Return of Mr Jordan

Monday 21st December 2015

Pushing open the double doors the familiar smell of Holby City ED hit him. All the memories flooded back and Nick suddenly regretted staying away for so long now but when he left he knew it was the right thing to do. He needed to break free of all the memories in Holby, the good and the bad. Ironically those memories were one of the main reasons he was back. Dr Zoe Hanna was one memory he just couldn't shake, try as he might. There had been other women since he'd left, he wasn't going to deny that, just as he was sure she would have been involved with other men but they always had something a little bit different when they were together and he had to see her again.

If anyone asked, Nick's reasons for being back in the ED were slightly different, Connie had asked him to come and do some work in an advisory capactiy. She couldn't be all seeing so Nick would be on the floor, looking for ways they could improve the efficiency of the department. He had got in touch with Connie in the hope that she would give him an excuse to come back but he would only admit that to himself.

"Morning Noel", he said walking in to reception.

"Ah, Mr Jordan, we have been expecting you. Follow me through to Connie's office."

They walked the 10 or so paces in silences, not an awkwardness, more there was never much to be said between the two men. On reaching the door Noel knocked and opened the door for Mr Jordan before returning to his duties.

"Well well the wanderer returns", Connie walked to him in a very casual manner but being Connie still maintained an elegance and suave aura.

"Lovely to see you Connie!". He pecked her on the cheek and went to take a seat at her desk.

"Ah, I thought we would get straight to it and get you out on the shop floor. I have organised a locker for you with Max the porter so try to catch up with him at somepoint today."

"Right, Nick I will leave you here" Connie announced as they reached the nurses station. "Any issues I will be in my office."

"Connie, is Zoe in today?" he asked before she walked away.

"She'll be in on a midshift later today." She responded curtly then headed back to her office.

A consultant working a midshift in the week running up to Christmas seemed a little odd, perhaps Zoe is doing a few favours to get Christmas off to head up north to her parents he thought to himself.


The familiar click clack of stilleto heels along the corridor made Nick look up from his clipboard in front of him. Sure enough they were being worn by a beautiful dark haired woman who he knew very well indeed.

"So the rumours are true, Mr Jordan has decided to grace us with his presence?!" she teased as they hugged.

"You look different, have you lost weight?" he stuck his tongue out knowing how much she hates those kinds of comments.

"It's a good job I like you ."

"Coffee at 4pm?"

"Skiving on your first day?"

"I'll just tell Connie you led me astray."

"Alright, catch you later then."

She smiled and looked behind her as she walked away to see her first patient of the day. Not that she could concentrate now. She knew she should have told him about Max, they were married, she was happy but she could never bring herself to tell him. Of course he knew she hadn't been living like a nun since he'd gone but there had never been a right time to tell him she was engaged, then married. And now he was here, the love of her life, the one person who just one look from could send shivers up and down her spine, and she'd agreed to have coffee with him.


"Double espresso and a large latte with an extra shot for the lady." He ordered their coffee as she rolled her eyes at him. They'd opted for the hospital cafe furthest away from the ED so they could actually enjoy their break.

"So how have you been?" she asked as they grabbed a table.

"You know, the tumour hasn't bled out and killed me so mustn't grumble."

"Nick!" His eyes had caught something on her hand as she'd lifted her coffee cup and he reached out for her hand, totally ignoring the fact she'd just scolded him for his comment.

He pulled her hand towards him, his touch giving her butterflies, but also a sense of dread in her stomach.

"You're married?!"

"Nick, I'm sorry I never told you, it was a really low key wedding so we didn't invite many people and it just sort of never came up... When we were chatting it was really just about work stuff and you know how it is..."

They both just sat in silence for a while. Neither really sure what to say. Nick broke the silence with the question she was dreading...

"Do you love him?"

"Of course I do, I married him. He treats me like a princess, he maybe can't give me all the things that ex boyfriends have been able to like presents but he's thoughtful and he cares for me and he makes me happy."

