Maya climbed into the back of the ambulance with Alex, her heart still racing from the adrenaline and fear of the past few hours. She tried to keep her hands steady as she settled in next to Alex on the stretcher. The doors slammed shut behind her, and the siren blared to life as they started speeding toward Grey Sloan Memorial.

Alex's small voice broke the heavy silence, his face pale and eyes wide with fear as he called out, "Mamma? Where's Mamma?" His voice trembled, and he reached out for Maya, tears welling in his eyes.

Maya's heart clenched painfully. She reached out, taking his small hand in hers, gently squeezing it as she knelt beside him. She forced a calm smile onto her face, doing everything she could to reassure him.

"Mamma's in another ambulance, Alex," Maya explained softly. "The doctors are going to take care of her, just like the doctors are going to take care of you. We'll all be at the hospital soon, and you'll see Mamma, I promise."

Alex sniffled, his lip trembling as he tried to be brave. "Is she hurt really bad? Is she… is she gonna be okay?"

Maya swallowed hard, her throat tightening at the question. She didn't have all the answers yet, and that terrified her. But she knew she had to stay strong for Alex, to keep him calm despite the uncertainty swirling inside her.

"She's hurt," Maya said gently, stroking Alex's hair. "But the doctors are really good at what they do. They're going to help Mamma feel better. And I'm going to be with you the whole time, okay? You're not alone."

Alex nodded, though his tears didn't stop. He looked up at Maya with wide, pleading eyes. "Can we see her soon? I want to see her now…"

Maya's chest tightened as she held back her own tears. She leaned down and kissed Alex's forehead, her voice soft and soothing. "I know, buddy. I want to see her too. We're going to be with her as soon as we get to the hospital. And when we get there, I'll be right beside you the whole time."

The ambulance rocked slightly as they sped toward the hospital, and Maya kept her gaze on Alex, trying to focus solely on him, even though her mind kept drifting to Carina. She wondered how bad Carina's injuries were, how long she would be unconscious, and what kind of recovery she might face. But she pushed those thoughts aside. Right now, Alex needs her.

"Maya?" Alex's voice broke through her thoughts again. "Will Mamma need a cast, like me? On her arm or her leg?"

Maya smiled softly, grateful for the innocence of his question. "Maybe," she said, keeping her voice light. "But if she does, we'll make sure she gets the coolest cast in the hospital. You two can even match if she needs one."

Alex giggled softly, though his tears still clung to the edges of his eyes. "I want mine to be blue," he said, his voice trembling but more hopeful now.

"Blue is a great choice," Maya said, giving his hand another gentle squeeze. "And Mamma would probably love blue too. You're such a good kid, Alex. We're going to get through this together."

The ride felt endless, the minutes ticking by agonizingly slowly as the ambulance raced toward Grey Sloan. Maya could feel the weight of the unknown pressing on her, but she couldn't let it consume her. She had to stay focused on Alex, on keeping him calm and reassured. He was being so brave, and she owed it to him to be strong, even though her own heart was breaking.

As they neared the hospital, Maya leaned in closer to Alex, pressing her forehead against his. "We're almost there, buddy," she whispered. "You're doing so well. I'm so proud of you."

Alex nodded, still clutching his toy dinosaur in one hand and Maya's hand in the other. "I'm scared," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Maya felt a lump form in her throat, but she pushed it down, offering him another gentle smile. "I know, sweetheart," she said softly. "But you're not alone. I'm right here, and we're going to be with Mamma soon. We're all going to be okay."

The ambulance finally came to a stop outside Grey Sloan Memorial, and the doors swung open. The medics moved quickly, preparing to transfer Alex inside, and Maya stayed by his side the entire time. Her heart pounded with fear and hope as they wheeled Alex toward the hospital entrance.

As Maya entered the bustling emergency room at Grey Sloan Memorial, she was met with a rush of familiar faces—doctors she recognized from her visits to see Carina and from bringing in countless patients over the years. Despite the chaos around her, the presence of familiar medical staff gave her a small sense of relief. At least she knew they were in good hands.

Dr. Jo Wilson was one of the first to approach them, her face immediately softening when she saw Maya and the scared little boy in her arms. "Maya," she greeted gently, her eyes quickly assessing Alex, "what happened?"

