TRIGGER WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS THEMES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Chapter 29: 1 (800) 656-4673
MARCH 20, 2014
SCENE: NYU BAR
(A 20-year-old Amber sits with Gia and Mabel at the table talking about spring break)
Amber: (Eats peanuts) I cannot believe you spent the week in Milan I am so jealous, how was it?
Mabel: Oh, it was insane and the men (Sighs in lust) the men over there are better than my secret sex books. It was a week of Italian men in Armani suits, eating gelato.
Gia: Waiting to get attacked by predatory American tourists?
Mabel: Make fun but now I know what climax and orgasm sound in Italian.
Amber: (Exhales) Italian men in Italy maybe I should take a trip and you could send me recommendations.
Gia: Haven't you heard the girl code? We don't double dip.
Amber: Okay point an Italian man that lives near me and I will save the flyer miles. God you are so lucky your father is rich and spoils you.
Mabel: Yeah it makes up for the fact he's inaccessible emotionally.
Amber: Well, it's better than spending a week alone in your dorm working on applications for grants so you can escape with no debt. Sometimes I wish I could fast forward through the next four years-
Gia: (Groans)
Mabel: (Groans) Oh my god not this again, you know we hate it when you talk about your life plan, it makes us depressed.
Gia: Tell me about it, I'm a freshman and I haven't decided what field I want to study.
Mabel: By the time you figure it out Amber will be done researching all the latest medical marvels with Charles Mance.
Amber: That's if I get it.
Gia and Mabel: (In unison) You'll get it.
Amber: No, I won't, most of the applicants are straight from Yale or Johns Hopkins and they've published papers a mile long. I went to state school and the only work I had was working at the café.
Gia: Okay that's it the next time you talk about classes or work, you have to do a shot.
Amber: It's just that my papers are so juvenile and-
Mabel: Ah! (Stands up and gets a shot from the table next to them) Here you go.
Amber: (Disgusted) No come on what is that?
Gia: Drink it and find out, come on you don't start stressing until tomorrow live a little bit.
Mabel: Drink!
(Amber groans and tosses the shot back hissing at the burning causing the girls to laugh)
Amber: Oh, you guys suck!
(Amber's phone rings and she gets up and goes outside to answer it)
Amber: Hello… (Chuckling in delight) Wow really? I got it? Oh my god thank you so much you will not regret it I promise.
CUT TO MANCES OFFICE
Mance: (Grinning) I know you won't I can tell by your essay that you won't disappoint me.
BACK TO BAR
Amber: (Smiles) I won't…Okay I'll see you next Monday thank you so much bye.
(Amber hangs up and squeals in joy at getting the grant)
CUT TO PRESENT
(Amber stands frozen in shock as Mance stands in front of her cooly)
Mance: I assumed the chief told you and the residents I was visiting to help fill in Grey's position while she's recovering. I was so sorry to hear about that, we're the two of you close?
Amber: (Shudders in fear)
Mance: (Looks at her with intent) You look good Amber, better if that was possible.
Amber: (Inhales and looks away in disgust) Don't look at me like that.
Mance: (Acts innocent) Like what?
Amber: (Shakes from anger) You-
Mance: (Stern) Careful. The last thing your chief wants is for you to spread lies about her new employee.
Amber: (Looks at him in anger)
Mance: (Looks around and grins at her) I look forward to seeing you around the hospital. I have to go.
(Mance walks away from Amber who is still frozen in place before her stomach turns causing her to run)
CUT TO BATHROOM
(Amber rushes in and opens a stall, takes her mask off and barely makes it to the toilet to vomit the contents of her stomach. After a moment she stops and leans back against the side of the stall wiping her tears and sniffles. Taryn exits another stall and is surprised to see it was her who vomited)
Taryn: (Concerned) Oh Amber, are you okay? Do you need some help?
Amber: (Sniffles) I'm fine Helm.
Taryn: Let me grab you a towel.
Amber: (Stern) I said I'm fine.
