Chapter Text
Victoria Javadi made the worst mistake of her life at 03:00 on the third day of her night shift rotation.
At least that’s what it felt like. It had been a simple question. Not even that really, more an observation.
“Oh, I didn’t know you were married, Dr. Abbot.”
He went very still and looked at her over his shoulder. “What was that?” His voice was rough, sharp.
“Um, your ring? I didn’t know you were married.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dr. Shen wince before backing out of the room. “I’m just gonna…yeah.”
Abbot turned to face her fully, looking her over with narrowed eyes. “I don’t really like to talk about it. Thanks for bringing it up.”
Victoria’s eyes went wide. “I’m…I’m sorry?”
“My wife is gone, Javadi. She is no longer among us. I wear the ring as a reminder.”
“Oh my god,” her voice was little more than a whisper. Then a little louder, “I am so sorry, Dr. Abbot. How long has she been gone if you don’t mind my asking?”
He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. “It seems like just this morning we were having breakfast together.”
With that he left the room, leaving Victoria gaping behind him.
Abbot didn’t treat her any differently the rest of the night, but Victoria couldn’t keep from feeling she’d screwed up. As soon as Dr. Robby appeared for his shift the next morning, Victoria intercepted him.
“Dr. Robby,” she said, fingers twisting together in front of her. “I think I really messed up.”
Robby looked down at her, slipping his sunglasses into his pocket. “What happened?”
“Well, I asked Dr. Abbot about his wife.”
His response was not what Victoria expected. Robby tilted his head back and groaned, the sound deep and drawn out. Finally, he looked at her again with a huff. “And what precisely did Dr. Abbot say about the Mrs.?”
“Um, that she was gone and he didn’t like talking about it. It seemed really recent too.”
Robby looked more amused than anything now as he hummed in agreement. “Oh, it’s been years now.” He placed one large hand on her shoulder and squeezed slightly. “Don’t worry, Javadi. He won’t take it personally. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Relief flooded through her. “Thank you, Dr. Robby,” she said in a rush and hurried off down the hall.
***
Robby watched her go with a shake of his head before heading to the hub where you were standing beside Jack as you both sipped a coffee and shared a breakfast sandwich. He pursed his lips and dropped his voice before saying, “I hear you’re a widower, Jack. My condolences.”
You swallowed the bite you’d been chewing and turned to glare at Jack. “Who?”
He chuckled, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smirk. “Javadi.”
You sighed. “Will you please quit telling people that I am dead?”
“I didn’t,” he protested.
When you lifted a brow, he held up his hands in a gesture of innocence. “I didn’t. I simply said you were gone. She assumed.”
You rolled your eyes. “I’m on days for a week, not dead. You’re an idiot.”
“Hey,” he protested.
“No, she’s right. You are,” Robby said, clapping his friend on the back.
“You hush,” Jack snapped. “You don’t get to contribute to the conversation. I haven’t forgotten you tried to steal her from me.”
“For fuck’s sake, Jack,” you and Robby muttered almost in unison.
You leaned in so only they would hear you. “If you don’t quit tormenting people, I’m going to start going by Abbot so you can’t get away with it anymore.”
As you walked away, Jack called after you. “That is not nearly the threat you think it is!”