It has only been a few hours after Michael Beauchamp had given Ric Griffin back his post as general consultant at Holby. For both of the Beauchamps, neither hoped this would happen. Their plan was slowly falling apart, bit by bit, much to their disappointment. The front door of the Beauchamp home territory clicked open, and was held open as the Medical Director stepped in, followed by a rather humble husband. Silence. The only thing which dominated the atmosphere. She kicked off her heels, before striding her way into the kitchen. He watched as she did, sensing a feeling of anger within her. He knew she wasn't pleased with the outcome he was forced to conclude with. The complication had almost shattered their plan. Briefly after, he followed her steps into the kitchen, catching sight of her rummaging through their fridge, obvious with the intention of cooking something to eat. Knowing it was ridiculous of them to keep up this silence, he stepped up behind her, causing her to jump as she turned around.

"Connie, come on, we can't go on like this…"

"What else do you want me to do Michael? Ric's done it again, you've made us look like fools again." She hissed, barging her way past him, the fridge door slamming shut.

"And this isn't the end of it Connie…"

"This isn't your own private schoolboy match with Ric Griffin. This is a hospital we're talking about…"

"Look, I've told you before…trust me." he replied, as one of his hands reached for her waist, resting gently against it, before a reassuring smile appeared across his face.

"I've put more than my trust in your hands," she spat back, before pushing him away and disappearing up the stairs, leaving him with the joys of cooking their evening meal, whilst she was upstairs preparing herself for an early night in.

The sweet aromas of his cooking soon lured her back down the stairs and into the kitchen. She had changed into a silk dressing gown of hers, just about covering the night dress she wore underneath. He smirked as he caught a glimpse of her, before serving a decent sized portion of the pasta he had prepared. She perched herself up on the breakfast bar, as he did so, before seating himself beside her. Without a single word, the meal was soon finished. He knew she was livid at him. And there was only usually one cure which relieved her of her fury, and he wasn't one to leave his wife to cool off. Taking the empty plates away from the worktop, he placed them in the sink, before realising Connie had jumped off her stool and was now making her way back upstairs. He reached out for her shoulder, turning her around in a spin. "Connie…" he began, his mind beginning to think out what he was going to say.

"Another plan up your sleeve? Don't bother, it'll only go down the gutter like the rest have…" she snapped, still looking rather annoyed at him.

"No…I just think you need a little TLC, it's been a tough day…" he continued, his hand gently cupping her face. Turning on his charm almost always caught his wife's attention, today was definitely no different.

"And I think your ego needs bursting." she muttered back, pushing him away and heading upstairs to their bedroom. Sighing with failure to grab his wife's best interests, he washed up and flicked off the lights, before heading in Connie's footsteps up to their room. She was already rolled over on her side when he slipped into bed beside her. He knew that she wasn't sleeping. She was thinking to herself, and nothing more. Deciding that leaving her alone was the best option, he turned himself the opposite way, turning off the light as he did, falling into a light slumber, without the slightest bit of doubt for the events that day.

Hour after hour passed, Connie lay motionless in bed, unable to sleep. Anger was more than what was spreading across her face following the former General consultant's outburst in front of the board earlier that week. She was infuriated by his actions. It was because of him that her plan to expand Darwin was temporarily halted. And she knew exactly why. He knew that her trial was to fail miserably and would virtually allow the hospital to collapse before them. And she knew his theory was correct, if it were to continue, her worst fears would be confirmed to happen. Though there was one thing that was obstructing her from halting the plans forever. Her own husband. He was far too interested in building the Beauchamp Empire and retaining his pride and reputation. Nothing was in her power that could stop him and force him to realise that this wasn't physically feasible.

-

Pacing her modern furnished office, she looked up at the clock, residing above her desk. It was time for yet another board meeting, to discuss the current situation further. All part of Michael Beauchamp's plan to receive the funding he wanted for his wife's department. Having discussed their conniving plan a few days before and almost ruling Ric Griffin out of the picture, it was all running very smoothly indeed according to Michael. They had been unsuccessful with their attempts to scupper Mr Griffin's future at the hospital, and now they were running out of options. She slipped on a jacket on top of her blouse, before the notorious sound of her heels clicked their way down the corridor, in the direction of the board room. Taking in a sharp, deep breath, she pushed down on the handle, making her entrance into the room. The whole board sat before her, her other half seated right at the end, at the head of the table by the window. An empty seat was right in front of her, a small card, which bared her name in solid black writing, identifying her seat.

Michael warmly smiled at her, with the hint that he was certain they were going to get what they wanted. Pulling out the chair before seating herself down, her eyes immediately lay upon Zubin Khan, who was sat opposite her. The sight of him a few days before when he let out his pathetic little "Yes" in a victorious manner was one she tried to forget. Beside him sat the infamous Mr Griffin. His eyes also locked upon the brunette. Flashbacks of their first ever encounter in his office flooded back to her. It had been over a year as she remembered it and nothing had come out of it. It was more of a one night stand than the beginning of an illicit affair.

Before Connie knew it, her husband had begun the meeting and commences reeling away at the long list of excuses he had mentally stored in his mind. She remained silent throughout the meeting, only the idea that her latest project was only destined for failure sifted through her head.

-

Time passed, and yet still no outcome was agreed on. It was clear that neither Ric nor Zubin would give up resisting the Beauchamp's plan to completely refurbish Holby. On top of that, Michael was being as persistent as the dynamic duo. All of this was enough to drive anyone, Connie in particular, crazy.

"Halting the trial indefinitely will allow us to see the hospital get back to the routine it is used to." declared Zubin, clearly determined to abolish the intended plans.

"But surely Professor Khan, you want to see Holby provide the best possible care for a patient?" Michael argued back, with a hint of hatred for the Professor in his eyes.

"Of course…"

"Then surely, the expansion of Darwin into a specialist cardiothoracic unit would fulfil such needs. This is why, ladies and gentlemen of the board, we need to continue this trial expansion to prove that Holby is capable of coping and adapting to the new guidelines." Michael recalled, as if he had memorised his little speech and was now reciting it.

"But…" interrupted Ric, with the slightest feeling of frustration, "The past week has proven your idea to completely bring the system to near shut down! Surely, there is only one solution for this. And that should be Professor Khan's proposition"

Michael Beauchamp knew Ric was right, but was still determined to fight for it. However, he had run out of reasons and by now, the board members had probably been converted to think in the opposition's point of view. Realising he had no more luck in the world of winning back his chance, he had no other choice. "All those in favour of abandoning the trial?" he finally announced. Almost immediately, the duo had their hands raised, followed by almost all members of the board. Much to his surprise, Connie also raised her hand gradually, obviously realising the failure this idea was. And with that the meeting was adjourned and Michael was seen to be storming out. The members of the board filed out accordingly, leaving Zubin, Ric and Connie in the room, taking looks at one another, all surprised that Connie had taken the opposite side to Michael Beauchamp. Unable to take anymore of the silence, Zubin swiftly left, leaving Ric and Connie alone, along with the feeling of dèja-vu.