Jamie leaned against the balcony railing, the distant hum of the gala fading as he stared up at the Boston skyline. The cold bit at his skin, but his mind was elsewhere.
Lexie.
Her voice echoed in his head—soft, teasing, effortlessly familiar. He hadn't spoken to her in days. Between the hospital, the upcoming surgery, and the endless conversations about the trauma center, time had slipped away faster than he realized. But now, here he was. In Boston. And she was here too.
Jamie exhaled, running his thumb over the edge of his glass, debating. He should call her. Or maybe he just wanted to hear her voice.
Before he could decide, his phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
His brows furrowed, debating whether to answer. But something told him to pick up.
"Knight."
A pause. Then—
"Jamie?"
His grip on the glass tightened, his breath stilling for a second.
"Lexie."
"Yeah, hey." A small pause. "Um… how are you? I mean, obviously, you're fine because you picked up, but, like—how are you, really?"
Jamie let out a slow breath, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"I'm alive," he said. "You?"
Jamie huffed out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.
"I was going to call," he admitted. "Just got caught up with things."
"Oh! Yeah, no, I get it. You're busy. Surgeon things." She paused. "I just… figured I'd check in."
Jamie glanced down at the city below, adjusting his grip on his glass.
"I appreciate it."
Another pause. Then, hesitantly:
"Would you mind if I just… dumped some things on you for a second?"
Jamie arched a brow.
"Dump away."
"Okay. So, remember when I told you I was in Seattle visiting my pregnant sister?"
"Yeah."
"Well—guess what? My sister is not pregnant anymore!"
Jamie blinked. "Lexie, that's not—"
"—not how I should have phrased that, I know!" she groaned. "It sounded way better in my head. What I meant to say is—she had a C-section. Emergency C-section at 36 weeks. The baby had jejunal atresia and needed surgery."
Jamie's posture straightened slightly.
"Jejunal atresia?"
"Yeah," she sighed. "They caught it on the ultrasound, but it was worse than they thought. Total obstruction. No meconium, no movement. The surgeon had to resect part of the intestine and do a primary anastomosis."
Jamie ran a hand along his jaw, his surgical mind already mapping the case.
"How's the baby now?"
"Stable for now, but I keep running through everything that could go wrong. Strictures, short bowel syndrome, sepsis…" She let out a frustrated breath. "I know the prognosis is good when caught early, but I just—"
She hesitated, then sighed.
"I feel useless. I should be there."
Jamie understood that feeling all too well.
"You are there," he said simply.
Lexie let out a dry laugh. "In Boston, looking at apartments while my sister and her baby are in the NICU across the country? That's not 'being there.'"
"You didn't have a choice, Lexie."
"Maybe, but my dad did." Her voice tightened. "He flew back the second he heard. I mean, we were literally in the middle of a tour, and as soon as he got the call, he grabbed his suitcase and left me standing there like an idiot."
Jamie exhaled through his nose. "You think he should've stayed?"
"No, I think—" Lexie groaned. "I don't know. It's not about that. It's just… he's there, and I'm here, and there's nothing I can do except sit around and overthink everything. Which, shocker, is not helping."
She let out a sharp breath.
"And now I'm rambling. I've been talking really fast, haven't I?"
Jamie, still leaning against the railing, exhaled softly.
"It's nice to hear your voice."
There was a slight pause before she spoke again, quieter this time.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Another breath.
"Where are you now?" Jamie asked.
"Uh—Vandy," Lexie answered, a little distracted, like she was only half-paying attention to her own words.
Jamie blinked. "Vandy? As in Vanderbilt Hall?"
"Yeah. You know it?"
Jamie huffed a quiet laugh. "Lived there for three years."
"Oh. Right." There was a pause, then a slightly awkward chuckle. "I guess I keep forgetting you went to Harvard."
"Clearly."
Lexie groaned. "Okay, now I sound dumb."
"No, you sound tired," Jamie corrected. "And maybe a little overwhelmed."
Lexie hesitated.
"Yeah," she admitted, softer now. "A little."
Lexie let out a breath, the teasing fading into something quieter. "I just wish I was there."
"You were," Jamie said simply.
"No. I mean—" Lexie sighed, frustrated with herself. "I don't know. It's not that. It's just… my dad got to drop everything and do something. I'm stuck here, waiting, which basically means overthinking everything that could possibly go wrong."
Jamie understood that feeling all too well.
"You're not stuck," he said.
Lexie huffed. "Feels like it."
"Want company?"
Lexie let out a small, surprised laugh. "Jamie, you're in Seattle."
Jamie chuckled, glancing back at the gala behind him. "Am I?"
She frowned. "Wait—where are you?"
"Boston."
"What?" There was a beat of stunned silence before she spoke again. "You're in Boston right now?"
"Right now."
"You're messing with me."
"I wouldn't waste a joke on geography."
Lexie let out a sharp breath. "What—why? What are you doing here?"
"Long story," Jamie said. "You want to meet up?"
Lexie hesitated.
"You're really in Boston?" she asked again, as if she still didn't believe it.
"Fifteen minutes from Vandy."
Another pause.
"You're serious."
"Lex," Jamie said, amused. "I'm not gonna make you guess my longitude and latitude."
A breath. Then, softer:
"Okay."
Jamie nodded, already moving.
"I'll be there soon."
Jamie hung up, lowering the phone slowly as he stared out over the Boston skyline. The night air was sharp against his skin, but he barely felt it. His mind was still caught in the lingering echo of Lexie's voice.
Jamie exhaled, setting his glass down on the balcony railing before turning back toward the gala.
Inside, the shift was instant. Warmth, conversation, the low hum of a string quartet filling the space between carefully practiced pleasantries. Jamie navigated through it, slipping past clusters of guests without slowing down.
He caught sight of his grandmother seated near the grand piano, an untouched glass of wine in her hand, listening to Catherine Avery with her usual poised attentiveness.She didn't need to look up to know he was there.
"You're leaving," Eleanor Knight observed, her voice even, unsurprised.