Taryn: (Sees she's upset) You have puke on your collar.
(Taryn leaves the bathroom and Amber sniffles and sobs over seeing Mance again before taking a deep breath and putting her mask on and getting up)
MARCH 28, 2014
SCENE: MANCES OFFICE
(After helping with his research Amber grabs her purse getting ready to leave for the day when Mance enters surprised to see her leave)
Mance: Your leaving?
Amber: Yeah I already highlighted text in those lectures I got that are relevant to your project. I also scheduled your M and M for tomorrow and complied the data from today.
Mance: (Impressed) Wow you do not miss anything, do you?
Amber: Just a chance for happiness and that's it. Okay I'll see you in the morning, good night.
Mance: (Stands in front of her) Whoa hey, I know this may seem a little forward but do you want to have a drink with me?
Amber: (Eyes wide)
Mance: It's just something I do with every assistant I have that's proved to not be a screwup. I drink a glass of my finest scotch with them and celebrate the start to a great partnership.
Amber: Partnership implies that we are equals and I am barely in the medical food chain yet.
Mance: Well, that's not how I see it. Come on, have a drink with me, unless you're a lightweight and prefer a Smirnoff Ice.
Amber: (Chuckles) No I am not a fruity drink girl.
Mance: So you can handle a Macallan 25 neat?
Amber: (Impressed) It's like liquid gold where I'm from. Okay one drink and then I am headed out.
Mance: That's all I ask.
(Amber puts her purse down and takes her coat off sitting next to Mance on his couch as he serves them both a glass each)
Mance: (Raises glass) A toast to what I expect will be an unforgettable time working together.
Amber: (Grins) Cheers.
(Amber and Mance clink their glasses and take a sip)
Amber: (Exhales at the taste) Now I have tasted every brand of alcohol there is. How much is a glass of this stuff worth like 200?
Mance: 400 in this economy. I only indulge myself of this twice a year, I don't want to waste it in one night.
Amber: With your salary you could afford like ten bottles of this.
Mance: I don't want to be those rich assholes that buys stuff they don't need; I prefer to give off the impression I'm humble but not too much.
Amber: (Sips scotch) Yeah, I wish I had the option of being humble.
Mance: I'm guessing you're not as privileged as my previous assistants?
Amber: No I am definitely not like the other students here. I applied here so I could get a scholarship and not have to worry about a 100K debt I'll be saddled with till I die. What about you? Did you grow up counting pennies?
Mance: No I come from a family of surgeons hence why I chose this stressful job. Why did you get into this? I mean you're smart and pragmatic obviously but why did you chose a job you have to work all the time to even get?
Amber: (Sighs) …I've always been fascinated by the human anatomy and what makes it tick and…I guess it's a trait I inherited from my brother.
Mance: Another prospective doctor in the family?
Amber: Surgeon, he works at Grey Sloan and last I heard he's a peds surgeon fellow not that he told me that.
Mance: You two aren't close?
Amber: (Sips scotch) We were when I was little but then med school happened and his residency and you know how it is. Or I guess you don't since I don't know if you have brothers or sisters or not.
Mance: (Grins) Nope I'm an only child, my parents died five years ago so it's just me and my wife.
Amber: I'm sorry about that.
Mance: It's fine they were old and I had plenty of good years with them.
Amber: Yeah, but it's still sad, I mean my father is gone and my mother is…anyway I can't imagine losing parents who actually care about you.
Mance: (Holds Amber's hand) Well it's hard but at some point, you have to move on and take chances at what life has to offer you.
Amber: (Sees him holding her hand making her uneasy) Right it's like me with school and becoming a doctor and everything. I uh I get it.
Mance: (Grins still holding her hand) You don't mind me holding your hand do you?
Amber: (Swallows) Um no…the drink was very nice but I really think I should-
(Mance pulls her head forward kissing her causing her to grunt and pull away)
Amber: (Appalled) Dr. Mance!
