February 12 2021
The day had already been long, and AJ was one more intern-disaster away from throwing her stethoscope at someone's head.
She was halfway through charting when Simone Webber appeared in her doorway, stiff as a soldier at inspection.
Simone - Dr. Brewster
Simone said carefully,
Simone - there's been a... situation.
AJ didn't even look up.
AJ -When you say *situation*, Webber, do you mean someone dropped an instrument, or someone committed career suicide?
Simone - ...The second one.
Her head snapped up.
AJ - Who?
Simone's face gave her away instantly. The darting eyes. The way she fiddled with her sleeve. AJ narrowed her gaze.
AJ - Don't lie to me. You're terrible at it.
Simone's shoulders slumped.
Simone - Gabriel and Parker... did an autopsy. Without consent.
For a second, AJ thought she'd misheard. Then her blood pressure spiked so fast she could practically feel the baby kick in protest. She stormed out of her office, straight to the pathology lab.
Gabriel and Parker were standing over a steel table, pale but determined. When AJ shoved the door open, both of them froze like schoolkids caught cheating on a test.
AJ - Do you two like your jobs?
AJ's voice cracked through the room like a whip.
AJ - Because I *love* mine. I'd hate to lose them over your stupidity!
Gabriel opened his mouth, but she cut him off.
Aj - The patient's family specifically said no autopsy! Do you have any idea what you've risked? Lawsuits! Media attention! The board crawling down my neck—
Gabriel - Dr. Brewster
Gabriel interrupted, his voice calm but firm.
Gabriel- You need to see this.
Against her better judgment, AJ snapped,
AJ - This better be good
and stepped forward.
Gabriel pulled back the surgical drape.
Gabriel - The heart.
AJ blinked. Then blinked again.
AJ - Holy shit
She stopped herself just in time, but her jaw dropped. The organ in front of her was massive, grotesquely swollen, easily **ten pounds**.
AJ - Damn
AJ breathed despite herself.
Aj - That's a big heart.
Gabriel nodded.
Gabriel -Cardiomyopathy. Advanced. He wouldn't have lived another six months.
Suddenly, the anger simmering in AJ's chest shifted. She straightened, eyes calculating. She might just be able to spin this.
---
Later that evening, AJ sat across from the patient's grieving family. They were tight-lipped, arms crossed, still furious.
But AJ was calm, collected, the picture of authority.
AJ- Your father's condition was extraordinary
she began gently.
AJ - His heart weighed ten pounds. That's more than double the normal size. If we hadn't seen it for ourselves, we wouldn't have understood what he endured.
The family's anger softened. Curiosity flickered. AJ leaned in.
AJ - This autopsy didn't dishonor him—it honored him. It gave us answers. And it ensures his suffering teaches us something. With your permission, we'd like to document it properly, so his case can help others in the future.
There was silence. Then, slowly, the eldest son reached for the pen.
Eldest son- We'll sign
he said quietly.
Relief rushed through AJ like a wave. Lawsuit avoided. Department reputation intact. Interns... still idiots, but at least she'd bought them another day of employment.
When she finally left the room, she muttered under her breath,
AJ- You better thank me, Luiz and Smith. Because I just saved your asses.
