Falling Hurts

Holby City belongs to the BBC.

I would really like to thank everyone for such a positive response to my first chapter. I really was amazed by such great feed back. Hopefully you will enjoy chapter 2.

Chapter 2

The force of the slap caused Luc's head to jerk to one side. His hand went up protectively on his right cheek. The expression on Eddi's face told him everything he already knew. She was fuming.

"I suppose I deserved that." His tone was flat. His face was not giving anything away.

"You swine, you good for nothing ba- " Luc put his hand up before she could finish the insult.

"Please Eddi, I know you're angry with me and you have a right to be, but I had my reasons for leaving." Eddi had turned away she didn't even want to look at his face. "Eddi, please let me try to explain."

"Why? What reason could there possibly be for behaving like such a jerk? You didn't even bother to contact me, no phone calls, no emails, not even one lousy text! It's not that hard is it Luc?" Eddi finally looked up. She had never felt so furious. All she wanted to do was to slam the door on him.

"I can only apologise, it was a last minute thing," he shrugged sadly. "I had to go, I had no other choice." His whole demeanour was listless, but Eddi wasn't in the mood to forgive him.

"I don't want to hear your pathetic meaningless apologies, shall I tell you what I think Luc?" Eddi was shouting at him now, but she didn't care, if the neighbours complained she'd have to deal with it later. "I think you are a gutless emotionless selfish man, who can't bring himself to feel anything towards anyone, because you can't stand letting your guard drop for one second! A man who can't stomach the thought of putting any roots down, so you have to live like some nomad in a camper van."Luc stood with his hands hanging loosely by his sides staring impassively at Eddi. The lack of any outward emotion or even a slight reaction to what she had just said, made Eddi want to scream in frustration. Finally she gave up. "You know what? Get lost." Before he could protest she slammed the door shut.

"I'm going nowhere, you are going to hear me out." He was calm but there was also an element of defiance in his voice.

"Well I'm not interested Luc, so don't waste anymore of my time!" She decided to do the washing up which she had left from last night. She filled the sink with warm water and washing up liquid and put things into soak. She was glad it was her day off today, the last think she felt like was going into work. Especially having been woken up by Luc at such an early hour.

Luc meanwhile was sitting outside Eddi's door, his legs were curled up in front of him, his hands clasped around his knees, his eyes were closed. He looked deep in thought. "Did you read the book I gave you?" He hoped this question would lead somewhere. On the other side of the door Eddi ignored his question and carried on soaking the remaining dirty dishes.

"Words, such small things that can mean so much." Luc mused before adding, "but on the flip side they can cause untold damage." Eddi rolled her eyes. He was doing it again talking rubbish, why couldn't he just speak in plain English? And more to the point why couldn't he leave her alone?

"Life is a journey we've all got to take. Some people have easier paths than others, at least that's what we all think."

"Go away Luc," Eddi said, her tone was razor sharp.

"I'm afraid I can't do that Eddi," came the reply from behind the door.

"Oh for crying out loud," she huffed in annoyance. If Eddi didn't know any better she'd have said that he was enjoying this little exchange between them. Eddi opened the door even though she hated doing it. She had blinked first. He climbed to his feet. The look in his eyes was one of relief, the look in hers was icy cold. Eddi stepped aside as he walked in. She shut the door, sliently cursing herself for being so weak.

"Start talking," she said bluntly, her arms folded across her chest. Luc cleared his throat.

"I never wanted to leave, not then. Otherwise I would never have accepted Hanssen's job offer. But there are things about me you don't know."

"Believe me I think I know that much already." Eddi raised her eyebrows cynically. "You are a coward, you said before you left - what's life if you don't take risks?" Eddi bit her lip. "It just goes to show that you didn't think I was worth it."

"Don't be absurd Eddi, I meant every single word I said on the roof. For once I wasn't over thinking matters, Luc put his hand on Eddi's arm, but she shook it off. "Before I tell you why I had to leave..." He stopped, looked Eddi square in the eye and said, I didn't want to hurt you, I love you."

"Sure you do Luc", she was being sarcastic but her voice wavered a little.

"I do. Trust me." Luc inhaled deeply. "I was married for eight years, we ended up getting a divorce. The reason I left in such a hurry was because I received a phone call to say that my ex wife was dying." Luc paused as he watched Eddi's face slowly drain of colour her mouth was open but she was unable to speak. I have a daughter with Sandra, Olivia she's seven. That's why I had to go, I had no choice..."

I hope I managed to get Luc's rather odd character right. I have read this through but apologies for any typing errors hopefully there aren't any.

Please let me know what you think. Thank you.