Hi all, It's been a while, I know I still have Familiar Creature to update and I will get there but lately I've been missing Miriam like crazy, I can only find one episode on Youtube with her and I absolutely loved her character. So here we are and I should warn you all, I'm a major shipper of her and Dylan, you have been warned…enjoy xx

…

The Human Touch

Dylan/Miriam

Chapter 1

…

Holby ED was a lot busier than normal for a Thursday night as Miriam Turner walked though the doors. She stood in the middle of the emergency room as she scanned the faces of the people around her, some familiar, some not. She looked over at reception to see a young woman at the desk, as she walked up she offered a small smile to the young woman.

"Yes…can I help you?"

"I'm sure you can…Louise, I'm Miriam Turner."

"Are you, that's nice. What seems to be your problem?"

"Oh no, I'm not here to be seen by a doctor."

"Well this is an emergency room, a lot of sick people around so if there's nothing wrong with you then you…"

"I'm a doctor."

"We're not expecting any new doctors. Mrs Beauchamp would have said."

"I'm not here to work."

"Well then I really don't see why…."

"What seems to be the trouble Louise? That waiting room is getting bigger by the second?"

"Sorry Mrs Beauchamp but this woman won't…"

"Miriam Turner…Doctor Miriam Turner."

Miriam offered her hand to Connie who just gave her a cold stare.

"Well Doctor Turner, I'm not sure why you're here. We don't have any new doctors starting, I'm sure Guy Self would have informed me immediately."

"You don't understand I…."

"Miriam…"

Miriam looked up when she heard the familiar voice and looked over Connie's shoulder to see Zoe walking towards her, wrapping the older woman in a hug.

"How are you?"

"Hello Zoe, I'm very well thank you. How are you?"

"Can't complain, listen thanks for coming on such short notice I…"

"Hang on, you called her. Dr Hanna we don't need another doctor on staff we…"

"No Connie, sorry she's not here to work. I asked her here to check on Dylan."

"Oh."

"Look, can we go to your office."

Connie signalled for the two women to follow her as Louise rolled her eyes before returning to her duties. Once in Connie's office, Zoe and Miriam took a seat across from Connie, her stern expression unnerving Miriam a little.

"So, you're the new boss then." She said, trying to lighten the mood.

"That's right, you worked here before then?"

"I did, back when Nicky was in charge."

Connie turned her head to Zoe looking confused.

"Nick Jordan."

"Oh, of course…well, you said you asked Dr Turner here to discuss Dylan."

"Yes, look you know how Dylan's been lately, his rituals. I think the death of three patients really shook him up and then his father showing up."

"Brian was here?" Miriam said, worry in her voice.

"Yes, a few weeks back."

"I see."

"What?" Zoe inquired.

"Did you meet him?"

"I did."

"What did you make of him?"

"He was…well, he wasn't a very nice man."

"That's an understatement…that man doesn't know what the word father means. He was never there for Dylan growing up, sleeping with any woman who would have him. Dylan and his mother deserved so much more than that dreadful man."

"Dylan told you about him."

"Of course."

"I'm sorry if we sound surprised by that Dr Turner."

"Miriam please."

"Miriam, it's just that Dr Keogh has never really been one to open up about his private life or feelings in general."

"Yes well, Dylan and I…we go back a long way, I was his mentor when he was just out of medical school. He worked with me for almost 6 years before he got a job at another hospital, we always kept in touch."

"How touching, well he is busy with patients but if you don't get in the way then of course feel free to get reacquainted."

Connie was on her feet and opening the door to excuse the two women, Miriam nodded her thanks as she followed Zoe out of the office, the door slamming behind them.

"Well, she's a happy thing isn't she?" Miriam smiled to Zoe.

"She's not that I promise, you just have to get to know her…it does take a while, voice of experience talking here. Come on, we'll go and find Dylan."

…

They went from cubicle to cubicle as they searched for Dylan, Zoe pulled back the curtain to the cubicle at the end to find Lofty cleaning up a young girls hand.

"Lofty, you haven't seen Dylan have you."

"He's just finished stitching up Sophie's cut, I was just cleaning it up. I think he went to the break room."

"Thanks, oh sorry…Lofty this is Dr Miriam Turner, Miriam this is Lofty."

"Hello, nice to meet you. That's an unusual name." she smiled.

"It's actually Ben, Lofty's just a nickname."

"Well, it's lovely to meet you…Ben."

"You too." He smiled, before returning to his patient.

"He seems like a lovely young man."

"He is, a bit clumsy sometimes but, his hearts in the right place."

They arrived at the break room a few minutes later to see Dylan standing by the sink, staring down at his hands.

"What's he holding?" Miriam asked, as they peered through the window.

"It's some sort of charm thingy, he has it in his head that nothing bad can happen if he has that with him."

"Are you serious, that doesn't sound like the Dylan I know."

"He isn't the Dylan you know, he hasn't been the Dylan we all know for some time…this is why I called you. He refuses to see a psychiatrist, says he doesn't need help that there's nothing wrong with him. We've all tried talking to him but he just won't listen, Connie is this close to firing him…that's why I called you."

"Your last chance."

"Dylan's last chance, Connie doesn't want to fire him, really she doesn't but, we can't go on covering for him. He's putting patients' lives at potential risk."

"I'll talk to him, try not to worry. I'll certainly do my best."

"Thank you, page me if you need me okay."

"Sure."

Miriam waited for Zoe to leave; she stood watching Dylan for a few moments before she slowly opened the door. Dylan barely moved when she entered, nothing seemed to register with him until she spoke.

"Dylan…."

"Zoe I already told you I…."

He stopped and his eyes went wide when he saw his mentor, his friend…the woman he had secretly held feelings for, for so long standing in front of him, concern all over her face.

"Miriam…"

"Hello Dylan."

She slowly walked up to him, he went rigid as he allowed her to wrap her arms around him and hold him, he was suddenly aware of his head coming to rest on her shoulder as his arm found it's way around her waist, pulling her close to him.

"It's alright Dylan….I'm here now…I'm here."

…

To Be Continued…