Author: Raven Shadowrose

Title: To Catch a Falling Star

Rating: M

Pairing: Dixie/Hannah, Jeff/Emilie, ?/?

Summary: A sequel to The Ties That Bind. What will happen to the Holby paramedics and their partners when a traumatic event tests the bonds of their relationships and friendships?

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Casualty, any dialogue from the show belongs to the writers and I claim no ownership. All original characters and the story are my property and I do not give permission for them to be used.

A/N: There will be some chapters in this story that may upset some people, a warning will be placed at the start of each chapter that contains sensitive/upsetting material. Reviews are welcome :)

Thank you to BeethovenRIP, sarah4steve and Sparkles and Rainbows for reviewing and your support. I hope that you enjoy this chapter, I have enjoyed writing it :)


Chapter Twenty-Nine.

It was the day before Polly went back to work, she had agreed to meet Cyd for a coffee so that Jeff and Emilie could spend some time together. The wedding was getting closer and Polly thought that it was important for them to have time to be alone together in the run up to the ceremony. Getting married was a big deal for both Emilie and Jeff, they needed some time to talk about their future plans in their life together. Polly wondered if she would still be able to live with Jeff and Emilie once they were married. She knew that they were planning on starting a family, should she offer to move out? If she did bring it up then she had a feeling that Jeff would tell her that she couldn't go. Polly knew that Jeff was still very protective of her, she knew that he would be that way for some time. She knew that it was because she had been shot and in a coma, it was also because he had been with her when it had happened. Perhaps it wasn't the right time for her to be moving out, Jeff needed to protect her, and she needed to let him. It worried Polly that if she brought up her moving out then it might hurt Jeff, she didn't want to hurt his feelings. She decided that she would leave the thought of moving out for now, Jeff needed her around, he needed her to be there so that he could look after her. Polly decided that she would talk to Emilie about it before she talked to Jeff when the time came for her to think about moving out. The last thing that she wanted to do was hurt Jeff in any way, he had been through enough already.

Polly had ordered herself a mug of chocolate and a piece of Victoria sponge, she sat herself down in a comfortable chair. Cyd had ordered a cappuccino and some of the Bakewell tart, she drank some of the coffee and she watched Polly as she ate some of the cake. 'You look as if you are in your own world Polly. Is everything all right?'

'Yeah, I'll be back at work tomorrow. I've been waiting for this day for what feels like a long time.'

'Are you nervous?'

'A little bit, Dixie has to write a report on me for the trust. What if I'm not up to the job? It will put Dixie in a really awkward position, she will be the one that has to tell me and them that. I know that it will make her feel really bad if she has to do that.'

'Do you think that you're not ready to come back?'

'I'm ready, I really want to go back to work and do my job. I can be nervous, right?'

'Of course you can, it is normal for you to be nervous, you have been away for a while.'

'I'm glad you think that. I want to do a good job tomorrow.'

'You will do a good job, I know you will. Everyone has missed you, they can't wait to see you. All of the hospital staff know how good you are at your job.'

'Thanks Cyd, that is just what I needed to hear.' Polly drank from her chocolate, she put some more cake in her mouth and she smiled, she would do a good job on her first day at work.

A few moments of silence passed as Cyd and Polly ate their cakes, it gave Polly some time to think about everything that Cyd had said. She was determined to do a good job, she would make everyone proud of her. 'Polly, how is it going with Owen?'

'It is going really well, he is gentleman. I think that he really likes me.'

'I think so too, I can see how he looks at you.'

'I am glad that you think he likes me.'

'How can he not? You are a lovely person Polly.'

'Thank you for saying that. I think that Jeff is starting to like Owen, I know that he gave him the talk before Owen took me out for the first time.'

'Jeff just wants to protect you, we all do. We nearly lost you, that is going to take some time for Jeff to get over. He has come far from the day that he got up on the roof.'

'I know, I was shocked and angry when he told me what he'd done. I was mostly sad though, it is hard for me to think of Jeff in such a bad way and hurting.'

'I saw him on the roof. I was with Hannah and we had just been on a shout, we spotted him up there. Hannah went to tell Dixie, I phoned Emilie and told her what was happening. Jeff needed Emilie, he needed the woman that loved him, he needed her to talk him down.'

