HEY GUYS SO I HAVE A CHRISTMAS CHAPTER THAT I WILL HOPEFULLY RELEASE BY CHRISTMAS DAY. THE CHRISTMAS CHAPTER IS SEVEN CHAPTERS AWAY SO I WILL RELEASE A TWO PART CHAPTER TODAY AND I WILL TRY TO RELEASE ONE CHAPTER A DAY UNTIL THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ON THE 25TH AND THE LAST CHAPTER WILL BE RELEASED ON NEW YEARS DAY. FOR NOW ENJOY THIS CHAPTER AND I LOVE REVIEWS SO WRITE THEM DOWN, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
Chapter 42: Pursuit of Passion Part 1
TWO WEEKS LATER
SCENE: LEVI AND TARYN'S LOFT
(It's game night and Amber is playing charades with Taryn. Levi and Nick are paired together as they observe Amber from the couch with Taryn struggling to understand Amber's charades as the 1-minute hourglass starts)
Amber: (Makes a spin indicating movie roll)
Taryn: Um uh whisk is it a whisk?
Amber: (Gapes at Taryn and groans but points at the tv)
Taryn: Tv is it a show?
Amber: (Shakes her head)
Taryn: Um a movie? (Amber nods) It's a movie! How many words?
Amber: (Holds up three fingers and points to her foot)
Taryn: Foot uh sock!
Amber: (Shakes her head and points at her foot)
Taryn: Foot!
Amber: (Points at her sole)
Taryn: Um uh calcaneus!
Levi: What movie is called calcaneus?
Nick: (Laughs) No, no let them keep going we're winning this way.
Amber: (Groans in anger and makes a gesture with her arms to make a goal post)
Taryn: (Struggles) Oh um um U is there a you in the title?
Amber: (Frustrated) Oh for the of Gollum Helm it's football!
Levi: Time!
Amber: (Groans in frustration)
Nick: (See's paper) Friday Night Lights.
Taryn: I don't even watch sport films.
Amber: Yeah or know how to play this game Helm.
Taryn: You wanted to make the signs I offered to do it.
Amber: You couldn't even make a gesture for Psycho! It's one freaking word I thought even you couldn't mess it up!
Taryn: (Insulted) Maybe I should've pointed to you and you could've figured it out!
Amber: (Charges at her) You know what you-
Nick: (Stands in front of her) Okay ladies we are supposed to have a friendly game night not a wrestling match, Helm apologize.
Taryn: But she-
Nick: (Stern) Helm!
Taryn: (Sighs) Fine I'm sorry.
Amber: (Scoffs) I'm sorry I drew the short straw and got a lousy partner.
Levi: (Stern) Amber!
Amber: Fine, I'm sorry are you happy now?
Taryn: I'll be happy when we play Jenga.
Amber: (Still bitter) Don't worry you'll probably make us lose that too.
Taryn: (Sarcastic) Maybe I will and then you can be more miserable.
Levi: Okay let's keep going Nick we're next come on.
Nick: (Stands up and grabs a paper) Okay I got it go.
Amber: (Starts the hourglass)
Nick: (Makes three fingers)
Levi: Three words!
Nick: (Points at the window)
Levi: Um window? (Nick shakes his head) Dark? (Nick nods) Night? (Nick nods) Night! Three words dark and night? The Dark Knight!
Nick: Yes! One more point for us! (Laughs in joy)
Amber: (Looks at them in annoyance)
Taryn: (Annoyed as well) You got all that from pointing at a window?
Levi: (Smug) Well he and I are like two peas in a pod right babe?
Nick: (Chuckles smugly) That's right! (Kisses Levi and sits down)
Amber: You know you two wouldn't be this good if you were against me and DeLuca. It's just pure luck I got partnered with dead hands Helm.
Taryn: (To the boys) Can I hit her?
Nick and Levi: No.
Amber: You know what I am cranky and sad that I am losing because my loving and very capable fiancé is in another country while I'm stuck partnered with my roommate playing a game for five-year-olds. Plus, I am still at a dead end on the specialty hunt.
