Thank you for the reviews they make me happy! Literally could talk about these two characters forever haha. Do you guys want a slow burn Freechamp or in the next few chapters? Let me know. And this chapter is mainly focused on Rita because well as lamegay said in their reviews Rita is perfect.

Chapter 4 – Getting nowhere

Rita did not see Connie for the rest of her shift and really it was probably better that way because damn she was annoyed. Lofty had asked her if she fancied going to the pub with everyone and she politely declined her mood dampened after her encounter with Connie in the break room. Seriously that woman was so ugh! Rita just couldn't find the words; she started walking home when she felt a few rain drops fall on her.

"Just great!" Rita mumbled.

She stuck her hands in her pockets and continued to walk, the rain was getting heavier and she questioned herself asking why she didn't drive today! She was getting soaked and she knew how bad she would look. A car slowly stopped and the window rolled down.

"Do you want a lift?"

Oh it had to be didn't it Rita looked up to the grey sky and muttered 'Why?' Of all the people it could be it was Connie.

"Anytime today…" Connie said impatiently.

Rita sighed she really didn't want to walk anymore in the rain she looked at Connie who was perfectly arching her eyebrow and against her better judgement Rita nodded and got into the car. Rita sat awkwardly not daring to look at Connie, she started shivering really feeling the cold and Connie turned up the heat up.

"Thanks." Rita said, Connie just rolled her eyes and started driving.

They never talked until they arrived at Rita's, Connie pulled up and Rita went to get out but she turned and looked into Connie's eyes. There it was again! The intense connection and Rita wondered if Connie did it on purpose, they looked at each other longer than they should have and Connie cleared her throat breaking the connection.

"Well thanks for the ride." Rita said then automatically cringed…thanks for the ride she sounded like a teenager, what she wasn't expecting was Connie to laugh.

"You're welcome…make sure you get out of those wet clothes I don't want to be a member of staff down tomorrow due to illness." Connie said with a somewhat caring tone.

"Yes Mum." Rita said sarcastically.

That was the wrong thing to say and Rita knew it, she looked at Connie who was sporting her infamous icy demeanor, from laughing to this in seconds and Rita knew it was her fault. Connie had only just lost Grace and then the argument in her office and now Rita made this poor joke, granted Rita didn't even think before saying it and if looks could kill right about now Rita would be dead. Rita got out of the car and shut the door, taking one last look at Connie she swore she could see tears but she dismissed it and carried on walking to her door.

"Oh my god." Rita said walking into the empty kitchen, she made a cup of tea and went to mull over her thoughts.

Rita couldn't sit down so she started pacing, there was definitely another moment between them well there was until Rita ruined it but there was definitely a moment. What did it mean?

"That I'm going absolutely crazy." Rita spoke aloud.

Rita thought about Connie wondering if she was okay, Connie probably thought Rita said it on purpose and that's what was bothering Rita because she never meant it in a harsh way. Rita pulled her phone out from her bag ad composed a text message; she had Connie's number saved in case she ever needed it. She had to text and tell her she didn't mean it maliciously otherwise it was going to eat her up.

Hi Connie it's Rita, I just want to let you know that I'm sorry if I offended you earlier on, that was never my intention. It was merely a poor attempt of a joke.

Rita was happy with that and she hit send feeling better already after all it was the grown up thing to do. She didn't expect a reply nor did she get one and after watching a bit of TV Rita made her way into bed and only hoped tomorrow wouldn't be another shift from hell, it was really getting to her now.

Rita yawned and stretched out fully, last night had actually been a good night's sleep she rolled over and checked her phone…no messages. Even though Rita didn't expect a reply there was still a tiny glimmer of hope. Rita got changed for work, had some breakfast and drove to work this time. She was in a good mood today and she didn't really know why probably the good night's rest recently she been thinking of Connie too much. When she walked into the ED she fully expected her name to be called by Connie but it wasn't and everything seemed calmer than usual…there was something wrong.

"Robyn, why do I get a strange feeling there's something going on." Rita asked.

"I think it's the fact that Mrs Beauchamp is not in today."

"Why isn't she?" Rita asked sharply.

Robyn shrugged she didn't know, this was so odd Connie never took days off and Rita had a bad feeling wash over her. Was it the comment she said yesterday? Perhaps they were tears she saw when she looked back at Connie, it didn't make sense and Rita wanted to find out what was going on because well she cared. She coughed Zoe's attention hoping she knew why she wasn't in.

"I don't suppose you know why Connie's not in?" Rita said.

"All I know is she said she wasn't feeling well, I never thought I'd hear those words come out of her mouth but I guess we all get ill sometimes."

"Right…"

"There isn't something else is there Rita?" Zoe asked after Rita looked unsure.

"I'm not sure Zoe." Rita walked away and Zoe watched her obviously the conversation was over then.

Throughout the day Rita heard nearly everyone at different times say how calm it seemed without Connie in today and it seemed so unfair. All the arguments they had, all the spiteful words which were said to one another it didn't change the fact that Connie was an extraordinary Doctor who only had her best interest for the ED. Every second she had time to think she thought about Connie, she wanted to go round to hers after work to make sure she was alright, the not feeling well excuse was lies and Rita knew it. At the end of her shift, Rita managed to get Connie's address knowing she had to go there.

She got out of the car and made her way to the front door; she knocked and heard no movement. She tried knocking again and this time she heard footsteps, the door opened and Connie did not look like Connie. Her hair was down looking untidy and her clothes well Rita could honestly say she had never seen Connie in a pair of sweats and a hoodie.

"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to come inside?" Connie spoke.

At least one thing hadn't changed, it was still the same cutting remarks and it made Rita smile. She stepped inside the house and it was beautiful, casting her eyes at Connie she saw sadness.

Rita didn't quite know how to approach Connie to ask if she was okay, she hadn't really thought about it and plus she didn't expect Connie to invite her inside.

"Do you want a drink?" Connie sighed.

"Sure."

Rita followed Connie into the kitchen, there were a few minutes of silence then Rita decided to be brave.

"What's wrong Connie? I've never known you to have a day off work."

Connie stopped stirring the cup of tea for Rita and placed the spoon on the side, she held onto the counter. Rita walked towards Connie who had her back to her; she placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Despite all of the arguing we do, I never want to see you hurt and I can't help but think it's my fault." Rita said sincerely.

"Well you certainly didn't think before you spoke yesterday did you." Connie's voice broke as she tried to make it sound stern.

This was not how Rita wanted the conversation to go, tension filled the room and she could feel Connie fighting for an argument.

"Do you know what, I'm gonna go because I can't deal with another argument."

Connie whipped her head round holding onto Rita's arm.

"Don't go." The whispered words echoed in Rita's head and she looked at the tears building up in Connie's eyes and knew then that there was something wrong.