#rovid

“Hello!” David almost shouted as he came up being his girlfriend. He wasn’t expecting Robyn’s reaction, as she jumped and turned around harshly - pushing David back.

She covered her mouth suddenly, “oh, David. I’m so sorry. You startled me!”

“I should have learnt from past experience,” he brushed off. “At least I wasn’t holding an ice-cream this time!”

Unexpectedly, that made Robyn look even more ashamed. “Should I have not said that? I’ve said something wrong, haven’t I?”

To his surprise, she smiled and started to laugh, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his lips briefly. She pulled away and stroked a thumb over his cheek. “Don’t ever change.”

“Why would I do that?” he asked confusedly. 

She smiled again and withdrew, holding his hand. “I love you, you know that? I really, really love you.”

“Me too,” he responded, smiling just as broadly as Robyn. He was so lucky to have her as a girlfriend, and was glad Robyn sometimes let things slipped. He remembered the day he found out Robyn liked him. It was a fond memory and he didn’t think he’d ever forget. Of course, he had to thank Louise for it. Robyn had talked to her about David, and Louise had taken it upon herself to inform David of Robyn’s attraction. It was one of the few times David appreciated Louise’s gossip.

“David, you’re with me,” Dylan called, and David pecked Robyn on her cheek before hurrying off.

“She’ll be okay, won’t she?” Greg asked, obviously worried about his daughter.

David nodded, “it looks worse than it is, I can assure you. It’s only a small cut and it should heal quite soon. You’re lucky she fell on grass… and onto your hand!”

Greg smiled at the reference to his own injured wrist.

“Daddy,” Luna called. “Can you tie my hair up now?”

Greg smiled but shook his head. “I can’t, Luna. Look – my wrist is hurt. It’s got a bandage on.” He showed his daughter his sprained wrist, and David knew what was coming. “You wouldn’t be able to do it, would you?” he said, directing his question towards David.

“Erm…”

“Maybe Mummy can do it when she comes, Luna. It shouldn’t be too long now,” he told his daughter.

“No, it’s alright. I can do it,” David said, though he was extremely unsure if he could. It had been a long time since he’d ever done a child’s hair, and even when he did, his daughter alw – his daughter…, that was something he didn’t want to think about. “Have you got a hairband?”

Luna nodded and held out her purple bobbled elastic and David took it gently. It looked adorable.

“How do you want it?”

“I like the way Daddy does it.”

David looked questioningly towards Greg, who answered his gaze almost instantly. “She likes it low but quite tight.”

She liked her hair like that too…

He went behind Luna and brought her hair to the back of her head. He stretched the hairband around her ponytail with more force than he’d intended, and in a second, it snapped. David jumped back with shock, his hand stinging from where the elastic pinned back, and he accidentally brought his hand back with such force it collided with his right eye – right beside the bridge of his nose.

He gasped more with the shock rather than anything else. Luna started to giggle as she turned around to see what was happening. Just the joy on her face made David smile too.

“Last time I checked, you’re supposed to treat the patients. Not hit yourself in the eye.”

Even Dylan’s comment couldn’t stop David from smiling.

“I’m just going to…” David trailed off, rushing out of the cubicle but not missing Dylan offering to tie Luna’s hair up with her spare elastic.

He found Robyn in the staffroom, looking through one of her magazines. He stomped loudly to her side and she turned around with a confused expression on her face.

He shrugged. “I didn’t want you to be startled.”

“Ah, I love yo – what happened to your face?” She dumped her magazine on the table-top and stood up, pressing her fingers around his eye. “It looks like it’s starting to bruise.”

“Yes, about that. I might be starting to get a bit of a black eye.”

“How?” she asked, and David didn’t fail to miss the concern in her voice.

 “I managed to… somehow hit myself.”

Robyn bit her lip, “you gave yourself a black eye?” Then she started laughing so hard, David could see tears of happiness form in her eyes. He stood patiently, watching her with a certain fondness. “That is the best thing I’ve heard all week!” she said once she’d calmed down enough to get out a full sentence. “Apart from you saying you loved me. Of course.”

He grinned.

“Okay, let me see.”

He leaned into her touch, wincing as she pressed particularly hard. “That’s going to be bruised by tomorrow, but it shouldn’t be too bad. How did you do it, anyway?”

David sighed, “I was trying to tie my patient’s hair up but I must’ve stretched the elastic too much and it pinged back and snapped. Then I accidentally whacked myself…” he smiled. “That sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, but that’s what I love about you.”

She brought his head towards her and they shared a soft kiss.

“He’s actually really sweet,” Robyn said as Louise made a doubtful face.

“How can he be sweet when he never talks?”

“Just because he doesn’t talk to you, doesn’t mean he doesn’t talk to me,” she said, crossing her arms and almost daring Louise to come back with someone else.

“Okay then, what does he talk about? Someone like that... I know his type.” Louise raised her eyebrows and started to laugh. “Acting all innocent until they’re alone-“

“Ew, no Louise. David isn’t like that.” Robyn looked towards the ceiling. “He’s smart and funny and sensitive – but in a good way – and he makes great cake.”