Taryn: (Sarcastic) Oh boohoo the cardio gods protégé is in an early life crisis.
Amber: Do you want actual dead hands?
Levi: (Eats popcorn) So you're not Pierce's protégé and you need a little change. What about trauma with Hunt?
Amber: Too bloody.
Nick: General with DeLuca?
Amber: Working too close might end our engagement.
Levi: Plastics?
Amber: Too vain.
Taryn: Neuro with Shepherd?
Amber: Too unstable.
Levi: (Raised eyebrow) Really your judging Shepherd's stability?
Amber: I shared a bed with her for months, I know unstable when I see it trust me.
Nick: Uh what else is there guys?
Levi: (Thinks) Peds surgery?
Amber: (Chuckles) No, absolutely not, no way.
Taryn: Why? Your brother is the chief of peds.
Amber: You just answered your own question.
Nick: Okay fine aside from cardio what do you feel really good about?
Amber: That's the problem I'm really good at everything.
Taryn: (Mutters) Except being humble.
Amber: Anyway Maggie is busy with Gwen and I'm doing physicals at peds tomorrow so I guess the specialty hunt is on hold till then.
Levi: Well hey how about another round of charades? Maybe you'll understand Helm this time.
(Amber and Taryn look at each other for a moment in silent agreement)
Amber: I think I'm gonna hit the sack early.
Taryn: Me too, good night.
Amber: Night.
(Amber heads to bed and Taryn heads to the bathroom leaving the boys behind feeling dejected)
Nick: I told you we should've done movie night.
Levi: Yeah, you did.
THE NEXT MORNING
SCENE: GREY SLOAN FRONT ENTRANCE
(Jo is walking to work when she runs into Link who's yawning)
Jo: Late night?
Link: 3:00 a.m. call.
Jo: (Laughs) Oh.
Link Dude snapped both his tendons when he slipped down his basement stairs. Pretty crazy to think we're all basically just walking around on a pair of matchsticks.
Jo: (Gets message) Ugh!
Link: Everything okay?
Jo: More paperwork for Luna. Her social worker is just a lot. And before you say it, I know she has a thankless job, but Luna deserves more. She's not just an item on a checklist.
Link: (Leans back on the wall) Okay. So what's the holdup?
Jo: (Looks at Link annoyed)
Link: Oh, sorry. Are we pretending like you're not gonna adopt her?
Jo: Okay. It's crossed my mind. Which is just crazy because I'm pregnant right and I'm already raising two kids with my husband. Maybe it's the pandemic or the fact that I felt really connected to Luna's mom.
Link: Or…?
Jo: Or maybe it's that Luna is just…She is so perfect, and I completely freaking love her and I want to give her a life I wished I had. A mom, a dad and siblings who will play with her and aunties and uncles it's…it's something I want to give her.
Link: Ahh. It's a pretty great feeling, huh?
Jo: What?
Link: Having a kid.
Jo: (Sighs) Yeah well what's Alex gonna say?
Link: I think if he feels this way towards her then he won't have a problem expanding the family more. Besides that house of yours has more than enough room. I think you can stop asking yourself if you can do it, Jo. I think you already are.
(Link leaves Jo who looks out in thought and consideration)
LATER
SCENE: PEDS EXAM ROOM
(Amber is about to reduce 15-year-old Lena Capper's broken wrist with her mother Nia Capper in the room sitting down holding a cane for support)
Amber: Okay on the count of three, one, two, three.
(Amber reduces Lena's wrist causing a soft crack and Lena to groan in pain)
Amber: I'm sorry about that it's supposed to hurt I'm gonna cast it now don't worry. (Tapes casting gauze) How did this happen?
Lena: I missed the curb when I was walking home from the bookstore. I'm a major klutz.
Nia: She reads while she's walking, one time she read through my sister's wedding.
Amber: (Looks at wrist in suspicion as she tapes)
Lena: (Doesn't notice) You should talk, you read at the movies.
