided to take a road trip to clear his head. I supported him of course even though I wanted him to stay because aside from locking him in a basement there was nothing, I could do to keep him here. (Sighs) And when he settled into a city thousands of miles away and got a firefighter job there that panic came back. And the hate crimes against Asian American isn't helping either.
Amber: He has a lot of support at 19, more than he did back at Miami. I know those guys would die for each other based on how they carried him here after he was attacked.
Naomi: I know, Nicky tells me nothing but good things about his new station. It's just…Do you have kids?
Amber: No.
Naomi: Well believe me when I tell you that being a parent is scary. It's scary because you want this child to be the best possible person they can be but the world you know is cruel and can take them away at an instant. It's hard to keep your sanity when your child is thousands of miles away with no one to protect him from all the scary things this world has.
Amber: (Looks down in sympathy) The way you're talking it kind of makes me rethink my opinion over the man who raised me and how my decisions are impacting him.
Naomi: Good then you're finally growing up, I wish the same could be said for my son.
Amber: (Grins slightly and sees Bailey signaling her) I'm so sorry I have to go back to my patient. I will call you with any changes and get a video chat with your son as soon as his concussion subsided.
Naomi: Thank you just…thank you.
(Amber hangs up and puts the phone back in the bag before taking a deep breath and joining Bailey back in Chad's room)
Bailey: Okay, let's try this. Your blood oxygen is dangerously low. Your lungs are getting worse. And if untreated, the clot in your leg could travel to your lungs and kill you. We're seeing cases like yours all of the ti- (Chad chuckles) Sir, this is not just a cold. It's not asthma. This won't magically go away. Sir, please, let us admit you so that we can start you on steroids and-and put you on blood thinners. Look, because even if you are a little bit wrong, it could be fatal.
Amber: (Stern) Do you understand what we're telling you? If you don't get treatment today you could die and we'll have to put you in the ice truck with the other victims of this virus your convinced isn't real.
Chad: (Stubborn) You know, I'm still waiting on that albuterol prescription, Doc.
(Amber and Bailey look at him with frustration before taking the tablet back from him)
CUT TO BLACK
THREE HOURS LATER
SCENE: NICU
(After Tony's surgery Alex goes to check on him and is taken back by Joanie standing outside the room watching Tony. He exhales and gowns himself)
Joanie: You don't like me very much, do you?
Alex: Well, I don't know you very much. The only thing I know about you is that the first thing you did after your son was born was to get high so…
Joanie: I was jonesing. He was screaming and I was tired and…I just had to get away, drugs are how I've always done it.
Alex: And suddenly your better now and everything is gonna be different?
Joanie: (Sighs) How do I answer that? I want to say yes, that I would die before I hurt Tony the way I hurt Mary. But your gonna tell me I'm an addict and that addicts slip. And it's true, I have slipped but this time…I'm gonna do everything I can for Tony and be the mother he deserves.
Alex: Do you have any idea how lucky you are to even be able to make that choice? Tony could've died from the drugs you were doing when you were pregnant. His lung condition could've killed him right after he was born. DCFS could've taken him away when you were gone. You could've had a bad reaction when you were detoxing. I mean it's a freaking miracle you are both even here right now, do you get that?
Joanie: (Nods) I know I fucked up but I am making a choice and this time I'm choosing Tony.
Alex: I really hope so Joanie because being a parent a good parent that is an all day every day job. Every single day.
Joanie: I am not crazy I know it's gonna be a fight all the time like you said and I'm…I'm gonna fight.
Alex: And what about Mary?
Joanie: Maybe I don't know, maybe it's too late for us I don't know I hope it's not but I learned on Mary. And this time I am going to do it right with Tony. I know I left once and I'm sure I could've done what I did the right way but…at least this time when I did the wrong thing it was for the right reasons.
Alex: (Sighs) I gotta check on Tony, excuse me.
