Work Text:
"Has anyone ever told you that you're a hypocrite?"
The question breaks through Samira's exhausted mind fog, unexpected in the almost empty breakroom. It's 4am on her third night shift in a row, and an unexpected lull in foot traffic through the ER means that she decided to take the opportunity to go to the quietest place in the pitt.
This is proof, she thinks, of Samira 2.0. The Samira who will be staying in Pittsburgh next year, who has realised she needs a life of her own and is taking steps to get one. Baby steps, admittedly, but something's better than nothing.
She has started on this new leaf by reducing the number of double shifts she's working (by one a month), packing herself lunch (not that she ever has the time to eat it), and allowing herself moments to breathe and ground herself when the work gets to be just too much to bear (she allows herself an extra ten seconds to hide in the bathroom after she finishes washing her hands).
That's why she's here right now, stirring oat milk into her terrible coffee with a slightly bent out of shape teaspoon. Her mug reads WORLD'S WORST SURGEON in rainbow bubble writing. She feels like it probably shouldn't be down here, but who knows. Maybe Walsh gave it to Abbot as a gag gift in secret santa at the annual PTMC holiday party. It's not like Samira would have been there to witness it, much like she's never been to any out of work event with the exception of the occasional post-shift drink in the park when she feels like she can't decline for the tenth time in a row.
She's busy thinking about how well she's doing at turning over said new leaf when the voice interrupts again, drawling and bored sounding.
"Samira? Earth to Samira Mohan, are you still with us," This time, Samira manages to look up from her coffee to find Trinity waving dramatically at her from her seat at one of the tables. Samira blinks and tries to shake some of the tiredness out of her head.
Trinity frowns, looking uncharacteristically concerned. "You feeling okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm good. Just–" Samira cuts herself off with a yawn, "just tired. Sorry."
"No worries, I get it. Night shift has messed up my sleep so much, it's pretty much the only downside."
"Right.” Samira blinks again. “What were you saying before? When you were trying to get my attention."
Trinity stirs up the yoghurt she has in front of her and takes a spoonful before answering with a slightly chastised smile. "I asked if you know that you're a hypocrite."
Samira blinks a few times, her brain short circuiting slightly. "What?"
Her coworker laughs around the spoon in her mouth. "You can act surprised, Samira, but I know the truth. I walked past you with that patient in central 6, the guy with the stress induced migraines?"
"Jacob."
"If you say so. Anyways, you were telling him about how important balance is, stress relief, taking time for yourself away from your work, yadda yadda yadda."
Samira doesn't see the point she's making. "And..?"
"Samira," Trinity's voice takes on a conspiratorial tone and she leans forward, folding her arms in front of her on the table. "Don't get me wrong, but do you have any hobbies outside of work? Ever go on vacation?"
"I do plenty of things outside of work."
"Oh yeah? Like what," Trinity challenges, still looking up at Samira with a vaguely pitying look in her big eyes. She spreads her hands in front of her, theatrical as ever. "Please, enlighten me."
"I like to... read."
"What do you read?"
"I..." medical journals, mostly. "Lots of things, really. And I work out."
"That's great. And you like doing that?"
"What?" She’s confused.
"Exercising."
"I don't think anyone likes exercising," Samira admits, running a hand over her face. She just wants this weird interrogation to be over with already. She's not even sure if Trinity's trying to antagonise her out of sheer boredom from this relatively trauma-free shift, or if she's genuinely curious.
Trinity hums, leaning back in her chair and tapping a finger against her lip. She thinks for a second, seemingly gathering the words she wants to say.
"I think you should listen to your own advice, Dr Mohan."
Samira doesn't know what to say in response to that, leaning with her back against the counter. She takes a few sips of her coffee as she tries to formulate a response in her tired brain.
Close by, Trinity stands up, rolling her shoulders back a few times and then twisting her back until she hears a crack. She picks up her empty yoghurt pot and throws it away, washing her spoon off in the sink before putting it back in her scrub pocket (not exactly hygienic, but Samira and half of their colleagues do the same).
Turning to leave the room, Trinity smiles slightly at Samira. It's earnest, she thinks, in the way that Trinity always seems to be in the early hours of the morning.
"Just think about it?"
Samira nods weakly, gulping down the rest of her coffee as the door shuts behind Trinity. The burn she feels as it scalds her throat wakes her up better than the caffeine ever could, and she quickly chokes down a protein bar before going back out to the floor. She still has to discharge Jacob, and even on a quiet night the patients stack up quickly.
After their shift ends and the handovers are done, Samira corners Trinity.
She has to hang around the lockers for longer than she expected for the R2 to turn up. Samira is usually the last person to leave after the end of a shift, insisting on taking just one more patient or saying goodbye to her handovers. It's not something she usually regrets, but as she finds herself leaning against her locker, slipping ever so slowly down the cool metal, she wishes she had left earlier a few times so she knew how long Trinity would be.
Suddenly Trinity breezes around the corner, moving much more energetically than Samira would have thought possible at the end of a 12 hour shift. She startles a little when she notices Samira, green eyes widening.
"Oh. Hi," she says. "Did you fall asleep before you could make it to the door?"
Samira sends her what she hopes is an admonishing look, and answers, "not exactly. I wanted to talk to you."
Trinity raises her eyebrows and opens her locker door, shucking off her scrub top and rummaging around in a beaten up gym bag hung up on one of the hooks. "Oh yeah? About one of the patients?"
Samira averts her eyes from Trinity's exposed back, flushing slightly when she notices how the band of her underwear is visible where it pokes above the waistband of her scrub pants. Lace. Huh. She wouldn’t have thought. Not that Samira spends time thinking about her coworkers’ underwear! That would be weird, and inappropriate. Two things that she is not.
"No, not the patients. About what you said earlier."
Trinity has found what she was looking for, a dark grey tank top which she pulls over her head as she replies.
"You're going to have to be more specific, Samira. I say a lot of shit I don't remember." She turns back to Samira, grabbing her bag out of the locker and slamming it shut. With her free hand she pulls her hair tie out of her tight high ponytail, wincing slightly as it catches in a few strands before running her hand through it a few times.
