Dominic was sleeping and woke as he turned and felt pain shoot through his side. For a moment he had forgotten he was in hospital, he had forgotten the events of the shift.
Tears ran down his cheek as he recalled the events, as he opened his eyes he noticed a presence in the side room where he had been put to avoid the eyes of other hospital staff. As he focussed he saw Henrik Hanssen sitting there. Hanssen, thankfully, was not looking at Dominic he was looking through the window the other side of the bed as he sat with one leg crossed over the other with his hands resting on his knee.
"What are you doing here?" Dom said in a weak voice.
Henrik switched his attention away from the window to Dom, "Ah Doctor Copeland. I thought you may want some company."
Dom managed a weak smile. Company would be nice, he supposed. He was feeling very sorry for himself and a bit ashamed if he admitted it. He was not sure if he could cope with attention from Zosia and Essie; as well placed as it was he preferred the quiet presence of Mr Hanssen.
"Where's Isaac?" Dom sniffed as he tried to control the tears.
"I've had him escorted from the building, he knows he is not welcome here. Call me your own personal bodyguard." Henrik said in his usual tone. "That was a joke by the way." He did a swift nod.
Dom managed a smile and weak laugh but that was all as everything hurt.
"Um, actually Dr Copeland I have another reason to be here. Doctor March spoke to your mother."
Dom groaned and lifted his head to throw it back to the pillow, "No."
Henrik gave Dom a look as if to say he understood. Nobody would want their parents to see them like this, especially given the circumstances of the injuries. "She had to. She took your phone when." Henrik motioned with his hands as if to signal the events that had occurred. "There were missed calls and messages from your mother. It seems that we are not the only ones that have been worried about you."
Dom lifted his arm to wipe away tears, Henrik passed him a handkerchief from his pocket. Dom accepted it and wiped his tears before covering his eye with his forearm, "Is she coming here?" He whispered.
Henrik gave a nod and Dom sighed. "I thought you might appreciate my presence, a buffer if you will."
Dom looked a little confused. Henrik sought to clarify. "She is going to want answers Dominic." He dipped his head a little. They were both surprised that Henrik had used Dom's first name. That really wasn't his style. He never referred to his staff by their first names, always by their title and surname; the exception was Serena. But he viewed her as a friend as well as a colleague. He ruminated for a moment. That's two for two. He inwardly berated himself for the use of a sporting term but it was true. He had failed two of his staff. Two staff that he should have protected. He felt a great shame that he had not acted sooner in both instances. He pulled himself from his reverie. "As you were injured on duty, in this hospital; I need to shoulder some of the responsibility here."
"But." Dom started.
"No. I should have acted sooner, I should not have allowed things to play out. I should have gone with my instincts regarding Mr Mayfield, not stood back and observed."
"You don't have to do that Mr Hanssen. You know she will be bloody furious right."
"As is her right."
"No I mean she will be." He was going to say pissed but decided against it and went for, "Shouty."
"I gather as much, Dr March explained what you mother may do if she bumps into Mr Mayfield. Obviously I am paraphrasing, but I am sure you can imagine."
Dom waved his hand over his body, "In comparison I would be coming out of this lightly." He laughed a little and Henrik smiled.
Dom did feel better with Mr Hanssen there and wondered why he made so much effort with him a CT2 on Keller. This was not the first time Hanssen had gone above and beyond. There was the time he finished Arthur's ship and they had taken it out to sail it. He had cried that day, literally on Hanssen's shoulder.
"A penny for them Dr Copeland." Henrik asked as he shifted in his seat.
Dom did not know whether to ask, but he feel he needed to know, "Why are you making so much effort with me. You don't have to sit here with me. Even if you are willing to face the rath of my mother you would certainly be aware of her arrival, so why stay?"
Henrik's face contorted a little, Dom could swear that deep down Mr Hanssen was not nearly as icy as his exterior presented. Henrik took a breath. He was fond of the young Doctor and he felt an enormous amount of guilt at allowing this to happen, right under his nose too. "I should have been watching over you Dr Copeland. Call this my penance." He gave a small smile to let Dom know that strictly speaking he did not really see this as a punishment.
There was a knock at the door, a nurse popped her head around the door. "Mrs Copeland is here." They could hear her kicking off on the ward, "Where's my boy? Where's my baby?"
Dom groaned. Henrik held out his hand in a stop signal. "I shall go out to her. Are you ready to see her yet Dr Copeland?"
Dom waved a hand in the air as if to surrender to the inevitable. Hanssen nodded and he silently left the room and closed the door, making his way over to the distressed mother.