November 6 2020
Gabriel's hands were still trembling long after the seizure had passed. His sister Ana was being wheeled down the hall toward Neuro ICU, her dark hair plastered with sweat, her breathing shallow but steady.
AJ walked beside the gurney, sharp gaze never leaving the monitors. She was all control, all precision, even when everyone else's nerves frayed at the edges.
Gabriel tried to follow, but Camilla tugged his sleeve.
Camilla - Breathe, Luiz. She's stable. AJ's got her.
His chest ached, but he forced himself to nod. AJ's voice echoed in his head, the way she'd said *She's okay* like it was a promise written into stone.
When the doors to ICU swung shut, he finally let out the breath he'd been holding.
Camilla leaned against the wall, folding her arms.
Camilla - You looked like you were about to collapse out there.
Gabriel - She's my sister
Gabriel muttered.
Camilla - Yeah, and AJ just swooped in like some kind of neuro goddess and saved the day. Bet that didn't help with your—
Camilla raised her brows, making air quotes with her finger
Camilla —*totally professional admiration*.
Gabriel scowled.
Gabriel - Camilla.
Camilla - What? I'm not judging. I'm entertained.
She smirked.
Gabriel - But just a reminder—Dr. Brewster is *married*. Like, off-the-market, ring-on-the-finger, 'thanks-for-playing' married.
Before he could reply, AJ stepped out of ICU. Her gloves were off, her jaw tight. She scanned Gabriel quickly—eyes sharp, calculating.
AJ - Luiz
she said, crisp as always.
AJ - My office. Now.
Camilla's grin widened like a cat watching a mouse walk into a trap.
Camilla - Ooooh. Someone's in trouble.
Gabriel's stomach sank.
---
AJ's office was as orderly as she was—papers stacked, shelves neat, no clutter in sight. She shut the door behind him, and the sound was final.
AJ- You froze
she said without preamble, pacing once before stopping in front of him.
AJ - When your sister came in, you froze.
Gabriel's throat went dry.
Gabriel - I—she's my sister, I—
AJ - I don't care if she's your sister or the Queen of England. In this hospital, she's a patient first. Do you understand me?
Her tone cut sharp, but her eyes softened a fraction.
AJ - Freezing costs lives.
He swallowed hard, shame burning his ears.
Gabriel - Yes, Dr. Brewster.
AJ exhaled slowly, studying him.
AJ - You've got potential, Luiz. I wouldn't waste my time on you otherwise. But if you let emotion rule you here, you'll never make it. You need to be better than that.
Gabriel nodded, the words heavy.
Gabriel - I know. I'm sorry.
For a moment, silence hung between them. AJ's shoulders dropped, the rigid lines of her face easing.
AJ - She's stable now
AJ added, quieter.
Aj - We'll run a full workup to find the cause. You'll be allowed to sit in.
Relief crashed through him, so strong he had to grip the edge of her desk.
Gabriel - Thank you.
AJ's gaze lingered on him—too long, maybe. Something unreadable flickered in her expression before she broke eye contact, clearing her throat.
AJ - Get back to rounds. Camilla will update you on your sister's progress.
Gabriel - Yes, ma'am.
He turned to leave, but paused at the door.
Gabriel- Dr. Brewster?
She looked up.
Gabriel- You saved her.
His voice was rough, but steady.
Gabriel - I'll never forget that.
Her lips parted, but no words came out. For once, AJ Brewster—the unshakable head of Neuro—looked caught off guard.
Gabriel slipped out before she could recover.
Outside, Camilla was waiting with the smuggest grin.
Camilla - Sooo... how was your *private audience* with the queen?
Gabriel - Camilla
Gabriel warned. She laughed, looping her arm through his.
Camilla- Relax. You should see your face, though. Red as a tomato. She scolds you, and you're still crushing harder than ever.
Gabriel - I'm *not*—
Camilla - Mm-hm.
Camilla sing-songed, dragging him toward the elevators.
Camilla - Tell yourself that. I'll be here, popcorn in hand, when you realize you totally are.
Gabriel groaned, but inside, he knew she was right. AJ's voice, AJ's eyes, AJ's everything was etched into him. And now, with his sister safe because of her, there was no escaping it.
