The depth of a person is interesting.  Just like an orange you peel away the layers.  You might think that they are one thing and then turns out that they surprise you.  The core values that they could think about: family, love, loss.  All of the things that make a person who they are.  You might think someone doesn't have any of those but you would be surprised.  Being a military brat taught me so many things.  But one very important lesson that I learned was to never look on the surface.  I remember when my brother's joined the military they had me read a book that they were assigned to read that teaches a person to never settle when negotiating with less than you intended to when negotiating.  It was for life or death situations.

-

"Hey, you okay?" Alison asked Mark as she was making breakfast for the two of them before they went to work.

Alison had noticed that Mark had been unusually quiet today and she wasn't sure why.  From the moment he woke up he was silent.

"Yeah, fine," he let out a frustrated huff as his shoulders were tense.

"Sorry for asking and caring," she let out a scoff and continued making their breakfast in silence.

"I gotta get to work," he said after he came out fully dressed and with his white lab coat as he pressed a kiss to her head.

"Wait, you don't want your breakfast?" She asked him as he was already at the door.

"I'll just get something there," and with that he left.

Well, I guess I'll just have the omelette as a left over for tomorrow.  Jerk.

*

Mark had already been at work since came in at seven in the morning.  She could already tell it was going to be a long day.  Alison could see that something was bothering Addison too.  It must be everyone is pms'ing day, she guessed trying to joke slightly even though she was confused too.  

"Laura Grey-Thompson born four days ago with Jejunal Atresia," Meredith started out as the group of interns surrounded Laura's isolette.  "Corrected surgically, post-op-" Meredith was cut off when her dad came through the door and everyone turned to look at him.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he apologized.  "Am I interrupting?  Her mom and grandma have the flu and they asked me to get an update."

"Do you want to tell him, Doctor Anderson?" She nodded her head.

"She's doing very well, Mr. Grey.  We'll be out of here in just a minute," Alison explained with a smile.

"Doctor Grey, you were saying," Addison called on Meredith and he excused herself.  

"Grey," Miranda called her again as it had been silent between her and all the interns and Cristina filled in for her.

"Laura Grey-Thompson had some dilation of the bowels this morning."

*

It was the next day and Mark was still ignoring her as they hadn't spent the night with each other last night.  It was raining outside today pretty much all day is what her weather app on her phone said.  She always loved the rain as it was calming and gave her time to think.  Alison had seen Mark speaking with Alex and Addison but as soon as he saw her he went the other way.  

Alison had some time and decided to visit Mr. O'Malley.  She wanted to show George her support and this was the way she knew how.  Alison remembered when she first met Mr. and Mrs. O'Malley and always thought they were so nice.

"Hey, can I come in?" Alison asked Mr. O'Malley with a smile on both of their faces as she saw George was in the room as well.  

"Hi, Doctor Anderson," George greeted the blonde with a smile.  "Dad is it okay with you?"

"Hi, George," she smiled at the intern.

"Of course it's okay, Georgie," his father smiled at the two.  "Please come in."

Alison gave his hand a squeeze as she sat down in the other chair.

"I heard your valve surgery went really well," she smiled at the patient.

"It did.  I have only the best to work on me."

"You deserve nothing but the best, Mr. O'Malley," she smiled at George's dad.  "You've been nothing but kind to all of us."

"How can I not?" He let out a bellowing laugh.  "I don't understand how anyone can't.  You guys save lives and besides I might be a little biased since George works here."

Alison let out a laugh.  God, she hoped that his surgery today went well and that he pulled through.  That he had enough fight left in him to make it.  She wasn't sure how bad his cancer was but she hoped it wasn't a nightmare.  She noticed a deck of cards sitting at the bedside table and she raised a brow.  Alison had been praying for his surgery to go well just as she had done for Burke's.

"Do you guys want to play?  I have time..."

They had played poker and had tons of laughter as they talked about memories of George when he was little until it was time for his surgery.  Alison gave Mr. O'Malley a hug and wished his surgery to go well before she left to go back to Addison.

It was hours later when O'Malley was finally out of surgery.  Alison, Burke and Clair were updated that he was out but that he hadn't woken up yet.  The three hoped that he would wake up and make it through for his family.  

