Survival of the Fittest
Dylan stood amoungst the group.
"So, let me get this straight, you want to persuade Sam to adopt a patient."
"We think that they've become attached, and that it would be in both of their best interests if…"
Dylan interrupted Tess.
"I'll take that as a yes, then. And you want me to help?" Dylan snorted.
"Come ON, Dylan- please?" Zoe whined.
"Will you ever shut up if I don't?"
"Nope," Zoe grinned.
"Ugh, fine… but she'll get violent, and for every bruise, cut, broken bone and stab wound, I get an extra hours holiday."
"Dylan, you know I can't…"
"Then deal with her highness on your own…"
"Dylan, come on… I'll… I'll… I'll make sure you don't have to work in cubicles for the rest of the month," Tess offered.
"Make it two months, and you've got a deal."
"Fine, two months- but don't tell Nick or he'll kill me…" sighed Tess.
"And me…" Zoe grimaced.
"Well, when you meddle in people's private lives, that's a price you have to pay- now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go and make a complete tit out of myself." Dylan said, leaving the room.
When he arrived at Jezebel's room, he paused to look in the door. As much as he hated to admit it, the others were right. It was clear that Sam and Jezebel were attached to each other. He watched for a while, as the young girl and Sam sat side by side on the bed, Jezebel under the covers and Sam on top. Sam was holding a book, and reading it aloud to Jezebel- who had rested her head on Sam's shoulder once more, to read along with her. Both of them were laughing. Dylan opened the door and looked inside.
"Dr Nichols," he began, "Mr Jordan would like you, and your patient, to know that he's contacted social services, and they're coming to visit Jezebel tomorrow. They'll take her as soon as you discharge her."
Dylan shut the door, and left Sam alone with Jezebel, and her thoughts.
"I don't want to go into care!"
"It… it may be the best thing for you," Sam sighed, "You can't stay in hospital forever, and you can't go back to that madman."
"But I don't want to go into care…" the girl began to sob, and Sam gave her a hug.
Sam began to cry silently to herself, and Dylan watched all that unfolded from the window. He knew then that he'd convinced her.
"Right, you lot- Sam is currently sat in Jezebel's room, clinging to her and crying. Happy now?"
"Oh…" Scarlet whispered.
"What, did you think that convincing Sam to adopt an innocent, scared young girl was going to be all smiles?" Dylan grumbled, "Because there is a period of time between now and the decision, in which Sam has to sum up different possibilities in order to make a life changing decision. She's going to be scared, lost and angry. She's going to need friends… preferably friends in bulletproof vests…"
"We can support Sam through making a decision, and guide her to make the right one, but that's it… if this begins to interrupt ANYONE in their work, I'm forcing Sam to take a holiday, and she won't thank you for that." Tess smiled.
"Well… I've got… work to do…" Scarlet stammered, hurrying from the room.
"Yeah, me too…" the others made their excuses and left.
Charlie laughed, "The idea of a pissed of Dr Nichols really is frightening, isn't it?"
"Charlie, is that an interruption to your work I sense? Regarding Sam? Well, I'd better…"
"I'm going! I'm going!" he laughed.
Meanwhile, Sam had left Jezebel's room, and had found Zoe.
"What's up?" Zoe asked her.
"Like you don't know…" Sam smirked.
"What on earth do you mean?"
"I know someone put Dylan up to saying that. I know you and Tess are the only ones with any power over him- in his eyes. I know that you all gathered in the staffroom… Big Mac told me."
"Great." Zoe grimaced.
"It's fine… you're right… I mean, I know how it should go from here…"
"But?"
"But it'll change everything, so completely and entirely. I want to… but I don't want to regret the decision later on."
"Okay, answer me three questions: Can you stand the thought of her going back into care?" Zoe asked.
"I can't… no…" Sam answered.
"Okay… DO you think social services would LET you take her?"
"Well, I think so… they let Linda take Britney and Joe, so…"
"Do you?"
"Is that the third question?" Sam laughed, "Yeah, yes I do."
"No it wasn't- this is: Do you think that, on the day they come to take her, you'll let her go."
"Never."
"Has that cleared it up?" Zoe smiled, and Sam nodded, wiping her tears.
"Right then," Zoe handed Sam a phone, "Call them."