Dennis, who faked his death just after finishing pre-med school so that he could go to actual med school.
His relatives didnât want him to go, would have forced him to stay. He did what he had to do- took the first opportunity and went missing during a storm, made it seem like he got washed away in a flooded river.
7 years later Dennisâs doing his MS4 rounds in The Pitt.
Meanwhile, his relatives try to get Dennis officially declared dead.
Except, Dennisâs social security number has been used recently. Dennis has active bank accounts (regardless of how little is in them). Dennis has active IDs.
Itâs not long after that Whitakerâs relatives show up at The Pitt. One of his brothers pretends to be a patient- back pain after a slip and fall, visiting the city to see a family member.
Trinity is suspicious- same last name as Huckleberry, âvisiting a family memberâ, and the manâs back pain doesnât seem to be all that heâs making it out to be.
But while McKay seems to be picking up at least a little on the vibe, Victoria does not. And mentions that one of their coworkers has the same last name.
An odd pause and glance between the man and his mother, then a laugh about what a coincidence it must be. Trinity grows more suspicious, decides to warn Huckleberry as soon as she can.
Not that she gets the chance.
Just then, Dennis walks past the open door on his way to another patient. The woman calls out. Dennis freezes. Turns. Stares.
Then bolts just as the man makes to get up. Dennis makes it all the way across the ER, right to the charge desk where Robby stands talking to Jack (whoâd come in on his day off to bring Robby lunch).
Dennis ducks behind the pair just as his brother and mother appear, shouting for Dennis to âget his ass back hereâ and âget what he deservesâ.
Jack squares up while Robby is still processing the feeling of Whitakerâs shaking fists clutching the back of Robbyâs jacket. Robby can feel Whitaker shivering behind him, tiny hiccups and sobs breaking through.
It really pisses Robby off.
Hospital security escorts Whitakerâs ârelativesâ out of the hospital, his âbrotherâ more roughed up than he had been previously, thanks to Jack. His mother was screaming the entire time- harsh, cruel words, meant to bite, meant to make Dennis bleed.
Dennis, for his part, says nothing. Just keeps his head buried in Robbyâs back, shaking in fear, in disbelief.
Dennis ends up squished between Robby and Jack on the break room couch, a cup of hot chocolate made from Mateoâs stash pressed between his palms.
He focuses on the warmth of his drink, the rumble of Jack and Robbyâs conversation, their steady breathing.
Slowly, Dennis calms. Settles into the comfort.
Itâs the safest heâs ever felt.