Chapter 43: Pursuit of Passion Part 2
FIVE DAYS LATER
SCENE: LEVI AND TARYN'S LOFT
10:28 PM
(Amber is sitting at the table eating Chinese food on a fancy plate with a glass of wine facing the laptop that shows a virtual family dinner with Andrew and his father Vincenzo on the screen eating breakfast at different locations separately. Vincenzo tells Amber a story about Andrew's childhood)
Vincenzo: (Chuckles) The boy couldn't play calcio if David Beckham showed him how. Calcio is-
Amber: (Grins) Soccer I know don't worry I learned the language since we last met.
Vincenzo: Ha ha and now you are a perfect woman for an Italian man. I don't know what my boy said to get you to say yes but he's a lucky man.
Amber: (Teases Andrew) He really is.
Andrew: (Rolls eyes amused) It's my worst nightmare my father and my future wife are ganging up on me.
Amber: Oh come on you know you love it when I tease. Speaking of which tell me the soccer story please.
Andrew: (Tries to avoid it) Um how about we talk about the wedding and plan ahead.
Amber: The world is on pause for weddings so in the meantime I'm gonna hear your dad tell embarrassing stories about you that I will remind you of until we die of old age.
Vincenzo: Yes so he tries to kick the ball to the goal post but he completely misses it and instead of hitting the post he hits-
Amber: (Smiles) A teammate?
Vincenzo: No, he hit the coach in the face and broke his nose. His nose was bleeding so much his jersey went from green to red at the end of the game.
Amber: (Laughs) Oh my god that is bad.
Andrew: (Rubs his eyes in annoyance)
Amber: Did he get better?
Vincenzo: In time but his mother had to teach him at home so she could avoid paying for another medical bill.
Amber: (Grins) Well aside from the assault I bet you were incredibly adorable back then.
Andrew: (Grins) Hey I still am.
Vincenzo: Now we can focus on the wedding, have you two picked out a date?
Amber: No we haven't we're just really busy with work plus we're waiting for confirmation of the vaccine.
Andrew: And I just proposed to her last month so we're taking it slow and just waiting to be in the same country to see what we'll do.
Amber: I have to warn you there's a strong possibility the wedding will be in a courthouse and the reception will be my loft with wings and beer to celebrate. But if you can we would love for you to come.
Vincenzo: I appreciate that bambina and I can already tell you will make a beautiful bride when the day comes. And a handsome groom of course.
Andrew: Yeah, let's slow down and go to Carina's wedding first please.
Amber: Are you gonna be in the states for that Vincenzo?
Vincenzo: Bambina please we're gonna be family soon call me suocero. And yes, I will be there to finally meet Maya, a firefighter is not who I pictured Carina marrying but cest la vie! Tell me have you met her? What is she like?
Andrew: (Chokes on his wine)
Amber: (Eyebrows raised) …Um she's nice and I can tell from meeting her that she loves Carina very much so you lucked out on two amazing future daughters in law trust me.
Vincenzo: Well if she got Carina to say propose to her then she must be special like you.
(Amber's timer rings)
Amber: (Groans) I'm sorry guys but I gotta get to bed I have an early shift tomorrow. This has been lovely Vincenzo thank you for getting up early to set up this meeting.
Vincenzo: Thank you for joining me it has been wonderful getting to know you better. And if Andrea doesn't mind me saying you are too perfect for words.
Amber: (Flattered) Oh he wouldn't mind thank you.
Andrew: (Shakes his head and grins in amusement)
Amber: Well, it was lovely to see you Buongiorno.
Vincenzo: Buona notte.
Andrew: Buongiorno papa.
(Vincenzo leaves the chat with Amber and Andrew left alone)
Andrew: Well that went better than expected although I wish he left out the soccer story.
Amber: (Chuckles) Yeah remind me not to introduce our kids to that sport. He seems good I liked talking to him.
Andrew: Yeah, and he loved talking to you, for the record I told him to either respect you or get out of my life I didn't expect him to dote on you more than he did with me.
Amber: (Grins) What can I say? Italian men adore me.
Andrew: (Chuckles) Yeah, they do.
(Amber gets an email from city hall catching her attention)
Andrew: (Notices) What is it?
Amber: It's an email from city hall, the hearing is in two days.
Andrew: That was fast.
Amber: They have to move fast; the DA wants me and Hayes to testify whether or not Lena's injuries were intentional.
Andrew: And if the judge decides that they are?
Amber: Lena goes back to San Diego to live with her aunt while her mom stays up here to continue her treatment with Izzie.
