When Worlds Collide

Back To Work

Maya waved as Carina drove off toward Grey-Sloan and watched until she turned the corner. Facing the station, Maya took a deep breath before heading inside. She had been off shift for so long while she healed and was ready to go back to work. Andy was in her office with the door closed so Maya knocked and waited.
"Come in."
"Hey Captain, I'm back."
"It's about time Bishop, I was beginning to think you'd put in for a transfer."
"Yeah right, why would I settle for anything less than first place?"
"Spoken like the true Olympian I know and love. How are you feeling Maya?"
"Surprisingly really well. I'm feeling good enough to jump into turnouts and go fight some fires even."
"Ha ha...nice try but I'm not letting that happen, especially on your first day back and tomorrow being a clinic day. That's all I need is for Carina to come in tomorrow and see you taking off in the engine. No thanks, I'm not looking for that ass kicking."
"Hey, I had to try anyway. By the way, I made the report yesterday with Detective Lord. I guess this guy and Mason really are part of that group. So they are going to go over to the bar they hang at and have a chat with him."
"Are you pressing charges?"
"I can't because there's no camera evidence of the attack on me. But the complaint is listed and now that we do have cameras at the house, if he comes around again he's screwed."
"Hey, I'm really sorry about Mason. I want to say something profound and reassuring, but I just don't know what to say besides I'm sorry."
"That's all I need Andy. I had hoped that maybe there was something there to save, but he's really just gone I guess. I wanted to be able to share this life with him, but he just doesn't want it. And after I fucked up and nearly lost Carina, I can't allow him access to poisoning what she and I have worked so hard for."
Andy stood from behind her desk and came around to hug Maya.
"Well, you've got family here and we will fight to protect you and your family. Oh speaking of, when's the IVF insemination?"
"Carina is going to call and schedule it today and then let me know. I'm so frigging nervous Andy, I want this for her so badly. I want this for us, for our future. I can't believe what a difference having Liam has made of me."
"You've definitely come a long way my friend. I'm so proud of you, even though there have been times I've wanted to strangle you."
"Well, that's what sisters are for right? I mean, Vic says she lovehates us allll the time!"
Both women laughed easily before Maya turned and headed out of the office and upstairs.

Carina had just dropped Liam off at the daycare center and was waiting for the elevator to take her up to her office when Arizona walked up and stopped beside her.
"We've got to stop meeting like this, people are going to talk."
Carina smiled and tilted her head.
"It wouldn't be the first time they went looking for gossip surrounding us.  But I think they all know how much I do love my wife and how much you and Callie worked to repair your marriage too."
"True, but you know they are all secretly jealous of us so they'd be looking for something to talk about."
The elevator dinged as the doors opened to reveal Doctors Shepard and Hunt in the middle of a mildly heated conversation.  They stopped suddenly when they realized they had an audience as Carina and Arizona stepped inside.  Both women reached for the same floor button and their fingers touched as they pushed simultaneously.  Arizona gave Carina's hand a quick squeeze and winked at her before hitting the button for another floor as Carina flashed a smile back and shook her head jokingly.   Amelia and Owen glanced at the exchange and then at each other but didn't say a word.  After a few moments, the elevator dinged and as the doors opened and Carina moved to exit, Arizona grabbed her in an impulsive quick hug before letting her go.  Carina stepped off and as the doors began to close, she looked back over her shoulder with a smile as she waved and shook her head again.  Arizona kept her back to Owen and Amelia so they wouldn't see her holding back a laugh.

"Nineteen, line up!"
Andy stood at the front of the barn as the A team scrambled into fall in.  She couldn't hold back the smile as she watched Maya take her place at the head of the line.
"I want to welcome Lieutenant Bishop back to duty.  It's been a while so give her some time to get back into the groove.  She will be on desk duty today and coordinating the yearly physicals here in house.  Hughes?"
Vic smiled and pulled a clipboard from behind her back.  Maya rolled her eyes and laughed as she took it.
"Clipboard Maya Bishop is in the house folks...good luck!  Beckett, Montgomery, you're on Crisis One today.  Sullivan, Warren, Aid car. Hughes, you're in the engine with me. Ok, let's get this place cleaned and stocked since tomorrow is a clinic day."
The team broke off and Vic playfully punched Maya's arm.
"Sorry, we couldn't resist.  But you don't get the whistle."
"What makes you think I don't keep it in my locker anyway?"
"Oh I know you don't.  I checked.  But you may want to take your medal home, Travis and I have waaayyy too much fun playing pretend Olympics with it."
Vic backed away laughing before turning and jogging out of the barn. 

Carina was finishing up some paperwork when she heard the knock on her door.
"Come in."
"Carina? I'm sorry to bother you, but can we talk?"
Carina blinked as she watched Katherine Bishop timidly enter her office.  She hadn't been in contact with her since the incident in Maya's room and this was a total surprise.
"Katherine what brings you here?"
"I-I wanted to say I'm sorry for what happened and I wanted to know how is Maya doing?"
"She's better thank you.  She just went back to work today as a matter of fact."
"I'm glad to hear that.  I did try calling and talking to her but, well, it didn't go very well."
Carina folded her hands together on her desk and sighed as she tilted her head and looked at her mother-in-law.  She could feel that Katherine was wanting to say something but was nervous.
"I know we don't know each other very well Katherine, but what you should know about me is that I'm very Italian.  That means that I don't, how does it go? Ahh beat through the bush?"
"You mean beat around the bush?"
"Yes. Si si...beat around the bush.  So I'm going to just come right out and say this.  Maya and I would like very much for you to be part of our lives and the family we are building.  But your husband is absolutely not welcome and neither is your son."
"Mason? What does...did he do something to Maya? To you?"
"Maya had a confrontation with him and it seems that he is very much against our way of life.  Maya has had to make the decision to cut off communication with him in order to protect herself and our family.  I can't demand you do the same to your husband and son, but I do know that Maya will not allow their poison into her life any longer.  She is prioritizing her safety and happiness and I stand with my wife in her decision."
Carina watched as Katherine wiped tears from her eyes and nodded. 
"Carina, I know I've made mistakes and I know I didn't protect my children, but I miss Maya.  I've missed her for most of her life.  Lane controlled everything and I was just too weak and too scared to do something...anything about his abuse.  But I really want to know my daughter...and you.  That day at your wedding, I've never seen Maya so innocent and vulnerable.  She was so full of light and love and I just know that's because of you.  I'm scared as hell to leave my husband, but I'm more scared to lose Maya because of him."
Carina wiped a tear from her cheek as she regarded Katherine.  The tone of the woman's voice was very clear-she was terrified but determined to keep Maya in her life.  Carina stood up and came around her desk to hug Katherine.
"It won't be easy but we will find a way.  Maya will come around and as long as you are willing to really give yourself a chance at freedom, we will both support you completely.  I wish that Maya was here right now because I'd really wanted to do this together, but would you like to meet your grandson?"
Katherine blinked as her mouth dropped open.  Carina chuckled and put an arm around her shoulders as they headed toward the door.
"It's a long story, but I'll fill you in on our way down to the daycare."