DISCLAIMER: I don't own Casualty or any of it's brilliant characters.

A/N: Hello! This is my first Casualty fanfic. After watching the episode last week I just had to write something! Ashamedly I admit that that episode was the first one I'd ever watched, so since then I've been watching any episode I can get my hands on. Hopefully the characters will be 'in character'. I'm not sure I know them quite as well as you all do :) The fic is based on episode 5 and follows on from there. I know most of this chapter is the same as the episode but there will be changes. The question is what would have happened had Ash not let Connie sit in the front seat? Please read and review if you would be so kind. Enjoy :) x

CHAPTER 1

"Right, the map for St. Stephens," Mrs Beauchamp announces as she struts her way into the staffroom of Holby ED and slides the map right under Dr. Hardy's nose. "I want to be on the road in ten minutes."

Looking up from his phone, Ethan glances down at the worn map, a little amused at the idea of using such a traditional method of navigation. "Ah, great, I've actually got sat nav on my," he starts to say, but finds that Mrs Beauchamp has already left the room in a hurry, "... phone."

He smiles awkwardly as Robyn enters the room, a cluster of files clutched to her stomach. "Ohh, you lot get to go off on your jollies. And I get stuck with a burst colostomy bag. It's not even nine o'clock."

Ash grins. "I'd rather deal with the colostomy bag, myself." He turns to smile knowingly at Robyn only to find Mrs Beauchamp standing in her place. She frowns, a hand on her hip. "Need I remind you how important this is?"

It's strange how no one seems to understand what a good opportunity this is, Connie thought. It's a win-win situation. But Ash isn't at all convinced. "Telling a failing hospital how to do it? They're going to love us."

Connie refrains from making a face, now aware of the other two doctors listening to the short, if not rather argumentative, conversation. "Actually, we are sharing our expertise to raise standards across the NHS, which, by the way," a tone of annoyance creeps unbidden into her voice and she places the last file in Ethan's hand, "is a condition for additional funding."

Then she saunters out of the room, wishing she wasn't quite so mithered about the whole situation. All she tries to do is create opportunities for the ED, but at the same time she feels like her staff tries to trip her up at every corner as if they all want her to fail. Perhaps they do? Nobody seems to think that things have changed since she became clinical lead, and yet the difference is massive from her point of view. So, if helping another hospital is seen as inauspicious and divisive, then there really is nothing else for her to do. She knows they all called her 'The Ice Queen'… not that it bothers her too much. Ash rolls his eyes at Ethan and takes a deep breath as he exits the room. "I'll speak when I'm spoken to."

Taking heed of Mrs Beauchamp's words, Ethan collects his things and starts to make sure that he has everything he needs. He still has a good five minutes to spare. Of course it would not do at all to be late; they have a reputation to maintain.

"Wow! They're letting you drive!" Cal comments as he spots his little brother near the Reception. "Obviously in no rush."

"Oh, yes," Ethan replies sarcastically as he flicks through the last file, "I forgot the ability to push an accelerator to the floor is one of the key signs of manliness."

Cal grins. "Remember, our funding depends on this. So let's make sure your little stutter doesn't make a guest appearance, alright?"

Ethan stares at him for a moment, a million replies on the tip of his tongue. And then, deciding that it's best not to end the conversation with cynical remarks and jabs, he walks away. His brother really does infuriate him at times. Actually, he infuriates him all the time. Making his way outside to the car, Ethan buries that thought in the back of his mind and tries to focus on the present situation. Upon opening the door and sitting in the driver's seat, he stares forlornly at the various buttons and switches scattered across the dashboard. It's nothing like his own car, but still he enjoys a challenge.

"Hey! Hey! Watch it!" Lily yelps as Ethan turns on the screen wash, sending water all over the young doctor. He grimaces. "Sorry, so sorry," Ethan apologises. "Just trying to familiarise myself with the, err, doo-dah's."

Lily sighs and takes off her glasses, inspecting the micro-drops of screen-wash that are now scattered across the lenses. It was such a pain to clean them. Ash opens the passenger door and goes to get in, but as he does so Ethan accidentally blasts the horn which makes Ash jump right out of his skin.

"Well, I've got the horn," Ethan confirms, trying to look on the bright side of things. "Sorry."

Ash rolls his eyes and puts on the seatbelt. "He can do a rapid intubation, but a people carrier is beyond him."

Lily smirks from the backseat, polishing her glasses as she watches the conversation progress with slight amusement. They were such kids sometimes.

"Are you going to sit there?" Ethan asks turning to Ash, his eyebrows raised in sudden realisation. "I sort of assumed Mrs Beauchamp would want the front."

"Because she has longer legs?" Ash surmises hopefully. Lily carefully puts on her glasses. "Because, she's the boss."

"I understand the hierarchy," Ash continues with a huff, highly frustrated that such a simple thing as seating arrangements proves so difficult, "but surely this is a question of legroom, and legroom alone."

Ethan smiles, spotting Mrs Beauchamp walking towards them in the wing mirror. "Well, it's a brave man who puts her in the back seat."

Ash frowns, thinking about it, but he doesn't move. He's going to sit in the front seat whether the Wicked Witch likes it or not. Ethan shakes his head as Lily slinks back in her seat, anticipating the conversation about to follow. The clinical lead approaches and comes to a halt beside the passenger door. Ash stares awkwardly at his feet, a sudden sense of dread rising in the pit of his stomach. If looks could kill, he knows he'd be dead by now. Connie frowns for a moment, but if she'd expected the seat to be empty she hides her surprise well. Nobody notices Tess getting in next to Lily, a tray of coffees in her hand. The tension is far too great.

But then much to everyone's surprise, Connie, who decides to leave the matter alone, directs her focus on Ethan. "All set?"

The fact that she isn't creating any fuss shocks him speechless, and he nods in reply. Connie smiles softly before turning away and getting into the back seat behind Tess and Lily, the map still in her hand just in case they should need it. Ash blinks rapidly, not entirely sure what has just happened. Did the Ice Queen just smile?

Ethan grins stupidly, and gets out his phone. "It's got everything the standard Sat Nav has, even the turn-by-turn commands."

"Does it have a mute button?" Connie asks from the back. Ash flashes a look in Ethan's direction, whose determination has faltered slightly. Ethan shrugs. "Err… yes," and then he puts the phone on mute. But if one thing's for certain he's definitely not using that map. He smiles and starts the engine. "Right... Allon-zy!"