Nia: Only the ones you drag me to.
Amber: (Chuckles) Yeah I'm a bookworm too but not reading and walking so much believe me I learned that from reading The Two Towers while crossing traffic.
Lena: Oh no.
Amber: (Sees a bruise on Lena's inner elbow) No I was okay I just had the book blown out of my hand when a Mercedes passed at full speed. I had to wait a month before I could buy a new copy.
(Izzie knocks on the door and enters the room)
Izzie: Hey how's the Capper family doing?
Nia: (Smiles and stands up using her cane) Dr. Stevens I tasted that banana nut bread recipe you gave me, you should be a professional chef.
Izzie: (Chuckles flattered) Thanks and hey I read that piece of yours at The Times it was great stuff.
Nia: I sit on my ass all day I have a lot of time to think.
(Izzie laughs and leads Nia out the room to go to chemo leaving Amber and Lena)
Amber: I read your mother's chart. I am so sorry I know this must be difficult for the two of you.
Lena: Don't worry about it.
Amber: Is it just the two of you at home?
Lena: (Sarcastic) No mom does a lot of dating; guys dig spine cancer.
Amber: (Grins) Right I'm sorry…I'm just asking because I see this bruise on your arm and it looks like someone grabbed you hard. (Lena looks at her) If you're having trouble at home or school Dr. Hayes or Dr. Karev could help.
Lena: (Tough) I suck at walking, that's the only crisis in my life, don't freak out on me Dr. Karev.
Amber: Okay you're a tough girl I like that, I'm tough too. Maybe we can trash a bar or go to a wrestling match my treat.
Lena: (Chuckles) Can you just bandage me up so I can hold my mom's hand while she goes through chemo?
Amber: You got it.
LATER
SCENE: PEDS FLOOR
(Alex is going through his schedule when Jo approaches him in the mostly empty floor)
Jo: Hey are you busy?
Alex: No I don't have any surgeries today because parents are afraid to send kids to a hospital now.
Jo: Okay good I uh I need to talk to you about something and it's really big.
Alex: Are you okay? Is it the kids? Is the baby okay?
Jo: No we're fine we're all fine it's just…I wanted to talk to you about possibly adopting Luna as our daughter.
Alex: (Shellshocked) …What?
Jo: (Sighs) I know that we have a full house right now with the twins and we already have a little one on the way it's just…ever since I extracted that little girl out of Val's liver I've just felt this connection with her. It's the same feeling I have with the twins and this baby it's this feeling of motherhood that I want that little girl to be showered in. Alex I was in the same situation as her, unwanted and handed off to an overworked guardian and she deserves more than that. I want us to the people who can give her more.
Alex: Jo I get that and I feel for her but…this is a big deal.
Jo: Look you brought Eli and Alexis home after springing that truth bomb on and it's working out great for us.
Alex: Two 5 year olds are very different from a newborn baby. Have you thought this through? Is this because of the pandemic or the hormones?
Jo: (Offended) No how dare you think this is something I just decided to do. I was here when she was born while you were still in Kansas and…my heart has broken for her every time her vitals dropped and I smiled in joy whenever she improved. I am not being impulsive here Alex I am being her mom and I want you to be her dad…but if you feel like you can't then I'll understand. I won't be happy but I'll try to understand and raise our family without her.
Alex: (Looks at her in thought) Jo-
Jo: No I'm gonna give you some time to think about this and when you have an answer come and find me.
(Jo leaves Alex in the floor who looks at the wall and sighs)
MEANWHILE IN ORTHO
(Amber looks around and finds Link by a monitor)
Amber: Hey I need you to look at this scan and tell me what you see.
(Amber hands Link the tablet)
Link: (Looks at it) Ouch it looks like a bucket handle injury a mild one but still it needs casting.
Amber: (Groans in sadness) That's what I was afraid of.
Link: Whose scans are these?