(Alex goes inside to check on Tony)
MEANWHILE
SCENE: ATTENDINGS LOUNGE
(Amber is ranting to Andrew about Chad pacing in fury while he is sitting on the couch drinking coffee shocked by what she's saying)
Amber: (Angry) He thinks covid is a scam the medical community concocted so that we can bankroll on the patients we get. Apparently, there's a flatline fee and a covid test fee. And the way we get patients is by making them sicker and not treating them for the things they do have! (Growls angrily)
Andrew: (Sips coffee) I'm sorry who is getting this money?
Amber: Doctors, nurses, health care professionals everywhere.
Andrew: And who does he think is paying us?
Amber: (Chuckling darkly) The government. I mean if that were even a little bit true, we would be living in a mansion by now.
Andrew: We'd get your car fixed.
Amber: And buy spare cars in case I get it totaled again.
Andrew: And we would get Jazz a car so he can buy his own food.
Amber: (Chuckles and plops on the couch next to him) Oh god I haven't been this pissed at a patient since the antivax family last year. (Exhales) Do you know what I love about you?
Andrew: (Taken back) I don't know but I'm not gonna stop you from telling me because I hardly get this pleasure.
Amber: Your smart, I mean even when you were manic you were a brilliant doctor. I mean don't get me wrong you did things that could've had a really horrible and deadly result but even then, you had some logic in it. I mean you diagnosed Suzanne and Webber's rare conditions while you were manic. And you were somewhat aware of reality back then unlike the toxic condescending alpha I fantasized about killing who coincidentally is named Chad.
Andrew: (Chuckles) Yeah thanks but if it's any conciliation a manic state is like being away from reality.
Amber: Yeah well, the point is your taking this seriously and it kills me that Chad isn't the only one who isn't. I mean it's people like that that make me worry for my pregnant sister and elderly mother.
Andrew: And making me worry about my family in a country that's somehow worse than here. (Groans) I should have become a professional stunt man; my life would be less stressful that way.
Amber: I should have worked in an office after high school, I could've been like a really attractive Michael Scott.
Andrew: Hmm you seem more like a Dwight Schrute to me only less insane.
Amber: Thanks.
Andrew: …You know I helped a baby today with Karev. His teen sister brought him in screaming and crying because he was in heroin withdrawal from his mom using while pregnant.
Amber: (Sighs) That takes me back. How's the baby?
Andrew: Stable Hayes and Alex were able to repair the lung malformation.
Amber: That's good, now he just has to live the rest of his life with a junkie mom who almost killed him.
Andrew: …Can I ask you something kind of personal that you don't have to answer by the way?
Amber: I need something to keep my mind off Chad so shoot.
Andrew: Okay…do you think your brother would have been better off not having to raise you at the age of 12? (Amber raises an eyebrow) The baby's sister wants to raise him and take him away from their mom who neglected her for drugs. I figured you're the best person to talk to about this because your situation was remarkably similar to Tony's.
Amber: You don't think she can do it? Raise him?
Andrew: Well, she's 16 but the way she talks she might as well be 30.
Amber: When I was 16, I was 60, it's the downside of being raised by kids, you get to grow up faster than you planned. I mean Mary is already more grown up than most kids her age and the fact that she wants to raise her little brother shows that.
Andrew: Yeah, I know but I feel like I'm making a Matrix choice only it's between a 16-year-old and her junkie mom. I mean she got clean; it's been only two weeks but that's gotta mean something right? I mean your dad got clean for Nick do you think he would have been a better parent if he lived?
Amber: I don't know, Naomi and my mom made it clear Jimmy was an ass without the drugs and Alex and Aaron are the ones who had the painful years raised by him.
Andrew: Okay but what about Mary? Do you think she can handle this? Do you think she can be a better mom than her own right now?
Amber: (Sighs) …You know Alex worked all the time in the ten years I was raised by him. He kept straight A's at school, got a full time job in a convenience store all the while taking care of our mom and her kids. I mean he maybe got an hour of rest a week from what I remember and there was always one thing that I wanted for him. I wanted to see him happy but with what he had to deal with how could he be? I bet that's exactly what the baby is gonna want for Mary when he's old enough to understand that even when she didn't say it, he was a burden on the one person who cared about him.