Jamie didn't bother denying it. "Visiting a friend."
Eleanor lifted a delicate brow, finally meeting his gaze. "In Boston? How convenient."
Jamie let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders slightly. "I'm dying of boredom if I stay any longer."
Catherine let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head, but Eleanor just regarded him for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in her expression. Then, without another word, she set her glass down and leaned back in her chair."Well, we wouldn't want you to suffer," she said lightly. "Try not to disappear for too long."
Jamie bent down, brushing a light kiss against her cheek. "No promises."
Eleanor snorted, barely amused, but she didn't stop him. That was the closest thing to permission he was going to get.Jamie turned and made his way toward the exit.
---------------------------------------
A yellow cab pulled up to the curb, headlights cutting through the dark.
Jamie stepped forward, pulling open the door and sliding inside. The leather was cold against his palms as he settled back, exhaling.
The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "Where to?"
"Longwood Avenue," Jamie said, rolling his shoulders slightly. "I'll tell you when to stop."
The driver gave a short nod and pulled into traffic.
Boston flickered past in streaks of neon and shadows, the streets shifting between old brownstones and glass towers, between memories and the present. Jamie watched it all in silence, his mind still half in the conversation he'd just had.
Jamie ran a hand trough his hair, watching as the cab moved through the city. He'd spent years in Boston, walking these streets, living and breathing the grind of medical school.
The cold, the noise, the way the skyline stretched just right—it was familiar in a way most things weren't.
His phone buzzed.Jamie glanced down at the screen, expecting Lexie.
Derek Shepherd:I know you hate small talk, but telling me you're in Boston would've been nice. I had to hear it from Mark.
He typed back a quick reply.
Jamie: Didn't realize I needed clearance.The response came almost instantly.
Derek: You don't. But if you're skipping town for a secret mission, I want in.
Jamie didn't bother answering.
The cab slowed as they entered Longwood, the familiar sight of Boston Children's Hospital coming into view on the right. A few blocks away, he could make out the silhouette of Vanderbilt Hall, its brick façade washed in the glow of streetlights.
"Here's good," Jamie said.
The driver eased onto the curb.Jamie reached for his wallet, but the man waved him off with a chuckle. "You're all set, Doc. Late-night run to Longwood? Either you're saving lives or sneaking out of a lecture. Either way, good luck."
Jamie didn't correct him.He stepped out, the city air settling around him. The cab pulled away, leaving him standing beneath the glow of the streetlamp.Ahead, Vanderbilt Hall loomed in the quiet.
Jamie crossed the street, his footsteps quiet against the pavement as he approached Vanderbilt Hall.
The building hadn't changed. Same brick façade, same familiar set of stairs leading up to the glass-paneled entrance.He stepped up, reaching for the door—Locked.
Right. It was after hours. He should have expected that.
Jamie exhaled, slipping his phone from his coat pocket.
He could call Lexie, tell her to come down. Or—Before he could decide, movement from inside caught his attention.
A group of students—two guys in scrubs, a woman balancing a stack of textbooks—were making their way toward the exit, laughing about something, their conversation spilling out into the quiet night as they pushed through the doors.
Jamie caught the handle before it shut, slipping inside with them.
He was inside.
Now, he just had to find her.
It had been over ten years since he last set foot in this building. A decade since late-night study sessions, sleep-deprived debates over surgical techniques, and friendships that had once felt unbreakable but had faded with time.
The air smelled the same—old books, freshly brewed coffee, the faint scent of floor polish.
He could still hear echoes of a past life in these halls: his younger self hunched over a desk in the common lounge, highlighting pages of a medical journal until the words blurred; the sound of laughter spilling from a nearby room after a brutal exam; the low murmur of late-night discussions with classmates who had once felt like family.
They were all gone now. Scattered across the country—surgeons, research fellows, doctors whose names he still saw in medical journals but whose voices had long since faded from his life.
Jamie had always been good at moving forward. Leaving things behind.
That was what the military had taught him—adapt, keep going, don't look back.
But now, walking these halls, it was impossible not to. A lifetime ago, this had been home.
Now, it just felt like a ghost of one.Jamie rounded the corner, his gaze sweeping across the quiet lounge ahead.
And then he saw her.
Lexie sat curled up on a couch near the window, her phone in her hand, screen glowing faintly against her fingers.
She wasn't scrolling. Just staring. Waiting.Waiting for him.
For a moment, Jamie just stood there, watching her. The way her brows were slightly furrowed, the way she kept shifting like she couldn't quite sit still. Her foot bounced once against the floor before she stopped it, inhaling sharply, tucking her phone into her lap.
She was overthinking again.
Jamie shook his head slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching—not quite a smile, but something close.Then, without a word, he walked over and sat down next to her.
Lexie flinched, her body jerking slightly as she turned to him.
Her eyes went wide."Jamie?"
Before he could say anything, she moved—throwing her arms around him, burying her face against his shoulder.Jamie stiffened for half a second, surprised.
But then, just as quickly, his muscles loosened, his hands coming up to wrap around her.
She held on tightly, like she needed something solid, something real.
Jamie exhaled, resting his chin lightly against the top of her head.He wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, but he didn't let go first.
Neither did she.
Jamie felt Lexie exhale against his shoulder, the warmth of her breath pressing into the fabric of his coat. She held onto him like she was afraid letting go would mean reality would set back in.
He let her.For a moment, neither of them said anything.
Then he slowly said."Bambi, maybe we should go somewhere else… unless you want to be the new campus gossip."
Lexie froze for half a second before pulling back just enough to look up at him, brows furrowing.
"What?"Jamie's mouth curved slightly, his gaze steady on hers. "I mean, hugging a ridiculously handsome stranger in the middle of Vanderbilt Hall?"
He lifted a brow. "Pretty sure someone's already gossiping about it."
Lexie let out a short, incredulous laugh, smacking his arm as she stepped back. "You're the worst."
Jamie tilted his head. "And yet, here you are. Still holding onto me."