'It was you that called Emilie? Jeff didn't tell me that.'

'He doesn't know, I don't think he does anyway.' Polly nodded, calling Emilie was the best thing that Cyd could have done for Jeff. She got the person that he needed the most at a time when he was going through the worst time that he had ever faced.

The memories of Jeff being up on the roof had come back to Cyd, she hadn't talked about them much. 'Calling Emilie to tell her what was happening is the hardest thing that I have ever had to do. I hated having to give her the news that Jeff was stood on the edge of the roof and looking like he was about to jump off it.'

'I can imagine.'

'I heard her crying down the phone, she was very upset. I just about managed to hear her say that she was on her way. I looked up at the roof for a long time until Emilie got there.'

'What happened then?'

'I was still there when Emilie got to the hospital, she looked scared. It was obvious that she had been crying. Dixie went with her to help Jeff, she asked me to keep what was happening a secret from everyone else. She was afraid that if someone else knew that Jeff was up on the roof then they might call the psychiatrists. She was afraid that they would have tried to section him.'

'I bet that Emilie was afraid of it too.'

'I saw them afterwards; they all looked exhausted and they had all been crying. Jeff looked broken, Emilie and Dixie were holding him up. We all stood in a group and hugged each other in the station. Dixie and Emilie took Jeff home, it was the best place for him.'

'I can't believe that I was asleep during all of this.'

'I haven't really talked about this before.'

'You did a good thing for Jeff, you got Emilie there when he needed her the most.'

'Don't say anything to him, I don't want to blow my own trumpet.'

'I won't, I promise.'

'Thanks Polly.' Cyd took a deep breath and then she let it go, she was happy that she had been able to talk about her part in helping Jeff to someone. It had been a difficult time for everyone involved, she had done the only thing that she could to help Jeff. Dixie knew about Cyd's involvement, she too had promised not to tell Jeff about who had called Emilie and got her to the hospital.

Hannah sat with the twins and she encouraged them to play with the toys that they had, their happy laughter and joy at being able to play made her happy. Her memories of the twins coming into the world and growing up made Hannah smile. She loved them both dearly, Dixie had been overjoyed at finding out that she would be a mum. Seeing Dixie happy had made Hannah happy too, she remembered Dixie crying at the birth of their children. Hannah was grateful for the man that had given them both the chance to be parents. He had given them two healthy babies and he had contributed to Dixie's happiness. At the end of the year the twins would be two years old, their characters would develop more, Hannah couldn't wait to see them grow up. Dixie sat next to Hannah and she smiled at her. 'Elizabeth is getting more like you every day Dixie.'

'Do you think so?'

'I do, I love how she is growing up to be a little you.'

'She is a beautiful little girl, I love her so much, I love her brother too.'

'Of course you do.'

'Hannah, there are times when I thought I wouldn't see this day, when I thought I wouldn't be a mother. I thought that I had missed my chance.'

'Never, I wouldn't let that happen.' Hannah kissed Dixie on the head and she hugged her close, she loved her wife, she would do whatever it took to make her happy.

Dixie snuggled herself closer to Hannah and she closed her eyes, being held by her wife gave her some comfort. She liked how Hannah held her close, she liked how safe she felt when she was being held by her wife. 'Hannah, Polly will be back with us tomorrow. The trust want me to watch her every move, they want me to report on everything that she does. I think that they want me to look for signs that Polly isn't ready to be back at work.'

'Do you think that she is ready to be back?'

'I do, I have no doubts at all.'

'Then that is what you will tell them. Work with Polly for the week, then fill the report in with the truth. Trust your judgement Dixie, it hasn't failed you before.'

'Polly will be safe with me, I will take care of her. It is Jeff that I am worried about, you will look after him for me, won't you?'

'You know that I will.'

'If you're given a shout that you think Jeff can't handle then you must refuse it.'

'I know, I will. I promise you that I will look after Jeff as you would yourself.'

'Thank you.'

'Any time. I know that you love Jeff, I won't let anything happen to him.'

'I know. That is why I have put Jeff with you, you will take care for him for me.'