He held her hand again and she didn't pull it away. She knew she should, this kind of thing would never end well for her and she didn't want to hurt Max but she'd missed his touch and she couldn't deny that. She'd missed his scent, the sound of his voice when he's taking charge of resus or whispering in her ear as she fell asleep. She'd just missed him.

"But you've missed me haven't you?"

It was like he'd read her mind. "That's not fair Nick, it's different with Max. What we had was really special to me so of course I've missed you, but as you told me yourself, life goes on."

He let go of her hand but she couldn't bring herself to withdraw it. It was wrong but she wanted his touch and to be close to him.

"So..." He got up and picked up his coffee cup. "When are you taking me to meet this lucky man?"

"You'll meet him, he works in the ED."

"A nurse?"

"Not quite."

"Sounds a bit mysterious."

"He's a porter"

Nick couldn't stifle his laugh but he instantly regretted it when he saw the hurt on her face. "I'm sorry that wasn't fair of me."

"It's ok, I was expecting it" she sighed avoiding his gaze.


Max didn't like him from the moment he clapped eyes on him. It wasn't just Nick that was making him uneasy it was the glow around Zoe. She was happier to see this man than an old friend would be. There was defintely more to this and the hospital gossips were not helping to calm his jitters.

"Max, this is Nick Jordan. I'm sure you remember me mentioning him."

"Pleasure to meet you Nick."

Nick resisted to the urge to correct him and ask to be called Mr Jordan. This man was only a porter but he was Zoe's husband and he knew that he would never win her back by disrespecting that.

"So Max, I believe you are the man I need to see about a locker key?" Max hated his smarmy manner but the look he just got from his wife screamed 'play nice'.

"Walk this way."


For the rest of the shift all Zoe could think about was Nick. She was trying so hard to block him out of her mind but he just kept reappearing. Thankfully he had gone home after the day shift so she didn't have to see him but he was constantly infiltrating her thoughts.

"Ready to go gorgeous?" Max had stuck his head round her office door to find her deep in thought. She forced a smile as she got up to grab her bag and coat, gently pecking him on the lips as she headed to the door.

"I thought I'd cook for us tonight" he suggested. "I saw a recipe online that I wanted to try. I think you'll like it. And I thought I'd pick up some dessert on the way home."

"Sounds perfect, you really do spoil me." He wrapped his arm around her waist as they headed out of the ED and in to the cold December night.


The food was absolutely delicious and she was totally stuffed, lying on the sofa with her back pressed again his chest, his hand resting on her stomach rubbing it gently.

"Shall we go to bed?" he whispered in her ear. She could feel the smile on his lips as they brushed the side of her ear and his growing desire for her pressing against her lower back.

"I think I'm too full for sex" she teased as he bent down to carry her to bed.

"I'm sure we'll find a way" he jokingly reassured her.

She squealed as he threatened to drop her on the bed before gently lowering her down so her bum was just by the edge of the bed and her feet could touch the floor. He leant down over her maintaining eye contact and began slowly pulling her top up. She smiled and giggled to herself as he teased her, licking his lips and gazing at her beauty. In that moment her thoughts drifted to Nick and she chastised herself internally for it. This man loved her, worshipped her and wanted her more than anything in the world.

"What are you thinking?" he asked while lifting her top over her head.

"How lucky I am to have you, now stop asking me silly questions and kiss me. I want you."

He kissed her hungrily, unhooking her bra and placing warm, wet kisses down her neck to her breasts and down her stomach, teasing the waistband of her trousers with his teeth. She panted and groaned as he undid the button and fly of her trousers and pulled them down.

"Max, I need you" she panted. He grinned, loving watching her in this state, hot and sweaty and craving his touch. Getting down on his knees he removed her panties with his teeth and she arched her back in preparation for what was to come.

Lying together with their limbs interwined, naked and sweaty he stared at the beautiful woman who had agreed to be his wife and once again counted his blessings. He knew that things weren't always going to be easy but he was enjoying this moment.

Meanwhile on the other side of the bed his wife was asleep, dreaming of Nick Jordan.