Lexie rolled her eyes, but he could see the way her shoulders had relaxed, the tension slowly leaving her body.
She let out a breath, shaking her head as if trying to reset herself."Fine. You win. Let's go somewhere else before you start signing autographs."
Jamie chuckled, nodding toward the hallway. "After you, Bambi."
She shot him a look but didn't argue, turning and walking ahead.Jamie followed, slipping his hands into his coat pockets as he fell into step beside her.
They walked down the quiet corridor, the distant hum of the city filtering in through the tall windows. Their footsteps echoed lightly against the old floors, the silence stretching between them—not heavy, not uncomfortable, just there.
Lexie let out a small breath. "I'm glad you're here."
Jamie glanced at her, the soft glow of the hallway lights catching in her expression—open, honest, maybe a little surprised at herself for saying it out loud.
He didn't make a big deal out of it. Didn't have to.
He just reached for her hand, a brief squeeze, solid, steady."Anytime."
Lexie's fingers curled around his, holding on for a second longer before she let go.
Jamie slid his hands back into his coat pockets, casting a glance down the hall. "So… where are we going?"
Lexie blinked, turning to him. "I don't know. I've been following you."
Jamie stopped walking, looking at her.
Lexie stopped too.
For a second, they just stood there, staring at each other.
Then Jamie huffed a quiet laugh. "And I've been following you."
Lexie's brows pulled together, realization dawning a second too late.
Jamie started laughing first—just a small chuckle, low and amused.
Lexie's mouth fell open. "Wait—"
Then she started laughing too.
It was a stupid moment, really, but after everything—after the weight of the last few days—it was exactly what she needed.
Jamie shook his head, still grinning a little as he started walking again. "Alright, Bambi. Since neither of us knows where we're going, let's make it interesting."
Lexie raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Jamie glanced at her. "That Indian food truck still around?"
Lexie blinked. "The one near the hospital?"
Jamie nodded. "Used to be the only decent food after midnight."
Lexie huffed. "You mean the only decent food after midnight that wasn't a questionable vending machine sandwich?"
Jamie considered that. "Fair point."
Lexie shook her head, pretending to be exasperated. "God, how did you survive before I met you?"
Jamie just gave her a look, before nodding toward the exit. "So? Still there?"
Lexie sighed, dramatic, but playful. "Yeah. They're still there."
Jamie started toward the door. "Good. Then let's go."
As they neared the exit, Lexie suddenly stopped short.
Jamie took another step before noticing, glancing back at her. "What?"
Lexie let out a frustrated sigh. "I forgot my jacket."
Jamie didn't hesitate. He shrugged off his coat and held it out. "It's not that far."
Lexie frowned. "Jamie—""Just take it." His tone leaving no room for argument.
Lexie opened her mouth to protest, then paused. There was no point.
She sighed, slipping her arms into the coat. It was warm, too big on her, smelled faintly like him. She adjusted the sleeves, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
Jamie just pushed open the door. "So I've been told."
They stepped out into the cold, the city night pressing around them.
----------------------------------
The streets were quieter now, save for the occasional car slipping by, headlights reflecting off the pavement. Jamie walked beside her, hands tucked into his pockets, ignoring the way the cold bit at him.Lexie glanced at him. "Okay, so why exactly are you in Boston?"
Jamie exhaled, watching his breath curl into the air. "A gala."
Lexie stared. "A what?"
Jamie looked unimpressed. "The Avery Foundation's hosting it. McKim Building."
Lexie raised an eyebrow. "So, you flew all the way out here for a black-tie event?"
Jamie's mouth twitched—not quite a smile, but something close. "More like I was forced into it."
Lexie laughed. "By who?"
"My grandmother."
She grinned. "Wow. She must be terrifying."
"You have no idea."
Lexie shook her head. "Still, a gala doesn't sound that bad."
Jamie made a low, unimpressed sound. "I'd rather be back in a Humvee, driving along a road filled with IEDs."
Lexie stopped mid-step. "I'm sorry—what?"
Jamie glanced at her, realizing his mistake.
Lexie's expression shifted—not playful, not teasing, just pure confusion."You were in the army?"
Jamie held her gaze for a second, then looked ahead. "Yeah."Lexie still looked caught off guard, but before she could press further, the familiar glow of the food truck came into view.
The stall was exactly as Jamie remembered—warm air drifting from the kitchen window, the scent of spices cutting through the cold.
Lexie stepped forward first, scanning the menu like she hadn't already decided.Jamie didn't bother looking. "One chicken tikka, one paneer, extra naan."
Lexie shot him a look. "You still remember my order?"
Jamie nodded. "Perfect recall, remember. Plus, you're predictable."
Lexie scoffed. "Says the guy who's ordering the exact same thing as ten years ago."
Jamie just leaned against the counter, waiting.
The sounds of the city settled around them, the sizzle of the grill, the quiet murmur of a few other late-night customers.
Lexie glanced at him again—not quite sure if she should push, but wanting to."So… the army?"
Jamie exhaled through his nose, eyes on the food truck window.
"Six years," he said. "Joined after my fellowship. Haven't been back that long."
Lexie just… looked at him.Jamie could feel it—her mind turning over the information, reframing what she thought she knew about him.
Then, before she could ask anything else, he changed the subject.
"So." He turned toward her. "How are your applications going?"
Lexie blinked, momentarily thrown by the shift.
"Uh… good, I think? But I'm so nervous."
She exhaled. "Match Week is soon, and I keep convincing myself I've made a mistake somewhere, or that I'll wake up on results day and find out I got sent to a hospital in the middle of nowhere."
Jamie just nodded. "Where's your number one?"
"Mass Gen," she admitted.
Jamie didn't hesitate. "Lexie, you're awesome. They'd be idiots not to take you."
Lexie let out a short laugh, but it was almost self-conscious. "You say that like it's a fact."
Jamie tilted his head. "It is a fact."
She looked away for a second, then back at him, something softer in her expression.
Jamie didn't push.
