Jacob turned to the door but stopped when his hand touched the handle, he took a deep breath and turned around.
He strode across the room and swung Connie's chair so she was facing him. Crouching down in front of her Jacob rested a hand on her knee. "Talk to me Connie...I'm worried about you...your withdrawing from everyone...I saw you taking a chunk out of Charlie yesterday." Said Jacob watching her face.
Connie sat in silence just starring down at where him hand lay on her leg. "Don't touch me...please." Said Connie weakly.
Jacob frowned at her but removed his hand. "Sorry..." Standing up Jacob moved away.
"Grace is spending the summer holidays with Sam." Said Connie quietly. "She went last week."
"Why didn't say? You must be missing her." Commented Jacob taking his previous position on the sofa and continued after a small nod from Connie. "I'll let the rest know to expect a few more weeks of drill sergeant Beauchamp then!" Said Jacob with a smile.
Connie's head shot up with the look of shock on her face but Jacob's smile was contagious and she gave him a small grin.
"I know your missing Grace but taking it out on the staff isn't fare." Said Jacob. "Your so angry at everyone."
Connie remained quiet.
Jacob tried again, he patted the the seat beside him. "I don't bite!"
This time Connie slowly stood up and joined him on the sofa. "What's going on Connie? Have I done something wrong...we agreed to be friends now your treating me like I've got the plague..." Jacob sighed. "I really am trying here, I've done everything you've asked...given you your space...I know you've been having ago at everyone...but you've just ignored me..."
"You want me to shout at you so you don't feel left out?" Connie gave him a small smirk but it quickly disappeared.
"I want you to talk to me...there's something other than missing Grace bothering you...I care about you Connie...let me help." Said Jacob frowning as he watched silent tears roll over her cheeks.
Jacob reached for Connie's hand but she pulled back instantly. "I asked you not to touch me." Snapped Connie.
"Ok, ok...I'm sorry." Said Jacob holding his hands up in surrender. Hearing his phone ringing Jacob reached into his pocket. "Hey mate." Jacob answered. "No sorry...somethings come up...Ok laters." Hanging up Jacob turned off his phone and put it back in his pocket.
"You should go..." Said Connie wiping her face with her palm.
"I want to stay." Jacob told her as he unbuttoned the collar on his uniform and made himself comfy.
"Come here." Offered Jacob holding out him arms to Connie but she shuck her head.
"Why?" Asked Jacob confused. "You said the other week we were friends...and as a friend I'm offering you a hug...to comfort you...to let you know your not on your own...now come here!"
Connie stayed where she was. "I can't..." she whispered.
"Why?" Jacob repeated.
"I just can't!" Shrugged Connie.
Jacob watched her frowning. "Your outburst in resus came after I touched your arm...you've told me twice in here to stay away...so tell me! What's going on?"
"I just don't want you touching me!" Said Connie raising her voice. She got up from the sofa and moved across the room, her back to Jacob.
Standing behind her, Jacob felt helpless as he listened to her let out a sob.
"Connie?" Worried Jacob as Connie cried.
Jacob could stand it any longer.
Taking hold of Connie he turned her round and pulled her to him, he held onto her as she tried to pull away.
"Let me go!...Jacob! Let go!" ordered Connie.
When it became apparent that he wasn't listening Connie started to relax in his embrace and continued to cry quietly.
When Jacob felt her arms slide round his waist he sighed with relief. Connie held onto him, she gripped the back of his uniform as if her life depended on staying in his embrace.
"I've got you sweet cheeks...Grace will be back before you know it..." He told her as her soothed her back.
"It's not because of Grace." She murdered. "I miss her but..." Jacob tried to pulled back to see her face but she gripped him tighter.
"I miss...I..." tried Connie taking a shuddering breath. "I miss you Jacob."
"I'm right here beautiful." He said placing his hands on both sides of her face. "Connie look at me."
"I can't..." she whispered.
"Why not?" Asked Jacob.
"Because...I'm not strong enough." Replied Connie.
"Your the strongest person I know Connie...but what does that have to do with looking at me?" Puzzled Jacob.
"I'm not strong enough to...to keep pushing you...to let you go." Explained Connie through her tears.
"I'm not following...if you want to be with me, I'm right here! Connie...i never gave up on you! It was you broke up with me! If this is how you feel...Why did you do it?...Why push me away?" Jacob told her feeling hope rise in his chest.
Connie stiffened and pulled away. "Please I...I can't do this..." wiping her face again she turned back to look at Jacob, she looked at him with determination in her eyes. "I'm not doing this, you need to leave...now." she told him.
"I'm not going anywhere!...for God sake Connie, you've just told me you missed me...now your pushing me away again! STOP PLAYING WITH MY FEELINGS!" It was Jacob's turn to feel the anger course through him.
Startled Connie grabbed her bag and coat. "Connie, I'm sorry!" Said Jacob but Connie unlocked the door and slammed it behind her as she stormed out.