November 17 2019
6:47 AM
AJ paused in the parking garage, her badge already clipped to her coat.
She stared up at the building for a long moment.
Same walls. Same halls. Same weight.
But she was different now.
She wasn't just Dr. AJ Sanchez, Head of Neurosurgery
She was Mateo's mother—the woman who'd sat helpless behind glass while someone else cut into her child's brain.
Her fingers trembled for just a second before she tightened her grip on her coffee and walked through the doors.
---
Neuro Floor – Residents' Lounge
Jackson, April , Lexie, Ben, and Parker froze when they saw her.
Lexie dropped her pen.
Parker- Dr. Sanchez—
Parker said, standing straighter.
Parker- Welcome back.
April elbowed him.
April -We were gonna say something more casual...
Ben muttered- We practiced this.
AJ raised a brow.
AJ- You *practiced* welcoming me back?
Lexie blurted- You're terrifying!
AJ blinked. And then, to their complete shock—**she laughed**.
Just once. A real laugh.
AJ - You'll be fine
she said, voice calm but sharp again.
Aj - As long as none of you bring me decaf coffee or faint in my OR.
They exhaled in a wave, smiling nervously.
AJ turned to the board.
AJ- Who's on Dr. Hunt's service today?
Ben - Parker and April. But they're scrubbing into a tumor resection with Dr. Rivas this morning.
At the sound of that name—**Rivas**—AJ's hand twitched.
She didn't say anything. But her smile dropped just slightly.
AJ- Right Tell them I want a post-op debrief in my office. And send me today's scans.
---
OR Corridor – Later That Morning
The hospital hummed like it always did. Machines beeped. Nurses moved. Scrub techs prepped trays.
AJ passed familiar faces. Some nodded respectfully. Others stopped her to ask about Mateo. She gave them brief, polite replies. No details. Just: "He's home. He's okay."
Then, just before she pushed into the scrub room, she heard a voice behind her:
Luke -You good being back in the tower?
Standing near the security station, arms crossed, soft eyes watching her.
AJ paused- Honestly? No. But I'm here.
Luke nodded- Let me know if you need backup. Or an excuse to throw someone out
AJ half-smiled - Tempting.
---
OR 4 – Surgery Begins
AJ tied her mask. Pulled on gloves. Picked up the scalpel.
A child's brain was displayed on the monitor. Not Mateo's—but someone else's son. Someone else's daughter.
She took a breath.
And for the first time since everything—she felt steady again.
AJ - Time in. Let's save someone.