They both turn to walk towards the doors, Samira continuing the conversation as they go. "About hobbies. When you not so subtly told me to get a life."
Trinity cracks a smile at this, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, sorry about that. The way I said it, especially. I lose my filter even more than usual when I'm tired."
Samira shakes her head. "You were right."
Trinity's mouth falls open into a pink O, her surprise clear. Samira keeps walking, steering Trinity out through the busy waiting room doors and up onto the sidewalk.
She continues talking, squaring her shoulders and squinting against the bright early morning sun as she looks at Trinity. "I realised that I need to take my own advice, but. I don't know how." Trinity blinks, confused.
Samira stares at her expectantly for a minute. Trinity stares back.
"Wait, sorry–Samira, I'm so tired, my brain feels like mush. What exactly are you asking?"
Samira sighs, embarrassed. "I'm asking you to teach me. Give me ideas on how to have hobbies and... stuff."
"I'm sorry, you... you want me to teach you how to have hobbies? Who are you and what have you done with Samira Mohan?" Trinity actually looks concerned, which is not how Samira had thought this would go as she planned out this conversation while finishing her charting.
She tries to explain quickly. "It's just. I was going to leave Pittsburgh at the end of my residency, and now I'm not. And I see everyone here and they all have interests, and relationships, and families, who are here. And I don't." She looks down at the ground, surprised at how the words spilled out once she started talking. "I don't have that. But I want to try."
There's silence for a beat, and then– "Okay."
Samira snaps her neck up, eyes widening in surprise. "Really?"
Trinity nods, looking thoughtful. She's running her hand back and forth over the strap of her bag, taping a foot on the ground. This is something that Samira has noticed over the year or so that they've been working together; Trinity Santos doesn't stand still. Doesn't like to be bored. Always has to be doing something with her hands, spinning a pen or tugging on her stethoscope where it hands around her neck. It’s kind of charming, if not a bit stereotypical for their job.
"Yeah. Let me think about it, and I'll text you?" Trinity punctuates the question with a raise of her eyebrows, as if she's asking Samira for permission to contact her.
"That would be great." Samira sighs a little shakily. She smiles at Trinity and adds "Thank you, Trinity."
Her coworker blushes a little, pink spreading across her pale cheeks. "It's really nothing, Samira. Um, my bus is leaving soon, so. See you." She turns away and starts walking quickly down the block, waving a hand above the back of her head.
Samira laughs a little to herself, digging her car keys out of her pocket as she turns to go home.
[September 19, 2025 // 19:46]
(Unknown number)
hey samira, it’s trinity from work
mckay gave me your number, and i thought i should send you our numbers in case of any schedule changes etc etc
Unknown number shared a contact with you [Dennis Whitaker 🌽 (ICE)]
You (Samira Mohan)
Hi Trinity, thank you. See you at work tomorrow!
(Unknown number)
see you then :)
You saved this number as Trinity Santos (PTMC ED).
You added Dennis Whitaker 🌽 (ICE) to your contacts
You changed Dennis Whitaker 🌽 (ICE) to Dennis Whitaker (PTMC ED).
[September 3, 2026 // 16:04]
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
hey samira
woah i just saw when our last messages were
crazy
anyways i made a game plan on how we can fix your life
Samira Mohan
Hi, Trinity
What do you mean by a game plan?
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
just a tiny plan
miniscule really
Samira Mohan
You aren't answering the question...
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
haha okay
i know how you like to be prepared!
sooo i made a few lists
just some ideas on what you can do, where to start, that kind of thing
Samira Mohan
Oh
Thank you, that was so quick!
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
yeah it’s a little rough but i hope it'll help!
i think we’re both off tomorrow if you want to get coffee or something and i can talk you through it?
the ideas
talk you through the ideas
if you aren’t free though that’s fine
obviously
Samira Mohan
No, I am! That would be amazing, thanks
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
ahh no it’s nothing
Samira Mohan
Seriously, thank you
I feel like you picked up on it but I need all the help I can get… I have zero ideas at the moment so anything would be appreciated.
[Trinity Santos (PTMC ED) hearted your message]
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
would the morning or afternoon be better?
Samira Mohan
Maybe the morning? Would 11 work okay
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
that sounds good.
[Trinity Santos (PTMC ED) shared a link with you]
this place is cute, have you been?
Samira Mohan
No, but it looks perfect 🙂
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
great. see you there then!
:)
[You hearted a message]
Samira is early. She knew she would be when she left the house, even when she was getting ready. But she feels weirdly anxious. And an anxious Samira is early.
When she was getting ready to leave her apartment this morning, pulling on a black t-shirt and a loose pair of jeans and diffusing her hair dry, she had felt calm. But then she realised that while her incredibly quick morning routine (wash face in the shower, rub in some spf, brush teeth and get dressed) was optimal for an early shift, it left her with too much spare time when she wasn't in such a rush.
Even with taking longer than usual to pick between the two lightweight jackets she owned–she went with the cream instead of her usual black, because new leaf!–and to tie and retie the laces to her sensible sneakers about ten times, she still left her apartment way too early. Then, there was no traffic. And she found a parking spot far too easily. So now she's standing outside the coffee shop that Trinity had suggested they go to, checking her phone every ten seconds to pretend like she has something to do.
She's just shut it off for maybe the fiftieth time when she hears someone call her name.
"Samira!" Trinity walks towards her from around the corner of the block. "I didn't think you would be this early! Eager to see the results of my hard work?"
Samira is shocked–not that Trinity turned up or made a playful comment–but that, unless her phone has the wrong time, Trinity is about fifteen minutes early. She raises her eyebrows, replying. "I thought you would be late." Shit, that's not what she meant to say. She sees Trinity's face fall slightly before she covers it up with a quick smile.
"I would never leave you hanging, Samira. This is important business."
"Sorry. That came out wrong–I'm just so used to getting to work early, and–" she cuts herself off. Trinity does the same, actually. Samira doesn't know when it started, but she's often there before Samira gets in in the mornings.
Trinity shakes her head. "Don't worry, I get it."
