Faking It

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

"Why would Andy need anyone to look after her? She's not going through anything right now." Carina said, not knowing how wrong her own words were and how harsh they were.

Andy wrapped her arms around herself and moved over to the couch, sitting down. Amelia was watching Andy's movements as Maggie and Carina were arguing and when she saw Andy begin to hyperventilate, she stepped in. "SHUT UP!" Maggie and Carina stopped talking and turned to Amelia. "can't you see what you two are fucking doing to her right now? You're making her panic more." Amelia pointed out, pointing to Andy who was breathing faster as seconds passed by. "You two need to go into a different room. Maggie, pass me the bag we brought please." Amelia asked calmly, knowing Andy needed her to be calm right now. Maggie handed Amelia the bag and she pulled out the oxygen tank. "Hey, Andy, I'm just going to cover her mouth and nose with this mask, okay?" Amelia asked, waiting for a response from Andy, not wanting to do anything to set her off further. It took a couple of seconds, but Andy nodded and let Amelia place the mask around her face.

"Can someone please tell me what's going on right now?" Carina asked, freaked out seeing Andy like this.

"Damn it, DeLuca. I told you to go to a different room." Amelia said, frustration clearly showing.

"Not until you tell me what the hell is going on!" Carina told her, frustrated by not understanding what the hell was going on.

Suddenly Maggie comes into the room, phone in hand.

Amelia sighed, "Maggie, I thought I told you to go to a different room until she calms down."

"I know, and I was, but I just got a text from Meredith asking how Andy is and I don't know what to tell her because I don't want to lie to her," Maggie told her, starting to pace.

Amelia sighed and looked from Maggie to Andy. Andy had her eyes closed as her breathing was slowing down. "Ask if she can talk," Amelia said simply, wrapping her arm around Andy, thankful that instead of pulling away she leaned her head onto Amelia's shoulder. Amelia watched Maggie nod. Maggie dialed Meredith's number and only had to wait a couple of seconds for Meredith to answer.

"How bad is it?" Meredith asked, not bothering to say hello.

"Amelia had to give her some oxygen. She's still on it right now."

"Shit." Meredith paused, "is she still awake or did the stress cause her to pass out?"

"She has her eyes closed but isn't sleeping. She's just resting her head against Amelia's shoulder right now."

There's a pause.

"Okay. Look, I don't know what set her off..."

Meredith got cut off by Maggie "Doctor DeLuca coming and asking a bunch of questions is what set her off."

"I didn't know!" Carina shouted. "How the hell was I supposed to know when you guys wouldn't tell me anything!"

"We shouldn't have to explain something that is clearly none of your business!" Amelia argued.

"It is though!" Carina shouted, quieting the room. "Andy came to my hotel room last night to help me try to deal with the fallout I had with Maya, and I just came to say thanks and that I needed someone to talk to! Andy is the only one I can go to right now!" Carina told them, looking at Andy.

Andy looked up at Carina, tears pooling in her eyes. I said I would be there for her, and I can't even do that right. Andy thought to herself. Andy lifted her head off of Amelia's shoulder and just continued to try to slow her breathing. She knew she would need to explain herself to Carina, but she just didn't want to. Maggie and Amelia knew there were already two people too many in her head. Only Meredith was supposed to know about her problem.

Amelia got off the couch, switched with Maggie and grabbed the phone. "Sorry, Mer."

"What the hell is going on?" Meredith asked, frustration clear in her voice. "Is Andy, okay?"

Amelia looked at Andy who was now lying down with her eyes closed, head on Maggie's lap and left the room. "She's laying down on Maggie right now, but I don't think it's us she needs Mer." Amelia sighed. "You said it was bad, but you never said it was this bad." Amelia rubbed her forehead. "She told all of us to leave. Said it wasn't us she wanted or needed. Meredith, I get Boston is important but can't..."

"I can't! I just got here Amelia. I can't get up and leave. Look, I love Seattle and the family I have there more than anything, but I also have my kids to think about."

"So that's it? You're just not going to come back?"

"Let me finish," Meredith told her, causing Amelia to close her mouth. "I talked to Jackson before I signed any employee paperwork, and I told him I wanted something added to the contract."

Amelia furrowed her eyebrows, raising one but then realizing Meredith couldn't see her, she asked the question she had, "What did you add?"

Meredith sighed, "I added in that I'll stay one year. Uninterrupted and then depending where we are on the research, I'd go back to Seattle and either continue the project there, or I'd just go back if I don't want to be in Boston anymore." Meredith told her. "But, before you get all smiley on me, I have to think about Zola, Ams. She was struggling in Seattle and here, despite her musical side, she's thriving. I can't just pull her away from this."

Amelia sighed. "So, what do we do, Meredith? Andy is your friend. She barely knows us. She trusts you. She looks to you for help. She isn't even friends with us, and you want us to do this for her?"

"Amelia..." Meredith started but got cut off.

"No," Amelia said sharply. "I know you said Andy had been struggling but this is so far past that. Maggie and I aren't equipped for this."

"So that's it? You're just not going to help her?"

Amelia rubbed her forehead. "For godsakes, Mer. Of course, we'll help her. We do care about her and not just because you're telling us to be there for her. If Andy is struggling, she deserves to have people who care for her be there and I want to do that. Not out of need, not because of you, not because of anything other than me just wanting to be there for her."

"Aww. I think you just melted my heart with how sweet that was." Meredith teased.

"Shut up" Amelia muttered halfheartedly, knowing that she meant every word she said.

"I've got to go now but text me later, okay?" Meredith asked, wishing she could be there for her sisters and friends, knowing she was where she needed to be right now.

"I will. Have a good day, Mer." Amelia said and ended the call. Amelia sighed and walked back into the living room.

I'm trying to update my stories as fast as I can, but the school semester is starting again so no promises as to when I'll update any others, but ALL my stories WILL be updated at some point. Promise. I'm not ditching any.