January 21 2020
10:42 PM
Rain slapped the windshield of the black SUV. In the back, Mateo was dozing peacefully in his car seat, soft breathing lost beneath the hum of the tires on wet asphalt.
In the front, AJ had just closed her eyes when Luke, ever-alert at the wheel, murmured,
Luke - We're about twenty minutes out. Safe house is prepped.
AJ gave a half-smile, hand resting on her belly.
AJ -I might finally sleep for more than an hour.
And then—
Blinding headlights.
Wrong lane.
A deafening horn.
Luke - AJ—!"
Impact.
---
HOSPITAL – LATER THAT NIGHT
The fluorescent lights of the trauma bay flickered overhead as AJ was wheeled in on a stretcher, blood drying at her temple, pupils sluggish.
Mateo— physically unharmed, but crying in Luke's arms.
The moment Dave stormed through the ER doors, he didn't even need directions. He could feel where she was.
Dave - AJ!
he called.
Dave - Sir, we're working on her—
Dave - I'm not leaving her side.
They didn't stop him. They couldn't. One look at his face, and no one even tried.
---
ICU ROOM – HOURS LATER
It was dark. Quiet. The only sound was the monitor's slow, steady beep.
AJ lay unconscious in the hospital bed, pale, a bandage wrapping her forehead. The rhythm of her breath matched the rise and fall of the ventilator. Tubes. Wires. Monitors.
Dave sat in a chair pulled close, elbows on his knees, his hands tangled in hers.
Mateo lay in a bassinet near the window — sleeping, safe.
Luke stood at the door, bandaged but alert. Watching. Guarding.
Dave never moved his eyes from her.
Dave - I should've gone with you
he whispered, voice raw.
Dave - I should've been in that damn car.
He exhaled slowly.
Dave- I don't care about the safe house. The danger. The past. I care about *you*.
Her fingers didn't move.
But her heart monitor was steady.
And that was enough for now.
---
MORNING LIGHT – ICU
Dave hadn't left the room. Not for a second. Nurses and Camilla tried. Luke tried. No one succeeded.
Then, sometime just before dawn—
AJ - Dave...?
It was a whisper. Weak. Barely there.
He jolted up, tears instantly blurring his eyes.
Dave- AJ.
She blinked slowly, tried to move.
Dave - No, no, don't try to sit up. You're okay. Mateo's okay. You've been out for hours.
She swallowed hard.
AJ- Luke?
Dave a He's fine. Shaken. But he pulled Mateo out before it flipped.
She exhaled, shaking slightly.
AJ - Is Mateo really okay?
Dave picked up the bassinet and brought it closer, lowering it so she could see.
Dave - He's right here, baby. He didn't even get a scratch.
AJ let out a sound — half laugh, half sob.
Dave kissed her hand.
Dave - You scared the hell out of me, Dr. Sanchez.
She gave him the smallest, most tired smile.
AJ - Wouldn't be the first time.
