Another day.

INT. GREY SLOAN MEMORIAL – HALLWAY – DAY

Jo moves quickly down the hall, phone in one hand, patient chart tucked under her arm.
Focused. Capable. Running on momentum.

Carina DeLuca steps out of a nearby room. They nearly collide.

CARINA
Oh — sorry.

JO
(smiles)
That one’s on me.

They fall into step together for a few paces.

CARINA
I heard Link is almost out.

JO
A few more days.

CARINA
Good.

A beat. Then — professional, easy.

CARINA (CONT’D)
I texted you earlier. 
Were we still on for your ultrasound this morning?

Jo keeps walking.
Half a step ahead.
Then it lands.

She stops.
Turns back slightly, blinking — not panicked, just caught.

JO
The—
Oh my god.

She looks at Carina now. Fully.

JO (CONT’D)
I completely forgot. 

She doesn’t dress it up. Doesn’t joke.
Just the truth.

Carina doesn’t judge. Carina checks the clock on the wall — instinctive.

CARINA
It was at nine.

JO
That completely slipped my mind.

Carina studies her — gently, clinically, human.

CARINA
No worries, we’ll reschedule. 

JO (CONT’D)
Could we… move it to tomorrow at the same time?

Carina looks at her phone calendar.

CARINA
Tomorrow at nine works for me.

Jo exhales.

JO
Thank you.
Don’t tell Link I forgot.

Carina looks at her for half a second before nodding.

They stand there a moment longer than necessary.

Carina tilts her head, gently.

CARINA
You’ve been moving very fast lately.

Jo smiles — small, tired. Not defensive.

JO
There’s been a lot to juggle.
With Link coming home. The twins on the way.
 
CARINA
I know.
(pauses)
But you’re carrying those twins.

That lands differently.

Jo doesn’t answer right away.

CARINA (CONT’D)
You don’t have to stop.
Just… slow down a little.

Jo exhales. A hand briefly touches her belly — unconscious.

JO
I’m fine.

Carina nods — accepts it without argument.

CARINA
I believe you.
(smiles softly)
I just want you to still be fine in a few weeks.

A beat.

JO
Yeah.

CARINA
Survival mode doesn’t switch off on command.

Jo meets her eyes. That’s the truth.

JO
It should.

CARINA
(smiles, kind)
It doesn’t.

Another beat.

CARINA (CONTINUOUS)
I’ll see you tomorrow. 

JO
Thank you.

Carina squeezes her arm once, then heads down the hall.

Jo takes a few steps.
Then slows.
She looks down at her phone.
Scrolls.
The appointment is there.
9:00 AM.
MISSED.

Jo closes her eyes.
Just for a second.
Not panic.
Not guilt.
Recognition.
She exhales. Straightens.
Keeps walking.

FADE OUT.