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You and Jack usually don’t work the same shifts due to conflict of interest. However, Robby had gotten the flu, so Jack had to cover for him. So now you and Jack were working the same shift, but Dana made sure she didn’t assign you to any cases he was on.
That still didn’t stop Jack from gravitating towards you throughout the day.
“So,” he appears beside you at the hub, “What’re we thinking for dinner? Eat out or eat in?”
You’re filling out some nurse’s notes on a chart as you reply, “Eat out. Craving sushi.”
Jack hums, “Did you wanna go back to the place we went to last month or-”
His words are interrupted as a group of EMS and firefighters burst through the ambulance bay with a gurney.
“Hold that thought!” you exclaim as you and Jack head towards the group.
“Lay it on me,” Jack says as he helps push the gurney.
“Smoke inhalation and potentially broken ribs. House fire. He gave his mask to the teen that got stuck inside. She got out. He didn’t. Some beams fell on him.” One of the firefighters announce as he follows the gurney.
“Pulse ox was eighty-two, not rising fast enough.” The EMS adds.
“We’re probably going to have to intubate this guy, right?” One of the residents, Joy, asks.
Jack nods, “Whitaker, what orders do we need to put in?”
“Uh, blood work and check carbon monoxide levels. CT scan for lung damage? Bronchoscopy to check for soot in the airway?”
“Yup. Put your orders in. Angel?”
You look up at him in response, “Yeah?”
“Switch out with Perlah, please.”
You salute him, “On it!” you stick your head out of the room, “Pearls! Switch!”
She rushes in and you rush out, taking her patient instead.
You’re helping a patient into a wheelchair when you see him. The air around him shifts and he exudes authority.
“Brett?”
He turns to the sound of his name, the furrow in his brows fade. He says your name in surprise, “What the hell are you doing here?” He walks over to you and gives you a hug. You quickly grab Vivi and pass your patient onto her.
You turn back to Brett, “I live here now! What about you? You’re a long way from California.”
Brett chuckles, “I’m here for a conference and to help a buddy out with his own firehouse.”
You politely smile at him, “Well, I’m glad to see you’re well and everything.”
He softly smiles at you, “Same, but, the guy we brought in, how is he? My buddy sent me to check on him since we’re still working on the call he came from.”
“Oh, um, I’m not on that case, but don’t worry. My fiancé and his team are great. Your guy is in good hands.”
Brett cocks a brow, “Fiancé, huh? Lemme see the ring.” You roll your eyes, quickly pulling out the necklace you hold your ring on while you work.
He whistles, “Look at that. Beautiful. You pick it out together?”
“Share my Pinterest board with him and everything.”
“I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Thank you, Brett. I hope you’re happy too.”
He shrugs, “Working on it. Slowly mending my relationship with my daughter, so…”
“That’s great! I-”
“Angel! Patient in South Eight needs help with the bedpan!” Dana calls out.
You give her a thumbs up, “On it!” You glance back at Brett, “Sorry, I gotta-”
“Of course. Good seeing you.”
“You too!” you give him a wave and head over to the South wing.
When you see Jack again, he’s de-robing and tossing his gloves and robe into the trash as he exits the Trauma room.
He sees you at the Hub and sighs, “Hey, I’m sorry if made you upset about the switch-”
You shake your head with a chuckle, “Jack, it’s fine. I get it. We don’t wanna piss off HR for working on a case together. We’re good.”
His shoulders drop in relief, “Good.”
“Patient stable?”
“Yeah. Needs some oxygen therapy, but he’s good.”
“Good, Brett will be happy to hear that?”
Jack’s brows furrow in confusion, “Brett?”
“Oh! Yeah, um, my ex, Brett, he’s working with the firehouse that brought your patient in. He wanted to know the status on him.”
As if he heard you talking about him, Brett appears at your side, looking at Jack, “Hi, I heard you’re the doctor on my guy’s case?”
Jack nods, “That’ll be me. Doctor Jack Abbot,” he sticks his hand out and Brett shakes it.
“Brett Richards,” he sticks his hands in his pockets as he explains, “My buddy is the battalion chief but he sent me to get the status of his guy since he’s still on the call.”
Jack sighs, “Well because of doctor - patient confidentiality I can’t say much. Just that he’s stable and it’s good he was brought in right on time.”
You stand by as your fiancé and ex converse with one another, a situation you never thought you’d be witnessing.
“So you’re Angel’s ex?”
Brett chuckles and shakes his head, “That’d be me. You’re her fiancé?”
“Yup.”
Brett looks to be sizing Jack up and you can’t help but snort. Both men ignore you and Brett says, “I hope you’re treating her well.”
It was Jack’s turn to snort, “If I wasn’t, she wouldn’t have said ‘yes’ to marrying me.”
Brett hummed, “She still a fiery hellion?”
Jack laughs, “Oh definitely.”
“I’m literally right here!” you look at the two men in disbelief. The turn and smirk at you while you pout.
Brett snickers, “Alright. I’ll let you two get back to work. Thanks for the update, Doctor Abbot,” he shakes Jack’s hand and then turns to you, “It was nice seeing you again, sweetheart,” he gives you a wink and heads back to the family room so he can update his buddy.
When he’s a distance away, Jack scoffs, “'Sweetheart’-”
You roll your eyes, “Oh don’t start!”
“He was sizing me up.”
“I know, but you were probably doing the same to him, weren’t you?
”…maybe,“ he mutters.
"That’s what I thought, but remember,” you get him to look at you, “I’m marrying you. Not him. Brett and I didn’t work out, but you and me? We do.”
He nods and his eyes go soft, “I thank God everyday for bringing you into my life.”
“Same,” you reply, quickly looking around and pulling him into another hallway so you can give him a quick peck on the lips.
When you walk away, Jack is smiling to himself, eyes following you as you get back to work.