(Andrew looks at Amber in sympathy and pulls her in for a cuddle, kissing the top of her head)
Andrew: Have your brothers ever told you how amazing you are growing up?
Amber: My family wasn't big on verbal love.
Andrew: Well, they are idiots for not doing it.
Amber: Oh, I know they're idiots and they know that I know.
(Andrew and Amber laugh as they cuddle closer)
LATER
SCENE: NICU
(Andrew enters the NICU to find Alex looking after Tony and approaches him)
Andrew: How's he doing?
Alex: He's stable, his sats are improving and he's resting now. It's still a long road for him but he's a fighter, he's gonna need to be.
Andrew: Yeah, that family…was that anything like the mess you and Amber grew up in?
Alex: Yeah, pretty much only my mom was lucid enough to not do drugs while she was pregnant. And she left for periods of time to unlock a government conspiracy not to score heroin.
Andrew: How's Joanie holding up?
Alex: She's still insisting that she can do things right this time but…look I believe in second chances but with what I know about this woman so far I don't believe that for her. She's been sober for 12 days. It's not enough time not by a long shot.
Andrew: Well, it's something at least.
Alex: (Looks at him surprised) Okay what is with you man?
Andrew: What?
Alex: From the very get go you've been on Joanie's side and I would expect the opposite given what your girlfriend told you about her similar past.
Andrew: My dad chose not to get treatment for his mania.
Alex: Okay is that really what's bothering you right now?
Andrew: My dad had a choice when we were kids to get treatment and raise us together or refuse and separate us and…he chose to refuse. When he lashed out at us for his mistake, I was so angry at him and I wanted to shake him and tell him to shut up and listen but I didn't. I didn't do that because at the end it was his choice to not try harder for me and Carina. He didn't try, Joanie is trying and it might be for nothing but maybe it won't. Can you tell me if either of our fathers did more for us than Joanie did for Tony?
Alex: (Inhales and exhales) I was just like Mary, I had to take care of everything for everyone. The only difference is she actually wants to do it.
Andrew: Maybe she can, with help. I mean this baby is gonna need all the help he can get and being a teen mom is hard even without a pandemic. Joanie cares, maybe they can do this together.
Alex: Yeah, that would be an option but…I mean you should these two together. It's like me and Jimmy only there's no throwing things at walls and broken fingers. I don't know what to do.
Andrew: …You know I asked Amber what it was like being Tony and she told me she wished you were happy during that time. She said even if you never told her she still felt like a burden to you.
Alex: She said that?
Andrew: Yeah, look you've been in Mary's shoes before so you know the challenges, she's gonna face. Can you tell me if this is gonna be the best thing for both of them?
(Before Alex can answer Hayes goes in with Patricia the social worker)
Patricia: Dr. Karev, it's good to see you again.
Hayes: (Defends himself) I had to call.
Patricia: I've spoken with Mary and Joanie. I'm aware of the situation.
Andrew: There is no situation.
Hayes: Unless Joanie starts using again.
Patricia: There's no way to know. But Joanie did make a choice to get clean for her child. Dr. Karev, we've been through this a lot of times. We like to keep a child with its mother if possible. But if your instincts say it's to Tony's detriment, then we can explore other options.
(Alex thinks about his answer)
LATER
SCENE: NICKS ROOM
(Amber checks Nick's vitals while he's lying on his side trying to sleep in the dim room)
Nick: You don't have to be here I have a nurse and a neurosurgeon on standby.
Amber: Yeah, but they're overworked and I don't really trust Koracick with my family members. How does the headache feel?
Nick: What you would expect after getting hit with a beer bottle.
Amber: Good, that means you're improving. I called your team and they said they're gonna bring you a gift basket full of bottled drinks. If I didn't know them, I would think it was a sick joke.
Nick: (Chuckles lightly) Yeah, they're funny that way, is it wrong I feel like getting beer right now?
Amber: I feel like getting a beer right now, it's not wrong at all. Your mom called and I answered it.
Nick: (Opens eyes in shock) Oh god, am I gonna expect a yelling contest through zoom I can't mute?