“’Lemon Misery?’” 

Max laughed from behind them. “She’s got a good point, you know, sis.”

Now she was starting to feel targeted. Just because she happened to like David... and now her friend and her brother were on her case. “And what point is that?” She unfolded her arms, but realised that could be a sign of defeat. She folded them again.

“He’s not exactly... your type, is he?” commented Max, smirking.

“What would you know about my type? I happen to like David a lot, and I would appreciate it if you would both respect my feelings,” she said, frankly proud for sticking up for herself.

“Ooooh, touchy,” Louise and Max teased, both giggling when Robyn turned her back on them.

“Come on then, how much do you like him?” Mad asked seriously, and Robyn turned quickly.

“Loads. Oh my gosh, Max. He’s brilliant!” she exclaimed, feeling like a child again when she had the urge to clap her hands excitedly.

Louise sighed and walked off, while Max smiled. “And what does he feel about you?”

Robyn faltered “yeah, well, I don’t actually know that part.”

“Oh.”

“Yes, exactly. But, I’ll ask him. It’s a simple question-“

“No, it’s not,” Max laughed.

She grinned broadly, though, as soon she spotted David strolling down the stairs. 

She heard Max whisper in her ear, “it’s good seeing you happy, sis,” and her smile widened. She heard Max’s footsteps as he walked away and drew her full attention to David.

“David!” she called, eyes brightening when he looked up, first looking around and then eyes finally landing on Robyn. He smiled... but then it happened... it happened so fast.

She watched in horror, body frozen, as David stumbled. His body toppled, head hitting the steps and making a cracking noise that played over and over in Robyn’s head – sickening her. His scream echoed around the ED making all fall silent. When his limp body finally made contact with the ground, his scream stopped and he was silent. Blood appeared on the floor.

Right by his head.

It was a blur all around her. People were just shapes, flitting and flickering. Sounds were muffled, people’s mouths moving too fast and people’s hands touching David, helping him and making sure he was alright. Doing what Robyn should be doing. Her feet were stuck to the ground, she was unable to do anything but stare.

A hand descended on her shoulder and it brought her back to reality. She could hear properly, see properly and understand what everyone was saying.

“Nurse Miller!” Connie said with a raised voice. “Are you just going to stand there or are you going to do your job?”

Robyn tried to reply but her mouth felt dry. 

“With respect, Mrs Beauchamp,” Louise started, and Robyn realised it was her hand she could feel on her shoulder, “Robyn is far too close to David to deal with this.”

Connie looked temporarily shocked but then seemed to regain her composure. “Then can you remove her from here... please?”

Robyn felt Louise’s arm snake around her shoulder and guide her somewhere. Her vision was now clouded with tears and her feet were walking without her guiding them. “H-he’s going t-to die,” she blurted, starting to shake uncontrollably. “It’s m-my fault...”

She was guided onto something soft and realised it was a sofa in the staffroom. “No, Robyn. Don’t you dare think like that.”

“I-I called his name... my fault...” she started to sob, quite sobs at first but they became louder and harsher, the tears pouring down her face. Louise brought her into a hug, and just the simple act of Louise showing so much care for her by hugging her made her calm slightly.

Robyn was resting against Louise, her tears were still falling but she was calmer and more composed than she had been. The door opened and Robyn shot up. The action made her lean to the side as she was overcome by a wave of dizziness, but it passed a moment later and she looked desperately at Connie.

“He’s going to be okay,” she stated, the hint of a smile playing on her face. “He’s got concussion and a few broken bones, but he’ll be fine with rest.”

Robyn almost fell back onto the sofa with relief. “Can I see him?” she asked hesitantly.

Connie nodded, “of course.”

She took small steps as she entered HDC. Almost as if she was too afraid to walk fast in case she tripped and knocked a machine or something.

“Robyn!” smiled David, reaching out a hand and a bandaged wrist to her. She felt tears on her cheeks and wiped them away hastily. “I’m sorry,” she replied brokenly, taking David’s hand gently and stroking his wrist. 

His forehead creased in confusion. “Sorry? What are you sorry for?”

“I shouldn’t have distracted you while you were on the stairs.”

He shook his head bandaged head slightly, and Robyn realised that even that simple movement caused him pain. “It was an accident. I wasn’t looking where I was putting my feet.”

“I nearly lost you, David! I don't know what I’d have done if-“ she stopped suddenly, realising what she was giving away.

David seemed to detect a change in her and gripped her hand tighter. He leaned forward, and despite the pain showing on his face, he didn’t give up. “I don’t know what I’d have done if I’d never saw you again,” he whispered, smiling cheekily.

Now it was Robyn’s turn to be confused. “You mean...?”

“Even if I had a million hearts, Robyn, I would still feel the same way about you with every single one.”

She smiled widely.

“Now can you do me a favour?”

Robyn nodded.

“I’m in quite a lot of pain, so...”

“Oh, right,” she said, and helped David sit back against the pillows. Her hand brushed over his cheek lightly and she softly kissed his forehead. “I love you, David Hide. With a million of my hearts.”