Tracey Morrison sat on the couch of Shortland Street Hospital, where she worked as a nurse in the Emergency Department. She was sipping a cup of tea and was talking to her boyfriend, Scotty, who also worked at the hospital as Nursing Manager.

"You have to work the night shift again?" Tracey asked Scotty.

"Yeah."

"How many times have you had to work the night shift this week Scotty?"

"Four times."

"Four times on night shift," repeated Tracey. "Honestly, Scotty, you'll be turning into a vampire if you keep this up!"

"Come to think of it, your neck is looking rather delectable right now," mused Scotty.

"Easy there, Drac!" giggled Tracey. But then she grew serious. "Come on, when was the last time we a night to ourselves?"

"I guess it is quite a while now," admitted Scotty. "Tell you what, I'll have a word with Maia, and see if she'll swap shifts with me."

Scotty found Maia at the nurses' station, where she was looking at some rosters. She looked up when she heard him approaching and put down the pen she was holding. "Hey Scotty," she greeted him with a smile.

"Maia, are you busy tonight?" Scotty asked.

"Not busy with work," replied Maia. "But I did have a date planned with Nicole. We haven't spent much quality time together lately."

"Ah," said Scotty, looking suddenly awkward. "Well you see, Tracey and I haven't had much time together lately either, what with the four night shifts I've done this week. So I was coming to ask you whether you'd be willing to swap shifts for tonight."

Maia frowned. "I really don't like to cancel my date with Nicole, but it sounds like you and Tracey might need the time alone a little more right now. So OK, I'll swap shifts, but you owe me!" She grinned playfully. "Have fun."

"Thank you so much!" beamed Scotty. He gave Maia a quick hug. "I'll definitely return the favour some time. Thanks again!"

He rushed off to share his good news with Tracey, while Maia adjusted the night's roster and prepared to break the bad news to Nicole.

Three and a half hours later, Tracey was in the staffroom waiting for Scotty when she got a text from him.

Hey Trace, meet you at the IV? xoxo

Tracey smiled and tossed the phone into her bag, and headed across the road. When she got there she found Scotty at a booth, a menu lying in front of him. He looked up and smiled when he saw Tracey. "Hey."

"Hey." She put her handbag down and sat down.

"How was your shift?" He asked."

Tracey shrugged. "It was okay," She looked at her menu. "What do you want?"

Scotty scanned his menu for something he liked the sound of. "Just a beer."

"Okay." She got up and walked up to the bar, where Brodie was just standing there doing nothing as it was only 5:47 and hardly anyone was there.

"Hey Brodie, a rum and coke and a beer, thanks."

"Coming up." Brodie turned around to make the drinks. Two minutes later, Tracey paid and carried the drinks back to the table.

"Thanks, the next round is on me."

Tracey nodded. "Okay," The door swung open and a guy Tracey recognized too well looked around, clearly looking for someone. His eyes landed on Tracey and he gave her the evils.

"Doug."