*

"Hey, were you the nurse that paged me?" Karev asked the nurse as he came into check on baby Laura. 

"Yeah," she nodded her head.  "Her stomach seems to be extended."

"Her stomach does seem to be extended," his eyebrows furrowed.  "Can you page Doctor Montgomery or Doctor Anderson?  Whichever one answers first.  Stat."

"You got it," the nurse told Karev and left.  

"Hey, talk to me," Alison asked walking in and Addison not too far behind.  

"Her abdomen was extended -" Karev started to say but then Thatcher began to speak over him.

"I'm sorry I was talking to her and I didn't even notice."

"It's alright," Alison told the grandfather.  "It's hard to miss if you don't know what you are looking for."

"She's got a lot free air trapped in her diaphragm.  We need to operate right away," Alison said looking at baby Laura's scan.

"Another surgery?" Thatcher says in disbelief.

"Mr. Grey in order to perform on your granddaughter, we need you to sign it," Karev tells Thatcher as he stammers with his words and runs a hand down his face.

"I- I don't know.  Her mother has the flu."

"Your not authorized to sign?" Karev asked him.

"I am but-"

"There are no but's," Alison said cutting Thatcher off.  "We don't have time for that.  Your granddaughter doesn't have time," she said and Thatcher nodded his head understanding now how serious this is and he signed the papers.

They were now in the operating room and Karev was able to scrub in since Meredith was off the case.  Alison had to admit that Karev had a promising future in pediatrics.

"Take out more of the bowel," Alison instructed Karev.  "It will give us a better visualization."

"It's so tiny.  I'm afraid I might crush it," Karev said.  

"It's stronger than you think," Addison said in a soft voice as Alison noticed the way Addison and Alex were looking at each other.  "Go ahead and give it a little squeeze."

"Cool," he said as he looked at the brunette and did as told.  

"The NG tube has eroded right through the stomach wall," Alison tells Addison and Alex.

"What do we need to do then?" Addison asked the resident.

"We need to resect an entire portion of her stomach," Alison said and Addison nodded when all of a sudden they heard the monitors beeping causing them to look up.  "She's hypotensive."

They watched as the nurses gave baby Laura medicine and her vital's went back down.

"That was a close one," Karev said and the two women agreed.

"Your telling me," Addison said adding on.  "This is Meredith Grey's niece.  Some people might think I did it on purpose."

*

"Hey, there's my favorite nurse practitioner," Alison greeted Clair as she was filling out her charts.

"I'm your only nurse practitioner," Clair teased, greeting her with a smile as she looked up from what she was doing.  

"Are you busy right now?" Alison asked her.

"I'm just filling out Molly's baby Laura charts out right now.  What's up?"

"Oh that's actually perfect because I wanted to let you know that Montgomery, Karev I finished baby Laura's surgery.  She's stable now and hopefully we won't have anymore surprises after today."

"That's great," Clair smiled at Alison.  "I'm glad she made it through.  Not that I didn't have faith that you two could do it because I did-"

"It's okay, Clair," Alison put her hand out to stop the nurse practitioner from rambling.  "All that matters is that she's healthy now and dad will get a good report.  I'm sure that news will make his whole year with him being deployed to Iraq."

"I can't imagine not having a husband or significant other there for the birth.  Molly was incredibly brave just like her husband."

"She was," she nodded her head in agreement.  "Do you mind telling Thatcher the good news?  Give him a peace of mind..."

"Of course," she smiled her head.  "I'll tell him right now," she said as she began to get up.

Alison knew that Clair could use distractions this week since she was best friends with George.  Alison had heard from Clair a few days later when Alison was feeling better enough to go to work that Clair and George had just instantly became best friends.  

*

"I'll be back to check in on you later," Nurse Olivia tells Burke and he nods his head thanking her.

"Hey, stranger," Alison commented as she knocked on Burke's door with a smile and he looked up at her smiling.

"Hey, Wendy Darling," he greeted the blonde making her laugh.  "Come on in."

"I had some down time and I wanted to come check on you and see how you were doing," she said as she took a seat next to his bed side.  "You have the syph nurse," Alison lets out a laugh and Burke does too.  "Nice."

