The Diagnosis

The surgery took another three hours. It was a complete success.

When Avery scrubbed out, she didn't go to the locker room. She went to the chapel.

She sat in the back pew, watching the candles flicker. She was exhausted.

The door opened.

Julian walked in.

He wasn't wearing the white coat. He wasn't even wearing the scrub cap. He was just in the navy scrubs, looking disheveled and tired.

He walked down the aisle and stood at the end of her pew. He didn't ask to sit. He waited.

"Leo is going to be fine," Julian said softly.

"I know," Avery said. "You did good work."

"We did good work," Julian corrected.

He took a step closer.

"I resigned as Chief today," he said.

Avery’s head snapped up. "What?"

"I told the Dean I didn't want the administrative load," Julian said. "I just want to be a surgeon. I want to operate, and I want to go home. I don't want the magazine covers. I don't want the politics."

He shrugged, looking vulnerable.

"I realized I can't be the man you deserve if I'm busy trying to be a god."

Avery looked at him. She saw the sacrifice he was making. He was giving up the power, the prestige, the very thing she accused him of chasing, just to prove he was real.

"You didn't have to do that," Avery said.

"I wanted to," Julian said. "I want to be Jules. Full time."

He reached into his pocket. He pulled out two paper cups from the vending machine down the hall.

"Black, two sugars," he said, holding one out.

Avery looked at the cup. Then she looked at his face. The hope, the fear, the love.

She smiled. It was a slow, tired, genuine smile.

She took the cup.

"Sit down, Jules," she said, scooting over on the pew.

He sat. Their shoulders touched. It was electric.

"So," Avery said, taking a sip. "Unemployed, huh? That's not very attractive."

"I'm still a neurosurgeon," Julian laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet room. "I just have more free time."

"Good," Avery said. She reached out and took his hand. "Because I know this great diner that serves breakfast all day. And I'm starving."

Julian squeezed her hand. "Breakfast sounds perfect."

"But," Avery warned, "if you ever lie to me again, I'll tell everyone you cry in the chapel."

"Deal," Julian whispered, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "No more lies. Just us."

Avery closed her eyes, leaning into him. The rain beat against the glass, but inside, it was warm.