Maya wasted no time, laying out the details as clearly as she could. "This is Alex, Carina's son," she began, her voice steady despite the worry gnawing at her insides. "There was a ferry crash. Their car was thrown when part of the bridge collapsed. Alex was in the back seat. He's got a broken leg, and we stabilized it on scene. Carina… She's on her way in another ambulance. She was unconscious when we pulled her out."

Jo nodded, her expression immediately turning focused and professional as she took in the information. "Okay, we've got him," she reassured Maya. "Let's get him settled in and run some diagnostics."

Maya followed them into the emergency bay, carefully laying Alex down on the bed while nurses and doctors swarmed around him, attaching monitors, and checking vitals. Alex's wide eyes darted around the room, his small hands gripping tightly onto his toy dinosaur. The fear in his eyes made Maya's heart ache, but she stayed right beside him, holding his hand, doing everything she could to keep him calm.

"Hey, buddy," Jo said gently, crouching down beside Alex's bed. "I'm Dr. Jo, and I'm going to help make sure you're feeling better soon, okay? I know this is scary, but we're going to take good care of you."

Alex nodded, his lip trembling slightly as he glanced nervously between Jo and Maya. "Mamma's coming, right?" he whispered, his voice small.

Maya leaned down, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "Yes, sweetheart. Mamma's coming. The doctors are going to help her too, and once they've taken care of you, we'll make sure to check on her, okay?"

Jo gave Maya a reassuring nod before standing up and issuing orders to the team. "Let's get some X-rays and a full workup," she said quickly. "We'll monitor his leg and check for any other injuries, but he seems stable."

As they started the diagnostic process, Maya remained a constant presence by Alex's side. She stroked his hair and whispered soft reassurances, doing everything she could to make him feel safe in the unfamiliar environment.

After a few minutes, another doctor entered the bay—Dr. Miranda Bailey. She had always been a commanding presence, but when she saw Maya standing beside Alex, her expression softened. Bailey gave Maya a small nod before glancing at Alex.

"Hello, young man," Bailey said, her voice warm but firm. "I'm Dr. Bailey. We're going to take good care of you."

Alex's grip on Maya's hand tightened, but he managed a small nod, still overwhelmed by the situation. Maya smiled softly at him, leaning in close. "See? You've got the best doctors here. You're in good hands."

Bailey glanced up at Maya, her expression a mixture of concern and understanding. "Any updates on Carina?" she asked quietly, keeping her voice low so Alex wouldn't overhear.

Maya shook her head, her worry bubbling up again. "Not yet," she whispered. "I'm waiting for them to bring her in. She was unconscious when we found her, and she's on her way in another ambulance."

Bailey nodded grimly. "We'll keep an eye out. We'll make sure she gets the best care too."

Maya nodded, grateful for the support, but the gnawing anxiety about Carina's condition still twisted in her chest. She couldn't rest easy until she knew more, but for now, her focus had to remain on Alex. He needed her to be strong.

As the doctors and nurses gathered around Alex to begin their examination, he became increasingly agitated, his small body trembling as he clung to Maya with all his strength. Tears began to well up in his eyes, and soon he was sobbing uncontrollably, his voice filled with fear.

"No! No, don't touch me!" Alex cried out, his hands gripping Maya's shirt. "I want Mamma! I want Mamma!"

Maya's heart broke at the sight of his distress, and she knelt beside him, her own emotions swirling as she tried to stay calm. She gently cradled Alex's head in her hands, brushing his hair away from his tear-streaked face.

"Hey, hey, buddy," Maya said softly, her voice filled with warmth and reassurance. "It's okay, I'm right here. No one's going to do anything without explaining it to you first, I promise. And I'll be with you the whole time."

Alex sobbed harder, still clutching her tightly. "But I want Mamma…" he whimpered, his eyes filled with fear and confusion.

Maya took a deep breath, her own heart aching as she wished she could do more to make him feel safe. "I know, Alex," she whispered, leaning in closer. "I know you want Mamma, and we're going to see her as soon as we can. But right now, the doctors are here to help make sure you're okay. And I'm going to stay right here with you while they check on you, okay?"

