The harsh overhead lights of the ER waiting room hit you immediately. It’s late in the evening, and the waiting room is crowded. People sit in chairs with injuries and illnesses of every severity as they wait their turn. Lines stretch at the triage counter. The three windows are all packed with patients waiting. 

You’d rushed out of the house in a panic. You’re wearing mismatched pajamas and your hair twisted into an uneven updo. You didn’t care how you looked. Nothing mattered except getting your daughter the care she needed. Nora cries against your chest feeding into the panic already inside you.

Clutching her tightly, you join the line at the triage counter. You wish it would move faster, but you have no choice but to wait.

After a while it was your turn. “Next!” a nurse calls from one of the windows. 

You hurry forward. Quickly trying to pull yourself together.

“What brings you in tonight?”

“She—” Your voice wavers and you swallow hard, trying to find your voice. “My baby… she’s been coughing, and she feels really hot. And her breathing—” You glance down at Nora “It doesn’t sound right.”

“Okay, how old is she?” The nurse behind the window asks. 

“Six months.”

“You said she has a fever?”

You nod quickly. “Yes… I didn’t get an exact number, but she’s really warm.”

“Any vomiting? Trouble feeding?”

“No vomiting. She was feeding fine like normal, until she started feeling unwell” you admit, tightening your grip on Nora as she lets out a cry. 

The nurse types quickly, then looks back up. “Any known medical conditions? Was she born full-term?”

“No—no conditions. And yes, full-term.”

“Alright,” she says. “Go ahead and head through those doors. A nurse will meet you on the other side.” 

Relief and fear hit you at the same time.

“Thank you,” you breathe out. 

The doors swing open and you move quickly. You follow the direction she pointed. The noise of the waiting room fades behind you. It’s replaced by the bustling energy of the ER. 

A nurse meets you just inside, guiding you toward a pediatric section. The room is decorated with cartoon forest animals on the walls.

“Let’s get her vitals” they say, motioning for you to sit on a chair. 

You settle onto a chair in the room. Nora cries in your arms.

“It’s okay, Nora,” you whisper, brushing your lips against her head.

“We’re just going to check her temp, heart rate, and oxygen, okay? You can hold her in your arms while I do it.” The nurse says. 

The nurse works quickly and efficiently. Softly, they talk to Nora, coaxing her little coos and whimpers, while asking you a few quick questions as they work.

“Alright,” the nurse says, grabbing a thermometer. Nora fusses as it’s placed. You brush your hand over her head, trying to soothe her.

A moment later, the nurse checks the readings. She jotted notes with focus. “We’re going to have a doctor come take a look at her”

“Okay” 

“The doctor will be here shortly. Just hang tight.”

“Thank you,” you murmur. As the nurse leaves the room, you shift Nora into your arms, cradling her close. 

Your heart aches as you stare down at her. You’ve never seen her like this before and it scares you. You wish someone were here with you. You wish your family could be here to help. You know they would if they could. But your aunt and uncle, who you’re living with, are currently on a cruise. There was no way to reach them. Your cousin is across the country on a business trip. The only people you know in Pittsburgh, your family, are too far away. You have no one else. 

The door opens after a while of waiting. The doctor steps in, clipboard in hand.

“Hi—thanks for waiting. I’m Dr. Ellis.”

You introduce yourself

“And who do we have here?”

“Nora,” you answer. 

“Hi, Nora,” Dr. Ellis says, leaning down slightly as if to greet her. She flips through the chart, scanning the notes. 

Dr. Ellis glances up from the chart, eyes meeting yours. “I see she’s been having some trouble breathing and a bit of a fever. How long has this been going on?”

“Yesterday… she was a little fussy, not really herself. This morning, she had a mild cough. A little congestion, and a fever. By bedtime… the cough got worse. She was breathing a little faster than normal. I could hear it over the monitor… that’s when I got worried. It sounded off.”

Dr. Ellis nods. “Okay, I’m gonna take a look at her” She glances at Nora again.

She begins examining Nora while asking you questions as she works. She checks Nora’s overall condition. She explains each step in simple terms, keeping you informed and reassured throughout.

After a moment, she gives a small nod. “I’d like to do a quick nasal swab to check for any virus she could possibly have,” she adds gently. “It only takes a few seconds.”

You nod quickly. You are trying to look calm, but inside your mind is racing. Every worst case scenario pushes its way in. Was it mild? What if it’s something more serious? Would she have to stay here? The uncertainty grips you. All you can think is how badly you need her to be okay.

