- (A very BIG thank you to Steff for being the beta reader on this one. If there are any errors left over then they are all mine.) -

This closeness was needed the level-headed midwife decided as she found herself in her lover's bed. Risky as it was, while silence swept, filling every corner of Nonnatus house. They both knew the chances they were taking, as heated kisses and roaming hands captured their senses. Pressing herself down upon her Welsh lover underneath her. The pull was too strong to simply fight, as Delia cooed, "Yna..Pats.." In her native tongue.

"Sh..Sweetheart." Soft words, mouthed as she ran her hand along her thigh. Savouring the delicate smoothness of her skin, under her fingertips.

"Cusan i mi." The brunette pleaded, capturing Patsy's lips, pulling at her pyjama top as she did so. The yearning beckoning them.

Movement! Distinctive, clear sounds of footsteps could now be heard down the hall. Each heavy set stride, seemingly fast approaching; The creaks of the floorboards breaking through the private moment that was once safely housed inside. Panic immediately sank into the very core of the red head. Her eyes widened, seeing the fear inside her lover's gaze, mirrored back at her, "Delia? Did you lock the door?" Trying to keep her voice steady for Delia's sake as much as her own.

She saw her freeze and shake her head, "I thought you did, cariad?" She whispered, her breath becoming even more rapid.

The implication of her words, almost too much to bear. She shouted at herself inwardly for letting her lust over power her to the point of forgetting caution. 'You should have made sure. You should have double checked the door was locked.' Patsy chastised herself, but the want of Delia's touch had won out.

She scrambled up from the bed suddenly; somebody was entering into the room. A thousand thoughts flew around her head. 'Who could be up at this hour? Had Trixie noticed her absence?'

Staring for a second as Delia adjusted herself, her hair, her night shirt, Patsy felt a complete failure. Her thoughts pounded her head, 'It's your solemn job to protect her. To keep her safe, to guard your love. The love you have fought so hard to keep alive. You've failed!' Is all that she keeps telling herself.

As the door handle is turning she stops. She considers her surroundings, looking around. There must be a way. 'You must protect Delia, at all costs.'

Observing her lover's panic stricken face, it's clear she is just as lost. Without a single clue of what to do next. Time to take charge. 'Think, Patience's think!' She orders herself, as she catches sight of a way out. A hope. A chance.

Darting under the bed is the best plan she has. There really are not many options. Now under cover, Patsy was sure her heart was beating so fast that it could be heard by all. As a bead of sweat rolled down from her forehead, onto her flushed cheek, trickling to her chin as it dripped onto the floorboard below.

Waiting. There were footsteps. Chatter. Slight relief as she heard Sister Monica Joan. From what she can understand, there is confusion. Her voice is quite shrill, the custard creams are gone. All that is left is an empty biscuit tin. The red head would smile, if she were able to muster one. Still, sister Monica Joan does not know that Delia is not alone. There is no time for being overly confident. Patsy listened on. She can hear her sweet Delia, trying to reassure the confused nun.

The springs of the bed move closer down to the top of her head, as Delia must be exiting from the bed. Holding her breath, she spies a pair of bare feet meet another set of feet. Beginning to walk away, leaving the room behind as they set off.

As the room falls silent, Patsy slowly breathes out and decides to wait for a little longer. As the minutes soon pass they feel, like they're turning into burdening hours. It seems like forever before she feels safe enough to make a move. Scared that someone could still discover that she's taking shelter under Delia's bed. A situation that couldn't be so easily explained away. She couldn't say she was simply looking for the already eaten biscuits.

The silence now is so deafening it seems to fill her ears; time to get going. She could always say she over heard the commotion on her way to the bathroom; Yes! Time to leave her hiding place from under the bed. Sliding forward on her stomach, using her forearms, one in front of the other. She moves.

She begins to notice that she must be more under the bed than she first realised. She isn't getting anywhere.

Pulling forward, she frowned, 'It is only a small bed. Why is this taking so long?' She pondered. Moving forward, while glancing up, she noticed the door is further away. Frowning, the light from the hall way is also getting distant. She pulls at a quicker pace. Fear sets in, as she whimpers slightly as she still pulls herself along. It's no use. The room is disappearing and the bed is becoming wider. So scared now, Patsy doesn't care who can hear, she must shout for Delia's help. "DELIA!" Is yelled to no use, "DELIA!?"

