When they woke the next morning, they both felt contentedly rested, huddled under the soft, warm duvet, and neither of them really wanted to venture into the outside world. "I wish you didn't have to go into work," Ric said with a yawn, putting his arms out to her, and feeling her soft, warm body nestling up against him. "Mmm, so do I," She said, gently kissing him. "But I'm afraid that duty calls. You could always come with me," She added thoughtfully. "And spend the day harassing my staff." "To keep me under your eagle eye, you mean," He translated for her. "No, not necessarily," She said reasonably. "But it might help to keep you out of trouble." "Oh, and just what would keep you out of trouble right now, Mrs. Beauchamp?" He teased her, his hands trailing tantalisingly over her skin. "Absolutely nothing, Mr. Griffin," She replied in that deep, sultry voice that he loved so much. "Besides," She said between kisses, her own hands beginning to wander. "As far as I remember, it was you who made me behave badly in the first place." "You did half, if not three quarters of the running on that occasion," He replied, knowing they were talking about her very first day in Holby. "Mmm, and delightfully easy it was too," She said, knowing he would rise to this. "You can talk," He mocked her playfully. "You were pushing me right to the limits of my control." Connie laughed, which turned into a groan as his hand slid between her legs. "And who said I wanted you to be in the least controlled." "That was it, wasn't it," He said knowingly, his fingers steadily moving on her. "To have me well and truly under your spell." "You must admit," She said as her breathing quickened under his ministrations. "That power does have a certain frisson about it." Their lovemaking was gentle, sleepy and incredibly tender. They seemed to fit together so perfectly, instinctively knowing each other's needs without any actual direction.
When they eventually dragged themselves out of bed, showered and got ready for work, Connie said, "If you want to go and see Jess and Zubin today, you can borrow my car." "You trust me with your most prized possession?" Ric teased her with a smile. "As long as you don't crash it or sell it," Connie said matter-of-factly. "Then yes, I suppose so." "Oh, I'm gratified," Ric said drolly, but nevertheless appreciating the offer.
As they drove through the early morning traffic, Connie began going over the operations she had to do today. Two coronary artery bypass grafts, a bone marrow transplant, and a heart and lung transplant in the afternoon. That was before the usual quota of the morning's accidents and injuries that she may or may not have to deal with. When they reached the hospital, he tagged along behind her, feeling slightly alienated from the environment he had inhabited for so many years. Keller and Darwin were a hive of activity when they arrived, but that didn't prevent Donna from exclaiming over Ric's presence. "Mr. G," She said with a welcoming smile. "What're you doing back here?" "I've come back to be with Jess and Zubin," He told her somberly. "Oh yeah, I'm sorry," She said, the smile disappearing in an instant. "Still, it's good to see you. Diane's a regular slave driver these days." "Is she?" Ric asked with a slight smile. "Yeah, ever since Mrs. Beauchamp made her acting consultant, while they look around for your replacement." "Connie didn't tell me," he replied, inwardly smiling at Connie's faith in Diane's ability. "You didn't ask," Connie retorted, having heard him from a little way down the ward. "Where might Ms Lloyd be found?" Ric asked Donna. "Probably in your old, her new, office. But we've got an RTA coming up from A and E, so you could let her know that she'll be needed in theatre."
