Title: Moving On

Author: Raven Shadowrose

Rating: M

Pairing: ?/?

Summary: Dixie has been left broken hearted by Cyd's departure from the Holby team, what will happen when Cyd is replaced by Hannah Darbyshire and Dixie takes a liking to her? Will she find the happiness that she has been searching for, or will she end up with even more of a broken heart?

Disclaimer: I do not know or own any of the characters from Casualty, any original characters and the story are my property and I do not give permission for anyone to use this story.

A/N: This story will contain some femslash, if you do not wish to read then, by all means, back away slowly the way you came, other than that, enjoy the story and reviews are appreciated.

Thank you to chan. nelson4444 and BeethovenRIP for your reviews and messages, Halloween party time, ready to see what happens?

Chapter Ten.

Polly and Hannah went into the Halloween party together, Jeff and Dixie would be meeting them there later on when Dixie had finished the paperwork. 'Polly, you look fabulous, you make a very convincing witch.'

'Thanks Hannah, I'm glad you decided not to wear the gorilla costume tonight.'

'No, I think it would be very warm, I much prefer being a vampire.'

'You look amazing, how do you get into that corset?'

'I'll tell you a little secret, it does up at the front.'

'That's cheating.'

'Yes, it is. It is a very effective cheat, trust me.'

'I've never worn a corset, I'm not sure that I'd want to, it looks painful.'

'This is a lightly boned one, no pain involved.'

'I see. Come on, let's get a drink.' Polly linked arms with Hannah and they went to the bar, she was a little bit worried that Hannah's outfit might make Dixie do or say something that she would regret later on.

Hannah took her glass of wine off the bar and sipped it, she was pleased that she could name most of the people at the party. It was a bit hard recognising them in their costumes but she was doing okay so far. Sam and Zoe were sat at one of the tables not far from them and Tom was sat with Big Mac and Noel at bit further down. Polly sat on the seat by the bar and took a drink from her glass. 'Hannah, can I ask you something?'

'Of course you can.'

'Are they real fangs?'

'They're ceramic, they fit over my own teeth.'

'Not real then?'

'Nope, they just look real.'

'Oh good, I thought you might bite me there for a second.'

'You don't have to worry, I'm not going to bite you.' Polly and Hannah laughed and continued to drink their drinks.

Jeff stood waiting for Dixie in the locker room of the station, she had been getting changed for a long time. 'Come on Dixie, I want a drink.'

'You go then.'

'No Dixie, come out here.'

'I can't.'

'Yes, you can, what's the problem?'

'I look ridiculous.'

'Let me be the judge of that.'

'Okay.' Jeff heard Dixie open the door and then she stepped out, she was wearing a full length red dress and was carrying a pair of devil horns and a pitchfork. 'Wow, Dixie, you look beautiful. If you weren't a lesbian and my best friend I would date you.'

'You're not just saying that?'

'No, you look gorgeous.' Dixie sighed. 'What's wrong Dixie?'

'I feel stupid Jeff, I've fallen for a woman ten years younger than me, why would she ever be interested in me?'

'Because Dixie, you are brave, compassionate and caring. You are the best friend anyone could ever hope for. You have great legs, too.' Dixie smiled. 'That's better, come on gorgeous, the party awaits.' Jeff put the horns on Dixie's head and held his arm out to her and she put hers through it, he hoped that Dixie felt better now.

Hannah and Polly were still sat at the bar when Dixie and Jeff entered the room. 'Polly, our boss has just entered the room.'

'Oh my goodness.'

'You can say that again.' Hannah smiled as Jeff and Dixie came over to the bar.

'Hello ladies, I hope we haven't kept you waiting for too long.'

'Jeff, you're a zombie?'

'That I am princess.'

'Dixie, you're a devil. You look beautiful, red is definitely your colour.'

'Do you think so?'

'I do.' Hannah noticed the smile that bloomed on Dixie's face.

'Thank you Hannah.'

'You're welcome.' Hannah smiled as Polly pulled her to the dance floor.

'Come on Hannah, I want to dance.'

'We'll be back soon, I promised Polly she could dance once you two got here.'

'Go on, have fun.' Hannah smiled at Dixie and Jeff and followed Polly.

Dixie fiddled with her pitchfork, all she could think of was that Hannah had said she looked beautiful. Jeff handed Dixie a drink. 'I thought you could use this princess.'

'Thanks Jeff, you're a star.' Dixie swallowed some of her drink down, her nerves over her costume were slowly subsiding, though she thought she might need a few more drinks before she talked to Hannah about her feelings. 'Do you feel better?'

'A little bit, Hannah doesn't think that I look stupid.'

'She said that you look beautiful, that has to count for something.'

