Chapter Text
Maya went back to work, and everything was fine. She was staying behind when her team went on calls, catching up on paperwork and other things around the station.
However, about a week after she got back, Jack was out sick, and Andy was on Aid Car and had been called out to a scene. They had a sub for Jack for the shift, but not another lieutenant.
As the alarms sounded in the station, Maya realized all her ranking firefigthers were gone, meaning there was no one to be in charge at the scene. She made the snap descision to go with her team on the call, telling herself she would just stay outside, running point and giving directions.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Vic asked as Maya climbed into the truck.
“I’ll be fine,” the blonde said, “I won’t go in. I can give orders. That requires no physical movement I haven’t been cleared for.”
Vic nodded, not sure she should believe her friend, but because she was also her boss, she decided to go along with her idea. They got to the scene and everything seemed fine. It was a house fire, and the team worked quickly to get it under control.
However, about five minutes into it, the fire still wasn’t under control and they were informed there was a child trapped inside. Maya sent Vic and Travis in, everyone else working on getting the fire out. They had the aid car from 23 there with them and Andy radioed, saying she was on her way too.
Everything from there happened so fast. Maya was told they had the kid, that they were coming out, when all of a sudden, she head Travis yelling Vic’s name, and she was being informed there was a firefighter down. Without even thinking, Maya pulled on her mask and ran inside.
“Captain, what the hell are you doing ?” Travis asked as Maya found them.
“What happened to Hughes?” Maya asked, more concerned about her friend.
“She fell down the stairs,” Travis said, “She’s can’t put weight on her ankle and she got knocked out for a second.”
“Get the kid to the aid car,” Maya ordered, “I’ll pull Hughes out.”
“You can’t,” Travis said as the house started to creak.
“This house is coming down,” Maya said, “Go.”
Travis wasn’t happy, but he ran out, Maya going to grab Vic. The blonde pulled her friend out, not feeling anything until she had Vic outside.
Once they were both safe, Maya collapsed next to Vic, her ab muscles searing in pain.
“What happened?” Andy said, running over with Ben, “Maya, what the hell were you thinking?”
“Had to get her out,” the blonde said, trying to calm the muscles in abdomen.
“Let’s get them both in the aid car,” Ben said, looking between the two of them.
“I’m fine,” Maya said.
“Then stand up on your own,” Andy challeneged, knowing from the look on Maya’s face that that wasn’t going to happen.
When Maya couldn’t, she admitted defeat.
“Fine,” Maya said, her abs still on fire, “I’ll go.”
As Ben helped Vic, Andy helped Maya and soon enough, both of them were in the aid car.
“Do you think you broke it?” Maya asked Vic as they started to Grey Sloan.
“No,” Vic said, shaking her head, “I think it might be sprained. You should not have done that.”
“The house literally fell down minutes after we got out,” Maya said, still trying to breathe through the pain.
“Carina is going to kill you,” Andy said, shaking her head, “and then us for letting you be that stupid. You had major abdominal surgery less than a month ago.”
“And I am currently being reminded of that, thank you very much,” Maya said, the pain going down slightly making breathing a little easier.
They pulled up to the hospital, both Vic and Maya claiming they were fine.
“Will you two be quiet,” Andy said, shaking her head, “Vic fell down a slight of stairs. She was knocked out momentarily and she was complaining of pain in her left ankle. And Maya decided to play hero and has been having pain around her surgical site.”
“I’ll take Bishop,” Meredith said, “Helm, take Vic and page Shepard for a neuro consult.”
“Yes Dr. Grey,” Helm nodded as Vic was wheeled in on the stretcher, Maya finding herself in the wheelchair.
“So, how bad is what I did?” Maya asked as Meredith took her into an exam room.
“Well, it depends on what we find on the ultrasound,” Meredith said, “You are probably healed enough that you didn’t reopen your internal site, but I am worried about muscle tearing.”
Maya groaned as she stood up, pulling off her turnouts.
“Please tell me you didn’t page Carina,” Maya said, gingerly climbing up onto the exam table.
“I didn’t yet,” Meredith said, “But I can if you want me to.”
“Can you wait until you know what this is?” Maya said, biting her lip as she leaned back, pain getting worse as she reclined, but better once she was flat.
“Sure,” Meredith said, nodding, “I can’t page her without your permission anyways, HIPPA.”
