A/N – Booooooo, I am mourning the loss of Jeff. I guess it was on the cards anyway but it is still sad. So, I am dealing with my grief by taking time to update my fic and as I only have a baby monitor for company tonight as Mr has gone out for a meal, I have a prime opportunity.
Dixie pulled into the car park opposite the Ambulance bay and parked the car. The weekend away had been long overdue and while she and Jeff didn't talk about what they would do next, they enjoyed each other's company and just took the time to relax. Now, here they were, back at work.
'Are you ready for this Princess?' Jeff asked as he unclipped his seatbelt and looked up at the building in front of them before glancing across at Dixie.
'Guess so, it is going to be strange being back after everything that has happened but we need to get back to some normality don't we?'
Jeff nodded, 'Suppose we shouldn't put it off any longer should we?'
Dixie shook her head before removing the key from the ignition and getting out, she grabbed their bag from the backseat as Jeff got out of the car. They slowly walked to the front of the Ambulance Station taking in the all too familiar surroundings, ambulances were parked up all over the place, colleagues were chatting as they restocked, and it was like nothing had changed at all.
'DIXIE' Polly screamed from the across the bay as she ran over to her friend giving her a huge hug. It wasn't long before other members of the crew were crowding around her giving her hugs and saying how pleased they were to see her back again. Jeff knew he wasn't welcome, he was pushed aside rather quickly as the crow around his wife got bigger. He was left standing back holding the bag but admiring how well Dixie was liked and respected. He felt something then, pride, pride in his best friend for the work she had done, pride for the commitment she showed to her job and pride in all the support she had around her.
'I hate to break up the reunion, but, I think the people of Holby would like to see their paramedics out and helping them right now, we can all catch up in the pub later on I am sure.' Josh said slightly louder than normal to be heard above the chatter that was surrounding Dixie. Slowly the crowd dispersed with each member of the crew wishing her luck for her first shift back before completely blanking Jeff.
Josh stepped forward before hugging Dixie himself.
'It is good to have you back Dixie, I am sure you will be great today, I have paired you with Polly if that is OK with you.' Dixie nodded and went to take the bag from Jeff so that she could get ready, she saw he was looking a bit nervous and lost so she decided to wait before heading to the locker room.
'Jeff, once you are changed I would like to see you in Dixie's office.'
Jeff nodded as Josh walked away. 'I am in for a tough ride aren't I?'
'I am sure things will be OK Jeff.'
'Let's face it Dix, no one wants me not after what I did to you and I don't blame them.'
'But I want you Jeffrey, I have forgiven you and that is all that matters, people here will come around, just give them time.'
'Yeah, guess you are right, but I now have 12 hours with Josh to get through.'
'And you will get through them and show him you are up to the job, remember, no heroics please Mr Collier.'
'As you asked me so politely, I will comply this once.'
Dixie smiled at Jeff before they made their way over to the locker room to change, Polly was waiting for Dixie in the female changing room, and she wanted to have a chance for a catch up before their shift got going. She smiled widely as Dixie came in holding her uniform in her hands.
'Oh Dix, I am so pleased you are back and that we are working together. How are you? How are things going?'
'It is going well thanks Pol. I wanted to invite you over for tea one night to say a proper thanks for letting me stay and for being there for me, I really appreciate it and I know Jeff does as well.'
'That's OK Dix, anytime, you are welcome at mine anytime. So, how was the weekend?'
'Lovely, I was so pampered I didn't want to leave. Jeff spent his time playing golf and swimming mainly although we did have some treatments together. We will have to go there one day, have a girlie day or something.'
Polly nodded as Dixie started to open her locker and get herself ready, she kept a close eye on her friend as she started to change. Polly checked Dixie's arms and back to see if there were any new marks or bruises, she would report them to Josh if she saw anything that would suggest Jeff was hitting her again. Dixie was smart, she knew what Polly was doing, and she could feel her eyes on her as she got changed.
'Would you like to see my chest as well Polly?'
'Eh?'
'I know what you are doing, you are checking me over to see if Jeff has been hitting me again aren't you?'
'No,….um…no…..yes. I am worried for you Dix, I just don't want to see you in that state again.'
Dixie turned to face Polly so she could see the rest of her upper body before putting on her T shirt, 'Polly, Jeff wouldn't do that to me again, I know him, I know him better than anyone here and I know he wouldn't do it again, now, can you stop body checking me every time I get changed and can we just get going now?'
'Of course we can Dix, let's hit the road.'
Jeff stood nervously in the changing room, he was looking himself in the mirror, he was all dressed in his uniform and was ready for the day ahead. He was a different man to the one he was when he last wore his uniform. He was not going to go jumping into dangerous situations again, the last one nearly got himself killed and destroyed the one thing that meant the world to him. He had a lot of work to do, not only did he need to rebuild things with Dixie at home, but he also needed to show her that he had changed at work. Jeff also needed to prove to his colleagues that he had changed and that they could rely on him to be professional while out on the field. He knew Josh needed to compile a report on him for the trust, Jeff was well aware that he was on probation and that one slip up could land him a dismissal. He was determined not to let that happen, he needed this job, he wanted this job.
Taking a deep breath he walked around to Dixie's office and knocked on the door. He waited for Josh to call him in and took the seat he was offered.
'So, how are you feeling Jeff?'