Mance: (Grins) What? Oh, come on I see the way you've looked at me and the way you dress and the way you talk. You think I can't tell what kind of girl you are and what kind of man it takes to please you?
Amber: (Disgusted and stands up) Oh my god! Is that the reason I got this grant? Because you liked the way I looked and you wanted to get me in bed?!
Mance: (Unashamed) You're a very beautiful girl and you're blowing this way out of proportion.
Amber: (Moves away) There is no proportional response to being assaulted by your teacher!
Mance: I'm also a man who knows what he wants.
Amber: (Puts her coat on and scoffs) You are not a man, your just like all the assholes I've had to handle since I hit puberty and let me tell you I made them think twice before they put their hands on me. I am going to the Dean and reporting this and they will report to the medical board, I'm a med student and you're a professor you pig!
Mance: And who's going to believe you? I have weekly breakfast with the Dean and the medical board is in awe of my work. Do you really think they will believe some lowly first year from the ghetto who has no family or connections? I would think twice about this arrangement of ours if I were you unless you want your medical career to end before it's even begun. I will destroy you.
(Amber feels chills in her spine but grabs her purse and quickly exits the office slamming the door on the way out)
CUT TO PRESENT
SCENE: ONCOLOGY FLOOR
(Izzie gets out of her patient's room and talks to Sara Ortiz)
Izzie: Check her ABG's every 15 minutes and make sure she gets her vitamin k blocker every hour.
Ortiz: Yes Dr. Stevens.
(Sara goes away and Izzie approaches Bailey who is charting by the station)
Izzie: I swear I think the interns are getting younger by the minute.
Bailey: Mm-hm and more cocky if you can believe that. Although I can't imagine a worse time to start your surgical internship than in a pandemic.
Izzie: Yeah do you remember when we were happy to be coming in and getting our names on the board even if it's to hand items while someone else does the cutting?
Bailey: And when we didn't run out of space for death tally's and felt good about saving lives? Oh the days when we were young.
Izzie: God when did we get old.
Bailey: I think you mean when did you get old. (They chuckle) How's the job going?
Izzie: Weirdly not terrible. I'm doing my first distal pancreatectomy on my pancreatic cancer patient later. It's a resection and the cancer is localized so I will get a win today. Are you still gonna do it with me?
Bailey: (Anger in her voice) Uh no your former sister in law wants to meet me today before her shift.
Izzie: I'm guessing you know based on your tone what she wants to talk to you about.
Bailey: Do you think it's a coincidence she wants to talk to me after her boyfriend told me he was leaving to follow his sister across the world?
Izzie: She's getting deported.
Bailey: And I sympathize with her I do hell I cried when they told me they were leaving.
Izzie: Okay so why are you angry at Amber then?
Bailey: Because she has a choice unlike them and she is choosing to leave to…follow her boyfriend. I am bleeding out surgeons here Stevens, Grey is in the ward, two of our best nurses died of covid last week and Avery has suddenly taken a leave of absence. I just-I cannot take anymore of this and I want to try to get Amber Karev to see it that way and change her mind.
Izzie: (Chuckles darkly) If you think you can convince a Karev to back out of something they have their hearts set on you have not learned from working with them for a decade. (Bailey glares at Izzie) So uh who is gonna be in the O.R. with me? Jo?
Mance: (Behind them) Uh that would be me actually.
Izzie: (Turns and is shocked to see Charles Mance behind her) Are-Are you Charles Mance?
Mance: I am.
Izzie: (In awe) Oh my god, wow I-I am such a huge fan. Your research on rewriting genetic on animal livers was inspiring for me. Oh my god what are you doing here?
Bailey: I invited him.
Izzie: What? You got him here?
Mance: She got me here. NYU is overflowing and surgeries are all but nonexistent right now so I jumped at the chance to take Grey's place while she's recovering.
Izzie: Oh well don't expect to take her job because when she wakes up, she'll pry it away from your dead body.
Mance: You know Grey?