Andrew: And how is Izzie treating you so far?
Amber: Well, she's civil when the kids are around and we work in a professional manner when I have lab results.
Andrew: And when the kids aren't around and when you clock out?
Amber: She glares at me like I'm a thorn on her side and doesn't say anything which coming from her is probably worse than if she did say something.
Andrew: Has Alex gotten involved?
Amber: He and Jo are busy with Luna and I don't want to hear who he supports in case it turns out to be Izzie and those kids will be left without a father when I kill him.
Andrew: Right well I wish I could be there to help you through this.
Amber: (Chuckles darkly) Trust me you got lucky being here is like…like-
Andrew: Being in a pandemic hell for four weeks?
Amber: Yeah basically, (Groans) and I have to come by Alex's house to get Jo's best pantsuit for court. I'm hoping Izzie won't be there to drop off the kids so I can avoid a reenactment of the civil war.
Andrew: Remember to reload your weapons.
Amber: (Grins) When do you and Carina fly back home?
Andrew: We fly back in three days our dad's gonna follow us a day later so we can all quarantine and be there for the wedding together.
Amber: (Groans) I wish quarantine wasn't two weeks I already want to kiss you the second you get off that plane.
Andrew: Believe me I want that too but your brother and my sister would kill us and I don't want to start till death due us part before we get married.
Amber: (Chuckles) I really have to get some sleep; I miss you I love you.
Andrew: I miss you and love you too, buono notte.
Amber: Buongiorno bye.
(Andrew logs off and Amber closes the laptop to go to bed)
THE NEXT MORNING
SCENE: ALEX AND JO'S HOUSE
(Jo is sitting at the table reading a medical magazine while eating an apple when Nick walks in breathing hard and sweating after going for a morning run. Nick opens the fridge and looks it over)
Nick: Where's the apple I was saving for after my run?
(Jo stops chewing and Nick sees the apple in her hands in annoyance)
Jo: (Mouth full) I was hungry sorry…wait what am I sorry for? It's my kitchen not yours so it's my apple.
Nick: (Grabs an orange instead) I'm gonna let it go because I have a nice bedroom now and I'm not gonna risk loosing it by staking claim over food.
Jo: (Takes a bite out of apple) Smart, you're a better house guest than Amber was. She almost cleaned out our fridge intern year and kept a secret stash of junk that she didn't share with me or Alex it ticked us off.
Nick: (Peels orange) So why did you let her keep living with you?
Amber: (Enters the kitchen) Yeah I'm curious too hi good morning lovely sister in law and new half brother. So Jo why did you keep me around for so long?
Jo: Because the alternative was kicking you out and hearing you complain about us at work. Plus, you make good coffee, which was the only thing you could make back then. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?
Amber: I'm off for the next two days until the hearing is over, speaking of which I'm here to borrow your best suit. I sold the ones I have because I didn't think I would go to court during covid.
Jo: Make me coffee and I'll lend it.
Amber: (Raises eyebrow) How many cups have you had this morning?
Jo: None.
Amber: Plus?
Jo: …Two but yours is better.
Amber: Half a cup and that's it.
Jo: (Happy) Thank you.
Nick: (Eats orange) Your gonna testify against Nia?
Amber: Yeah me and Hayes are gonna go together and Izzie is gonna be there but not testify.
(Izzie enters the house and stops at the sight of Amber in the kitchen but continues in tense silence with Amber noticing and Jo and Nick looking on awkwardly)
Izzie: (Enters the kitchen) I just came to pick up Eli's soccer shoes he's playing with the neighbors kid today.
Jo: Um yeah their outside.
Izzie: Great thanks Jo and nice to see you Nick (Disdain in her voice) Amber.
(Izzie goes to the backyard with Amber reaching a breaking point and going outside. Nick looks at Jo)
Nick: Should we do something?
Jo: No.
CUT TO BACKYARD
(Amber approaches Izzie in anger who doesn't look at her)
Amber: How long are you gonna give me the cold shoulder for?
Izzie: (Doesn't look at her) Well it worked for you the first time we met, you know when you told me to keep my mouth shut and called me what was it? Oh yeah, a whore.
Amber: What did you expect me to do? Ignore what was right in front of me like you? Because if I did that Lena would still be getting beaten by the woman you exchanged recipes with.
Izzie: She said it was an accident.
Amber: Then why didn't she say that all those times Lena came in with a new bruise? Doesn't that strike you as odd?
Izzie: Maybe she didn't want a complete stranger to call child services to get her kid away from the mom with cancer. But instead she got her kid taken away because the complete stranger thinks the mom with cancer beats her kid after chemo and radiation.
