Set in a world where Nick had a daughter to an ex wife, this fanfic tells the story of Sophia's return to Holby four years after leaving for Michigan with Nick. She is unsure of how to approach Zoe (the only person who was like a mother to her) and break the news of Nick's sudden death. Time frame wise, this story is set to run alongside the current series however some situations and personalities may be altered. Eg; Louise is still a receptionist.

Chapter 1

It all looked the same from the outside; the pyramid of glass above the ambulance parking bays, the slightly off white and duck egg blue blocks creating an almost perfect chess board, even the staff parking spots were the same.

But everything was different.

Sophia Jordan, now eighteen, stares at the plaque that reads "CLINICAL LEAD – DR. ZOE HANNA" unaware of the "ASSISTANT" that is covered by the roof of the familiar black Audi. As she takes a deep breath and gently closes her eyes, she realises there was no going back. She has to tell her.

She walks into the ED's reception feeling completely at home. She grew up in this place and had seen all sorts which is why the vomit, that had just exploded from a drunken patient and landed on her clean, white converse as he slumped to the floor, didn't phase her at all.

"Okay. Let's get you up," she says with a sigh.

The patient groans as the young porter, Max, helps her lift and lower him into a seat.

"Thanks for that," she says, "not sure I could've lifted him on my own." Her face breaks into a smile as she shakes Max's hand.

"You, er, you looked like you knew what you were doing. But I'm not sure sick covered shoes are in this season," Max jokes.

Sophia looks down at her feet and lets out a little giggle, "Oh I don't know? I thought I was rocking the look." She stands in a sarcastic pose for a few seconds before bending to pick up her handbag that had dropped from her shoulder in the process.

Paramedics Iain and Dixie break through the doors with a new patient and head for Resus. "I'd better go help them," says Max following them down the corridor, "It was nice meeting you by the way." His cheeky smile makes Sophia forget, for a second, why she's really here.

"Yeah," she replies as he turns the corner and disappears, "it was nice….meeting you too." She takes another sigh, rolls her eyes at the state and smell of her shoes as she crosses to the reception desk.

"Can I help you?" Louise's monotonous voice sounds as she looks Sophia up and down twice.

"Erm, yeah actually. I'm looking for Dr. Zoe Hanna?"

"Sophia Jordan!" exclaims a familiar excitable voice.

She turns to see the one and only Charlie Fairhead walking from his office towards her with his arms open. His eyes glaze over with happiness and, as he releases Sophia from his tightening embrace, asks "What on Earth are you doing here? I thought you were still in Michigan."

Sophia looks up at him, her eyes just as glazed but as tear falls and rolls down her cheek to land softly on her lips, it's clear that she is not as happy or excited as she should be to be back in Holby.

Louise makes her way around the reception desk, swaying her hips as she heads towards Charlie and Sophia. She taps her nails against the clipboard she seems to carry everywhere and clears her throat, startling Sophia who quickly brushes the tear off her face.

"Dr. Hanna's in a meeting. You'll have to make an appointment to see her another time," she drones.

Charlie immediately takes over as he sees the infamous "Jordan glare" burning through Sophia's eyes.

"I tell you what," he starts, "why don't you come into my office with me and we can have a chat. Then, when Zoe's finished with her meeting, we can talk to her together. Yeah?"

Sophia turns back to him, "Yeah," she repeats nodding delicately. As they head to the office Charlie shares with Tess, the senior staff nurse at the time, Sophia looks back over her right shoulder and follows Louise like a hawk.

"I see she's as cheery as ever." She sarcastically remarks.

"Haha. Some things never change," chuckles Charlie as he opens the door allowing Sophia to enter first.

Looking around the room, Sophia notices pictures of Tess' son and grandson on her desk while Charlie's desk is bare - except for a few files and drawings from the children admitted as patients. Charlie always did have a knack for brightening up someone's day and give them the help and advice they need, even when they didn't realise they needed it but Sophia knew she needed it now more than ever as the fear of talking to Zoe rattles in her head.

Charlie places a mug of coffee on the desk in front of her. The clink of the ceramic against the wood of the desk breaks Sophia's stare and she tries her best to force a smile as Charlie takes the seat opposite her.

"Sophia. What's going on? Are you really going to make me drag it out of you?"

"Charlie, please. I can't. Not until I've spoken to Zoe – she has to be the first to know."

"Okay. Well I'll just sit here and wait with you until she's ready." He looks at her with deep concern. The bubbly, energetic little girl he once knew seemed like a distant memory. She seems more and more like Zoe each day – never showing emotion or sentiment until it gets to breaking point. This was Sophia's breaking point.

As she continues to stare out of the window, Charlie notices her eyes spilling over again. She sniffles a little as she takes a sip of her coffee. Charlie moves closer to her and gently wraps an arm around her shoulder as her head falls onto his. She completely breaks down. For a few seconds Charlie allows her to release – it was something she clearly hadn't done for a while.

"Zoe's just headed back to her office," he states, "are you ready?"

"Mhm." She nods letting out a huge sigh as she wipes the tears from her eyes.

They both stand up and head for the door. He takes another look at her to be sure and she simply sighs with relief, smiles and nods as she prepares to walk through reception to an office she hasn't seen for four years.

In this office will be a woman who meant everything to Sophia. Ever since she was a little girl, she has always wanted to be exactly like Zoe. It tore her apart when she left but she couldn't live without her father, Nick, the person Zoe truly loved and felt loved by. In this office Sophia will have to tell her something no child should ever have to say.

She will have to tell her that Nick died two weeks ago. But how?

Charlie knocks twice on Dr. Hanna's door.

"Come in, Charlie." Zoe's voice echoed through Sophia's mind.

Charlie holds the door open for Sophia to enter first.