She pauses “It might make her a little upset, but you can hold her the whole time.”

The swab is quick, just a few seconds. Nora fusses as expected. Dr. Ellis steps back right away. “All done, Nora!” She says. 

“We’ll get those results soon. In the meantime, I’m going to keep a close eye on her breathing and oxygen just to be safe.”

​​She notices the shift in you. Your eyes are glassy like you’re right on the edge of breaking.

Her expression softens immediately as she looks at you. “Are you okay?” she asks gently. “Do you need anything?”

“I… would I be okay if I stepped out for a moment?” You’re scared. You feel the tears you’ve been holding back and shoving down all this time finally threaten to spill. 

She nods “Of course. Take all the time you need. Nora’s right here with me.”

You don’t move right away.

Your fingers tighten around Nora, hesitation rooting you in place. The thought of walking away…even for a minute makes your stomach twist. Guilt creeps in.

Dr. Ellis notices.

She doesn’t rush you. Just watch for a second, reading it on your face.

“Hey,” she says. “It’s okay. You’re allowed to feel overwhelmed.”

You blink, eyes stinging.

“You’ve been holding it together for her this whole time,” she continues. “I promise, I’ve got her,” Dr. Ellis adds. “You’re not leaving her—you’re just stepping out for a moment, taking a breath… so you can come back and be exactly what she needs.”

That hesitation lingers for one more second… then you nod. You carefully hand Nora over.

You are heading for the door. The moment you’re out of the pediatrics room, you walk around. You don’t know where you’re going. You just need space.

Eventually, you push open doors and find yourself in a stairwell. You drift to the left, where there’s a bit of space near a vending machine tucked into the corner.

With shaky hands, you pull out your phone and call your cousin. You’re hoping to hear their voice. It rings… and rings… and rings.

Voicemail.

Your throat tightens.

“Hey…” Your voice wavers immediately. “Nora’s sick… she’s been coughing and… having trouble breathing… I’m at the ER and I…” Your tears are spilling over now. “I don’t know what to do. I’m scared… please call me back when you get this… love you…”

The call ends, and for a second, you just stand there. You stare at your phone like it might fix everything.

Your lip trembles, and this time you don’t fight it. You can’t. A sob breaks free. Your hand is flying to your mouth to muffle your cries. The tears keep coming and don’t stop.

You start to pace steps back and forth in the space. One hand presses against your chest, trying to steady your breathing, but it comes out unevenly hitched with quiet sobs.

As you pace back and forth, lost in your thoughts, you don’t notice Jack approaching. He’d slipped away from the chaos of the ER for a few quiet minutes. He ducked into the stairwell where the vending machines were. He told himself it was just for a quick break but really  he’d been craving his usual guilty comfort: a pack of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Fishing a couple of dollar bills and some coins from his pocket, he fed them into the machine and punched in the numbers. As he did, he glanced over his shoulder, noticing a woman in mixed matched pajamas pacing a few feet away. He didn’t think much of it.

He didn’t realize it was you.

He watched the vending machine coils that hold the snacks turn and drop his peanut butter cups to the bottom. He bends over picking up, with a small satisfied smile on his face. 

As he straightened, his gaze drifted back to the woman still pacing. Quiet sobs reached him, tugging at his attention. He watched her for a moment. Something about her felt familiar, though he couldn’t place it at first. His brow tightened, eyes searching her face and then suddenly he knew.

It was you. 

Your name falls from his lips. 

You paused mid step, turning toward the voice. Confusion flickering across your face until your eyes landed on him. For a second, you just stared like your brain was struggling to catch up.

“J-Jack?”

Relief rushed through you at the sight of a familiar face. Even if he was just a stranger you’d only known for a few hours on a flight. You didn’t know how or why he was here. What were the odds? Still, he was someone safe. And right now, you just needed a hug.

Your lip trembled. Tears still spilled from your eyes as you hurried toward him. The moment you reached him, you didn’t hesitate. You threw your arms around him like he was an old friend. Something solid to hold onto…something familiar. 

He didn’t hesitate either. He wrapped his arms around you instantly.

Concern already written all over his face. “Hey… what’s going on? Are you alright?” he asked gently as he held your firm. His hand rubbing your back trying to soothe you. 

“You… you have no idea… how good it is to see a familiar face right now… Everyone’s out of town, and I—I don’t know what to do… Nora—” you gasp through your sobs. You clutch him tighter, feeling completely helpless.