She could see the fear still gripping him, and she knew she had to find a way to make this less scary for him. Turning to Jo, who was standing nearby, Maya asked, "Could you explain to him what you're doing? Maybe if he knows what's coming, he won't be as scared."

Jo nodded quickly, her expression softening with understanding. She crouched down beside Alex's bed, keeping her voice calm and gentle. "Hey, Alex," she said softly. "I know all of this is a little scary, but I'm going to tell you exactly what we're doing, and I'll show you with Maya first so you can see that it's not going to hurt, okay?"

Alex sniffled, still clinging to Maya, but he nodded slightly. "Okay," he whispered, though his voice was still shaky.

Jo gave him a kind smile and then turned to Maya. "Let me show him how we're going to take his blood pressure," she said, pulling out the blood pressure cuff. She wrapped it around Maya's arm and demonstrated how it would inflate.

"See, Alex?" Jo said as the cuff tightened around Maya's arm. "It feels like a little squeeze, but it doesn't hurt. Your arm just gets a hug from this machine for a few seconds."

Alex watched carefully, his tearful eyes still wide with uncertainty, but seeing it happen to Maya seemed to calm him slightly. "Did it hurt?" he asked Maya, his voice still trembling.

Maya shook her head and smiled at him. "Nope," she said gently. "Just like Jo said, it's like a little hug for your arm. Do you want to try it now? I'll hold your hand while they do it."

Alex hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded, his grip on Maya's hand tightening as Jo gently placed the cuff around his arm. He squeezed his eyes shut as the machine began to inflate, but Maya kept talking to him in a soothing voice, telling him how brave he was being.

When the machine finally released the pressure and Jo removed the cuff, Alex opened his eyes cautiously. He looked up at Maya with a small, uncertain smile. "It didn't hurt…" he said softly, sounding a little surprised.

Maya smiled back at him, brushing a tear from his cheek. "See? You're so brave, Alex. I knew you could do it."

Jo continued the process, explaining each step of the examination to Alex and demonstrating on Maya whenever possible. She showed him how they would listen to his heart with a stethoscope, how they would check his pulse, and how they would gently examine his leg.

With each demonstration, Alex became a little more comfortable. He still clung to Maya's hand, but he was no longer sobbing, and his breathing started to even out. Whenever he got nervous, Maya reassured him, talking him through the steps and reminding him that she was right there with him.

As the orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Atticus Lincoln—better known as Link—walked into the room, his presence immediately brought a sense of calm. His easygoing smile and confident demeanor reassured both Maya and Alex. He approached Alex's bed with a warm expression, crouching down to be at eye level with the little boy.

"Hey, Alex," Link said softly. "I'm Dr. Link, but you can call me Link. I'm going to help take care of your leg, okay? We're going to look at some pictures of your bones and figure out how to make them all better."

Alex was still holding tightly to Maya's hand, his wide eyes looking up at Link with a mix of fear and curiosity. He glanced at the X-ray machine nearby and then back at Link.

"Pictures?" Alex asked, his voice small but curious.

Link nodded, pulling up the X-rays that had been taken so far on a nearby screen. "Yup, see here?" he said, pointing to the images. "These are pictures of your bones, and this one shows where your leg is hurt. We're going to take a few more pictures to make sure we know exactly what's going on so we can fix it with a cool cast. What color do you want your cast to be?"

Alex seemed to relax a little, focusing on the idea of a cast. "Blue," he whispered, his grip on Maya loosening just a little as he became more engaged in the conversation.

"Blue is a great choice," Link said, smiling. "Now, we're going to use this machine to take a few more pictures. It's really quick and easy, and it doesn't hurt at all. You just have to stay really still for a few seconds while we take the pictures. How does that sound?"

Alex looked up at Maya, his eyes full of uncertainty. "Can Maya stay with me?" he asked, his voice trembling just a little.

Maya squeezed his hand and smiled down at him. "Of course, buddy," she said softly. "I'll be right here with you the whole time."

Link nodded, his expression reassuring. "Absolutely, Maya can stay with you," he said. "She'll be right next to you while we take the pictures. You're not alone in this, Alex."

That seemed to calm Alex down further. He nodded slowly, still holding onto Maya's hand as Link and the team prepared for the X-rays.

