Something I was reading earlier got me thinking... what follows is short, and kind of weird and AU for tonight's episode. Apologies to Harry Potter for the title. Please R&R. There may be more to come.

He was alone now, all his colleagues had left, and he had all the time in the world to feel lost and scared and so very alone. His whole body felt like hell, like a fire was spreading through his veins, he was feeling hot and cold at once, which all added to the fear and panic he was feeling.

She walked up to the nurse's station and asked the way, a nurse pointed the room out and she headed towards it. Jo wasn't sure just why she was there, Stuart was not exactly her best friend, but he'd been quite sweet to her following the hideous ending to the Statham case and she had been horrified by what had happened to him. Pop in, offer him a bit of comfort, quite how she could comfort him with that horror hanging over him she really wasn't sure, but she wanted to try.

She walked over to the bed, and called his name. Terrified, pain filled brown eyes turned towards her, and she was horrified at the state he was in. She sat down in the chair next to the bed, and took his hand, no way am I leaving him on his own, like this. His grip was like a vice.

"I was going to say, how are you feeling, but I suppose I already know the answer to that one." She kept her tone light, and was rewarded with the ghost of Stuart's normal cocky smile, and the panic in his eyes eased a little, as did his fierce grip on her hand. "Thought I'd come and keep you company for a while," she continued, "not like I have anything else to do tonight..." the tears that had been building for a while slid quietly down his cheeks, and her expression softened "...no...no...Stuart...please" her own voice sounded shaky as she gently stroked his hair, feeling sick in her heart that she couldn't really promise that, but needing to offer him some kind of reassurance. The floodgates were open though, and he curled up on his side, still clinging to her hand, while she held on and promised him anything she could think of, anything to reach through his misery.

On impulse, she kicked off her boots, and carefully avoiding the drip feed and various wires that were attached to him, she sat on the bed next to him. Grateful for the human contact, Stuart leaned against her, Jo was unprepared for her own response, and surprised herself by putting her arms around him. She settled back as he relaxed in her arms, as long as he needed her she was going to stay, she began to talk about whatever came into her head, keeping her voice low and soothing, at last his eyes were beginning to close.

She awoke, stiff and uncomfortable, at 5 am. Stuart was fast asleep in her arms, and she was relieved to see he was looking better. She suspected that she was looking considerably worse, and that she needed to get home and get herself showered and changed for work. She looked down at him again, his head was resting against her shoulder, he looked relaxed in sleep, less pain etched into his features, he's really very attractive. That thought popped unbidden into her mind and she squashed it down, ridiculous, even if he were your type, my girl.

She knew she had to wake him, but he looks so peaceful, because she couldn't just get up and go without telling him.

"Stuart" she called his name quietly "Stuart" a bit louder, and he stirred, "come on honey..." she couldn't quite believe she'd said that, "darn it..." his eyes slowly opened, "sorry love... but I have to go." She eased down off the bed, gently, so as not to hurt him. Yanked her boots on. Impulsively as she grabbed her bag, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. Turned to go.

"Jo." His voice sounded hoarse and was barely above a whisper, but she turned back. "Thanks." He said.

She smiled. "Anytime." And was surprised to discover that she really meant it.