November 24 2019
The room was quiet, low-lit. The monitors glowed. The buzz of soft radio chatter filled the background. They was in and out of Aj's office because they was doing the wedding planning and Dave needed help with Mateo. Mateo was in daycare
Dave stood by the door, arms crossed, waiting for Luke to finish logging his shift. But something was... off.
Luke's movements were slower. His shoulders tighter.
Dave noticed.
Dave -You good, man?
he asked, watching him carefully.
Luke stared at the clock a second longer, then turned, his jaw clenched.
Luke -I need to say something
Luke said, voice low.
Dave straightened- Okay let's got to AJ's office
They went to her office and Luke didn't move.
Luke -It's not about the job. Not about protocol.
Dave -...It's about AJ, isn't it?
A beat. Luke nodded.
Luke- I love her.
Luke said it like a bruise he couldn't hide anymore.
Luke- I didn't mean to. I never crossed a line. I never said anything. But I did. Somewhere between watching her tear into interns and cry in the stairwell and hold Mateo after surgery—I fell in love with her. When I first saw her I was like wow I never knew a woman can be this beautiful. Time by time I knew this crush wasn't going to go away. I am be her security but she treats me more than that
Dave's breath caught slightly, but he didn't interrupt.
Luke looked down, swallowing hard.
Luke - And I know she's yours. She chose you. I'm not here to mess with that. I would *never*.
Dave nodded slowly.
Dave- I believe you.
Luke leaned on the desk, suddenly overwhelmed.
Dave- There was a night... a while ago
he said, voice rough now.
Dave -When **Ron tried to hurt her.** Tried to...
He couldn't finish it.
Dave- I got there right after. She was unconscious . Bruised . At that money I felt like I had failed her
Dave stayed silent.
Dave- I remember the way she looked at me then. Scared of everyone. But when I sat down, didn't speak, just gave her space... She stopped shaking.
Luke blinked fast, the memory flooding back.
Dave - She let me sit there. That was all. But it meant something.
---
Luke- I've never forgotten that moment, Because I swore I'd never be another man she had to flinch from."
Dave's voice was quiet.
Dave-You aren't. She's been through hell. And she's still fire. Still sharp. Still the strongest person I've ever seen. And you love her anyway?
Luke smiled, just a little.
Dave - No. I love her *because* of all of it.
---
Dave stepped forward, exhaling.
Dave -I'm not gonna lie. This hurts a little.
Luke nodded.
Luke- I know.
Dave- But I'm glad it was you that's been there. Through everything. Especially that night.
Luke looked up.
Luke - She doesn't know I know about Ron
Dave added- Not all of it.
Luke - She doesn't like to talk about it
Luke said softly.
Luke- But she *knows* I never left.
Dave gave him a look of something between gratitude and grief.
Dave - She always says she feels safest when you're in the room.
Luke didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
---
### **Final Line**
Luke-I love her
Luke said again, quieter this time.
Luke -But I know how to love her from a distance.
Dave nodded, eyes stinging.
Dave- Then you're one of the good ones.
And in the silence between them, there was no rivalry.
Just two men—each holding a piece of the same woman's story.