The food truck owner called their order.
Jamie stepped forward, grabbing both containers, handing one to her.
Lexie took it gratefully, the warmth seeping into her fingers.
They stepped aside, walking a few paces away from the stall.Jamie glanced at her. "So, surgery, huh?"
Lexie nodded, shifting her food container in her hands. "Yeah."
Jamie raised an eyebrow. "You have a specialty in mind?"
Lexie hesitated. "…I don't know yet."
Jamie nodded, like he expected that.
Jamie let the pause stretch before adding, "You'll see for yourself when you start your internship. Some people walk in knowing exactly what they want. Others figure it out as they go."
Lexie glanced up at him, hesitating for just a second. "What about you?"
Jamie lifted a brow.
Lexie shifted, picking at the edge of her naan. "How did you decide on cardio? You did general first, right?"
Jamie nodded. "Yeah."
Lexie tilted her head. "You were in Colombia, right?"
Jamie stilled, just for a second.Lexie caught it.
Jamie exhaled, setting his food down. "Yeah."Lexie hesitated, not sure if she was pushing too far. But Jamie didn't look away.
"What made you choose it?" she asked carefully.
Jamie was quiet for a moment.
Then, finally, he said, "Because I was good at it."Lexie waited, sensing there was more.
Jamie flexed his fingers absently, watching the way the city lights reflected off the pavement. "Cardio is about control. Precision. If you're even half a second too slow, it's over."
Lexie watched him. "So you liked the challenge?"
Jamie's lips pressed together, his expression unreadable."Something like that," he murmured.
Lexie didn't push.
Jamie exhaled, shaking off the shift in mood. "Anyway," he said, glancing at her. "You've got time. You'll figure out what fits."
Lexie looked at him, then down at her food."...Yeah," she said softly. "I hope so."
Jamie picked up his food again, nodding toward the street.
"Come on. Let's walk."
Lexie followed, their steps falling into rhythm, the city stretching ahead of them.
-----------------------------
Dormitory
Lexie pushed the door open and stepped inside, flicking on the light.
Jamie followed, his pace unhurried but deliberate, eyes sweeping over the room like he was cataloging every detail in real-time.
Lexie felt it immediately.
The way he took everything in without a word. The quiet assessment, the same sharp-eyed focus she'd seen him use in the OR.
Her stomach tightened.
Jamie Knight was the kind of person who noticed things people didn't even realize they were showing.
She shifted, feeling exposed in a way she hadn't expected.
Then, before she could say anything, Jamie's gaze landed on the photographs on her desk.
Lexie's stomach dropped.
Oh, no.
Jamie's eyes flicked between the frames, taking in the images at lightning speed—because that's how his brain worked.
One picture of her as a kid on the beach, arms stretched wide, sunburnt nose, gap-toothed grin.
Another where she was ten years old, practically swimming in a Harvard sweatshirt.
Jamie's mouth twitched, the corner of his lip barely curving up.
Lexie rushed forward like she could physically block his line of sight. "Nope. You are not allowed to see those."
Jamie ignored her, still studying them. "You were adorable."
Lexie groaned. "I should've hidden those."
Jamie tilted his head slightly, finally looking at her. "Why? They fit."
Lexie narrowed her eyes. "Fit what?"
Jamie turned away from the photos, gesturing vaguely around the room."Neatly color-coded notes on the corkboard—"
"Efficient," Lexie cut in.
Jamie continued, completely unfazed. "Meticulously stacked books, categorized by subject—"
"Systematic," she corrected.
His eyes flicked to her white coat, neatly folded on the chair. "Pristine coat. Untouched, almost like you—"
"Respect the symbolism," Lexie finished, folding her arms.
Jamie raised an eyebrow, like he wasn't convinced.
Then, smoothly, "The childhood photos of you in a Harvard sweatshirt before you even hit puberty—"Lexie exhaled through her nose. "Okay, fine. That one's fair."
Jamie smirked. Barely.
Lexie dropped onto her bed, shaking her head, fighting back a smile. "You're annoying."
Jamie dropped into her desk chair, stretching out slightly. "You invited me in."
Lexie sighed. "Biggest mistake of my life."
Jamie tilted his head, considering. "That's a little dramatic, Bambi."
Lexie scoffed, but before she could fire back, she caught sight of the time.
She looked at him. "How long are you staying in Boston?"
Jamie rolled his shoulders slightly. "Just the night. Flying back tomorrow."
Lexie frowned. "Quick trip. Big surgery?"
Jamie nodded, the teasing fading slightly. "Patient with stage 3, maybe early stage 4, esophageal cancer."
Lexie's brain immediately kicked into gear.
She sat up, intrigued. "Resection?"
Jamie exhaled. "That's the problem. Surgery's high-risk. Post-op trauma might kill him faster than the cancer."
Lexie leaned forward. "So margins are the issue."
Jamie nodded. "Fluorescence-guided imaging might help. If we can light up the tumor in real-time, we can resect precisely without cutting blind."
Lexie's eyes sparked with interest. "You'd need something with high specificity. ICG?"
Jamie's lips curved slightly, impressed. "That's the plan."
Lexie hummed, thinking. "And the liver function?"
Jamie didn't miss a beat. "Good enough for clearance. But if the dye uptake is too slow—"
"You could lose the window for clean dissection," Lexie finished.
Jamie's gaze sharpened, like he was enjoying this.
Lexie tilted her head. "It's a solid idea."
Jamie huffed. "Don't sound so surprised, Bambi."
Lexie ignored him, chewing her lip in thought.
Then—without even thinking—she muttered, "Too bad you can't shrink the tumor before opening the patient up."
Jamie stilled.
Lexie, still focused on the thought, kept going. "I read a study a while ago—something about using heat and cold to kill tumor cells without chemo."
Jamie's expression shifted completely. His brain fired all at once.
His voice dropped slightly, focused. "What study?"
Lexie blinked, snapping out of her train of thought. "Uh—wait, I think I still have the textbook."She pushed off the bed, moving toward the small bookshelf near her desk.
