Chapter Text
Trinity woke with something warm pressed along her back. She almost kicked out at it—if Huckleberry had a nightmare or something so help her god—but then all the memories of the night before hit with full force.
Ellis.
Abbot.
Twisting to look, Trinity saw that Ellis’s back was pressed up against her own like they were at the start of a shootout, or something. Thank fuck. If they’d been spooning, Trinity might’ve been the second person to puke in Abbot's house today. Would serve him right for putting her through all this shit.
Trinity better go make sure he was still breathing.
She found Dr Robby in the kitchen. Clearly, he’d been up for a while, which made sense considering it was—Trinity checked her phone—almost eleven.
“Hi.”
He turned and glanced at her. “Good morning. How’s Ellis?”
Then Robby turned away again to pour her a cup of coffee. He’d been busy. There were grocery bags on the counter which he seemed to be in the process of unloading.
“She lied about not snoring.”
Robby smiled as he set a mug down on the table. Then he put out cream and sugar for her. Trinity settled in and helped herself.
“And him?” She asked.
Robby sighed. He abandoned the groceries to sit down across from Trinity. Right, okay, he was gearing up for a ‘real talk’. Trinity barely resisted rolling her eyes.
“I woke him up every hour, which he was none too happy about, but he’s breathing fine and he’s more or less coherent, when he’s awake. A bit of disorientation, but that's to be expected. He'll be okay.”
Trinity nodded. She’d expected as much. If Abbot had stopped breathing during the night, Robby would hardly be puttering around the kitchen like a soccer mom on Adderall.
“I think it probably goes without saying…” Robby started. Again, Trinity resisted rolling her eyes. If it went without saying, he wouldn’t be getting his panties in a bunch and fucking saying it, would he? “But what happened here last night…”
Yeah, no duh. What, did he think Trinity would go blabbing around the Pitt, telling everyone? She hadn’t even told Ellis, who was there while it was happening. “Nobody’s business, I know.”
Robby nodded, seemingly reassured. “Thanks. And, uh…how are you holding up?”
Trinity snorted into her coffee, which was, judging by Robby’s reaction, not a normal response to that question. “Me? My brother in Christ, I’m living the dream.”
Robby tilted his head, his face twisting in bafflement. He opened his mouth to ask a question. Then he seemed to give up. He pressed on. “I don’t know how you knew…but I’m very glad you were here. That said, I know its not an easy situation—”
Trinity waved this off. When she wanted therapy, she knew how to get it. She’d be perfectly happy to sit here and listen to Robby tell her how much of a genius she was for figuring it out, but trying to play the concerned dad angle? Hard pass. “We’ve seen much worse.”
He had to concede that point with a tilt of his head, but he tried again, “Yes, but it’s different when—”
“I’m fine,” Trinity snapped, then regretted it. Instead of looking reassured, or even offended, Robby just looked sad. The crevasses deepened on his face, making him look even older than he usually did. All because he was worried about her.
She had to remind herself that she didn’t hate him. He was fine. Nice, even. Maybe that was the problem. Nice people, by and large, were either dangerous or stupid, and Dr Robinavitch didn’t strike her as stupid. But how could someone see all the horror and bullshit of the world and not be pissed off all the time?
Trinity couldn’t remember if she’d ever been nice. Kids are stupid, surely when she was a kid, she was stupid enough to be nice. Maybe if Thalia had lived to see another morning, like Abbot did, maybe then Trinity would have been a nice person like Robby.
Robby had the luxury of being nice. Trinity only had her rage left. Okay, maybe she did hate Robby, but maybe that wasn’t really his fault.
“If you say so,” Robby said in a way that meant he did not for a second believe her, “But it’s still a position you never should have been in, so if there’s anything you need, if you need to take a couple days off even—”
“I don’t,” Trinity said. If he made her take time off, she’d fucking lose it. “I told you, I’m fine.”
Robby sighed, but, apparently, he realized he wasn’t getting any deep emotional confession from her. “Okay. But if you change your mind, if you need anything, or if you just want to talk…my door is open.”
“Okay.” What did he want, a parade? A confession of her undying loyalty? Trinity to confess all her deep dark trauma? Hoping this would put an end to it, Trinity said, “Thanks.”
Robby dropped his head into an awkward nod, then he returned to the kitchen cabinets.
A thought occurred to Trinity. “Aren’t you supposed to be working today?”
“Shen’s covering the first half of my shift. At this rate he’ll be getting Christmas and New Year’s off. Speaking of…” He checked his watch. “We’re burning daylight, should think about getting our friends on their feet.”
Robby brought out a frying pan, weighing it experimentally in his hand. “You like pancakes?
