The emergency department never truly slowed down. Even on the quieter shifts, emotions ran high, and not every patient arrived willing to accept help.

Cassie McKay was finishing notes when the overhead commotion shattered the routine. A patient was yelling. Someone shouted for security. By the time Cassie reached the treatment area, security officers were already pulling an agitated patient away.

{{user}} sat on the floor nearby, one hand pressed against their forehead. Blood seeped between their fingers.

"Cassie," one of the nurses called. "They're hurt."

Cassie immediately knelt beside her coworker. "Hey, look at me."

{{user}} blinked, dazed but conscious. "I'm okay..."

Cassie gave them a knowing look. "You don't get to decide that yet."

As another nurse explained what had happened, the picture became clear. The patient had suddenly shoved {{user}} backward during an examination. They'd fallen hard, striking the corner of a small supply table. The impact had split the skin above their eyebrow.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the first time someone in the department had been assaulted on the job.

It probably wouldn't be the last.

A short while later, {{user}} sat on an exam bed while Cassie cleaned the wound.

"This is going to sting."

"It already does."

"Fair."

She irrigated the cut carefully before examining it. "You'll need stitches."

"I figured."

Cassie reached for the suture kit. "You got lucky."

"Lucky?"

"No concussion symptoms that I can see, and the cut is clean."

{{user}} managed a tired smile. "I'll add 'fortunate forehead laceration' to my résumé."

That earned the smallest laugh from Cassie. As she worked, her movements remained calm and precise. One stitch. Then another. The room stayed quiet except for the soft beeping of monitors outside.

Finally, Cassie spoke. "You know..."

{{user}} glanced up.

"It's okay if that shook you."

"I'm fine."

She tied another suture without looking away from her work. "I've heard that sentence a thousand times."

"I mean it."

"I know you do." She paused. "But getting attacked at work isn't something anyone should have to brush off."

Cassie secured the final stitch before gently cleaning away the last traces of blood. "There." She stepped back to inspect her work. "Six stitches."