Open Heart AU

Sinister Secrets

Josie sits in the kitchen nursing a hot cup of coffee to prepare herself for her early shift at the hospital. Preparing herself for the madness that is sure to unfold. But something feels different about today, although she is not sure what.

Many things have changed, Ethan for one. Ever since the attack he hasn't been able to let her go, not been able to let her out of his sight. That being said he still won't let her in, he is still Ethan Ramsey after all. She knows that his mother's betrayal has scarred him. She knows it is difficult for him to let people in. But she still hopes that he'll open up to her, that he'll let her in.

A tall figure quietly emerging from Sienna's bedroom pulls Josie from her thoughts. He's handsome, there's no doubt about that. His messy dark hair, the curls falling ever so perfectly across his face, his body so perfectly lightly tanned, his perfect chocolate brown eyes looking into hers.

He was gorgeous, Josie could not deny that.

"Umm, hi". He says, with a peculiar mix of both awkwardness and confidence. Josie just barely acknowledges him, too stunned to say anything. Did he really come from Sienna's bedroom?

"I'm Marcus". He smiles at her, his smile just as perfect and radiant as the rest of him.

"Josie". She smiles back at him, attempting to rid herself of the awkwardness surrounding them.

"I should go". He heads towards the door, looking back at Josie and smiles sheepishly. "It was nice meeting you".

Josie smiles back at him. "You too". As he leaves Sienna slowly creeps out of her room, looking around the room before walking over to the kitchen counter and pouring herself a steaming cup of coffee.

"Are you going to tell me what that was about?" Josie asks, laughing.

"That was Marcus... we met last night at Donahue's" replies Sienna.

"That's it? Just a one night stand? Isn't he a little too cute for a one night stand? He's the kind of guy you marry! Or at least show him off to everyone, he's hot Si!"

"Josie! You have a boyfriend!" Sienna playfully swats her on the arm, they both burst out laughing.

"Well, to be honest I don't even know what me and Ethan are. Marcus is still cute though, he's not Ethan but he's still hot!"

"Yes, we all know you bagged on of the hottest men on the planet".

"The hottest, not one of". She corrects, laughing even more. "Maybe I'm seeing things but I think he actually look like Ethan! Almost how Ethan would have looked ten years ago, just without the ocean eyes and bad temper".

"You're delusional". They continue laughing, almost long enough to be late to their shifts at the hospital.

A few hours later Josie is stood at the nurse's station, waiting for Ethan. They're are supposed to be going to Derry Roasters for lunch but he is no one to be seen and not answering her pages.

She sees a dark haired man in a white doctors coat walking towards her, but it is not the one that she was expecting to see.

Marcus?

How is he here? Why is he wearing an Edenbrook coat? How has Josie never seen him until today?

"Marcus? Do you work here?"

"Yeah, third floor radiology. We spoke about those scans earlier. Do you not remember?" Josie panics, she would have remembered him wouldn't she?

"No, I'm just joking". He bursts out laughing.

Josie swats his arm playfully. "That was cruel!" He continues laughing and Josie joins him.

"You should've seen your face though. Well, I do actually work here, I'm an intern not radiology though". All traces of humour on his face are replaced with a mask of seriousness. "Actually, I wanted to ask about a patient?"

"Yeah, sure. What do you need?"

"I need to know what room Louise Ramsey is in. They seem to be keeping in top secret for some reason and no one will tell me anything". Marcus sees the recognition on Josie's face at the mention of Louise. "Is she your patient?"

"No, she's not my patient she's..." Josie trails off, unsure if she should even call her Ethan's mom or if Ethan would even want to. Instead she asks him "Why do you need to know where Louise is?"

"She's my mom".