"You know, you are nowhere near as cute as you think you are."
Rita folded her arms across her chest defiantly raising her eyebrows.
Jacob Masters stood in the doorway of her office. He took a step towards her desk and perched on the end. He noticed the twinkle in her eye.
Jacob lent further over the desk towards Rita, closing the gap between them.
"So Rita Freeman, why is your Clinical Lead telling me about your vacant position for a Band 6 nurse?"
Rita's expression hardened.
"She had no right to even mention that."
Jacob smirked. "From what I've seen today, I think you need me."
Rita frowned as he moved closer still.
"C'mon. Working for a sexy Margaret Thatcher."
A wide grin spread across her face knowingly.
"I could be the eyes in the back of your head."
"If you were to hire a nurse of your choice and Connie disapproved, she'd always have a grudge...Instead she hires a nurse of her choice and she'd always feel like she's got one over on you. Like she's in control."
This time Rita moved in. It was obvious this thought had crossed her mind. She looked warily at Jacob, she was of course more than tempted to employ an ally in the department against Connie's imperial behaviour but, still not knowing where she stood with Connie over the 'store cupboard incident', she didn't want to rock the boat in case it came back to bite her.
"Rita. I'm a nurse, it's in my DNA."
Jacob turned in the direction of the office window, Connie stood outside in the reception area patient notes in hand. He grinned cheekily as he turned back to face Rita.
"Smile at the Boss Lady."
She chuckled out loud. He could see the hard sell had worked, he had her sold.
"Nurses stick together."
There was a pause. Rita ran her eye over Jacob again. She chose her words carefully.
"Well...you would still have to apply through the ordinary means. Interviews start next week."
Jacob grunted disapprovingly.
"I think we both know how that's going to go..."
Rita rolled her eyes, smiling.
"Unbelievable." She watched him wink at her before leaving the office.
Nurse Masters strolled into work on Monday morning. They didn't have to interview, nor did they advertise the position externally. Enthusiastic backing from Connie had seen only a short meeting between Rita, as Staff Nurse Manager, and Mr Hanssen to agree to the arrangement.
Jacob spotted Rita making her way across the car park.
"Morning Boss." He mock saluted as he met her gaze.
Rita rolled her eyes and smirked.
"Morning Nurse Masters."
The two nurses walked through the entrance and past the reception desk together.
Before entering the locker room, Rita turned to Jacob pointing a finger.
"Now be warned I run a very tight ship here. No funny business. Your challenge today is to impress me."
Jacob grinned revealing a row of bright white teeth.
"Yep. Best behaviour I promise." He held up his hands. "Eyes in the back of your head, remember?"
Rita smiled wickedly.
Once they were changed, Rita started helping Dylan with his first patient when Connie appeared at the Nurse's station. She shot a disapproving look at Rita before sauntering off to resus. Rita frowned, confused. So that's how they were playing it after the 'store cupboard' incident then. She sighed, in all honesty she was hoping for some more 'excitement' but she wasn't willing to be messed around by Connie and her whims. The rumours of Connie's conquests on Darwin had certainly reached downstairs.
Jacob appeared by her side and acknowledged her look.
"What's up with 'old Maggie' today then?"
Rita laughed out loud. She bit her lip and slapped Jacob on the arm as Connie appeared again at the desk. She looked up in their direction raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing sorry." Rita waved her attention away, trying to hold back a smirk.
Once Connie was out of earshot, Jacob grinned down at Rita.
"We've only just started the shift, don't irritate her for everyone's sake. No one pisses off 'Her Majesty' and gets away with their head still attached." She whispered.
"Hmm. Apart from you that is." He winked and moved away to help Cal with an incoming patient. Seeing Jacob approaching, Cal sighed audibly and shook his head.
In the break room, Rita made a cup of coffee for herself. She heard Lofty and Robin deep in conversation before they came in. Lofty grinned as he approached her.
"This new nurse you've hired is great Rita. He's really keeping the junior doctor's in check. He even offered to explain to Cal how to intubate in resus, you should have seen his face!"
Rita smiled. "Yeah he is good."
Jacob entered the staffroom.
"Afternoon everybody." He made his presence known as he sauntered in and took a seat at the bar next to Rita.
He winked at Robyn who blushed profusely.
Lofty went to look for his phone, which he had lost again, as Robyn made herself a cup of tea.
Jacob turned to Rita.
"So are you going to tell me about..." He was cut short by Connie opening the door abruptly. Robyn jumped and dropped her spoon.
"Ah Nurse Masters. Good first day? I've got a special case coming in and I would like your assistance in resus if you would be so kind."
Jacob got up from his seat.
"You can have my assistance any time you like Mrs B."
Connie smirked slightly, she nodded and left the room. She hadn't looked Rita in the eye once. Rita observed Jacob as he scanned Connie's body before she left.
"Easy tiger she only asked for your help in resus. It wasn't an invitation to jump into bed with her."
He lent down on the desk.
"Jealous?"
Rita pursed her lips but didn't meet his gaze.
The end of the shift came around pretty quickly and most of the ED staff made their way to the pub. Jacob took a seat next to Rita at the bar.
"So are you going to tell me what's going on between you and Beauchamp or am I going to have to force it outta you?"
Rita rolled her eyes.
"I'd like to see you try."
He grinned. "See that's why I like you Rita. You're a fighter just like me."
She smiled back.
"And us fighters have got to stick together. So tell me what's up?"
Rita sighed. She observed Jacob. She hadn't liked him at all when he had barged into the ED for the first time. His ego could alienate the best of people, but, they had formed an unlikely alliance and friendship. He was an excellent nurse. He was on her side. She trusted him.
"She's a controlling, manipulative, self-absorbed, bloody gorgeous woman." Rita's shoulders relaxed, it felt as though a weight had been lifted.
Jacob sat back, impressed.
"Knew it. You should see the way she looks at you." Rita raised an eyebrow. "Like you're a three course meal and she hasn't eaten in a week."
Rita nearly choked on her gin and tonic as she laughed into her glass.
"So how far's it gone then?"
Rita was taken aback. "You're very upfront aren't you?"
"No messing around that's me." Jacob raised his hands.
"There was an 'incident' in the store cupboard."
"Uh huuh. Been there doll." He winked, Rita eyed him disapprovingly.
"But I'm not going to be some chess piece to be subjected to her twisted mind games. I'm not in this for a cheap thrill."
Rita downed the last of her glass and ordered another along with a pint for Jacob.
He punched her arm.
"You know what I think."
Rita answered without even looking up.
"What do you think? That you're god's gift to all women?" she said sarcastically.
"Well that too, but I think Connie deserves to be subjected to some mind games of our own. It's not fair game to let her have all the fun."
Rita looked down at her glass.
"C'mon Rita. Remember I'm on your side." He nudged her endearingly. She nodded.