Amber: I told her to let you call her, don't worry. You know your mom seems-
Nick: (Knows too well) Yeah, she is.
Amber: (Eyebrow raised) Did you read my mind or something?
Nick: You were gonna say scary like all my friends have after they came over to my house.
Amber: No, I was gonna say 'to love you' she seems to love you a lot. You know you're lucky to have a mom like that.
Nick: Yeah, I know, although sometimes I wish she would step back a little bit and let me breathe.
Amber: I've been there, I'm still there with Alex actually, that talk with your mom made me see things from his side.
Nick: Yeah, I heard about the trip to Italy and it didn't take a genius last night to see the tension between you two.
Amber: (Nods) Yeah family can be a huge pain in the ass.
Nick: I recently figured that out.
Amber: So, I'm guessing you didn't have siblings growing up?
Nick: No after my dad left, I became my mom's whole world. I gave her so much trouble she didn't want more kids. This whole sibling's thing is still kind of weird for me.
Amber: Well, we're friends as we agreed to start but if the time comes you consider us your brother and sister, we'll appreciate it. You know your mom is trying her best to support you despite the fact that you're fighting fires across the country in the middle of covid. Maybe you should cut her some slack when she goes into tiger mommy mode. Believe me I'd rather have my mom chasing bad guys away with a knife than chase me with a knife.
Nick: Fair point…maybe you should cut the guy who raised you some slack too. You had at least one sane person be there for you in that insanity, I've seen a lot of families out there in the field and not everyone has that.
Amber: (Looks at him touched) Look at you all zen.
Nick: I think it's the concussion talking.
Amber: (Chuckles) I'll be at home, call me or Alex if you need anything.
Nick: I won't good night.
Amber: Nighty night…Nicky.
Nick: (Groans as Amber's chuckles) Please don't tell 19 my mom still calls me that, I'll never hear the end of it.
Amber: Will do, see you tomorrow.
(Amber closes the door as she walks out)
LATER
SCENE: PEDIATRIC WAITING ROOM
(Alex talks to Mary about Joanie)
Alex: People can do awful things but they can also change.
Mary: You don't know my mother.
Alex: No, I don't and I know you want to do the right thing here Mary but it's…it's harder than you think. I have been where you are exactly where you are. Look my parents were addicts too and they had two kids after me and I raised them too.
Mary: Then you know why I want to do this.
Alex: I do but I also know that being a parent is hard and it is easy to make mistakes. It doesn't matter how old you are how together you are, there are gonna be bumps on the road that will hurt you and the person you care about more than anything.
Mary: (Looks at Alex and voice breaks) Is that why you're giving her Tony? Because you think we'll end up like you and your siblings?
Alex: Me and my siblings ended up good, better than we expected growing up but we didn't have what your mom is offering to you and Tony now. I know it's been hard for you but it's also been hard for her it's…it's sad. But maybe it can be a reminder to both of you that with Tony it has to be different. He's gonna need a lot of care while he's recovering and your mom's gonna need help if she really wants to try this again with Tony.
Mary: I'm just…I'm just so tired of her problems being my problems.
Alex: I know it's not fair to you, I know that but you are a family and you have to look out for one another.
(Mary looks on in thought before coming to a decision)
CUT TO NICU
(Hayes and Andrew talk to Joanie about Tony who is lying in an incubator)
Joanie: Is he really gonna be okay?
Hayes: Dr. Karev and I resected the damaged part of Tony's lung. In time, healthy tissue will grow in its place.
Andrew: But that being said he's gonna need to be monitored here for the next week in case there's a complication.
Joanie: Thank you.
Andrew: After that you need to take care of him Joanie, okay?
Joanie: I know. It's all about Tony now.
(Alex gowns Mary and takes her inside the NICU to Andrew's surprised)
Andrew: Maybe not all.
Joanie: (Turns and sees Mary) I thought that you—
Mary: Bailed?
Joanie: (Guilty) Yeah. I'm...I'm so—
Mary: I know, mom. I know.
Joanie: (Sniffles and comes closer to Mary) I am sorry.
