It was as if they were the only two people in the street, as if time just froze when their eyes locked. She searched his face for any evidence that he maybe at least had some similar feelings; she was interrupted, really rather rudely, by Elliot barging out of the hotel, croissant in mouth to see what all the commotion was about and to apologize. She was taken back into the hotel by him, demanding to know what it was all about, she felt like a teenager who's dad had just taken her from the person she believed to be the love of her life, needless to say she couldn't help but look back over her shoulder to get one last, longing look at Ric before she was perched onto the settees in the hotel foyer where Elliot gave her that last bit of confidence back.

"Connie, I don't know what all that was about but whatever it was, I'm sorry... You're the best candidate for the job, if you don't get it- I don't know who will. You're an amazing surgeon, one of the best I've ever worked with. If you put your mind to something you can do it... Which is why I'm going to get the next flight back to Bristol, who am I to kid- I know I'd be bloody terrible at the job." She laughed softly "Elliot, sometimes you have all the finesse of a bull in a bloody china shop but I've never worked with someone so stark raving bonkers they stroke the realms of being some mad genius... You're a fantastic surgeon and I think, no, I know that you'd not enjoy the job. You hate the load of paperwork you get now... But I don't know if I'm right for the job now."
"Connie... this isn't because of the job, this is because you've brought your personal life into the job. You want this job, Connie you keep fighting for it because if the board don't choose you they'd be stupid." She nodded "Yeah... you're right... But stay Elliot... 2 weeks off in France; just don't turn up at the conference hall every morning... Have a holiday. The hotel is paid for, enjoy yourself."
He laughed softly at the suggestion, "Elliot... I'm not kidding, I went to conferences in France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Holland and you seriously think I went for the things I was supposedly going to learn, what in fact I already knew? No... I went for the all expenses paid holiday..." They both laughed, "Connie Beauchamp, I had you down as many things but never did I have you down as a bit of a skiver..."
"Well, you know what they say... you learn something new everyday." Smirking she stood up, "Thank you Elliot, I know I say it a lot but I really don't know what I'd do without you sometimes."
"It's what friends do Connie. We have very absorbent shoulders you know." She grinned and nodded.
"I just hope tonight's dinner is a little less... eventful, that last night's. Ric's taking me out and well... we haven't exactly got on the past few days so I'm hoping that will be sorted." She gave a small smile, "Anyway, you go and have a good time while I sit in that hall and potentially die of boredom, I would go to the spa and put it all on the hospital's bill but I have a job to go and win."
"Have fun Connie." He laughed.
"Urgh, I shall try to... I doubt it what with Michael there and Ric not even being able to look at me, but I'll try. Enjoy the rest of your holiday then Elliot"
"Oh, I'll have extra fun knowing you're in there suffering" they both laughed. "See you later"
"Yeah... see you later"

Sometimes every Queen needs her castle to keep her upright that was what Elliot was to her. Her support tower, whenever she needed a bit of reassurance he was there and he never failed in resorting her to laughter. He protected her like she was his queen, sheltered her from the storms she'd suffered in her life... but no matter how hard he tried, he wasn't Ric.