What a difference a day can make
Okay, new story. As you've probably realised, I love Hanssen and I think there's a lot more to him than meets the eye. This story will be about 7 chapters and will show how Hanssen's interactions with various members of staff reveal new sides to him. That's the plan anyway. Please let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: I do not own Holby City or any of its characters.
Michael
Michael Spence hated the AAU. He had had no desire to be the consultant in charge in the first place; the ward was always packed, which drastically reduced the time he could spend on HolbyCare, and his team consisted of a reckless registrar, a tactless new F1, and a pair of siblings whose ability swung from brilliant to dismal on a weekly basis. He couldn't deny that they were all good at their jobs, usually, but their personalities ensured that there was never a completely peaceful shift.
Today was no exception. Michael rolled his eyes in exasperation as he heard Malick's irritable bark, then grimaced as Frieda shot back an equally scathing retort. Ordinarily he would have left them to it, but the ward was busier than usual and the Valentines could do with some help. Angrily, he rapped the desk in front of them.
"What is this, the debating society? Haven't you noticed we've got patients waiting?" Malick straightened defensively.
"I'm waiting for Mr. Jackson to be prepped for his op," he said. "That a problem?" Michael scowled.
"Why don't you go and give them a hand?" Malick heard the warning in his voice and wisely decided not to argue further. As he left, Michel turned to a smirking Frieda and handed her a file.
"Bed 4, facial lacerations." Frieda raised an eyebrow but did as she was told. Michael massaged his temples wearily. Sometimes he felt like a primary school teacher.
It wasn't like he had even wanted the job. Michael had been perfectly content to divide his time between Kellar and HolbyCare, but the unfortunate death of Linden Cullen, in addition to the bad impression he had made on Henrik Hanssen, had landed him in charge and there was nothing he could do about it.
Reluctantly, Michael turned to get back to work, but paused as his ringtone sounded. Glancing at the screen, he was surprised to see that it was Annalese.
"Hello?"
"Michael, thank God." Michael froze at the distress in her voice.
"Annalese, what's wrong?" he asked. He could hear her fighting back sobs, and his chest tightened. There was only one reason why his ex-wife would be calling him in such a state. "Has something happened to the children?" Annalese took a deep breath.
"Jasmine's got acute appendicitis." Michael swallowed hard.
"How is she?"
Not very well. She was staying round a friend's house, so I didn't know how bad it was. We're on our way to hospital now." She fell silent abruptly, and Michael could hear someone talking in the background. A moment later she was back. "Sorry about that. The paramedic says we'll be going straight up to the AAU." Michael nodded.
"I'll have a theatre team standing by," he said. "She will be okay, I promise"
"I know. Look, I've got to go; I'll see you in a few minutes." With that she ended the call, leaving Michael staring at the screen in dismay.
For a moment, Michael had to struggle to control his emotions. He valued very few things above his surgical career, but those things he did were priceless and his kids were at the top of the list. The doctor in him kept insisting that appendicitis was not that serious if caught in time, but the father in him just wanted to run to his daughter and hold her in his arms.
"Mr. Spence?" Michael jumped. Lost in his thoughts, he had not noticed Penny's approach. The pretty redhead was studying him in concern. "Are you alright?" she asked. Michael took a deep breath.
"My daughter's got appendicitis. She'll be here in a few minutes." Penny looked at him sympathetically.
"Is there anything I can do?" The consultant shook his head.
"Not yet, but you can assist Malick in the surgery later." Penny frowned.
"Malick's assisting Miss. Naylor with a bowel resection. You okayed it with them yesterday." Michael cursed under his breath.
"Damn. Who else is available?" Penny shrugged.
"I don't know; I think Mr. Levy's in theatre, that's why Jac needed Malick. And Oliver and I can't operate on our own." Michael looked slightly ill.
"Find someone Penny, otherwise there's just me and I can't operate on my own daughter." Penny nodded and started making calls. Michael leaned against the desk in dismay. He knew they would have to move quickly to remove Jasmine's appendix before it ruptured, and they couldn't afford to wait for Malick or Sacha to finish. If Penny couldn't find anyone, then Michael knew he would do it himself, and to hell with the rules. His daughter's life was more important. He looked up as Penny put down the phone.
"Well?" She nodded.
"Mr. Hanssen's free. He's on his way down now." Michael closed his eyes in relief. Much as he disliked Hanssen, he couldn't deny that the man was a brilliant surgeon. Jasmine would be safe with him.
"Good, thank you. Get a theatre prepped, they should be here in a few minutes." Penny nodded and dashed off.
The wait for his daughter was a nightmare for Michael. He paced the ward like a caged tiger, snapping at Oliver and the nurses until Frieda pointedly suggested he wait for the ambulance outside. It was only the arrival of the paramedics that saved the Ukrainian from the full force of his temper, and a mere glimpse of his daughter was enough to send him running to her side.
"Jasmine, how are you feeling sweetheart?" Jasmine's face was drawn with pain, but she managed a small smile.
"I'm okay dad." The smile faded as a shudder ran through her body. Michael stroked her hair comfortingly.
It's gonna be fine Jas, I promise you." He looked up, suddenly registering Annalese's presence. "Why didn't you notice?" Annalese glared at him.
"I thought it was just a stomach ache when she left. Stacey's mum didn't call me until about half an hour ago." Michael opened his mouth to argue, but broke off abruptly as Jasmine let out a muffled gasp of pain.