Mary: Then do better with Tony, okay? Do better.
(Joanie nods and tears up. Alex, Andrew and Hayes look at the touching scene)
LATER THAT NIGHT
SCENE: NURSES STATION
(Amber charts her latest patient when Jo approaches her)
Jo: Hey, I heard about Nick, how is he?
Amber: He's good, it's a concussion and hopefully he'll get discharged tomorrow. How did Schmitt do in the hyperbaric chamber? Did he screw something up?
Jo: Surprisingly no, in fact he saved Chee's patient in there all by himself.
Amber: (Impressed) Really? Wow I think our boy is growing up on us. How's Meredith?
Jo: Stable her ABG's are even better. Schmitt told me that the thing that got him through it was this voice in his head telling him 'What would Meredith Grey do?' (Sighs) I swear even comatose that woman is still scaring residents to do better.
Amber: Yeah, it's not as impactful as the real thing though.
Jo: Nope not by a long shot.
(Amber's phone beeps an alert and she reads it)
Amber: Oh no. No, no!
(Amber runs past Jo and sprints to the ambulance bay where she, Bailey and Teddy find Chad passed out on the ground with two people performing CPR on him)
Bailey: What on earth?! Who discharged him?!
Nurse: He signed AMA. Said he was done and just walked out. He didn't get very far.
Bailey: No pulse. Karev get a crash cart now!
(Amber runs inside as fast as she can)
CUT TO BLACK
SCENE: TRAUMA 1
(Amber looks on numbly as Bailey and Teddy stop CPR and the monitor flatlines which they turn off)
Bailey: (Sighs) Time of death 20:42. (Sniffles) I should have done more for him.
Teddy: You did everything you could Bailey we all did he didn't want to listen.
Bailey: I could've pushed harder I could've told him the risks again I could've-
Amber: (Breaks from stress) Oh god screw him; you know what screw him he was an adult and he made his choice. People are who they are, there was nothing we could have done for this ignorant son of a bitch.
Teddy: Karev-
Amber: No, no it's true we offered him treatment, we did everything we could (To Bailey) You did everything you could and he rejected it. He rejected it because he heard some whack job theory on some chatroom. He chose to ignore what is happening around us and played it off as a scam like people dying is a scam. I'd like him to face my little brother who was hit with a beer bottle during a protest because of what he looks like and say it's still a scam. He did this to himself and you know what (Stands next to Chad's body) enjoy the afterlife say hi to my father for me.
(Amber walks out of the room in a huff leaving Teddy and Bailey numb from events)
Bailey: (Numb) That was the nicest speech I had prepared for him.
LATER
SCENE: RESIDENTS LOUNGE
(Amber gets ready to leave when Levi walks in)
Levi: I heard, I'm sorry.
Amber: (Nods) Thanks. I ranted at him you know, after death I ranted about what an idiot he was and I don't know why because a corpse can't hear your yelling.
Levi: At least you did it when he can't sue you for harassment. Sorry too soon?
Amber: Way too soon but I'm too exhausted to care or judge.
Levi: How about I change and we can binge watch an afterschool special with a bottle of wine for each of us.
Amber: Nope you're not gonna do that.
Levi: Look I know you're still mad about what I did but I want us to move forward. I want us to-
Amber: I mean you're not gonna be with me tonight because you're going to my half-brother's room and make up with him. He's here, did you hear that?
Levi: I did and I know that it could've been worse thank God.
Amber: Exactly it could've been worse. Levi life is short and scary, anything could happen we see it every day. A man can die of covid toe and sign AMA or a man could be stopped by cops and have his murder filmed for the world to see. So, you don't waste time and tell a boy the stupid reasons you don't want to be with him and just do it. It's like with me and Andrew I had good reasons not to get back together with him but they aren't reasons anymore. I'm not saying it's easy but if the relationship is strong then you can get past it together.
Levi: (Sighs) And you're okay with me dating your brother?
Amber: It's a difficult situation one that I barely understand but I will and…I would rather the two people I care about make each other happy than be miserable alone. Once again life is short so just make up with the damn boy.
