Chapter 3 – In The Shadows

"Don't you dare tell me what to do… She's only 8 years old and you want to give up on her!" Connie continued compressions as Rita stood opposite watching as tears began to fall down the consultants face. She'd cracked, it hadn't taken long since the first time. Lofty and Ethan stood around the bed looking away not able to face the sight in front of them any longer.

Connie continued compressions as Cal stepped closer placing a hand on her arm. "Stop, let her go now before she ends up in more pain. Please, let her go…" Connie slowly began letting off, she looked up at the doctor in front of her not really seeing anyone. "She's hardly any older than Grace, she's just a child. Who am I to go out there and tell people that there was nothing else we could do?" With that she stepped away and left resus…

The day started with nothing too exciting. Connie had been strutting around the department for three weeks since practically telling Cal to either shut up or leave the department and making Rita hate her more if that was even possible. It was as though the previous events with Cal hadn't happened as there was no sign of any emotion within Connie.

Charlie had been noticing how 'strong-willed' Connie had been in recent weeks and knew that there was something bothering her. He hadn't bothered to ask her about it as he knew she would just shut him down and end the conversation.

"Connie we have a patient on the way in who's been caught in the middle of a break in. Lost a lot of blood at the scene and is in a critical way. She's only 8 years old…" Those words hit her hard. A child, with everything ahead of themselves finding themselves on a hospital bed needing immediate medical attention. Not exactly what Connie had been hoping for today.

Connie left the office straight away and addressed the staff outside. "Staff nurse Masters, I understand that you've got the security covered with the current patient in resus?" She received a nod "Of course-" "Good. Charlie and Zoe can you please keep an eye on the patient and inform me of any changes. Dr Knight and Nurse Freeman I need you in with resus with me, there's a child on their way in seriously injured. Nurse Miller please prep resus, they're due any minute."

The day moved so fast around Connie she didn't even notice how long the girl had been down for. "It's been almost 40 minutes Connie, you can't keep going-" "Don't you dare tell me what to do… She's only 8 years old and you want to give up on her!"

Connie had gone to her office, got her coat and bag and left the ED. It was almost the end of the shift and the rest of the staff were heading out for a drink after the rough day they'd had. Even after everything Cal still worried about his boss. Before leaving he decided to check in on her, she'd been hit pretty hard by the young girls death. On checking her office he noticed all her stuff was gone and patient files had been pushed from the desk across the floor. He stood taking the site in for a few moments and took a deep breath. "Please don't do anything stupid…"

After several drinks people began making their way home. Cal had decided not to drink as he had to work the following morning and didn't need anyone on his case with a hangover. As he was leaving the pub he noticed someone sitting on a bench close to the ED. It was dark, but it was almost impossible for Cal to not recognise the silhouette that sat shaking a few feet from him. Looking up at the sky he yelled at himself internally before he began walking towards her.

As he got closer he heard the all too familiar sound of crying. "Jesus Connie, how much have you had to drink?" He sat down next to her as she turned to face him. "Oh why don't you just go back to your pretty little life and carry on slagging me off… I don't need anyone to ask me 'how I am' and I especially don't need your help." Cal bit his lip looking away before turning back to her. "Get up." He stood up looking down at her, she just stayed where she was.

Cal bent down to her level and made her look at him. "You yell at me, make me feel shit. You treat me like I'm un-capable of my job, and you make everyone feel intimidated. Yet I can't leave you sitting here because I care too much about you…" Connie continued looking at Cal as the tears flowed freely down her cheeks. "What's going on Connie, because this isn't the strong woman I once knew. Let me help you, because I want nothing more than that confident woman walking back around the department again." Connie practically fell forwards as Cal reached around her and held her as she continued to cry.

After a few minutes Cal stood up and helped her to her feet. He walked her towards a taxi and helped her inside. He had no idea where she lived, but knew he couldn't leave her here. Cal gave the driver his address and sat in the back with a silent Connie. He paid the fare and climbed out carefully helping her out next. "Oh this is gonna be a good one to explain to nibbles…"

Luckily for Cal, Ethan was already in bed and so they managed to get into his room without anyone realising. Cal threw some trousers and a shirt onto the bed for Connie to change into. "I'm going to get you some water, get changed and I'll come back." She nodded as he left the room, not sure why she'd let him help her.

Moments later Cal knocked on the door lightly before hearing a faint call from Connie to say she was changed. He walked in and handed her the glass of water. "You sleep in here and I'll stay on the couch for the night. If you need anything I'll only be out there." He went to turn and leave but felt Connie hold onto his wrist "Please don't leave me on my own Cal." That was the first time she'd used his first name, it sounded stupid for him to notice that of all things at a time like this but it pained him to see her yet again so broken.

He felt as though he should lie her down and leave her to sleep, alone, but something resonated inside him after hearing her so hurt asking for him to not leave her. He moved around to the side of the bed and sat down next to her allowing her head to fall onto his chest. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and rested his head on top of hers. "Everything's going to be okay, you'll get through this…" He kept repeating those words to calm her, but also to convince himself that she would be alright.

Cal didn't sleep that much but instead watched as Connie silently slept, holding onto Cal as though if she let go she would lose herself. He watched the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. He moved his head and pressed his lips to the top of her head, kissing her hair. "What's wrong with you Connie, what's changed? No matter how much you knock me back this time, I'm not giving up on you like you have yourself…"

In The Shadows by The Rasmus