August 14 2020
EARLY MORNING
The plane touched down just past dawn.
AJ still smelled faintly of the ocean. Her fingers were laced through Dave's as they walked through the quiet terminal, Mateo asleep on Dave's chest in the carrier.
Luke met them at the curb with a low nod, instantly sliding into protective mode.
Luke - Everything go smoothly?
he asked.
Dave -Quiet
Dave said.
Dave - Suspiciously quiet.
AJ gave him a look.
AJ - Don't say that out loud."l
---
They didn't even make it through the hospital's private entrance before a nurse in teal scrubs came racing toward them.
Nurse - Dr. Sánchez sorry I mean dr Brewster —we have a Level 1 trauma incoming. Gunshot wound. Teenager. GSW to the abdomen and possible spinal involvement.
AJ blinked. She wasn't even in scrubs yet. Her suitcase was still in the car.
AJ - Page Jackson, Lexie, and Simone
she said, voice shifting into surgical command without missing a beat.
AJ - Prep OR 3 and get a full trauma panel. I'll be scrubbing in.
Dave looked at her—one part proud, one part worried.
Dave- We just landed.
AJ - They paged me for a reason
she said, already pulling her hair back and walking fast.
AJ - I'll meet you and Mateo upstairs after.
Luke stepped up next to Dave.
Luke - I've got her back inside,
he said.
Luke - You handle everything out here.
---
OR 3, TWENTY MINUTES LATER
Lexie was already gloved up when AJ entered the scrub room.
Lexie- Welcome back, Dr. Brewster that sounded weird
she said.
Lexie -We tried not to burn the place down.
AJ -How bad is it?
Lexie -Male, 17. Vitals unstable. Entry wound near T11. Dr. Jackson says we may have nicked the aorta.
AJ scrubbed in, her eyes sharp.
Aj- Okay. This is what we're going to do...
She started laying out the plan, assigning each intern a role — but it wasn't just about the case.
They watched her — in awe and in relief — because the second she started speaking, the room stopped spinning. She grounded them.
AJ - Let's get to work
she said.
Aj -No one dies on my table. Not today. Somebody page cardio
---
OUTSIDE THE OR, HOURS LATER
The surgery was long. Bloody. Complex.
And it was a win.
The kid was alive. Stable.
AJ peeled off her gloves with a sigh, exhaustion already setting into her bones. Lexie followed her out, wide-eyed but steady.
Lexie -You okay, Dr. B?
AJ - Ask me again after I sleep for a week.
She pushed open the staff lounge door — and stopped.
Mateo was there, in Dave's arms, babbling softly.
He reached out for her, and all the adrenaline washed away in one small, pudgy smile.
AJ - There's my boy
she whispered, scooping him up and burying her face in his curls.
Dave - First day back
Dave said softly.
Dave - And you already saved a life.
AJ - That kid's going to live
she whispered
AJ - but God, I missed this one.
Dave - You don't have to choose
Dave reminded her.
She looked up at him, Mateo pressed to her chest.
AJ- I know
she said.
AJ - I think... I finally believe that now.