As Ric walked towards his old domain, he inwardly thanked Connie for such a generous gesture, that might hopefully have given Diane a little more cause to believe in her commitment to surgery and above all patient care. When he knocked on his old door, Diane called to him to come in. She had been sitting at the desk, sorting out the endless paperwork that came with the territory of acting head of department, but when she saw who it was, she pushed back her chair and stood up with a broad smile. "Ric," She said, moving over to him and spontaneously hugged him. "Nice to see that my office has gone to a good home," He told her with a smile as he hugged her back. "Well done." "How are you?" Asked Diane, suddenly remembering why he was here. "Oh, I'm surviving," Ric said evasively. "But then after your little chat with Connie yesterday, I suppose you know that." "She's very concerned about you," Diane told him simply. "Not something I ever thought I'd see in Connie, but there you are." "What I have with her, Diane," He told her seriously. "It makes me happy, even though I don't see her for the majority of the time." "I know," Diane said in slightly wistful realisation. "I just hope that she can give you the type of support, that you didn't get from me." "Diane," Ric said carefully. "What did or didn't happen between us is in the past. I would never have been the right person for you, because I've got far too many flaws." "And is Connie the right person for you?" She asked him, knowing that what he said was right, but hating to admit it. "Yes, she is," Said Ric with total certainty. "Because in her way, Connie has just as many weaknesses and imperfections in her make up as I do. I've got no idea how long I'll ever have with Connie, but even if it were to end now, today, it would definitely all have been worth it." "I hope so," Diane said, content for the moment to be standing within his embrace, and hoping that Connie really could live up to the image he'd drawn of her.
"So," Ric asked in an effort to slightly change the subject. "How's Owen?" "Oh, he's fine," Diane replied, moving away from him now that their heart-to-heart was over. "You should try and say hello while you're here." Just then, the door was thrust unceremoniously open by Donna. "Diane, we've got an RTA coming up from A and E, with chest and abdominal trauma. They're taking him straight to theatre." "Thanks, Donna," Diane said as she walked towards the door. "Well, why not come and see if I've learnt a thing or two in your absence?" She asked Ric over her shoulder. "You could always assist if the opportunity arises." "Oh, thank you," Ric said dryly. "Considering that I taut you virtually everything you know, that's an enormous complement."
When they arrived in theatre, Connie was already there. "Mr. Griffin," She said on seeing him. "Nice of you to join us." "I hope you don't mind," Ric said politely. "Of course not," She replied with a smile. "An extra pair of hands is always welcome." As Diane and Connie operated on the unfortunate man, Ric assisted where he was needed, and if Diane looked to be a little out of her depth, pointed her in the right direction. "Whilst I have your undivided attention, Ms Lloyd," Connie said about half way through. "I was wondering if you would consider applying for the post of General surgical Consultant on a permanent basis." Diane looked up in shock, as did Ric, though he had a broad smile on his face. "Are you serious?" She asked, always having thought that Connie's favours held an unsuspected ulterior motive. "I mean, do you think I'm experienced enough?" "You're doing the job now, aren't you?" Connie said succinctly. "And I'm sure that Mr. Griffin would give you a dazzling reference." "Erm," Diane slightly floundered. "Can I think about it?" "By all means," Connie replied amicably. "But don't leave it too long."
Ric spent most of the day shadowing either Diane or Connie, and he was forced to admit that it was having the desired effect of keeping him occupied. Both Connie and Diane between them were making sure that he had plenty to do, both hoping that he wouldn't want to slip away to the betting shop while their back was turned. The day had gone far too easily, Connie mused to herself later on, after everything became complicated again, and she should have seen it coming. But after the heart and lung transplant in the afternoon, all she felt was tired, and in need of a long, hot shower and a large drink. Walking with Ric to her office, she sank down onto the sofa and closed her eyes. "You look as though you could do with some good, old-fashioned TLC to me," Ric said, sitting down beside her and putting his arms round her. "I'm not going to disagree with you," Connie said tiredly, briefly laying her head on his chest. "You've been looking after me all day in your own way," Ric said contemplatively. "You and Diane between you." "Has it been that obvious?" Connie asked with a weary smile. "Very," Ric said sardonically. "Though no less appreciated because of that." Connie was about to reply, when the phone rang. "Oh, go away," She groaned, not wanting to move. But when it appeared that the caller wasn't going to heed her request, she disentangled herself from Ric's arms, and walked over to her desk and picked up the phone. When she heard the frightened voice on the other end, all the tiredness evaporated immediately. Listening for a moment longer, she said, "Okay, Jess, stay where you are. Your dad is with me, and I'll send him over to you right now. Don't worry about Zubin, I'll find him, I promise."