They still thought it was hilarious even though it wasn't something to laugh about.

"I'll tell you only if you promise not to tell Cristina."

"Why would I tell her?  Are you guys still not talking?  Really, Burke?" Alison said as she shook her head.

"What?  I'm not going to give in just because she came up for my surgery.  She's been trying to get information out of everyone lately and I heard that you two bonded."

"I mean she's not as bad as I thought.  She just loves her job.  Nothing wrong with that.  We all love our jobs and she knows her shit.  You trained her well.  You should be proud of that.  Not make her feel bad for just trying to help.  It wasn't out of selfishness that she did what she did.  At some point you're going to have to forgive her.  You know deep down she only did what she did because she thought it was the right thing for you."

"Still," he shrugged his shoulders, holding a grudge.  

"So how have you been feeling since the surgery?"

"I've been good," he smiled at his favorite pediatric surgeon.  "No tremors today.  Actually ever since my surgery."

"That's amazing," Alison said with a smile.  "And here you doubted Derek."

"Yeah, remind me to never doubt him again," he let out a small laugh.

"I'll remember."

"You okay?" He asked her noticing she seemed a little distant somehow.  Maybe sad?  Upset?  He wasn't sure but he knew it wasn't like her.

"Yeah," she gave him a tight lip smile.  "Can I ask you something and it stays between us?"

"Of course."

"When you and Cristina kept the secret about your hand tremors did you ever feel like telling someone?  Like did you feel like you betrayed someone?"

"I thought about my patients all the time," he told her honestly, knowing there must be a deeper meaning behind her question.  "Part of me didn't even want to come back to work but Cristina came up with the idea of being there beside me, ready to step in if she needed to, and I went along with it.  I thought it was the best option.  Keeping it a secret.  I didn't think we were doing anything wrong, especially because no one died on my operating table."

"So if neither of you believe you did anything wrong why aren't you speaking to each other?" She asked him as her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Some things are just complicated is all," he gave her a small smile.

"Thanks Burke, I better get back to Addison before she has my head," she joked quoting Alice in Wonderland making Burke laugh.

"Have fun, Wendy Darling."

"Have fun recuperating," she smirked at him as she left.

*

"Mark," Addison called the plastics surgeon as they walked by each other in the hallway and he stopped to talk to her.  "I'm sorry you're hurting."

"Your sorry I'm hurting or you're sorry?" He asked.

"Look, I get it that you are pissed at me and you have every right to be.  I can take it.  But don't take it out on Alison when she doesn't know anything about what happened."

"Alison?" He asked furrowing eyebrows.

"I know about you two.  Don't worry I'm not going to tell Derek if that's what you are worried about."

"Did she tell you I've been ignoring her all week?" He asked as he put his hands in his pockets.

"No, but it doesn't take a genius to see," he nods his head and walks away.

Alison was trying to get at least a thirty-minute nap in as she was exhausted.  She was almost in deep sleep when she heard the door knob to the on call room jiggle, rather frantically, waking her up immediately.  She had made it to Addison but her attending told her to take thirty minutes to rest.  Opening the door, she saw her boyfriend there as he rushed to close the door behind him and locking it.  He took a seat next to her on the bed.

"Do you want to have kids some day?" Mark asked his girlfriend after avoiding her all day.

"I'm sorry?" Alison let out a small laugh of disbelief.

"You heard me," he said and Alison cleared her throat.

"Yeah, I do.  What brought this on though?"

"I ended up talking with Addison and she said that I would have been a bad father.  Do you think she's right?  That she didn't want a baby with me and wanted Derek's baby instead."

"Wait, you said that she told you that she didn't want a baby with you and only Derek.  What does that mean?"

He let out a breath before he spoke.

"When Addison and I were sleeping together, she ended up telling me that she was pregnant.  I was actually excited and ended up going out to buy a New York Yankees onesie only to find out that she aborted the baby.  That's why I've been a pain in the ass this week.  It has nothing to do with you."

Alison thought of her words carefully before speaking.

