Perfect Illusion

Chapter 9: Hard Truths

"It's good to have you back." Chrissie smiled sweetly, rubbing his arm once everyone had dispersed. It was Sam's first day back and the majority of Darwin staff, and even some Keller staff, had congregated around the nurses station to welcome him back. Balloons, banners and everything. They were having a more enjoyable celebration in the bar after work, no drinks for Sam of course.

"Thanks, I was beginning to get a bit restless." His warm smile disappeared slightly, causing her some concern. "I just want to get stuck back in, forget any of this ever happened."

"Yeah, well, I'm not surprised." She soothed softly, her eyebrows framing her blue eyes worriedly. "Take it easy today, yeah?" She smiled upon seeing him nod in response. "I'll see you in the bar after work." Giving his hand a supportive squeeze she grabbed her patient files and continued on with her ward rounds, leaving Sam to fester with his thoughts.

"Ah, Mr Strachan!" Elliot bellowed cheerfully like Darwin ward's very own Father Christmas. "Nice to see you back in action, you're on light duties I imagine?" He joined him behind the nurses station. No matter where he travelled, crumbs seemed to follow him everywhere. Sam identified what seemed to be croissant flakes littering his upper shirt this morning.

"The lightest." He spoke with a dull drawl, one side of his mouth turning up into a smile. "I believe I'm assisting you today?" He questioned carefully, his mind desperate for answers.

"Yes, I think you might be right. The key word here being assisting. We don't want you overdoing it on your first day back now, do we?"

"Of course not." Smiling briefly, he quickly dove right into his next question. "But why is it I'm assisting you today?" His brow furrowed with intrigue. "Why not Connie? I mean, I am her registrar."

"I get the impression you're not too keen on me, Mr Strachan." He faked a hurt tone of voice, finally dusting the food mess off of his shirt having only just spotted it.

"No, no, nothing like that-"

"I was joking, Sam." He raised a brow, not quite kicking off this partnership in the best way he could have. "Look, it's nothing personal, or even anything of any meaning." He motioned for him to follow as they started to make their way over to their first patient. "Mrs Beauchamp has a high profile procedure this afternoon, and rather a long one at that so we thought it best Mr Byrne assists her today-"

"But I'm far more competent than Joseph, both you and Connie know that-"

"And once again, I speak on behalf of Mrs Beauchamp and myself, it's nothing personal." He stopped just outside of the bay containing their patient, his voice now hushed. "You've just experienced a major trauma, we need you to take things easy. It's not forever, you'll have a scalpel back in your hand soon enough. Just, not for the time being." His wide eyes peering over the frames of his glasses stared at him, waiting for a response before continuing. "Right, Alice Dennings, she needs a chest drain inserting."

"Can't wait." Sam sighed miserably under his breath before putting on his best false smile as Elliot pulled the curtain open. He couldn't help but wonder how long this day was going to drag on for.

-X-

Her exhausted brain felt like it was vibrating in her head, in fact she was almost certain she could hear it buzzing as she walked through the corridors. Her baggy scrubs working excellently at hiding her bump. Avoiding gossip in this place was a workout in itself and she wasn't ready for the news to be out in the open for everyone to know right now. With her left hand propped on her hip, her right one massaged her forehead before smoothing over the top of her short pixie hair cut and back down her neck as she made her way towards her office.