Stepping back into the hospital after so much time away felt both reassuring and unnerving. The smell of it, the warmth, the gentle hum of business and purpose lewdly mixed with backward glances and lengthy stares from various staff members.
Zoe caught a glimpse of Charlie ahead of them, he hadn't seen them, his back was turned to them, but as they grew closer he turned, almost instinctively.
He smiled, almost with relief, reaching out his arms in surprise.
"What are you doing here?!"
His eyes sparkled as he spoke, he looked to Max.
"How are you both doing?"
He asked, placing his hands against Zoe's upper arms, squeezing her gently.
"Fine, fine...we're just here with Robyn..."
Zoe answered, nodding as she spoke, catching the glance of Cal and Ethan as they passed her by.
"Oh, yes I heard..."
He looked to Max, an expression of much practised sympathy.
"I'll let you go."
He said, loosening his grip on her arms, rubbing them gently before letting go of her.
"But before you go, just pop in on Connie will you...?"
He added as he half turned to get back to what he had been doing, he watched for her response, to which she nodded, feeling as though there was something underlying his words, something unspoken behind his eyes as he let them pass on through the corridor.
They walked in silence, the backs of their hands just touching between them, their knuckles colliding with each step, that contact enough, just for now.
They stopped outside of the double doors of RESUS, a few weeks ago she would have walked in without a second thought, but then, she thought with a flutter of mild panic, then she'd had a job. Now she was merely a visitor, or so she assumed.
Tess glanced up a moment later, she was standing over Henry's body, Robyn at her side. She hailed with her hand for them to enter. Zoe pushed open the double doors, how many times had her hands touched these doors? She wondered as they entered, the smell, everything the same.
Robyn was paler than usual, her blue eyes wide, mascara smudged below them, her lips dry from having to breath through her mouth. As Max moved in behind her she turned and crumpled into him, turning her face into the folds of his coat, not crying, just standing, taking what comfort she could from the solidity of him.
Ash checked Henry's chest again, taking the stethoscope from his ears and placing it about his neck before nodding in greeting to Zoe. He said said her name, the confusion as to why she was there lacing his usually professional gaze. Evidently the news of their relationship hadn't travelled as far as they had guessed it would...
"I was there...when it happened."
Zoe said, in an attempt to explain her presence. He nodded, clearly not understanding but it was neither the time nor the place to discuss it.
"How is he?"
She asked, looking toward Henry who remained unconscious.
Ash looked up, glancing at Robyn before looking again to Zoe.
"He'll be ok."
He said simply, his manner oddly impersonal and cold towards her.
She suddenly felt very out of place, feeling uncomfortable, as though she didn't quite know what to do with her arms, or how to stand. She looked toward Max and Robyn, Max looking at her over the top of Robyn's orange curls.
"You don't have to wait here..."
He smiled as he spoke, a smile half hidden by Robyn's hair, but his eyes were so calm, so full of love.
"Go and rest. I'll meet you back at home later."
He added. Tossing her a wink, reaching out a hand to squeeze her own, all of which failed to go unnoticed by Ash who busied himself intently with the catheter bag whilst trying to watch them at the same time.
She dipped her head, feeling her cheeks flushed as she contemplated her next more. Stepping to close the gap between them, pushing her heels out of her shoes to make herself tall enough to place a quick kiss on his lips. He smiled as she did so. She placed a hand on Robyn's back briefly before she turned to leave.
"Ash."
She spoke his name as a goodbye, leaving the room without a backward glance.
She was glad to find she didn't bump into anyone apart from the odd patient on her way back down the corridor towards her office...Connie's office.
She stood before it, stood staring at the dark blue name plaque that spelled Connie's name, newly screwed into the soft wood, rearranging herself mentally, drawing in a deep breath before knocking curtly.
Almost instantly she heard Connie's voice, a simple 'Come.' But the sound of her voice after only a few weeks seemed to bring back so many memories.
She sucked in another breath, exhaling before pushing down on the handle, opening the door to face the other woman.