CUT TO KITCHEN
(Jo and Nick listen to the heated exchange awkwardly)
Amber: What do you want me to say that I'm sorry? Because last I checked I'm a mandatory reporter in the state of Washington would you rather I ignore the law and go to jail would that make you happy?
Izzie: You do not want to ask me that while I'm angry at you trust me.
Amber: (Laughs drily) Wow you know I was just starting to like you but seeing the same hypocritical bitch I met in Kansas stops me once again.
Nick: Yeah I can't do this.
(Nick walks to the backyard with Jo staying behind awkwardly)
CUT TO BACKYARD
(Nick arrives and sees the tense scene between Izzie and Amber)
Izzie: I have known Nia and Lena for three months and Lena adores her mom. Would she do that if the woman was beating her up?
Amber: Do you know how children normally act towards their abusive parents because I got two words for you honey Stockholm syndrome. But hey as long as she gives you pointers for your brownies and recommends books it's all good for the woman who deprived her kids of a father for five years.
Izzie: …We're going back to that?
Amber: Yeah and you know what let's get it all out in the open before the trial so I don't say anything to you on the stand and have the jury convict you.
Nick: (Steps in) Okay guys let's cool off okay? Izzie just grab the shoes and go.
Amber: (Ignores him) No, no Nick she needs to hear this…you Izzie Stevens are a self-righteous interloper who cares more about her defunct 1950's belief system than she does about the people who fail to live up to them including my brother who you abandoned for no reason!
Izzie: You are the worst kind of hypocrite you know that? You act all high and mighty like you're a saint well let me tell you, you aren't.
Amber: Compared to you I'm as close as I can get.
Izzie: (Scoffs) Well Amber Karev let me tell you this then you are a smug cold-hearted coward who just dumped the love of her life after he inherited a horrible mental illness and in his time of need you hooked up with your ex and some biker. Pot kettle Karev.
Nick: (Get's in between them) Enough! Jesus you guys are more childish than the children actually living here! Now shut up and stay quiet while I make a call and hope she comes here.
Amber: (Confused) Who are you-
Nick: (Types on his phone) Shush.
Izzie: But I-
Nick: Shush!
Amber: Would you just-
Nick: (Stern) Shush!
(Amber and Izzie look at him in shocked silence and Nick puts the phone to his ear)
Nick: Diane, it's Nick Evans are you busy today? …Well, you're about to be and I'm sorry for what I'm about to unload on you.
LATER THAT AFTERNOON
SCENE: ALEX AND JO'S LIVING ROOM
(Alex enters the house exhausted but stops in place seeing Diane Lewis in an armchair across the couch where Izzie and Amber sit on opposite sides in tense silence)
Alex: Um…hi.
Diane: (Grins) Hi you must be Alex I'm Diane Lewis I'm a psychologist for the Seattle fire department.
Alex: Great…what are you doing here?
Amber: (Grins annoyed) She's here because Nick thinks me and Izzie need couples counseling and called in Diane for an appointment right now.
Izzie: (Glares at Alex) For the record you convinced me to upend my life and come here and invited your half brother to stay so this is on you.
Amber: (Glares at Alex too) For once I agree with her.
Alex: (Uneased by the glares and clears throat) Do I need to be here Diane?
Diane: No, your wife is upstairs in bed and your brother took your kids to the park so you may go.
Alex: (Exhales in relief) Thank you.
(Alex quickly leaves the room and goes upstairs. Amber and Izzie focus back on Diane who takes her notepad and pen out)
Diane: Shall we get started?
Amber: Um look Diane I'm sure your great Nick says you're the best in the department but I already have a therapist and me and Izzie aren't a couple.
Izzie: Yeah, we were sisters in law but as she made clear from the beginning she doesn't consider me family. Plus, I don't go to therapy.
Amber: (Snorts) There's a shock.
Izzie: (Inhales to keep her anger in) So if we could just end this session early that would be great because I have to get home with my kids.
Diane: (Chuckles lightly) Yes well Nick said one of you would say that and that's why he told me to tell you he was gonna take the kids out for two hours and told me to tackle you in case you run. I might not be in my prime but I was a firefighter and I think I can handle two surgeons.
Amber: Those two surgeons grew up in the ghetto and a trailer park so I wouldn't hold your breath.
Izzie: You know what this is insane we don't need therapy she needs therapy because believe me my first meeting with her warranted a strait jacket for her.
