Okay I'm not going to abandon Happily Ever After, but I got the idea for this and just had to write it. So here's me attempting to keep up with 2 fic at the same time, if Sally can do it I like to think I can.

They Say Time's a Healer - They Lied!

It had been 11 long months since Dr Macartney started the first day of the rest of his life. 11 months since he accidentally insulted Caroline whilst asking her to move in with him, only to make it up to her with a physical apology and the promise of a weekend away, 11months ago he and Boyce set up the toy train for Caroline.
It had been 11 months since Jeff told him his days were numbered, 11 months since he found out her could hold a conversation with 3 lollypops in his mouth, 11months since he waved goodbye to the hospital, to Guy, to all his friends, to Caroline. 11 months since he sacrificed his only chance of happiness. 11 months since he and his Ducati sped away to his new life (what was left of it) in [strike]Heaven[/strike] Devon.

He had long since got used to his new life, his new surroundings, and his new job. He was even slowly getting used to the constant loneliness that plagued him.

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*****

It had been 11 long months since that fateful day of the proposals, 11 months since Mac had asked her to move in with him, insulted her, and then made it better with a kiss and the promise of a good weekend. 11 months since she found the adorable toy train set up especially for her.
It had been 11 long months since Mac stood her up at the station, 11 months since she accepted Guy’s proposal – only to retract it an hour later. 11 months ago Mac walked out of her life without even a goodbye. 11 months ago her heart shattered into a million pieces.

Everyday she would walk past Mac’s parking space expecting a black Ducati 1000DS to be parked there, but it was always empty. Rather like how she felt without the presence of the owner of that bike in her life.

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***

Mac no longer expected to drop dead at any second; he had found out some time ago that he was in fact perfectly healthy. As per usual.
That day had been one of his lowest days; the punch bag in the gym suffered a lot that day.

Each morning it was the same, at 6 o’clock on the dot, Mac would wake, stretch and head for the shower. It wasn’t until he was clean and dressed he would allow himself to wander over to the shelf in the corner of his bedroom. Over to his corner of memories.
The shelf held several photographs, a letter and the charm Caroline had taken from her bracelet and given to him.
Now he stood, dressed in brown cords and a blue striped shirt, gazing at the one photograph. The one he held closest to his heart. The subject of the photo stood smiling happily at the camera, wearing a beautifully cut black dress. Her dark hair neater than normal, the fringe held back by a glittery slide, her brown eyes full of warmth and laughter. Mac smiled, Caroline never did believe him when he told her how beautiful she was. It was on the same night that the photograph was taken that he first told her what he thought of her. He sat and thought about that night, remembering every word, every expression. Everything.
It was the annual Staff ball, the dress code was black tie (Of course Guy took that literally!) Mac had turned up in a smart black Tux, feeling extremely self conscious. The first thing he noticed as he entered the room was Caroline chatting animatedly looking stunning in her dress, she completely took his breath away. He’d always fancied her, ever since Sue introduced her to him outside theatre on her first day, but tonight he was going weak at the knees.
It was near the end of the night when he took her to one side.
“Having a good time?” He’d asked, trying to keep it light.
She laughed, he loved it when she laughed, “I am thank you Dr Macartney, how about you? Are you enjoying yourself?”
It was his turn to laugh, “Dr Todd, you are beautiful, you know that?”
She laughed again, that was until she looked at him and realised he was serious she stopped and when very quite and shy. She went even quieter when he stroked her cheek and gently kissed her.
Mac tore his eyes away from Caroline and turned his attention to the clock. Shit, I’m going to be late! With that he returned the photo to it’s proper place and ran out of his apartment to his Ducati. Work beckoned.

