“Charging to 480! Clear!” 60 BPM. “Sinus rhythm.” Parr paused. “You’ve done your part. I can close Dr Marshall.” Drake just nodded and left the surgical suite.

He was standing, watching his mother in recovery, still under the anaesthesia. He held his surgical glasses in his hands and remembered being 10 years old. “Keep these with you, and you’ll be the greatest surgeon in the galaxy.” Two days later, his father would have a heart attack on a Starfleet shuttle. “You still miss him. I never thought I’d catch you of all people being sentimental.” Nate said. He had appeared sometime while Drake was lost in thought. “He was the glue that held us together. After he died, everything went to hell.”
“I’d like to imagine that you and I had a couple good moments. Or did you forget our little rooftop band?”
“I’ll never forget. And neither will the NYPD.” The two burst out laughing at a memory from ages ago.

“It’s good to see my boys getting along.”
“Ma… you’re awake.”
“Drake, you sound surprised.”
“I should-“
“I know. I died. But you brought me back. And as much as my chest hurts, I appreciate it. That’s part of why I wanted you to be my doctor, Drake. You’ve always been… annoyingly calm under pressure. Like when your band got arrested- what you two were just laughing about. Nate was crying, you had managed to get some playing cards and were hustling people at blackjack. If anything I was madder at you for not being bothered by getting arrested than for getting arrested.” Nate had been cringing for a while. “I’d prefer if you not bring up the crying.”
“You were 15! It’s a perfectly reasonable reaction.”
“Nate, it was 11 years ago. It’s ok that you cried. Like a newborn.”
“I hate you.”
“There it is. I had to get one before you left.”
“Drake, will you be home for Christmas this year?”
“I can’t guarantee that I’ll get the leave. But I’ll call.”
“I’ll take it. A mother worries.”
“So does a son. Get some rest. You just had major surgery.”

Drake waved for Nate to follow him into his office. “Close the door.”
“Ok. What’s with the secrecy?”
“I have a horrible, very bad idea.”