Hey, I'm back again. I am so so so so so sorry I never got round to finishing my other story, life just got in the way. Started uni and then got a job so twas a little preoccupied. Anyways this is a new story I'm gonna write with an idea that I had just floating around in my head. Hope yous enjoy : ) Anna.

As usual all characters belong to the BBC.

"Oww" Zoe screeched as she stubbed her big toe against a skirting board in her flat. Grabbing her cigarettes, Zoe lit one and inhaled deeply. Exhaling Zoe pinched the bridge of her nose to try and release some tension. "Screw it" Zoe said to herself as she walked to her fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine. Just then her phone rang. Sighing, Zoe jumped over to the coffee table and answered her phone.

"Hello."

"Zoe, it's me."

"Nick, are you ok?"

"Zoe, I think it's time" Nick whispered.

"I'll be there as soon as I can. I promise. Stay strong. Bye"

Grabbing her car keys and bag Zoe rushed out the front door. After a quick 10 minute journey, Zoe was up in the ICU standing beside Nick giving him the support he needed to turn off Yvonne's ventilator. Surrounded by the steady beeps of the monitors, Zoes phone went off again.

"Sorry" Zoe looked at Nick apologetically. "I'll turn it off."

What seems like an eternity passes but eventually Nick turns off Yvonnes ventilator as he silently weeps. Zoe rubs Nicks back to soothe him and he turns to Zoe and cries into her shoulder. Just then Noel barges into the room. Facing the door Zoe looks up and gives Noel an almighty death stare.

"Emm... sorry to interrupt guys" Noel says awkwardly shuffling from foot to foot.

"Is it important Noel?" Zoe asks annoyed.

"Yeah it kinda is" replied Noel.

"Well go on then. Spit it out" Zoe said as she removed Nick off her shoulder to move closer to Noel and the entrance of the door so that they could continue the conversation in private.

"I don't know any other way to say this. The fire bridge was on the phone and there has been a fire."

"Where? In the department" Zoe said as she interrupted Noel.

"Err... No. In your apartment, apparently. There was smoke coming from under your door and a passing neighbour spotted it, rang the fire bridge and they had a pretty tough time trying to get it to stop."

From hearing this information Zoe sighed out loudly and ran her hand through her hair. "This is all I needed right now."

"I think you should ring the investigator Zoe. Here's the number they left me." Noel said as he gave Zoe a post it note. "Let him know that we're all here from him" Noel added as he nodded towards Nick and then left the room to return to the ED reception desk.

"What did he want? To express the ED teams deepest sympathy. Get some dirt. See that old Mr J really does have a heart and can even cry" Nick said bitterly stroking Yvonne face.

"No actually, he was here to tell me that my house was on fire. I have to go and ring the investigator, I'll be 5 minutes. Will you be ok?" Zoe asked concerned.

"I don't know. You tell me? I've just lost my girlfriend. Do you think I'm ok?"

"No I don't think you're ok. Do you want me to stay a little while longer with you?"

"No, no, no. Go ring the investigator and see what the damage was. I'll be fine" Nick said as he sat on the chair beside Yvonnes bed.

Zoe walked out of the room and walked towards the stairwell to get better signal.

"Hello this is Dr Zoe Hanna. I was told to contact this number regarding the fire in my apartment. How is everything?" Zoe asked worried.

"Hello Dr Hanna. I'm Jeremy Dickson from the Holby Fire Department. There was a powerful blaze when we got to the scene and it took 4 men to get it under control. Unfortunately it caused an awful lot of damage as it must have been burning for a good 30 minutes. I have to say you're lucky to have not been in at that time as you would have most likely died."

"I suppose I am lucky if you look at it that way. When i can get my stuff and see the damage."

"Well as it's late tonight we won't be starting till tomorrow and you won't be able to get in and collect your belongings until after the investigation, sorry. I hope you can find somewhere to stay for the meantime. I will keep in contact with you to let you know what's happening. Goodnight."

"Oh, ok. Goodnight" Zoe stutters down the phone completely shocked. Walking back into the room Zoe finds Nick pacing the room on the phone. Covering the mouthpiece Nick whispers "undertakers." Zoe nods and waits patiently for Nick to finish the call.

"So what's the damage" Nick says staring at a peaceful looking Yvonne.

"Pretty bad. I'm not allowed in until they finish their investigation and I have to find somewhere to stay in the meantime. Which reminds me, I need to ring Linda see if she'll have me."

"Don't. Stay at mine" Nick said pleadingly.

"Only if you're sure."

"I'd appreciate the company, especially in the next few days. You can handle all the sympathy phone calls and messages that I won't want to deal with. Win, win for us both I think" Nick smiled for a brief second and then turned back to gloom to see a nurse preparing to take Yvonne to the basement.

"Come on. Let's go" Zoe said putting her arm round Nicks shoulder.

"I'm gonna miss her Zo" Nick said as he watched Yvonne be wheeled into the lift.

"I know you are" Zoe said as she rubbed Nicks back again.

Zoe and Nick stood at the lift waiting for the next one to take them to the hospital car park.

Please review and tell me what you think : ) Anna xxx