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********

Most mornings were the same for Caroline. She would wake up, stretch, make her way to the bathroom, yell at Guy through the door for getting there first then return to her bedroom to sit on her bed and gaze at the photographs on her bedside table while holding a pink t-shirt as close to her body as possible.
There were 3 photos on her table, all of them featured Mac, and the t-shirt was of course also Mac’s. He’d got a red wine stain on it and she’d taken it to remove it for him, only she never got chance to give it to him.
She picked up on of the photo’s and lay back on her bed. It had been taken at the annual Staff ball, he stood in a very smart tux, with his arms around her shoulder. Their glasses were raised in a mock toast.
“Here’s to Caroline looking stunning in her black dress.” His voice resonated through her mind, through her heart.
He’d looked especially gorgeous that night, she’d never seen him in a suit. His golden hair falling over his stunningly blue eyes in the perfect way they usually did. She’d never realised how straight and white his teeth were.
She remembered how it was that night that Mac first told her she was beautiful. She hadn’t taken him seriously, how could she? Mac was gorgeous!
Her heart ached looking at the photo and she turned her attention to another, it was of Mac, her and Guy. They were outside the hospital, by their tree, both men had their arms around her and were smiling in a contented way.
She sighed, things just weren’t the same anymore.

aaaaaaaaaaah. Mac in a suit!

:wub: that ball bit was so lovely.

you had *better* keep this up tinks. or else.... no confetti for yuo! :ph43r:

LOVE IT LOVE LOEV LOVE IT

<dances>

i feel like a badger dance today.

:badger :badger :badger

love it!!!!!!!! this is absolutely brilliant!!!!!!

I was thinking exactly that when I was writing it. It's not easy drooling over the idea of him in a suit while trying to write!

:blink: No confetti????? b-b-but that cruel!!! I'd better carry on!

That made me happy!

lol badger, badger, badger, badger dot mushroom!!!

:blink: <whsipers> i think Tinks lost it.

i'm so happy my post amused you that much!

That happened sometime ago!!

As for the badger thing, it's something very random I found on the internet once........

Part 2 - Short bit, dedicated to Pig Rescuer because she is a legend!

I miss you now, I miss you always.

The staff of Derriford Hospital often wondered about the mysterious Dr Macartney. No-one knew his first name, no-one knew why he left his previous hospital and no-one could quite understand why he insisted that he was known as Dr when Surgical consultants are generally known as Mr. All the female staff were in love with him, and all the male staff respected and admired him.
The Ducati skidded to a halt and Mac quickly parked it in his space. He entered the hospital with a run.
“I know, I know I’m late I’m sorry. I uh go distracted.” He called out to a passing doctor. He finally stopped outside theatre 3 and leant on the wall trying to catch his breath.
He entered the scrubbing room, scrubbed up and entered the theatre, sadly remembering all the fun he, Guy and Caroline used to have.

love it still!!!!!!! brilliant fic Tinks!!!!! *does dance*

hehe i'm a legend. that made me giggle.

mac is v mysterious. remeber the fun mac! go back to them!

ahhh welll...................

Don't worry I remember the badger thing too.

This fic is fab, don't stop Tink!

This is really really really good!

Hope to see much more soon :)

Mac in suit :wub:

And i too also remember the badger thing :badger

This is awesome! I love it lots and lots Tink! :D Can I hug it? :hug

Part 3 - Dedicated to Sally, because she, like Vicky, is a Legend! Oh and feel free to hug it if you should so wish :lol:

We can only try so hard.

A now clean and dressed Caroline, lay on her bed gazing wistfully at Mac’s photo. Daydreaming about what could have been. She was just saying “I Do” when a knock on her door broke her reverie.
“Caroline?” Guy popped his head around the door, “Violet’s on the phone.”
Caroline rolled her eyes and dragged herself off the bed, with one last lingering look at Mac she left the room and proceeded downstairs.

“Hey Vi,” She said trying to interject some enthusiasm into her voice.
“Caroline!” Why did she always have to sound like she had inhaled helium? “How ya doing?”
“I’m okay I suppose.”
Violet sighed, “Stupid question wasn’t it, of course you’re not okay. Listen I’ve been thinking.”
“Careful.”
She tutted,”I was wondering if you’d like to spend a week with me in Cornwall when you next get sometime off work. I think it’s exactly what you need.”
Exactly what I need comes in human form, a human form with ginger hair!
She put on a bright Angela-esque voice, “A week in Cornwall sounds great!”
“Brilliant! Right call me when you’ve arranged time off okay Dr Todd and we’ll arrange it all then.”

Great! Caroline thought as she hung up the phone. A holiday in a place I’ve never been, with a person who’s voice gives me a headache!