"Hold on, I know I read something about this…"
Jamie stood immediately. "Heat and cold—cryoablation?"
Lexie flipped quickly through the pages, her fingers perfectly remembering where she had seen it last.
Lexie's eyes landed on the right section. "Here."
Jamie was already beside her, reading as fast as she turned the page.
They spoke simultaneously.
Lexie: "Cryotherapy is being tested for inoperable liver tumors—"
Jamie: "But the mechanism isn't cancer-specific, it just relies on—"
Lexie: "—cellular response to extreme temperature shifts."
Jamie: "Thermal damage and necrosis before excision."
Lexie turned another page, fast. "They've tested it on small-scale lesions—"
Jamie: "—but if applied to pre-resection margins—"
Lexie: "—you could reduce viable tumor cells before even cutting."
Jamie snapped the book shut.
Lexie jumped slightly.
Jamie stared at the cover, then at her.
"This could work."
Lexie blinked. "Wait. Are you serious?"
Jamie's mind was already five steps ahead. He flipped the book open again, scanning previous sections.
Lexie watched him, fascinated. She had seen fast thinkers before, but Jamie Knight didn't think fast.
He thought ahead.
Lexie could practically see the wheels turning in his head, already connecting it to his patient, already forming a strategy.
Then—without looking up—Jamie said, "I need more research. And coffee."
Lexie opened her mouth, but Jamie had already closed the book again, tucking it under his arm."You're coming with me," he said. Matter-of-fact. Final.
Lexie blinked. "…I am?"
Jamie finally looked at her."You're the one who remembered the study." He nodded toward the door. "So unless you plan on sleeping—"
Lexie scoffed. "As if."
Jamie just tilted his head.
Lexie let out a breath, completely thrown off balance.
Then, without further argument, she grabbed her keys and followed him out.
------------------------------
Countway Library of Medicine – 4 AM
The library was nearly silent, the kind of deep, undisturbed quiet that only existed at this hour. The soft hum of an overhead light flickered above, casting a dim glow over the endless stacks of books and papers.
Jamie sat at the table, sharp-eyed, completely focused, his fingers absently tapping against the stack of research articles in front of him
.Lexie was asleep next to him.
She had lasted longer than he expected—flipping through journals, scribbling down notes, tossing out ideas—but at some point, her exhaustion had won.
Her head was resting on her arms, hair falling loosely around her face, breath slow and even.
Jamie had barely noticed at first, too wrapped up in the last few papers, but when he finally put the stack down and turned toward her, intending to tell her they were finished—he saw her.
Fast asleep.
He exhaled, something faintly amused flickering across his face.
She looked different like this. Less sharp edges, less energy coiled beneath the surface. Just… peaceful.
Jamie shook his head slightly, then, without thinking too much about it, he reached for his jacket, carefully draping it over her shoulders.
The slight movement must have disturbed her because Lexie stirred, blinking groggily.
Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first before she lifted her head slightly, confused and disoriented.
"…What?" Her voice was muffled, groggy.
Jamie leaned back in his chair, watching her calmly.
"You fell asleep," he said simply. "We're done."
Lexie blinked again, then sat up slowly, rubbing her face. "I did not."
Jamie tilted his head. "You absolutely did."
Lexie rubbed her eyes, frowning. "What time is it?"
Jamie glanced at his watch. "Around four."
Lexie groaned, rolling her shoulders. "God, I haven't pulled an all-nighter like this since my first year."
Jamie stood, stretching his back slightly. "Let's get you back."
Lexie let out a yawn, sitting up more fully. Her gaze drifted to Jamie, still hazy with exhaustion."I still can't believe security let you in here in the middle of the night," she mumbled.
Jamie shrugged, unbothered. "The guy at the front desk was here ten years ago. I used to bring him coffee in exchange for staying after hours."
Lexie's eyes widened slightly, her brain still catching up. "Wait—you bribed a security guard with coffee?"
Jamie tilted his head. "Well. Coffee and an all-inclusive vacation to Hawaii."
Lexie just stared."…Are you serious?"
Jamie's mouth curved slightly, but he didn't answer.
Lexie shook her head, still processing. "You're unreal."
Jamie started gathering the books and articles, neatly stacking everything back into place with the kind of efficiency that came from years of precise surgical training.
Lexie didn't move—just watched him.
The way he worked. The way he automatically put everything back in order, without being asked, without even thinking about it. Like it was second nature.
By the time he was finished, the table looked untouched, as if the last few hours had never happened.
Jamie walked over to her, reaching out his hand."Come on."
Lexie sighed, placing her palm in his as she tried to stand—And immediately stumbled.
A sharp cramp shot through her leg, making her lose her balance.
Jamie caught her instantly.
Lexie let out a startled laugh, gripping his arm. "Oh my God—my leg—"
"Cramped?" Jamie asked, completely unfazed.
Lexie winced, nodding. "Yeah. Standing up too fast—just give me a second—"
Jamie didn't give her a second.
He lifted her off the ground.
Lexie let out an actual squeak.
"Jamie!" she laughed, hitting his shoulder. "Put me down!"
Jamie didn't even break stride, walking toward the exit like carrying her was the most normal thing in the world.
Lexie kept laughing, her head falling back slightly. "I can walk—"
"You're literally injured," Jamie said flatly."It's a cramp," Lexie shot back, still giggling.
Jamie didn't react, just kept walking.
Lexie sighed dramatically, but didn't fight it anymore.
Instead, she let herself relax, just for a second.
Outside, the night was still dark, the city still quiet.
Jamie just kept walking. Back to the dorms. Back to something more familiar.
Lexie closed her eyes for a moment.
Somehow, she didn't mind the feeling of being carried.
Somehow, it felt like the safest thing in the world.
---------------------------
Jamie stepped out of the library, the crisp night air wrapping around them as he carried Lexie effortlessly in his arms. The quiet of the city at this hour was different—more serene, less hurried.
Lexie let out a sigh, half-exasperated, half-amused. "You know, I can walk."
