The first chapter of my first 'Leddi' fanfic. Given recent events in the show and Luc's (hopefuly brief) departure, I thought I would write a few ideas down that have been whirling around my head these past few weeks. It also helps to fill the 'Leddi-less' gap I have been feeling until Luc finally returns. I've never written any fan fiction before however, so apologies if it's not that good!
This is my interpretation of events when Luc returns to Holby after 3 weeks of being AWOL, to meet a team of confused AAU staff and a very upset, angry and fragile Eddi and the consequences his leaving has meant for their already delicate relationship.
Hope I did one of my favourite pairings justice!
Chapter 1 – Fragile
The end of another night shift loomed. Eddi was sat behind the nurses station; head in her hands, messing up her usually neatly styled pixie cut. She was still feeling the devastating effects of the hangover she had been nursing from the previous nights binge. Since Luc left all she wanted to do was forget. Forget everything. Forget him. - His image, his smell, his touch and caress and the intimacy she shared with him that made her feel moments of pure ecstasy. Alcohol helped her to do that. If only for a few inebriated hours anyway.
The clock slowly ticked down the minutes until it finally turned 6am. Eddi breathed a sigh of both relief and exhaustion. Not just because it had been a long and busy shift; typical for a Saturday night, but in the past 3 weeks her body had been subject to countless hangovers and relentless emotional anguish and heartache. She was exhausted both physically and mentally.
As she pushed herself up from the chair using the desk as an added aid to relieve some of her pressure on her aching muscles, a characteristically chirpy Sacha walked in.
"Long night?" he questioned with a smile
"You could say that." Eddi replied wearily.
Sacha's smile quickly dissipated and a furrow formed on his brow. Since Luc's departure he had become very worried about his friend. He was so used to seeing Eddi strong, calm and collected and now she was nothing of her former self. He knew what Luc had done to her. He had left her completely dismantled. Not to mention she was once again losing her battle with alcohol which was bound to be having damaging repercussions internally.
He wanted so badly to help but knew that she wouldn't accept it. Convincing herself that she didn't need anyone's help, or wanted anyone to get involved for that matter. Despite her current state she still managed to keep her emotions bottled up in public. She had barricaded them in with a mixture of work and various other distractions in order for no one to see her inner turmoil.
Despite this though, Sacha could see it, and Eddi knew that.
Sacha placed a hand on Eddi's shoulder.
"You best be heading off home then. That big old bed of yours is waiting." he said comfortingly.
Eddi smiled. Appreciating the fact that Sacha knew where the boundaries were but still remained a constant friendly and comforting presence for her. She knew that if she ever needed someone, he would be there for her. No matter what.
"Thanks Sacha. See you later." she replied with a brief smile before turning and heading out the AAU doors.
After a quick stop at her locker to change into her characteristic turned up skinny jeans, black leather jacket and cotton t-shirt that fitted loosely over her elfish frame she stepped outside into the fresh and crisp morning air. She took a deep breath in - disinfectant now immediately replaced by the damp smell of remaining water on the concrete from a previous rain shower that night. She was not however walking out the entrance of Holby, but up the steps up to the roof.
It had become routine. At the start and end of every shift she could be found there. It was her place. Their place.
She sat down, propping herself up against the metal railings that were cold and wet to the touch. The sunrise was beautiful. Every one of her senses was overwhelmed by the glorious scene that surrounded her: the pastel orange and pink sky dotted with cotton white clouds, the morning bird song that from up on the roof overpowered the noise of the traffic down below and the fresh smell of pollen and dampness that lingered in the air.
She shut her eyes.
For a moment, nothing mattered. Calmness and tranquillity surrounded her.
An empty coke can caught the breeze and rolled across the concrete with a hollow, metal clatter.
Eddi's eyes snapped open and she was suddenly brought back to the devastating reality of the past 3 weeks. Her life was falling apart around her and she didn't know how to stop it. How could she of let this happen?
She fumbled around her her bag for some paracetamol to help take the edge of her hangover. The packet was empty.
"An unwelcome detour on the way home then." She mumbled to herself, exhaling at the same time.
She pulled herself up using the railings and made her way down off the roof and through the hospital. She purposely avoided AAU to reduce the chances of running into anyone she would have to make conversation with. She wasn't in any mood to be social at all.
Walking out of Holby's entrance Eddi noticed how real the surrounding scenery seemed now she was at ground level. The sky looked increasingly gloomy as it became tinged with grey; signalling the approach of more rain. The morning's birdsong was now overpowered with the roar of traffic and industrialisation along with the inane chatter of hospital staff making their way into work for their shift. She couldn't wait to fall into her welcoming and comfortable bed and shut her eyes, feeling the relief of forgetting once more.
She made her way along the front of the building and across the car park. Her eyes fixed on the ground in front of her, watching her step. An ear splitting sound of an approaching ambulance broke her concentration causing her to look up for a brief second.
Eddi stopped dead.
Her eyes widened and her mouth became dry and scratchy like sandpaper. Her heart stopped and then suddenly felt like it was about about to burst through her chest, causing an immense amount of pressure on her ribs. Her legs suddenly felt like jelly and she became even paler than before. It was as if she had seen a ghost.
It was worse.
She had looked up to find Luc's caravan in front of her.