Showered and changed, Cal started to feel human again.
Leaning against the reception desk, he ran and hand across his face. The notes in front of him were written in Ethan's neat, flowing hand. He had treated Mrs Jones the week before for alcohol-related injuries and she was back yet again - a frequent flyer as Charlie affectionately referred to them. That had been the day before the crash.
Cal shuddered, an uncomfortable tingling feeling darting down his spine. He couldn't close his eyes without seeing Ethan's broken body on that trolley, his face cut, losing blood, the monitors beeping wildly.
Cal's eyes snapped open as Lofty appeared at his side.
"You okay mate?" Lofty smiled warmly.
"Yeah never better." Cal lied. "Ethan's conscious."
Lofty's face broke into a wide grin. "Ah that's amazing news. We always knew he'd come through."
Lofty skipped off towards Robyn to spread the word.
Cal started at the feeling of a hand on the small of his back. Rita popped her head around his side and grinned.
"Feeling better?"
Cal stretched his arms above his head and yawned. Rolling his aching muscles, he put on his best innocent face.
"Yeah. Could do with this shift being over though. I'm knackered. Unfortunately I'm venturing home to be greeted with an cold, empty bed tonight."
Rita smirked at him. "You're not the only one.
Cal eyes glinted, he bit his lip.
"Well we could always right that wrong," he murmured wrapping an arm around Rita's waist.
"How about it Sister Freeman?"
Rita pursed her lips, a glint of amusement in her brown eyes.
"Nice try Caleb."
Connie swept around the corner. Her eyebrows raised as she saw Rita and Cal at the desk. He had his arm draped around her waist. Connie saw the way his gaze flicked between her eyes and her lips, they were too close and Rita wasn't pulling away. Jealousy bubbled up from the pit of her stomach.
"Dr Knight. So you've finally seen fit to grace us with your presence."
Connie's tone pierced through the moment they were enjoying.
Cal dropped his head at the sight of his boss tapping her foot expectantly waiting for his excuses. He let his arm fall from around Rita's waist.
Rita wandered off trying to suppress the smile on her face. Walking past Connie, she looked back sticking her tongue out at Cal who grinned. Connie shifted her stance expectantly, her hands on her hips.
"Well?"
"I was with Ethan. He's conscious and he's going to be okay. I haven't been home all night so I've just been to for a shower and a change of clothes."
Connie looked somewhat deflated, as if the long lecture she had ready about his flakiness as a doctor and his poor time management seemed somewhat irrelevant now.
"Oh I see...well that is good news."
Connie murmured, the irritation plain in her voice, before stalking off back to resus.
Rita grinned down at the patient notes in her hand until Connie had marched past her. She shot Cal a wide-eyed look. He chuckled in response.
By lunchtime, Cal was dead on his feet. He was in line for his fourth coffee from Honey's shop.
"Are you alright Cal? You look awful." Honey inquired as she passed over his coffee.
"Thanks...I was up with Ethan all night. Haven't had a chance to get some sleep yet."
"Yeah I heard he's woken up, it's great news," Honey beamed.
Cal smiled and retraced his steps back to cubicles.
Rita trotted past the Nurse's station catching sight of Cal dragging his feet towards the staffroom.
"Cal you look ready to drop." She placed a hand on his forearm and made eye contact with him.
"You need to get some sleep."
"Need to work," Cal mumbled as Connie glided past eyeing them both. "Queen Connie wont allow for that."
Rita huffed. She pointed a finger at him.
"Bed now!" She ordered.
Cal winked at her. "Now I really never thought I'd hear that from you." He held up his hands. "But if you insist darling."
"Oi watch it Caleb! I'm the one doing you a favour remember." Rita beamed.
Cal nodded in Connie's direction, a questioning look on his face.
"Oh you leave Connie to me."
Cal smiled gratefully and traipsed off to the On Call room for some much needed rest.
Connie appeared at Rita's side.
"I had no idea you could be so 'forceful' when you want something...or someone."
Rita jumped. Frowning, she thought she saw a flicker of something different in Connie's face. Something like hunger.
"Jesus christ how do you walk so quietly in those things?" Rita nodded down at her precious Laboutins.
"Years of practice." Connie smirked.
Connie raised her eyebrows waiting for an answer.
"What Cal?" Rita snorted. "God no. I've sent him to the On Call room for some sleep...alone," she clarified.
Connie pursed her lips, trying to suppress a smirk.
"He's tired out Connie, he's been up with Ethan all night and is on a double shift. The poor guys been through way too much in the past week, he's crumbling."
Connie put her hand up to stop her.
"That's okay. Good call. I'm not going to argue with you Rita, you're right."
Rita's mouth dropped open. She paused, stunned.
"Really?"
Connie nodded.
"I didn't think I'd ever hear you say that."