'It does.' Dixie took a drink from her glass and looked at Hannah, she'd been too preoccupied with worrying that Hannah would think she looked stupid to notice anything that Hannah was wearing. Dixie took in the silk cape, the corset and the long black skirt with the split up the side, every so often she would catch a glimpse of Hannah's legs when she moved. Dixie swallowed, that outfit of Hannah's was probably going to fuel her dreams for a few nights, she unconsciously licked her lips and quickly took another drink from her glass. 'Dixie,' Jeff's voice broke into her thoughts. 'Control your expression, everything you're thinking right now is written on your face.'

'I can't help it, that outfit is not doing my heart any good.'

'So you admit that you think she's gorgeous.'

'Yes. Believe me, my thoughts are not so innocent right now.'

'I can tell, Hannah will be able to tell too.'

'I know.' Dixie took a deep breath and closed her eyes, she opened them a few moments later. 'Better?'

'Yes, better.'

'Good, I do not want the first thing that Hannah finds out to be that I'm thinking seriously about taking her somewhere and jumping on her.'

'I understand.' Dixie forced herself to calm down, this was not the way that she wanted Hannah to find out about her feelings.

Hannah and Polly rejoined Dixie and Jeff at the table they were sat at. 'Aren't you two going to have a dance?'

'I think we've established that Jeff can't dance,' Dixie said and laughed.

'Dixie, why are you so mean to me?'

'It is just fact, you don't dance well Jeffrey. You do make a great chocolate cake though.'

'You can cook?' Hannah sounded interested.

'Better than Dixie can.'

'Hey, that's mean.'

'I could always chew on your brains instead.'

'Stay away from my brains Jeffrey Collier.'

'Zombies go for big brains Dixie, I think you're safe.'

'You are so in trouble now Jeffrey.'

'I'm sorry Dixie.'

'Yeah, you will be.' Hannah laughed at Dixie and Jeff, she loved their easy banter, they were very funny people and being around them made her feel good. 'I think you should be quiet Jeff, you're getting yourself into trouble.'

'I know, good idea princess.' Hannah laughed again, Jeff seemed to have a talent for getting himself into trouble with Dixie.

Jeff was glad that Dixie seemed to be a bit better now, she was more relaxed, perhaps it was because she'd had a few drinks. He wasn't going to let her have any more as that risked her telling Hannah everything. Jeff knew that Dixie got very loud-mouthed when she'd had a bit to drink, she sometimes spoke before thinking when she was sober and it was even worse when she wasn't. He'd switched her to plain coke when he bought the last round. Jeff looked at Dixie when he sat next to her. 'Jeffrey, this is coke, I wanted something stronger than that.'

'I think you've had enough Dixie.'

'Do I ever tell you that I love you Jeff?'

'You're not getting another drink.'

'Please Jeffrey.'

'No.'

'Why not?'

'Because you will say or do something that you will regret if I let you have more.'

'Is this about Hannah?'

'You tell me.'

'I'm not going to tell her that I love her.'

'I wish I could believe that Dixie, you just said that very easily.'

'I can control myself.' Dixie looked very unhappy with the fact she had been given coke to drink.

'You'll thank me for it later.'

'I won't, I want to party Jeffrey.'

'Believe me, you have had enough partying for one night.' Jeff picked up Dixie's pitchfork and horns off the table, he really was only doing what he thought was best for her.

Hannah saw Jeff coming towards her with Dixie. 'Is everything all right?'

'Yeah, I'm just taking our boss home, she's a bit on the tipsy side.'

'I am not Jeffrey.'

'Come on Dixie, you need a strong black coffee.'

'If I must have it.'

'We're going too Jeff,' Hannah said.

'How are you getting home?'

'We'll take a taxi, Polly is coming to mine for the night, we think it is safer to stay together.'

'Good idea, we'll see you on Monday princess.'

'Night Jeff, bye Dixie.'

'Give me a hug Hannah.' Hannah smiled and let Dixie hug her. 'You have fangs, I can see them when you smile. Could you bite someone with those fangs?'

'No, they may look sharp, but they're not.'

'Pity, I was hoping that you could get rid of Jeff for me, maybe make him a vampire and then I can stake him when he annoys me.'

'Hey! I look after you and buy you chocolate and this is the thanks I get.'

'I don't mean it Jeff, I'll share my chocolate with you.'

'Yeah right, you never share your chocolate. Dixie put Hannah down, we're going home.' Hannah noticed that Dixie seemed reluctant to let go of her. 'All right, if I have to.'

'Yes, you have to.'

