October 11 2020
NEURO CONFERENCE ROOM, EARLY MORNING
A week had passed since Lexie and April's dismissal, and though no one spoke about it outright, the energy on the floor had shifted.
AJ entered the neuro conference room like she always did — crisp, controlled, unshakable — but her team could feel the weight she still carried behind her posture.
At the head of the table stood a new face. Nervous, tall, mid-20s, pressed ID badge clipped to his white coat:
Intern: Gabriel Ruiz.
His eyes followed AJ the way someone tracks a hawk — with both awe and caution.
Gabriel - I'm Dr. Ruiz
he said.
Gabriel- Neuro's been my dream rotation since med school started. I've read all your papers.
AJ didn't respond with a smile. She looks at him up and down then just handed him a chart.
AJ - You'll be shadowing me this week
she said simply.
AJ - I don't tolerate hesitation. I don't tolerate disobedience. And I don't give second chances unless you've earned them.
Gabriel nodded so fast it was almost comical.
Gabriel - Understood.
Ben and Jackson exchanged glances from the side, murmuring to each other.
Ben- Poor guy doesn't even know what he signed up for.
Jackson -Better learn quick.
---
SURGERY PREP ROOM, MID-DAY
Gabriel observed AJ review an upcoming spinal vascular malformation case. The tension in her jaw told him she hadn't slept much.
Gabriel -Dr. Brewster?
He asked gently. She paused.
Gabriel - You don't have to talk about it if it's not appropriate. But... I heard about what happened last week. I just want you to know — I'm not here to prove I'm smarter than you. I'm just here to learn.
AJ slowly looked up at him.
There was something honest in his eyes. Not like Lexie's raw ambition. Not like April's defensive need to be praised.
Just... humility.
AJ - Good
AJ finally said.
AJ - Because this job isn't about being smart. It's about knowing when to listen. And when not to pretend you know more than you do. Step out of line and I'll do you like my last three interns gone.
---
POST-OP, THAT NIGHT
The surgery went well. Gabriel had scrubbed in, kept his mouth shut, eyes sharp. He held retractors with steady hands and never once interrupted her.
In the scrub room after, AJ handed him a towel.
AJ - Not bad
she admitted.
AJ- You didn't flinch.
Gabriel - You were right
Gabriel said.
Gabriel -It's not about ego. It's about control. Presence. Awareness.
AJ paused, surprised.
AJ - What made you want neuro?
Gabriel smiled softly.
Gabriel - My sister had epilepsy. Watching her go through years of treatment made me want to understand the brain — and fix what couldn't be fixed for her.
There it was. His reason. His *why*.
And for the first time in days, AJ felt something lighten.
She nodded once.
AJ- Then we'll make sure you earn your hands.
---
AJ & DAVE'S KITCHEN, LATE NIGHT
AJ came home to Dave holding Mateo, rocking him by the kitchen window.
Dave -How was it?
he asked.
AJ- Exhausting. Promising
she said, setting her bag down.
AJ - He's not Lexie. Or Bello
Dave - Good or bad?
AJ - Good
she whispered.
AJ - But also hard. Because now I know what I was trying to fix before. And what I can't go back and undo.
Dave kissed her on the forehead.
Dave - Then focus on what you can do now.
She looked at him. At Mateo's sleeping face. At the quiet peace of home.
AJ - Yeah
she said softly.
AJ -Now sounds good.
