PART TWO

Oliver

Oliver Valentine watched from the window as Jac Naylor kickstarted her motorbike and rode away from the hospital. He couldn't help smiling at the sight of her all clad in dark leather.

"Dr. Valentine?" A sharp voice brought Oliver quickly down to earth. He turned away from the window to find himself staring into the chest of Henrik Hanssen. Hanssen was peering down at him quizzically. "Do you have nothing better to do than stare out of windows?" Oliver swallowed uncertainly.

"Yes, Mr. Hanssen."

"Get to it then," Hanssen gave Oliver one final scowl and skulked away.

"Dr. Valentine! Oliver!" Shouts were issuing from the nearest bed and Oliver reacted instinctively. He rushed towards the calls.

"What seems to be the problem?" he said to Mary Claire, for it had been she who had shouted so urgently.

"She started fitting, but it subsided just before you got here," Mary Claire told him. Oliver took off the stethoscope from around his neck and placed it on the patient's chest, listening to her heartbeat.

"Heartbeat seems fine," Oliver concluded, removing the stethoscope from her chest. "Are you in any pain Ms. Morton?" Ms. Morton shot him a piercing glare.

"I'm absolutely fine and dandy," she replied, sarcastically. Oliver let out a heavy sigh.

"If you don't tell us what's wrong with you, we can't help you," he told her authoritatively. "What caused the fitting?" Ms. Morton looked up at him with glistening eyes.

"It's nothing to do with why I'm here," she said reluctantly. "I was diagnosed as epileptic at St. James' six months ago." Oliver scribbled down the new information on her notes. He turned to Mary Claire.

"Can you get on to St. James' and ask them to explain why this wasn't in her notes?" Mary Claire smiled and walked away. Oliver returned to Ms. Morton. "Have you been taking your medication?"

"Ah." Oliver quickly tried to disguise his look of exasperation. "I was," Ms. Morton explained, "but I thought they might interfere with my operation here..." Oliver did his best to reassure her.

"Is there any news?" Mrs. Waterman asked softly as Oliver sidled past her, his arms full of patient notes. He looked rushed off his feet.

"I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything," he informed her. Mrs. Waterman nodded curtly as Oliver faded from her view. Oliver slammed the notes down on the desk hard.

"Something the matter Oliver?" Mary Claire asked, glancing up at him.

"You would not believe the amount of paperwork Ms. Naylor has left for me!" Oliver said, the tone of annoyance in his voice was unmistakeable.

"Well, you did screw up," Mary Claire replied, helpfully.

"I sorted it out. I thought she'd let me off..."

"We are talking about the same Jac Naylor here right?"

"Fair point. Where is she anyway? She should be back by now," Oliver said. Mary Claire shrugged. Their conversation was cut short by reappearance of Hanssen. He looked grave.

"I need to see everyone downstairs. Urgently."

"A major traffic collision has occurred on the highway between Holby City Hospital and Holby City Airport-"

"That's where Jac was headed," Oliver muttered to Elliot.

"Are you sure?" Elliot whispered back. Oliver nodded.

"-There is as of yet no word on what caused the accident but we have been told to expect multiple casualties. As the ED is at full capacity, AAU has been designated the receiving ward. Mr. Hemingway and Mr. Spence will take charge there. We will need a small response team that Mr. Spence has volunteered, graciously, to lead."

"I'll go," Oliver said quickly. Hanssen nodded. Mary Claire indicated her involvement to Hanssen.

"That's settled then. Mr. Spence, Dr. Valentine and Nurse Carter will form the response team. Everyone else, we will require constant vigilance to get through today. I have the utmost faith in all of you."

"Valentine, Carter, with me," Michael called.

Jac

Jac Naylor grimaced. Her whole body shook with pain as she tried to steer herself out of the path of the oncoming flames. She could hear the sirens coming closer, hear the roaring crackle of the flames and the screams echoing around her. The stench of burning flesh filled the air, blocking out all other smells. Jac could feel the trickle of petrol licking her side and instinctively she rolled away from it. Moments later, the place where she had lain erupted into flames.

"Valentine!" Jac lifted her head, listening to the new voices. "OLIVER!" Jac was paying full attention now.

"Jac! Jac!" She could hear Oliver calling for her, he was standing just a few feet away from her and now she recognised the other voice, Spence's.

"Oliver you do not rush into the scene of an accident unsupervised!" Oliver was ignoring him.

"Jac!" He shouted desperately.

"Valentine?" Jac called back weakly. Oliver turned around sharply. He looked down and saw Jac lying spreadeagled.

"Oliver get back here!" Spence came into view. He opened his mouth to berate Oliver but then he caught sight of Jac. "Jac?" He said, his voice full of surprise. "Today is full of surprises."

TO BE CONTINUED