A few minutes later, they're inside with their drinks. It's a cute place, cozy, with wood floors and soft couches. Trinity leads Samira over to a table by the window, setting her drink down carefully before unceremoniously throwing herself into one of the chairs. Samira sits down opposite her, watching as she reaches into her tote bag and pulls out a spiral bound notebook.
Trinity's wearing a loose blue hoodie, faded lettering spelling out UCLA across her chest. Her hair is pulled up in a claw clip, a few strands loose and framing her face.
"You know you shouldn't drive wearing those," Samira says without thinking.
Trinity looks up at her from where she's flicking through the pages. "Don't worry. My apartment's a few blocks away, I walked."
"Oh. Sorry."
"Don't be. It's nice to know you care." Trinity takes a sip of the iced latte in front of her, before clearing her throat. She puts on a serious tone of voice. "Okay. Before we start, I have some important questions to ask. Quick fire. Don't think about your answers too much."
"Why?"
"I need to know whether some of these are terrible. Okay, question one–" Samira quickly takes a sip of her flat white. "How do you feel about getting your hands dirty?"
"Are you serious? We work in an ER."
"Answer the questions, please."
"Fine. That sounds fine." Trinity makes a pleased humming noise.
"Okay. Do you have any allergies?"
"No. What kind of list is this?" She's promptly ignored.
"Favourite type of music?"
"I like most things. Maybe not crazy pop stuff, though."
"I see that. Okay, no Addison Rae for you." She makes another note. "What type of exercise do you usually do?"
"Swimming. Cycling sometimes, at the gym."
"Great." Trinity scribbles something down, squinting at her list. "Final question! How do you usually spend your days off?"
"Uh..." she doesn't know if Trinity realises what a loaded question this is. "It really depends, I guess."
She feels Trinity staring at her, measured and contemplative. Instead of making a joke or pressing harder though, she just nods. "I get that."
Samira smiles, grateful. "What kind of stuff do you usually do?"
Trinity grins, and moves her notebook so that it's in between them. "I'm so glad you asked. I made some ideas of what you can do. And some of the stuff are things I do too, so you can have company if you'd like."
Samira feels oddly touched. She takes a look at the list and laughs.
"Okay... this is interesting."
The paper reads:
operation: get dr samira mohan a life
- join us when we go out for once (technically work related) (caveat: work talk BANNED except for funny stories) (please samira just once)
- get a pet
- fish (allergy-friendly!)
- cat (? they scratch)
- crafting to make things for your apartment
- crochet? drawing/painting? jigsaws?
- group friendly: pottery classes? painting classes?
- chess? i feel like you would like chess
- book club (before you ask, journal club doesn’t count)
- sports / exercising
- rock climbing (gay), kickboxing, line dancing (not my idea), pilates/yoga classes, ballet
- volunteering! NOT WORK-RELATED (important)
- make a dating profile so you can laugh at everyone else
- language classes?
- get really into coffee and spend hours
flicking beansperfecting your latte art therapy- or just come over to ours and we’ll find SOMETHING :)
"Point number 1 is actually the biggest priority, but we might have to work up to that. I think it might be my white whale.”
Samira smiles fondly looking at the second point. "I used to have a cat, actually."
Trinity perks up even more. It's slightly scary how just one sip of her coffee seems to have doubled her energy. "Oh yeah? When you were a kid?"
"No, in med school and residency. I adopted him from a shelter."
"What was his name?"
"Lil Wayne." Trinity laughs, her hand jolting and spilling some coffee over her hand. She licks it off, and Samira pretends not to notice how her stomach clenches at the sight of Trinity running her tongue along her thumb.
"I didn't name him, the shelter did. And he died last year, so you can't laugh."
"I'm sorry, I am. I never had pets growing up, so."
"Really?"
"Nope," she says, shrugging. "My parents had a dog before I was born, practice kid I guess. But he died when I was like two. I think three kids is enough without throwing pets into the mix as well."
"I didn't know you had siblings." Samira says, slightly surprised.
"Yeah, two younger brothers. You're an only child?"
Samira nods. "Is it obvious?"
"A little. Not in the way it is for Javadi though, don't worry." Samira preens slightly at her words. It's more of a dig at Victoria than a compliment to her, but she'll take it.
"Okay, back to the list. Anything look good to you? I was thinking you could pick a few different things to try out, maybe one creative, one sporty, that sort of thing."
Samira scans her eyes over the list. "These are all things you do?"
"Most of them. Not chess, and not line dancing. That was Dennis' suggestion. But I've tried the other stuff, a lot of it in undergrad or med school."
Samira zeroes in on one of the suggestions. "I wouldn't have pegged you for a pilates fan."
Trinity looks a little awkward. "That's a newer addition, actually. I went a few times when I was seeing Yol–when I was seeing someone. She was really into it and I got kind of hooked this summer. It's a good way to stretch out your muscles."
Samira pretends not to notice the slip up. She knows she's unaware of the goings on of PTMC as both a rule and a consequence of her not spending time with her coworkers outside of work, but even she heard about the messy break up between Trinity and Garcia at the start of July. She's also noticed how ever since, Trinity has been working more and more nights and avoiding traumas like her life depends on it when she does find herself on a day shift.
"That sounds like fun."
Trinity sends her a grateful smile. "It is! Exercise is always a good way to regulate your stress levels too, which is probably good for the both of us."
"You were a college athlete, right?" Samira does remember some things about her coworkers, even if they are few and far between.
"You remembered! Yes, gymnastics. But then I stopped and it made me realise how much I needed to be doing that kind of thing to, you know, stop myself going insane."
"Ah."
"That was a joke, Samira. Don't worry. Okay, what else floats your boat?" Trinity says, tapping on the list with a pen.
"Hmm... maybe an art class. And the language classes could be good. I don’t know how much you’ve noticed but we really have a problem with not being able to communicate with some of our patients because of the language barrier.” Maybe Spanish could be good. It’s probably the easiest one to pick up on, she thinks, and definitely their most common reason for calling in a translator.
"Samira," Trinity says, stretching her hand across the table to touch Samira's. "I love your dedication to your patients. It's truly very admirable. But we're trying to get you a life outside of the hospital, remember? I was thinking that it could be useful if you ever went abroad, on vacation."