'Don't worry about Jeff, he is doing a lot better now. Focus on Polly and help her prove to the trust that she is ready to be back at work. I know you can do it.'

'I am glad that you believe in me Hannah.'

'Always.' Dixie cuddled herself close to Hannah and she smiled, it made her happy that her wife had faith in her, that she believed in her ability to help Polly out during her first week back at work.

A faint smile crossed Dixie's lips and Hannah saw it, she smiled and then stroked her hand over Dixie's hair. 'My beautiful Dixie.'

'You're beautiful too Hannah. I have always thought that about you.'

'You're my Dixie, my wife, and the mother of our children.'

'I love you.'

'Love you too beautiful.'

'Jeff is going to be married soon.'

'He is, how many times has he made you listen to his vows?'

'Many times, I don't mind though, he is my friend and I love him.'

'Of course you do.'

'I just want him to be happy, I have seen him go through hell. Emilie makes Jeff happy. She has stood by him through it all. Emilie is a good woman.'

'I know she is. Jeff makes Emilie happy, they are meant for each other.'

'I hope that Jeff and Emilie stay happy, they love each other. I hope that their life is simpler after everything that they have been through.'

'We all do. Their wedding day is going to be lovely.'

'Are you nervous about singing?'

'Not now, I might be when it comes to our time to perform. It is Jeff and Emilie's first dance, I want it to be perfect. Emilie has chosen a beautiful song.'

'It will be perfect.'

'I am glad that you think so. Hannah rested her head against Dixie's and she cuddled up to her, she really wanted to do justice to the song that Emilie had asked her to sing.

Emilie rested her head in Jeff's lap, he was stroking her hair and she sighed happily, she liked being looked after by Jeff. 'Thank you for cooking for me, I love your veggie curry and your chocolate cake. I am lucky to have a man around that can cook.'

'I am glad that you enjoyed it princess.'

'I did, very much. Are you going to keep cooking for me when we're married?'

'Count on it. I will look after you Emilie, I'm going to do a better job of being married this time.'

'I'll look after you too.'

'Thanks princess.' Emilie felt Jeff kiss her forehead and she smiled at him. 'Emilie, you're beautiful.'

'Awww Jeff, you're so sweet.'

'Only for you princess.' Jeff looked down at Emilie and he stroked her hair again. 'Polly is back at work tomorrow. I have to work with Hannah because Dixie has to make sure that Polly is fit enough to be back at work. It is stupid that the trust are putting Polly and Dixie through this.'

'They just want to make sure that she is ready to be back, it is for Polly's safety.'

'She was injured on a shout, they should be giving her a break, she hasn't done anything wrong.'

'Is it really the trust that are getting on your nerves?'

'I don't know what you mean, what are you trying to say?' Emilie feared that Jeff had something on his mind, she knew not to push him though, he needed to open up in his own time.

Jeff tried his best to get his thoughts under control, he knew that Emilie was waiting for him to say something. 'What if Polly isn't ready to be back at work?'

'Dixie will look after Polly, if she thinks that Polly isn't ready then she will sort it out.'

'What if I'm not ready for Polly to be back?'

'Is that what is on your mind?'

'Yeah, I think it is. The last time that someone was on a shout with me they got shot. I couldn't protect Polly, she was in a coma, she nearly lost her life.'

'Jeff, that was one time.'

'Hannah is going to be with me, Dixie put her wife with me, what if something happens to Hannah? If something happens to Hannah then Dixie will be crushed, the twins will be without a parent.'

'Why do you think that Dixie put Hannah with you?'

'I don't know.'

'Dixie put Hannah with you because she trusts you, she knows that you will look after her.'

'What if her trust is misplaced?'

'It isn't, I know the man that you are Jeff. You protect the people closest to you.' Emilie sat up and she took Jeff's hands in hers. 'I know that you're worried, I know that you're afraid of what might happen in the future. Look how far you've come, you have achieved so much.'

'I know, there were times when I thought I wouldn't be able to face the day.'

'You did, you went to counselling and you went back to work. You have helped people and you have treated the people that need you. You are brave and caring.'

'Do you mean that?'

'I do, I believe in you Jeff.' Emilie's words made Jeff smile, they made him feel better, he was happy that Emilie believed in him.

