A / N: So thank you to GirlWednesday for the reviews, it is much appreciated. I couldn't think of where I was going to take the story, so I have continued with Series 25 episode 7 however, I have now started to move away from the actual episode to take it in a different direction. I hope it is OK and I haven't gone too far!
Jeff did not turn to look at Dixie all the time they were in the cubicle; he stared at the floor thinking about the college and what he had witnessed. He hated himself for not doing more, he felt ashamed of himself for not doing more.
'Right, let's have a look then'. Jeff's thoughts were interrupted by Tess coming in and taking hold of his hand looking over the wound. Jeff merely stared at it wincing as she touched it.
'So, you were playing with the dog?' she asked quizzically, Tess had been a nurse for a long time, she was far from convinced by the story let alone the injury she was presented with. She remained unconvinced when Jeff did not look up at her, so she turned to Dixie.
'Yeah, I heard this almighty crash from the kitchen, and when I ran in, I found Lil Abs stood by the window and Jeff on the floor after he hit the coffee table. I think he went to grab Lil Abs but he wasn't quick enough. Getting slow in your old age aren't you mate?' Dixie spoke up in place of Jeff hoping that this will convince Tess that Jeff wasn't responsible for the beaten up patient yesterday.
'Well, it is not too deep, so I will get a bandage for you, it seems a little infected, I will see if I have any cream I can give you for it.'
'Cheers love... Jeff'
'Yeah, thanks Tess, appreciate it'
Tess hadn't gone for long, she seemed to return within a split second noticing the fact that Jeff and Dixie had not spoken to each other since entering the ED. She knew Jeff had been through a traumatic time, but this did not seem right, they always had something to say to each other. She decided to leave them to it, she knew Dixie would get to the bottom of whatever was eating Jeff.
'There you go, you need to change the dressing each day and apply the cream at least twice a day for the next week'
'Thanks Tess, I will take that and sort him out'
'I am a Paramedic you know, I can do this myself' Jeff snapped back at his wife.
'I know love; I was just saying I will look after it for now until we get home'
'Is everything OK between you two?'
'Yeah, we are fine aren't we Jeffrey?'
Jeff merely nodded in response to the question leaving Dixie smiling awkwardly at Tess slightly embarrassed by the situation. As Tess left them to it, their silence was short lived as Jeff overheard Ruth discussing Devlin O'Connor and his treatment with Tess. Anger surged through his body as he jumped off the end of the bed and walked into the corridor. How could they be treating him? Why should they be concerned about his welfare? After all, he didn't care when he opened fire at the college?
'Is this Devlin O Connor?'
'Yes'
'Why do you think there is anything wrong with him? He's a nutter isn't he? He could be putting it on.'
Ruth looked at Jeff, she was fed up of having her judgement questioned and the fact that a Paramedic questioned it, well, that was the final straw.
'Yeah well I think..'
'Yeah, well I think he's playing you love. Six weeks he's been banged up in cell on his own day in and day out then all of a sudden BOOM tummy bug and here he is, own room, change of scene, you running around on a wild goose chase. Lovely, all courtesy of the NHS'. By this time Jeff had walked right up to Ruth and was getting more irate at every word, his voice was raised and he was causing a scene.
Dixie rolled her eyes and followed him out of the cubicle and towards Ruth, she needed to try and stop him, try and calm him down, but he wasn't having any of it.
'Hang on a sec, I am not on some wild goose chase...'
'YEAH, WELL GIVE ME 10 MINUTES IN A ROOM WITH HIM AND WE WILL SEE' Jeff was shouting, he was cross, why should Devlin O Connor get the five star treatment? Why isn't he suffering? He was so angry he hadn't noticed his fists were clenched ready to fight back, he could feel the anger rising through him, the hatred towards Devlin O Connor, the hatred he had towards himself. He could not contain it much longer, he was about to explode. Why didn't they see what he was like? Why didn't they just let him suffer in his cell? Jeff would make him suffer, he was certain of it.
'Jeff, just stop it aye' came the voice behind him. As Dixie placed her hand on his arm to pull him around and away, Jeff lashed out hitting her in the face causing her to stagger backwards before falling to the ground. Jeff watched in horror as blood fell from her nose and mouth onto her clothes, he also watched in horror as she fell backwards hitting the side of her head on the desk. It all happened in slow motion for Jeff, had he really done that? Had he really just lashed out at her? Guilt began to consume him even more, what had he done?
Dixie passed out on the floor of the ED, blood pouring from her face. Everyone around who had witnessed Jeff's outburst had also witnessed him hit his best friend, his wife, his partner. The one person who could help him through it, he had just attacked.
'Can I have some help here please?' shouted Tess as her and Ruth ran to Dixie pushing Jeff out of the way.
'Let's get her into a cubicle' Ruth said as she examined Dixie's head a little more closely.
'GET OUT OF MY WAY' Jeff shouted at the women as he moved closer to Dixie.
'Jeff, I think you should just leave and calm down, don't you?' Tess said looking at him, he could see fear in her eyes, did she think he would intentionally do this to someone he cares so much about? He wanted to explain what he was feeling, what he was going through, but he couldn't. He wouldn't let himself.
He merely ignored Tess before picking Dixie up in his arms, holding her close to him, carrying her to the cubicle they had left only a few moments ago. Jeff placed her down gently on the bed feeling tears well up in his eyes as he looked closer at the damage he had done. Jeff stood there for a few moments holding her hand and stroking her head. 'I am so sorry Dix' he whispered before looking up and over to Ruth and Tess. They wanted him to go and deep down he knew he had to as well. Jeff leant in to kiss her softly before turning on his heel, walking away from her as the tears fell.