"Oh." That does make more sense.
"Sorry." She gives Samira's hand a quick squeeze before letting go. Samira realises once she's let go that that might be the only time they've ever really touched, outside of pushing past each other in the tight rooms at work.
She looks back down at the list. "Okay then... maybe book club or something."
"Great. Three is the perfect number to start with." Trinity takes a photo of the list with her phone, then pushes the paper towards Samira. "Here. For inspiration."
[September 8, 2026 // 20:22]
Samira Mohan
Hi Trinity 🙂 could you remind me what time the class starts?
I feel like I wrote it down wrong…
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
hi hi
it’s at 8:30
are we still good to meet there?
Samira Mohan
Yes! See you tomorrow
[Trinity Santos (PTMC ED) hearted your message]
"Fuck", Samira swears under her breath. She slips and falls against the mat under her, not for the first time.
Next to her, she can hear Trinity trying to stifle her laugh as the instructor comes over to Samira's side to demonstrate some "adjustments that can make things easier for beginners."
Samira tries to send her a death glare, but Trinity's eyes are fixed straight ahead as she moves into a plank. It's not as effective aimed at the back of someone's head. Samira gives it a go anyway.
At the start of the class, it was easy. Samira enjoyed the stretch of her muscles, the easy repeated motions they were doing that she knew would be helpful in building her core strength. It was overall a really enjoyable time.
Then the instructor told them that the warm up was over. Things intensified.
And now Samira keeps both falling and giving up half way through the reps. Her arms are shaking. The extensive research she did last night didn't warn her about this, but then again she did focus a little too much on the history of the exercise's development rather than looking into what it would actually entail.
She looks over to Trinity again, and can't believe her eyes. Not only is she not collapsing, she looks like she's enjoying this.
Like Samira, she's just wearing leggings and a sports bra. Samira had stared when they first came in and Trinity took off the oversized shirt she was wearing on top and she noticed that had a belly button ring. Now, the gem on it is catching the light and Samira feels herself staring again. She puts her hand at the wrong angle, and falls again, this time landing on her shoulder at a painful angle.
"Ow..."
"Samira?" Trinity's voice comes from beside her head. Samira opens her eyes and can just see the dark green fabric of Trinity's leggings.
She groans. "I'm okay." She sits up gingerly and realises that everyone else in the class is staring at her. She gives the instructor an awkward thumbs up, feeling like she wants to die inside, and rubs her shoulder.
At the front of the room, the instructor begins to lead the class in some cool down exercises. Samira debates whether to join them, but next to her Trinity gathers up her mat and signals to her to follow her.
They tiptoe quietly out of the room. Once the door shuts behind them, Trinity starts to laugh uncontrollably.
"Dude. How do you manage to do that? You're a lot more steady on your feet at work." She's wiping a tear from her eye, which offends Samira a little. But Samira can't believe it either, and she doesn't want to admit the actual reason why she fell and risk making Trinity uncomfortable. They might be on the way to developing a tentative friendship.
Samira can't risk losing that because she admits what–that she thinks Trinity's attractive?
"It was hard! And I don't know, I just slipped I guess." She rubs her shoulder again.
Trinity peers at it. "Ouch. That looks like it's gonna bruise. Put some ice on it when you get home."
Samira nods. That had been her plan anyway, but she can't exactly see the part of her shoulder that she whacked. It feels odd to have someone else point these things out for her instead of her having to find a way to do it for herself.
Trinity starts to stretch, and Samira watches her, mystified.
"Didn't we just leave so that we could stop doing that?"
"You have to cool down your muscles Samira. Unless your arm hurts too much, I guess." Trinity says, one arm reaching out over the top of her head. She breathes out deeply, looking relaxed.
Samira thinks about it.
"What, are you scared you'll trip out here as well?"
Fine. Samira sighs and starts to copy what Trinity's doing, not rising to the bait.
[September 9, 2026 // 20:04]
Samira Mohan
My whole body hurts
Thank you so much for inviting me but I think I might stick to swimming in the future
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
ah maybe i should have warned you
you get used to it but the burn is crazy
Samira Mohan
You don’t say…
You seemed like a natural though
Very flexible
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
you have no idea
Samira Mohan
…
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
gymnastics, remember?
why
what were you thinking
Samira Mohan
Nothing! Forgot about the gymnastics for a second haha
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
:)
no worries if that’s the only time you come! just let me know if you change your mind
[You hearted a message]
Samira Mohan
Thank you
I’ll let you know
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
ofc!
so...
what’s next up on the list?
[September 10, 2026 // 10:14]
Mel King (PTMC ED)
Hi Samira! I have the details of the book club that I was telling you about if you’re interested? 🙂
Samira Mohan
Mel! Yes, thank you so much
When are you guys next meeting?
Mel King (PTMC ED)
In three days!
It’s this book
[Mel King (PTMC ED) shared a link with you]
Have you heard of it?
Samira Mohan
I actually read it a little while ago!
Would love to join if there’s room
Mel King (PTMC ED)
Amazing! Yes there definitely is
I can tell you more about it tomorrow?
Samira Mohan
Perfect!
I’m looking forward to it!
Mel King (PTMC ED)
Me too! 🙂
[You hearted a message]
Samira has made a mistake. The women of Mel’s book club are wasted. Around ten or so women, all around their age or slightly older, most of them seeming like stereotypical soccer moms. Including, apparently, their ability to put back wine.
She leans in to Mel where she’s sitting next to her on the couch. “Remind me how you know these people again?”
“Jamie, in the purple, has a son at the same facility as Becca. We got to talking a couple of months ago and she invited me along,” Mel says, a wide smile brightening her face. She and Samira are dressed similarly, both in jeans and a t-shirt, which makes Samira feel like she stands out a little less.
“Wow. That’s so sweet.”
“It was! And now we meet every week, or at least I try to, and yeah. It’s so nice that you could join us too.”
Samira smiles. “No, are you kidding me? It was so nice of you to invite me.”
Mel gives a tiny shrug and pushes up her glasses. “I like you, Samira. And I knew you were trying to, how did you put it?”
