After about a week or two one Charlie Fairhead happened to see the Clinical Lead while getting a much needed (and deserved) coffee. "Connie."

"Charlie."

He stopped, he had planned on going to the break room but having a chat with Connie would have been time just as well spent. "I've been meaning to thank you."

"What for?"

"You know what for."

She looked annoyed. "If you're referring to the new rota then-"

He cut her off, but gently so he didn't give her a reason to get angry and take it out on the staff, he'd feel awful if he incurred the wrath of one Connie Beauchamp and someone else had to take it. "No, but thanks for that too."

"Then what-"

"You've not been on Rita's back so much." She rolled her eyes. "Or anyone else's for that matter."

"Yes, well, I haven't had reason to."

"She's a good nurse." She huffed and crossed her arms, holding her coffee by the rim of the cup. "Connie."

"Yes, fine, she's a great nurse Charlie, is that all you wanted?"

"I said good."

'Bastard,' she thought. He smiled at her before leaving and she exhaled an exasperated huff of air, it was hard to be mad at Charlie. He was older and wiser than her, though the latter she was far more hesitant to admit, and she respected him. That and he was a genuinely good man. Still, her jaw tensed and she glared holes into the back of his head. Much as she liked Charlie in that very moment she was vexed by the fact that she'd accidentally praised the nurse who she really did not like more than necessary and he was probably going to tell her. Of course Rita was great nurse, as she'd just inadvertently admitted, but she didn't want anyone knowing she thought highly of her, especially if it meant going back on all of their arguments. A part of her wanted to say something snide to make up for it but the more mature and rational part told her that she was acting like a child.

"Mrs. Beauchamp, suspected heart attack on the way if you're free."

"I'm not the only one with heart experience here you know," she snapped. Then she sighed and looked at her coffee, suddenly she didn't fancy it anymore. "I'll handle it."

"If you're not gonna finish that-"

"No. You can't."

The staff around her weren't sure whether to laugh at Connie's spitefulness or to stand with mouths agape. The second option was probably safer, she'd be less likely to lash out at shock than from laughter.

"Charlie, good to see you again, heart attack on the way. You're with me."

Cal overheard and, with a crooked grin he thought looked charming, "I could assist."

"No Dr. Knight, we don't require any of your 'assistance'."

Ethan smiled at his brother only to receive a patronising glare.

Rita overheard too and stifled a grin, Connie's biting comments could be funny when she wasn't the one on the receiving end.

"Riiiita. How about you?" he asked a little too loudly.

"No, but you can try doing your job and treat your patients. Good idea, hm?" Rita said with a smile

It was Connie's turn to smirk, something Charlie didn't ignore.

"What?"

"Nothing, just didn't think you liked her."

"I don't, but I'm even less fond of Dr. Knight."

"Something you two have in common then."

"Can we focus on the incoming patient Nurse Fairhead?"

As timing would have it said patient was wheeled in by the paramedics. Connie and Charlie joined them on either side of the gurney.

"This is Louise Graham-"

Connie took a quiet, but sharp, intake of breath when she saw her. "She's a child-

Dixie continued, "sixteen years old-"

"Sixteen?!" It was Charlie's turn to sound surprised. He tsked and shook his head.

"Suspected substance abuse induced heart attack."

Now she was glad it was her on this case and not someone else. She listened to her heart. "Definitely hypertension, not that there was much doubt. I want beta blockers and morphene for the pain. I doubt we'll need to but I want to avoid going to theatre as much as possible with this one."

"Dixie, do we have any family we can call."

"None yet, her friend called and told us what we needed, we don't have any other ID."

"Lift," Connie prompted when they got her to a bed.

A/N- you'll have to forgive this chapter it literally only exists to fill a gap because I've written quite a bit for when things actually start to happen. Also thanks a bunch for the great reviews I've gotten! I'm so glad you're enjoying this