Chapter Two.. A Friend in Need

Fletch stood a safe distance away from the ED, watching as Rita helped an old lady out of the back of the ambulance and settled her comfortably in a wheelchair.

He still didn't know what possessed him to come. He'd second guessed his decision to come back so many times, and still he felt like turning on his tail and running. He hadn't slept a wink, he couldn't. All he could think about was Tess, even on the long drive back from London, and he'd found himself here, outside the very place he'd promised he'd leave. Was he brave, stupid or romantic? All of the above.

"Rita!"

The shout escaped before he'd had a chance to stop it. Across the other side of the road, Rita hesitated at the doors, and looked round, her eyes searching for the owner of the voice. Her sunny smile slowly faded, as her gaze came to rest on the disheveled, forlorn figure jogging towards her.

"Fletch?"

Rita frowned as she looked her former colleague up and down. He looked so awful, she barely recognised him, and it was only the familiar, cheeky grin that surfaced at the sight of her, that gave away his identity.

His jeans and shirt were rumpled and grubby, and his normally immaculately styled hair was messy and unkempt, like he'd just got out of bed. Deep, dark circles clearly visible under his eyes, gave away the fact he'd barely slept in the last seventy two hours, and the short beard that had appeared since his departure, betrayed his age.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, finally finding her voice " I thought you were in London?"

" I was" Fletch replied " I had some things I needed to sort out "

Rita took a deep breath and shoved her hands into the pockets of her navy Holby hoodie.

" You look like hell, by the way"

" Charming!" Fletch grinned, his eyes twinkling " thought I'd get a better welcome than that!"

Rita stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him against her in a tight hug.

" Of course you do" she whispered, squeezing him tightly. " I've missed you "

" You're probably the only one who has" Fletch chuckled, as he released the young nurse from the hug. " I bet all of Zoe's Christmases came at once!"

" Yeah well, what does she know anyway" Rita smiled, nudging him in the side with her elbow.

" So, how have you really been?"

Fletch took a moment to consider his answer. He knew Rita was switched on enough to know that things weren't alright; she could see it for herself. He wouldn't gain anything by lying to her. He'd done enough of that lately.

" Well, I haven't seen my kids in almost four days, I've been bunking on my Sister's sofa, I've got no job, Natalie thinks Im public enemy number one, and Tess- "

Fletch bowed his head as he said her name, the hurt and pain of the last few days was still raw.

" Oh, Fletch-" Rita said softly, forcing back tears of her own. She'd never seen Fletch like this before, so vulnerable, so broken. He'd always been a tower of strength for everyone around him, and now all that was left was an empty shell of the Fletch she knew.

Rita felt her heart breaking.

She gently laid her hand on his arm, and swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, she attempted to formulate a sentence.

" She misses you too, you know" she croaked.

Fletch's head snapped up

" You've seen her?" He asked, hopefully " How is she?"

Rita nodded

" Yesterday. You know Tess, she won't do as she's told. She doesn't make a good patient"

Fletch chuckled as he imagined the plight of the poor nurses up on the ward.

" No, she never did " Fletch agreed.

He shook his head and sighed loudly as he ran his hand through his short brown hair

" I've made such a mess of everything! How could I have been such an idiot!" Fletch exclaimed in pure frustration. He balled his fist and whirled around to face the brick wall.

"Hey! Breaking your hand won't solve anything!" Rita shouted, grabbing Fletch's arm as he took aim on the wall in front of him. "You're not an idiot! At least not to me you're not"

Fletch slowly lowered his hand and turned to face her.

" Its not a crime to fall in love, Fletch. It happens to all of us. You need to stop blaming yourself"

" I need to see her, Rita" he said suddenly, marching past her towards the doors of the ED. " I've got to make her understand"

"What? Wait!" Rita exclaimed, hurrying after him. " Connie will have you thrown out in five seconds flat!"

She lunged forward and grabbed a fistful of his jacket, bringing his progress to a grinding halt in the middle of the corridor.

" Then help me" he said bluntly, yanking his arm from her grip and pinning her with an intense stare that almost took her breath away.

Rita looked furtively around the corridor for any sign of Zoe or Connie and could just about make out Charlie's silvery wisps through the slight crack in the door. She took Fletchs hand and guided him round the corner, out of sight.

"She's upstairs, room 5a. It's one of the side rooms" Rita whispered, glancing over her shoulder as Jeff and Tamzin burst through the doors with another patient. "I'll keep them busy. Go!"

She said, pushing him towards the lift, as a pair of Leboutins clicked ominously down the corridor.

"Thanks, Rita" Fletch whispered, as he caught sight of Zoe and Ash heading straight towards them.

"Go!" She urged, shoving him a little more forcefully.

Fletch obliged, and stooping down low to avoid being spotted, he made his way stealthily towards the lift

"Fletch?-"

He hesitated and pivoted on his heel.

"You owe me" she beamed.

Fletch winked and darted into the lift just as the doors closed, narrowly avoiding Zoe who careered through the doors with Ash and Charlie to receive the incoming patient.

Rita took a deep breath and made a hasty retreat back to the ED so she could execute the next part of her plan.