Link was patient, explaining everything to Alex as they set up the machine. He even demonstrated how the machine would move and click, ensuring that Alex understood there was nothing to be scared of. Throughout the process, Maya stayed close, her hand never leaving Alex's.

As the X-rays were taken, Maya whispered to Alex about all the cool things he'd be able to do once his leg was healed—running around, playing with his toy dinosaurs, maybe even going to the park again. Her soothing voice kept him calm, and the X-rays went smoothly.

Once they were done, Link smiled again, giving Alex a thumbs-up. "You did awesome, Alex," he said. "We've got everything we need now, so we're going to put a cast on your leg and get you feeling better soon."

Alex looked relieved, though he still clung to Maya. "Will it hurt?" he asked quietly.

Link shook his head. "Nope, it won't hurt at all," he said kindly. "It might feel a little funny when we put the cast on, but I'll make sure you're comfortable the whole time. And once it's on, you'll be able to rest and start getting better."

Maya smiled down at Alex, brushing a hand through his hair. "You're doing so great, buddy," she said. "We're almost done, and you've been so brave."

Dr. Bailey walked into the room, her presence commanding yet gentle. In her hands, she carried a small box filled with toys from her office—small trinkets and action figures she kept on hand for situations just like this one.

"Well, look at you, Alex," Bailey said warmly, giving him a nod of approval as she walked over to his bed. "I heard you've been very brave today. So, I brought you a little something to help keep you busy while you're resting."

Alex's eyes lit up at the sight of the toys, and a small smile crept onto his face despite the exhaustion and pain. He looked up at Bailey with wide eyes, still holding onto his dinosaur. "Thank you," he said quietly, his little fingers reaching out to take the toys.

Bailey smiled at him, then turned her gaze to Maya. "Maya, can I speak to you for a moment in the hallway?" she asked, her tone gentle but serious.

Maya's stomach tightened. She knew this conversation was going to be about Carina, and while she was desperate for any news, part of her was terrified of what she might hear. She squeezed Alex's hand one more time, leaning down to kiss the top of his head. "I'll be right back, buddy," she said softly. "You play with your new toys, okay?"

Alex nodded, his attention already shifting to the new treasures Bailey had brought him.

Maya then asked Jo if she could keep an eye on him for a few minutes. Jo nodded and joined Alex on the hospital bed playing with the toys.

Maya followed Bailey out into the hallway, her heart pounding in her chest. The second they were alone, she looked up at Bailey, her eyes filled with fear and hope. "How is she?" Maya asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please tell me she's okay."

"Maya," Bailey began, her voice gentle but firm, "Carina's stable, and she's starting to regain consciousness, which is a good sign."

Maya felt a wave of relief wash over her, but she remained tense, knowing there was more to hear.

"She has a head wound," Bailey continued, "and we're monitoring her closely for any signs of brain injury. That's going to be our biggest concern for the next 24 to 48 hours. She's not out of the woods yet, but the fact that she's waking up is positive."

Maya nodded, her heart heavy but clinging to the hope that Carina was fighting. "And her other injuries?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Bailey sighed softly, clearly trying to balance the facts with compassion. "She has some significant lacerations, especially on her side and leg. Those were treated and should heal without complication. She also has a bruised lung from the impact, which we'll need to watch closely to make sure it doesn't lead to further complications. She's on oxygen for now to help her breathe more easily."

Maya's stomach twisted with each new piece of information, but she stayed focused, wanting to know everything. "What else?" she asked, bracing herself.

Bailey paused for a moment before continuing. "She also has a broken arm. The fracture isn't too complex, but she'll need a cast and some time to heal. We're focusing on stabilizing her breathing and managing the potential head injury first, then we'll take care of everything else."

Maya felt the weight of the information pressing down on her, but she kept herself grounded, reminding herself that Carina was stable and that was the most important thing.

"So, she's stable now?" Maya asked, needing to hear it again.

Bailey nodded, offering a small, reassuring smile. "She's stable, Maya. The next few hours will be critical, but she's strong. You can see her, and we'll monitor her closely to make sure she continues improving."

Maya swallowed hard, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and relief. "Thank you, Bailey," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for everything."