Amber: Oh, that's interesting I was gonna bring up that there are years of psychotic behavior on your part that you should unpack before you take it out on those kids like Nia did to Lena
Izzie: (Looks at Amber in shocked anger)
Diane: (Mediates) Clearly there are a lot of feelings here. Amber, would it be okay with you if I talked to you and Izzie about your history together and see how we can best move forward for you two?
Amber: I don't have a choice here and I would rather it be in this house than court tomorrow so bring it on.
Izzie: I feel an unbridled desire to punch her so better to hash it out verbally than physically unlike Rocky Balboa here.
Diane: Okay let's start with the first question. Amber, did you do anything to warrant Nick to call me in what he describes as 'mediating two crazy women about to murder each other'? How did this start?
Amber: (Stays silent for a moment)
Izzie: Okay since she's not gonna say it I will.
Amber: (Scoffs) And there she goes again sticking her fat nose where it doesn't belong.
Diane: Ladies we're not here to insult we're here to talk so Amber tell me how this feud of yours started and Izzie let her answer without interruptions.
Amber: Thank you. I was doing my exam for Lena Capper and by sheer luck her mom happened to be one of Izzie's patients. Lena came in with a broken wrist I reduced it and I noticed a bruise on her inner elbow. I know the signs of abuse so I took a look at her scans and saw that the injuries were caused by someone pulling and hitting her hard. Lena lives with her mom, her dad is out of the picture, there's no schools open for bullies so I looked at the only possible explanation.
Diane: You thought Lena was being abused by her sick mother?
Amber: Yes.
Diane: And what did you think Izzie?
Izzie: (Sighs) I've known that family for five months and they are struggling but they love each other. Nia does nothing but boast about her daughter during chemo and afterwards she's so weak she can barely stand let alone hit her child. When Amber came to me with her concerns, I calmly told her to reconsider what could be going on behind closed doors.
Amber: Right, I had scans that told me a different story and suspicions from two attendings who unlike you aren't so emotional to ignore the facts but I guess that's always been your problem hasn't it?
Izzie: (Looks at Diane in anger and points at Amber) That right there see that is what's bothering me. Her holier than thou attitude, her need to viciously bring up my past I have tried so hard to leave behind. This is my problem.
Amber: No what her problem is, is that she lets her emotions cloud her judgement and unlike her I acknowledge what is right in front of me. While she was baking cookies and muffins with Nia, I took a hard look at Lena and realized she needed help. I saw it with Erin Banks the trafficking victim whose kidnapper brought her to the hospital. I saw what was wrong when nobody, not even the chief saw it and Alex and I rescued that poor girl before it was too late.
Izzie: Nia explained what happened that they were accidents from helping her with her flares and-
Amber: And she told us after I called CPS not at her appointment. But of course, Izzie refuses to use her common sense not that she has any.
Diane: You keep saying that Izzie hasn't made sound decisions in the past, that she gets too emotionally involved can you explain this please?
Amber: With pleasure, do you want me to tell you about the time she slept with her married best friend?
Izzie: (Chuckles darkly) Oh here we go.
Amber: (Anger in her tone) Or the time she left my brother after almost killing a woman? Or no wait I have a good one how about the time she cut an LVAD wire to bump her dying fiancé up the transplant list and-
Izzie: (Overlaps her rant) Context is important here!
Amber: And cost another dying man a much-needed heart?! If you want to report her Diane, do it because she should be in jail for murder and malpractice of godly proportions!
Izzie: Yeah and how about when we first met and you did a secret project behind mine and Alex's back? Did Nick tell you that she played with my innocent five-year-old daughter for the sole purpose of getting DNA to compare to her own to see if I'm the traitorous slut she so clearly wants me to be? Did he leave that tidbit out? It's typical Amber she finds a situation to manipulate for her own benefit and doesn't take responsibility when confronted.
Amber: (Scoffs) This coming from the bitch who does nothing but meddle in everyone's life for her own self absorbed agenda. You did it with Alex you did it with Denny and now your doing it with Nia and Lena. What did you expect me to do?
Izzie: I expected that I had earned your trust just a little and let me handle this instead of going behind my back and pissing everyone off again.
Amber: Did you hear me recounting your greatest hits of Y2K? Would you trust you let alone take your word?
Izzie: That has nothing to do with what is going on between us right now!
Amber: Do you side with Nia because she had cancer like you and is raising a kid like you? Because let me tell you there are parents that hit their kids because they love them and you're acting so naïve to think that it's not happening right now. I mean look at the childhood me and Alex had!
