THREE OUTCOMES TO AN AUCTION

Following Saturday's episode, this is a one-shot that explores three outcomes that could have happened if Lofty hadn't been too upset to go through with the auction. Sarah is an original character.

OUTCOME ONE:

"Dylan's the winner!" Jack shouted happily, "He gets Lofty to himself for the rest of the night."

Ben – known as Lofty – Chiltern was thrilled. He hadn't known the sometimes irascible doctor cared for him. He didn't want to embarrass Dylan, however, so he tried to keep his voice steady as he thanked everybody and put on his coat.

Jacob was looking miserable. Despite his obvious relationship with Connie, the handsome but conceited Nurse had been eyeing up Jack's new trainee, Sarah. Sarah had turned up her nose at him and started chatting to Cal, Ethan and Dylan. Now Connie had disowned Jacob at least for the night, and he hadn't scored with Sarah either.

Dylan led Lofty through the cold streets, and finally into his houseboat.

"Oh, we're not going out?" Lofty grinned to show how happy he was at this outcome.

"You're not going out. Here's your date for the night. Dervla!"

The old lurcher came running in.

"You, Ben, are going to look after my dog while I show Sarah the joys of a relationship with a man who can hold a decent conversation. She's waiting for me in the Golden Madras. "

He threw a twenty pound note on to the sofa.

"They do a delivery service too so you get a good dinner. Don't give Dervla anything with sauce or you'll need a gas mask later."

And with that, Lofty's 'date' for the night was gone.

Dervla whimpered to be stroked. Lofty, still smarting from the hurt of Dylan's rejection, turned away angrily.

But a heart harder than Ben Chiltern's would have melted at the next whine from the dog.

He didn't know whether Dervla was normally allowed on the sofa. Too bad, if not. He patted the seat next to him.

"Just me and you tonight, then, beautiful."

OUTCOME TWO:

"Dylan's the winner!" Jack shouted happily, "He gets Lofty to himself for the rest of the night."

Ben – known as Lofty – Chiltern was thrilled. He hadn't known the sometimes irascible doctor cared for him. He didn't want to embarrass Dylan, however, so he tried to keep his voice steady as he thanked everybody and put on his coat.

"Where would you like to go?" he asked Dylan, smiling.

"The Golden Madras. And after that, the local for a couple of beers."

"Not very romantic. I can afford somewhere better for us" Lofty told him.

"Ben, there's something I have to make clear. I'm not gay. But you're about the best of the bunch here to chat to. Cal's always got his eye out for any pretty girl that walks in while I'm trying to talk to him; Ethan's so shy it's unbelievable and neither Jack nor Jacob ever let anybody else get a word in edgewise. I need to do a bit of male bonding with somebody who just wants a chat with no hidden agenda. Okay?"

It hurt at first, but then when the sting had gone, Lofty realised it was quite a compliment to be picked out for male bonding.

"Let's go, I'm really hungry" he grinned.

OUTCOME THREE

"Dylan's the winner!" Jack shouted happily, "He gets Lofty to himself for the rest of the night."

Ben – known as Lofty – Chiltern was thrilled. He hadn't known the sometimes irascible doctor cared for him. He didn't want to embarrass Dylan, however, so he tried to keep his voice steady as he thanked everybody and put on his coat.

They walked away from the pub and towards the town centre.

"So" Lofty asked nervously, "Where do you want to go?"

Dylan grinned, pulled Lofty into his arms and whispered:

"Who the hell cares as long as it's with you?"

THE END