“Do I look like I’m 12?”
Robby chuckled. “You don’t want me to answer that. But, come on, who doesn’t like pancakes?”
Trinity did like pancakes, but she wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of admitting it. “I’ll go get Ellis.”
Ellis was already awake when Trinity stepped back into the master bedroom. She quickly set down the photo she’d been examining on top of the dresser. In the morning light, Trinity could see that there were a lot more photos here than downstairs.
Abbot, looking older, closer to the man they knew, had his arm around the blonde woman. The Grand Canyon stretched out to the horizon behind them. Santos wondered vaguely who was taking the picture.
Ellis looked rough. Even with the sunlight filtered through the Abbots's floral curtains, she squinted like it pained her. Eyes bloodshot, she looked guiltily at Trinity. “I was just…”
Trinity shrugged. No skin off her nose if Ellis did some snooping. Abbot sent them to this room, after all, he couldn’t expect them not to notice the pictures. “Robby’s making pancakes.”
Ellis stared at her for a beat, processing. “Did I know Robby was here?”
How was Trinity supposed to explain that one? He just happened to drop by in the middle of the night, for no particular reason, don't question it.
“…No. He got here after you fell asleep.”
“Oh shit.” Ellis’s face drew into a wicked smile, despite what had to be a killer hangover. “Are our bosses fuckin?”
Trinity rolled her eyes. See, if she was a nice person, she would have bothered to come up with some lie to shut down Ellis’s speculating. Trinity wasn’t a nice person, so she said, “You might want to gargle. Your breath smells like puke.”
Ellis’s smile vanished as she was hit with memories of the night before. “Oh god. I yarfed on Abbot.”
It was Trinity’s turn to smile devilishly. “See you downstairs.”
She wouldn’t go spreading rumors about Abbot’s mental health…but sharing info on the dangers of alcohol overconsumption was just the responsible thing to do. The people deserved to know. Trinity would make sure the entire PTMC staff knew that Abbot’s golden child had projectile vomited on him.
Just thinking of it improved Trinity’s mood greatly.
Back downstairs, Robby had successfully roused Abbot. He shifted uncomfortably in a kitchen chair. Sure, he looked like he could fall back asleep in about 20 seconds, but other than that he looked…normal. He had a mug of coffee clutched between his hands like it was a lifeline. He’d even taken the time to attach his leg. Crazy, maybe he was fixed now.
His dour stare as Santos joined him at the table quickly disabused her of that notion.
“Ellis is on her way down,” She informed them.
Abbot grunted his understanding. Robby expertly flipped a pancake. This wasn’t his first rodeo, clearly. It smelled delicious. Trinity didn’t even make a snarky comment when he slid a plate in front of her; she just murmured her thanks and dug in.
Ellis joined them a moment later, managing to hold her head high despite the one-two combo of hangover and humiliation. Her eyes flicked over Robby, master of the kitchen, and Abbot, glowering at the world.
“Good morning,” Robby said. He poured another mug of coffee from the machine.
Ellis took it with a tentative thanks, then she took the third chair.
Weirdest sleepover of all time, weirdest post-sleepover breakfast of all time. It was so awkward Trinity thought she could start to enjoy watching three intelligent adults struggle with these dynamics.
“Sorry about…” Ellis said, gesturing vaguely to the doorway
Abbot waved a hand, which could’ve meant either ‘don’t worry about it’ or ‘you’re fired.’ Ellis seemed to take it as the former.
“How’s your head?” Robby asked.
“I’ve had worse hangovers.” Ellis flashed him a grin. “And I will again.”
“And your hand?” Robby glanced down at the bandage as he placed a second fluffy pancake in front of Abbot.
Abbot made no move to eat.
Ellis shrugged. “Santos did a good job stitching my dumb ass up. I’ll just have to take it easy for a week, I’m sure I’ll survive.”
“Fun night at least?”
“Very. You could’ve stayed longer if you were taking the morning off.”
Robby smiled noncommittally, starting another pancake. “I’m too old to have fun.”
The pancake was delicious. Trinity poured maple syrup over it and savored the sweetness on her tongue.
“You alright, boss?”
Trinity looked up to see Ellis watching Abbot. Abbot’s heavily lidded eyes rose to look at Ellis. He was silent.
Ellis looked unnerved. Fair. Abbot was far from acting normal.
Robby reached across Abbot to slide a pancake in front of Ellis. His hand landed on Abbot’s shoulder and squeezed.
“You want to eat a bit there, brother?” He spoke softly, but Abbot twitched away from him.
Robby drew back his hand.