“Get a life?” Mel looks concerned at that, and Samira quickly rephrases. “Sorry. A bad joke Trinity keeps making. Did you mean building a community?”
“Oh! Yes. That was it. I’ve been trying to do the same.”
Samira knocks her glass of seltzer into Mel’s. “To building community.”
Mel smiles at her. “Cheers.” She looks like she’s about to ask Samira something else, her expression quizzical, but a shout from across the room interrupts them.
“Oh no,” Mel sighs, looking at where two of the book club ladies have started yelling in each other’s faces, gesturing wildly. “Not again.”
[September 13, 2026 // 23:19]
Samira Mohan
Mel is insane
Did you know this?
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
what happened to hi. hello.
how are you trinity? how was your day?
Samira Mohan
…
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
what happened
Samira Mohan
Book club
Mel is very passionate about books! And I knew this!
But her friends are crazy
So she might be too by association
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
ohhhhh
what book was it?
Samira Mohan
Beach Read?
Apparently it’s the anniversary of something and their theme is classical literature, and this book is meta or something
I don’t really see it
I just didn’t realise people had so many thoughts about fictional men
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
that’s the gayest thing i’ve ever heard anyone say
even i have thoughts about augustus everett
Samira Mohan
…
[September 16, 2026 // 08:19]
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
how’s your list going?
Samira Mohan
Good! I actually decided to tick off another one today!
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
ooh which one
wait let me guess
barista training
Samira Mohan
Not quite
I’m going to go and read at the childrens’ library near my house!
They were looking for volunteers and I almost went into pedes
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
hmm
i guess i can kind of see that
have fun! flirt with some dilfs if that’s what you’re into
[You read this message at 08:26]
samira
samira don’t leave me on read
this is all i have
Samira is in the middle of reading Doctor Maisy to a small group of very attentive preschoolers when she sees him. The afternoon group at the library gets busy apparently, and it definitely feels more crowded than it is with the way that the parents are sitting in a ring around where their kids are gathered in front of the armchair that Samira is currently sitting in.
So it isn’t surprising that someone comes in late, apologising quietly as he shuffles in between two other people. What’s more surprising is that as he does this a glamorous blonde woman next to him leans in, hisses something in an annoyed tone, and moves to stand up. This is what really gets Samira’s attention.
She looks up from the book to shoot them a disapproving glare, and realises that she’s face to face with Frank Langdon. His eyes widen in surprise, and seeing her fellow resident look like a frightened rabbit while sitting on a tiny plastic kids chair, knees pressed up to his chin, is enough to make her annoyance vanish. Samira stifles a laugh and coughs, turning back to the children in front of her.
Once storytime is over, Langdon comes over to her.
“Hey,” he says, frowning. “Didn’t expect to see you here, of all places.”
“I live nearby, and I saw they were looking for volunteers,” Samira replies. “I could say the same about you though, what are you doing here?”
He blinks at her, frowning. Then he points over to where two small children, both with a shock of dark hair, are playing on one of the beanbags. “I’m with my kids?”
Kids. Right. People her age have families. God, Langdon had his first in medical school, she realises. How on earth can you even begin to manage that?
“Oh, of course you are. Sorry.”
“Yeah. It’s a good place to hand over when we’re switching them between Abby’s and my place,” he says, a tired tone creeping into his voice when he says my place.
Separate places? Samira suddenly notices that Langdon’s hand, where it goes to run a hand through his dark hair, is missing a ring.
Did Langdon get divorced?
She nods absent mindedly as he keeps talking. For once she’s tapped into some new gossip. Samira doesn’t usually care about her coworkers’ personal lives enough to speculate, but this is proof.
“...Samira?”
“Sorry, what was that?”
“I was asking if you were going to be back again. Penny really liked how you did the voices,” Langdon says, smiling at his daughter.
Samira thinks it over. “Yeah, I probably will. This was nice.”
“Great. She’ll be thrilled. And then probably forget immediately, she’s three years old.” He turns back to Samira, his head cocked. “I have to say, I am surprised to see you doing something outside of the hospital.”
“This wasn’t really my idea.”
“No?”
“It's something Trinity came up with. Kind of a group project.”
“Ah.” Langdon looks like he wants to say something, but shakes his head to himself instead. “You guys seem to be getting close?”
“I guess so.”
“You’re friends. That’s good.” He smiles, and Samira can see the exhaustion in his eyes. She feels a bit bad about thinking how much Trinity would like to hear her news about his personal life. “Is she… is she okay?”
Samira blinks. That’s not what she thought he was going to ask.
“Yeah. I think she is.”
He nods, looking a little spaced out. “Good. That’s good. Um, I’ll see you at work. And hopefully here again soon.”
She waves at Langdon and his kids as they leave, thinking about what he’d asked about her and Trinity. Friends. Friends is good.
[September 16, 2026 // 16:23]
Samira Mohan
Trinity
Trinity look at your phone right now!
I have gossip
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
OH?
the day has finally come
this has to be crazy if SAMIRA MOHAN is falling to my level
Samira Mohan
Stop it
But yes it is
I was volunteering at the children’s library
And I saw someone who looked familiar
And then they turned around and it was Langdon and his wife
Who is apparently now his EX wife
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
…..
samira are you serious
Samira Mohan
What?
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
they got divorced last month?
Samira Mohan
WHAT
And no one mentioned it to me?
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
HE GOT SERVED WITH THE PAPERS LEAVING WORK
IT WAS ALL OVER THE GROUP CHATS
Samira Mohan
Oh that makes sense then
I’m not on those
Just the official work one
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
it seems like i have a lot to catch you up on oh wow
come over to our apt after im done with my shift?
Samira Mohan
Okay
I do still have to fill you in though, it was really weird
[Trinity Santos (PTMC ED) hearted your message]
[September 18, 2026 // 13:09]
Victoria Javadi (PTMC ED)
hi samira!
this is a little random but i have an idea for a video and i thought you might be able to help
Samira Mohan
Oh, for your tiktok?
Victoria Javadi (PTMC ED)
yes
if you’re not okay with being filmed though i completely understand!