Amber: Lena Capper 13 she came in this morning with a broken wrist she said she fell but I noticed a bruise on her elbow when I was casting.
Link: Someone's hurting her on purpose.
Amber: She also came in six months ago with a humerus fracture she told Hayes at the time it was from skateboarding.
Link: But?
Amber: But I took a look at the scans and as I suspected it was actually a spinal fracture of her humerus.
Link: Which you get when someone twists your arm so hard it snaps.
Amber: Yeah.
Link: Amber if it's abuse it's usually the adult in the house call CPS.
Amber: Yeah but that's the problem. The adult is Nia Capper she's Izzie's patient and she's undergoing chemo for spinal osteosarcoma diagnosed three years ago that's why they moved last year. Plus her daughter denies it plus Izzie is buddy buddy with Nia plus the chemo makes you weak.
Link: It doesn't mean it's not happening.
Amber: …I'm gonna talk to Izzie and see if she agrees with me she knows Nia and I don't want to ruin this little girls life by jumping to conclusions.
Link: Good luck.
Amber: Thanks.
(Amber walks away)
LATER
SCENE: ATTENDINGS LOUNGE
(Amber tells Izzie her concerns and gets her reaction)
Izzie: No. No there is no way that Nia Capper would hurt Lena.
Amber: Izzie I looked at the scans and I got confirmation from Link this injury is from someone grabbing her.
Izzie: Okay so maybe it's a kid at school.
Amber: In summer? During covid?
Izzie: Well it's not Nia.
Amber: Why? Because she's a baker like you? She's a writer? There's a historically stable group.
Izzie: (Frustrated) No because she is decent. I've known her for months and you've known Lena for what five minutes? She's juggling her kid, her job, her disease, the woman is about to have her spine opened to take a tumor out of it. You-You can't just do this on a hunch.
Amber: (Defensive) You know what I wanted to come to you to see what you think but I can see what you think is that I'm going crazy which is funny coming from the queen of crazy.
Izzie: Amber I am telling you that if you're not absolutely sure you're meddling not helping. Just go back to hearts where you belong and leave this to the grownups.
Amber: (Scoffs) Are you calling yourself that now?
Izzie: Go!
(Amber rolls her eyes and storms out of the lounge. She groans in anger as she walks inside the skills lab to find Alex there sitting by himself in thought)
Amber: (Sits across from him) Your ex-wife is a hag, I know I've said that but this time I really mean it this time. You know just when I start to think she's an actual human being she just shows me the worst side of her like when she was married to you and it makes me amazed you didn't make yourself a widow.
(Amber groans but stops as she notices Alex isn't paying attention as he looks at the table in torment)
Amber: Alex, what's wrong?
Alex: Um…Jo wants us to adopt Luna.
Amber: (Wide eyes) …What?
Alex: (Chuckles lightly) Yeah that's what I said.
Amber: Um have you two talked about this?
Alex: Not really I was shocked and like an idiot I asked her if it was the pandemic or the hormones and she got pissed and told me it wasn't. She told me to take some time and think about it and now I'm in here thinking.
Amber: Well at least your doing what your wife told you to do…what are you thinking?
Alex: (Sighs) I don't know I mean I always said to Jo that I wanted to have as many kids as I could with her the more the merrier but four kids? I mean its…it's insane especially since we already have one on the way. But then I think about Luna and I see her social worker not giving a crap and I just want to scoop her up and put her in her own nursery next to us. It's insane right?
Amber: (Ponders over it for a moment) Honestly? It would be insane for you to overthink this and not do it already. I mean I always figured you and Jo would adopt at least five wayward babies.
Alex: (Surprised) Really?
Amber: You, me, and Jo grew up in the system so we know how it feels to be neglected and treated as paperwork. I mean Jo stole a safe haven baby so the future was kind of set there.
Alex: Yeah but…do you think we can do this? Raise four kids?