'A little nervous if I am honest mate. I know this place and I know my job, but I have butterflies in my stomach right now.'
'I think the sooner you are out there and on a shout those butterflies will soon disappear.'
'I hope you are right there.'
'I am. Anyway, as you know, the trust wanted you to be placed on probation, they wanted me to assess your capabilities for the next four weeks and send them in weekly reports. I have paired you with me while I do that. Believe you me Jeff, I don't want to do it, I don't like doing it, but, guidelines are guidelines and need to be followed.'
'I know mate, you are just doing your job, I know you will do what is best for everyone.'
'Jeff, I want you to do well and stay on the team, I want to see you and Dixie working together again, you two have come so far already.'
'I am not exactly Mr Popular though am i? I have a lot of making up to do.'
'Yes, and it isn't going to be easy, so, show your colleagues what you can do, show them that you are still that brilliant paramedic and have their backs, show them that you have changed.'
'Thanks Josh, you have been great and supportive, I won't let you down.'
'I hope you won't. Shall we?' Josh replied as he picked up his radio and keys to the ambulance leaving the office with Jeff in tow.
Dixie sat in the rec room, she was nearly 8 hours into her shift and she hadn't seen or heard from Jeff since they got changed that morning. She was hoping she would have had some time with him during a break to see how things were going and how he was finding it, but, that obviously was not to happen. She sat looking at her phone unsure whether to text him or just to leave it, after all he was in safe hands wasn't he.
'You are a million miles away there Dix.' Polly said as she placed a mug of tea down in front of her partner.
'Yeah, I was just wondering how Jeff was getting on that's all.'
'I am sure he is doing well.'
'I hope he is, it isn't going to be easy for him being assessed again.'
'We all know that Dix, Josh isn't too thrilled about having to assess him again. He was lucky not to be sacked.'
'That's true Pol. I don't know what we would have done if he was sacked. I just hope he is behaving himself.'
'Trust me Dix, if he wasn't, we would have known about it by now.'
Dixie smiled as she took a sip of her tea. She knew Polly was right, Josh would have said something if Jeff was in any danger of not passing the assessment. She could remember their conversation when news of his probation came through, he wasn't happy but after much convincing, he saw that it was the best option. Dixie recalled how she had read him the riot act and warned him about his behaviour, she had made Jeff promise to do everything by the letter, she just hoped he would.
The end of the shift came soon enough for Jeff and he was once more sat in Dixie's office waiting for Josh to give him the verdict on day one. He was certain he had done alright, Josh hadn't needed to pick him up on anything and his handovers were perfect, but, why was he still worried?
'You really need to work on your poker face Jeff.'
'I can't help it, I never bothered with one, Dixie could always see straight through them anyway.'
'So, how do you think your day went?'
'Alright I think. I was a little nervous on the first shout with the stabbing, but once I had the bleed under control, everything slotted into place after that. The guy who had the really low blood pressure was interesting, it took me ages to work out why it kept on going through the floor but then it turned out that it was a mix of dehydration and some new antibiotics.'
'You coped with both of those situations really well, your calm manner, methodical working and excellent handovers made sure the patients received the proper care an quickly.'
'Thanks Josh, for having faith in me, appreciate it.'
'No problems, you did well today. All you need to do is deliver like that every shift for the next four weeks and you will have the trust off your back and a proud wife by your side.'
'Speaking of my wife, am I OK to get off and see her now?'
'Of course, I will even give you a gold star to show her for your great work today.'
'Cheers mate, have a good evening and I will see you tomorrow.'
Jeff left the office and hurriedly got changed flinging his uniform into the bag so he could go and find Dixie. He ran through the corridor and into the rec room where she was sat reading a text on her phone.
'Hey babe, look what Josh gave me.' Jeff said as he sat down next to her showing off his new gold star.
'Aww, that is so sweet. Where you a good boy then?'
'I came top of the class today.'
'I am proud of you Jeff. You deserve it.'
'Yeah, only four more weeks to go before I can be trusted on my own again.'
'It needs to be done Jeff, you know it and so do I, but, one thing we both know is that you can do this job blindfolded, just play the game and prove to everyone you are up to it.'
'Yeah, I know. So, how was your day?'
'Busy, I had two stabbings, one overdose, one labour, three minor RTCs and five hoax calls.'
'Is it good to be back?'
'Abso bloody lutely.'
'Pub?'
'Do you know what Jeffrey, that is the best thing you have said to me all day.'
'I think that is the only thing I have said to you all day seeing as I haven't been anywhere near you.'
'Can we do one thing though?'
'What?'
'Can we go to the pub around the corner from our place?'
'Why?'
'Everyone is going to be at the pub and considering the frosty reception they gave you, I don't want to sit in the pub with them doing it again. I just want us to celebrate our first day back together with no one else but you.'
'If you are sure Dix and if that is what you want to do then we will do that, we will have plenty of time to nip across the road.'
Closing her phone and placing it into the bag, Dixie notice that Jeff had just thrown his uniform in, deciding not to berate him for the creases tonight, she placed her neatly folded uniform on top before snaking her arm through his and heading out. Their first shift was over, it was always going to be a hard one, but, now, they were well on their way to getting back to how they were. The next hurdle was coming up at the weekend, they had agreed to sit down and talk things through properly, sort out where they stood and what they were going to do next, but, for now, a well earned drink was on the cards.
