Through it all

Pizza and Friends

She stirred a few hours later and sat up, yawning as she did so. She ran her fingers over a letter that she recognised as Jacobs surprisingly neat writing,

"Connie, you looked too peaceful to wake so I've guarded your door and let you get some sleep. If you're hungry and fancy going for a pizza, come and find me on the ward. Jacob X"

She smiled, the two of them were playing out a funny dance, but he was a good friend to her and she needed that at the moment. She saw him sat writing notes and sat down beside him. He smiled and ran his thumb gently over the back of her hand,

"She's been transferred to neuro," he nodded and she rested a hand momentarily against his forearm,

"I wouldn't mind a pizza though if you do,"

He smiled, pulling on his coat, "And there was me thinking you'd be a Michelin star restaurant kind of woman,"

She raised an eyebrow, "only every now and again," she smiled, "Come on, I'm starving,"

"Goats cheese and caramelised onion? Connie that is disgusting," he uttered as he leaned back against she sofa and slipped his arm around her shoulders. She accepted his embrace and leaned against him whilst they waited for their food.

"How would you know if you haven't tried it?"

"Well you may just have to share so I can try?"

"I hate sharing pizza," she grumbled and she felt him smile against her hair,

"This place is nice," she admitted.

"My cousin owns it... He wanted it to be a pub that did pizza.. And that's exactly what you've got,"

She sipped her wine and he sensed she wasn't in the mood for talking, instead he begun telling her stories about his family. She was surprised at how much she enjoyed his company. He was fun and happy and had an air of serenity about him that she hadn't previously appreciated. When he went to pay the bill she shook her head,

"I asked you out for dinner," he smiled, "therefore I'll pay."

"I didn't expect you too," she told him as they walked back to his car,

He nodded, "I wanted too."

He dropped her at her house and she looked at the time, "do you want a cup of tea?" She asked and he smiled,

"An empty house at this time is never inviting at this time is it?" He smiled, "I'd love a cup of tea."

He felt surprisingly comfortable in her house, it was warm and clean and she suddenly appeared so much more real to him. They sat on her sofa underneath a warm blanket and before they knew it they'd fallen asleep, Connie with her head on his shoulder. He woke a few hours later, he smiled as he realised Connie had slipped down so she nestled against his chest, her dark hair tickling at his neck.

"Connie," he whispered as he realised he wouldn't be able to move her without waking her.

She stirred, running her hand through her now slightly matter hair, "sorry, second time today."

She yawned and stood up, holding out her hand which he took without hesitation.

"The spare rooms aren't made up, you're welcome to stay with me." He followed her up the stairs and watched as she disappeared into the bathroom. She came out dressed in small shorts and a thin camisole, "I've left you a new toothbrush on the sink," she told him,

He smiled, stepping close to her and kissing her forehead,

"What?" She asked quietly,

He tucked her hair behind her ears, "excuse me for saying this sweet cheeks, but you're beautiful,"

"You're a charmer staff nurse masters,"

He smiled, before raising his eyebrow, "although I forgot to mention you're pretty short without your heels,"

She rolled her eyes, "shut up... now hurry up and get to bed, I'm tired."

He slipped into bed beside her and she curled into him almost automatically. She had missed contact like this since her husband had been injured, and she felt safe here with him.

"Sleep well," he whispered as his hands ran gently through her hair and down her back, "you know this is the first time I've held someone like this and not had sex with them." She laughed and kissed his cheek, "you should be so lucky."