(Amber grabs her backpack and playfully punches Levi's arm as she leaves. Levi stands there for a moment before going to shower)
HALF AN HOUR LATER
SCENE: ALEX AND JO'S HOUSE
(Amber comes up the patio surprised to see Alex sitting on the porch swing)
Amber: What are you doing out here?
Alex: I wanted to wait till you got here, I needed to talk to you about Italy.
Amber: (Exhales) Alex I have had a long day and I lost a patient so I'm just here to grab some clothes and I'm gonna head over to Andrew's tonight.
Alex: Wait please give me five minutes.
Amber: (Sighs and stands in front of Alex)
Alex: I just…I didn't want you to leave being mad at me unless you're not leaving.
Amber: Andrew, Carina and I fly out next month sorry to burst your bubble. So, if you're here to talk me out of it-
Alex: I'm not. I'm…I'm sorry I should have reacted better; I know that you and Andrew have been through too much to let bureaucracy get in the way this time. (Chuckles) You know it's hard to believe that this little girl with pig tails who waved a stick around like it was a wand grew up on me so fast I can hardly keep up. Now she's not a girl she is a woman who has an amazing career, a supportive boyfriend and a point of view different from mine. I think I'm gonna feel this exact way with Alexis when she's your age and…it scares me. It scares me that your gonna do this but I know that I raised you to be better than me and smarter than me and you are.
Amber: (Smug) Oh, I know that.
Alex: …DeLuca told me that the one thing you wanted for me growing up was to be happy. I sacrificed my happiness for yours and…if DeLuca makes you happy then I'm not gonna get in the way. I just need you to know that even in another country you're always gonna be my little sister and I'm always gonna be your big brother.
(Amber looks at Alex touched and sits next to him putting her head on his shoulder)
Amber: Thank you…for everything.
(Alex kisses Amber's forehead as they sit there in content)
MEANWHILE
SCENE: NICKS ROOM
(Levi enters the room in his casual clothes and mask surprising Nick who is trying to sleep)
Nick: (Sighs) I am gonna kill Amber.
Levi: Before you do just hear me out, please. First, I am sorry for what I said the other day when you said you wanted to give this another try it came from a good place but I could've said it a little more delicate. I-I know the reasons we decided not to make a go of this but they aren't reasons anymore and I am not going anywhere this time.
Nick: What about Amber?
Levi: She wanted me to come in here and make up with you, it's something I've wanted to do since you and Amber worked things out so here I am. After all I'm just a queer guy standing in front of another queer guy asking him to like me again.
Nick: (Looks at Levi) You know my mom is a Hugh Grant fan and I had to sit through Notting Hill and that quote you just stole right?
Levi: I-I'm trying here, okay? Can you give me a break?
Nick: I was the one who was hit with a beer bottle I think I deserve that break more.
Levi: (Chuckles lightly) Fair enough…look I showered for an hour, my test came back negative five minutes ago and I told the nurses to give us a night alone. What I am going to do next is lie next to you and hold you while you fall asleep because that is what I like for someone to do for me after I'm hurt.
Nick: (Exhales and thinks it over) Okay fine but no funny business.
(Nick moves to his side lets Levi lie behind him and spoon him holding his hand. Nick closes his eyes and gradually falls asleep)
THE NEXT MORNING
SCENE: ELEVATOR
(Amber is in her navy pantsuit with a black blouse underneath. Amber exhales as she gets ready to exit the elevator to go to Bailey's office when she gets a text from Andrew reading, 'Good luck with Bailey, your amazing😉' She chuckles and grins at the text walking out of the elevator paying no attention when she bumps into someone)
Amber: Oh! God I'm-
Mance: Amber?
(Amber freezes as she recognizes the voice and looks up to find Charles Mance in the middle of the hall looking at her with a nostalgic smile behind his mask. Amber stands there frozen in shock and fear as she is face to face with her attacker)
I KNOW SHOCKING CLIFFHANGER. I WILL RELEASE THE NEXT TWO CHAPTERS THIS SUNDAY BE PREPARED TO CRY. REVIEWS ARE WELCOME.