Jack could barely make out what you were saying. Your words tangled in your distress, but through it all, he caught one thing clearly…

Nora.

Something was wrong with Nora. Of course that was the only thing that would have you like this.

“Hey,” he said, pulling back just enough to meet your eyes. “Take a couple deep breaths with me, okay? Focus on me.”

You do as he says and he guides your breathing. The two of you take deep slow breaths. In through the nose… out through the mouth.

Jack keeps his gaze locked on yours. His hands resting on your shoulders. 

When he sees you in a calmer state, he says “Okay… can you tell me what’s going on?”

“Nora… she’s coughing, running a fever. Her breathing was off. It didn’t sound normal, and I panicked. I brought her here. My family's out of town, and I don’t have anyone. I don’t know what to do.” You shake your head, tears fall. “I’m just… really scared.”

Jack’s eyes soften. “Hey… it’s okay,” he says. “You did the right thing bringing her here. I’m one of the attending physicians in the ER,” he adds. 

You blinked. You finally take in his scrubs. A stethoscope draped around his neck. An ID clipped to his chest pocket. 

Jack Abbot, MD - Attending Physician Emergency - Medicine Doctor 

He was a doctor. Suddenly, it all made sense. His calm, steady presence with Nora. The way he’d been with you on the flight. It wasn’t just kindness. He knew exactly what he was doing, how to keep you calm, and how to reassure you when you needed it most.

“Which doctor was looking at Nora?”

“Dr. Ellis…she is with her now. I had to step out–I couldn’t–” you start to tense up again. 

“Hey…breathe,” he reminds you. You take a moment to settle yourself again. 

“I know you’re scared, and that’s okay,” he continues softly. “You’re not alone, okay? I’m here with you.”

He paused, letting the words sink in. “Nora’s in good hands.” 

“You’re doing everything you can right now. The important thing is that you’re here with her. My team and I’ve got the rest. We’ll take care of her”

You nod. 

“Is there anything I can do for you right now? Do you need anything?” he asks.

You shake your head. Silence falls between the two of you. 

“I know it’s not much, but… how about a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup?” he offers, holding it at chest level with one hand underneath like he’s showing off a product on a cheesy infomercial. He grins, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

A small laugh escapes you. 

“Thought so,” he says, handing it over.

Your fingers brush his briefly as you take the package. A small grateful smile forms. “Thanks,” you murmur.

Then you glance down at yourself. You’re suddenly self-conscious about your mismatched pajamas and messy hair. Oddly, you realize you care what he thinks. Though you’re not sure why.

“I’ll walk with you back to pediatrics room when you’re ready”

“I’m ready…been away from Nora long enough” 

“Okay, let’s go,” he said, falling a step ahead of you.

—

Jack opens the door as you enter the room. He stays by the door as it clicks softly shut. 

Dr. Ellis stands beside Nora in the bassinet, just as she said she would. Her eyes flick up and land on Jack. She’s used to him popping into patient rooms to observe and oversee things. She nods, acknowledging before turning her attention to you.

“Thank you for staying with her… I really appreciate it,” You move closer. Your eyes are drawn to Nora, who stirs slightly. Her arms and legs shifted, a cough escaping her lips.

“Of course,” Dr. Ellis replies. 

“While you were out, we sent her swab to the lab,” she continued, glancing down at Nora “As soon as we get the results, we’ll let you know.”

“For now, she’s resting comfortably. We’re just keeping an eye on her breathing and making sure everything stays stable. I’ll come back to check her in a little while” 

Dr. Ellis makes her way toward the door. Jack opens it for her and is about to follow, but he glances back at you and Nora, pausing for a moment. Dr. Ellis notices him lingering. Jack decides to hang back a little longer.

Jack makes his way over to the bassinet, crouching over to get a good look at Nora. “Hey there, Nora.” he says softly. He held out a finger. She grabs it, and she coos gently up at him.

“Nice to see you again. Sorry you’re not feeling so good, sweetheart.” He frowns slightly. It's always hard for him to see kids and babies unwell.

“My buddies and I here at the ER are gonna take really good care of you, okay?” His thumb brushes lightly against her hand. “We’ll do our best to get you back home soon. Sounds good?”

Nora responds with a soft raspberry. 

Jack lets out a huff of laughter. A grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah? I’ll take that as a yes,”

A small laugh slips from you too. 

Jack glances up at you, catching your smile. He stares at you for a second before he looks back down at Nora. 

He pulls his finger away from her and straightens. His attention turns to you. 