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**********************

Guy watched Caroline talking on the phone to her friend, remembering a time when she would be laughing and joking. Things weren’t the same anymore, not since the Gingre left.
If only Mac knew how much his leaving would affect us! He thought miserably.
Guy didn’t show it much but he missed Mac as well. Well they’d been best friends since Guy’s first day at East Hampton, 10 years ago. Yes they argued, yes they fought but they were always there for each other. Now Mac wasn’t and everything had changed.
Caroline hung up and joined him in the kitchen, he could see the tears in her eyes and pulled her into a tight hug. He knew not to say anything.

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*********************

Mac was glad when surgery was over, he had a massive pile of paperwork that wasn’t going to magically disappear anytime soon. He made his way over to the vending machine for his lunchtime caffeine fix mentally going through an important form currently lying on his desk.
“Dr Macartney?” Came a voice from behind him, making him jump. He turned around to find a pretty young nurse looking up at him, trying like hell not to faint, swoon or do anything equally embarrassing.
“Hello.”
She smiled, ”Dr Nuremburg needs your help with a problem patient in ward 4.”
“Oh good,” He returned her smile, “Another excuse not to do that evil paperwork.”
He glided off to ward 4, oblivious to the fact that the nurse’s knees had just given way and was now lying on the floor thanking God he’d gone when he had.

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********************

Caroline had taken to giving Guy a lift to work, it made more sense really seeing as they lived together, now all they needed to get past was Guy’s childish behaviour when he got near buttons.
“Right what’s the plan Stan?”
“Well,” Caroline replied, thinking for a minute, “First I need to see Sue about this week off, then we have 2 hernia operations, a hip replacement and a transplant. Then I dunno, we’ll have to check the board.”

She walked past Mac’s space, still empty, except for a single white rose. God! She realised It’s 11 months today! She and Guy entered the hospital and parted down the corridor, Caroline for Sue’s office, Guy for the Doctor’s mess.
Sue was another person that had been badly affected by Mac’s departure. She was actually doing her job and acted almost normal.
Caroline entered her office to find Sue dressed head to foot in mourning clothes. Notice I said almost!
Poor thing! Caroline thought sympathetically.

Part 4

A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed

“Morning Sue,” Caroline greeted her new found friend. Sue was probably the only person that hurt as much as she did about Mac’s leaving. They’d become friends over a bottle or 3 of vodka one night, and Caroline was surprised to find that Sue actually was a good person to talk to. Well when she was actually listening.
“Morning Dr Todd,” Sue smiled, “How are you today?”
“Shite, you?”
“Shite, is there anything I can do for you or do you just want to chat?”
“Actually Sue there was something I needed. My helium inhaling old school friend wants me to visit her in Cornwall and I need a week off work.”
Sue could tell Caroline was not particularly happy about this holiday, but she needed it. She’d been working way too hard lately.
“Right, well we could spare you in about 4 weeks time, I know it’s a while but I’m guessing you don’t mind.”
Caroline couldn’t help but admire Sue sometimes; she had a way of knowing exactly what you were thinking.
“That would be fine, thank you Sue.”
“Oh Caroline, you should enjoy it. God knows you deserve a holiday!”
Caroline was touched, she reached over the desk and gave Sue a quick hug.
“Ach, be off with you, you’ll have me getting sentimental in a minute.”
Caroline left Sue’s office suddenly looking forward to her week away.

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Mac was glad to leave the hospital that evening, he’d finally got around to doing that paperwork and it had exhausted him. He hated paperwork; it involved way too much thinking!
He climbed on his bike and decided he needed a drive around the countryside to blow away the cobwebs, he wasn’t ready to go back to his apartment yet.
Anyway, he thought, It’d be a shame to waste that sunset!

ooh cornwall.

this sounds interesting. doesnt that involve going through where mac is to get there?

love sue and the white roses, and sue and caroline being friends. :D

i want mroe more m ore more mroe mreo mreo

pleeeeeeeeeease?

Lol yeah you have to get through Devon to get to Cornwall, over the thamar bridge. But then maybe caroline wont actually get to Cornwall though :ph43r:

I'm glad you got it.

