Chapter 1

Connie sat outside the ED hoping the rain would stop so she could make a dash for the entrance. Giving up she climbed out, shutting the door swiftly and running for shelter. Stepping inside her footsteps echoed around the busy reception. She picked up some files from Noel before strutting towards her office and letting herself in.

Rita and Iain were making their way downstairs after dropping Phoebe off at crèche. She was almost 2 and the time had flown by. The parents were enjoying every moment with their daughter that they could. As they walked down the steps Iain wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You're here late tonight aren't you?" Rita sighed as they neared the nurses' station. "Yeah, I won't get out of here until at least midnight… I'll go up and see Phoebe on my lunch." Iain smiled before bending down and kissing Rita. "Love you, better go before Dix murders me." He walked off in the direction of the ambulance bay as Rita begun treating patients.

Ethan was working with the new junior doctor Alicia much to Lily's despise. As the department moved through the day Connie completed paperwork before coming out into the department. Just as she stepped out of her office she received a phone call. Answering it straight away she walked towards the entrance of the hospital to take it outside. She stood under the shelter leaning against the wall further down the building listening to the person on the other end of the phone.

Sam was walking into work that morning with a smile on his face laughing. He rounded the corner to the hospital and stopped opposite the entrance. "I'll see you tonight" he leant forward and gently placed his lips on Emily's before pulling back. "Alright I better get inside, wouldn't want to make the boss angry." Emily laughed before turning around but stopped. "Sam! I love you." He smiled nodding "I'll see you when I get home."

Connie was barely listening to the person on the phone anymore after having gotten distracted by the events unfolding across the road. It had been years since that had been her, but it didn't stop a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach every time she saw them together.

As Sam crossed the road and came towards the department he noticed Connie standing by the wall purposely turning herself to look another way. He was torn between saying something and leaving it but decided it was best to just go straight inside. He'd been back at the hospital for almost 5 months now and was only on a temporary contract.

The shift dragged on with it becoming quieter and quieter as the evening went on. It wasn't even nine o'clock when Connie came out of her office and looked around. She noticed Rita sitting at the nurses' station not doing much and walked over to her. "Everything alright out here?" Rita sat up right and nodded before looking about. "Yeah, Sam and Ethan are treating a couple of patients in cubicles but other than that there's nothing." Connie nodded turning her back to Rita and beginning to walk away but stopped and half turned back. "Go home Nurse Freeman… There's no need for you to stay here all night."

Rita looked over at the clinical lead. She had become frosty again with everyone at work recently. It was worse than when she had first arrived at Holby. Rita and Zoe were the only ones who got to see the other side of Connie when they were out of work. They'd made her promise to still make time for things other than work knowing that she could easily let it consume her again. "Thank you, I'll see you tomorrow night? I assume you're still coming out with us all?"

As Connie retired to her office again she sat down and closed her eyes leaning back. There was a noise from her computer indicating she'd received an email. She opened it to reveal details of the new consultant Guy had decided to have. Reading across she saw his name and smiled. Sam Strachan to become permanent. No new staff required. She was happy that there wouldn't be any new staff coming in, but knew it could be hard for them to work together constantly again.

Sam decided to take a break and headed to the staffroom only to find Connie in there. "Oh sorry, I didn't realise someone was in here." She looked over from the counter and shook her head. "It's fine, I was just getting some water." She smiled faintly at him as he went to his locker taking out his phone. Connie sighed before looking down into the sink when he spoke. "Is something wrong?" She looked up forcing a smile "Course not, everything's fine."

Connie walked for the staffroom door but was stopped by Sam. "Hang on, are you coming out tomorrow evening?" She looked over wanting to say no but knew she had to go, she'd promised Zoe and Rita. Nodding slightly she saw something appear on Sam's face but it quickly disappeared. Before opening the door she decided to tell him the results over his contract. "I had an email earlier, about your job." Sam's attention fell on her once again, a look of desperation on his face. "Seems you made a good impression on Guy, you're here to stay… Well at least until I get fed up of you."

Sam crossed the room not believing he'd got it. Without thinking he hugged Connie smiling but noticed his mistake as he pulled away from her carefully. Neither of them were smiling anymore but just looking at each other before Connie looked away and moved her hand to the door handle again. "Congratulations, I'm sure Emily will be really happy for you…" It was as though that comment annoyed him as he turned around and nodded before quietly answering. "Yeah… Thanks…"

Connie was grateful for the end of the shift. As she left the hospital she noticed Sam walking just ahead of her. Continuing to the car she noticed him looking over at her but he quickly turned back around and walked home. She was dreading the tomorrow night and was trying to think of anything she could to get out of it.