January 7 2020
AJ flipped through the latest MRI scans in the neuro wing, expecting Gabriel to chime in with his usual eager commentary. Normally he'd be right at her shoulder, bouncing between nerves and enthusiasm. But today... silence.
She glanced over. Gabriel stood stiffly at the monitor, jaw tight, arms crossed. His eyes tracked the scan but his mouth didn't open. Not once.
AJ frowned- Luiz. Findings?
He cleared his throat.
Gabriel- Lesion near the left temporal lobe. Possible low-grade glioma. Could be compressing nearby structures.
His tone was clipped, clinical. No warmth.
AJ blinked, studying him.
AJ - And?
Gabriel- That's it
AJ - That's it?
she repeated, brow arching.
AJ - That's all you've got? No differentials? No theories? Nothing to argue with me about?
His eyes flicked to hers for half a second, then away again.
Gabriel - You don't need me to argue with you, Dr. Brewster. You've already got all the answers.
AJ froze. The words weren't disrespectful, exactly. But the edge behind them was sharp enough to cut.
AJ - Excuse me?
she said, her voice calm but cool.
Gabriel's throat worked as he flipped through the patient file, refusing to meet her eyes.
Gabriel - Nothing. Just—figured you wouldn't want me wasting your time with guesses.
AJ tilted her head, watching him. Something was off. This wasn't just a bad day. This was deliberate.
AJ - You've been quiet all morning
she said evenly.
AJ- Not your style.
Gabriel I'm just... focusing.
AJ - Mm.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.
AJ - Funny. I thought you liked the sound of your own voice too much to stay quiet this long.
That earned her a flicker — the twitch of his jaw, the flare in his eyes. But still he didn't look at her.
AJ's lips curved, just slightly.
AJ - So what is this? Silent treatment? Did I miss a memo?
Finally, Gabriel turned his head, meeting her gaze. His eyes burned — not with the usual nervous admiration, but with something heavier. Bitter.
Gabriel - I'm just trying to act like a professional, Dr. Brewster. Isn't that what you want?
The words landed like a challenge.
AJ's breath caught, just for a second. He'd never spoken to her like that before. And against her better judgment, something in her chest tightened.
Before she could respond, Parker stuck his head in the door.
Parker -Hey, Dr. B, consult's waiting.
AJ tore her gaze away from Gabriel, forcing her voice back to neutral.
AJ - On my way.
She brushed past Gabriel, close enough that her sleeve grazed his. Her voice dropped, low enough only he could hear.
AJ - You want to act professional? Fine. But don't mistake silence for strength, Luiz. I see more than you think.
Then she was gone, leaving him rooted in place, pulse pounding, torn between anger and the maddening pull he couldn't shake.
