Title: "Uncertain"
Rating 'K+', liable to change to 'T'
Genre: Romance and Family/Friendship.
Summary: Zoe's torn. Torn between two men. Both handsome, both rich. Who will win her heart and who will go home empty handed? It includes my own characters also.
Authors Notes: I have decided to write another story, this time including a couple of my own made up characters. The fanfic of course involves Zoe and Nick as they are my all time favourite couple in Casualty. I've had the idea for this story for a while but only now have I actually decided to write it. I'd love to know your thoughts on this so please give a review, whether good or bad. As always, any mistakes are my own. Enjoy!
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It was unusual. Not the fact that everyone was gathered together at the pub opposite the hospital. That was a regular occurrence, normally the result of a shift in the ED, whether good or bad. No, this was different Zoe thought to herself.
Earlier in the day, their clinical lead had summoned them to the staff room and requested that they all make an appearance in pub at 6pm. Not surprisingly, a few confused and disconcerted looks were thrown around the room, trying to determine what the meet up was about. Zoe had noticed the young paediatric doctor, Tom Kent, and his partner Sam Nicholls, a CT3 doctor exchanging shifty glances at each other. Zoe was certain that whatever was going on was involving these two individuals.
So now, here they all were, sat around a rather large table with many different assortments of drinks covering it. Zoe had already had three; it had been a long shift and the alcohol had gone down a treat in taking away some of her fatigue that had increased over the course of the day. Next to her sat Tess who unlike Zoe was pacing herself, with a small glass of sparkling water of which she took sips of occasionally. Zoe could see Tess glancing sideways every so often and it was obvious that she wanted to say something.
"Do you know what this is all about?" queried Tess, looking inquisitively at her younger colleague. Zoe raised an eyebrow and bit her tongue as she tried to fathom why they were there. Her thoughts were then interrupted when their clinical lead, Nick Jordan, came striding in through the open pub door. It wasn't normally open but it was humid night and the fresh breeze from the outside really cooled the place down, much to everyone's relief.
"We might find out soon enough" stated Zoe, pointing towards Nick who was walking up to the bar. He fished in his coat pocket for his wallet in which he proceeded to pull out four £50 notes. The bar tender came over to him and let out a long heavy breath when he saw how much this customer was putting behind the bar as a tab. Once the bar tender had hurried to off to get Nick a drink, Nick turned his head and caught Zoe's eye. He smiled slowly towards her. Zoe smiled back and got out of her seat with her drink to join her boss at the bar. She leant on the bar next to him and began sipping her vodka and lemonade slowly.
"You want to go easy on those!" said Nick, gesturing down towards her almost empty glass. Zoe shrugged and gulped the rest of it down.
"Nah, I've got painkillers to sort out any hangover!" responded Zoe, brushing off Nick's comment. "Barman?" she said, shouting over to the young lad who was still busy getting to grips with pouring Nick a drink.
"How many have you had?"
"What are you, the alcohol police?" giggled Zoe, already starting to get a little merry. It didn't take much in all honesty. "I see you've put a tab behind the bar. Do you mind if I make use of it?" Nick shrugged, knowing that Zoe would just ignore him if he insisted she didn't drink anymore. She was extremely stubborn. He'd learnt that from their relationship previously. It had ended a couple of years back but they were still close and cared for each other. The barman sauntered back over with Nick's whiskey and then took Zoe's order which yet vodka based drink, this time filtered down with coca cola. "So, whats all this for?" continued Zoe, staring intently at Nick over her drink.
"Why do you assume that I know?" challenge Nick, a small smile tugging faintly at his lips. Zoe raised an eyebrow towards him, deducing that Nick was just being awkward in not answering her question straight out.
"Well you were the one that called the meeting. Pardon me for presuming that you had something important to tell us all" scoffed Zoe with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Not this time, I'm just the messenger" informed Nick, turning to walk over to a table. Zoe seized hold of Nick's arm and stopped him from striding off in the other direction "Zoe, what are you doing?" Nick's voice sounded a little agitated.
"If it's not you then who has news?" Zoe persisted. Nick sighed and came closer over to Zoe.
"Tom. He's leaving" Nick said, finally relenting. Zoe's jaw dropped slightly. Even though people always came and went from the ED, Zoe was especially shocked with Tom's decision to depart Holby City hospital. She always thought he seemed so settled here and it wasn't long ago that he and Sam had bought an apartment on the other side of town.
"I didn't see that coming"
"No, neither did I. He only spoke to me about it yesterday"
"What about Sam?" added Zoe, curious to know whether his partner would be staying or leaving.
