Summary: Patsy and Delia's relationship is tested.
Disclaimer: Call The Midwife belongs to the BBC and others - I am simply borrowing their beautiful characters.
Author's note: I've had the day off today after a trip to the dentist. Rather than sit, mope and feel sorry for myself I thought I'd cheer myself up with writing a bit more. Thanks for the reviews as always and enjoy...
Patsy had to hold onto the banisters in order to get herself up the stairs once she got home. So much for a quick drink. The two women had stayed until closing time, and Patsy wasn't quite sure just how much whiskey she'd had. Dr Parker had been very entertaining company however, with funny anecdotes punctuating the tale of her journey through medical school. Patsy had ended up sharing more about nurse training than she had initially intended, including a couple of late night scrapes she and Delia had managed to get into. Joanna had found them hilarious and didn't seem at all bothered about the obvious closeness Patsy shared with Delia. Patsy wasn't sure just how much she could trust her yet, but perhaps Dr Parker could end up a kindred spirit and confidant for her.
Thankfully, when she got to her room, it was empty. Patsy was grateful that Trixie had been called out. It allowed her to get changed without having to overly concentrate on being quiet, something she was failing at spectacularly, as she ricocheted around the room while trying to step into her pyjamas.
Once she had successfully navigated her night attire, Patsy decided that she really ought to go and wish Delia good night. She zig-zagged down the corridor before opening the door to Delia's room quietly and shutting it behind her. She grinned as she looked at the sleeping woman for a moment. Patsy always found it amazing that the younger woman could sleep through practically anything. Years in the camp, fearing for her life, had left Patsy the complete opposite and Delia would often complain that she would wake when a fly blinked.
The red-haired midwife took a deep breath and tried to steady herself before she stumbled across the room and lifted the covers behind Delia, sliding in and then cuddling into the younger woman's back. She smiled as she heard Delia sigh and felt her relax back into her. With her arm draped across her waist, Patsy breathed in Delia's scent and gently kissed the back of her neck.
Delia barely stirred, but Patsy knew that she was somehow aware of her presence. Her smile transformed into a wicked grin as her fingers made patterns on Delia's stomach and eventually found their way underneath her pyjama top to touch the soft skin beneath. Carefully, Patsy allowed her hand to drift up and her thumb brushed the underside of one of Delia's breasts. She couldn't help but moan slightly at the touch and she pressed her legs together in frustration. The alcohol in her system was making her bold, and Patsy wondered how far she could go before the brunette eventually woke up.
After caressing the swell of Delia's breast several times, Patsy elongated her hand and managed to sweep her thumb across Delia's nipple, feeling it stiffen at the touch. Even as she swiped it back across, she felt Delia stir and suddenly, the brunette was turning round and reaching for her.
Delia was waking up rapidly, her senses on fire as she felt her pulse pounding. She turned round and instinctively leaned in so that she could kiss Patsy, but reeled back as the smell of whiskey and cigarettes assaulted her. Forcing her eyes open she looked blearily at Patsy. "You smell like a brewery," she accused in a whisper. "How much have you had to drink?"
Patsy shrugged, unable to get the lascivious grin off her face. "Hello Deels. I wanted to say goodnight to you properly." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively before leaning in to try and close the gap but Delia stopped her with a hand to her shoulder. She shook her head, trying to break free from the grip of sleep.
"Pats, what are you doing?"
Patsy's grinned widened. "I would have thought it was blatantly obvious what I was doing." She tucked a stray strand of the brunette's hair behind her ear. "You're gorgeous."
Delia sat up suddenly, increasing the distance between them. "And you're drunk." She paused for a few seconds as her brain woke up before sighing irritatedly. "And Trixie's on call." She swung her legs out of bed and stood up. "Come on Pats, get up. We have no idea what time Trixie might get back so you need to be in your own bed."
Patsy laid back and looked at the younger woman sulkily. "How is it that whenever you try to seduce me it always works?" She huffed.
Delia shook her head. "Because, believe it or not, I do take account of the risk of getting caught. This is madness." She frowned at the Titian-haired woman sprawled on her bed. "And, given the state of you, there's no way you'd be quiet."
Patsy frowned back for a second, and then giggled. "You're probably right."
Delia rolled her eyes as she made her way round her bed. "Come on, get up." She held out a hand for Patsy but quickly found herself pulled off balance and she ended up sprawled on top of the inebriated midwife.
Patsy's grin had gone, and now she stared solemnly at Delia. "I want to show you how much I love you," she whispered.
Delia growled in frustration. If it wasn't for the fact that they were in real danger of getting caught, the Welsh nurse knew that she would have already given in by now. She was starting to realise how Patsy felt when she sometimes took a risk and teased her. "I know how much you love me," she answered softly. "I love you too, sweetheart but we are not doing this now." She managed to disentangle herself from Patsy and stand up again. "You need to sleep this off in your own bed," Delia told her firmly. She braced herself when she extended her arm the second time and easily pulled Patsy to her feet.
Patsy frowned as she stood up, swaying slightly as she tried to centre her balance. "You are unnaturally strong for your size," she complained moodily.