Izzie: Yes I was in the same class as her we were really great friends. I say were because I kind of left on a bad note with her which I am hoping to resolve when she wakes up. I'm sorry I bet you don't want to hear all about my past mistakes.
Bailey: (Under her breath) There wouldn't be enough time in the world for that. (Normal voice) Okay you two have met, I will be in my office if you need me. I suspect your resident will be done with me by the time you start the surgery so I will get her up to speed.
Mance: Which resident is on our service today?
Izzie: Dr. Amber Karev.
Bailey: Yes and after I put the fear of god in her I will hand her to you. I assure you Dr. Mance that she is an incredibly competent surgeon and you will not be disappointed in her. And if you really impress me I want to continue discussing your position in this hospital.
Mance: (Acts cool) No worries I hope the meeting goes well with her.
Izzie: You and me both.
Bailey: God speed you two.
(Bailey leaves them)
Mance: Hey uh now that we're alone I was wondering if I could ask you something? Maybe a first day at work courtesy?
Izzie: Sure what is it?
Mance: I haven't had a surgery in months and I'm getting angsty is it alright if we just get another resident to assist us for the day?
Izzie: Oh I assure you that Bailey will be quick but very through in her meeting with Dr. Karev. I speak from personal experience and assure you it won't take long.
Mance: Well in my experience pancreatic cancer is unpredictable and the longer we wait the more our patient needs this surgery. I think we can spare at least one other resident for today don't you think?
Izzie: Um sure. (To nurse) Page Dr. Schmitt and tell him to meet us on the surgical floor for an assist. Okay do you want me to show you around while we wait?
Mance: Yeah sure, if all goes well, I might need to learn my way around here.
Izzie: Okay right this way.
(Izzie walks Mance through the hall)
MEANWHILE
SCENE: RESIDENTS LOUNGE
(Amber is sitting in a fetal position on the couch trying to control her breathing and monitoring herself with the blood pressure cuff)
Amber: (To herself) You're here, you're not there. You're here, not there.
(Amber loses control and tears up as her mind flashes back to her past)
MARCH 29, 2014
SCENE: MANCE'S OFFICE
(Mance is working at his desk when he hears yelling coming from the other side grinning slightly as he recognizes it and looks up. Amber furiously barges in with the secretary following her)
Amber: (Angry) What the fuck?!
Secretary: I'm sorry doctor I tried to stop her but she-
Mance: (Stands up) It's alright I've got this, get back to your desk please.
(The secretary does as told and Mance approaches Amber who still has a furious look on her face)
Amber: What the fuck is wrong with you?
Mance: What the fuck is wrong with me? I'm not the one who burst in yelling and screaming like a crazy woman. Do you want the door closed?
Amber: No I don't because I won't be here for long. Did you pull my scholarship?
Mance: (Acts innocent) What? What are you talking about?
Amber: (Furious) No, don't you play innocent I know you did this. The financial office called me an hour ago and told me that my scholarship was pulled because a professor expressed concerns that a certain med student was unstable and not a good fit for this school. All this happened the day after you assaulted me and told me you would ruin me.
Mance: I have no idea what you are talking about.
Amber: (Chuckles darkly) Okay, okay you know what I'm not wasting my time on you or your perverted fantasy I am here to tell you that either you make the call and rectify what you did or I will go straight to the police and tell them-
Mance: What are you going to tell them? Are you going to tell them that a teacher you had drinks with last night concocted a plot to take away your financial means so he could screw you? I mean do you know how ridiculous that is?
Amber: I am not being ridiculous and I am not crazy I know that this was you!
Mance: Do you? Do you have proof? Do you have a witness who saw me as you claim assault you? Did you go to the cops the first chance you got and report me?
Amber: (Inhales and looks at him in anger)
Mance: You have no case. The cops will see that and once they look at your juvie record they'll see another liar begging for attention. (Amber's eye widen) Oh yeah you think I didn't do my research? Only daughter of a junkie and schizo, in and out of foster care with a history of violence. Me? I'm a Columbia alum from a family of surgeons with 20 years of groundbreaking research under my belt. Who do you think they're gonna side with if you go to them with your outrageous accusations?