Samira Mohan
Oh no, I would love to help out.
Is it some kind of educational video?
Victoria Javadi (PTMC ED)
not exactly…
"Okay, so I just start scrolling?"
"Yes, and make sure you react to each of them."
Samira nods slowly, looking at the set-up around them. When she had turned up to Victoria's new apartment an hour before she assumed that they would be filming something based on actual medicine. But instead Victoria, after awkwardly asking her if she could get her anything to drink, turned to Samira and questioned "Do you have any dating apps?"
At Samira's admittance that yes, she technically does, even though she deleted them about two years ago, Victoria lit up. She took Samira's phone from her and scrolled through the pictures, frowning a little. "Okay. Okay, we can work with this."
Samira, still confused as to what was going on, sat at the end of Victoria's powder blue couch sipping her tea. At the other end, Victoria kept making approving hums as she typed and retyped different parts of the profile. Eventually whatever changes she made met her standards, and she put down the phone and turned back to Samira, clapping her hands once.
“Okay. So the idea is that I show people different things about the life of a doctor, especially to do with work-life balance.” She said, eyes big and slightly anxious.
“...and you thought of me?” Samira replied, amused. She likes Victoria a lot, and has missed having her around at work since she finished her rotation in the summer, so she assumed that the girl knew her well enough to realise that she might not be the ideal person to ask.
Victoria smiled, a little embarrassed. “Dennis mentioned something about you trying to improve your social life–” her huge eyes widened “–not that I think it needs work or anything!”
“It’s fine, Victoria. It’s the truth.”
She sighed, relieved. “Okay. Sorry. And then Trinity showed me a list and this was one of the things, so I thought it would be fun! And my followers would love it.”
Samira froze for a second hearing that, her breath catching.
“Oh. This was Trinity’s idea?” Obviously she had seen that point on the list that Trinity had written her, but a part of Samira thought it was just a joke suggestion.
Victoria, oblivious to Samira’s internal struggle, continued, “No, no–I just picked something off of the list. She actually kept making jokes about me being a Russian child chess prodigy? Which I didn’t get.”
“Oh. Okay then. Good.”
At that, Victoria sent her a look that was difficult to interpret. Samira chose to ignore it.
So now, they’re filming the video, Samira swiping through the options that show up on her screen.
“Oh, he’s cute! Ugh, but he’s in the military. Swipe.”
Or rather, Samira is listening to Victoria’s opinions on the profiles that she’s being shown.
“Aww, dog photo. And he’s a vet! That could work.”
Amused, Samira keeps doing as Victoria says. They keep going for a little while, before Victoria is suddenly struck silent.
Samira looks down at her phone, now actually in Victoria’s hands after she deigned that Samira wasn’t swiping quickly enough. It’s open on the profile of a pretty woman with dark braids, taken in a dim cocktail bar. The brief description that Samira can see reads ALEX // 31 // LAWYER.
“Umm…” Victoria turns and looks at Samira, eyes wide. “I didn’t realise you were… not that that’s a bad thing! That’s a good thing! Women are great!”
Samira tries not to laugh as Victoria keeps babbling. “Victoria, it’s okay. I’m not surprised you didn’t know, it’s not like I’ve been eager to share my personal life with people in the past.”
“So you’re…” Victoria trails off, something glinting behind her eyes.
“I’m bisexual. Is that okay for your video?”
“That’s great! And yes, of course! As long as you’re okay with that being in it.” Victoria nods enthusiastically.
“Of course.”
“Great. Um, I just have to go to the bathroom, but I’ll be back in a minute…” Victoria runs off, pausing the video recording and taking her phone with her. Weird.
[September 19, 2026 // 20:23]
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
samira
Samira Mohan
Trinity
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
how could YOU NOT TELL ME
Samira Mohan
Tell you what?
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
THAT YOU LIKE WOMEN???
Samira Mohan
Oh
I thought you knew!
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
NO?!
Samira Mohan
Well
You do now
Wait is Victoria texting you from the bathroom?
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
i won’t reveal my sources
but i can’t believe victoria of all people found out before me
[You hearted a message]
cruel, samira
just cruel
[September 25, 2026 // 10:21]
Samira Mohan
Guess what I’m doing
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
a date already?? you move quickly samira mohan
Samira Mohan
Okay guess again
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
hmm
no
samira you’ve stumped me
im stumped
[You shared a photo]
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
taking selfies?
very cute as always! but i don’t know if that counts
Samira Mohan
Look closer! Behind me
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
OH
pottery studio!!
Samira Mohan
Ding ding ding
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
this is so exciting
will i get a samira mohan original some day?
Samira Mohan
You’ll just have to wait and see 🙂
[Trinity Santos (PTMC ED) hearted your message]
[September 25, 2026 // 17:02]
[You shared a photo]
Samira Mohan
Ta da!
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
oh!
what is it?
Samira Mohan
A vase!
Shaped like a flower
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
of course! i see that now
very nice
Samira Mohan
It’s rough, I know
But I think I’m going to come back. It was fun 🙂
Thank you for the idea
[Trinity Santos (PTMC ED) hearted your message]
[September 26, 2026 // 11:05]
Dennis Whitaker (PTMC ED)
hi samira!
trin told me about your plan to explore more hobbies and stuff outside of work
actually she told me i could take a few lessons from your book and called me an idiot with no social life, but the sentiment was there
and we had tickets to this concert tomorrow, but she had to cover a night shift
so i thought you might be interested?
Samira Mohan
Hi Dennis! That sounds fun, thank you for thinking of me
What kind of concert is it?
Dennis Whitaker (PTMC ED)
jazz
Samira Mohan
Really? I don’t think I would have pegged you for a jazz fan
Dennis Whitaker (PTMC ED)
i contain multitudes
Samira Mohan
Interesting… okay, count me in!
[September 27, 2026 // 22:16]
Samira Mohan
You never told me how much Dennis lets loose outside of work…
[You shared a video]
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
OHM Y GOD
SAMIRA
LIGHT OF MY LIFE
THOS IS AMAZING
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH
Samira Mohan
Haha do you really mean that?
What do you mean?
