Chapter Text
The truth was, every one of the employees or med students' whose first day had been that of the PittFest shooting was traumatized. On one hand, mass casualty events were something of an inevitability on the job, but Robby never would have wished for anyone's first day to be one. But Victoria Javadi's first day, first shift, had been that long, horrific day.
Ironic wouldn't begin to cover how remembering Victoria's start to the day having been her fainting at the sight of a degloving injury felt when Robby did remember that fact, when Santos' use of Crash in front of patients needed to be chastised, and Dr. Robby was the only one around to do it. Had this really been Eileen Shamsi's daughter? PittFest had changed everyone, but it gave Victoria a new confidence that Dr. Robby appreciated in his med students. Whitaker had already been secure in himself, but Javadi needed an extra push, and perhaps post traumatic growth was that push. Dr. Robby hoped it was, and not only for Javadi's sake. If one day, a single event, did actually harm his students' mental health long term, what did that say about the doctors, nurses, residents and med students who dealt with the pandemic? What would that mean for Robby's ability to keep his head buried in the sand, a metaphorical ostrich nevertheless visibly tall like one?
Nothing good, that was for sure. But with Javadi and Whitaker, the aftermath of PittFest appeared almost entirely positive. Robby believed Whitaker and Santos might be dating, which had him a bit nostalgic yet nevertheless sharing knowing glances with Collins when the two bickered, although Santos was also still shamelessly flirting with the surgical resident, who was still extremely angry about Frank's departure from PTMC. Which, according to the rumor mill, was supposedly also related to the trauma of the PittFest shooting, that Frank Langdon was working on his mental health. Surgical residents had a poor view of mental health, and Robby knew Garcia had been fond of Langdon. Hell, Robby had been fond of Langdon. He was just relieved Garcia had no idea why Langdon was actually on leave. Or so Dr. Robby thought, unaware what the resident knew, why she was so intensely angry with Trinity Santos when the two had been a house on fire close that first shift before... before.
Dr. Mohan, meanwhile, was a wreck after. She still attended to her patients, now more often at a speed Robby would feel hypocritical criticizing, but she was not taking much care of herself. She said she saw blood bags and tubing in her sleep sometimes, had what appeared to be a flashback treating a GSW and had to take a break. Luckily McKay had caught onto what was happening because Robby was unsure he would recognize a panicking Mohan. Didn't know what that looked like. Robby also didn't know how to treat flashbacks so Collins, in the break room, helped Mohan through it, the two eventually even laughing together before taking on Chairs. Robby would never know they had been laughing by mocking him, that that had been how Mohan was broken out of her flashback, having to explain to a more empathetic Collins just how utterly insane Robby’s treatment of his ex's son's girlfriend had been that night. Robby wouldn't want to know about that, anyway.
Robby was lighter on Dr. Mohan for the rest of that shift, unsure what to do with someone who was almost openly suffering from similar shit to what Robby was, but had the ability to obtain comfort Robby couldn't (and didn't deserve anyway). He tried not to take that frustration out on the patients or med students, which meant Santos got the brunt of Robby's frustration. Little did he know he would be sending her too into a flashback, this time one entirely unrelated to their hospital.
It was subtle, just as Santos' reaction of Langdon's anger had been. Her eyes were frozen, barely blinking, and she lined the medical supplies up just to have something to do with her hands.
"I just-"
"You just what? You think you can get rid of my best resident and then immediately replace him?! You are a intern! You need to follow hospital hierarchy or else -"
Robby inhaled, guilt immediately stabbing him at the low blow he had provided mentioning Frank. "Do you know why we require medical students and interns to run their treatment plans by more experienced providers?"
"Yes, but"
"If you know -"
"Dr. Robby! We have a relative in the viewing room for _____" Donnie named a patient who had died earlier in the shift. Robby sighed, told Princess "just - deal with her, please." And attended to the business of being an attending physician.
Trinity was fine. She had to be. Dr. Robby was a volatile man, Dr. Santos was a bitch, the two were guarenteed to cause an explosion eventually. Honestly, Santos was surprised it took so long. Robby didn't notice the change in demeanor Santos had around him, and it would wear off soon anyway. Being hypervigiliant an an emergency department was a weakness, not a strength. Dr. Santos was an authority here. She requested the night shift for her next rotation.