Jamie arched a brow. "You say that, but you're still in my arms."
Lexie rolled her eyes. "Put me down, Knight."
Jamie smirked but obeyed, lowering her gently to her feet. He watched as she steadied herself, her fingers lingering against his sleeve for just a moment before she stepped back.
Then, without missing a beat, Jamie pulled out his phone.
Lexie watched curiously as he scrolled through his contacts and hit dial. He pressed the phone to his ear, waiting.
"Knight." His voice was crisp, professional. A pause. Then, "Catherine Avery told me to call you if I needed anything."
Another pause.
Jamie listened for a moment, then nodded, even though the person on the other end couldn't see him. "Good. I'll be there soon."He ended the call.Lexie crossed her arms. "Okay… who was that?"Jamie slid his phone back into his pocket. "The hospital director of Brigham."
Lexie blinked. "You called the director of Brigham? At 4 am? Just like that?"
Jamie gave her a look. "Why wouldn't I?"
Lexie exhaled, shaking her head. "Never mind. I asked."
Jamie smiled slightly but didn't push. Instead, he glanced down at her feet. "So, can you walk, or should I call us a cab?"
Lexie straightened her spine, determined. "I can walk."
Jamie chuckled, watching as she took a few careful steps. When she didn't stumble, he simply smiled at her back and followed after her.
They walked in comfortable silence, the streetlights casting elongated shadows across the pavement. The soft hum of Boston at night surrounded them—distant cars, the occasional footsteps of someone heading home late, the faint rustling of wind through the trees.
After a while, Lexie spoke, her voice quieter this time.
"So… what are your plans?"
Jamie glanced at her. "For what?"
She hesitated. "The future."
There was something uncertain in her expression, like she wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer.
Jamie thought for a moment before answering."I don't know," he admitted. "I moved to Seattle because it was the only place I still had family in."
A pause.
"I should probably continue my research too. I didn't have the chance to in the army. Maybe publish something."
Another pause.
"I'm working on a trauma center." His voice was a little firmer on that one, as if it was the only plan he was truly certain of.
"Other than that… I haven't planned on anything else."
He turned his head slightly. "Why?"
Lexie stopped walking.
For a second, she didn't say anything. Then, with a small shrug, she muttered, "Just asking. It's called small talk."
Jamie just shook his head, a knowing look in his eyes.
Lexie tried to cover it up with a half-smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Jamie didn't call her out on it.
Instead, they kept walking, the silence between them shifting into something a little heavier.
By the time they reached the hospital, Jamie pushed open the glass doors, stepping aside to let her in first.
Lexie walked through, her reflection catching briefly in the glass before disappearing into the bright lights of the lobby.
Jamie followed, his gaze lingering on her just a little longer than necessary.
-----------------------------
Jamie and Lexie stepped into the hospital, the chill of the early morning still clinging to them. The stark fluorescent lighting overhead contrasted sharply with the quiet hum of the near-empty lobby.
As Jamie adjusted his coat, he caught sight of a young nurse walking past them, her attention focused on the chart in her hands.
With practiced ease, he stepped into her path.
Jamie (smiling, effortlessly charming): "Excuse me, could you help me out?"
The nurse blinked up at him, clearly caught off guard. She looked barely out of nursing school, her badge still new, her eyes widening slightly as she took in Jamie's sharp features and the easy confidence in his stance.
Jamie: "I'm Dr. Knight. I'm looking for Dr. Sugarman—cardiothoracic attending on duty."
For a moment, she just stared, seemingly processing the request and the man in front of her. Then, snapping out of it, she nodded quickly.
"Oh! Uh, yes. Dr. Sugarman should be in the surgical wing." She gestured down the hall. "Take the main corridor, third left, then straight through the double doors."
Jamie flashed her another easy smile.
Jamie: "Thanks. You're a lifesaver."
The nurse ducked her head, a little flustered, before hurrying off.
The second she was out of earshot, Lexie smacked Jamie's arm.
Jamie yelped dramatically "Ow! What the hell, Bambi?"
Lexie (raising an eyebrow): "What was that?"
Jamie rubbed his arm like he'd actually been injured, though the smirk on his face said otherwise.
Jamie: "What, you think I can't be charming?"
Lexie narrowed her eyes, unimpressed.
Lexie: "I think you're a surgeon. Which means most of your interactions involve terrifying interns or being an emotionally constipated workaholic."
Jamie huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he started walking in the direction the nurse had pointed.
Jamie: "Just because you haven't realized I can be pretty charming doesn't mean it's not true."
Lexie scoffed but fell into step beside him.
Lexie: "Yeah, yeah. Let's just find your guy."
Jamie grinned to himself as they walked down the hall.
------------------------------
Jamie and Lexie walked through the hospital corridors, the cold from the early morning still lingering on their skin. The overhead fluorescent lights cast a sterile glow over the near-empty hallways, the scent of antiseptic and stale coffee filling the air.
Up ahead, a middle-aged doctor in his late 40s approached, flipping through a patient chart as he walked. His movements were brisk, efficient—the kind of controlled urgency that came with years of surgical experience. His white coat was crisp, and embroidered across the chest was
Dr. Sugarman
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Jamie stepped forward without hesitation, falling into his usual calm confidence.
Jamie didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, his usual ease in place, ready to get this done.
"Dr. Sugarman," Jamie said, offering a handshake, his voice carrying that polite but firm tone of someone who expected to be heard.
"I'm Dr. Knight. Appreciate you taking the time."
Sugarman barely glanced at the outstretched hand. His gaze swept over Jamie, sharp, assessing, and entirely unimpressed.
Then, after a brief pause, he exhaled slowly, closing the chart in his hands.
"Yes," he said, voice flat, unreadable. "The director informed me."
There was something pointed beneath the neutrality, something laced with a quiet kind of judgment.
Then, as if confirming a personal theory, Sugarman gave Jamie another once-over before adding,"You're that rich guy who thinks money can buy anything."
