Firstly I just want to say thank you to everyone who has reviewed this - I have never had so many reviews as I have had for chapter one of this and I'm really chuffed with all the compliments! Additionally thank you to those of you who nominated it a favourite story or who put this fanfic on story alert. It means a lot to know you would like to read more.

Here is chapter 2 of 7 and as promised I intend to keep adding a chapter each day. Anything to get us through the days between episodes!


War is never easy

Chapter 2: Missing in action

Dylan

Dylan had been tense for the past forty-five minutes, ever since Noel had interrupted their peaceful work in resus with news of Dr Nicholls having a personal call. He hadn't been joking when he had said to Zoe that she didn't have anyone. She had no family to speak of and had no real friends outside of her work colleagues. His wife had never been the type of person to receive personal calls at work nor was she someone who took breaks from work at short notice. He knew from personal experience that Dr Nicholls rarely even stopped working to take a lunch break, yet today she had taken her belongings and left the department for no known reason.

He had spoken to Noel immediately after his patient had been admitted to the ward and queried whether he knew any information about the caller, but he had only been able to ascertain that the person was male and asked for Sam Nicholls. That in itself had riled Dylan, because outside of work she was Samantha Keogh. The post that arrived at his week in, week out, addressed to Mr and Mrs Keogh was testimony to that. He was both worried and intrigued in equal measure, yet he liked neither of these feelings very much.

Dylan knew she must have her reasons for leaving the department and without questioning it he had covered for her with Nick Jordan. That was also causing him difficulty as prior to Dr Nicholls entering resus to assist Zoe she had been juggling a number of patients in cubicles. These patients had unfortunately included a very difficult eighteen year old girl and her over-bearing parents who were not accepting of that fact that the girl's test results had yet to return from the black hole of the lab.

He was stood looking at the list of patients on the board when Zoe approached and stood beside him. He could tell she wanted to say something, but unusually for her she hadn't just come out and said it. Before he could ask her what she wanted, Tess appeared on his other side.

"Have you seen Sam recently? The patient in cubicle 5 - her parents are asking about some test results."

Dylan knew the look he gave Tess was stern, but he really didn't feel like speaking to those people again. Especially as in his expert opinion their darling daughter was pregnant, which he assumed from their manner they would not see as a positive life choice.

"Can you tell them Dr Nicholls will be with them as soon as returns," he stated curtly. He saw Tess raise her eyebrows at Zoe but she did then return to cubicle 5 to deliver his message.

"Problem is Dr Keogh," Zoe began, "We don't actually know when that will be at the moment do we?"

Dylan was about to answer her, but as he turned away from the board he caught sight of his wife's retreating form as she headed to the staffroom. Whilst a significant part of him was relieved she had finally returned, another part of him knew immediately something wasn't right. His wife was feisty, strong and determined most of the time, but in that one moment she looked particularly small and vulnerable.

Dylan just hoped she still trusted him enough to tell him why.


Thank you again for reading. As always, reviews are always welcome.

Next part will be up tomorrow.