Emotional Connection

Abigale

Even after meeting the legend that was Ashley-Rae Hunt, Abigale didn't understand what the hype was about; she just seemed like a regular woman, with the only thing special about her being that she peaked in school. And yet, Charlie seemed so entirely obsessed with her, it was unbelievable, not to mention the weird power trip she got from calling him 'princess'. that was just weird, and Abigale didn't understand why he took it. Plus, the fact that she was two years younger than herself would be a bit difficult to get over, especially considering Ashley was going to be her boss.

But whatever, she had a job to do, and she wasn't going to let Ashley-Rae get in the way of that, regardless of whether she was in charge or not.

She checked over Charlie, administering some more tests and treatment, though he was ok to go home and stay out of trouble, so she sent him off with strict instructions and sat back on a chair waiting for the next round of people. It was a fairly quiet morning, though it was freezing and Abigale regretted not wearing a jacket.

"Hey." Ashley took a chair and sat beside her.

"Hi."

Ashley smiled slightly. "I know it's going to be a bit weird, me becoming your... boss," Abi smiled as it clearly pained Ashley to say that, "considering we've never met before today. So I just wanted to come and talk to you, ask what your concerns are about this change in leadership or whatever, see what I can do to help."

Abigale looked at her, cautious of the proposal. It wasn't that she didn't trust Ashley-Rae, but she was a little apprehensive of her leadership skills. "Are you planning on changing the way we work and how it's run?"

"I've been thinking it over with Pete, and the answer is probably, yes. But I'm not going to be making any big changes without consulting you and James first, so at least for now, things will remain the same."

"What changes were you thinking?" Abi asked, sort of curious now. If Ashley was thinking of making changes further down the line, it was probably better to get ahead with it.

Ashley shrugged, "staffing, shifts, that sort of thing to make it easier for us."

Abi didn't trust that.

"Anyway, tea? Coffee? A blanket? You look frozen."

She refrained from rolling her eyes, "coffee, black."

Ashley nodded, making her way to the office where the kettle was.

But Abigale still didn't know what people saw in her to put her on a pedestal. Sure, she was fairly nice but nothing to write home about, and she just seemed... disappointingly mediocre.

"So I sort of..."

She looked up to see Charlie limping over to a bed already. "I gave you instructions not to go out there. You have a concussion!" She scolded, getting to work on Charle.

"Yeah, well, you're going to be run off your feet in about- oh, now." Abigale turned as he spoke, watching people trailing in, being carried in, you name it, until every bed and all the chairs were taken.

"What in the name-"

Ashley suddenly appeared, triaging and directing people to different places if they could walk, making sure everyone had something for their pain, and getting to work.
For about thirty seconds, Abi was completely transfixed with watching her work; it was like she was a robot, treating people and admitting those who couldn't be cleared, moving through patients at an alarming rate. Pete of course, jumped in, and then her trance was broken, and Abi got to work on those who were next in line. It was strange, having Ashley-Rae working there, and in a way, it put her off her game slightly. But eventually, Abigale got back to Charlie, who was lying back and watching them all work, or at least Ashley. Pete placed a mug down on the side near Abi, saying something about Ashley making her coffee, but she wasn't paying much attention.

"You seem distracted," Charlie commented, shifting focus back to her. "Are you ok?"

Abi sighed, nodding. "Yeah, just getting used to the way she works, I guess."

Charlie shrugged, "it's not the usual way of working, but it works. How are you feeling about it?"

Abi glanced at him, wondering for a split second if it was so obvious she didn't like her. "Neutral, really. I don't know what you see in her." She shook her head, wrapping up his ankle so it wouldn't dislocate again.

"What do you mean?" He asked, sitting back into the pillows.

"You-" She stopped herself. "Everyone has sort of put her on this pedestal, made her seem like the crown jewels or something, and I can't see why. She's just a girl, I really don't understand why you're so infatuated with her."

Charlie was quiet for a few moments. "We don't put her on a pedestal, exactly, but... She's a good person, and incredible at what she does. She's kind and caring and loving, and she won't let anyone get in the way of what she wants. There was a time that wasn't true, but it is now. She changed a lot about the sanctuary, mostly indirectly. We all sort of just... gravitated towards her, the hospital got a lot more efficient while she was here, and it was just all-round a lot better working here while she was here."

Abi remained silent.

"Maybe you don't see it yet, you've known each other for what, a few hours? But you'll see. And I doubt you'll even notice she's your boss, she's not really that type." Charlie shrugged. "Can I go?"

Considering, Abi sent him home with crutches, making him swear he wouldn't go back out to work.

"Ok, can you hold up here for about an hour?" Pete asked her, and she nodded. "I'm just going to help Ashley move in upstairs."
The two disappeared out of the backdoor, to where Abigale could only assume the entrance to the upstairs flat was, leaving Abi with her thoughts and the hospital, along with the nine patients they'd admitted from the mass-casualty when one of the dragons decided to get too close to the ridge.

It wasn't much work, making sure they all had food and were comfortable, as they mostly kept each other company, discussing whatever. Abi wasn't bothered, didn't really pay much attention to what they were saying, more concerned with thinking over what Ashley had spoken to her about.
Staffing and shift changes would be interesting, she just hoped she didn't have to work with Ashley too much. She didn't entirely disagree with what Charlie had said earlier, but she didn't fully agree either; she was nice, sure, but watching her work, it hadn't seemed like she was as caring as maybe Charlie had thought. Maybe he'd made it up?
Or, and Abigale hated to think it, but Pete had said so himself even, maybe Ashley had liked him as more than a friend and had given him special treatment. It would explain why he had such a different view of her than she did, but it didn't explain why James liked her so much, nor Pete, and she felt nearly one-hundred per cent sure that they'd give her similar views on Ashley if asked. Sighing, she decided to think about it later, after her shift and got up as a few more injured trainers came through.