'Bye Hannah,' Dixie said and giggled. 'Polly, I want a hug.' Hannah chuckled, she was seeing a different side to Dixie, the normally brash and tough woman had turned all gooey and wanted hugs from everyone. Jeff was right, Dixie was clearly tipsy. Hannah was glad that she had Jeff to look after her. 'Come on Jeffrey, your turn.' Dixie threw her arms around Jeff and hugged him. 'He's my cuddly zombie.'

'Good luck Jeff,' Hannah said with a smile, she wondered if Dixie would remember any of this later on.

'Thanks princess, I think I might need it.' Hannah watched Jeff try to stop Dixie hugging him and he helped her walk down the stairs and out of the pub, she stopped watching when they got to the car and Jeff opened the door to the passenger side.

Jeff helped Dixie get in the car, he was pleased that Polly and Hannah were staying together, Holby could be dangerous at night. He would have come back for them had they been going home separately. Jeff got in the other side of the car and shut the door after him. 'Are you ready to go home princess?'

'No, you stopped me hugging Hannah, I want another hug'

'You have had enough hugs for one night Dixie.'

'Hannah gives nice hugs. Can we go back?'

'No.'

'Meanie.' Jeff chuckled, he knew that Dixie didn't mean anything that she said. Jeff started the engine and drove Dixie home.

Dixie had felt herself sobering up on the drive home, normally she could handle her drink, but the combination of nerves and alcohol had combined to make her feel tipsy. Jeff brought Dixie a coffee and she sipped it gratefully. 'Jeff, did I do or say anything to Hannah?'

'Just hugged her, I did have to get you to let go of her though.'

'Do you think she noticed anything?'

'I'm not sure, I think she just put it down to you being a bit tipsy.'

'I hope so.'

'Don't worry, she didn't look like she minded you hugging her.'

'Really?' Dixie sipped at her coffee again. 'I hope she didn't.'

'You worry too much Dixie.'

'Maybe, I was going to tell her, I was so sure that I was ready to and when the time came, I couldn't do it. What do you think she would do if I told her?'

'I don't know Dixie.'

'Neither do I, there's my problem. I want to tell her.'

'I can't help you there princess, you're going to have to be the one to tell her.'

'I know, I don't want her to hate me.'

'She won't, she's not like that, she may be surprised and a little bit shocked, but she won't hate you.'

'How do you know?'

'I just do.'

'What do you know?'

'I know that Hannah is a nice person.'

'You're right. You can be very insightful sometimes Jeff.'

'Just tell her princess.'

'I will, when I feel it is the right time.'

'That's my girl.' Dixie smiled, she was glad that she hadn't done anything that would make Hannah dislike her or said anything to push her away.

Polly made herself comfortable on Hannah's sofa. 'Thanks for letting me stay Hannah.'

'It's no problem, we're safer together. I know you probably would have been all right in a taxi, but it makes no sense to take unnecessary risks.'

'You're right. Did you have a good time?'

'I did. What about you?' Hannah sat next to Polly and took her shoes off.

'Yeah, I really enjoyed myself.'

'Does Dixie always get tipsy like that?'

'Not always, before you came here, Dixie went through a bit of a tough time. I suppose she is letting her hair down a little bit.'

'Oh, what happened?'

'I don't know all the details, but, someone hurt her, someone she loved very much.'

'I don't know how anyone could hurt Dixie, she's too nice.'

'I know, she's getting better, but I think she needs someone new to heal her heart. Someone to love her back.'

'I hope she finds that person.'

'We all do. Is it okay if I go to bed?'

'Of course it is, see you in the morning Polly, do you remember where the spare room is?'

'I do.' Polly hugged Hannah and went up the stairs, she had detected a change in Hannah's voice when they had been talking about Dixie and Polly was certain that Hannah cared about her, maybe even loved her.

Dixie had changed into her pyjamas, she came downstairs and sat at the table with Jeff. 'I thought you were going to bed.'

'Yeah, I am, I just wanted to say something.'

'What is it?'

'Thanks Jeff.'

'What for?'

'For stopping me, you were right, if I'd had more to drink then I probably would have said something to Hannah that I would have regretted.'

'I wouldn't let you do that, you're my best friend Dixie and it is my job to stop you doing things like that.'

'I'm glad you were there.'

'I'll be there when you need me.'

'You're sweet, can I have a hug?'

'Am I still your cuddly zombie?'

'Did I call you that?'

'Yes.' Dixie laughed, she saw the funny side of it.

'Maybe I'll keep that nickname for you Jeff.'

'All right, I'll let you have that one, only because I quite like it.'

'I like it too. I'll see you in the morning.'

'Night princess.'

'Night Jeff.' Dixie gave Jeff one last hug and went up the stairs to her room, she thought back over the evening that had just gone by. It was then she remembered that Hannah had said that she looked beautiful. Dixie smiled into the darkness, maybe there was hope that one day she might be able to have a relationship with Hannah.