Bailey gave her a soft look, her tone gentle. "She's in good hands, Maya. Take a moment to breathe. You've been through a lot too."

Maya nodded, though her mind was already racing toward seeing Carina, needing to be by her side. "Can I go see her now?" she asked, her voice filled with urgency.

Bailey smiled softly. "Yes, you can. Just keep it brief for now, okay?"

With that, Bailey gestured for Maya to follow her, leading her down the hallway toward Carina's room. The tension in Maya's chest eased slightly, knowing she would soon be able to see Carina, even if only for a short while.

As they neared Carina's room, Bailey paused, turning to Maya. "Remember, she's still groggy and weak, but seeing a familiar face might help her rest easier."

Maya nodded, her heart pounding as she stepped into the room.

Carina lay in the hospital bed, her face pale against the crisp white sheets. A cast was wrapped around her arm, and her head was bandaged. Bruises and cuts marred her skin, and the steady rise and fall of her chest was accompanied by the soft sound of the oxygen mask helping her breathe.

Despite everything, Carina looked peaceful in that moment, and Maya's heart swelled with love and relief.

She approached the bedside slowly, reaching out to gently take Carina's hand in hers. Carina's fingers twitched slightly, and her eyes fluttered open, though they remained half-closed from exhaustion and the aftereffects of surgery.

"Maya…" Carina's voice was faint, muffled by the oxygen mask, but it was enough to send a rush of emotion through Maya.

"I'm here," Maya whispered, squeezing Carina's hand. "You're safe, love. You're going to be okay."

Carina's eyes fluttered again, and she gave a small nod, though the movement seemed to take all of her energy. "Alex…?" she managed to ask, her voice barely audible.

"He's safe," Maya reassured her. "He's in the ER getting treated. He's got a broken leg, but he's been so brave. He's going to be okay, and so are you."

Carina's lips twitched into a faint smile beneath the oxygen mask, though the exhaustion was evident in her eyes. "Good… thank you…"

"Shh, don't talk," Maya whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead softly. "Just rest. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

Carina's eyes drifted closed again, and Maya sat by her side, never letting go of her hand. Though the road to recovery would be long, Maya was grateful for this moment—for the fact that Carina was alive and fighting. That was enough for now.

As Maya made her way back down the hallway to Alex's room, her heart was still heavy with worry for Carina, but she knew she had to stay strong for Alex. She could hear his soft cries before she even entered the room, and the sound tugged at her heart. When she walked in, Alex's tear-streaked face lit up the moment he saw her, but in his desperation to reach her, he tried to jump from the hospital bed, his small body still unsteady.

"Alex!" Maya gasped, rushing forward just in time to catch him before he could fall. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, using her strength to pull him back safely into her arms. Her heart raced for a moment as she steadied him, holding him close.

"Whoa, buddy," Maya said gently, her voice soothing as she hugged him tightly. "I've got you. I'm right here."

Alex clung to her, his small body shaking with sobs. "Maya… I want Mamma," he cried, burying his face in her shoulder.

Maya's heart broke at the sound of his voice, but she kept her voice calm and comforting. She kissed the top of his head, stroking his hair softly. "I know, Alex," she whispered. "We're going to go see Mamma really soon, I promise. But first, we need to get your leg all fixed up, okay? You've been so brave."

Dr. Link approached them with a kind smile, giving Maya a nod of reassurance. "We're almost there," he said gently. "We just need to put the cast on his leg, and then he'll be all set."

Maya gave Alex a reassuring squeeze, her voice soft but encouraging. "Did you hear that, Alex? Just a little more, and then we can go see Mamma. You can pick out your favorite color for the cast, and we'll get you all set to go."

Alex sniffled, looking up at Maya with watery eyes. "I want blue," he said quietly, his grip on her still tight.

Maya smiled, her heart swelling with love for him. "Blue it is," she said gently. "And then we'll go see Mamma, okay?"

Alex nodded, though his tears hadn't completely stopped. He kept his arms wrapped around Maya as she sat back down on the bed with him, holding him close while Link and the nurses prepared to put the cast on his leg.