"I don't believe our past defines us to who we are as a person.  I believe that everyone has the potential to become a great father or mother.  The fact that you had gone out and gotten a onesie showed that you already cared.  It also depends on if you actually want kids though because it wouldn't be fair to the baby if you didn't and then one day walked out on them.  So do I think you would be a bad father?  No, I don't."

She wasn't sure if Mark was the one for her.  If they would end up together.  But whoever does end up with she knew would be one lucky lady.

"Let's say that the person you ended up with didn't want kids.  Would you really be happy just having it be you two?"

"It would be hard to come to terms with at first but yes, I believe I would.  I'm just a little confused what brought this on?"

"I'm sorry, okay?  For being quiet today with you and being an asshole but I want you to know I'm not mad at you."

"It's okay," she smiled shyly at him as he grabbed her hand and held it.

"It's not okay," he shook his head as he looked at her.  "You didn't deserve that.  You were being nice and made me breakfast which you probably threw out."

"I actually saved the omelette for left overs," she said shrugging her shoulders and smiled at him to lighten the mood and he smiled back while laughing as his shoulders shook.

Alison didn't blame Addison though for what she did and said to Mark.  She couldn't imagine the situation that Addison was in being still married while having another man's baby.  She had no room to judge.  All she could do was be there for Mark and Addison as they were both dealing with a loss.

*

"You know what the best part of making up is?" Mark asked as he laid in Alison's bed and leaned on his hand.

"The makeup sex," she let out a laugh as she thought about the night they had.  

"Exactly," he said as he hovered over her and pinned her arms above her and she let out a squeal.

"Mark!  We literally don't have anymore time.  We need to shower and get to work."

"We can shower together..." he said suggestively with a smoldering look.

Alison threw her pillow at him and he caught it laughing as he shook his head and she turned the water on.

"Are you coming?"

"Yes, I am," he smirked putting the pillow back down and following after her.

An hour later, Mark and Alison made it to Seattle Grace Hospital and went their separate ways.  Both in a much better mood than they previously were.  

"I don't blame you, I hope you know that," Alison told her attending and she looked kind of shocked.  Alison felt like Addison needed to know that because she had noticed how especially today she looked so sad and no one deserved that.

"He told you?" Addison said with a sigh as her eyes teared up.

"Yeah, he did.  I just wanted to let you know that I'm here.  If you ever want to talk."

"Thank you," Addison smiled sadly at the blonde.  "I appreciate it.  Since you're here, can you check on Laura?  To make sure she's doing okay?"

"Of course," she smiled at Addison and squeezed her shoulder gently on her way out.  

When Alison went to check on Laura she noticed her diaper was full and she let out a laugh as she smiled.  This was the best news all week especially after finding out that Mr. O'Malley's organs were shutting down.  

"Look at you Laura, you are such a big girl already," she told her as she changed her diaper in the isolette.  Alison had never been so happy to change a baby's diaper then she was today.  She knew that the nurses could and should do it but she wanted a moment alone with her.  "So strong and a fighter.  I suppose it makes sense because look at who your parents are.  Your parents are going to be so happy."

*

"Hey, how's Molly's baby doing?" Derek asked Alison and if she were being honest, she was a little shocked.  This was the first time all week that he had spoken to her.

"She's good," she smiled softly at her best friend.  "She had her first diaper change today."

"That's great," he smiled back at her.  "Listen I wanted to apologize for being busy with Meredith that I haven't made time with you."

"It's alright," she shrugged her shoulders.  "It happens."

"It's not alright.  What if we went out tomorrow night?  For margaritas and chips and guac?" He asked knowing it was her weakness.

"And queso?" She asked perking up and he let out a laugh as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"And queso.  So what do say?  Tomorrow at seven?"

"Tomorrow at seven."

Unfortunately, we don't always get good news.  Life doesn't work that way.  With death, comes life, and the whole cycle starts all over again.  All we have is the moment.  Right now.  I always try to remember everything.  Every detail of a person so that when the time does come for them to be called home - I'll remember everything.

--

Who else cried with Mr. O'Malley's death? 🥺

How do you all think Derek will react when he finds out about Alison and Mark?  I'm loving Alison's friendship with Burke.