Amber: Dude you and Jo can do anything and those twins are gonna love their new sister and I am going to enjoy having another niece to spoil rotten. I mean that little girl lost her mom and her dad isn't giving a crap but she is so lucky to have a loving family willing to give that love to her. Her life went from The Walking Dead to Married with Children…I don't know if that reference is right because I just started watching sitcoms. The point is you're making excuses when you clearly want to do this otherwise you wouldn't want to take her into your home. Stop getting in your own way and be that little girls dad not that you already aren't acting like it.
Alex: (Grins) Look at you being all grown up and telling me not to get in my own way.
Amber: Yeah, I know especially since I've done nothing but get in my own way for years now. I'm probably the last person to turn to for wisdom. God knows I've dished out as much as I took.
Alex: Yeah well, we put Jo and DeLuca through hell you and me huh?
Amber: We're so messy it's actually funny, who's more of a hot mess, you or me?
Alex: (Snorts) I mean it's obvious, isn't it?
Amber: Oh yeah.
Both: Me.
(Alex and Amber chuckle)
Alex: So what's up with you? What's this new ax to grind with Stevens about?
Amber: Her patient might be abusing my patient and of course she's denying it and thinks I'm-you know what it doesn't matter your not the right person to talk to about this.
Alex: Why?
Amber: Because the last time me and Stevens pitied against each other you took her side over and over and I'm finally in a good place and I don't want to be pissed at you.
Alex: Look I trust you and if you feel this patient is being abused then don't let Izzie talk you out of it otherwise. When I suspect abuse I investigate and see if there's evidence to prove my kids would be better away from their parents.
Amber: (Rubs her eyes in frustration)
Alex: Fine if you can find someone to talk to about this who won't be biased like you accuse me of being I'd love to know who it is.
(Amber chuckles lightly before stopping and thinking)
Alex: You have a thinking face what are you thinking? Is it good or bad?
Amber: (Stands up) I have to go I'll talk to you later.
(Amber leaves the skills lab and Alex is left behind confused)
LATER
SCENE: NICU
(Jo is sitting next to Luna monitoring her when Alex comes in and stands next to her)
Alex: How is she?
Jo: She's spitting up less and she's drinking thicker formula. Are you leaving her with a competent resident tonight?
Alex: I'm leaving Ortiz with her don't worry she's the one Amber complained about the least.
Jo: That's comforting. And while I sit here looking at her and making sure her vitals are stable her guardian hasn't visited once and the only time she does check in she wants the paperwork for her progress. I know she's a social worker and not a parent but she could ask if Luna is okay just once. It's the least she could do. Speaking of she wants the latest progress notes can you watch Luna while I do it?
Alex: (Sighs and thinks) …I'll call Carmen and take care of the paperwork…and while I have her I'm gonna ask her to email us applications so we can become Luna's foster parents.
Jo: (Shocked and looks at Alex) What?
Alex: I'm not gonna stand by and watch this little girl be dismissed by an overworked guardian. I was in her situation and so were you and so was Amber if I can keep that from happening to her then I will sign the papers with you.
Jo: (Grins in joy) You really want to do this? I'm fine with our family the way it is you don't have to do this just to please me.
Alex: The way I feel about this little girl is the same way I feel about Alexis, it's the same way I feel about my daughter. I'm already her dad, your already her mom, Luna is already a part of the family and I want it to be official. I want her to be our daughter, I want to be her dad.
Jo: (Looks at Alex in awe) I would hug you and kiss you so much right now.
(Alex grins at Jo and holds her gloved hand looking at Luna with paternal love)
LATER THAT NIGHT
SCENE: CORMAC HAYES HOUSE
(Amber goes up the steps on the front porch carrying folders and rings the doorbell. Hayes opens the door wearing a mask surprised to see her)
Hayes: Karev. You're in my house.
Amber: I am, I got your address from the database I wanted to come by and talk to you about something important.
Hayes: Can this wait until tomorrow? The boys are inside and I'm making dinner.
Amber: I wish it could but it can't.
Hayes: What's wrong?
Amber: (Sighs) It's about Lena Capper.