A look at Jeff's face told Emilie that he was feeling a bit better about Polly being back at work, she knew that he just wanted to protect the people he loved. 'Jeff, we've seen Polly get stronger throughout her physiotherapy sessions. She is happy about going back to work.'

'I just want to protect her.'

'Of course you do, there's nothing wrong with that.'

'She is young, we've almost lost her once, I don't want to experience that again.'

'I know.' Emilie squeezed Jeff's hand. 'Try not to worry, everything will be fine.'

'You promise?'

'I promise.' Emilie put her arms around Jeff and she hugged him, she felt his arms move around her and she stroked his head. 'I love you Jeff.'

'Love you too princess.' Jeff and Emilie just hugged each other, it gave them comfort to know that they were in the arms of the person that loved them.

Polly let herself into the house, she walked past the lounge and she saw Emilie and Jeff hugging each other. She smiled at the sight of them together and she quietly took her shoes and coat off. Polly watched Jeff and Emilie for another few moments and then she went into the kitchen, she started to make herself a sandwich. She started to think about Owen, seeing Jeff and Emilie hugging each other had made her think about her own relationship. It was going well, she was certain that he liked her a lot. Polly knew that she liked Owen too, Emilie had given her permission to bring Owen to the wedding. She had asked him on their last date and he had agreed to go with her, she was looking forward to having a date for the wedding.

Jeff watched Polly from the doorway, she was lost in making herself something to eat, she looked happy. Seeing Polly happy made Jeff smile, he wanted her to stay that way. 'Princess Polly,' Jeff said quietly so as not to startle her.

'Jeff, how long have you been stood there?'

'A while. How did meeting up with Cyd go?'

'Good, I had cake, it was really nice.'

'I'm glad you had a good time. Are you all right with going back to work tomorrow?'

'I am, I can't wait, I want to be back with you all.'

'Will you be careful tomorrow Polly?'

'Of course I will, Dixie will be looking after me.'

'She will, we all will.'

'I'm glad to hear it. Jeff, where's Emilie?'

'She's having a bath.'

'Don't you usually share it with her?'

'I do, I can't share it with her right now.'

'Why not?'

'It would seriously test our resolve to wait until our wedding night to make love to each other.'

'Oh, I see.'

'I want it to be special for her, I want our wedding night to be the night that we start again.'

'That sounds so beautiful.'

'Polly, can you keep a secret?'

'I can.'

'I have booked a room at the farm where we're getting married for us to go to after the party.'

'Wow, that sounds amazing.'

'Polly, will you help me?''

'With what?'

'I want to make the room special; you know candles and so on. I want to give Emilie a night to remember. I want to make our first night as husband and wife special for Emilie.'

'Leave it to me, I will get everything that you need.'

'Thanks princess.'

'You're welcome.' Jeff hugged Polly, he was glad that she was on his side and helping him out with the room that he had booked for the wedding night.

Thoughts of rose petals and candles were going through Polly's mind, she was happy that Jeff had come to her to ask her for help with the room. She wanted it to be special for Emilie and Jeff, they deserved a proper night of romance and she would make sure that they got it. 'Jeff, are you and Emilie going to have a hen and stag party?'

'I don't know, I think that I am too old for a stag do. I'd rather not end up drunk and in a plaster cast. I might end up handcuffed to a lamppost somewhere.'

'We should do something though, maybe a meal out somewhere nice.'

'I suppose we could do that.'

'I could organise a sleepover like I did for Dixie and Hannah.'

'I remember that, you put me in a face mask.'

'I did, I really enjoyed myself.'

'Me too. I'll talk to Emilie about the sleepover idea and see what she says.'

'Good, it would be nice to have the gang together again.'

'For now, you need to go to bed princess.'

'You should too, we both have an early start ahead of us.'

'Goodnight princess.'

'Goodnight Jeff.' Polly went up the stairs, she hoped that Emilie would like the idea of having a sleepover for their hen do. The thought of Jeff and Emilie's first night together as husband and wife came to mind, she was determined to give them a lovely room to go to. Polly smiled, she would make her friends happy, they would have a beautiful start to married life.