I’m so glad you like it
I had more but Dennis made me delete them 🙁
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
nooooo
thank you for giving me some entertainment
this shift is dragging on so much
Samira Mohan
I’m sorry you had to go in! Who are you covering for?
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
mel, she had something come up with her sister
and that takes priority over a little concert
Samira Mohan
That was such a nice thing to do
Trinity, you’re NICE
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
don’t tell anyone, it would ruin my reputation
[You hearted a message]
“This isn’t exactly what I expected when you said jazz.”
“Yeah, it’s more of a jazz-funk-rock-fusion thing. Sorry if I misled you a bit,” Dennis smiles sheepishly at Samira from his seat on the bar stool next to her. He just got back from the bar, bringing them both their drinks. Beer for him, a gin and tonic for her. While he was gone Samira had taken the time to send Trinity the one video she had managed to keep safe of his dancing. Words didn’t do it justice.
“No, no, it’s. It’s interesting!” Samira says, trying to reassure him. “I’m learning things about you, if nothing else.”
He laughs at this. “That’s true.”
Samira likes Dennis. They’ve been spending quite a lot of time together recently, but this is the first time without Trinity there too. It’s nice to see him in his element outside of the hospital. He’s grown in confidence a lot over the past year, and he seems a lot healthier than when they first met.
He turns to her awkwardly. “I did have a bit of an ulterior motive though. I wanted to talk to you alone.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Look, she would kill me if she knew I was talking to you about this, but,” Dennis sighs deeply, closing his eyes for a second. “What happened with Garcia really hurt Trinity. I know she won’t admit it, but you have to have noticed.”
“Dennis, I’m sorry… what are you talking about?” Samira is confused.
He looks at her slightly sadly. “I see how close the two of you have been getting, and that’s so great. You know I think the world of you, and I think you’re both really good for each other.”
“Thank you. I think so too.”
“But…” Dennis pauses for a second again, gathering his words. Samira impatiently waits for him to say whatever it is. “I see the way that she talks about you. How she looks at you. And she deserves more than someone who leads her on.”
He takes a sip of his beer, picking at the label where the condensation is causing a corner to peel off.
“I’m sorry if that came out harshly, it’s just. I know her. And she would never tell you, she would just feel worse and worse and not talk to anyone about it.” He swallows thickly, looking at the table. “And I don’t want to see that happen.”
Samira stands up abruptly. She feels like she’s having an out of body experience; surely Dennis doesn’t know what he’s talking about. “I should go.”
“Samira, I–”
“No, no–don’t worry. I just need some air. You enjoy the rest of the night, Dennis. See you at work.” She gathers her bag and jacket, and walks quickly away from where Dennis is trying to apologise.
Pushing out into the night, Samira realises that she’s panicking. Her chest feels tight and her head is spinning, and she leans against the wall. Closes her eyes. Breathes in and out until her hands stop shaking.
This is fine. It’ll be fine.
Or maybe it won’t.
Because, Samira realises, over the past month she has developed feelings for Trinity. In fact probably did the second that she read the handwritten list that Trinity put together, trying to help out a coworker who had always kept her at arms length.
And because if Dennis was wrong, and Trinity doesn’t like her as more than friends–in the way that Samira desperately wants her to–then she might feel uncomfortable. And then Samira will lose the only person who she actually feels certain is her friend.
[September 27, 2026 // 23:01]
Dennis Whitaker (PTMC ED)
samira, im so sorry if i made you uncomfortable!
please let me know when you get home
Samira Mohan
It’s okay Dennis
Seriously
I’m sorry for how I left
And I just did just get home, thank you
Just please don’t tell her that I freaked out on you
Dennis Whitaker (PTMC ED)
okay
i promise
[You hearted a message]
[September 28, 2026 // 07:58]
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
im just got out of work so im gonna crash but do you want to do something this evening?
im not working any more nights for now and it’s your day off right?
Samira Mohan
Ah I’m sorry Trinity! I had to pick up a double today
Last minute
Trinity Santos (PTMC ED)
ohh that sucks
but i get it no worries!
let me know when you’re next free :)
Samira Mohan
Of course
See you soon 🙂
[October 6, 2026 // 20:49]
Mateo Diaz (PTMC ED)
hey samira
just checking princess told you about karaoke this week?
Samira Mohan
Hi Mateo
Yes, she mentioned it! I should be able to join
Mateo Diaz (PTMC ED)
perfect
i might win the pool after all
Samira Mohan
What pool?
[Mateo Diaz (PTMC ED) read your message at 21:29]
Samira shouldn’t be here. This is what keeps repeating over and over in her head as she stands by the entrance to the bar that Mateo had directed her to. You shouldn’t be here. It’s not too late to go home.
It’s been almost two weeks since she had her run in with Dennis. Since then, she’s been feeling like she’s losing her mind.
She’s kept messaging Trinity, of course, and still sees her at work. But now she’s making a conscious effort to hold herself back. Stop flirting with her (she can’t work out when she started), not spend any more time alone with her than necessary (which means avoiding all of the pedes cases that come in), and try not to stare at her across the hub when she isn’t looking (going so badly that Dana, Princess, and McKay have each asked her about it. On separate occasions).
But, Samira made a commitment. To putting herself out there, and to building a community.
So when Princess mentions the group karaoke outing happening this Friday night, she feels like she has to say yes. She wants to say yes, even, which is a shocking revelation.
She doesn’t agree to come, though, until someone mentions offhand that it’s unusual for Santos to not be going this week. Samira feels a little guilty for this, but she doesn’t trust herself around Trinity at work, let alone tipsy at a bar.
Reminding herself of this, she walks into the crowded bar. Orders her usual drink at the bar, then looks around for her coworkers. Scanning over the room, she sees some of them.
Kim and Mateo are over by the machine, laughing as they look through which songs to add to the queue. On stage, Emma is nervously singing a french ballad while a small group cheers her on. Samira thinks she can spot Mel and Joy there, the former wincing while someone screams by her ear.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” someone says from behind her. She whirls around, sighing when she sees that it’s just Dennis. “This doesn’t seem like your kind of scene.”