Yeah I'll write some more sooooooooon.

B) WOOOOOOOT that's v good.

What the fact that I knew that or that Caroline might not get there???

:D both, i think.

Ahhhhhhhh well I'd know about the getting there bit because I live in Cornwall and I laugh quite a lot whenever I got to Plymouth....it's madness...............

oOo and the not getting there bit, yeah might be a bit sad.

Part 5 - I'm not happy with this bit.

The week’s pre Caroline’s holiday went by far too quickly for her liking, it was now Friday and she left on Sunday. She was starting to panic quite a lot, she needed some new clothes, she needed a haircut and she needed to pack. There was only one thing for it.

Sue was rather surprised when Caroline burst into her office not bothering to knock.
“Come. Shopping. With. Me!” She managed.
Sue clapped her hands happily, “I’d be happy to!”

So the next day Caroline and Sue hit the shops. Luckily for Caroline, Sue had a good dress sense and an eye for a bargain.

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Mac had also decided to go clothes shopping. It was his day off and he needed some new jeans, most of the ones in his drawer had more holes than was altogether safe. He crossed the road; Levi’s were his preferred brand of Jeans at the moment. Seeing his reflection in the window he decided that his hair could do with a trim as well.

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Guy could hear the giggling from his bedroom, he had to go downstairs to investigate. He walked into the living room and felt his jaw drop.
“Oh hey Guy!” The two women chorused. Caroline gave him a little twirl.
“You like?”
Guy stared at her, she was modelling her new figure hugging red dress. He nodded.
“I massively like. You look beautiful Caro!” She giggled nervously. Sue had persuaded her to get highlights and a feathercut. It wasn’t much but it made all the difference. Thanks to Sue Caroline was now feeling completely ready for her holiday, she had a load of beautiful new clothes, a new hairstyle and well basically a whole new look. She even had a new attitude to life; she had decided it was time to move on and away from the memory of Mac. She was going to let Violet take her out on the manhunt, she was ready.

NOOooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

don't move on from Mac! Move towards him...

love the sound of her new haircut.

Caroline's squirrel is all better.

calm down vicky!! I told you she may not even get to Cornwall.........

Yeah I like her hair now....tis all purdy!

Part 6 - another little bit. Man I'm on fire tonight :P Dedicated to PR!!

It was only a week but Sue knew she was going to miss Caroline, she had become quite fond of her. It was a hard to believe that there was a time when she had actually tried to kill her. Finding a friend in Caroline made Mac’s disappearance slightly easier to bear, it was like the silver lining of a very big, very black cloud. Caroline was good person, a good person that deserved to find a good man to take care of her and love her like she loved Mac.

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Mac lay back on his bed, he was cursing himself. I am a complete tit! He thought angrily, I should never have left. I should NEVER have left! He got up and walked over to the corner of his room and his eyes fell upon the photo of himself, Caroline and Guy outside the hospital. He wondered if Caroline and Guy still had their copies. “I should definitely not have left!” He whispered stroking Caroline’s image.

*****************************************************************************************

Okay calm down, Caroline thought to herself, everything’s packed, the car’s loaded, you have sat nav. Nothing to worry about. Except she was worrying, that’s all she’d done since she woke up. For some reason she’d woken up with a feeling that something was going to go terribly wrong. The last time she’d had that feeling an ambulance fell off the top of a cliff with Mac, Guy and Martin inside it.
“Buggering w**k.” She said to herself in an attempt to calm herself.
“You know that doesn’t work,” Guy grinned sitting himself next to her on the bed, “I’ll miss you, you know.”
She looked up at him, “No you won’t, you’ll be glad to have me out of the way so you can throw a massive party and sleep with loads of women.” He laughed and put his arm around her.
“True, but I will miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too Guy.” She kissed his forehead and they headed downstairs. She should have left quarter of an hour ago.

i love this!!!!

:excited Oh its sooooooooooooooooooo good but can you be on fire a little bit more please???? Just because it is ab-and pecs-solutly fantastic!!!!!!! So so good remember !!!! :excited

mac and caro MUST MEET!

aww this is brill :)

This is wicked - more more - i want to know what happens!!