Izzie: I side with Nia because I know her and I know Lena too more than you in fact but you decided to go behind my back once again and not take into account that I have a little more experience than you. You should've trusted me because I am a mom too and I would see if it was happening despite how stupid you think I am.
Amber: This isn't about you! Hell, this isn't even about me! None of this is about us Izzie and it's not about Nia it's about Lena! It's about her because someone has to think of her and you aren't and neither is Nia! God how many times are you gonna do this before I bludgeon you? How many times are you gonna immediately assume the worst of me?
Diane: When has she done this?
Amber: (Remembers Diane is there) What?
Diane: You say this isn't the first time Izzie assumed the worst of you, why do you think that is?
Amber: Because she fails to see other people's perspectives including my own which is the exact reason why we can't get along.
Diane: And how does that make you feel?
Amber: Like I'm…filled with gunpowder and I'm one snide bottle blonde comment away from exploding, that's how I feel and…
Diane: It's okay this is a safe space tell us how you feel.
Amber: (Sighs) My therapist tells me to be honest about my trauma and what triggers me and when I'm triggered, I lash out.
Diane: Okay and what about this fight with Izzie is triggering you and causing you to lash out?
Amber: She assumes the worst of me once again and I am immediately taken back to…back to when I saw Mance that day in the hospital.
Izzie: (Looks at her surprised)
Amber: …And this fight isn't even the worst assumption she's made about me. (Swallows and tears glisten her eyes) What she assumed about me during the worst time of my life is something I can't overlook and can't forgive her for.
(Izzie softens as she sees Amber's barrier breaks leaving her vulnerable)
Diane: Amber, I don't think this fight is about Lena, her situation instigated it but what you're feeling deep down inside is what is causing you to lash out at her when you see fit. As a therapist I recommend that you stop bottling in your frustrations and just tell Izzie what you can't forgive her for.
Amber: (Turns to Izzie) …Why did you believe Mance when he told you I slept with him to get ahead in med?
Izzie: (Surprised) Amber I-
Amber: (Voice breaks) How could you take the word of a man who beat me and raped me for months over the woman whose brother you married whose kids adore her? I take your insults because it's what we do but…that was the worst possible thing you could've ever done to me. I did what I did at the time and you eventually understood but what I can't understand is how you could think so little of me in spite of the fact that I was gracious enough to give you a second chance.
Izzie: (Looks down in shame)
Diane: Izzie, I think Amber is right to think that you assume the worst in her and I think that the thing that will start to heal this bridge between you is acknowledging what you did wrong and work to amend it.
Izzie: (Sniffles) …It's just…I-I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say (Voice breaks) I don't know how to apologize for that and make it right.
Amber: (Stifles her sobs and wipes her tears away)
Diane: (See's they're breaking down emotionally) Okay I think we've all had an emotional day and we're all feeling raw so how about we take a breather tonight and tomorrow we can come back to this when we're calmer and ready to dive into this issue of yours.
Amber: (Nods and sniffles) Yeah I have court tomorrow and I can't show up a mess.
(Amber stands up and walks out of the room heading upstairs to one of the guest rooms for the night leaving Izzie torn up on the couch with Diane still there)
THE NEXT MORNING
SCENE: ALEX AND JO'S KITCHEN
(Amber puts Jo's black blazer on over her black blouse and black pant's with her hair in a bun. Nick comes in after his morning run and see's her as he goes to the fridge)
Nick: Hey.
Amber: Hey, good run this morning?
Nick: (Drinks water) Yeah I went around the park and wanted to catch you before you head off to court. How are you?
Amber: (Scoffs and drinks coffee) Like hell.
Nick: (Feels bad) Look I'm sorry for what I did yesterday it was way out line and it was none of my business.
Amber: No actually I think Diane is just what I needed to get at the root of my issues with Izzie and tell her about them. I blame Izzie for taking Mance's side in the beginning and thinking I willingly slept with him to get ahead in school. I told her about it after the yelling match we had.
Nick: And how did Izzie take it?
Amber: About as well as me we're meeting up tonight with Diane to talk and maybe just maybe move past it.
Nick: Your meeting again after court?
Amber: Yeah, it's just a hearing I have to testify and a judge will decide if Lena gets taken away…I don't know maybe I was just projecting my own past onto Lena and-
Nick: Does Lena wear long sleeves a lot?
Amber: (Caught off guard by the question) …What?
Nick: Even when it's 90 degrees outside does she wear long sleeves down over her hands when you see her?
Amber: Um…yeah when she comes with her mom to chemo.
Nick: And does she ever look at you like really look at you in the eye?
Amber: Now that you mention it not really, no.
