January 4 2020
9:42 p.m. – ICU Room 4 (Dave's Recovery)
The soft beep of the monitors was steady.
AJ stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed, lips pressed together so tightly they were white.
Dave was groggy but awake. He turned his head slowly toward her, wincing from the movement.
Dave - You should be with Mateo.
he whispered.
AJ - I just came from him
She replied flatly.
Aj - He's fine. But we need to talk about the one thing you never told me
Dave's eyes closed.
Dave- Tony told you.
AJ stepped closer.
AJ - Ron's brother said you and Tony are the reason Ron's dead. But it wasn't Tony.
Dave didn't speak.
Aj - You killed him
AJ said. Her voice cracked.
Aj -That's what happened that night. When I passed out—when Ron tried to—
She swallowed hard.
Aj- You didn't just stop him. You *ended* him.
Dave finally looked at her.
Dave -I didn't plan it. I didn't go there to do it. But when I saw what he did to you, I snapped. He was going to keep going.
Aj -You should've called the police
she snapped, eyes blazing.
Aj- You should've let him rot in prison.
Dave's jaw clenched.
Dave- And what? Let him get out in five years on a technicality? Let him tell the world you *wanted* it? I knew him, AJ. He would've twisted it. Blamed you.
AJ turned away, wiping her face with trembling fingers.
AJ -That wasn't your decision to make. I survived that night, Dave. I wanted justice — not revenge.
Dave -You're here because I made that choice
he said, softer now.
Dave-I'll live with it. Every damn day. But I don't regret protecting you.
She didn't speak.
Then, quietly
AJ -You took the choice away from me. And it was never yours to take. You could have die
Dave- but I'm not
AJ - are you an idiot did you forget that he had a brother did you forget that you are the father of our child. We need you I need you
She broke down
AJ- you can't do this shit
Dave - I'm sorry
He hates seeing her cry
Dave - I'm here aren't I. You got your self some pretty good interns
AJ- I know because they worked under me
They both chuckle
Dave- I'll be damned that anything will every happen to me do you understand mamas
She nodded