Maya nodded as she untucked her shirt.
“Well, the incision site looks fine,” Meredith said, pulling on some gloves and touching the area around the incision, “Now, tell me if this hurts.”
Meredith prodded around Maya’s abdomen, the blonde wincing a few times.
“Alright,” Meredith said, “I’m going to go grab an ultrasound. I think you probably just tore some of the muscles that we opened up, but I just want to double check.”
“How much is this going to set my recovery back?” Maya asked, scared to know the answer. “It could be a few more weeks,” Meredith said, “Maybe more.”
“Damn it,” Maya said, putting her head back on the pillows, “Um, can you page Carina?”
“Of course,” Meredith nodded, leaving the room.
Maya laid there, tears rolling down her cheeks. She wouldn’t change what she did today because if she hadn’t gone in, Vic likely would not have made it out. However, she was not going to be chained to her desk for longer.
Meredith came in a few minutes later with the ultrasound machine.
“Carina is in the middle of a delivery,” Meredith said, “Don’t worry. She doesn’t know you’re here yet, but the charge nurse said she would send her down once it’s done. This might be a little cold.”
Maya nodded as Meredith squeezed some of the gel on her belly, going over the area where the pain was.
“Yep,” Meredith nodded, “See here, we stitched these muscles back together after surgery, but they are separated again. It’s not enough that I need to go back in and fix it, but it is going to take a while to heal. Maya, it is very important that you do not agrivate this again, or it will be another surgery.”
The blonde nodded, wiping the tears off her face.
“How’s your pain?” Meredith asked, wiping the gel off Maya’s belly.
“If I’m not moving or breathing or sitting, it’s not bad,” Maya said, “I don’t want anything for it, except maybe some tylonal or something. That would be good.”
“I will send a nurse in with some,” Meredith nodded.
“Hey, do you know where Vic is?” Maya asked, pulling her shirt back down.
“She’s two rooms down I believe,” Meredith said, “Although I’m sure Amelia has her in CT. I can have the nurse put you in her room if it’s alright with her.”
“It will be,” Maya nodded, “That would be great.”
“I will go talk to the nurse and get you some tylonal and have you moved.”
“Thanks,” Maya nodded.
“Please, be careful Maya,” Meredith said, going to leave, “I don’t want to see you here for any reason other than bothering your girlfriend for a very long time. Oh, and you can concider this your month post-op visit. I want to see you in 6 weeks to see how the tear is doing.”
“Sounds good,” Maya nodded, deciding not to sit up until she had to.
Within ten minutes, Maya had had some meds and was sitting in Vic’s room, the younger woman still waiting for a CT because the machine went down.
“Do you think you’re concussed?” Maya asked.
“If I am, it’s mild,” Vic said, “I have a headache, but even that is not too bad. My memory is intacted. I remember everything about the accident, even the fall. I wouldn’t believe I was out except that Trav said I was.”
“And the ankle?” Maya asked.
“Link said it is sprained,” Vic said, rubbing it a little, “I’m getting a boot for two weeks.”
“So you get desk duty with me,” Maya said, shaking her head.
“How long are you strapped to it?” Vic asked.
“At least another month and a half,” Maya sighed, “I tore the muscles Meredith had to cut to get my appendix out and if I mess them up again, it’s another surgery.”
“I’m so sorry Maya,” Vic said, feeling guilty.
“Hey, you are alive,” Maya shrugged, “I would rather have you alive and be in pain than have you gone.”
“Thanks,” Vic said, cracking a smile.
A few minutes later, a nurse came and got Vic for her CT, leaving Maya alone to wait. Not long after Vic left, the door opened again, Carina storming in.
“Hey,” Maya said, trying to gague how much trouble she was in.
“What part of desk duty was confusing yo you?” Carina asked, “What the hell were you doing out in the field? You promised.”
“I know,” Maya said, “But…”
“No,” Carina said, “I don’t want excuses. I just came down here to make sure you were alright, but I need to get back to work. I do not have time to take off when you decide to disobey doctor’s orders and injure yourself less than three weeks after abdominal surgery. I am off in four hours. I will see you at home.”
Maya did everything in her power not to start crying right then and there as Carina walked out.