Nick: Okay and when she goes to her mom's appointments, she shows up early she hangs out after like she doesn't want to go home.
Amber: …I've seen that. How do you know all this?
Nick: Um…because it's what my mom did when our dad was around when she was in Lena's situation. It's what they do.
Amber: (Looks at Nick in sympathy) Nick I- (Phone alarm rings) I gotta go, Hayes and I are carpooling and the lawyer wants us there early, I'll see you tonight bye.
Nick: Bye, good luck.
(Amber leaves the house)
TEN MINUTES LATER
SCENE: HAYES HOUSE
(Hayes hears the doorbell and opens the door to find Amber on the other side. Amber sees Hayes in a suit albeit with the tie undone around his neck)
Amber: Hey.
Hayes: Good morning I'll be with you in a moment I just need to tie this it's probably gonna take a while. (Takes it off) I think I'll just go without it.
Amber: (Goes inside and closes the door) It's court not a cocktail party, don't you know how to tie a Windsor? I saw you wear one at the conference.
Hayes: That was my sister-in-law, I was gonna go tie less but she took pity on me and did it for me.
Amber: Well lucky for you I'm here to pity you give it to me.
(Hayes hands Amber his blue tie. Amber pops up his collar and puts the tie around his neck)
Hayes: Where did you learn to do this?
Amber: Three years of catholic school my uniform included a tie.
Hayes: You don't strike me as religious.
Amber: I'm not, it was the only private school in my hometown and I wanted something to impress college admissions and get a scholarship out. Done.
Hayes: (Looks in the mirror) Thank you shall we go your driving, aren't you?
Amber: Um in a minute I just have one question, what are you gonna say on the stand?
Hayes: I'm gonna present the scans and what my medical diagnosis is concerning these injuries.
Amber: No I know I was just…what are you gonna say when they ask if you think Lena is being abused?
Hayes: Cases like this are difficult Karev believe me I've had years of treating children whose parents aren't equipped with taking care of them. I look at the history and if I see a pattern of unexplained injuries, I take it upon myself to call people that can help. There's nothing vague about the law, I suspect and call the police if I feel a child needs protecting. And in this case I think Lena needs more help than she cares to admit, wouldn't you agree?
Amber: …You know I see a little of my younger self in Lena, pushed around half my life by my family and too hardened to admit I needed help. I'm just…I'm just wondering if that's the case here or if I'm letting my past cloud my decision making.
Hayes: (Looks at her in sympathy) We gotta go.
(Amber nods and they head out the door to her car)
CUT TO COURT
SCENE: LOBBY
(Amber is sitting alone on a bench going over her notes)
Voice: What are you gonna say?
(Amber looks up to see Lena in her red sweater and black pants looking at Amber accusingly)
Amber: Lena we're not supposed to talk before the-
Lena: (Frustrated) What are you gonna say?
Amber: …I'll tell you if you roll up your sleeves.
(Lena's face falls as Amber looks at her with a knowing and sad look)
Lena: …So whatever. She hits me a little. (Amber looks at Lena in sympathy) But she's sorry. Afterward I mean, she's really sorry. And it's not like I can hit her back I mean look at her.
Amber: (Sad) Oh Lena.
Lena: (Insistent) But I don't need to hit her she needs to hit someone her life is horrible, the backpain, the throwing up-
Amber: Lena everybody has pain.
Lena: So…why can't this just be mine?
(Amber tries to tell Lena something but she quickly leaves as Hayes approaches Amber)
Hayes: What was that about?
Amber: (Sighs) She told me it was true, all of it was true.
Hayes: She told you that? Was she clear?
Amber: She was and…she tried to justify it.
Hayes: (Exhales) That poor child.
Amber: Yeah tell me about it.
(Amber spots Izzie coming in and when they make eye contact Izzie passes her tensely and enters the courtroom. Hayes notices the cold exchange)
Hayes: Is everything okay with you two?
Amber: Not really, can we just get this over with please?
Hayes: Yeah, come on it's about to start.
AN HOUR LATER
SCENE: COURTROOM
(Amber is on the stand after Hayes finished testifying and has her notes with her as well as the scans. Izzie is sitting at the gallery watching the scene. Nia is with her attorney on the defendatns side with Lena on the prosecutors side with Hayes sitting behind her. The family lawyer asks her questions)
Lawyer: Dr. Karev would you please explain to the court the injuries you've noticed in your latest exam of Lena Capper last week?
