March 1 2021
Dave didn't bother knocking. He burst into the hospital room, eyes scanning until they landed on AJ—sitting on the floor, pale, bloodstained scrubs clinging to her.
He dropped to his knees beside her.
AJ- Oh my god, AJ...
She shook her head, tears still streaking her face.
AJ - It's gone. I know it.
Dave didn't argue. He just wrapped his arms around her, steady and solid while she crumbled.
---
March 2 2021
The next morning, AJ sat in the OB's office, staring at the ceiling tiles while the doctor's voice faded in and out. Words like *no heartbeat... miscarriage confirmed... I'm so sorry*.
Her body felt hollow. Her mind, numb.
She nodded like she understood, but all she could think was: *Not again.*
By the time Dave drove her home, she had made up her mind. She wasn't going to tell anyone. Not Camilla. Not the interns. No one.
This was hers to carry. Alone.
---
March 3 2021
AJ called in to the hospital. Her voice was firm, professional.
AJ - Family emergency
she said simply.
AJ - I'll be out for three days
No one questioned it. Not even Camilla, though AJ could feel her best friend's suspicion through the phone.
For three days, AJ sat in silence. She let herself cry only at night, when her daughter was asleep. During the day, she forced herself to smile, to read bedtime stories, to play. Because if she didn't, she was afraid she'd break completely.
---
March 6 2021
On the third day, her phone started buzzing. Over. And over. And over.
Jackson paged her for a routine consent form.
Simone paged her for a patient transfer that wasn't even neurosurgery.
Luca paged her because he "wasn't sure which scalpel looked more neurosurgery appropriate."
By the fifth page in an hour, AJ nearly threw her phone across the room.
Finally, Camilla called.
Camilla - Brewster, I don't know what's going on with you
she said, voice sharp but worried
Camilla - but your interns are *destroying* neuro. Either you come in, or I'm duct-taping them to chairs until you get back.
AJ closed her eyes. She couldn't even grieve in peace.
---
She walked into the hospital the next morning like nothing had happened. Hair tied back, coat crisp, her face set in stone.
AJ - Alright, disasters
she snapped at the interns who were huddled like guilty puppies.
AJ- Which one of you almost burned down my department this time?
They froze.
Gabriel stammered.
Gabriel -It was... uh... a collective error?
"Translation: all of you are idiots,"
AJ deadpanned.
AJ- Congratulations. You nearly tanked neurosurgery in three days. Impressive.
On the outside, she was fierce. Cold. Untouchable.
On the inside, she was bleeding.
But no one knew. No one could.
