Hi.
I have been a long-time lurker on fanfiction and have read many stories over here. This is my first fanfiction I have written in god knows how many years and my first on this website. It is also my first Holby Fanfiction after only writing Casualty in the past.
Very nervous to be posting this, I was told to go for it by my BETA reader; so if all fails they owe me a bottle of wine or two.
If interest is there, I shall try to update regularly.
Thanks for taking time to read
Daisy x
"Alright?" Zoe smiled as she noticed Ric heading off in the same direction as she was
"Hmm, haven't seen Serena have you?" Ric asked, "I haven't seen her since she was paged to help you lot on ED"
She had asked him to meet her outside the ED and that they would walk back round to AAU together to collect her things; she gave him no explanation as to why she wanted him to meet her here rather than back in AAU, but Ric didn't question it as he knew if he did she'd probably give him some sarcastic response rather than anything truthful.
"Nope, she did say something about Albie's and that I'm welcome to join; I think she went straight there if I am honest"
Ric rolled his eyes, he had not seen her return to AAU to collect her belongings and he had hoped that this was just a quiet drink between himself and Serena tonight and now it seemed it was not going to end that way. Huffing, Ric responded "Ah, well I guess the more the merrier"
"So it's true then?" Zoe noted Ric's tone of displeasure
"What" Ric frowned at Zoe's vagueness, he hated it when people were not straight to the point.
"You two are an item?" Zoe teased, there had been a few rumours in the mill; when had there not been.
"God no, and if Serena hears you say that I think you'll be uninvited"
Both chuckled as they headed off towards Albie's, not saying anything to bide the time; they had worked in the same hospital for years but never rarely spoke to each other outside working hours. They held some professional respect for each other; but they would never go out of their way to socialise. Yet it seems tonight, they would be joined together on the basis that they shared a mutual friend – Serena.
"So you sure there is nothing going on between you two" Zoe smirked trying to kill this agonising and awkward silence.
"Oh, I am sure"
"Your eyes light up the moment you say her name"
"It is just the light" Ric frowned as they both continued on walking off in the direction of Albie's; instead of doing the logical thing and trying to call Serena. Walking up to the underpass of Wyvern wing, they suddenly become distracted be the sounds of sheer terror and forceful thuds.
"You hear that?" Zoe queried as she pulled out her mobile almost second guessing what could be going on.
Cautiously glancing over, Ric screwed his face instantly finding himself on the same wavelength as Zoe, "Hey" he called out, hoping to deter as some sort of distraction and cause a disturbance; that way whoever was in danger knew that help was around.
A scuffling sound happened as the perpetrator realised he had been caught in the act; fumbling around the figure mumbled some distasteful words as he threw her down in the corner, before zipping up his trousers.
Ric watched as the man darted off from the woman who seemed to be in distress, he barged straight into Zoe and then off into the distance, covering his face with his coat. A large part of Ric wanted to chase after this predator, but he held no real desire too; he felt far too old for that sort of thing. He'd rather give a few stern words of caution.
"Oi, watch it moron" Zoe yelled as she repositioned her handbag. "Jeez, some people..." she paused as something dawned on her, she caught a glimpse of his face as he rushed into her. "You know he looked a lot like Dr Di Lucca"
"That is ludicrous" Ric scoffed,
"I've seen those button eyes, can't mistake them as much as he hides his face"
"But he doesn't seem the type to..." Ric trailed off as he peered over to the spot, where he could still hear sounds of distress, the pained sounds seemed familiar and there was something in the way she cowered behind the bins that left him curious as to what had just happened.
She knew the voices, and she could almost tell be the silhouettes as to who had seen her; Tears streamed down her face, the ever headstrong and confident woman suddenly found herself feeling fragile. Her body ached from the force of being pinned up against the cold wall. Her clothes were torn and her skin grazed; a numb feeling lay in her heart and he head pounded as result of it crashing upon the wall.
Her dignity had been stripped away as her legs trembled preventing her from even attempting to move. She had seen the brutality of sex before in the hands of her ex-husband; yet she enjoyed that rough play, it was what their relationship was built upon. However, this was something else and she never felt so humiliated and ashamed. What kind of person had she become, where was her fight; he had completely taken her by surprise and at first she didn't recognise him as his drunken slurs seemed so out of character. It wasn't until he was right up in her face as he pushed his body into hers did she even realise that she knew the man.
All she could do was pathetically attempt to call for help, between the displeasure and painful wails; she almost prayed to be back in the arms of her dead dementia ridden mother's violent outbursts. She would have felt far more comfortable facing that reality, and not a rape victim of some pissed off colleague who had been out drinking for god knows what reason.
She had only took the outside route back to Wyvern Wing, as she had followed Zoe Hanna out as she went for a cigarette; it's how they go talking, it is how Serena invited her to the drinks in Albie's. The cool air felt rather soothing and Serena figured going the outside route would mean she would not bump in to anyone, meaning she would get back to AAU a little quicker; she had no idea that a figure whom had just appeared from the pub opposite the ED was watching her.
Trying to hide as she saw Ric heading over to her, with Zoe trailing a few paces behind; this certainly was the last thing she needed, all she wanted to do was forget about this and slip away into the night. She did not care if she was in her scrubs and they she had none of her personal belongings; she was just going to head home in the darkened evening on foot. Even if she looked like a mad woman, she would have rather have done that than have her colleagues see her in such state.
As he got closer he cautiously approached, his fears were correct, he had thought he had seen her vulnerable side once or twice' but he had never seen this and it even left him feeling startled, her avoidance of admitting weakness was something he always knew but this was different, she was different.
His natural protective instincts kicked in once more as he stood in front of her, trying to maintain some eye contact, yet her eyes kept wondering away from is in a strong act of avoidance.
