It's quiet where she sits.
An odd thing for a hospital, quiet. Hospitals usually mean medical emergencies, and medical emergencies usually mean a lot of beeping, near-shouting, rushing steps.
But not here. Here it is quiet. Here it seems calm.
Her mind is a different story.
He couldn't possibly-
But it looked bad, really bad, and-
What if-
But I can't-
She has no peace from the torrent of terrified half-thoughts that reside there, though she makes no sound as they trip over each other and threaten to explode from within her.
The day seemed normal - or, as normal as it ever is for her job.
And then this world she lives in, it fell apart. All because this man - this stubborn, reckless, brave, stunning man - tried to save someone.
Normal as it always is for their jobs.
She's been bouncing her leg up and down with nerves, but it stops. Her reeling mind slows, leaving just one thought.
This is normal for them, yes. But should it be? Who lives like this? Who wakes up every day, suits up, and walks into the office knowing they could die that very day, that very hour, all in the "normal" course of their work day?
Are they masochists? Are they just stupid?
She's done thinking this is noble. Done feeling like it's all worth it.
Because this world without him - how can that be worth it?
Her crazed mind has been fighting off the idea that he might not make it through this. But Lord knows they've been through more than most of the officers in 15. Maybe they're due.
Is this his time?
A sob erupts from her diaphragm. It grows, it multiplies, causing her body to shake.
Where she sits, the hospital is once again a place of sadness, fear, uncertainty.
All is normal again.