"I don't know. He didn't say anything else. He'll be here to explain all soon I expect" said Nick. Sure enough, Tom and Sam walked through the door at that very moment. They both looked quite solemn as they made their way over to the main table. Sam took a seat at the table but Tom remained standing. He looked over towards were Nick was standing, presumably hoping for a reassuring look from his boss. Nick did just that and nodded over towards him. Tom grabbed a glass from the table and drumming his finger nails on the side in an effort to silence the talkative bunch of people, mainly the staff from the ED.
"Excuse me everyone. Can I just have your attention for a minute" Tom called as the noise in the room lowered to just a few whispers. He coughed once before talking again. It was more of a nervous cough and Sam knew this. She raised her arm and brushed her hand over his arm, trying to make him a little more relaxed. He looked down at her and gave her a weak smile. "Firstly, thank you all for coming and for Mr Jordan for spreading the word. I'm sure you are wondering why you have all been asked here" Tom paused for a moment took look at everyone around him. As expected, they all had baffled expressions on their faces although he could see a few of them were starting to realise what this was all about. "I've been offered a place at a specialist paediatric unit down south. It was a difficult decision to make but I thought that the job would be a too good an opportunity to miss. Dr Nicholls will also be accompanying me with the move" Tom looked down towards Sam whose head was downcast. He knew how difficult it had been for Sam to agree to move away with him. She adored her job here and had made many close friends.
"When are you planning to leave?" inquired Charlie. He was fond of the two young doctors but he knew that they had to do what was right for them. It sounded like a great opportunity for Tom.
"I start almost immediately. What I mean to say is that this is our last day working at Holby City hospital" Tom's voice seemed laced with sadness and it was clear to everyone that he was trying hard not to get emotional. Sam on the other hand had a few tears trickling down her cheeks and she tried desperately to wipe them quickly away.
"Let's raise a glass to Sam and Tom" called Nick, noticing that a silence had fallen across the pub. It was understandable. Everyone was in shock. Even he hadn't envisaged that they'd be leaving so soon.
"To Sam and Tom" everyone chorused, raising their drinks into the direction of their two colleagues. Tom smiled and nodded politely. He then took his seat and put an arm around his girlfriend whose eyes were still brimming with tears.
Nick sighed as he continued to sip his drink, instantly wondering if he should follow Zoe's lead and have a few drinks.
"We are going to lose two doctors. Us two will be the only two consultants in the ED apart from Dr Adams but he's only in one day a week" said Zoe. She hadn't meant to say all that out loud but she knew Nick was thinking exactly the same thing.
"I suppose I'm just going to have to get some locums in until I can conduct interviews for a couple of permanent posts" concluded Nick. He was about to continue when Sam came wandering over. Her eyes were a little red from crying but neither Nick or Zoe were intending to point that out.
"You two look very cosy over here! Anything I should know?" said Sam giving both Zoe and Nick a cheeky smile. Nick's cheeks began to blush a bright shade of red but Zoe just laughed her Sam's comment.
"Nope, we were just discussing how we are going to fill you and Tom's jobs" Zoe said honestly as Sam nodded, suddenly feeling a little guilty knowing all the extra work they were giving Nick and Zoe.
"Sorry" answered Sam gingerly. Zoe's eyes widened and she immediately hooked her arm through Sam's.
"I didn't mean to make you feel guilty. We are happy for you!" Zoe said reassuringly, rubbing Sam's arm.
"Your happy about it aren't you?" questioned Nick, suddenly wondering whether Sam's tears were just because she was leaving close friends. He knew Tom had a new job but what about Sam? Did she have a permanent position at another hospital?
"Of course Mr Jordan, Tom's so happy about it and if he's happy then so am I"
"Call me Nick, please!" insisted Nick. He didn't any point in keeping up with formalities if Sam was no longer going to be working under him. "Have you got anything lined up?"
At this comment, Sam shrugged. "I've applied for a few places but we'll just have to wait and see"
"You'll find something" promised Zoe "Any hospital would be mad not to take you on!" A few more tears slipped down Sam's cheek. She didn't realise how much she'd miss her colleagues. Nick, Zoe, Tess, Fletch, to name a few. Holby was a very special place to her. "Anyway, let's make the most of the free bar! Nick's paying" Zoe winked across towards Nick who just rolled his eyes.
"Well, in that case!" smirked Sam, wiping away the last tear that had fallen. She pounded her hand on the bar and another bar tender came walking over. "What are you having?" Sam pointed towards Zoe's drink.