Amber: (Silent from shock) You son of a bitch.
Mance: …Now your still my research assistant and…I need help with whatever needs I have and luckily for me that's why I handpicked you out of all the other applicants. I see great potential in you as a future doctor and I would hate to see you waste it over some silly fantasy of yours.
Amber: (Shakes her head) You are a pathetic excuse for a man, if you-
Mance: Think about my offer very carefully. If you leave this room in anger there's no guarantee that a professor will recommend the financial office to give you back your scholarship unlike me who invites the director to my boat in Jersey every month. I can make this all go away if you help me with whatever I need during the time that we work together. I think a girl in your difficult situation should take this opportunity to keep everything she has worked to hard to gain instead of chasing fairytales. Don't you agree with me?
Amber: (Silent as her stomach turns)
Mance: (Walks toward the door) Speak up before I close this door because the moment this door closes…there's not gonna be another chance to get back what wasn't yours to begin with. Well?
(Amber swallows and stays silent knowing she has no choice but to comply or she will lose everything. The sound of the door closing makes her close her eyes and her breath hitches)
CUT TO PRESENT
SCENE: RESIDENTS LOUNGE
(Amber snaps out of her flashback and pulls her phone out calling 911)
911: 911, what is your emergency?
Amber: (Opens her mouth but no words come out for several seconds)
911: Hello? Are you in immediate dang-
Amber: (Hangs up and sniffles)
TWO HOURS LATER
SCENE: O.R. 2
(Izzie and Mance are almost done resecting the cancerous part of the pancreas with Levi suctioning)
Izzie: Suction here.
Levi: Yeah, thank you Dr. Stevens for including me in your surgery I-I can't tell you how good it feels to be in the O.R.
Izzie: Well don't thank me yet, the only reason you're here is because Amber is busy and too be honest I feel more comfortable with you in here instead of her.
Mance: (Under her breath) I know the feeling.
Izzie: What was that?
Mance: Hmm? Oh, uh it's nothing.
Izzie: It doesn't sound like anything, Schmitt, Amber went to NYU med, right?
Levi: Yeah, she did.
Izzie: Do you know her?
Mance: Uh yes, we worked together in fact. She was my research assistant on a project of mine back in 14.
Izzie: Really? Is uh there a particular reason you didn't want to work with her today?
Mance: (Sighs) …I think you know the reason already so why should I tell you?
Levi: (Understands) Oh…you two…?
Mance: Briefly and not a proud moment in my academic career although it took two to do what we did.
Izzie: Yeah and Amber isn't exactly one to step away from sleeping with her superiors.
Mance: Really? She hasn't changed since her time with me I take it?
Izzie: She is currently dating one of our attendings right now and she is not shy on displaying it.
Levi: They were residents when they started dating, I think you should consider that.
Izzie: Well he is not a resident anymore. So earlier Bailey said she had something to discuss with you after the day, what was it? Your not taking Grey's job are you?
Mance: No absolutely not, I just haven't made headway in my genetics project since covid and Bailey is proposing I take a general attending job here and let Grey Sloan put it's name on my research when I finish it here.
Izzie: Oh wow, well I certainly hope that despite your history with Amber, you'll consider it. I mean we need all the help we can get.
Mance: I will think on it thank you.
(They continue the surgery)
APRIL 10, 2014
SCENE: HOTEL ROOM
(Amber wakes up groggy and in pain after last night and finds a handprint bruise on her upper arm and feels soreness in intimate areas. She looks around numbly and finds a bottle of water with ibuprofen next to it and a note that she reads, 'I'm sorry I was so rough. I need to travel to a conference but I will call you as soon as I come back. Enjoy the room till checkout.' Amber shudders from reading it and runs to the shower to wash the night off her)
CUT TO PRESENT
SCENE: HALLWAY
(After spending three hours in the lounge Amber finally comes out of the room and looks at the messages from Bailey saying 'WHERE ARE YOU?!' She sighs and walks down the hall where she passes Izzie charting)
Izzie: (Notices her exhausted state) Meeting didn't go well?
