A/N: Chapter 2 :D Not really much to say on this one, just did a little bit of character exploration!

Reluctantly, Marion allowed herself to be led by Matron down the winding corridors of The Royal. The gentle hand that rested on her spine fell as they passed patients and colleagues, but was swiftly replaced after their passing. It provided little reassurance, but Marion was grateful of its presence.

The muddle of emotions were more than confusing for her right now. Normally she would know exactly how to handle things, but this was Nick, he was the one who held things together, what was she meant to do? Marion wasn't even sure why Matron wanted to talk to her, maybe she'd heard through the grapevine about Nick, but more likely it was about Bobby.

Barely without realizing, Marion found herself sat in the stiff-backed chair in Matron's office, but the soft click of the door brought her back to her senses.

Matron paused as she pushed the door closed, twisting the lock to ensure that they would not be disturbed. She quickly ran through the plan of action in his mind. Taking a breath, she turned and smiled at Marion, before seating herself at her desk.

The two women sat facing each other for a moment or two. The closest bond to Mother and Daughter there could be under the circumstances showing between their eyes.

"Nurse McKaig…." She paused

"Matron."

"As you are probably aware, Drs Ormerod and Wetherill are otherwise engaged at the present moment, and as such Dr. Burnett has been partner in charge, but under the current circumstances I have temporarily assumed a similar role." She paused, unsure of how to continue. Marion nodded, urging her to carry on.

"I therefore assumed the duty of opening the correspondence. It was while, routinely checking, I came across this." Matron hovered over her desk, before retrieving an opened envelope and holding it out to Marion.

Marion blinked at Matron, and the envelope, before taking it in her hands. The almost incomprehensible doctor's scrawl on the brown paper was difficult to decipher, but years of practice led Marion to believe it was addressed to Dr. J. Wetherill. Assuming she was meant to read the contents, rather than it's label, Marion slid the paper from within; a quick scan of the typed document made her freeze:

PATIENT: Miss M. J. McKaig

DOCTOR: J. Wetherill

PREGNANCY TEST: Positive

Awkward was an understatement of what Marion was feeling; embarrassment, shock and uncertainty rolled into one emotion that she wasn't sure there was a word for. Her hands trembled, the small paper quivering between her fingers. Of course, it wasn't a complete shock, or at least it shouldn't have been. Obviously she'd suspected something when she'd asked Jill to test; but she'd come to the conclusion that the extra meals with Nick had made her gain weight and put the rest down to hormones. In fact, she had put it out of her mind so much that she'd practically forgotten the whole idea; pregnant was the last thing she expected to be.

The image of Nick smiling happily as she told him the news quickly dissolved into the lost and unhappy figure she had seen earlier. This was hardly the way she'd planned it. Still, before Nick, she had other people to contend with before she even left this room.

Matron had hardly moved since Marion had opened the envelope, instead she studied her expression, trying her hardest to fathom what the girl was feeling. There was certainly a lot of confusion in her face, and a little bit of fright, but the hand on the stomach and a flicker of a smile showed Matron all she needed to know; Marion was happy to be a mother.

The young nurse became suddenly aware that she hadn't moved in a while, and was becoming somewhat emotional infront of Matron. She folded the results peper and slid it gentley inyo her pocket and, swallowing encroaching tears, looked up at the figure behind the desk.

"Was that all, Matron?" The voice was not dismissive, but all she could manage to utter. Her voice quavered and she rose from the chair, somewhat hurriedly, but Matron had no intention of letting her go.

"Sit down for a while, collect yourself." Her words were comforting. "I took the liberty of making us tea, and buying some shortbread." Matron pushed the tea tray towards her. Marion resumed her seat.

The two sipped tea in silence. Marion took the time to enjoy being away from the world, from the people that she knew would judge her; her parents, her colleagues, Nick. She could tell Matron somehow understood, and the deliberate diversion from the world she had created was now welcomed. Matron broke the silence with an unexpected question.

"I assume Dr. Burnett is not yet aware of your circumstance." Marion swallowed her mouthful of tea sharply, and glared up at Matron.

"Dr. Burnett…how…what...How did you know he was…is…?" Matron complacently shuffled the papers on her desk before turning her face to Marion.

"Because, Miss McKaig, due to Dr. Burnett's current situation, I thought it best to inform his mother only, in his notes, one Marion Jane McKaig is the named next of kin."