January 4 2020
8:03 p.m. – Hospital Hallway Outside Recovery
AJ had just returned from checking on Mateo in daycare, holding herself together with muscle memory. Dave was stable, Tony was out of surgery... everything should have been calming down.
That's when Lexie found her.
Lexie -AJ—Dr. Sanchez!
she called, jogging down the corridor.
AJ turned sharply.
AJ-What's wrong?"
Lexie looked pale, out of breath, eyes flickering with urgency.
Lexie - Tony's awake. And he's asking for you. He said—he said to come now. It's urgent.
AJ didn't wait for more. She took off down the hall, Lexie beside her.
---
8:06 p.m. – Recovery Room, ICU
Tony lay in the bed, weak but wide awake. One arm was hooked to fluids, chest rising unevenly beneath bandages. His eyes snapped to AJ the second she entered.
Tony - I know who did it
he rasped, voice hoarse.
AJ moved to his side, her hand curling around his.
AJ - Tony—slow down. You just came out of surgery—
Tony -I *know* who did it
he cut in.
Tony - It wasn't random. This wasn't just some gang drive-by.
AJ's stomach dropped.
AJ - Then who?
Tony swallowed hard.
Tony -Ron's brother.
AJ's entire body went still.
Tony continued, barely above a whisper,
Tony - He's been looking for a reason to come after Dave and me... ever since Ron died. He blamed us. Said Dave was the one who turned Ron in. And me? I was the one who beat him half to hell before they arrested him.
Lexie's eyes widened. AJ slowly straightened, voice dark.
Aj - You didn't tell me this.
Tony-I didn't think he'd actually do anything. But then... then we started hearing things. Little threats. Notes. I thought they were just scare tactics.
AJ turned away, breathing hard, heart racing.
Lexie stepped closer, softly
Lexie- Dr. Sanchez... he's not just confessing. He's warning you."
AJ looked back, her voice steel.
AJ- Then he just made it personal. And i need you not to speak and stay out of it do you understand
---
8:14 p.m. – Hallway Outside
AJ stepped out into the corridor, where Luke was waiting near the nurse's station. His eyes scanned her face immediately.
Luke- He's awake?
Luke asked.
AJ nodded, tight-jawed.
AJ- It was Ron's brother. The shooting wasn't random.
Luke's entire posture shifted — alert, protective.
Luke - That means it's retaliation.
She met his eyes.
AJ -And my family's the target.
He didn't blink.
Luke - Then we lock everything down.. Mateo doesn't leave this building unless it's with me."
AJ paused.
AJ - Luke... you don't have to—
Luke - I do
he said simply.
Luke - I protect you. All of you.
---
