Work Text:
Samira Mohan moved quickly through the quieter corridors of the ER, carrying the small oxygen tank and treatment kit she had managed to secure. The patient she had been attending could not afford the treatment, and she had decided to get it herself to make sure it reached him.
She approached the trauma bay, heart racing, and took a deep breath before pushing the door open.
Jack Abbot was in the box, shirtless, carefully tending to a fresh wound on his torso. He had arrived earlier with SWAT officers, dressed in his military gear, and now he was quietly cleaning and dressing the injury himself. His doctor’s uniform lay crumpled on a nearby counter.
Jack looked up.
“My therapist says I need to find a hobby,” he said, adjusting the dressing.
Samira set the oxygen tank and treatment kit down.
“The patient already left. I was going to give this to him,” she said.
Jack raised an eyebrow.
“Why don’t you just send it to his house with an Uber?”
Samira tilted her head.
“Would the hospital pay for that?”
Jack straightened slightly, smirking.
“I’ll pay for it,” he said. “Don’t worry about it.”
Samira looked at the treatment and then at him, hesitating.
“Are you sure? We could…”
Jack lifted a hand, interrupting her with calm authority.
“Don’t worry. I’ll pay for it.”
He stood, pulled a clean T-shirt over his freshly bandaged torso, and walked toward her, the small oxygen tank and treatment kit still in her hands.
He paused slightly, noticing the tension in her expression.
“You seem a little stressed. Did something happen?”
Samira made a small frown.
“Nothing. Family stuff,” she said.
Jack didn’t move, waiting.
Samira let out a slow breath.
“My mother is leaving… she’s marrying a man she’s known for less than a year. And I had requested a new position at another hospital so I could spend more time with her, but now she’s going to sell the house and travel around the world. So… yeah. It’s all kind of a mess.”
Jack tilted his head slightly, soft curiosity in his eyes.
“See? Something was going on.”
Samira blinked, suddenly aware of how much she’d said.
“I’ve said too much. We’re at work.”
Jack gave a small, knowing smile.
“I’d recommend therapy. I think it would help to talk through all of that.”
Samira shook her head gently.
“It’s fine. That was just a slip. I just need to finish my shift, and I’ll be okay.”
Jack nodded, glancing at the treatment kit and the oxygen tank in her hands.
“Well, even with all that going on… you still have the ability to solve problems.” He gestured to the kit and the tank. “Like this. Bending rules for the sake of a patient. Something I’m quite okay with.” He leaned slightly closer and whispered, “Or actually… very okay with.”
Samira gave him a small smile.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“Don’t lose it,” Jack replied.
At that moment, the door opened, and Robby appeared. The head of the department paused, his eyes flicking between them twice, silently asking, what is happening here?
“Everything alright here?” Robby said cautiously, stepping a little closer.
Samira and Jack both turned toward him.
“Yes,” they said simultaneously.
Jack gave a small, reassuring shake of his head.
“Don’t worry. I’m recommending therapy to everyone today.” He clapped Robbie lightly on the shoulder and moved on.
Robby’s gaze fell on the oxygen tank and treatment kit Samira was holding.
“And that…” he said, nodding toward the equipment.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Samira replied smoothly, setting it down.
Robby gave a slight nod, then moved along, leaving the room quiet again, the tension between Samira and Jack still present, subtle but unmistakable.