Amber: (Numb) Um no not really.
Izzie: Hey wait (Amber stops and turns) How come you never told us that you studied under Charles Mance?
Amber: (Shakes her head) It's a…long story.
Izzie: Yeah I uh I know, he told me and Schmitt when we were operating.
Amber: (Alert) He told you? What did he tell you?
Izzie: Just that you two slept together when you were his assistant. (Amber pales) I mean look I'm not judging you, you're a vibrant young woman and he's a distinguished older man it happens the May-December thing I get it. (Playful) So tell me, was he the only professor you slept with or was it-
Amber: (Angry) Shut up.
Izzie: (Taken back) Whoa hey, I'm just trying to make casual conversation it's nothing to-
(Amber turns around and walks away from Izzie as her anger comes back and it boils her as she walks down the hall at a brisk pace)
JUNE 23, 2014
SCENE: WASHINGTON PARK STREET
MANCE'S OFFICE
(Amber is about ready to leave the office when Mance speaks up from his desk)
Mance: Wait.
Amber: (Knows what he's thinking) No I'm not waiting, the project is over and I am not under your thumb anymore.
Mance: Well…we agreed until the last day and it's the last day so…
Amber: (Scoffs) I am leaving.
Mance: (Stands up) No you're not.
Amber: Yes, I am, I am telling you no and that is it. Now get out of my way.
(Amber tries to walk past Mance but he locks the door quickly causing Amber alarm as she sees the intent in his eyes)
Amber: (Swallows) Let me go. I did everything you asked, I did everything I didn't want to do now let me leave right now or I will-
Mance: (Yells) Or what?! Are you gonna scream?! Go ahead because it's Greek week and my secretary is out for the night. It's just us and I am going to enjoy every minute of our last night together. Now…take off your clothes.
(Amber's breath hitches for a moment before going into flight mode and running past Mance and trying to reach the door but he grabs her hand roughly breaking her left wrist causing her to scream in pain he covers her mouth with his hand that she bites down hard causing him to groan in pain. He then grabs her head and smashes it against his desk causing a laceration on her forehead and causing her to be disoriented and lying limply on the ground as Mance stands above)
Mance: I wanted to go easy on you, you know? You did this not me.
(Mance kicks her in the face hard breaking her nose and causing her to pass out)
CUT TO BLACK
PRESENT
SCENE: HALLWAY
(Amber walks down the hallway in anger before approaching a nurse at the station)
Amber: (Calm) Dr. Mance where is he? I have a patient I need a consult on.
Nurse: He's taking his lunch break at the attendings lounge.
Amber: Thank you.
(Amber leaves quickly and Levi looks up from charting and senses something different in her as she walks briskly. He puts the tablet away and follows her to check on her)
CUT TO ATTENDINGS LOUNGE
(Mance is eating his lunch when Amber bursts in furious causing him to stop and stand up)
Mance: Hey I thought you were-
(Amber stops him by pushing him roughly against the fridge with a look of fury causing him shock)
Mance: Amber, what's-
(Amber pins him against the fridge and puts her hand over his mouth silencing him)
Amber: (Furious) Shut up. You're gonna listen to me, you're gonna hear what I have held inside of me for six years. I told you to stop, I told you no, that night you kissed me and you didn't listen. I told you no that awful night and you didn't listen again. You didn't listen to what I wanted instead you put your hand over my mouth like this and then you raped me.
Mance: (Grunts and tries to move away only for Amber to knee him in the groin)
Amber: (Seething with rage) I am not done! What you did to me those few months was not okay, it wasn't what I wanted at all and the fact that you thought it was sex for just one second is disgusting. And you have the gall to tell my sister that after you violated me and beat me because you thought I was something you could have anytime you want? You are a disgusting shriveled up excuse of a man who lacks the ability to understand the pain he has caused on a young girl who didn't ask for it!
