At Cougars Bron, Charlotte and Luke are about to order their first drinks when Ben walks in.

Bron: Oh great!

Charlotte: Don’t worry about him

Bron: I came here to get away from him

Luke: Well why don’t we just grab a bottle or two of something and go to my place?

Bron: Yep I’ll be in that

Charlotte: Oh come on guys

Bron: I’m not staying here while he’s here

Charlotte: Alright... I guess I’ll come too then

They get up and leave

----------------------------

At Luke’s place Bron and Luke have both had about three drinks. Charlotte has only had one.

Charlotte: I have to go, got an early shift tomorrow

Bron: Ohhh

Charlotte: Sorry noodle, I’ll make it up to you okay?

Bron: I guess so Beaumont

Charlotte: See ya luke

Luke: See ya

-----------------------------

Later Bron is sitting on the couch when Luke flops down beside her and hands her another drink. They are both pretty drunk by now. Bron starts to drink her drink but then puts it on the coffee table. She sinks into the couch.

Bron: Oww Luke my life has turned to shit again

Luke: (laughs) Nah

Bron: (slaps him on the arm) It’s not funny!

Luke: (he smiles) Sorry

Bron looks up at him as he smiles. They look into each other’s eyes and Luke leans down and kisses her. The kiss lasts for what seems like forever. Finally Bron breaks away

Bron: Luke.... I can’t..... I mean.... (Bron takes a deap breath and starts again) It would be wrong to start something with you now

Luke: Because of Ben?

Bron gets up

Bron: I need to go home

Luke: You’re not driving

Bron: I’ll get a taxi

Luke: Its 2am if I read my watch right

Bron: Hmm (she sits back down) I guess I could stay here on the couch.... I’m pretty tired

Luke: (gets up and leaves the room) I’ll see if I can rummage around and find... pillows and a blanket for you

When Luke comes into the room again Bron is asleap on the couch. Luke puts a pillow under her head and puts the blanket over her. He then stumbles off to bed.

------------------------------

The next morning Luke wakes up and goes into the lounge room. Bron’s gone. He goes and takes some headache tablets before getting ready for work.

-------------------------------

Bron is running across the car park towards the hospital entrance, she’s late for her shift. She gets inside. A few minutes later Luke walks in.

Luke: Bron

She turns around

Bron: Luke.... hey, how are you?

Luke: Got a slight headache

Bron: (laughs) You aren’t the only one, believe me

Luke: Can we talk?

Bron: Oh, I’m running late... unless you want to talk and walk?

Luke: Yeah

They start walking towards the lift. Scott comes out of emergency and is following them, he’s going up to ward 17 as well. As Luke and Bron talk he hears everything. Both Luke and Bron are unaware of Scott being there.

Luke: You left early this morning

Bron: Yeah... I thought I should

Luke: Look I’m sorry about last night.. I mean... we shouldn’t have-

Bron: Nah don’t worry about it... it was a mistake... we were both off our faces

They get to the lift. The doors open and Mitch comes out

Mitch: You’re late Bron... Terii’s been wondering where you got to

Mitch leaves as Luke and Bron get into the lift. Scott gets into the lift.

Bron: Ay Scotty

Scott: Hey

The lift doors open at ward 17. Scott walks out without saying anything. A few seconds later Bron and Luke walk out.

Bron: I don’t think he’s very happy with me at the moment

------------------------------------

After a morning of hell on earth Bron takes her lunch break. She goes into the tea room and flops down at the table. She begins to think about Ben.

Bron: Oh shit

She stands up and goes to make a coffee, she needs to get him out of her head. She pushes the button on the kettle and is about to put the coffee and sugar in her cup when Paula walks in.

Paula: Bron this has gone on long enough

Bron: (turns around) Paula?

Paula: Look I don’t want to be enemies with you.... I know we’ll never be best friends or anything but...

Bron: (trying to remain calm) Paula don’t

Paula: Bron please

Bron: No! I’m not ready to talk to you about this yet okay?!

Paula: Look Ben wanted to tell you...

Bron: So why the hell didn’t he?!

Paula: Because he didn’t know how to

Bron: Well you managed to do it!

Paula: Look its obvious you hate me but-

Bron: I don’t hate you

Paula: Just give Ben a chance to explain

Paula walks off. Bron steps outside and is about a metre away from the desk area where Von, Terii, Matt, Charlotte and Luke are all standing. Ben comes up behind her. He looks furious.

Ben: It didn’t take you long did it?

Bron turns around to face him

Bron: What are you doing here?

Ben: I can’t believe you! After everything we’ve been through!

Bron: Ben what the hell are you talking about?!

Ben: You jumping straight into bed with Luke!

Everyone at the desk looks up in shock, including Luke

Bron: ok that’s it!

Bron grabs Ben’s arm and pulls him roughly into the tea room slamming the door loudly.

Bron: What the hell are you doing Ben?!

Ben: I could ask you the same thing!

Bron throws her hands up in the air and paces around the room angrily

Bron: Ok just to clear this up, I did not jump straight into bed with Luke!

Ben: Oh really? What would you call it then?

Bron: I don’t know where you get your info from but its wrong!

Ben: And you lectured me on lying!

Bron: Oh we’re back to this again are we?

Ben: You know I don’t know why you bother denying it when Scott heard you and Luke talking this morning

Bron: What?

Ben: He heard Luke say that he was sorry about last night! And he heard you say that it didn’t matter and to forget about it because you were both pissed! So don’t bloody lie to me Bron!

Bron: (glairing) You know you should really get you facts straight before you start making accusations like that! For your information Ben, Luke and I did not sleep together, we got drunk and we kissed! Now I don’t know but I’m guessing that isn’t what’s know as jumping into bed with him. But I’ll tell you something for nothing Ben, you’re making it really hard for me to forgive you, and you’re making jumping into bed with Luke look like a much better option!!!.

Bron storms out of the tea room and goes over to the desk area.

Bron: sorry about that everyone

Luke: I don’t think its your fault, maybe ben should get his facts straight before he goes shooting his mouth off.

Terii: okay everyone, back to work.

***********

TO BE CONTINUED