It's always been you, April Kepner

the letter

Leave It Inside
season 13 ep 22

🎵Atlantis-Seafret🎵

"i can't save us"

~~~~~

"Who do we have?" Madelyn asks walking into a trauma room

"This is Holly Harner. Complaining of generalized chest and abdominal pain after a fall. She's also got a pretty obvious forearm fracture. Just waiting for her X-rays to come up" April replies

Madelyn doesn't respond instead she just begins to look at Holly's fracture "Can you tell me how you fell?" she then asks

"So, I was having the best sеx of my life" Holly says "No, third-best."

"I'd hate to see the best" April jokes trying to lighten the mood

"No, no. So, then I had to pee. And it was dark, and I'm trying to find the bathroom. I found the front door instead, walked right out in the stairwell and..."

"Oh, no" April says

"Yeah, two flights. He slept right through it. His neighbor found me. Ah, ah!" Holly groans

"Does that hurt?" April asks watching Madelyn who's being awfully quiet

"Yeah" Holly replies

"And the guy you were with?" April asks

"Ah, well, it was one of those one-night things" Holly says

"Mm-hmm"

"So he'll just think I ducked out in the middle of the night. Which is fine. It's good, actually" Holly says "Oh, my God" she then exclaims

"What? What is it?" April asks concerned

"My pants... they're on his floor. He's gonna have to figure that one out. Ugh" Holly groans

"I'm sorry, Holly, but it looks like you've broken your arm in two places" Madelyn finally says

"Oh, come on" Holly sighs

"Yeah. And there's free fluid in the left upper quadrant" April adds

"Mhm" Madelyn hums "A broken arm is a simple fix, so my colleague Dr. Sylvester will be able to sort you out with no problems. I'll page her now" Madelyn says to Holly sending her a small smile before leaving the room

"Is she single?" Holly asks April once Madelyn is out of sight

April let's out an awkward laugh "Uh, excuse me. I will be right back" she say's following after the brunette "Madelyn- Mad- Dr. Shepherd" April says

"Dr. Kepner" the brunette replies casually

"What was that? You're seriously going to page Willow?" she asks

"Dr. Sylvester is more than capable of dealing with a broken arm" Madelyn replies

"So are you" April says

"True. But I have more important things to be getting on with" Madelyn says

 
"Right, so you want to page Willow?" April asks

"Yes"

"...Because you have more important things to worry about?"

"Yes"

"Like what?" the redhead questions 

"That doesn't concern you" Madelyn says walking away

~~~~~

"Would you be able to have Alexis tonight?" Madelyn asks

"What?" April questions

"Would you be able to have Alexis tonight" Madelyn repeats

"I mean I can, but why?" April asks

"I just need a night to myself" Madelyn says

"Madelyn, she's your baby, you don't just get to have a night off" April says

"Please" Madelyn says "Just one night"

"I've had her for the past four nights already? How could you possibly need more time-"

"Can you have her tonight or not?!" Madelyn snaps

"Yes I can, but I don't understand-"

"Great. Thank you" Madelyn interrupts before leaving April standing alone

~~~~~

"Jo?" Madelyn questions opening her apartment door

"Madelyn" Jo replies seriously

"April sent you?" Madelyn sighs with an eye roll "Come in"

"What's going on?" Jo asks

After a long silence Madelyn starts rummaging through her drawers, finally finding what she's been looking for she passes the envelope to Jo "Read it" she instructs

So Jo did, she read the letter, twice. Just to make sure she read it correctly the first time "What are you going to do?" she finally asks

"I don't know"

the letter...

To Madelyn Rose Shepherd,

It was nice seeing you in New York, although I do wish you'd stuck around for a conversation or two. That redhead who was with you is quite the looker. April, wasn't it? April Kepner right? Or Dr. Kepner when working at Grey-Sloan. How is life in Seattle? Cold, rainy? And your daughter, Alexis. Alexandra Amelia Kepner-Shepherd. I bet Amelia was thrilled to finally get some recognition. It's a cute name i'll admit. I mean it's honouring. May Lexie rest in peace. I'm guessing you won't be coming back to New York for a while, can't even be bothered to visit your own family, pathetic really. That's okay, i've always wanted to visit Washington. If we get the chance to have a real conversation i'll even do you the favour of informing your family you're okay. Well apart from your brother. He's not around anymore either, is he? I always knew you'd get what you deserved whether I had something to do with it or not. Hope to see you soon.

- T