Playing with fire

Away

He dropped her at the house the following morning. He didn't want to leave her there, but she was insistent that he did.

"I'm at the end of the phone," he told her kindly, "if not I'll see you at work,"

She sighed and leaned forward and kissed his cheek, "I don't know how to thank you,"

He smiled and squeezed her hand, "try and keep yourself safe," he told her, before watching with a heavy heart as she went inside.

He knew she wasn't in the place for any kind of relationship. However, he knew that he had feelings for her that he didn't feel for anyone else.

Her house felt cold she realised. She felt lonely without Jacob, and leaned back against the kitchen work surface. Her peace was ruined as she heard her husbands footsteps walking down the stairs. He looked tired and was carrying two bags.

"I've just come to get my things," he told her, "I'm sorry..."

She nodded, "I don't know what to say to you,"

"I broke your ribs a few months ago and now I've put your arm in a sling Connie,"he told her remorse fully, "I don't know what's happening to me,"

"Where will you go?" She asked him and he shrugged, "away for a while,"

She sat on the sofa with a cup of tea. "I'm sorry," he told her again, and she cursed herself for almost feeling sorry for him,

She nodded, "me too."

She entered the ED the following week looking much more like herself. She smiled at Jacob, before following a harassed Rita into minors.

"So, you do have a break then sometimes?" He asked as he entered her office and moved so he was stood behind where she sat on the sofa.

He gently placed his hands on her arms before his thumbs moved firmly across her shoulders,

"How's the shoulder?" He asked as she tilted her head as he massaged her skin gently,

"Manageable," she replied quietly as she closed her eyes slowly.

"The bruises are less obvious now,"

He nodded, before sitting down beside her and watching as she cuddled into him.

"He left," she told him as she looked up, a smile on her face,

"Well that puts my mind at rest," he smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear gently,

"And how are you feeling about that?"

"You're going to think I'm an idiot," she told him and he shook his head,

"No judgements remember,"

"I feel sad that our relationship turned like that; and angry he's walked out and I haven't even had chance to mention divorce," she sighed, "and it makes me nervous that he might come back... I almost feel in limbo,"

"And you hate admitting all of this because you want to be emotionless don't you," he told her, "but emotion isn't bad Connie,"

"It is when I feel like all I want to do ifs cry," she admitted,

A knock on the door caused them both to sit forward, they smiled as Charlie and Rita entered,

"We just wanted to check you're okay, you know first day back and all that," Rita smiled, "but feel free to tell us where to go,"

"Have a seat," connie smiled, "I'll make the coffees,"

Jacob stood up, "I'll do that,"

Connie raised an eyebrow and smiled, "don't wreck that coffee machine."