She sighs, happy to see him but worried about what he’s going to ask her. But thankfully, Dennis seems content to watch the room with her.
“She’s actually pretty good,” he says after a minute, nodding at Emma. “I wouldn’t have thought.”
“I know. What about you?”
“Me? I’m pretty terrible.”
She smiles into her drink. “Then why do you come to these things?”
“Probably for the same reason you’re here. Not that I’m implying you can’t sing either, just. It’s more about team bonding, right? Maintaining friendships.”
“Yeah.”
“But–” he turns to set his drink down on the bar, “I do still have to sing. I’m sure you’ll be dragged into a duet too, if my experience has taught me anything.”
“Oh yeah? What do you usually end up doing?” Samira says, amused.
“Let’s see… last time it was Ice Ice Baby, which was a little difficult. That was my solo. And I did Barbie Girl with Victoria, that was interesting.”
“Oh, it sounds very interesting.”
He grins. “It’s just nice to unwind together, you know? Do something that isn’t related to a life or death situation.”
“I’m beginning to understand that.”
Dennis starts to say something else, maybe to ask her about what she’s planning on singing, but he’s interrupted by the arrival of Victoria.
“Dennis–oh, hi Samira,” she exclaims, eyes growing into saucers when she notices who her friend is talking to. “Umm…”
“Hi,” Samira says. “Dennis was telling me about your duet tradition.”
Victoria laughs nervously. “Yeah, we do that. Sadly…” She hesitates, then says to Dennis. “She’s outside. I mean she’s fine, just getting some air.”
“Ah, okay.”
Samira’s eyes slide between the two of them, noticing how they’re both avoiding eye contact with her. She raises her eyebrows, questioning. “What’s going on?”
Victoria turns to her, and says in a rush–”Trinity saw you come in and then she freaked out a little so we went outside and it’s fine! She’s fine. Don’t worry.”
“Trinity’s here? I thought she was working.”
Dennis frowns, looking pained. “No, she’s not. It’s her day off.”
“Oh.”
The three of them stand in awkward silence for a second.
“I should go!” Victoria says. “I need to… pick my song. Dennis, come with me.”
“Right, yes… your song,” he says, looking confused.
“Samira, would you go and check on Trinity for us? I have her jacket, and I don’t want her to get too cold.” Victoria shrugs off the leather bomber jacket draped over her shoulders and passes it to Samira. “Thank you so much!”
With that, they’re gone, Victoria pushing a protesting Dennis over to the machine. Their bickering fades away into the noise of the bar, and Samira looks at the jacket in her hands. She really should go and check on Trinity, even if every rational part of her brain is screaming at her not to go.
When she gets back outside, it takes a second for her to find Trinity. She’s sitting on the curb, arms wrapped around her legs.
“Hey,” Samira says softly. “I brought you something.”
Trinity sniffs and looks up at her. Her eyes are glassy, but they soften a little when she takes in Samira. “I didn’t think you were coming tonight.”
“That’s funny,” Samira says, settling down next to her on the cold ground and handing her the jacket. “I was told the same thing about you.”
Staring ahead of her, Trinity says tiredly, “I think we were set up.”
“Really?”
Trinity fixes her gaze on Samira again. “People have noticed you avoiding me.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. You’re not the most subtle person in the world.”
Samira sighs, breaking the eye contact and looking down at her hands. “I’m sorry.”
Trinity shakes her head “It’s okay. I get it.”
“What?”
“It was a bit much, right. I’ve been told I come on too strong by a lot of people.”
“Trinity, no–it wasn’t you, it was me.”
Trinity scoffs at that.
“I’m serious. I–” Samira sighs, frustrated. “I don’t know how to explain it, it’s. It’s too complicated.”
“Try me,” her friend says, a disbelieving look on her face.
“Fine. Please, put that on first though.” She watches as Trinity shrugs on the brown leather over her sequinned shirt. “Okay. You know that I don’t have a lot of friends. I’ve never been good at that kind of thing. I like people, obviously, but I’m terrible at lasting commitments. I have been ever since… well, ever since my dad died.” She sees Trinity’s eyes soften a little in understanding, and keeps talking. “So I was so happy that we were getting along so well. But then I realised that I had feelings for you. And I didn’t want to lose my only friend once you realised that, so.”
“So you pulled away.”
“Yes.”
She’s not sure what she expects Trinity to say, but she’s surprised to hear a soft “I’m not your only friend, Samira.”
“What?”
“I think Dennis, and Victoria, and Mel would be very offended to hear you say that. You told me yourself about how you’ve been seeing them outside of work. That wasn’t just them helping you tick stuff off a list.”
“I guess so.”
“Samira, I’m serious. Everyone likes you. They’re lucky to have you as a friend. Or I know that’s how I feel, at least.”
Samira swallows thickly, unable to look Trinity in the eyes. “Why are you here? Why are you letting me talk to you, and complain about my life, after I was so rude to you?”
A second passes, then “Why do you think, Samira?”
Samira pulls her eyes up to look at Trinity. She’s still keeping eye contact with Samira, her expression raw and unfiltered in the streetlight.
Sick of second guessing herself, Samira leans forward and cups Trinity’s face with one hand. Trinity gasps, surprised, and Samira catches her open mouth in a kiss. She grabs the front of Samira’s shirt and pulls her in closer, tilting her head to lick into Samira’s mouth.
“Oh! Sorry.” Samira jumps back from Trinity, embarrassed, at the sound of someone right behind them. Trinity pulls away more slowly, running a hand through her hair.
“I didn’t think anyone was out here, um..” It’s Emma, looking like a deer in headlights. “I’ll just go back inside…” She flees back through the door.
Samira looks at Trinity, mortified. “Do we have to go back in?”
Trinity smiles and gets to her feet, offering Samira a hand to pull her up with. “Unfortunately, yes. I told Dennis I would record him singing Macho Man, and I don’t break my promises.”
“Great.” Samira leans in as Trinity pulls her arm around her waist. “There’s no way that they haven't all heard about this already, is there?”
“Oh no, they definitely know.” Trinity says thoughtfully. “I wonder who won the bet.”
“What bet?”
“Oh, Samira…”