January 6 2020
Next Morning, 8:12 AM
The door opened slowly.
Lexie, Jackson, April, Ben, and Parker stood in a line just inside the doorway. No one spoke at first.
AJ sat alone at the conference table. No white coat, no files — just a mug of half-cold coffee and dark circles under her eyes.
She didn't look up when she spoke.
AJ- Close the door.
April shut it softly.
Lexie took a step forward.
Lexie - We're here to apologize. All of us.
AJ looked up.
Lexie's voice cracked a little.
Lexie - We crossed a boundary that wasn't ours to touch. I—I did it because I thought you were in danger. But that doesn't excuse it.
Jackson nodded.
Jackson - We had no right to dig into your past. We let fear drive us instead of trust. That's not what you taught us.
Ben added quietly
Ben -You deserved more respect than we gave you.
For a moment, the silence felt like a verdict.
Then AJ exhaled.
Aj -You all have talent. Heart. And way too much curiosity
she said flatly, but her tone wasn't cold anymore. Just... tired.
AJ -But you're also still learning what this job *really* takes. Sometimes it's knowing when *not* to push.
She stood and walked over to them. They instinctively straightened, unsure if she was about to dismiss them or hand them their lives.
Instead, she nodded to April and Parker.
AJ-You're dismissed. Thank you for owning up.
They looked surprised but grateful. They left quickly.
Then AJ turned to Lexie and Jackson.
Aj - You two... stay.
The door clicked shut again.
AJ studied them quietly for a moment. Then her voice softened — like she was finally letting go of the last of her defenses.
Aj - You didn't dig because you wanted gossip. You dug because you were scared. And I've seen that same fear in myself.
Lexie's eyes welled up.
Lexie - We never meant to make you feel unsafe.
Aj -You didn't, You reminded me... that I don't have to do this alone anymore.
She stepped closer.
AJ - Thank you
she said, her voice so gentle, it barely sounded like the same woman who once got the nickname *Medusa.*
Then she added,
AJ - Now that we're being honest — if you're going to snoop into my life, at least be smart enough to hide your access trail.
Lexie laughed through a tear.
Lexie-Noted.
Jackson smiled.
Jackson -We're still your interns, right?
AJ gave the ghost of a smile.
AJ - Until the day I decide you're ready to fly solo. And that day is not today.
They both nodded, relieved — and understood.