“I’ll be around,” he says. “If you need me, just let one of the nurses know and they'll come find me, okay?”

“Mhm,” you hum. 

Before he could go, you place your hand over his, the one that’s gripping the side of the bassinet. You give it a squeeze. 

“Thank you,” you whisper.

He glanced down at your hand over his before looking back up at you. He nods. He wants to stay a little longer, but duty pulls him. The rest of the ER is still moving and waiting.

Reluctantly, he eases his hand free. “I’ll check back in, okay?”

Jack steps out of the room. Dr. Ellis, Parker, was waiting for him. 

“What?” Jack says as they start walking side by side noticing Parker giving him a look. 

“Somebody you know?” she asks, raising an eyebrow. 

“Yeah, well… sorta,” Jack says, keeping his gaze forward. “We met on a flight,” he says

Parker raises an eyebrow. “A flight?”

“Coming home from the trip I just got back from. We were sitting in the same row” he holds the ends of his stethoscope around his neck as they continue to stroll the ER..

“She was having a hard time getting her baby to settle, so I gave her a hand.”

“That’s it?”

“What do you mean, ‘that’s it’?” Jack asks, a note of caution slipping into his voice.

Parker shrugs lightly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I don’t know. I just… sense a vibe.”

Jack blinks, caught off guard. “A vibe?”

“Yeah,” she says, smirking. “Between you and her. Something’s definitely there.”

He shakes his head quickly. “There’s nothing.”

 “Really? The way you two were looking at each other? Her hand on yours… and you just standing there like you couldn’t quite make yourself leave?” She tilts her head, studying him. “Come on, Jack. It was obvious. You’re interested in her.”

“What? No—that’s not—”

Parker cuts him off “Honestly, it was kind of cute. You should grab her number before the baby gets discharged.”

Jack flushes, the color creeping up his neck as he looks away, jaw tightening. “I was doing my job,” he says, a little too quickly. “Helping her. Making sure she’s okay… the baby’s okay. That’s it.”

Parker lets out a soft chuckle “Sure. Just helping,”. Then her eyes narrow just slightly, like she’s catching another thought forming. 

“You’re thinking about asking for her number, aren’t you?”

Jack hesitates just for a second, but it’s enough.

Parker’s grin widens. “Wow. You are.”

Jack exhales “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to,” she shoots back.

Parker diverges from their path, already turning her attention elsewhere in the ER. She disappears down the hall, leaving Jack standing there, a little more conflicted than before.

—

“Nora’s results are back. She has RSV…respiratory syncytial virus. It’s fairly common in babies, but it can make breathing more difficult for little ones.” 

“Is it severe?” you ask, worry in your voice.

Dr. Ellis shakes her head slightly, offering a reassuring smile. “At this point, it’s mild to moderate. The good news is we caught it early, before it could turn into something worse, like bronchiolitis or pneumonia.”

You take a slow breath.

“We’re going to observe her for a couple more hours here in the ER, just to make sure she’s steady. After that, if she continues to do well…breathing comfortably, feeding normally, we can send her home. Catching it early like this makes a big difference.”

You nod. “Thank you, Dr. Ellis.”

As she leaves, you glance down at Nora, still nestled in the bassinet. “You heard that, Nor? We have to stay here a little while. We’ll go home soon, but first, we need to make sure you’re okay.” You gently caress her head, feeling a wave of relief that it isn’t something serious.

—

“Hey,” Jack says, stepping into the room quietly. The lights are dim, and he’s found a small pocket of time to check in on you.

“Hi,” you reply, cradling Nora as she drinks from the bottle the nurses prepared.

“I thought you might like some water and a snack,” he says, holding them up. 

Jack walks further into the room. “How are you holding up?” he asks, setting the water and snack carefully on the table beside you.

You give a small exhale “I feel better knowing what she has.”

Jack nods, his brow furrowing just slightly. “RSV,” he says quietly. He stays close but not so close as to crowd you. His gaze drifts to Nora. “It’s pretty common in babies, but I know it’s scary to see her like this.” 

“She’s doing really well,” he says. 

You’ve been at the ER for a couple hours. You nod, “Yeah…”

“Dr. Ellis said everything’s looking good,” you added. “And that should be able to get discharged here soon.”

Your phone buzzes on the table. The caller ID shows it’s your cousin.

“I’m gonna take this—”

“Here, I got her,” Jack says gently.