(Mance stills as Amber finally lets her anger out)
Amber: I didn't ask for it, you forced it on me and made me choose between my dignity and my education and now… (Voice breaking) I feel horrible for what you did to me and I have done everything I could to forget it. I moved across the country, I lied to my family, to my friends and my boyfriend. I've smiled and laughed and pretended you didn't rape me and make me feel weak. But I am not weak it took a lot for me to come to that and realize…that I survived what you did to me. (Cries) You raped me and I survived because you don't carry this pain with you every single day and I hate you for that…and I envy you for that too.
(Amber sniffles and lets Mance go who is shocked and stands in front of her for a moment before leaving the lounge passing Levi who is revealed to have listened to it shocking him in place and looking at Amber. Amber leans against the fridge and her emotions finally come out as she begins to sob. She turns around and leans back on the fridge sobbing heavily and slides down to a sitting position. Levi snaps out of it and kneels beside Amber as she sobs. Levi holds her against him and she breaks down completely in his arms)
JUNE 23, 2014
SCENE: LANGONE HOSPITAL SUPPLY CLOSET
(Ximena Rojas rubs her eyes from working a long shift and enters the closet to get gauze turning on the light. The light reveals Amber inside grabbing rubbing alcohol and gauze. Amber has a superficial laceration on her forehead, a broken and bleeding nose, a split lip that is bruising, a black eye on her right side and her left wrist is hanging limply bruised and broken)
Ximena: (Shocked) …Amber?
Amber: (Inhales shakily) Close the door. I don't want anyone to…
(Amber passes out and Ximena quickly runs over and grabs her before she hits the ground)
Ximena: Shh, shh I got you, okay, I got you.
(Ximena grabs a wheelchair and sets Amber down on it and wheels her out careful to make sure no one sees them)
CUT TO PRESENT
SCENE: ATTENDINGS LOUNGE
(Amber explains Mance assaulting her to Levi who sits on the couch next to her looking at her patiently and sympathetically)
Amber: (Sniffles) I woke up in a hospital room and I let Ximena treat me as best as she could. I was never admitted so nobody knew and nobody saw me except for her. She…she tried to get me to call the cops but I didn't want to I just had to get out of there. I just wanted to forget all about it. I spent the rest of the summer recovering in Ximena's apartment where she lived off campus and she knew what to do. I…I tried to move on and I did or at least I think I did until I saw him here and…I lost it. He told Izzie it was consensual and I just-I couldn't…I couldn't let him think he still had a hold over me.
Levi: You are so brave. I mean it I am in complete awe of you right now.
Amber: Thanks. (Sniffles) God I need to call in sick until the bastard leaves and I won't feel like this anymore.
Levi: Amber…he's talking to Bailey about being an attending here permanently.
Amber: (Shocked) What?
Levi: He told us during surgery that he wants to do his research here and let Grey Sloan put it's name on it.
Amber: (Breathes heavily) No, no, no he can't do that, he can't do this to me again. I-I can't do it Levi, I can't.
Levi: You won't, okay? It's not official, if you tell the chief what he did she will kick him out faster than you can say goodbye.
Amber: (Shakes her head) No I don't want to tell her, I don't…I don't want her to look at me like you are looking at me now. With pity like I'm pathetic or something.
Levi: This isn't pity Amber it's sympathy, its love, this is me trying to help you and not have you live like this any longer. If he gets the job your gonna see him every day and I know it will kill you. If you don't tell Bailey this is gonna mess you up even more, don't let the bastard take anymore from you.
Amber: (Sniffles) If I tell her Alex, Jo and Andrew will know and I can't have them know. I mean part of the reason I didn't tell anyone was because I didn't want Alex to know. I know what he would've done, he would've gotten on the next plane to New York and kill Mance. I can't be the reason he goes to prison. Jo would be crushed and Andrew…I don't want him to see me any differently. I can't have them carry this burden too.