Ellis took a bite of her own pancake, still watching Abbot warily. “It’s good,” She said with her mouth full. “You should have some.”
When Abbot spoke, it was a barely audible hoarse whisper. “Fuck off.”
Ellis froze.
Abbot didn’t look at her. He stared at the center of the table.
“Jack—” Robby tried again, but Abbot stood, sharply, his chair clattering to the floor as he knocked it away.
“What the fuck are we—eating pancakes? I’m not supposed to be—and just because some nosy fucking intern won’t let it end? I’m so fucking—” Abbot pinched his fingers through his eyes and took a shaky breath. “I’m done. I quit.”
And he stormed out the front door, slamming it behind him. Ellis jumped at the bang.
The silence after that outburst was resounding.
After a beat, Trinity pushed herself to her feet. She’d come this far; she wasn’t about to let him fuck up her good work by running off and dying after she saved his life.
Robby gestured at her to sit back down. “I got it.”
He squared his shoulders and marched out the door after Abbot.
Trinity sat down and returned her attention to the pancake in front of her, trusting Dr Robby to have it handled. Hell, he probably should’ve been the one handling it from the start. If only he’d been a bit more observant.
Ellis’s stare burned into Trinity as she chewed. After a long moment, Trinity flushed a bite down with a swig of coffee and snapped, “What?”
“Is he…” Ellis trailed off.
“He’s fine,” Trinity drawled, stabbing at her pancake with unnecessary force, “He’s just fucking dandy, Ellis, couldn’t you tell by his dramatic storming out of the room?”
Ellis’s worried stare hardened into something closer to contempt. “You got an attitude problem, you know that? And I am too hungover for that shit. Now, are you gonna start talking, or what?”
Trinity finished eating in silence and stood, aggressively yanking open Abbot’s dishwasher shoving her dishes inside.
Ellis stood and blocked her from the rest of the dirty dishes Robby had made with her body. “Do you mean to be a dick or does the chip on your shoulder just flatten any decency out of you?”
“If you want someone to hold your hand and cuddle, get a girlfriend.” Trinity elbowed past her, grabbing the bowl of pancake batter. It was still partially full. Shit.
“What are we doing in Abbot’s house? How did you even know where he lives?”
“Eating pancakes. And because I’ve been here before.” The pan was still hot on the stove, so Trinity took the easiest method of disposing of pancake batter. She poured another pancake.
“Why were you here before?”
“To see Abbot.” It actually gave Trinity a sick satisfaction to feel the rage building in Ellis beside her. Serves her right for being a dick the day of Pittfest. How does that taste of your own medicine feel, Dr Ellis?
“Trinity.”
Trinity’s head snapped up to look Ellis in the eye. She was sure Ellis had never called her that before. It was always Santos. Dr Santos, if she was feeling sarcastic. Never Trinity.
Ellis dipped her chin, dark, earnest eyes entreating Trinity for…something. “Is Abbot alright?”
The sizzle of the pancake drew Trinity’s attention. She had to use the spatula to flip it. How the fuck had Robby managed it with an easy flick of his wrist?
Ellis crowded into her space, catching Trinity’s arm. The contact burned. Trinity had to answer honestly. She couldn’t lie, not about something so obvious, not with Ellis’s warmth all up in her space. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she said, “No.”
Ellis inhaled sharply. She probably would’ve asked follow-up questions, but the door swung open again, and Abbot and Robby returned. Saved by the bell.
Abbot stared resolutely at the floor.
Robby clapped his hands together like a summer camp counselor on meth. “Okay, once we’re done eating, I’ll drop you two home on the way to work. No rest for the wicked.”
Trinity’s eyes flicked to Abbot, against her will. He gave nothing away on his face, but as she watched, a light shiver went through his shoulders. Probably from running out into the November cold without a jacket, like a dumbass.
Robby’s voice calmed down from his manic entrance as he said, “Jack’s coming in early with me to catch up on some paperwork.”
That was for Trinity’s benefit. She looked back at Robby and met his eyes. He nodded. He was probably trying to communicate something with that nod, but Trinity would be fucked if she knew what he meant. Whatever, if Robby wanted to supervise Abbot all day while also running a busy emergency department, he could have at it. Trinity was ready to wash her hands of this whole situation. She’d done her part. Abbot was still breathing. The rest wasn’t her problem.
She smelled burning.
Ellis grabbed the pan off the stove and snatched the spatula from Trinity’s hand. The rough texture of Ellis’s bandaged hand scraped against Trinity’s fingers. Ellis started attacking a burned pancake, trying to wrangle it off the pan and onto a plate.