Hayes: (Eyebrows raised) Come on in, follow me to the kitchen.
Amber: Thanks.
(Amber follows Hayes inside who stops at the living room where his sons are playing Resident Evil. He stops to introduce her to them)
Hayes: Lad's say hello to Dr. Karev.
Amber: (Smiles) Hey boys.
Austin: (Doesn't look at her) Hi.
Liam: (Doesn't look at her) Hey.
Amber: (Looks at video game and recognizes it) Oh Resident Evil which game?
Austin: 3.
(Austin looks at her and is caught off guard by her beauty he elbows Liam who looks and is also caught off guard)
Amber: (Doesn't notice) Original or remake?
Liam: (Still staring) R-Remake.
Amber: Nice, the remakes are always clearer and gorier I can't wait for the fourth one to come out.
Hayes: I didn't know you played video games.
Amber: Just the ones where the monster pops out at you and kill you. It's more real than horror films.
Austin: (Mutters) Where have you been my whole life?
(Amber grins and stifles her laugh while Hayes looks down in embarrassment)
Austin: (Humiliated) Did I say that out loud?
Hayes: Yes, and I feel compelled to tell you she's engaged, not that I would give you permission of course.
Liam: (Looks at game) Oh man! Hunter Gamma got us!
Amber: Aw tough break shotgun works best handgun will just waste the bullets. Grenade launch the second one, it is gonna be messy you'll love it.
Hayes: Karev?
Amber: Right, it was nice to meet you guys.
(Amber leaves the living room and follows Hayes to the kitchen where he's cooking a roast chicken)
Hayes: Have a seat and I'll get you something to drink, would you like water? Coffee?
Amber: No thanks I'm good.
Hayes: I have to apologize for my boys, they've been locked up for five months and their hormone idled teenagers it's a dangerous combination.
Amber: It's okay if anything it was more endearing from them that the other men who've drooled over me.
Hayes: How many men have dropped on their knees in front of you?
Amber: Too many to count and I haven't even included the women.
Hayes: Maybe another time right now you said you wanted to talk about Lena.
Amber: Yeah I…I think she's being abused by her mother at home.
Hayes: What makes you think that?
Amber: Well I treated her this morning for a wrist reduction and I noticed a bruise on her inner elbow when I was casting. She said it was nothing but I just-I had this feeling so I did some digging. I went to Link and he said it was a bucket handle injury and I looked at the scans from six months ago when you treated her. At first it looked like a humerus fracture but if you look closely it's-
Hayes: A spiral fracture of her humerus.
Amber: How did you know I was gonna say that?
Hayes: Because I looked at it closely after her exam and expressed my concerns to Lena do you know what she said?
Amber: That it was an accident and she was just clumsy?
Hayes: That's right. I wanted to call family services but I took into account how skateboarding is a dangerous sport and some guy could've grabbed her while she was riding. I felt it was unwarranted at the time.
Amber: So did I and I talked to Izzie because the mother is her patient and she denied it so I did more digging.
(Amber puts the folders down and opens them showing them to Hayes)
Amber: These are records from before Nia and Lena transferred here. Ever since Nia was diagnosed three years ago Lena has visited her pediatrician five times since then. Scratches and mild bruises they said were accidents or falls.
Hayes: (Reads folders) Have you talked to the school to rule out a bully?
Amber: I talked to her principals and counselors and they ruled it out. I mean all the evidence points to Nia but…her condition rules her out.
Hayes: Not necessarily, chemo can cause you weakness but not so weak against a 13-year-old girl especially if that girl is her own daughter, then she's not expecting a fight back.
Amber: Lena loves her mom and she hasn't said anything.
Hayes: Most kids that are hit feel that way and the cancer makes it more complicated for Lena.
Amber: (Sighs and rubs her temples) I just…I just don't know what to do. I don't even know what I'm doing here. I mean if I do this and it turns out not to be true Nia is gonna be ruined Lena ends up in the system Izzie is never gonna forgive me and I'm gonna be the bad guy. But if I do nothing and Nia keeps abusing Lena I'm gonna be the bad guy. It's gonna go bad either way so what do I do?
