Two months later…
Asher walked up the driveway, he noticed Allison's van and his truck were both pulled into the driveway facing the garage. She had been driving both, he always backed his truck into the driveway so he could pull tools and equipment out of the box and straight into the garage. The lights were off in most of the windows, the kids were asleep. Only a soft light glowed through the window by the front door. Allie had waited up. It was late, after midnight. He knew she had fought Andy and Everly to go to be with promises they would have a family weekend with no interruptions. Allison was still on leave following the attack while the hospital and medical board investigated and she attended counselling.
Asher unlocked the front door and dropped his bags in the entryway. Hearing the lock Allison leapt off the couch and ran to him.
Asher instantly took her in his arms as she melted into him. She leaned her head in his chest and began to cry.
"I'm here," Asher whispered into her hair, "I have you. You're safe."
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes, "you came home."
"I'm home and I'm staying home," Asher said, "I turned down the travel position. I don't want that life. I don't want to be away from you or the kids. I want to be here."
"I want you here," Allison said as they walked hand and hand into the living room.
"We'll work it out," he assured.
"If you had been home that night wouldn't have happened," Allison said.
"You still needed to go with your colleagues but I would have come to the hospital that night," Asher replied, "Allie we've been through this you and I couldn't have stopped it. You've had dinner with colleagues before with no issues."
"But I can't work," Allison said.
"While they investigate and it's to protect you," Asher said, "you're doing clinic but not in the OR starting next week"
"I can't go back into the hospital," Allison said.
"You're in the outpatient building," Asher assured.
"Can you come with me," Allison asked.
"I will," Asher promised, "and I'll come to all of the hearings. You will not do any more of this without me."
"But we," Allison said.
"Need to adjust again," Asher said, "being away was a lot of clarity for me."
"What do you mean," Allison pulled away.
"We need to have time for us," Asher said, "go on dates and maybe take a weekend some where just us."
Allison nodded silently.
"Babe," Asher asked.
"I still feel guilty," Allison said, "I went out with out you and."
"No," Asher cut her off, "you are not responsible. Fuck I told you to go you needed a night out and to have adult social time."
"I should have known better," Allison said.
"James should have known better," Asher rebutted, "drop the purity culture crap. We've worked to hard to move away from that."
"I was still there," Allison said.
"And youare innocent," Asher said, "it was dinner with colleagues. You don't question if I grab a beer with the guys why would we worry about you seeing the other ortho fellows."
"I'm looking for a new job," Allison said, "I can't go back there."
"That's your choice," Asher said, "you have less than a year on your fellowship. Finish it up then look?"
"I think I want to do private practice for a while," Allison said, "less hours and more predictable. I've been talking to a group that has privileges at Grey Sloan and is looking for an ortho person for their paediatric surgical team. No weekends, no regular night calls."
"Your CP work," Asher asked.
"I need to find out," Allison replied, "my call shifts and over nights are hard on us as a couple. We were best together before residency. I'm thinking if I go private for a bit it might help. It's uncharted territory no one in my family has done that or even considered it."
"Other than your hours what benefits would you get," Asher asked.
"No pension which Grey Sloan has," Allison said, "but we can save that percentage I've been paying in in our own. But the salary is better and but I pay my own mal practice insurance which negates that. It's a wash financially, the benefits really come with better protections on my time."
"Can you negotiate that into your contract as an attending," Asher asked.
"Maybe it's Josh and Megan so it's easier. They've always had Annie with garnered fridays off. She's only worked part time and had one or two protected days a week," Allison said.
"Ask," Asher said, "but it's almost one. Let's go to bed."
Allison hesitated.
"Sleep," Asher said, "maybe cuddle."
"You still want me," Allison asked.
"I want you," Asher said, "I've missed you. Allie we need to adjust and let our relationship mature again not separate like we talked about. I want life with you. I want you in my life."
"Me being a doctor," Allison asked.
"I'm proud of you," Asher promised, "you're not giving that up and I won't walk away because of it. Allison trust me."
"Whats the plan here,"Allison asked.
"I want to shower after traveling all day," Asher said, "then go to bed. What are you thinking?"
Allison smiled, "I'll join you. When was the last time we showered together?"
"We still lived in the basement suite," Asher said, "are you sure?"
"I am," Allison smiled.
He picked her up and carried her towards the master bedroom.