Amber: Yes, (Reads notes) when I was reducing Lena's broken wrist I noticed a bruise on her inner elbow while I was casting. It looked alarming like someone was grabbing her so I took a close look at the x ray of the injury and with confirmation from the head of orthopedic surgery it was as I suspected a metaphyseal fracture of the distal humerus. Otherwise known as a bucket handle injury.
Lawyer: And how is this injury caused Dr. Karev?
Amber: Mostly in cases of child abuse where a parent or guardian can grab and twist the child's limb causing it to tear.
Lawyer: And this injury plus the history of multiple contusions and abrasions you and Dr. Hayes looked over caused you to believe Lena Capper is being abused by her mother, is that right?
Amber: Yes.
Lawyer: And in your opinion is there any way that the injury could have occurred other than by the intentional twisting of the child's arm?
(Amber is silent for a moment when she see's Lena pull her sweater down to her hands causing her to make a final decision)
Amber: (Clear) No there's not.
Lawyer: Thank you very much Dr. Karev.
(The lawyer returns to her seat and Amber decides to say something before she steps down)
Amber: I'm sorry but can I say something else please? It won't take a minute I swear.
Judge: You may.
Amber: Okay…I've known Lena for a day but I can already tell she's a great kid. She's so tough and strong she didn't cry when I fixed her wrist I don't even know if she can cry. But it doesn't matter how strong she is because at the end of the day she's just a kid who wants to feel safe. She needs to feel safe especially with someone who is supposed to love her and protect her. And being hurt being hit by that someone is not okay, ever. You don't have to take that Lena; you shouldn't have to take it. I know this because once you shut yourself down like that…you start to think that it's normal and that you deserve it and you don't, nobody deserves to be an outlet for someone else's pain.
(Lena looks down in thought as Amber's words get to her. Hayes looks at Amber impressed by her speech while Izzie looks away in thought)
Amber: Um that's it I'm done talking.
Judge: You can return to the gallery thank you Dr. Karev.
(Amber grabs her notes and steps down to sit next to Hayes at the gallery)
TWENTY MINUTES LATER
SCENE: HALLWAY
(After the judge made a final decision Izzie walks briskly down the hall with a blank face. Nia wobbles to her on her cane in distress)
Nia: Their taking her away from me.
Izzie: (Continues walking) I can't, not now Nia.
Nia: But it's not right I'm her mother. I'm her mother Izz-
Izzie: (Turns to face her with a disgusted look and anger in her tone) That's right, you're her mother.
Nia: (Shocked by her sudden change) Don't tell me you believe her.
Izzie: (Disgusted) As far as I'm concerned, she has more interest in your daughters wellbeing than you, her own mother.
(Izzie turns around and walks away from Nia who breaks down)
Nia: (Yells out as Izzie walks away) I'm not evil, I made a mistake. I love my daughter.
(Izzie ignores her and exits the building)
CUT TO BENCH OUTSIDE
(Amber and Hayes sit together reeling from their day in court)
Hayes: You did the right thing; Lena might not show it now but she is grateful to have someone in her corner.
Amber: (Nods) I know, she's a good kid who deserves better than Nia. If only Nia could've realized that.
Hayes: If only…it's a shame really.
Amber: Yeah this dumpster fire of a day was nothing but shame.
Hayes: No not about that about you, it's a shame you already choose cardio as your specialty.
Amber: Why is that?
Hayes: From what I saw this week you'd be good in peds. You have good instincts, great hands and your someone kids feel safe to talk to about anything. It's rare to find that, it's why my specialty is practically thinning as we speak. I think you'd be good in peds Karev.
(Amber looks at Hayes in thought and considers his words concerning her choice in specialty. Hayes stands up before saying something else)
Hayes: And for the record that past you think is holding you back it's not. It's a strength and it helps you see things from every perspective and make a sound decision based on logic and emotion. Good night.
Amber: Good night.
(Hayes leaves Amber to sit on the bench alone and a moment later Izzie appears and sits next to Amber with Amber not objecting)
Izzie: I talked to the judge on the way and she said your speech was the final nail on the coffin. She called it inspiring and exactly what kids in Lena's situation need to hear.
Amber: You believe there's a situation now?
Izzie: (Ashamed) …I didn't want to see it…and I should have. I'm sorry…I'm sorry for assuming the worst in you and…taking that monsters word.
Amber: It's fine.
Izzie: No, it's not and you know it isn't. If Diane were here, she would say don't hold it in and just…tell me how you feel.
Amber: (Inhales and exhales) You've seen me with the kids by then, you've seen how committed I am to Andrew, you know…you know me. You know me and you know nothing about Mance and yet when he said I was an opportunistic whore you believed it without a second thought. Why?
