Requested by @camcrusher123

Summary: You defend him or he defends you.

QOTP: Melendez or Andrews?

Word Count: 1611

Jared -
Learning a new surgical resident was transferring to Denver Memorial Hospital worried you a little; it meant you had more competition. However, when you actually met him, you were pleasantly surprised by a cute and kind doctor named Jared Kalu.

Thus far, the other surgical residents haven't spoken to him much, but you've basically become best friends in the few weeks he's been here.

Then, one day, you walk by two of your colleagues - Amanda and Charlotte - and hear one of them say Jared's name. Of course, you can't help but listen, so you hide behind an open door to hear what they're talking about.

"He left San Jose for a reason, you know," Amanda says. There's a pause, then she continues, quieter this time. "He attacked another doctor."

"He what?" Charlotte asks in disbelief.

"Attacked another doctor. Then, he claimed it was self defense," Amanda adds. You don't know where she got her information from; that's not exactly true. (Jared told you what happened.)

"I knew he was off from the start," Charlotte says. "That's why I've been avoiding him."

"Me, too," Amanda replies. "I don't even know how he managed to get a residency here."

By this point, you're fuming, and you decide not to stand by and let them trash him like that. So, you come out from behind the door and walk right up to them. "Maybe because he's a good doctor. And he doesn't judge other people without even knowing them."

Amanda looks horrified, then quickly attempts to recover. "Were you listening in on our conversation?"

"Yeah," you reply bluntly, "and I'm disgusted. Firstly, you've barely even spoken to him, so I don't know why you think you know everything about him. Secondly, I don't know where you got your information from because it's wrong. And even if it wasn't, why would it be your business?"

"He attacked another-"

"He didn't attack him. And honestly, the guy deserved it. You'd know if you actually talked to Jared. And all that crap about him being off? Bull. He's the nicest resident in this hospital, especially considering the other three are you two and me."

"I-"

"And you know what the sad thing is?" you continue. "I don't think he would've said a word if he heard you talking just now. And if he did, he'd be a lot nicer than me about it. So you better hope I don't catch you talking about him again."

With that, you turn and make your exit. However, you're cut short. Jared is standing there, within earshot of the whole speech.

He smiles. "Thanks, Y/N."

Blushing like crazy, you look at the floor and shrug. "Well, what else was I supposed to do?"

Neil (Melendez) -
"What if I say something stupid?" you worriedly ask, anxiety sitting like a pit in your stomach.

"You're not going to say something stupid," Neil reassures, glancing at you, then turning back to the road. "Stop worrying so much; you'll be fine."

"But what if they hate me?" you ask, referring to his parents, whom you're about to meet for the first time.

"They won't hate you; I promise," he says. "It'll be fine."

"I hope so," you mumble, though more 'what if's continue to flood your mind.

////

"So, what do you do?" Neil's mom asks from across the dinner table. The dinner's been going good so far, but you're still on edge.

"I'm a writer," you reply quietly. There's a pause before anyone speaks again.

"Any bestsellers yet?" his dad finally asks.

You shake your head almost imperceptibly. "Uh, no, not yet, but one day. Hopefully..."

His mom purses her lips, but says nothing. Neil raises an eyebrow at her. "What?"

"Nothing," she says. "Nothing..."

The conversation lulls as everyone continues eating, but your face is burning red and you want to disappear into your chair, never to be seen again.

"So..." his mother says, "you're aware of how much money Neil makes as a surgeon, aren't you?"

Before you have a chance to respond - you wouldn't even know how to if you had one - Neil asks, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," his mother replies. "It's just... writers don't tend to make a lot of money unless they end up famous."

"And what does that have to do with anything?" Neil asks, anger creeping into his voice.

She shakes her head a little, picking at her food. "Nothing."

"Stop saying that as if it's going to make you sound any less insulting and disrespectful," Neil replies with controlled anger.

"Neil, I think you're being a little disrespectful right now," his dad chimes in, giving him a pointed look. You sink into your seat, unable to do or say anything as you watch this all unfold.

"Have you been listening to her?!" Neil half-shouts, gesturing to his mom. "She's practically accusing Y/N of being a gold-digger!"

Your eyes widen, but you can't think of a single thing to say.

"Can you blame me for being concerned, Neil?!" his mother fires back. "You've just broken off your engagement with Jessica - who was a very successful attorney, if you can recall-"

"Of course I can 'recall'," Neil spits, "but Jessica has nothing to do with this-"

"Neil, don't tell me that Y/N isn't just some sort of rebound!" his mother shouts, as if you're not sitting right in front of her. "A rebound you need to get rid of; she's using you! Do you even like her?!"

Your stomach drops and tears start pooling in your eyes, but you still can't bring yourself to speak. Meanwhile, Neil shoots up from the table, fuming. "I broke off my engagement with Jessica six months ago and for a reason! Y/N isn't some rebound that I care nothing about! If I didn't care about her, do you think we'd even be here right now?!"

"Neil-"

"And I can't believe you had the nerve to even suggest that she's using me," Neil continues. "Can you even hear yourself?! What's the matter with you?!"

"I'm just trying to protect you," his mother continues.

Neil shakes his head. "No, you're not. Thanks for dinner, Mom. It was great." He takes your hand, and you both walk out of the house.

"I'm sorry-" you start once you're outside.

He stops on the porch, turning to face you. "For what? That wasn't your fault, Y/N. She's just not over Jessica and she can't accept the fact that I am."

Tears continue to fall down your face, the shock of the situation starting to wear off. "What she said, I... Neil, I would never use you-"

He pulls you to him gently, the anger fading. "I know you wouldn't. I know." There's a long pause, both of you just standing there and holding each other. Then, he chuckles. "Even if you were, I don't think I could bring myself to break up with you."

You pull back enough to look at him quizzically. "Why?"

He blushes, which is completely out of character for him. "Because I think I'm in love with you."

You practically guffaw."You what? I mean - wait - seriously? That's... Wow. Okay. Yeah. I-I think I'm in love with you, too."

He laughs, then kisses you gently. "So... should we go get McDonald's and watch Netflix? Probably better than whatever we were having in there..."

You sigh. "I'm definitely in love with you."

Shaun -
You were never known for being nice. Or having many friends. It was just how you were at seven years old.

You played alone at recess, you never really spoke to anyone, and you were completely fine with that. However, one day, something gave you pause.

Three boys were talking to Shaun Murphy. That in itself wasn't concerning; it was the fact that Shaun looked like he was about to cry and the boys were laughing at him.

So, without a second thought, you marched right over and punched one of the boys in the face before he could get a word out.

"Leave him alone!" you shouted at the boy, who'd fallen to the ground.

"Mind your own business!" another boy shouted. You merely raised your fist and he backed off.

"Why do you care if we make fun of Shaun?" the boy on the ground asked.

"Because you're annoying," you reply. "And he never did anything to you. So you should leave him alone or I'll punch you again."

"Whatever," he mumbled, getting up. The other boys followed him to the teacher, they told on you, and you were sent to the principle's office and suspended for the rest of the week.

When you got back, you hung out with Shaun at recess, and no one bothered him while you were around. Not then, and not in the years that followed.

Besides Steve, you were Shaun's only friend, and he - and Steve - were yours. But as you got older, your perception of him changed. It took you a while to figure out that you liked him.

And then he and Steve ran away. They left a note on your window that they were leaving, and told you where to go if you wanted to come with them. You couldn't, and it was the first time your heart was broken. You moved, and you never saw them again.

Years later, you find yourself in San Jose Hospital for surgery, and Shaun Murphy walks into the room. You look at him, and all those old feelings come flooding back.

"Oh, boy," you mumble.