February 18 2021
AJ should've known something was wrong the moment she walked onto the ward and saw Jackson trying very hard to look invisible.
AJ - What did you do?
she demanded.
Jackson's eyes went wide.
Jackson - Why do you assume it's me?
AJ - Because it's *always* you
AJ shot back.
AJ - Spit it out.
Jackson swallowed hard.
Jackson - We... uh... misplaced a patient.
For a second, AJ thought her ears were playing tricks on her.
AJ - You *what*?
Jackson - Not misplaced like... forever!
Jackson rushed to clarify, waving his hands.
Jackson - Just... temporarily misplaced. He's somewhere in the hospital. Maybe radiology? Or the cafeteria?
AJ pinched the bridge of her nose. She could practically feel her blood pressure spiking again.
AJ - You lost a *human being*, Jones. Not a set of keys. Not a chart. A patient.
Simone stepped forward, clearly panicking.
Simone - Technically, Dr. Brewster, we discharged him by mistake, but then when we went to find him—
AJ -You mean to tell me he walked out of my hospital because you couldn't do paperwork properly?
AJ's voice dropped into that deadly calm tone that made even senior attendings step back.
Simone- Yes?
Simone squeaked.
---
Twenty frantic minutes later, AJ found herself storming through the hospital corridors, interns scrambling behind her like a line of ducklings. She was trying very hard not to think about the baby inside her while sprinting up two flights of stairs.
AJ- Adams! Luiz! Check radiology! Webber, cover the lobby! Smith, you're with me!
she barked. Parker nearly tripped over his own feet as he tried to keep up.
Parker - Dr. Brewster, what if he's already left the hospital grounds?
AJ - Then I hope you packed a tent, Smith, because you'll be camping outside his house for the next week.
They found the patient sitting calmly in the cafeteria, happily eating a bowl of Jell-O. AJ nearly sagged with relief.
AJ - Sir
she said through clenched teeth,
AJ - you weren't supposed to be discharged.
The man shrugged.
Patient- The nice young lady said I was free to go.
AJ turned slowly to Jackson, who immediately ducked behind Simone.
---
Later that night, AJ sat in her office, one hand rubbing her temples, the other resting unconsciously on her stomach.
Dave peeked in with another brown paper bag.
Dave - You look like you want to kill someone.
AJ - I do
AJ muttered.
AJ- Unfortunately, prison doesn't look good on a CV.
He set the food down.
Dave - What happened this time?
AJ - They discharged the wrong patient. I spent my afternoon chasing him around the hospital like it was hide-and-seek.
Dave let out a low whistle.
Dave - And you still haven't told them?
Her jaw tightened.
Aj - Not until maternity leave. If they can't handle a lost patient, they definitely can't handle a pregnant boss.
She leaned back in her chair, eyes closed. The chaos would never stop—not with these interns. But she wasn't going to let stress win. Not yet.
Because she was AJ Brewster. Chief of Neurosurgery. Queen of controlled chaos. And no secret—no matter how big—was going to take her down.