Once the door was closed again, Maya broke down, the sobs that racked her body making her abs hurt more. She ended up having a panic attack that she managed to get herself out of just before Vic got back.
“Maya,” Vic said, noticing how bad her friend looked, “What happened?”
“I’m fine,” Maya said, wiping the tears off her face, “It’s nothing.”
Vic knew Maya was lying, but decided to leave her be. After a few minuntes, the blonde looked at her.
“Carina’s pissed I hurt myself,” she said, “And she has every rite to be. I was stupid and should not have even gone with you guys out there.”
“Well, you are right that you shouldn’t have come with us,” Vic said, knowing Maya could take the tough love, “And I should have said something, but I am grateful you were there because I might have ended up as barbecue without you. But that being said, you have to take better care of yourself, Mai.”
“I know,” Maya said, wiping a tear from her eye, “I will be better this time.”
“And if you aren’t, I will kick your ass,” Vic said, cracking a small smile, “We need you, but we need you healthy.”
Maya nodded, smiling at Vic a little. She stayed until Vic was discharged with an extrememly mild concussion and sprained ankle which was going to keep her out longer than the concussion.
“How are we going to get home?” Vic asked as she strapped her new shoe on.
“I’ll call Andy and see if she can send someone to pick us up,” Maya sighed, wincing as she moved to grab her phone.
Just as Maya was about to text Andy, there was a knock on the door.
“Can I come in?” Carina asked softly.
“Don’t you need to be working?” Maya asked, not looking at Carina.
“I got some to cover the last two hours of my shift,” Carina said, “Can I take you home?”
“I don’t want to make you take off time,” Maya said, shaking her head.
“Please?” Carina said, “And Vic, I can take you home too.”
“That would be great,” Vic nodded.
Maya nodded, agreeing. Carina helped Maya up and soon enough, Vic was dropped off and they were back at their place.
“You can go back to work,” Maya said as she went into the apartment, “I’m fine.”
“Bambina, come sit,” Carina said, motioning for Maya to come to the couch.
The blonde obliged, wincing as she sat.
“I am sorry,” Carina said with a sigh, “I should not have yelled like I did. It was inappropriate and you did not deserve it. You know what you did was not smart, you did not need me yelling it at you.”
“I’m sorry,” Maya said, “I know I should not have done what I did. In the moment, all I could think was that Vic was going to die if I did not get her out of there.”
“Would she have?” Carina asked.
“Yeah,” Maya said, “She couldn’t walk and the building literally colappsed as I got her onto the lawn. It was bad.”
“Well, as much as I wish you did not reinjure yourself,” Carina sighed, “I am glad Vic is alive and you are alive, but Bambina, you need to follow Meredith’s orders.”
“I know,” Maya nodded, “She made that explicitly clear. If I don’t, I’m going back under the knife. I will listen. I won’t leave the station when I’m on shift except to get coffee and grocery shop. Vic basically told me she will kill me if I try anything.”
“Good,” Carina smiled, “Now, are you feeling up to a shower because you stink.”
“I know,” Maya nodded, “I think I could manage a shower, but not a long one.”
“Your abs are sore aren’t they?” Carina asked as they got up.
“That’s a rhetorical question, right?” Maya asked, “Because they are screaming so loud right now, I can’t tell if you are serious.”
“I am joking, Bambina,” Carina said, “I know you are hurting. Come on. I will help you.”
Soon enough, they were in bed, Maya finding that laying flat made everything feel the best.
“I’m sorry you are having to take care of me again,” Maya said as Carina played with her hair.
“Don’t apologize,” Carina said, “I enjoy taking care of you. Now rest. It will make you feel better.”
Over the next eight weeks, Maya did everything she was supposed to, working from her desk, not lifting anything, spending a lot of time lying down and letting her muscles heal.
Finally, three months after her appendix ruptured, Meredith cleared her for regular, active duty.
“I am glad you can go back to normal work tomorrow,” Carina said, smiling as she and Maya climbed into bed the evening after Maya’s doctor’s appointment.
“You know,” Maya said, looking over at Carina, “Meredith cleared me for everything, all regular activities which means…”
“I was wondering when you were going to figure that out,” Carina said, already moving to pull off Maya’s shirt.
“God, I should have listened the first time,” Maya said, feeling arousal fill her body as Carina started kissing her jawline, “Three months without this… Now that is too long.”