A / N: OK, so I got half way through writing this and my computer crashed and I lost the lot. I tried to remember what I typed! Don't you just love technology?
'Right, this is Natalie Johnson, 24 years old found collapsed at work after complaining of dizziness and nausea, BP 124 over 86, pulse 180 and SATs are 97 percent on air. She was briefly KO'd and has been immobilized with a collar and board. No other obvious signs of trauma. Right, everyone got a bit... on three please ladies and gents...one, two three'
They lifted the patient off the trolley before Dixie pushed it to the corner of Resus waiting for Jeff to finish the paperwork.
'Thanks Dixie' Sam said as she started her primary survey on Natalie.
Jeff finished filling in the transfer sheet passing it over to Lloyd before helping Dixie wheel the trolley out of the door.
Dixie didn't stop to make polite conversation with anyone in the ED; she took control of the trolley and carried on walking out briskly nearly knocking Mel over in the process. Jeff watched her leave before he slumped over the reception desk letting out a sigh.
'She not forgiven you yet then?' asked Zoe a she continued to type at one of the nearby computers.
'Looks that way doesn't it' Jeff replied.
'What's wrong with your wife today, she seems to be in one foul mood' Mel asked as she approached Reception trying to rearrange the files she nearly dropped after dodging Dixie and the trolley.
'Nothing, she just has a headache that's all, didn't sleep well and it is also mad moo week'.
'I am not so sure she would appreciate you broadcasting that information do you?' Zoe commented without looking up from the computer. Jeff merely nodded in response looking over to the doors wondering if she would come back and get him or tell him off for wasting time.
'If that's her during her time, what is she like on a normal day?' Mel continued
'One of the loveliest people you will ever meet' Jeff replied as he pulled himself up and walked away. He didn't have much time for Mel after the stunt she pulled the other day and he certainly didn't appreciate her making poorly judged comments about Dixie.
Mel watched Jeff intently as he moved through the corridor and out of the door. Once she was certain he had left, she turned to question Noel.
'So, come on then, dish the dirt on the happily married Mr and Mrs Collier'
'Aye'
'C'mon Noel, there has to be some gossip about them. You have got to admit, they are an unlikely combination'
'Mel, there is no gossip or dirt to dish on them, now if you will excuse me; I have to process the Resus patient.'
'You are hiding something, I can tell'
'I do not know what you are on about'
'Did you not sense the tension between them the other day in the staffroom when they had to kiss for Cancer Research?'
'They did kiss in case you have forgotten...twice'
'Yeah and now she is in a mood with him, don't you think it is a bit strange?'
'Not really, he said she wasn't feeling well.'
'OK you two enough wasting of time, you process the patient, and you, go and do the obs please' Zoe butted in much to Noel's relief.
Mel walked away remaining unconvinced, there was something not right about how they were with each other, not one to give up on a conquest, she would make it her mission to find out what she could about the husband and wife ambulance crew.
Meanwhile totally oblivious to the conversations what were happening in the ED, Jeff wondered into the car park and over to their ambulance. Dixie was sitting on the step with her head in her hands,
'Aye Princess, you OK? Did you want something for your headache?' Jeff asked her softly as he moved to sit beside her.
'I am fine Jeffrey; I can deal with a headache you know.'
'OK, I was only asking, are you sure it is just a headache though?' Jeff asked tentively. He had agreed with himself not to pursue her about the kiss, but there was still something eating away at him. He didn't know why he asked her that, but he had now and he had to accept the consequences.
'What do you mean by that?'
'Listen Babe, don't take this the wrong way, but you have been really off with me since...you know...the other day in the staffroom.'
Dixie shot him a glare before her radio buzzed into life
'Holby control to 3006'
'3006 responding over'
'RTC on Genesta Street, motorbike in a collision with a lorry, casualties unknown'
'3006 responding and on way over'
Dixie clipped her radio back onto her belt getting up to close the doors, as she did, she turned to face Jeff, 'I wouldn't flatter yourself that I would have given myself a headache because I was thinking about the other day'. Truth is, she had given herself a headache thinking about the other day, that was all she was thinking about.
Jeff didn't know how to respond to that, so he didn't, he merely moved out of her way and made his way to the driver's side of their ambulance waiting for her to get in before he pulled away. The journey was quiet, neither of them said anything to each other, but they had each other on their minds.
After they had offloaded the driver of the Lorry into Resus, Jeff and Dixie made their way out of the ED for the last time that day. Their shift was over and they were both looking forward to a quick pint down the pub before getting home.
'Guys' Noel called after them as he ran to catch them up 'I just thought I would let you know that Mel has been asking questions about your two.'
'What do you mean questions?' Dixie replied quickly.
'Well, about your 'relationship', she is after some gossip I think.'
'What did you tell her?' Jeff asked visibly paled at the thought of having to explain their relationship to another member of staff who would ridicule him for having a lesbian as a wife. He should have been used to it by now, but, he couldn't help but feel that things were starting to change for them.
'Nothing, I just said there was no gossip and everything was fine'.
'Cheers Noel' Jeff said before turning to help Dixie load the trolley back into the ambulance. 'See you down the pub in a bit'.
Noel smiled before heading back indoors. Dixie was bemused by Jeff and what he had said, it did not usually bother him about telling people he was straight and she was gay, but, she too was glad that Noel hadn't said anything to Mel. This feeling further confused her, she had been battling with her feelings over Jeff and what they shared. Could one kiss really change her? Had it already started to change her?
Dixie was so deep in thought that she hadn't heard a word Jeff had just said to her, a quick pat on the shoulder from him brought her back down to planet Earth.
'What was that?'
'I was just saying that Mel has some nerve doesn't she, I was also saying how strange it is that she wants to find out about us. Don't you think it is a bit weird?'
'S'ppose so' was all she could muster in response.
'Dix, are you sure you are OK?' Jeff asked now quite concerned at her offish behaviour and distant mindset towards him and everything.
'Yeah, I'm fine. C'mon, let's get this parked up and down the pub'.
Jeff stood and stared at her for a little while, he had the sudden urge to hug her and tell her how he was feeling towards her, but he decided against it. Maybe a few beers will help him.