Lexie blinked. Wow.
Jamie?
He just chuckled.
Not forced. Not defensive. Just genuinely amused.
"Not anything," Jamie said easily. Then, with a smirk, "But most things? Yeah."
Sugarman's brows lifted slightly, like he wasn't sure if Jamie was joking or not.
Lexie, meanwhile, turned her full attention to Jamie, watching him with something between curiosity and disbelief.
This wasn't the same Jamie who had walked beside her all night, debating surgical techniques and making dry, sarcastic jokes.
This was a different side of him.
And damn if she wasn't intrigued.
Jamie didn't give Sugarman time to dwell.
He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a folded sheet of paper, and handed it over with practiced ease."I need access to a cadaveric surgery simulation," Jamie said.
Sugarman didn't move at first. Then, with a reluctant sigh, he took the paper and skimmed through the list of specifications.
Jamie let the silence stretch just long enough before adding,"If you could point me in the direction of the simulation labs, that'd be great. I'd rather not waste any more time."
The words weren't arrogant. Just direct. Efficient.
Lexie recognized that tone immediately.
It was the voice of a man used to being taken seriously.
Sugarman let out a short breath, then snapped the folder shut."Follow me," he said shortly, turning on his heel.
Jamie nodded, satisfied, and started walking.
Lexie fell into step beside him, still staring at him like she didn't quite know what to make of what just happened.
Then, leaning in slightly, she murmured just low enough for him to hear,"That was so hot."Jamie paused mid-step, giving her a look that was equal parts amused and incredulous.
Lexie just grinned, shrugging.
Jamie exhaled a quiet laugh, shaking his head as they continued down the hall.
Lexie, still smiling, followed.
-------------------------------
The surgical simulation lab was colder than the rest of the hospital, the sharp scent of antiseptic thick in the air. Overhead, bright surgical lights flooded the room, their harsh glow illuminating the cadaver on the table, prepped and ready.
Jamie adjusted the cuffs of his scrub top, flexing his fingers as he pulled on a pair of sterile gloves with practiced ease. Across from him, Lexie mirrored his movements, tying her mask as she glanced at the setup.
Dr. Sugarman stood nearby, arms crossed, watching with thinly veiled skepticism.
Jamie didn't acknowledge it.
Instead, he turned to Lexie, his voice calm, steady.
Jamie: "Alright, Bambi. Let's get started."
Lexie nodded, her focus shifting entirely to the procedure ahead.
Jamie stepped up to the table, glancing at the monitor displaying the cadaver's medical history—age, cause of death, relevant anatomical conditions.
"We're simulating a Stage III esophageal tumor. Standard protocol calls for a total esophagectomy—removing the affected portion entirely and reconstructing using gastric or colonic tissue.
"He picked up a 21-gauge endoscopic needle, his grip steady.
"But instead, we're going to try something different."
Jamie angled the needle carefully, injecting a modified poloxamer hydrogel solution into the tissue surrounding the tumor site.
Realization dawned on Lexie's face. "It's stabilizing the tissue…"Jamie nodded, retracting the needle.
Jamie: "One of the biggest risks in esophageal tumor resections is fragmentation. If even a few malignant cells break off, the recurrence rate jumps significantly."
She watched as the gel thickened, reinforcing the margins, keeping the tumor isolated.
From the corner of his eye, Jamie caught Dr. Sugarman shifting slightly, his skepticism wavering.
Dr. Sugarman: "That formula's still in trials."
Jamie didn't look up.
Jamie answers as if it were a matter of fact "Was in trials. Brigham was one of the test sites. I adapted the concentration to reduce polymer breakdown time."
Dr. Sugarman didn't argue.
But he was watching a lot closer now.
Jamie set down the needle and gestured for Lexie to take over.
Jamie said encouragingly "Go ahead. Make the first incision."Lexie hesitated for only a second, then took the scalpel he handed her.
With deliberate precision, she traced a careful incision along the marked line, cutting cleanly through the gel-stabilized margins.
Jamie watched, nodding in approval.
Jamie reached for the second syringe, this one filled with a fluorescent contrast agent—Indocyanine Green (ICG).
He injected it into the esophageal tissue, then adjusted the near-infrared imaging system overhead.
Within seconds, the tumor margins glowed faintly on the monitor.
Lexie's eyes widened. "That's… incredible."
Dr. Sugarman, despite himself, leaned in slightly, eyes narrowing at the screen.
Jamie kept his attention on the display, adjusting the brightness slightly.
Jamie: "This allows us to visualize the entire tumor boundary in real-time. No more relying on tactile feedback or vague imaging results—this gives us a precise, objective guide."
He tapped the brightest sections on the display.
Jamie: "The fluorescence intensity correlates with tissue metabolism. The brighter the glow, the more aggressive the malignancy. And here—"
He pointed at the dimly glowing nodes near the esophagus.
Realization dawned on Lexie's face.
"…You're detecting lymphatic spread before even dissecting?"
Jamie nodded.
Jamie: "Exactly. It gives us a chance to make the procedure safer, more precise."
Dr. Sugarman exhaled slowly, crossing his arms.
Dr. Sugarman grudgingly admits "That… is actually useful."
Jamie answers deadpan "You sound surprised."
Dr. Sugarman didn't reply.
But he was watching a lot closer now.
Jamie switched instruments, picking up a micro-scalpel with an ultra-fine tip.
"Alright. Here's the real test."
He moved carefully, using the fluorescent margins as a guide, making precise, calculated cuts as he began resecting the tumor without compromising the surrounding esophagus.
Lexie's breath hitched.
She watched each incision, the way Jamie worked with calm, deliberate precision, his focus locked on the field.
Realization crept into her voice.
"…You're preserving the esophagus?"
Jamie gave a small nod, his hands steady.
"If we remove only the tumor-affected tissue, we avoid unnecessary reconstruction. That means a shorter recovery time, fewer post-op complications, and better long-term outcomes."
Dr. Sugarman had gone completely silent.
