March 10 2021
Dave lingered in the hallway outside Neuro, coffee in hand, watching AJ stalk past a cluster of terrified interns. Her expression was thunder, her steps clipped.
When she disappeared into her office, he exhaled slowly. Something was breaking in her, and she was too good at hiding it.
Later, he found Camilla in the scrub room.
Dave - Camilla
he said quietly
Dave- I need a favor.
She raised a brow.
Camilla - That sounds ominous.
Dave - Keep an eye on her,
Dave said.
Dave-She won't tell you what's wrong, but she's not... herself. And if something happens in there, I want someone with her.
Camilla studied him for a long moment.
Camilla - You know something you're not saying.
Dave's jaw tightened.
Dave- If she wanted you to know, she'd tell you.
Camilla didn't like it, but she nodded.
Camilla - Fine. I'll watch her back. But if she crashes, I'm holding *you* responsible.
---
AJ had been patient. She'd been tolerant. She'd survived Jackson mislabeling charts, Simone lying to cover mistakes, Gabriel's arrogance, Parker fainting, and Luca's "peacemaking" disasters.
But today? Today was different.
Because somehow—*somehow*—the interns managed to schedule *two* neurosurgeries in the same OR, at the same time.
AJ walked in to find two patients prepped, two families waiting, and her interns arguing over *whose case got priority*.
Her scream nearly rattled the ceiling tiles.
AJ - ARE YOU TRYING TO END MY CAREER AND YOURS IN THE SAME DAY?
The interns froze, pale as ghosts.
AJ - Do you have ANY idea what you've done?!
AJ's voice rose, raw and shaking.
AJ - Do you WANT to lose your licenses before you've even earned them? Because let me be clear—I WILL end your careers if you ever pull something this outrageously stupid again!
The room went silent. The interns looked like they wanted to disappear.
But AJ's voice didn't soften. In fact, it cracked. And Camilla, watching from the doorway, realized she wasn't just angry—she was *breaking*.
---
Camilla - Alright, that's enough.
Camilla's voice cut through the tension like a scalpel.
AJ spun on her, fury still radiating.
AJ - They nearly cost me my department!
Camilla didn't flinch—though inside, she was rattled.
Camilla - And screaming until you collapse is going to fix that? You're scaring them, AJ. You're scaring *me*.
AJ's chest heaved, hands trembling. For a terrifying second, Camilla thought she might actually fall apart right there in front of everyone.
She turned to the interns.
Camilla - Out. All of you. Now.
They scattered, whispering like frightened schoolkids.
When it was just the two of them, Camilla softened.
Camilla - AJ... what's going on with you? This isn't just stress. Something's wrong.
But AJ just shook her head, voice flat.
AJ - It's fine. I'm fine.
Camilla didn't believe it for a second.
---
That night, Camilla sat in the staff lounge, staring at her phone before finally dialing Dave.
He picked up instantly.
Dave - What happened?
Camilla - She exploded at them
Camilla said quietly.
Camilla -Like, full-blown screaming meltdown. I've seen her furious before, but this was... different. It scared me, Dave. I don't know what's wrong with her, but she's falling apart.
Dave closed his eyes, hand dragging down his face.
Camilla - Do you know?
Camilla pressed.
Camilla - Because I've been her best friend for years, and she won't talk to me. She won't talk to anyone.
There was a long silence on the line before Dave finally answered. His voice was low.
Dave- I can't tell you. I promised her.
Camilla clenched her jaw.
Camilla - Then you'd better pray she tells me herself—before she breaks in a way none of us can fix.