Lol okay okay I'll write some more but I dunno if it'll be up before tomorrow. All i'm saying is be prepared....

Part 7 - Okay here you go, dedicated to Sophie seeing as she asked!

Lesson 1 - Always Trust Your Instincts

Caroline opened the door to find Sue, looking slightly out of breath, and Simba on her doorstep. Sue noticed the look of shock on her friends face.
“Ah well we couldn’t let you go off without saying goodbye now could we? Plus Simba wanted to nibble his favourite anaesnatist.” Caroline stepped aside to let Sue and Simba by, as soon as he’d spotted Guy he bounded over to him and swiftly knocked him to the floor, licking his face.
“Argh, Sue get it off!” He yelled squirming on the floor. They laughed and eventually got the lion off him. Caroline looked at the clock.
“f*ck! Shit!”
“When were you meant to leave?” Sue asked.
“Oh, about an hour ago.”
“Bloody hell, well we’d better get you out of here then hadn’t we.”
All 4 of them exited the house and stood on the pavement.
“Bye Sue,” Caroline pulled her into a hug.
“Bye Caroline, have fun yeah.”
“I will,” She planted a kiss on the Scot’s bony cheek. Then turned to Guy who almost lifted her from the ground he hugged her so tight.
“Have fun Caro, don’t go missing me too much.” He put her down and she tried to look serious.
“Now Guy No Drinking too much, No parties, No bring back loads of women and I want to come back to a tidy house okay.”
He hung his head and pouted, “Yes mummy.” She smiled and kissed him. Then she turned to Simba who she stroked behind the ears, making him purr loudly.
Getting in her car she realised how lucky she was to have Sue and Guy, they were brilliant friends. And, she thought, They would make a perfect couple. She wound down her window.
“Guy, remember no more scaring the little kids, Sue if you hear anything about him doing it when I’m away set Simba on him.” Sue laughed while Guy rolled his eyes. Caroline blew them on last kiss, waved and then pulled away from the curb. Thank bloody God for Satellite Navigation! She thought as she tapped Violet’s address into the mini computer.

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*

It was almost quiet in the hospital, usually on a Sunday it was quite busy from people coming in about last nights drunken injuries. Or, of course, there were the families that had fallen out over Sunday lunch and turned to violence. Today however, there was nothing of the sort. Mac only had one operation and that was only a small one, the rest of his day was spent in his office pretending to be doing paperwork whilst blowing up tiny people on his computer. He had the long shift today; Dr Nuremburg was meant to be doing it but he’d got an urgent call from Treliske, one of his patients had started collapsing. Mac didn’t mind the long shift; it meant he didn’t have to be alone in his apartment for as long.

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*

Caroline was regretting deciding to drive to Cornwall; it was a long and boring drive. Bloody Cornwall, why the hell does it have to be so far away? She turned on her radio and The Kinks – Really Got Me blasted out at her. Oh great, make it worse why don’t you! She reached over into her glove compartment looking for a CD that she could sing along to.
She was too busy sharing her attention between the road ahead and her CD collection, that she didn’t see the lorry behind her suddenly skidding out of control. That was until it swerved and it’s trailer ploughed into the side of her car, slamming it against the barrier 10 yards away. The impact caused the car to buckle.
I knew this was a bad idea! thought Caroline before she slipped out of conciousness.

:o
aww :(

& yes guy and sue would make a brill couple :P

I told you, anyway it'll be all okay don't worry.

And they would wouldn't they....

mac will be oporating on her!
:blink:

:o :o noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!! caroline is okay isnt she????????????????? excellent update as usual Tinks!!!!!!!

She'll be fine don't worry, Debbie you're actually very close, too close how dare you!

*Gasp* Poor Caro.

:blink:

Don't hurt poor Caro!

yay for the lovely dedcation and yay for Mac and Caro soon meeting. :D

*dances and tosses confetti over Tinks*

Eeeeek Caroline :knockout

Wow i feel so special... he he thanks for the dedication... my fic was dedicated to you 'in spirit'but don't tell anyone else!!! It soooooooooooo good... OMG Mac is going to meet Caroline ahhhhhhhhhhh *squeels in excitement*

:cheer2