Jamie didn't acknowledge him, just continued cutting along the mapped lines, avoiding nerve bundles and key vascular structures.
His movements were fluid, exact—years of training compressed into a single, practiced rhythm.
The last incision separated the tumor completely.
Jamie set the scalpel down.
Lexie let out a slow breath, still absorbing what she had just witnessed.
The tumor was gone.
And the esophagus remained intact.
Sugarman stared at the cadaver, then at the resected mass on the tray. His expression was no longer just skeptical.It was something else entirely."…This is years ahead of anything currently being done."Jamie peeled off his gloves and tossed them onto the tray beside him.
He didn't gloat. Didn't smirk.
He just looked at Sugarman, level, unwavering.
"Still think I'm just a rich guy throwing money around?"
Sugarman said nothing.
The silence was answer enough.
Lexie, meanwhile, was still watching Jamie, something unreadable in her expression.
"Come on, Bambi. Let's clean up."
Lexie grinned, falling into step beside him.
Because for the first time in a long time, she felt it—That something big was happening.
And somehow, she was part of it.
---------------------------
The hallway outside the simulation lab was quieter than the rest of the hospital, the early morning lull settling in before the daytime rush. The overhead fluorescent lights cast a pale glow over the linoleum floors, the sharp scent of antiseptic still lingering in the air.
Jamie stood near the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, as Dr. Sugarman stepped up beside him.
For the first time since they met, there was no skepticism in the older surgeon's expression.
Instead, there was something closer to respect.
Sugarman exhaled, shifting slightly on his feet.
"I misjudged you," he admitted, his tone carrying the weight of his words.
Jamie didn't respond immediately.
He just glanced at Sugarman, waiting.
The older surgeon shook his head slightly, almost at himself.
"I thought you were just another name with money behind it," he continued.
"But that—what you just did in there—that was beyond anything I've seen in practice."
Jamie didn't gloat.
He simply nodded, accepting the words for what they were.
Sugarman hesitated, then asked, "Are you planning to publish the procedure?"
Jamie took a slow breath, his gaze flicking to the clock on the wall before answering.
"I have a patient in Seattle," he said, voice even. "Surgery's tomorrow. First real-world case using this method."
Sugarman's brows lifted slightly.
Jamie continued."If everything goes well, I'll publish. That way, it can move into clinical testing."
Sugarman studied him for a long moment, then nodded."It'll change the way we handle esophageal tumors," he said, certainty laced in his voice.
Jamie didn't need confirmation—he already knew that.
But still, he appreciated hearing it.
Without another word, he turned, walking away down the corridor.
As Jamie made his way down the hall, he caught sight of Lexie stepping out of the changing room.
Her hair was still slightly damp from a quick rinse, a few strands curling near her collar as she adjusted the sleeves of her coat.
She glanced up, noticing him immediately.
Jamie didn't stop walking, just tilted his head slightly in her direction."Let's get some breakfast."
Lexie blinked, caught off guard for a second before checking the clock on the wall.7:12 AM.
She let out a breath, shaking her head."It's already past seven?"Jamie didn't answer.
He just gave her a look that said, What do you think?
Lexie sighed, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Fine. But if the coffee sucks, I'm blaming you."
Jamie ignored that comment, already heading toward the exit.
Lexie followed without hesitation.
------------------------------
Jamie and Lexie stepped into her dorm room, balancing two coffee cups and a paper bag stuffed with pastries. The scent of fresh coffee and warm croissants mixed with the lingering chill from outside, creating something strangely comfortable.
Lexie nudged the door shut with her foot, setting her cup down on the small desk before collapsing onto the couch.
Jamie followed, dropping onto the chair across from her, stretching out his legs as he unwrapped a croissant.
For a moment, they ate in silence, the only sounds in the room the occasional rustling of paper and the faint hum of the city waking up outside.
Jamie watched Lexie take a bite of her pastry, her brow furrowed slightly in concentration, like she was mentally rating it against every other croissant she'd ever had.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips."See? Not bad coffee."
He took a slow sip from his cup, raising an eyebrow at her over the rim.
Lexie sighed, clearly begrudging the admission."…Yeah. The coffee's not bad."
Jamie smirked."Told you. I know my coffee."
He leaned back slightly. "What am I, a barbarian?"
Lexie narrowed her eyes."Hey. I'm not a barbarian."
And before Jamie could react, she tore off a piece of her croissant and threw it at him.
It hit his shoulder, bounced onto his lap.
Jamie blinked, looking down at it.
Then he looked back at Lexie."Did you just—"Lexie grinned, unapologetic.
Jamie exhaled through his nose."Alright, Bambi. You asked for it."And just like that, he moved.
Lexie barely had time to react before Jamie's hand darted forward, slipping past her defenses and tickling her side.
"J—Jamie—!" She let out a gasp of laughter, trying to twist away, but he was faster, relentless.
Lexie squirmed, trying to push him off, but Jamie just grinned wider, amused by her attempts.
"No mercy," he declared."
You're—horrible!" Lexie gasped between laughs, kicking out her foot to shove him back, but Jamie was already off-balance.
The next moment, they tumbled onto her bed.
Lexie landed on her back, Jamie bracing himself above her, one hand pressed against the mattress beside her head.
The room went still.
Lexie's laughter faded, her breath coming a little quicker than before.
Jamie didn't move.
For a second, neither of them did.
The air between them was suddenly thicker, heavier.
Jamie's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze flickering over her face—her lips, the way her chest rose and fell beneath him.
Lexie didn't look away.
She didn't say anything, either.
And then he kissed her.
No hesitation. No second-guessing.
-------------------------------------
Hey everyone!
Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out—I've been working on the storyline and rewatching parts of Grey's Anatomy to make sure everything fits just right.
Also, I'm still debating how much romance I want to include in the story. I gave it a shot in this chapter, but I'd love to hear what you all think! Do you want to see more of this dynamic, or should I keep the focus elsewhere?
As always, feedback is appreciated! Let me know your thoughts, and stay tuned for the next update.