Levi: Amber I think if given the choice they would rather carry this with you than have you suffer alone for one more minute.
Amber: (Cries and voice breaks) I don't want to tell them.
Levi: (Holds her hand) I know, I know you don't want to but you have to because if you don't…he's gonna walk around here like nothing happened and your gonna have to watch as he does. I am not gonna let him do that to you, do you hear me? (Voice breaks) You are my best friend, you are my sister, you are my person and I am not gonna let him hurt you anymore. I will be right there with you every step of the way I promise, I've got your back always.
Amber: (Looks at him touched and cries) I wish I had you there with me when it happened.
Levi: Well, you have me now and I am not going anywhere.
(Amber hugs Levi and he rubs her back in comfort)
HALF AN HOUR LATER
SCENE: BAILEY'S OFFICE
(Bailey sits behind her desk impatiently waiting for Amber as well as Alex and Jo who are sitting on the couch and Izzie who is pacing back and forth)
Izzie: Do we know why she paged all of us here?
Alex: She just texted 911 at the chief's office and that's it.
Bailey: Even though we all know what this is about and we know my stance on it.
Jo: Ah you know about Italy?
Bailey: Of course I know Karev I know everything.
Alex: Let's just wait until she gets here for you to yell at her and me trying to mediate it.
Bailey: Which you won't unless you want to be fired again.
Izzie: Bailey come on.
Jo: Okay let's just wait, okay? Let's just wait and maybe-
(The door opens and Amber enters the room with Levi beside her holding her hand in support)
Izzie: Hey.
Amber: (Swallows) Hi.
Bailey: Karev, is there any reason you missed our meeting this morning?
Amber: Um…I was sick and I needed time.
Bailey: And I need surgeons Karev. I know your following the DeLuca's to Italy and I won't have it! I am bleeding surgeons I'm losing them to sickness, exhaustion hell deportation or in Avery's case just suddenly taking a leave of absence now you need to-
Levi: Chief please this isn't about Italy it's…it's about something else, something that Amber needs to tell you all right now.
Jo: (Concerned) Amber? Is something wrong?
Amber: (Softly) Um no it's just…
Levi: (Helps her) Okay Amber has something to tell you both something important and it's difficult for her to say this so I want everyone to promise to let her speak without interruption. Okay? Can you all do that?
Jo: Yeah of course.
Alex: Yeah.
Izzie: No interruptions.
Levi: (Looks at Bailey)
Bailey: Okay I promise.
(Amber clears her throat and sits in one of the chairs facing all of them with Levi sitting next to her)
Amber: …Um…It's…It's about…
Alex: What is it Amber?
Levi: This is hard for her to say so just give her a minute.
(They wait for several silent moments as Amber takes off her mask and breathes in deeply and exhaling to gain the courage)
Amber: It's-It's about Charles Mance.
Izzie: Your professor? We know what happened and like I told you-
Levi: Izzie, please let her finish.
Amber: (Sighs and twiddles her fingers in anxiety)
Jo: (Knows that look and swallows) Amber…please tell me this isn't what I'm thinking.
Alex: What are you thinking?
Jo: (Holds Alex's hand and looks at Amber with anxiety) Amber what happened?
Amber: …I…I was his research assistant back when I was in NYU med and…one night he kissed me, I didn't want to and he threatened to ruin me and…the next…the next morning my scholarship was on hold. I confronted him that day and…he said he-he would call the office if…if I did what he wanted while we worked together. I… (Sniffles) I didn't want to lose my spot and go back home and he knew that and he…he raped me.
(Alex pales as he hears this. Jo looks up exhaling in shock. Izzie freezes in place looking at Amber. Bailey covers her mouth as she processes. Amber sits there in silence with Levi still holding her hand)
YOU CAN FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER IN THE NEXT CHAPTER THAT I AM ALSO POSTING.