You're not as great as you think you are

Frank wasn't sure how but months passed without him and Alison exchanging more than polite nods in the presence of others. Everyday he expected her to come and inquire about Kathleen but she didn't. For this, he felt angry on Kathleen's behalf. Oh she could send a sentimental birthday card once a year but that was as far as her maternal instinct went.

Things over those few months didn't run smoothly for Frank, personally or professionally. Kathleen was becoming increasingly difficult and despite having a wonderful carer for her he found it difficult to cope. At work he didn't endear himself to the staff. He had discovered (and pointed out loudly and frequently) that the ED had a lot of problems. Not least of which, in his opinion, was the staff's work ethic. He didn't accept half-hearted or second best and if it meant reducing people to tears he didn't care. He had come across a few who he considered to be top rate but unfortunately only one of those worked in his department.

Jessica Singleton was a good nurse with the potential to be a great nurse if she had a little more confidance in herself. As for the rest of them...he'd have to put a rocket up their backsides. Until the completely useless ones could be weeded out and replaced, he would have to make do. Admin however didn't want to hear of any problems with staff. The shooting in Ward 17 was still sending shockwaves throughout the entire hospital system and there were rumours of administrative heads rolling and perhaps a clean sweep of the decks and some new appointees to the top jobs. Frank didn't see why he couldn't do the same in the ED but Julia Archer had warned him to tread carefully with his staff.

Frank continued to come down hard on his staff until one day, they walked out. A Board meeting was called and Frank attended to hear the verdict. After dutifully listening to Julia Archer convey the seriousness of the situation i.e. all of Frank's staff bar one having walked out, he tried not to look too pleased. The Board had decided to give him another chance and he would be getting a new team. Truth be told this solved another problem the hospital had with trying to find places for the staff who were moved from the now closed Ward 17. Julia had a feeling Frank and that lot deserved each other.

That wasn't the only announcement the Board had to make however and it seemed the rumours had been true and there were some administrative changes on the way. As Frank waited with the other Dept Heads he overheard some who were in Alison's company talking about him.

"The man's a nutter." Said one.

Charming, thought Frank.

"If things aren't up to scratch then he has a right to crack the whip." Said another.

Frank mentally thanked him.

"You can't treat people like that." The first insisted.

"And you can't treat patients properly if standards slip."

Frank decided he liked the Head of Surgery.

"Well I heard this is the kind of behaviour that made St Angela's get rid of him." A third said.

"They didn't get rid of him, did they?" the Head of Surgery asked.

"They were on the verge, he jumped ship just in time and this lot were stupid enough to take him on."

Frank cleared his throat and they all dispersed.

"You were quiet." He said to Alison. She shrugged, slightly surprised he was speaking to her. "What side of the fence are you on?"

"Does it matter?" she asked.

"No, it doesn't." He said cockily smirking. He'd got what he wanted and everyone could think what they liked.

Alison eyed him for a moment.

"You're not as great as you think you are." she said.

"I don't think I'm great." He replied. "I just don't let that stop me from trying to be."

"That's a good line, did you use it on the Board?" Alison asked mockingly.

Twenty minutes later Frank felt Alison's cold, smug stare as it was announced that she was All Saints' new Director of Medicine. He might have won today's battle but he had a sudden feeling that the war was just beginning.