Maya continued to whisper soothing words to him as they worked, keeping his focus on her. "You're doing so great, Alex," she said softly. "I'm so proud of you. Just a little bit longer, and we'll go see Mamma. You're being so brave."

Alex sniffled again but nodded, his little hand clutching at Maya's shirt as she held him. The room was filled with the quiet sound of the nurses working, and Maya stayed focused on Alex, giving him all the comfort she could as they finished placing the cast on his leg.

When they were finally done, Link smiled warmly at them both. "All set," he said, stepping back to give them some space. "You've got yourself a blue cast, Alex, and it's going to help your leg get better really fast."

Alex looked down at his leg, his tear-streaked face softening a little as he saw the bright blue cast. "It's blue," he whispered, his voice filled with a small sense of wonder.

Maya smiled, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "It looks great, buddy," she said softly. "Now we can go see Mamma."

Alex's eyes lit up at that, and he clung to Maya again, his fear starting to melt away just a little at the thought of seeing Carina. Maya carefully picked him up, making sure he was comfortable.

"Ready to go see Mamma?" Maya asked, her voice gentle as she knelt beside him.

Alex nodded, his small hand wrapping around her shoulder. "Yeah," he whispered, a hint of hope returning to his voice.

Maya carried Alex down the hallway, his small body snuggled close to hers as they approached Carina's room. Her heart raced, knowing the sight inside might be overwhelming for Alex. The bandages, the machines, the oxygen mask—it was a lot for anyone to take in, let alone a little boy who adored his mother.

Before they reached the door, Maya paused, crouching down slightly to meet Alex's eyes. His face was still pale, and though he had calmed down some, she could feel him tense up in her arms.

"Alex, sweetheart," Maya said softly, brushing his hair back with one hand while she held him securely with the other. "We're going to see Mamma now, but I need to tell you something first, okay?"

Alex looked up at her with wide eyes, clutching onto her tightly. "What is it?" he asked, his voice quiet.

Maya's heart ached as she searched for the right words. "Mamma's in the hospital bed, and she has a lot of bandages and tubes right now to help her get better. It might look a little scary, but I want you to know that everything in the room is there to help her. The doctors are taking good care of her, and I'm right here with you. You don't have to be afraid, okay?"

Alex's eyes filled with uncertainty, and he looked down, his little hand clutching the blue cast on his leg. "Will Mamma talk to me?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Maya gave him a soft, reassuring smile. "She might not be able to talk much because she's still really tired from the accident," she explained gently. "But she's going to know you're here, and that's going to help her feel so much better."

Alex sniffled, nodding slowly. "Okay…" he whispered, still holding tightly onto Maya.

Maya leaned down and kissed his forehead. "You're so brave, Alex," she said softly. "Mamma's going to be so happy to see you."

With that, Maya carefully opened the door to Carina's room and carried Alex inside. The soft beeping of the machines filled the air, and Carina lay in the hospital bed, still pale and bandaged, with the oxygen mask helping her breathe. The sight made Maya's heart ache, but she stayed strong for Alex.

Alex's grip tightened around Maya as he saw his mother lying in the bed, his eyes wide with fear. For a moment, he buried his face in Maya's shoulder, his small body trembling.

"It's okay, Alex," Maya whispered gently, rubbing his back. "Mamma's right here, and she's going to get better."

Slowly, Alex lifted his head again, peeking out from the safety of Maya's shoulder. His eyes were full of tears as he looked at Carina, but he didn't pull away.

"Mamma…" Alex whispered, his voice shaky.

Carina stirred slightly at the sound of Alex's voice, her eyes fluttering open. Though she was still groggy and weak, a small, soft smile crossed her face beneath the oxygen mask when she saw Alex.

"Alex…" Carina murmured weakly, her voice barely a whisper. Her hand moved slightly, reaching out toward him.

Alex's face lit up when he saw her respond, and he reached for her hand, clutching it tightly. "Mamma!" he cried, his voice filled with both relief and worry. "Mamma, I'm here."

Carina's fingers squeezed his hand weakly, her eyes filled with love despite the exhaustion in them. Maya stood by the bedside, her heart swelling with emotion as she watched the tender moment between mother and son.

"I told you she'd be happy to see you," Maya whispered softly to Alex, her voice thick with emotion.