She calls several times but the underneath of the bed has no end in sight.

"DELIA PLEASE!"

She wakes in a cold sweat, sitting bolt up right in the darkness. In her own bed. The dream still fresh and vivid in her mind, as she glances in the darkness to a sleeping Trixie. Completely undisturbed by her nightmare. Grasping tightly at her pyjama shirt, she needed comfort. She suddenly feared the dark of the night that seemed to be surrounding her. Hopping out of her bed, creeping out of the room, along the hall. To the safe arms that lay behind the door down the corridor. Without knocking, the midwife entered, to find Delia still in a sleep filled haze. With a yawn and a rub of her eyes, she blinked, "Pats?"

Her voice already putting her at ease as she darted besides her upon the bed, "Can you just hold me?" Was all that could be uttered as she felt her lover's arms hold her tightly.

"What is it, Pats? Sweetheart?" The concern in her voice all to evident to hear, but without a single explanation, she answered her own question, "Another bad dream, Cariad?"
Soothingly, the younger nurse caressed her red hair softly. With a nod from Patsy, she held her closer, giving a long kiss on the top of her lover's head, she held her face between her hands. "Get under the covers. You're shivering." She instructed as her girlfriend did as she requested.

Holding her close, Patsy shut her eyes tightly. Breathing all of her in as she began to tell her of the dream; explaining away all the fears that held her mind as she slept. It all seemed to disappear under her soft lilt. "For a moment...I felt I was back there, Deels. Back in that place. Hiding..." Patsy confided. Only Delia would ever hear her fears.

Taking her hand, she locked their fingers together, protecting her from any hurt. Giving a single peck to her lips, she knew that Patsy just wanted to be held. To sleep safe in her loving arms.

Morning was soon upon them. Patsy awakened with a smile as Delia was still beside her, still guarding her. Petting her hair, she watched her sleep. She loved to do this every morning. "Morning sweetheart." Delia smiled lovingly, "Least I'm awake before you've had time to sneak away." She jibed playfully as she kissed her lips.

"Yes. It would appear so, but.." The red head was about to say with a knowing nod.

"You want another kiss before you go?" She smiled already leaning in. A tender kiss before she has to get back to her own room.

At breakfast, Trixie was talking with much enthusiasm about the dance hall she wanted to attend. The blonde wanted to prove that she could still be fun without the assistance of any alcohol in her blood stream. And to prove that she really has come a long way. Despite the fact that, somewhere deep, deep down inside, she may still be tempted to drink, she simply doesn't want to. Exchanging sly, knowing glances, Patsy and Delia can't help but agree to Trixie's night out. Filled with excitement that is plain to see, Trixie continued to eat her breakfast.

After another long day of rounds, Patsy found a quiet moment to talk with Delia, mainly regarding their night out with Trixie. Sitting next to her upon the bed, Delia can't help but smile as Patsy complained about how the night will be ghastly.

"All I really want is to dance with you, Deels. You've given me quite the taste for it after the Gateways club." Patsy nodded as she lit a cigarette, reaching out, taking Delia's hand in her own. She had really rather begun to like the seeming privacy that the Gateways had to offer. She had come to view it as a safe haven. A shelter, where they could truly be themselves. Even if it was for only a couple of hours. It was theirs.

"Same here Pats, and what did I tell you?" Delia gloated. Her smile beaming, not taking her gaze from Patsy's blue eyes.

"Okay, Alright. Once again Delia, you have the knack of always being right." Patsy playfully frowned, exhaling her smoke. The midwife was grateful that her girlfriend had patience with her. To let her come around to new ideas.

"Don't I just." She smiled back lovingly, gripping the red head's hand tighter.

"Sometimes." Both women giggled together.

"Pats?" The brunette stated, sounding more like a question, "I know you'd rather spend our night off doing something else, but I think Trixie needs this."

Raising her eye brow, she knew Delia was right. She just didn't like the thought of being asked to dance. Or Delia being asked to dance by a bothersome chap, who couldn't take the hint and leave them alone.

"Fine. We will go." She tried her best to smile. After all it was only one evening, for Trixie.

A/N - As always, thank you in advance for any kind reviews on this chapter. More soon. x x x