"Serena who did this…?." Ric spoke firmly, but with comforting tones.
Serena shook her head, she was not going to answer this not in a million years; she couldn't she knew full well that no one would ever believe her. Why would they? Why on earth would they believe he would do such a horrific thing? Up until fairly recently the pair had been friends and she trusted him; he had been there for her through her mother's dementia and they developed an understanding.
It was always a platonic friendship, nothing more and nothing less; a strong rapport and professional respect; however that all ended the day Serena informed him that she would not recommend him for the Consultants position that was opening up on AAU. She just did not think he was quite ready yet, especially as his professional judgement had begun to lapse soon after Harry Tressler's accident, in which he led the operation that drastically went wrong causing his colleague to lose his right leg.
Nevertheless, that would never stand as a reason for this to happen; how could someone be so pathetic to use that as an excuse, furthermore why would this man of a seemingly good nature rape his boss.
"Piss off" Serena pushed him away as he laid a gentle hand upon her arm, rightfully not caring about his feelings she sunk down the wall that had already claimed her body, she just wanted to hide; she didn't want people to visibly see her like this.
"Ric, give us a minute" Zoe sighed as she read the disheartened look upon his face, even if he had not admitted to himself, let alone Serena , it was clear that he held a torch for her and this torch was reciprocated.
Bowing his head Ric walked a few paces away; a real feel of dejection in his heart, he wanted to be the person that Serena opened up to regardless of how dark and scary the subject matter may be he wanted to make it better.
"He cares about you" Zoe spoke softly as she crouched down to Serena's level; she was not going to lie as it was written all over Ric's face; she just needed to ensure that Serena knew it, even if it was just to make her feel less alone.
"He pity's me" Serena sniped, she hated appearing weak, especially to Ric; it is why she never confided in the gory details of her mother's dementia to him as she knew he would just play heroics and treat her as the damsel in distress.
"And I'm clinical lead of the ED" Zoe replied sarcastically, she had not been clinical lead for well over a year since the return of super bitch Connie Beauchamp.
"I don't want him to see me like this"
"He already has, look we both know what has happened here…"
"No" Serena was adamant that nothing of the sort had happened; she knew what Zoe was implying.
"What?" Zoe almost stood in disbelief; she didn't understand why Serena refused to accept that fact that she had clearly been attacked.
"Nothing happened" Serena shrugged, the last thing she wanted was to now appear as if she couldn't cope or handle herself.
"It is your call as to what you do; but I am not letting you go anywhere until you tell me the bastard's name"
"Why does it matter?"
"Because if you won't do anything about it, then let Ric have a moment of thwarted chivalry... I can tell by his face he wants to beat the guy who did this to you up"
"That's so typical of him, I'm sure he'd revel in it" Serena cracked a small smile, before looking Zoe in the eye. "Even if I did tell you, you wouldn't believe me; neither of you would"
"Try me?"
"…. Raf..." Serena croaked, in truth she could not believe it in herself and she felt less convincing saying the name out aloud. "Raf Di Lucca" Serena repeated, this time with so much conviction that she was sure not to be disbelieved.
Zoe's gut instinct was right; she did not even need to questions Serena's answer after all they guy had run straight into her. "I know… we know… the bastard ran in to me…"
Serena's glazed eyes looked up at Zoe in almost relief, at least someone knew; at least someone would back her up if it ever amounted to anything. However, on the flip side the humiliation sunk deeper the vile act had been partially witnessed and they knew the dirty secret that she was going to have to carry around with her forever.
"We should get you looked at" Zoe managed to give Serena's arm a squeeze without her flinching.
"No"
"You think Ric is going to let this be?"
"I'll be fine" Serena sighed, "I just need a large glass of wine and a bath"
"Serena"
In attempt to respond, Serena found herself distracted by Ric's impatient resistance to stay away and she fixed her eyes up at him; she wanted to give him her steely glare; but instead the look of helplessness grew. She couldn't quite understand all the emotions she was feeling, but she knew it felt weak and as much as her mind wanted her to keep up to iron first attitude; her heart was telling her to do otherwise.
"We will support you Serena and he won't get away with it"
"I am not reporting it" Serena remained defiant; in this, she knew her own mind.
"You think I want him on my team" Ric huffed
"Don't make this about you" Serena snapped, "I have to work with him too; I have to look him in the eye knowing that I can't sack him"
"Unless you report him, you got two witnesses here Serena"
"Alright, Ric you mean well; but she knows her own mind, I think you should go" Zoe mean that in the nicest way possible as she stood up and walked a few steps with Ric so they were out of earshot, but only just. "I know you mean well; but you need to stop pressuring her, this is a big deal; and you know she isn't as strong as she makes out let her realise the right thing, in her own time"
"Evidence won't be there by the time that happens"
"That may be, but she will work it out, I'll get her home and I'll have a proper chat with her" Zoe spoke softly, the main priority in this situation was just making sure Serena was safe and felt safe everything else could wait. "If you could get her things from AAU and bring them round to me Car over by the ED, I shall drive her home"
"Look after her, and make sure she stays off the wine"
"Yes Dad" Zoe smirked.
Ric shook his head and headed off to collect Serena's belongings; in truth he felt fairly useless, this incident acted as the catalyst that made him realise more than anything that he held more than just a torch for Serena. It was a flame that burnt for a while and started to roar into a fire, a raging fire that he had no control over.
"Right, let's get you home" Zoe spoke as Serena rubbed her head, an ordeal such as this was not something anyone should have to recover from on their own and Zoe knew that Serena would try to shrug off support, but she was not going to let her colleague feel alone in this. Everyone has their demons and maybe this was a time to share and overcome.