A/N: Thank you for the reviews! I love reading them. I hope you like this part. :)

~Mini Peacelet~

After Dark - Part 2

The ED was exceptionally hectic, and I was for once grateful of the high volume of activity. Generally I'd be grumbling and complaining about the shear quantity of patients gushing into the department; we are virtually up to full capacity. But I indulge myself into my proper vocation and submerge myself in treating minor casualties extra efficiently.

Anything to help get back into Mrs Beauchamp's good books.

The piercing clicks of the clinical lead's designer shoes reverberated the emergency department - a little later than the time she would typically grace everyone with her presence in the morning. She's big on punctuality and claims to Zoe that she had a meeting this morning hence her delayed arrival but nobody will ever know if that's actually the truth.

Connie strides through her department confidently, rich brown orbs peeled and attentive as she observes each individual member of staff's actions and the current state of everything. It is rare that everyone is on best form during her absence, they all like to slack if they think they can get away with it. The relaxed ambience has soured noticeably.

I can hear her sharp footsteps approaching me, she tugs the pale blue curtains that separate each cubicle and provide privacy fractionally, peering in to see which of her colleagues is present. She does this repeatedly until she finally reaches the cubicle where I'm treating a patient and enters abruptly.

"I apologise Mr..." The brunette falters over his name as she narrows her scrutinising gaze in the direction of his notes, "Mr Harper, but Nurse Freeman is needed elsewhere at this moment in time. We appreciate your patience in this busy period." She steers me away from my patient and back into the centre of the chaotic ED, "Robyn will be with you shortly." She reassures before the male has the chance to object and confirms with the ginger-haired nurse who stutters in disbelief.

"Rita, a word in my office. Now." Her attitude is cold as she escorts me into the confined room labelled as her office and closes the door behind us.

"It's an improvement to see that you are actually attempting to make an effort to reach the target of patients I expect you to treat." Her arms are crossed tightly across her chest, she's stood with poise and assertion in her ridiculous heels that just add to her terrifying power, but there is no trace of praise in her tone. Emotionless.

"But despite what you may think, being extra proficient and helpful isn't going to redeem yourself. I won't forget and can't overlook what I discovered last night." Her bitter glare is as cutting and prickly as her manner.

I fumble with my fingers vulnerably, concealing them in the cuffs of my navy NHS hoodie, digging my short nails into the soft fabric anxiously, "You don't understand!" I've managed to assemble some defence combined with a spontaneous burst of fury.

"Well, at least we have an explanation for your poor performance recently." The former heart surgeon states bluntly as she collects a pile of folders from her filing cabinet and deposits them on her desk alongside her computer and then re-engages eye contact with me, "You're right, though. I don't understand. But you better have a damn good explanation."

A frown succumbs my serene features, "I don't have to tell you anything! My personal life is nothing to do with you." Suddenly the anger is bubbling fiercely inside me and the rage is plastered artistically within the edges of my frame.

"It is something to do with me when it has impacts on your work at this hospital in my department." Connie's orbs are penetrating with pure scorn as she slams her hand against the desk strenuously. It's apparent that she is unimpressed with my attitude and is claiming back authority callously.

"Your personal life came right into the centre of this department and I should be suspending you subsequently to your behaviour and antics yesterday, and since your attention is undoubtedly divided between two jobs. A slip of concentration in this industry can be the difference between life and death. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't suspend you?"

I shrug carelessly, "Suspend me then, see if I care. At least I won't have to put up with you barking orders at me all day." I mutter, trailing off towards the end and muting my pitch substantially.

"What was that?" She demands, her teeth are gritted and invisible steam is pouring from her ears, although she knows clearly what I said and doesn't need me to clarify.

"Nothing."

Mrs Beauchamp taps her perfectly manicured fingertips against the table and perches herself gracefully on her leather, swivel chair, icy eyes fixated on me, "Rita, you used to be such a valuable member of staff. But now, I'm not so sure. You've lost focus lately, and seem distracted. How long have you been working at that bar?" She's prying, mentally trying to decipher if the dates correspond.

"Two months maybe, perhaps three." I can't remember and don't really see how it is relevant in all honesty.

"You're work has been slipping considerably since around then. It adds up." She concludes and flicks open a patient file, briefly scanning the content before she tilts her head up and looks at me again, "Quit that job and get yourself sorted out. Your work standards need to improve significantly - and if they do, then we shall forget about all this nonsense regarding your husband. I need a fully functioning ED." She compromises reasonably but the concession just doesn't work for me.

"I can't." I state sincerely, with a hint of disappointment. I adore my job as a nurse, I really do. And I would love to have my entire concentration back on this career - where it belongs rightfully. "I need the money."

"Why?"

I reluctantly flop down on the chair opposite my boss. I have to explain. Need to. Because I need to retain my job, "Since my husband got locked up, money has always been a struggle." A worry. A great pressure. "There used to be two of us contributing towards the mortgage and bills, but now there's just me. Just my single pay cheque. I've been using my savings up until a few months ago, but they've started to run out. Didn't get the promotion I wanted here, so I had no other option but to get a part time job working nights. He won't let me sell the house, he's determined to make things as difficult as possible for me." I exhale a lengthy sigh, loathing have to confide my problems to Connie because I still believe that is absolutely non of her business.

Connie nods, "Well, I appreciate that it must be difficult for you at the moment. Rita, you are the candidate in line for that promotion but I have to wait until I think you are properly ready for it. Which would have been soon until your standards slipped. But if you finish at the bar and start getting back on track, then I'll consider reviewing it earlier than I intended."

"What am I supposed to do until then?" I scoff, it's obvious she doesn't understand the seriousness of my situation. I need that extra income.

She shrugs, it's not really her problem, "We all have been through some challenging times, unfortunately we just have to muddle through it until the circumstances change."

I rise to my feet again swiftly. This is such a waste of time and energy. All she cares about is her precious ED. "Okay. Can I go now? It was already extremely busy out there before I came in here and I need to get back to work."

She nods "Rita," She pauses for a moment as I apprehensively whirl round to face the brunette again, "Well done for last night, you did a good job. But if you ever ever undermine me again then you will deeply regret it." Connie can never compliment or glorify without negativity; it's simply a potent reminder of who is the boss.

Nodding, I verify that I clearly understand, "I won't." I then swiftly departed her office and padded back across the tacky, linoleum surfaced floor to the nurses station to gather the file of my next patient.