You carefully pull the bottle from Nora’s lips. She whimpers. You stand up and pass her into Jack’s arms. Once she’s settled against him, you hand him the bottle, almost empty.

“I’ll be right back,” you tell him.

“Yeah, take your time,” he replies.

You step outside, lifting the phone to your ear. “Hey,” you say as you answer, keeping your mind partially on Nora in Jack’s arms.

“Oh my god, I just heard your voicemail! I’m so sorry I missed your call—I was at a work dinner. What’s going on? Is Nora okay? Are you okay? Do you need me to fly home? I can book a flight right now. I’ll tell my boss it’s a family emergency—” your cousin rambles.

“Everything’s fine,” you cut in.

“Are you sure? On the voicemail—”

“We’re okay. Nora… they did a swab test, and the results came back a little while ago. She just has a mild to moderate case of RSV.”

Your cousin takes a shaky breath on the other end. “I just—God, I hate not being there.”

“I know,” you say softly. “But she’s resting.  The doctors said everything looks fine now. They just want to monitor her for a little while longer before we head home.”

“You sound so calm.”

“I am… well, mostly,” you admit. “I’m still a little worried, but you won’t believe who I ran into.”

You glance through the glass door. Nora has finished her bottle, which Jack sets aside. He holds her gently on his shoulder, patting her back.

“Jack’s here,”

“Jack?...Wait, what? You mean that guy who helped you with Nora on the plane?” your cousin says, disbelief clear in their voice.

“Mhm,” you nod, even though they can’t see you.

“How?”

“He’s the attending physician in the ER at the hospital,” you explain, your voice quiet but filled with a mix of surprise and relief.

“Which hospital are you at? Allegheny or PTMC?” 

“PTMC” 

“You’re kidding…He’s a doctor?” they ask.

“I’m not.”

They mutter under their breath, almost to themselves, “A doctor? Oh… that’s so hot.”

“Makes sense. He was so calm and attentive with Nora… and with me on the flight. It’s such a relief to have him here. He and his team have been really great.”

Your cousin lets out a low whistle on the other end. “Wow… I can’t believe that. Of all people in Pittsburg, you happen to see the guy you met on the plane again”

You bite your lip, watching Jack pace slowly with Nora. She’s out cold, her chubby cheeks pressed softly against his shoulder. 

“I know… it’s kind of surreal,” your eyes following his careful movements.

“If this isn’t a sign from the universe, I don’t know what it is,” your cousin blurts excitement over the phone.

Jack glances down at Nora, giving a tired smile. He was oblivious to the conversation you’re having about him on the other side of the glass. 

You can’t stop watching him with her. Every movement shows care. A quiet awe mixes with a fluttering warmth in your chest.

“What?” you ask, trying not to laugh.

“Oh, come on,” they tease. “You know exactly what I mean.”

“All of this is just a coincidence,” you mumble. 

“Exactly! The universe is literally giving you another chance to actually grab this guy’s phone number since you didn’t the first time! I wouldn’t waste this opportunity,”

“I told you, I’m not looking for anything,” you reply. And you really weren’t. Your hands were full with Nora. You had plans to start working at your aunt and uncle’s restaurant once you’ve fully settled in as well as going back to school. There just wasn’t space in your life for anything or anyone else at the moment.

“Who says it has to be romantic?” they counter. “You two could just be friends. Someone you’ll actually know in Pittsburgh, besides my parents and me.”

“Maybe,” you admit quietly. Jack places Nora into the bassinet, adjusting the blanket in there with her. 

“Maybe isn’t good enough!” your cousin protests. “You’ve got a chance to actually know someone here. Someone reliable, someone who’s already proven he can handle… Well, everything. And you’re just going to let it slip?”

“It’s not that simple,” you mutter. “I’m… I’m focused on Nora right now. That’s my priority.”

“But that doesn’t mean you can’t notice the good things when they’re right in front of you. Just… pay attention. Don’t overthink it.”

“I gotta go, but I’ll call you if anything changes. Love you.”

“Love you too. Yes, keep me posted and get his number!”

You hang up, exhaling slowly, and make your way back into the room. Your mind is still on the conversation with your cousin. 

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” you replied “That was just my cousin calling me back.”

“I’m glad you were able to get a hold of your family,” he says. 

For a moment, you’re wondering if you should ask him for his number. It would be nice to have someone here besides your family in a city that still feels unfamiliar. But he’s a doctor. He’s probably too occupied to make a new friend. Maybe he wouldn’t even want to. Was it even worth trying? .

