just an idea that popped into my head and i had to get it down, so reviews are loved. RDM owns of course.

White.

That's all he could see. White walls, white floors, white sheets and curtains and a bright white light shining through the windows above his bed, blinding him. The room was silent, like the occupants were waiting with bated breath to be taken from this life by Death himself.

He closed his eyes in an unsuccessful attempt to shut out the light that was burning straight through his corneas. He took in the sterile smell of the room, which did nothing more than to reinforce his first opinion of his surroundings. Artificial, that's what it was. An artificial island of tranquillity in a sea of chaos.

He breathed in deeply and instantly regretted it. Ignoring the sharp, stabbing pain that followed, he curled his hands into tight fists until they ached, letting the dull pain centre him. He wasn't one to show weakness, and he wasn't about to start now. He felt a light sheen of perspiration begin to cover his skin as he wished away the pains.

He gave an internal sigh of relief when it slowly ebbed away and he was able to breathe normally again. He could tell just by the increasing regularity of the aches that it would be time for his medication soon. The thought brought a small smile to his face. It was Thursday. She was on duty today.

He sensed a shadow fall over his face; the glaring light that had forced his eyes closed was dimmed. Right on time.

Soft fingers brushed over his hand as they made their way to his wrist, holding gently as they counted the beats that pulsed beneath his skin. Would she notice how his heart skipped a beat, the increase in tempo when she came near? Of course she wouldn't, it was silly to even think it.

"Good morning Laura." He spoke without even opening his eyes, better to let her do her job without him making her uncomfortable with the intensity of his stare.

"Good morning Captain, how're you feeling today?" He could almost hear the smile on her lips and it was enough for him to force his eyes open to take in the vision that had moved to stand at the foot of his bed.

In that moment he realised that she could be an angel. Her dark red hair was swept back and pinned in a simple bun; curling tendrils had already escaped their captivity, even in the earliness of morning, and were framing her smiling face. The light coming through the window above the bed opposite created a flaming halo around her and illuminating her pale skin, giving her an ethereal glow. Yes, she was, without a doubt, an angel.

Her smile widened and she smoothed out the blue material of her dress almost nervously when he didn't answer, "Captain?" He blinked quickly, realising that he had spent too long studying her.

"I'm sorry." He looked away from her briefly in an attempt to remember what it was she had asked him. Given the reason she was here, he felt it safe to take a guess with his answer, "I'm feeling much better Laura, thank you."

She rolled her eyes at him but kept the smile on her face nonetheless. It was the same routine, she would ask how he was feeling, he would give the same answer and she would call him out on it.

Carefully she sat down on the side of his bed and tucked a stray curl behind her ear, "How's the pain today?" she spoke softly, not wanting to disturb any of the other patients just yet.

"Still there," he watched her take the corner of her bottom lip in between her teeth and nod in understanding, "But I guess that's what you get when you take two in the chest."

Laura's hand made its in way into his and she gave it a gentle squeeze before releasing it. "Take it as a good sign Captain, pain means you're alive, which admittedly is a miracle in and of itself at the moment."

"All thanks to your dedicated care ma'am." The sincerity in his eyes made a light flush colour her pale cheeks. Getting up off the bed, she busied herself with rearranging his pillows so he could sit up and would be more comfortable. Her eyes momentarily strayed to the wedding ring on his finger and she absently thought that this was something his wife should be doing.

"You should be thanking the Doctor, not me. I'm just a nurse." Standing straight she snorted a laugh and shook her head, "I'm not even a nurse."

He frowned as she stuck her hands in the pockets of her nurse's uniform and moved away from the bed, out of his reach.

"Can I get you anything Captain? Pain medication, breakfast?"

"I thought I told you to call me Bill?" Laura smirked and quickly looked around at the other patients on the ward. When she turned her gaze back to him she arched an eyebrow to reiterate her question. "How about tickets to the next fight? I'm starting to go a little stir-crazy cooped up here."

"I'm sorry Bill," he grinned, deciding he liked the way she said his name, "no fights just yet, but if you eat something and take your meds, I'll see what I can do about getting you outside for a little fresh air."

"Yes ma'am, and breakfast does sound good. Thank you Laura" Bill almost whispered the last part causing tears to flood to her eyes. Laura walked back around the side of the bed and rearranged his bed covers, pulling the duvet further up his chest and tucking it underneath his arms.

"I'm just doing my job Bill." With that she gave him a sad smile and walked towards the ward door, her low heels clacking, the sound resonating around the otherwise silent room.

Bill watched her leave the room without a backward glance in his direction and sighed slightly. Maybe she was just doing her job, but she had said she wasn't a nurse. Frowning, Bill shook himself to clear his thoughts of her and pulled out a newspaper from the drawers next to his bed. It was over a week old and he had read it several times already, but it was the only thing he had to read. Maybe he should ask Laura if there were any books he could borrow while he was here.

Shrugging to himself, Bill unfolded the newspaper and began to reread the front page.

17th August 1945

Japanese officials to leave for Manila, Philippines in two days time to meet with the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, Douglas MacArthur to discuss plans for the occupation of Japan, following the country's surrender on August 15th, 1945…