"You deliver babies, I have to deal with great lumps who can't seem to look after themselves. I need to be strong," Delia explained glibly. She guided her girlfriend to the door. "Listen, Pats. We have to be quiet when we go back. You need to concentrate on not speaking and just moving. Got it?"
Patsy nodded, a faux serious frown on her face.
Delia cursed, knowing that this was a bad idea but at a loss for another solution. Fixing Patsy with another stern look, she opened the door, glanced quickly along the corridor to check that it was all clear and then moved them both out.
"You'd think I'd be used to sneaking around by now," Patsy commented in a loud whisper.
"Shhhhh!" Delia hushed. Thankfully, they got to Patsy's room without incident and Delia opened the door, desperately hoping that the room was empty. She swung Patsy inside and closed the door as Patsy staggered over to her bed and fell onto it.
"Will you stay with me here?"
"I can't sweetheart. I'll wait with you till you fall asleep though. Is that okay?"
Patsy pouted but even through her drunken stupor, she recognised how resolute her girlfriend was. "Well, if that's all you can manage, it'll have to do." Patsy knew that she sounded petulant, but all she wanted to do was cuddle with her lover.
Delia was in no mood for alcohol-induced behaviour but she bit back a comment. It would do no-one any good right now. "Pats, can you sit up on the bed for me please?" Delia asked, waiting for Patsy to shuffle up the bed. "Right. Just concentrate on sitting up for me, just for a few minutes," she told her. "I need to get you a glass of water."
"I don't need any water. I've had enough to drink," Patsy declared decisively.
"I don't recall giving you an option, nurse Mount." Delia was stern as she looked at the older woman. "Stay sitting up. I'll be back in just a couple of minutes." Delia grabbed the glass from Patsy's nightstand and left the room, coming back swiftly.
She knelt by the side of Patsy's bed, unwilling to sit on it, just in case Patsy had more amorous thoughts. She handed her the glass. "Drink up," she commanded.
Patsy looked mutinous for a moment before taking a gulp. She went to put the glass on the side but was stopped when Delia shook her head. "Drink all of it," the brunette instructed.
Patsy emptied the glass and then handed the glass to Delia. "Happy now?"
"It's for your own good," Delia told her, putting the glass back on the nightstand.
Patsy crossed her arms, her alcoholic buzz starting to recede very slightly. She frowned. "You haven't asked me where I was," she commented suddenly.
"I saw Trixie earlier. I know you went out." Delia waited a beat. "And who you went out with."
"I'm surprised you're not angry with me," she grumbled.
"Oh, on the angry scale I am close to incandescent," Delia responded in a preternaturally calm voice, her Welsh accent becoming much more pronounced. "But there's no point shouting about it now. You're still smashed. When I say my piece I want you completely sober so you remember every word." Delia's voice was controlled but tight. It was clear that she was furious, but Patsy wasn't convinced it was directed at her.
"Don't be angry Deels," the red-head pleaded. The whiskey seemed to have taken away the strict reins she kept on her emotions.
Delia shook her head and reached over to tuck some stray strands of hair behind Patsy's ear. "Don't worry about that now, Patsy. I need you to get some sleep. You're on an early start tomorrow. And so am I."
Patsy groaned, even as she shuffled down into her bed. "I thought you were on lates," she muttered.
"I was. I swapped with Marion so we could have an evening free together."
"How marvellous." Patsy gave her trademark lop-sided smile at Delia as she got comfortable. "You're too good for me."
Delia couldn't help but grin. "I will remind you that you said that tomorrow after I've read you the riot act." She grabbed the sheets and blankets, pulling them up over Patsy's shoulders. "Now then, do you think you're going to be sick?"
Patsy shook her head assuredly. "No, I'm fine. Well, the room's spinning a bit, but I am not nauseated. I think I just need to close my eyes for a few." The red-haired midwife did just that, and within moments had relaxed into an alcohol-induced sleep.
Delia picked up Patsy's alarm clock, wound it and set it, not confident that Patsy's innate ability to wake early would work in the morning. She waited a few more minutes until she was convinced that Patsy was actually sleeping before kissing the top of her head and getting up. She hurried downstairs and went to the prep room to fetch two aspirin and a fresh glass of water before going back upstairs to check on the older woman again. Patsy hadn't moved from her position and was snoring softly.
Delia placed the items on the nightstand and resisted the urge to write a note; Patsy would definitely know what to do with the gift in the morning. She shook her head and smiled. Delia knew she ought to be furious with Patsy, but once a nurse, always a nurse, and the need to make sure her girlfriend was okay overrode any other emotions. She winced at the thought of the hangover Patsy was likely to suffer.
Once Delia was satisfied that Patsy would be safe as she slept, the brunette kissed the top of her head again before returning to her own room. As she lay down she mulled over what had happened and concentrated on a focal point for her anger. She wouldn't jump to conclusions, but Delia was convinced that Dr Parker would have been drinking too, and if she had been in a similar state to Patsy when she drove her back, there would be hell to pay.
To be continued...