Chapter Three- A normal beginning
It began as just any other day would. It was the beginning of the day shift in the ED, and many of the staff headed sleepily for its doors. Included in this lot was Dan- he felt remotely better after the weekend, but still mentally drained. He had no other options other than to turn up- Frank would murder him otherwise, and besides, he had nothing to do at home. Being in bed for more than a few days got unbearably boring.
He looked swiftly around the car park for Jess, but there was no sign of her yet. With a slight sigh, he glanced over the rest of its occupants; most of them he didn't know, or only knew by face. But then something caught his eye. It was hard for him to contain himself from completely cracking up; behind a tree, was Jack with someone Dan was sure was Deanna. It look like she had cornered him, and was now nestling against his shoulder. Jack didn't look entirely comfortable, and was rapidly scanning his surroundings; to make sure no-one was watching. Snorting slightly in an attempt not to laugh, Dan forced himself to turn away and continue his walking.
Well, that was one he hadn't seen coming! Jack and Deanna. The mere thought of it brought tears of laughter to Dan's eyes. That was one he'd have to save for parties. It was the only entertaining part about Deanna, really. She appeared to have no sense of humour; that single fact made Dan lose any interest in her completely.
"Hey, Cate!" Dan could see his fellow nurse just ahead of him. She'd seemed so downcast lately, which was unlike her: well, of course everyone had been after what happened to Nelson, but there seemed to be something else troubling Cate. She turned around, and on sight of Dan gave a quick smile, which didn't hide the tired lines under her eyes and pale face. This caught Dan by surprise; he hadn't expected to see her like this. Completely forgetting what he had intended to say, there was a moment's silence, before he asked lamely: "How are you?" Cate looked for a moment as though she was finally going to tell someone what was going on, and Dan looked at her eagerly. But she must have restrained herself- with a guilty look like she was lying, she said "Great!" Dan's face must have shown that he didn't believe her, so she forgot the act, and with a slight shrug of her shoulder, muttered: "All right, I suppose." She seemed completely miserable.
A part of Dan urged to push Cate just a little further, to get her to tell him the truth. But he didn't really have the energy or willpower; it wouldn't be a very kind thing to do. If Cate didn't want to tell anybody what was bothering her, then so it would be. Feeling slightly disappointed, he suddenly remembered what he originally was going to say.
"Haha Cate, this is gonna cheer you up! Guess who I saw in the bushes snuggling up with Deanna?" He refused to tell her for the rest of the walk to the hospital building, so by the time they reached the doors, Cate was practically bursting with suspense. "Tell me!" she asked desperately. "Jack," said Dan simply as the pair of them burst into laughter. At that exact moment Jack strode past briskly, looking suspicious and slightly pink, keen not to look them in the eye. This only worsened their hysterical laughter, as Deanna emerged, looking pleased with herself. Not connecting two and two together, she said: "What's all this racket about? Come on, get to work- chop chop!" Barely containing their laughter, Dan and Cate headed to the tearoom, Dan struggling to speak. "Did you see his face? What a classic…" He stopped as Jess pushed past him, out of the room, looking slightly hurt. Completely and utterly bemused as to what he had done, Dan silently opened his locker.