Hello! Since my reviews were so encouraging, here's the second of two new short chapters. Once again thanks for all your support, especially Sunny and new reader Saved-By-Grace

Cheers, Kate x

'Dr Ross, can you sign this?' asked Lydia as she joined Haleh, who was watching the computer screen.

'What is it?' barked Doug, never taking his eyes from the game.

'Drug orders for the kid in three. He's in a lot of pain and needs them immediately'.

Doug's left hand flew from the control, grabbed the pen and scribbled his name on the chart, his eyes staying on the screen.

Behind them, quite a crowd was gathering to see what was happening - it was neck and neck. Everybody stared at the screen, transfixed.

The only sound was that of the two men frantically pressing the buttons, and the palpable tension was only broken by the sound of the phone ringing.

'Damn!' Jerry was exasperated.

'Shouldn't you get that?' Doug grinned.

The phone continued to ring.

'Will somebody please get the damn phone!'

'It's your job' said Randy without looking up from the magazine. 'I'm on a break'.

'You've been reading that magazine for half an hour!'

'Yeah - on hospital time. Now I've decided to take my break and I'm on my own time. You answer it'.

'I'm kinda in the middle of something here'.

'So am I'

'JUST ANSWER THE GODDAMN PHONE!'

And with that there was a bang and everybody jumped. The screen went blank and wisps of smoke were coming from the back of the monitor. The crowd dispersed, all except Lydia who answered the phone. Jerry and Doug looked at each other.

'I guess I'm going on a date at Doc's…

…and I'm watching the game home alone. Unless…'

'Wanna switch?'

'Sure. I think my tux might be at the dry cleaners anyway'

'Won't your date be disappointed?'.

'She's a huge Bulls fan' replied Doug, staring at Susan as she and Mark left an exam room.

'Ok then, I'm gonna head off' said Jerry as he grabbed his stuff and headed for the door. 'Need to look my best for tonight. Have a good one, Dr Ross'.

Doug didn't reply. He was watching Susan chat to Mark.

'It's great to see them together again' said Lydia, noticing what Doug was looking at.

'Huh?'

'Well not 'together' exactly, but friends…y'know? It's been weird round here with them not being close'. As Lydia spoke, Susan gave Mark a pretend punch in the arm and ran towards the desk giggling, with Mark in pursuit. Lydia couldn't help noticing that Doug hadn't heard a word she had said.

'By the way, that was someone by the name of Jill on the phone, she left a message (and I quote) 'I wouldn't go out with him again if he was the last man on earth. Tell him to shove his invite where…'

'Mark! Stop it!' Lydia was interrupted by Susan's protests against Mark, who was now tickling her in front of the desk.

'Just give me the note!' Mark demanded playfully.

'Is this the note on the flowers from the mystery man?' asked Lydia as Mark snatched the tiny envelope from Susan's grasp.

'Someone's sent Susan the most beautiful flowers' Lydia explained to Doug, who was still staring at the two doctors.

'To Dr Lewis, I can't take my eyes off you, x' Mark read out the note and he and Lydia burst out laughing. Susan felt like she might die of embarrassment and snatched the note back, tearing it up and throwing it in the trash, resisting the urge to laugh all the while. She was used to laughing at herself, but something about this made her uneasy.

'Do you know who it is?' asked Lydia.

'No idea. I'd have to go over all my recent patients who needed a psyche consult. They're the only ones who would be crazy enough to come up with something that cheesy'. Susan was joking, but the idea of someone watching her brought out the protective instincts of both Mark and Doug.

As did the arrival of Adam Cole at the admit desk.