Izzie: (Tears up) Because I am the worst sister in the history of all time and self-absorbed to the point of being blind to the truth. I assumed the worst in you and I caused you pain when you've had enough pain for both of our lifetimes and…I'm sorry. I don't know how to make it up to you but I want to because…your my sister, your my family and I want to be one of the people to mend your pain not add more to it. Can you give me another chance to do that please?
Amber: …I've assumed the worst in you most of my life and it is exhausting so…we're both gonna have to work on that. And I'm gonna work on not using you as an outlet for my pain anymore because nobody not even you deserve that. I don't want us to be like Nia and Lena when we can be better so…yes I am giving you another chance. Don't blow it.
Izzie: I won't if you won't.
(Amber and Izzie sit there in understanding for a few silent moments)
LATER THAT NIGHT
SCENE: OUTSIDE LEVI AND TARYN'S LOFT
(Amber walks down the sidewalk towards the front door when she gets a call from Andrew causing her joy for the first time that day)
Amber: (Answers phone) Hey.
Andrew: Hey, I wanted to check on you before I went to work. How was court?
Amber: (Groans) Awful, it turns out Nia was abusing Lena and Lena excused it with her mom's cancer which is just…sometimes I think this stuff didn't affect me much more until I became an aunt. The judge ruled Nia incompetent and Lena is gonna live with her aunt in California.
Andrew: Well it's good that she is, it's good she had an adult like you who cared about her enough to protect her.
Amber: (Sighs) I know I know I did the right thing for her and I know she's gonna be safe. I have been wrecked about this but thinking about my childhood I know I would appreciate someone, anyone giving me the time of day and thinking about my wellbeing. I did what I had to do and I am completely sure of that and I don't feel guilty.
Andrew: And you shouldn't, it's one of the reasons I want to marry you.
Amber: (Grins) God I wish you were here right now, this phone call is nice but I just really need to see you and touch you and know that tomorrow is gonna be better because you'll be there. I wish you were here for me to tell you what I think I want my future to be.
Andrew: Well maybe you can.
Amber: (Furrows eyebrows) What are you saying?
Andrew: Turn around.
(Amber turns around to find Andrew DeLuca standing six feet behind her wearing a mask who hangs up his phone and looks at her as she stands still in shock)
Andrew: (Smiles behind his mask) Sorpresso.
Amber: (Frozen in shock) …Are you real right now?
Andrew: (Chuckles) Yeah I'm real don't worry you're not hallucinating.
Amber: But you said-
Andrew: I lied on our dinner chat, my flight wasn't in a few days it was in a few hours. I just got back from the airport and I wanted to see you before I quarantine in my hotel room for the next two weeks.
Amber: And I gotta tell you it was a really bad idea because I feel like breaking all the rules with you right here and now.
Andrew: (Grins) Good that means you've missed me as much as I've missed you.
Amber: So much.
Andrew: So what is it you want think you want in the future? Is it concerning our wedding or something else?
Amber: Something else…I think I might want to change specialties. I think I want to leave cardio and go into pediatric surgery.
Andrew: (Wide eyes) Wow I missed a lot while I was away, wasn't I?
Amber: Yeah I didn't want to tell you over the phone because that conversation is too long for a text and my phone bill is probably through the roof from international calls.
Andrew: What brought this on?
Amber: (Sighs) I want to tell you and I want to talk to you more about it but your exposing me enough as it is and the more I'm around you is the more I want to jump your bones.
Andrew: (Grins) Right, covid rules. We'll talk on the screen soon though?
Amber: Yes, I will call you, I love you, now get out.
Andrew: Love you too.
(Andrew leaves Amber and goes back to his bike where he rides off as Amber watches him overjoyed at him being back before going back inside the loft)
I HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER AND HOW I DECIDED THAT AMBER'S SPECIALTY SHOULD BE PEDS SURGERY LIKE ALEX. DON'T WORRY THERE'S NOT GONNA BE A LOVE TRIANGLE WITH HER AND HAYES AND DELUCA, I'M JUST GONNA GIVE THEM A MENTOR LIKE RELATIONSHIP THAT GROWS INTO FRIENDSHIP LIKE WITH ALEX AND ARIZONA. I WANTED TO GIVE CLOSURE FOR AMBER AND IZZIE AND MEND THE LAST OF THEIR ANIMOSITY I HOPE I GAVE IT JUSTICE. REVIEWS ARE WELCOME AND HOEPFULLY I GIVE YOU GUYS ANOTHER CHAPTER TOMORROW.