Hayes: …I think you're here to get an unbiased opinion and figure out if what you want to do is the right thing or not.
Amber: Is it the right thing for Lena?
Hayes: You need to ask yourself this, if Lena ends up hurt again or worse the next time you see her would you forgive yourself? Don't think about Izzie don't think about you, think about Lena, could you live with yourself knowing you could've helped Lena before things got really bad for her?
Amber: (Looks at the folders and exhales) No I couldn't.
Hayes: (Pulls out his phone) Then I think you know what needs to be done. I have the direct line for CPS right here make the call if you think Lena is in danger from her mom.
(Amber takes a few silent moments to think through it before grabbing the phone and calling the contact and holding the phone to her ear)
Amber: Hi I'm Dr. Amber Karev and I need to report my 13 year old patient who I believe is being abused by her mother.
CUT TO BLACK
THE NEXT MORNING
SCENE: ATTENDINGS LOUNGE
(Izzie walks in to get her coffee noticing Amber on the table with Hayes which she finds strange)
Izzie: Morning.
Hayes: Good morning.
Amber: (Tense) Morning.
Izzie: I don't think I've ever seen you guys interact before, does Andrew have something to be worried about?
(Izzie chuckles but Hayes and Amber remain quiet)
Izzie: Whoa what's wrong with the two of you?
Amber: (Clears throat) Izzie there's something I need-
Levi: (Comes in) Dr. Hayes, Dr. Stevens the Capper's from yesterday are here and they're very angry.
(Amber sighs at the bad timing as Izzie looks at Amber in shock)
Izzie: Did you do it?
Hayes: She did and I helped her make that decision so if your gonna be mad at us for protecting a child from your patient I suggest you think very carefully.
Izzie: Amber I asked you to wait.
Levi: She did the right thing Izzie.
Izzie: (Turns to him in anger) You don't know that!
(Levi looks down in fear as Amber and Hayes stand up to go with Izzie)
CUT TO CONFERENCE ROOM
(Nia is pacing the room in anxiety using her cane for aid with Lena in the room. Izzie, Hayes and Amber are in the room listening to Nia's rants)
Nia: (Angry) There's a social worker in our home. She called a social worker on me.
Hayes: Once we suspect abuse legally, we have to call the police.
Lena: But you're wrong!
Nia: What does he think? The handicapped woman beats her daughter with a cane after chemo?
Izzie: (Tries to calm her) I-I think that Dr. Karev and Dr. Hayes were worried about the nature of Lena's injury.
Amber: I looked at your scans I know you didn't fall off the curb our top ortho surgeon confirmed it.
Hayes: And I suspected as well from that spiral fracture you say you got from skating.
Lena: I help my mom when she has a flare all right? She fell down she grabbed my arm and it got tweaked.
Nia: I fell. I reached out and grabbed Lena's arm both times, it was an accident.
Izzie: Then why didn't you just say that?
Nia: Because people like Dr. Hayes and Dr. Karev get the wrong idea and judge me.
Hayes: Has that happened before, doctors getting the wrong idea? Your daughter has had a lot of injuries.
Amber: I checked your records from before you transferred here, five doctors' visits in the last three years it's alarming to say the least.
Lena: She has a tumor in her spine she falls stuff happens. But my mom would never hurt me on purpose. She can't.
Nia: She's my whole world, she's my little girl. I would never hurt her not on purpose, please believe me Izzie.
Izzie: I believe you okay I'll explain to the judge about your condition and I'll help you.
Lena: (To Amber) If they take me away from her, I will never forgive you come on mom.
(Lena and Nia leave the room slamming the door behind them with Izzie heading out as well)
Amber: Iz-
Izzie: (Too angry to talk to her) Don't.
(Izzie leaves the room. Amber and Hayes are left alone)
Amber: (Sighs) And now I'm the bad guy.