As the conference went on Ben and Bailey were in the same building just unaware of each other's presence. Ben was occupied with taking his son to all the lectures he was interested in. Ben's lecture was after lunch.
"Dad you think I could someday be the guy who like cures cancer or something" Jamin looked at his dad
"My boy I wouldn't put it past you" Ben laughed
"Did you always want to be a surgeon" He looked at his dad
"Nope remember I was an anesthesiologist first"
"Now you're the plastics king" Jamin winked
"Actually son. There's this doctor Jackson Avery was taught by Mark Sloan. Sloan was the man and Jackson is protégé"
"You know an Avery" His son stared at him with amazement
"I uh yeah" Ben nodded "before I came to LA"
"You guys talk" He asked
"No. We weren't really friends or anything. We worked in the same hospital"
"Oh" He nodded "Will either of them be here. The Avery or this Sloan guy"
"Well Mark is unfortunately dead. He uh died as a result of a plan crash shortly after I left. But Jackson may show up"
"Can I see the hospital you used to work at"
"Maybe son. We'll have to see what our schedule allows" He nodded. He truly didn't want to step back into that hospital but his son was so excited and optimistic. They went to 2 more lectures before it was almost time for Ben's.
"Alright buddy I'm going to get set up for my lecture" He smiled at his son
"Can I get some more food before I head in" Jamin asked
"Sure thing" He left to get prepared for his speech
Meanwhile across the building Miranda, Richard, and Jackson were eating lunch
"They brought in some fantastic doctors" Richard smiled reflecting on the lectures they've heard today.
"Surprised none of our guys were asked to speak. I mean we are right here in Seattle and they didn't want us" Jackson sipped his soda
"Good question Avery" Miranda nodded " the future of medicine is at GreySloan"
"This LA doctor's lab organs sound promising. Maybe GreySloan needs to pitch to him" Richard tapped his chin
"I mean if the Chief approached him" Jackson avoided looking at Miranda. He had walked into her office to ask her about offering to work with Ben. But sensing her attitude he decided against it. He was unsure how to ask.
"We should start heading over so we don't get poor seats" She stood up. They tossed their trash and headed towards the conference room. As they were walking they unknowingly walked right past Jamin. Though Jamin noticed them. He had a secret. He had ulterior motives for coming with his dad. He needed to know what really made his dad leave Seattle. He thought back to a conversation he had with his mom.
"Why don't my mom and dad live together" He asked his mom as she was tucking him in.
"BJ we talked about this. We are divorced. But we're still friends and we love each other
"Then why are you divorced" He asked
"Promise to keep this between us" She leaned in
"Promise"
"Your father came to LA to run from something. Well someone. I was a good distraction and like I said he loves me and I love him but she has his heart"
"Who" BJ asked
"Your father doesn't talk about Seattle much. Aside from growing up there and his sister. But his mystery woman works at the hospital I bet"
"Why isn't he with the woman who has his heart"
"The answer to that is within your father" She kissed his forehead
Jamin did his research on GreySloan memorial hospital. But he wondered which one his father was in love with. He decided to get some more food before heading in to her his dad's lecture.
Inside the conference room. The seats were full and the lecture was about to begin. Miranda, Jackson, and Richard were sitting front row.
"Who did you say was giving this lecture" Miranda leaned over to ask Jackson
Just as he opened his mouth to answer the lecturer walked out on stage
"Afternoon everyone" Ben smiled
"Benjamin Warren" Richard was shocked to see him. It had been years since he saw him. Richard admired the swagger Ben walked with.
Richard looked next to him at Miranda. She had an unreadable look on her face.
"I am Dr. Benjamin Warren. I am a plastic surgeon. However I spent many years as an anesthesiologist first before I made the switch. I used to work in this very city in fact" He looked out to the audience and he almost lost track of his words. There was Jackon, Richard, and Miranda Bailey. He wondered if they came to listen to his lecture because of the material or if it was because it was his lecture. He stared at them before swallowing hard and continuing his thought
"And I've been in a number of ORs. I've seen good families torn apart" He cleared his throat. His eyes wandered back to Miranda. A face and name he hadn't thought about in years and yet here she is right in front of him. His heart was pounding so loud he could hear it in his ears. He took a sip of his water and walked to the other side of the room
"Ben does plastics" Richard stared in amazement
"Why didn't you say it was Ben Warren" Bailey looked at Jackson
"I thought you read the lecturer's name. What's the big deal" He asked
"Don't worry no issue" She sat back in her seat
"UNOS. We have experience with them. Waiting around on the phone waiting to hear there's an organ for your patient. Downside 5 other people also need that organ" Ben quickly forgot about the anxiety he felt seeing Miranda. Unfortunately Miranda couldn't say the same she just stared at him. Unable to focus on a single thing he was saying. God he aged like fine wine. She stared at his salt and pepper goatee. She really had this man one minute and then the next she didn't have him anymore.
She felt overwhelmed and left the conference room she grabbed some water and headed out to her car to drive to the hospital.
Little did she know she was about to come face to face with Ben Warren again
YOU ARE READING
Holding On For Dear Life
Fanfic"Now that I got you, I'm holding on for dear life" You ever met that one person that you loved so much you felt you had to hold onto them forever? Well Ben Warren has.