"Vodka and coke"
"Right, I'll have a vodka and coke for myself and a pint of beer please" Sam requested. She decided to order Tom another drink as well as she noticed that his pint glass was practically empty of beer. "Nick, do you want another?"
"I'd better not" admitted Nick looking into his glass. As much as he wanted one, he figured he'd probably have a busy day tomorrow. It was better to have a clear head he decided. He looked at Sam who was giving him puppy dog eyes. On the other hand, he didn't want to be a spoil sport either.
"Oh, go on then! One more won't hurt" Nick relented. Sam grinned and patted Nick on the back. It felt odd to be so relaxed around her boss but she knew Nick wouldn't mind. Sam looked over her shoulder towards Tom and noticed that he was having a break in conversation with everyone so she decided to go over and join him.
"I'll go and see Tom. Thanks for the drinks Nick" nodded Sam, balancing the drinks she'd ordered on a tray.
"My pleasure" Nick said as Sam headed over towards her other half. Nick was very fond of Sam. She was a lovely young woman and an excellent doctor. He was sad to let her go but he wasn't about to stop her.
"So, who have you got in mind for a locum?" asked Zoe once Sam had gone.
"There's a couple of people I can call in but I'll probably just see about calling one of them in. See how we get on" remarked Nick. He rubbed his temples with his index and middle fingers. He could feel a headache coming on, no doubt from the stress of having to try and find extra doctors. Zoe gave him a sympathetic look, understanding the increased pressure he was now under.
"I'm here to help" Zoe guaranteed "Anything you need"
Nick smiled towards his colleague, grateful for her continued support. In all honestly, he sometimes forgot that he was the clinical lead as Zoe often helped him out with a lot of his workload. He saw her as an equal, he had done ever since they were together.
"I knew I could rely on you Zo" Nick said, taking another sip of his drink. He then put it down on the bar again, unsure of whether he wanted to be drinking any more. He didn't think having more alcohol would aid in getting rid of his headache. "I think I'm going to head off home"
"Aren't you going to stay for a little while longer?" exclaimed Zoe, slightly shocked and a little disappointed that Nick wanted to leave. She also wondered why she was shocked as it wanted the usual for Nick to come and have a drink after work, even if it were a more special occasion.
"No, I think an early night will do me good" smiled Nick, pushing himself away from the bar. He straightened out the scarf that was draped around his neck and brushed his dark jacket down. Zoe tried to hide a little smile as she watched Nick smarten himself up. That was one thing she really admired. His pride in his appearance. Sam and Tom saw him getting ready to go and they quickly hurried over, anxious that he didn't leave without them saying goodbye.
"You trying to get away early?" laughed Tom.
"You don't mind do you?" asked Nick, widening his eyes.
"Of course we don't. Thank you for coming and thank you for everything you've done for Sam and I" said Tom, holding out his hand for Nick to shake. Nick wasn't really sure what to say in return so he just accepted Tom's gesture and shook his hand.
"Good luck with everything here" added Sam. She was unsure whether to hug Nick but it was Nick moved forward to pull her into a hug.
"Thank you. I'll have Zoe to help me out, as long as she doesn't have a hangover! " replied Nick, nudging Zoe's arm gently. "Anyway, I'll be off. Bye everyone" Nick raised his head at this last statement in order to attract everyone's attention. Most turned around and lifted their glasses towards him in which he nodded in response to. Once Nick had left, Sam took up his place at the bar next to Zoe. Zoe looked towards her and Sam raised an eyebrow. She had a glint in her eye and Zoe knew exactly what Sam was about to ask her.
"So, you and Nick?" grinned Sam.
"Sam, there isn't anything going on. We are just friends" insisted Zoe. Even though this was the truth, she was fully aware that Sam probably wouldn't let it go.
"Very close friends it seems"
"What do you expect. We were together once Sam" said Zoe. Sam thought about Zoe's last statement and realised it did sound a reasonable response.
"Sorry Zo, I didn't mean to intrude"
"Nah, it doesn't matter. Anyway, let's change the subject shall we? Quickly!" laughed Zoe, as Sam nodded. The conversation she had just had with Sam had given her food for thought though. She did seem to getting a little closer to Nick. She had noticed this in recent weeks. Although they were closer, Zoe was unsure if it meant they could have another relationship together again. It wasn't that she didn't want to but she felt they worked better as friends. It seemed easier this way.
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Wow, that was an extremely long first chapter. I apologize if it seemed a little boring but this chapter was crucial into the setting up of the main story. In the next chapter, you will see my own made up character introduced into the story. Anyway, please give a review on this story to see whether I should carry it on. Thank you for reading!
X Natasha X