Neil sat on a bench outside the front doors to take the call for some semblance of privacy. He didn't feel ready to explain this to Audrey, especially when he didn't know what this actually was.

"Sorry about that" he said, taking a seat. "Just wanted to get somewhere a little quieter."

She could hear him smiling over the phone and imagined his eyes twinkling and his cute little dimples showing.

"That's ok" she replied. "How has work been after a weekend of partying? Not too hard going?"

"Not to bad. Could have been a lot worse" he laughed. There was no sound from the other end of the line until he asked "You okay?"

"Yes, I'm sorry" she replied. "I didn't know whether I should call or not to be honest. And I still don't know if I've done the right thing."

"Why not?"

"Because effectively, you're a stranger and I'm usually shy" she said with a nervous laugh.

"We don't have to be strangers you know" he suggested. "What do you want to know?"

"Erm, quite a few things but I don't want to quiz you and sound like a stalker" she smiled. "This is all quite new for me. I've not seen anyone since my divorce. I feel... awkward" she said.

"Would you rather do this face to face? We could meet half way? Neutral territory?" he suggested.

She paused before answering "Okay, that sounds good. When were you thinking?"

"I get off work on Monday next?" he suggested.

"But it's Friday today" she exclaimed. "What on earth do you do?" she asked.

"I'll tell you Monday" he laughed. "Come on, let's do it. Where's halfway?"

"Around Gilroy?" Nic suggested. "Not very exciting though" she said with a small laugh.

"It'll be fine" he said. "We'll make our own fun! You pick the place, text me a time and I'll be there."

"Deal" she replied.

"Was good to hear from you" Neil said as they were about to end the call. "I'm glad you called."

"Me too" she replied. "See you Monday."

"It's a date" he smiled.

He sat a moment longer after the call ended, lost in his thoughts when someone sat down so heavily beside him, he almost dropped his phone.

"What are you doing, you idiot?" Kevin asked actually sounding frustrated. "Jo told me you were out here talking to your fancy woman!"

"Fancy woman? Really?" he laughed.

"Do you deny it?" Kevin continued.

"No I don't!" Neil replied, a little worried his friend had gone mad. "What's going on?"

"I was just thinking you're making a mistake" he said bluntly.

"Me!?" Neil replied incredulously. "Enlighten me then please Dr. Miller? What's so wrong with a single man talking to a single woman he met on a weekend away?"

"But Audrey..." he began.

"But Audrey what" Neil retorted. He wanted to yell but it was not the time or the place. "She's just finished telling me about her grand plan. How she's put Kashal before herself again. There is only so much of that I can take, I'm sorry"

Kevin opened his mouth to reply but Neil didn't give him the chance to form a single word.

"What does she expect from me? To wait for her until she's ready? I've tried more than once to tell her how I feel and I've been shot down every time. I don't expect her to cheat on her husband, that's not the best way to start a relationship. But if she's not willing to have some faith in me, then screw it. I've been unceremoniously dumped in the friend zone and I'm done. I work my ass off in this place, I deserve a life" he ranted before getting up and stalking back inside.

Kevin sat, shocked, trying to absorb what Neil had just said. Until that point he had still held our some hope for his friends, but right now, that was gone.

X

He stormed past Jo in the foyer and took the stairs at a jog. She watched him go assuming the phone call had gone badly. She would find out differently from Kevin later just what had happened.

As he took the corner to the locker room at pace, he collided with her almost knocking her to the ground.

"Jeez Aud, I'm sorry!" he exclaimed. "You okay?"

"I'm fine" she replied. "You don't look to great though. What's eating you?"

"Nothing" he snapped, immediately regretting it. "I'm sorry" he repeated, his shoulders slumping. "We need to talk some more, I don't think we're done."

"Sure, you free now?" she asked, feeling a little apprehensive.

"Yes, let's go" he said, taking her hand and leading her to the fire escape.

Out in the fresh air, Neil seemed to visibly relax but not sure where to start, he just looked at her. He looked into her eyes, she looked confused with a hint of sadness and he felt a pang of guilt that he was possibly about to make that worse.

"I don't know where to start" Neil began.

"Start at the beginning" Audrey said gently. "What's wrong?"

"I met someone" he started. "In Vegas" he continued, looking to the ground unable to look her in the eye anymore.

"Okay" she replied. "Why has that made you so angry?"

"I don't know!" he exclaimed. "I just felt you should know."

"Thanks, I think" she said with a small smile. "What's her name?"

"Nicola" he replied. "She's from Salinas."

"And she's nice?"

"Seems to be. We don't really know each other. But we're going to meet up Monday to see if there is anything there. I just felt you should know."

"Okay" she said quietly.

"Is it okay though?" he asked.

""Why wouldn't it be? We're just friends" she said.

"You know why" he implored. "This is harder than I thought it would be" he muttered to himself.

"Just say it" she pushed.

"Were you expecting me to wait for you?" he asked quietly.

"Yes" she admitted. "Deep down, I was hoping?"

"For years Aud?"

"I know, it's stupid."

"Yes, it is" he said bluntly and feeling bad as he saw tears brim her eyes. "Look at us, we're a mess" he said running his hand through his hair. "How did we end up like this?"

"I think it was teamwork" she smiled ruefully and he nodded his agreement.

"I shouldn't have pushed you" he said.

"And I shouldn't have let you" she replied. "I'm not good at the whole relationship thing. I've never really had one before Kashal and I didn't know how to deal with this thing we have between us. I've never been cool or popular, nobody has ever wanted me before."

He shook his head in disbelief. "We need to sort this out, we can't carry on like this" Neil continued. "We need to define our relationship and stick to it."

"I agree" she said. "We can't afford to let this get in the way of our work. We're still residents, and personally, I don't want a get a reputation for being difficult to work with."

"You're right, as always" he smiled. "Think we can do this?"

"We've got to" she replied. "Let's give each other some space, work it out and we'll be fine."

"You sure?"

"I am" she said trying to sound confident. "But can I ask one favour?"

"Anything" he replied.

"I don't want any details" she said apprehensively, not sure if this was one request too many. "Unless it gets serious, can we not talk about your dating life?"

"Sure" he smiled sadly. "I can do that."

"Then we'll be fine" she said, turning to face outwards, putting her arms on the railings and leaning slightly to peer over the edge.

"We'll be fine" he repeated. "Shall we go? They're probably wondering where we are?"

"You go ahead, I'll be down in a bit" she answered, not looking at him.

"Aud..." he began.

"I'll catch up with you later" she said cutting him off and with that he turned and headed back downstairs.

Once alone, she let out a big breath she didn't realise she'd been holding. "I blew it" she sighed to herself, letting a tear fall down her cheek.

She stayed a while longer to compose herself and cool down. She didn't want people seeing the super cool and collected Audrey Lim any other way and by the time she walked back into the hospital, she was wearing her mask again.