I'm back! A big thank you to everyone who has reviewed my stories; I can't believe I haven't written since last November! But I'm back now, and hopefully I will be writing a lot more. This piece includes a female/female relationship theme so if that's not your sort of thing, now's the time to leave! I haven't tried this pairing before, but I hope you like it as much as I do. Just to let you know that this chapter is written from Jac's point of view. Thank you! Amy x

When Love Takes Over

Chapter One

If I had been forced to work alongside Connie Beauchamp a mere few months ago, I would have recoiled in horror. I'd have attempted train spotting if it meant avoiding the wrath of the appropriately-dubbed 'Ice Queen.' I admit I was completely amazed when she began throwing the odd compliment in my direction. I was even more amazed to discover that I enjoyed being praised by her. I mean, everyone loves a bit of recognition, right? But for some reason, there was something remarkably different about the feeling of appreciation when Connie was responsible for it.

I can't deny the fact that I have a great deal of respect for Mrs Beauchamp. Okay, so there's no chance of her winning any awards for friendliness or subtlety, but in a strange way I like that about her. Her confident demeanour and quick wit are definitely winning traits. She never shies away from speaking her mind, something which would result in trouble for any other member of the team, but not Connie. No one would dare to cross her, unless they had a death wish.

When I heard that the bold, brassy brunette had been teamed up with me for the day, I started to believe that I must have a death wish myself. Especially when it transpired that she had actually requested to work with me! I can't deny I was practically paralysed with fear when that was revealed. It's an unusual thing, the power that Connie has over mere mortals such as us registrars. Being in her presence is the definition of a numinous experience.

I think it's safe to say that she and myself have established an excellent rapport, as well as a sort of mutual respect. I believe we have some form of bond, only work related though. Nothing where personal matters or emotion are concerned, neither of us bring our home lives to work. I've always believed that your personal opinions and feelings should be kept distant from your job. Although I can't help but wish that Connie didn't follow those rules so strictly. Everyone seems to know everyone's business in the hospital, in fact I'm sure I could reel off a fact about each one of my colleagues off the top of my head, but not Mrs Beauchamp. There's something highly attractive about her element of mystery. That's not to say I wouldn't jump at the chance to discover more about her.

Sure it's possible for work relationships to reinvent themselves as personal ones. I've experienced that first hand, not that it worked out to be beneficial for me. In every relationship I have ever been a part of, the most important factor is that the partnership must be beneficial to me in some way. Especially for my career. There is always a connection though, preferably a professional rather than intimate one. Intimate relationships have never worked for me. I'm sure they're great for certain people, I'm just not one of them. I'm independent, I work alone, I don't need anyone else holding me back. I've tried to make a relationship work but to be honest, I'm not sure I know how. Apparently you have to put effort into a partnership, "work at it." I clearly haven't met the right person, someone who I'd be willing to make an effort to love, to change my independent ways for, to cherish.

Joseph Byrne. The prime example of what happens when I try to participate in a relationship. I fell in love with the excitement, the adrenaline rush, lust. But not Joseph. I wasn't interested in settling down like he was. All I was interested in was the effects that sleeping with the boss would have on my career. I guess I just tried to have my cake and eat it, sleeping with both father and son! I'll try anything if it means boosting my career. It definitely wasn't the brightest idea I've ever conjured up, but the thrill of the chase was probably worth the end result. Okay so sleeping with some old guy probably doesn't sound like anyone else's idea of a thrill, but it was just sex. It meant nothing, less than nothing in fact. No it wasn't enjoyable, but it got me where it wanted to be, for a little while at least. I'm not denying it was exciting having two rich, well-respected gentlemen lusting after me, it's not every day that happens to someone like me. Connie, on the other hand, the majority of the hospital worships the ground she walks upon. Possibly not for the same reasons as myself.

I know I'm often heard saying that I like a challenge. Sure, if there's a medical conundrum, I'm first in line to try and solve it. But I can't help but wish some aspects of life were a little less tricky. This emotion known as love for example. I can't be certain that I've ever truly experienced love. I have thought that I have felt loved by someone else, but how do I know? I've definitely never been in love, not in the way that it's described by others or read about in novels. I'm aware of what lust and passion are, more than aware. But love and romance? I'm a total novice. God that scares me, the fact that I can't understand or apply a basic human emotion. To put it simply, I don't understand love. What it is, what it does, how it makes you feel. So many unanswered questions.

The fact that I'm practically clueless when it comes to understanding love makes this situation even harder to fathom. Never mind the fact that the thought of homosexuality hadn't even crossed my mind before this, and now I'm trying to come to terms with the possibility of being bisexual, maybe even homosexual. I feel as if I'm having to choose a category to be a part of. I can't even begin to explain how the realisation first dawned upon me. I don't understand it myself, not in the slightest.

The emotions I'm experiencing appear to be similar, if not identical, to those apparently experienced when someone is "in love." That's the conclusion I have come to anyway, based on my comparisons with romantic novels, those cheesy love songs and other people's accounts, so I could be entirely wrong. Even though I have such little knowledge of love, something tells me that it's possible. I think I'm in love. With Connie Beauchamp.

Thanks for reading! Whether you enjoyed it or not, all reviews are greatly appreciated. Amy x