Crash (complete)

chapter one

I'd just like to start by saying a big thank you to Connie-Masters and AmberParkin for the helping hand with this fic, much appreciated. Hope you like it! C.J x

Storming into her office Connie turned around to find herself face to face with Jacob. "Who the hell do you think you are?! GET OUT!" She yelled full of anger, her eyes piercing Jacob's with a deathly stare.
Letting out a sarcastic laugh Jacob said. "You remember that time when I told you I don't embarrass easy...well you've managed to do it...I'm embarrassed for you...the way you just acted in resus...you owe Elle an apology...and its me who should be asking you, who the hell you think you are -"
A loud CRACK filled the room as Connie palm made contact with the side of Jacob's face. The pair froze as the room descended into silence. The same hand Connie had lashed out flew to cover her mouth. "Jacob...I'm so so sorry." She said as tears welled up in her eyes.
Jacob looked at her in complete shock. "What the hell has happened to you...I don't think I recognize you anymore!" He said as he headed for the door.
"I'm sorry...." Said Connie weakly, it was all she could manage to say before he was gone and she was left alone.

Fury bubbled inside Connie, frustrated she slammed the office door before taking a deep calming breath as she locked it. Dropping down on the sofa in a daze Connie let the threatening tears roll down her cheeks.
Elle had been in the department for two weeks now and since her appearance all Connie and Jacob had done was bicker, baiting each other, seeing how far they could push before the other would snap. The slight thaw between them was long gone. There was no more friendly smiles, things now were so much worse then when they first separated.
Connie knew she was jealous of the friendship Jacob and Elle shared, after all it used to be her that he would seek out, make smile and share his breaks with. It used to be her.
She would never admit to anyone that she was jealous, never say it out loud, not even in this room all alone with no one to hear.
Connie Beauchamp was never jealous of anyone or anything but the way Jacob followed Elle around the department had got to her. It was Elle this, Elle that! She had him fooled and it greated Connie that he couldn't see her for what she really was.
Elle had only let her true self show once with Connie in the privacy of this office, the sweet smile she used on everyone else just didn't work on her.

The sound of her phone ringing brought Connie back to the present, looking at the caller I.D made she smiled. "Hey sweetie...everything ok?"
"Hey mum, what time will you be home tonight?" Asked Grace then she whispered. "This new minder you've found gives me the creeps."
"You know what...give me an hour...I'll be home soon." Said Connie as she wiped her free hand over her wet face.
"Really?" Asked Grace full of surprise.
"Yep...and we'll go do something...whatever you want." Promised Connie before they said their goodbyes and hung up the phone.
Pulling out her makeup bag from the desk draw Connie checked she was presentable. With stethoscope in hand she picked up the one remaining file from her desk Connie made for the door. Just before turning the handle she set her shoulders, pulling herself up to full height and replaced the steely glint in her eyes. "Back to work." She muttered to herself as she strode confidently out into the E.D, a picture of calm ready to finish up with her last patient of the day.

Managing to avoid both Elle and Jacob was a bonus for Connie, breathing a sigh of relief when she made it back to her office without another confrontation.
Sliding on her coat and picking up her bag Connie was ready to leave when Charlie stopped her in her tracks.
"What can I do for you?" Asked Connie trying to not sound to disappointed about being held up.
"What's going on...with you and Jacob...I saw him leaving your office earlier holding his face." He told her.
"Nothing...look, can this wait...I told Grace I was on my way home." Explained Connie.
"Did you strike a member of staff." Charlie asked sternly.
Connie looked down feeling ashamed, she sighed heavily. "I...I don't...I didn't mean to...we were both angry...I'll talk to him...apologize...when we've both calmed down." Offered Connie.
"That's not the point...your personal feelings are beginning to effect your professional decisions...That's the one thing you've always told me you wouldn't compromise...your professional integrity..." Charlie reminded her.
"I know....I know...I'm appalled with my behaviour...I really don't know what came over me..." Connie shuck her head. "...I'm going home...I need to get out of here." She said moving past Charlie.
"Let me know if you want to talk..." he offered.
"Thanks." Said Connie with a sad smile as she left the department.

Connie walked out of the entrance, she was about to climb into her car when she saw Jacob sat on the bench further up from her.
Pausing for a minute as she considered her options, deciding to face the issue head on Connie approached him.
"Hi." Said Connie cautiously.
"Hi." Grumbled Jacob refusing to look at her.
"Erm...I wanted to apologize for slapping you...I was out of order...if you wanted to report me..." started Connie not knowing what else to say.
"I'm not reporting you if that's what your worried about..." Spat Jacob. "Its Elle you should be apologizing to, not me...you treated her like an idiot earlier."
"I had a duty of care to the patient, if I thought Dr Gardener was struggling...it's my job to-" "Oh save your spiel for someone else...you know if you took the time to work with her you'd find she's a very capable doctor!" Jacob argued back.
"I don't trust her if you must know...I think Hanssen's up to something...and Elle's part of that plan...but you can't see that because your to busy being her lap dog!" Connie snapped frowning at him when he reacted to her comment so she continued. "Or maybe you do know what she's up to..." Guessed Connie. "....the two of you have been as thick as thieves for over a week!" Getting no response Connie knew she was right. "What's the plan Jacob...get rid of me...are you helping them...do you hate me that much?!"
"Right now your making it very difficult not to!" Jacob shouted back as he stood glaring at her.
Connie took a step back and turned on her heal quickly climbing into her car and driving off just so he wouldn't see the tears building in her eyes again.