Robby moved in to assist. Trinity made space for the two of them to fix her mistake. Again. She just couldn’t stop fucking up, could she? Fuck’s sake, she didn’t even want to be here.
She felt someone watching her.
Abbot.
He’d raised his eyes from the floor and now he stared her down. Weirdo. Trinity felt her nose wrinkle into a disgusted grimace. The corner of his mouth twitched. Trinity rolled her eyes.
After rescuing breakfast, Robby herded them all into his—get this—electric Kia. If Dr Robinavitch happened to be young in the 2020s, he’d be carrying around feminist lit in a tote bag, Trinity was sure of it. What did a performative male become when he grew up? A performative grandpa?
Ellis called shotgun, but Robby said, “Not a chance,” and gestured her into the backseat.
She slid into the cramped space next to Trinity and muttered, “Worth a shot.”
Trinity could see Ellis still watching Abbot, though, as he dropped down into the passenger seat. She didn’t know what conclusions the 4th year had come to about everyone’s behavior, but she clearly understood some of the gravity of what had happened. Ellis wasn’t an idiot, she knew something of magnitude had occurred, something that brought Robby into the situation, something that had Abbot checked out and threatening to quit.
Abbot, for his part, had been quiet since his outburst. He deferred to Robby’s instructions, eating when prompted and getting dressed for work. He didn’t even object when Trinity threw a jacket at him as their strange little party bumbled out the door. Abbot shrank into the dark jacket now, his head tipped back against the headrest, perhaps settling in for a nap. He watched the world vacantly. Uncaring.
They dropped Ellis home first.
She hesitated getting out of the car, glancing at Abbot, then back at Trinity. There was nothing Trinity could say. She avoided Ellis’s gaze. Honestly, it might be better for everyone if they just explained, but it wasn’t exactly Trinity’s story to tell.
She could see the hurt on Ellis’s face and tried not to care. It really had nothing to do with Trinity anyway.
In the end, Ellis reached between the seats and clapped Abbot on the shoulder. “See ya tomorrow night, boss. Sorry about…”
Abbot waived a hand, and this time Trinity was 90% sure it didn’t mean ‘you’re fired.’
He even mustered up his voice, hoarse and quiet though it was. “It happens. Get some rest.”
Ellis seemed to take this as encouraging. She brightened as she slipped out of the car.
Ellis didn’t seem to notice that Abbot had not committed to seeing her tomorrow.
Robby waited until Ellis had let herself into the apartment building before pulling away from the curb. Always the responsible parent. It wasn’t far to Trinity’s place from there.
Robby waited a minute or two before asking, “What’s she sorry about?”
Abbot just waved a hand again, his supply of words exhausted on reassuring his resident, so Trinity answered, “She vommed all over Abbot.”
Trinity could see Robby raise his eyebrows in the rearview mirror. His eyes flicked up to meet hers briefly before returning his attention to the road. “Anything else you left out of your description of last night?”
Was there? She’d shared all the important things, she was pretty sure. Well. She’d left out the parts about her violating a superior’s privacy by sneaking into his employee file. Then there was the room upstairs, and all the conclusions she drew from that. It wasn’t clear to her how much of that side of Abbot’s life he’d shared with Robby, but fuck it, the man was allowed to be fucked up about the death of his wife. It wasn’t like Robby didn’t have enough context for Abbot’s breakdown. He knew enough. The rest was for Abbot to share at his own discretion, hopefully with his therapist.
So Trinity didn’t feel the need to add anything to her account.
Well…maybe there was one other thing.
“Abbot double dips in his Nutella. Disgusting.”
Abbot snorted. “Fuckin’ snitch. What are you teaching your interns these days, Robinavitch?”
Trinity kicked the back of Abbot’s seat.
“Children, please,” Robby said, but his eyes were crinkled in smile.
They rolled to a stop in front of Trinity’s apartment.
Robby twisted in his seat to look at her directly. “Thank you, Santos. Seriously. I…I hope you know how much I…well. Thank you.”
Santos shrugged, uncomfortably. “I’ll see you both tonight, right? At handover.”
Robby nodded, and smiled sadly. Abbot was silent.
Whatever, asshole. Robby was going to be there until handover, he’d make sure they both survived until then. And Tuesday wasn’t far off. If Trinity had to keep showing up at his house to make sure he made it that far, then fuck it, that’s exactly what she’d do.
It wasn’t until Trinity pushed open the door that Abbot spoke up.
“See you tonight.”
Despite everything, the assurance settled something in Trinity.
“Promise,” He added.
Trinity tamped down her smile. No need to get mushy with it. “Cool,” She said, and climbed out of the car.