Playing with fire

She curled up between the sheets of his spare room bed. She couldn't sleep knowing he was so close by, but she couldn't bring herself to knock on his door. She was playing with fire, she knew that and so did he.

He exhaled, she had been back to how she was the first time they'd met. She was confident and beautiful and seemed to fit in his arms like she was supposed to be there. He sighed, first and foremost she needed him to be her friend, and as it stood he was happy with that.

She sighed and got up, flicking on the kettle and sitting down at the table as she waited for it to boil,

"Can't sleep either?" He asked, watching how she looked up at him and shook her head,

"Would you like tea?" She asked, watching him as he nodded,

"I shouldn't have come here," she spoke quietly,

"I can drive you wherever you want," he told her kindly, pouring the water into the mug and removing the tea bag before handing it to her,

"I don't know what I want anymore," she admitted,

"Come on.. Come up to bed and if you want to escape just say the word,"

She followed him up the stairs and he followed behind her, pausing at the doorway. "I..."

"Stay," she told him, "if you want too that is,"

They both slipped into the bed, leaning against the head board and drinking their tea in silence.

He noticed how she was struggling to keep her eyes open and took the tea from her, before pulling the covers up over her chest.

She woke at 530, noticing how she had slept so soundly despite the seated position they had fallen asleep in. Her head was on his shoulder, her face turned towards his neck. His hand was still lightly around her shoulders, his finger tips resting on her bare collarbones. She found herself wondering what it would be like to kiss him again, to press herself against him and let him hold her the way he had that night. She noticed the time and mentally shook herself,

"Jacob," she whispered, rolling her eyes as he didn't wake up. She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek and ran the back of her hand across his face, "Jacob," she spoke louder this time, "it's half five... Our shift starts soon,"

He opened his eyes and absent mindedly ran his hand up and down her arm, "there's spare towels in the bathroom, I'll shower in my room and meet you downstairs,"

She came downstairs fifteen minutes later and he smiled as she threw him His keys,

"No hangover?" She grinned and he shook his head,

"No... You look pretty fresh yourself,"

"I haven't slept that well in a long time," she told him admitted.

They entered the ED together and she kissed his cheek gently, "thank you," she whispered and he nodded, pressing his lips gently to her forehead before disappearing out to the ward,

"You know, you could do a lot worse," Charlie commented as he handed her a cup of coffee,

"I know that," she uttered, "but I made vows to my husband,"

Charlie nodded,"Does he make you happy Connie? Because you deserve to be happy,"

She sighed, "I'm not sure I know what it's like to be happy in a relationship anymore Charlie,"

"Look all I know is that man out there thinks the world of you," he shrugged,

"It's not that easy though is it," she smiled, and he knew from her tone of voice that the subject was closed. He knew Connie Beauchamp and he knew not to push her.