January 4 2020
6:26 p.m. – ER Chaos
Gunshots.
Blood on the floors.
Two gurneys.
Dave Brewster and Tony Sanchez—AJ's fiancé and her brother—wheeled in side by side.
AJ stood in scrubs, frozen at
the head of the hallway, her eyes locked on the chaos unfolding ahead of her.
Someone yelled - Internal bleeding
Another person - Shoulder GSW
The sounds blurred.
Then her voice cut through the mess, razor-sharp.
AJ - Who's available for trauma surgery?
A breathless nurse answered- Dr. Jackson's prepped and standing by
AJ's eyes locked on Jackson, who stood stiffly by the trauma bay doors, already in scrubs, already waiting.
AJ -Tony's yours, You've trained for this. Don't mess it up. If you let my brother die i promise. The same person I am now won't be later do I make myself clear
Jackson nodded — terrified but focused.
Jackson- Yes, Doctor.
---
6:30 p.m. – Trauma Bay
AJ turned to Lexie, who had just slipped into the ER from rounds.
AJ- You're with Dave
AJ said quickly.
Aj - You stay by him, and you keep me updated. I don't care what OR I'm in — you find me.
Lexie hesitated- Dr. Sanchez, are you sure—?
AJ - You showed up at my house when you didn't know where else to go
AJ said softly.
AJ - You owe me.
Lexie's chest tightened.
Lexie - I won't let anything happen to him.
AJ - I know you won't Then she turned and walked away.
---
6:37 p.m. – Daycare, Hospital Level 3
AJ sat in the quiet corner of the hospital daycare, Mateo asleep in his crib beside her.
The hum of lullabies and soft cooing filled the room.
She watched his chest rise and fall. Counted every breath. Her fingers trembled in her lap.
Luke stood just outside the door, giving her space — but not really leaving.
After a minute, he stepped in quietly.
AJ - You don't have to stay here
AJ whispered, eyes on Mateo.
Luke - I'm not here for *him*
Luke said gently- I'm here for *you*.
She turned toward him, exhausted, her voice cracking.
AJ- I'm trusting a third-year intern to operate on my brother. And another to make sure Dave doesn't crash. Do you know how insane that is?
Luke nodded.- Yeah. But you trained them. You've been preparing them for this. And you don't do that unless you believe they're ready.
AJ looked down at her son.
AJ - What if they're not?
Luke -Then they've got backup. And so do you.
---
6:59 p.m. – OR
Jackson worked quickly over Tony's abdomen, suctioning the bleeding and keeping his voice steady.
Jackson - Clamp. Irrigation. Liver's torn but manageable.
He didn't look up. Didn't panic.
He remembered everything Bailey and AJ ever taught him — *cut precisely, not frantically; protect what you can't replace.*
Behind the glass window of the OR, a few surgeons silently watched — including AJ, holding Mateo now in her arms.
She wasn't in the room.
But she didn't need to be.
---
7:10 p.m. – Trauma Recovery
Lexie sat at Dave's bedside, eyes fixed on the monitor.
He stirred slowly. His eyes blinked open.
Lexie -Hey
she whispered, leaning close.
Lexie - You're in recovery. You made it.
Dave -Where's AJ?
he mumbled.
Lexie- She's with your son and checking on Tony. I told her I'd make sure you were okay.
Dave gave a half-smile.
Dave- You're the nervous one, right?
Lexie laughed quietly.
Lexie-Yeah. But I guess not today.
---
7:25 p.m. – Hallway
Jackson emerged from the OR, sweat-stained and silent. AJ met him just outside.
Jackson - He's stable Bleed's controlled. We did it.
AJ looked at him for a long beat.
Then quietly:
Jackson- Good work, Doctor.
Jackson swallowed the lump in his throat.
Jackson - Thank you."