“You good?” This question snaps you out of your thoughts. 

“Yeah… just thinking, is all,” you reply, forcing a small smile. You walk over to the table and pick up the water he brought.

“Thanks for the water and snacks. I really appreciate it.”

“Yeah, no problem,” he says with a small shrug. “Let me know if you want anything else. I’ve gotta head out, but I’ll check in on you in a bit.”

—-

“Hey,” you say as you step up to the main hub where Jack sits at a computer, typing steadily. 

He looks up from the screen, momentarily shifting out of his focus. You had Nora in your arms, your hands clutching papers and pamphlets.  

“Hi,” he says, straightening slightly in his chair. “Do you need something?”

You shake your head, adjusting Nora gently in your arms. “No… we just wanted to say goodbye before we head out. Nora’s been discharged.”

There’s a brief pause, like the words take a second to land. “Oh,” he says, pushing his chair back a little too quickly as he stands. “That’s good. That’s—yeah, that’s really good.”

He grabs his stethoscope off the desk without really thinking, then gestures lightly toward the exit “Let me walk you out.”

He walks you back to the doors where the waiting room is on the other side. 

“Before you go, I wanted to—” A voice cuts him off.

“Dr. Abbot! We need trauma room two!” a nurse shouts. 

You and Jack glance over, catching sight of the team moving quickly, every motion precise, urgent. Someone’s life is on the line, and your eyes widen at the intensity of it.

“You—you should go,” you manage, the words catching as they leave you. “We’ll… we’ll get out of your way. I know you have more important things to handle.”

There’s a small pause, and your voice softens. “But… Thank you, Jack. Truly. ”

You take a step back, clearing the space for him already half turned like you’re trying not to be something that slows him down.

“You’re welcome, but I—”

“Dr. Abbot!” He was cut off again. 

He sighs, the faintest shadow of frustration and regret crossing his face. This wasn’t how he wanted the moment or this goodbye to end. He’s being pulled away, the words he really wants trapped behind his lips. 

“Coming!” he called over his shoulder, voice tight with urgency as he started moving backwards.

“It was… it was nice seeing you again,” he stumbled, “I mean… I hate that it’s under these circumstances, with Nora being sick and all.

“It was good to see you too…” you replied.

“I’ll see you around—hopefully not here. I mean—definitely not here, that’s not—” he huffs a quiet breath “I mean… somewhere else.”

“Maybe we will,” you say, though you’re not sure if you believe it.

He clears his throat, like he wants to say more but can’t quite find it. The truth sits there between you. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever see you again, and neither do you.

He cleared his throat. “Take care… okay?” 

“Will do.”

“Bye… bye, Nora,” he says. He gives her a gentle wave.

“Bye,” you echoed, heart tightening a little.

He turns quickly, already jogging deeper into the ER, disappearing into the rush of it all. You watch him go, the air between heavy with everything left unsaid.

—-

“So… did you ask mom for her number?” Parker asked as she and Jack peeled off their bloody paper gowns and gloves, dropping them into the hazard bin.

“No,” Jack said.

“And why not?” Parker raised an eyebrow as they pushed the swinging trauma doors open and stepped back into the bustle of the ER.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to,” Jack said, low, almost reluctant.

“Then what stopped you?” Parker leaned closer, smirking, letting the pause stretch just long enough to make him squirm.

Jack’s eyes swept the scene of the trauma they’d just worked through behind them. He lifted his hands toward the chaos tilting his head slightly. Silently saying: this mess had stolen the chance. His irritation was clear, but not aimed at her.

Parker muttered, joking, “You could always… just grab her number from the baby's file.”

Jack rolled his eyes, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Oh, sure… when pigs fly.”

They made their way to the hub. Jack settled at a computer while Parker leaned on the counter, watching him work. He logged in, scrolled and clicked through the system to check updates on his patients’ lab results.

Parker lowered her voice, a teasing edge in it. “You really want her number, though, don’t you?”

Jack’s eyes flicked up, meeting hers “There’s a right way to do things. I’ll figure it out… without breaking any rules or committing a HIPAA violation.”

Parker shook her head, clearly entertained. “Yeah, yeah. Can’t wait to see how that works out.” She tapped the counter lightly and walked off, leaving him to his work.

Jack sighed, leaning back in the chair. His thoughts drift to the odds of seeing you again. You’d crossed paths twice already… maybe it would happen a third time. Would he see you again? Who knows. If it was meant to be, it would work out. But for now… this was just another fleeting moment.

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