"Jasmine." She moaned again, and Michel looked around desperately. "Penny, is that theatre ready yet?" Penny nodded.
"As soon as Mr. Hanssen gets here we'll be good to go." Michael was too worried to appreciate her efforts.
"Where the hell is he?" He scowled. "Frieda, help get her prepped." He looked down. "I'll see you when you wake up," he said gently. "You're going to be fine." Jasmine still looked terrified, but she nodded bravely. Michael turned away as Annalese bent to give a her hug, and was relieved to see Hanssen's tall figure striding down the corridor towards them. The consultant nodded to him as he approached.
"How is she?" he asked calmly. Michael sighed.
"She hasn't got long before her appendix ruptures." Hanssen nodded, stepping aside as Frieda and Penny wheeled the girl away. Michael suddenly remembered Annalese was still there.
"Mr. Hanssen, Annalese Carson, my ex-wife." Hanssen shook her hand.
"A pleasure Ms. Carson. Now if you will excuse me."
"Wait," Michael called. Hanssen glanced at him curiously and he swallowed hard. "Please help her."
Hanssen's gaze softened.
"I will." With that he followed the others to the theatre.
The next hour and a half were the worst of Michael's life. He paced up and down outside the theatre, bickering with Annalese as their combined worry took its toll. They only stopped when Ric arrived, silently agreeing not to involve the other consultant in their quarrels. To his credit, Ric did not appear to notice the tense atmosphere, and sat waiting quietly next to Annalese. Finally, the door opened and Hanssen came out. He smiled slightly. "She will be fine." Michael had to sit down as relief surged through him. Annalese let out a muffled sob. With an effort, Michael found his voice.
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Hanssen nodded.
"You're welcome." At that point, Michael's attention was diverted by the nurses wheeling Jasmine out of the theatre. It physically hurt to see his beloved daughter looking so ill. Hanssen understood.
"We'll take her up to the ITU. Try not to worry Mr. Spence." Michael nodded tightly.
"Can I go with them to get her settled?" Hanssen raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Of course." Michael let out a sigh of relief.
"Thanks, I won't be long." Without waiting for the doctor's reply, he followed Annalese down the corridor. He quickly caught up, and took Jasmine's hand.
"I'm sorry about earlier," he said quietly to Annalese. "I know you would never do anything to hurt them."
Annalese smiled sadly.
"It's alright. I know you were upset."
"That's no excuse. I am sorry." Annalese laid a hand on his arm
"It's in the past." She hesitated for a moment. "Do you think we can get on? For Jasmine's sake." Michael looked at her, then at Ric, and nodded.
"I think so." He had to move in front as they entered the ITU, then helped the nurse transfer his sleeping daughter to the bed. Reluctantly, he glanced away. "I should get back to the AAU. Malick's in theatre and I can't leave Frieda and the Valentines unsupervised." Annalese nodded in understanding.
"I'll see you later?" she asked. He nodded decisively.
"Count on it." He looked at Ric, and the other consultant nodded.
"I'll stay." Michael sighed.
"I'll be back as soon as I can." With a final glance at Jasmine, he left the room.
Michael's thoughts were in a whirl as he returned to the AAU. The stress of the past two hours had left him physically and mentally exhausted, and he was dreading the remainder of his shift. He wanted to be with his daughter, not taking care of the junior doctors. He had worked himself into a thoroughly bad mood by the time he pushed open the door to the ward.
Abruptly, he stopped short. He had expected to find the ward as busy as before, and the doctors still running around like headless chickens, and he was not disappointed. What he had not expected was to find Henrik Hanssen standing in the middle of the AAU casually explaining a diagnosis to a rather nervous Oliver. Hanssen glanced up at his entrance and beckoned him over. Michael obeyed, his face a mask of confusion.
"What's going on?" he asked. Hanssen dismissed Oliver and studied him.
"I thought you would want to be with your daughter," he said simply. Michael stared at him in bewilderment.
"Of course I do. But everything here…"
"I will be covering AAU until your daughter recovers sufficiently." He smiled slightly as Michael's jaw dropped in surprise. "Is there a problem Mr. Spence?" Michael recovered himself with alacrity.
"No, no problem at all." He met the other consultant's gaze squarely. "Thank you." Hanssen's smile widened a fraction.
"You're welcome. Now I believe you have a patient waiting." Michael grinned at him.
"Indeed I do. Thanks Henrik." He almost ran back to the ITU.
Ric and Annalese looked up in surprise at his return. "I thought you were needed on AAU," said Annalese. Michael grinned as he took a seat across the bed from them.
"Hanssen said he'd cover me. I can stay until she's feeling better." Annalese turned to Ric thoughtfully.
"Is this the same Hanssen who helped you out a few weeks ago?*" Ric nodded and she continued. "I thought you both hated him." The two men glanced at each other.
"We did," said Ric slowly. "However…" Michael nodded in agreement.
"We may have been a bit hasty," he said. He looked fondly at Jasmine. "I really owe him this time."
"We owe him," Annalese corrected softly. Michael glanced at her and smiled.
"We owe him," he agreed. As he gazed at the sleeping form of his daughter, he knew it was true. And, though he would rather give up HolbyCare than admit it, Michael was glad that Henrik Hanssen had come to Holby.
*From my other story, 'Beneath the surface'.