Iain saw Rita across the reception desk in the ED. She caught sight of him as he wheeled yet another patient into resus. His expression made her stomach sink, it wasn't anger or even jealousy but disappointment. Rita ran a hand through her hair. She hadn't sorted out the situation, in fact she hadn't even attempted to. Since Jacob arrived and Connie had descended into one of her worst moods in history, Rita had been run off her feet. But that was no excuse. Usually upfront about these things, she felt guilty for leaving him hanging. He was a decent guy and he deserved a decent explanation.

She moved towards the resus doors as they opened. Iain and Dixie sauntered out back to the ambulance.

"Iain?"

He turned to face her, there was not a hint of surprise in his face.

"Can I have a word?"

Rita half expected him to blank her and walk away, just to ignore her like nothing had ever happened. And to be honest, she wouldn't have blamed him. His resolve faltered.

"Fine but make it quick, places to be and all that." He tried his best to look irritated.

She smiled weakly and followed him out to the ambulance.

Dixie raised an eyebrow at her and got into the cab. She gave Rita what could only be described as a motherly stare.

Rita scratched the back of her neck awkwardly.

"Okay. I've been waiting to do this for too long. I'm sorry for just leaving you hanging like that. You're a good bloke, you deserve better."

Iain cut her off with a pained expression.

"I just wanna know what I did wrong Rita? You were happy enough that night..." She blushed, embarrassed. "So why go off with me in the morning?"

"Trust me when I say it isn't anything to do with 'that night' or...how much I enjoyed it. I had a great time. But I've had Connie on my back 24/7 and it got too complicated too quickly."

She paused. He looked defiant but couldn't keep it up. Faltering, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Look can we just be mates again? Like before? I'll see you in the pub tonight? I'll get the drinks in."

Iain tried to suppress a smile that crept onto his face.

"Alright fine. But don't think I've forgiven you completely Missy!"

He pulled her into a tight hug. Dixie appeared at the ambulance doors.

"Alright you two, not in the back of the ambo, I've just tidied up." She winked at Rita's disapproving look.

Rita grinned and walked back into the ED feeling lighter.

Jacob appeared at her side when she reached cubicles. His gleaming white teeth showing as he grinned down at her.

"What have you done?"

Rita pointed a finger at him.

"I know that face. What are you up to this time?"

Jacob chuckled and faked innocence, his grin only widening.

"I haven't done anything boss. Honestly." He held up his hands in mock surrender.

"I have, however, got an idea."

He scanned the area, checking the coast was clear. Rita's eyes narrowed.

"The Connie situation. You're not gonna back down right?" They communicated in hushed tones.

Rita crossed her arms. "She wishes."

Jacob chuckled. "So...we have to play her at her own game right?"

"Right..."

"Flirt with her. Make yourself irresistible. She already can't take her eyes off you when you're not looking."

Rita smirked slightly.

"Tempt the beast Rita. She won't be able to keep herself off you."

"Aren't friends meant to warn each other off taking risks?" She stuck her tongue out at him.

"What's life without a little risk? C'mon it's not like you can't handle it..." He winked suggestively at her.

Appealing to her sense of thrill, Jacob knew he had her persuaded. After a brief moment if indecision, her eyes lit up defiantly.

"Challenge accepted," she whispered before walking away quickly.

'Okay Freeman. Focus. Old school tactics. Two can play at this game.'

Rita walked over to the Nurse's station. She spotted Connie coming out of her office.

Lofty wheeled a trolley past her, he smiled in her direction. As he did, the trolley went straight into the side of the desk, several bedsheets falling off onto the floor.

"Sorry Rita. Clumsy," he muttered.

She just smiled.

"Don't worry. It happens. Let me help you."

Bending over at the waist, Rita scooped up the bedsheets and returned them to the trolley. Once she had straightened up, Rita made a show of tucking her loose fringe back behind her ear biting her lip. Lofty wheeled the trolley away. Turning her back on Connie, Rita glanced over her shoulder to see her slightly flushed expression. The tips of her ears were pink. Dead giveaway, she mused. Battle had commenced.

The next day, the shift started quietly. Rounding the corner into the ED carpark, Rita squinted as the sun shone brightly into her eyes. Putting up her hand to shield herself from the light, she saw Jacob marching up to her. His stride long and athletic, a familiar grin on his face. He stopped and looked her up and down.

"Oh you are bad. Wicked even."

A wide smile spread across Rita's face.

"I don't know what you mean," she teased.

Of course, she knew exactly what he meant. Her choice of attire today was completely deliberate. But of course Connie didn't need to know that. She had chosen tight black jeans and quite a low cut vest top that didn't leave much to the imagination.

Jacob shook his head. "It's too bad you're already got your eye on Connie. I'd take you here and now Reets."

She smirked and pointed a warning finger at him.

"Oi I'm still your boss remember!"

Jacob winked. "Makes it more of a turn on."

Rita laughed but couldn't disagree.

The walked over the ED threshold.

"Showtime." Jacob muttered.

Rita walked slowly and deliberately towards Louise at the desk, keeping an eye out for Connie.

"Busy today Louise?"

"Actually quite a quiet one so far. The big RTC was redirected to St James's."

Connie rounded the corner as Rita collected patient notes from Louise. Rita took her chance. A folder fluttered to the floor.

"Damn." Rita exclaimed. She bent over and swept it up lingering for a moment longer than was necessary. Sauntering past Connie, she allowed a small smirk to appear on her face.

"Morning Mrs Beauchamp." And Rita was gone.

Connie stood stock still. What was Rita playing at? Was she trying to drive her mad? She knew her expression had given her away. But that vest top was... Before her brain could process anything, Connie found her legs marching back toward the locker room, following Rita. She burst in just as Rita had taken her jacket off.

"Nurse Freeman...I...we're." Connie faltered. Her words got stuck. Connie Beauchamp was never lost for words. It took a few seconds for her to compose herself.

"We're very busy. Can you hurry up and get changed...quickly."

Rita nodded, the smirk still on her face.

Connie didn't move.

"Okay..." Rita motioned at the door. "I'm going to get changed quickly...unless you want to stay?"

Rita allowed a hint of amusement to creep into her voice.

Connie realised Rita was waiting for her to leave.

"Yes...no. I'm leaving." Connie went a deep shade of red, she paused a moment longer, her eyes falling to Rita's body before leaving. The door clicked shit behind her. Rita shook her head in amusement.