I'm so sorry that I haven't updated this in over a month! Hopefully I'll be able to get chapters up more quickly now that I'm not quite so busy (:

Sdbubbles – The chapter titles are from that song! I love it too (:

Misery-loathes-company – Haha yes! I get that quite a lot as all my friends and I are all Merlin fans :D

And I know I'm not alone

Forcing her eyes to stare into Hanssen's she said quietly, "I have cancer Henrik."

The words echoed in his mind. Replaying over and over, trying to find a way to sink in – to be accepted. His usual guard melted from his face and the pure shock shone through for Sahira to see. He couldn't help it, he didn't want her to see, but there was no way to stop it.

"Say something Henrik," she said quietly. He reached up and gently brushed away the tears from her cheeks, "Do not be scared," he said simply.

She stared at him for a few seconds as his words registered, then she let out a laugh, but it didn't reach her eyes like it usually did. "How can I not be scared Henrik? How can you tell me not to be scared? You don't know what I'm going through! You haven't just been told that the pain you've been trying to bear is due to a large, growing tumour! How can you tell me not to be scared!"

Henrik let her finish without interruption, knowing that she needed to let out her fears. It also allowed him to gain information from her without pressing her for answers. From her tone, he deduced that the cancer was fairly advanced and serious. He stared down at her small form. She was breathing quickly, and her breath was catching in her chest.

"Does your husband know?"

She hesitated for a moment and looked over his shoulder before meeting his eyes once more, "Yes, of course."

"Sahira."

"I want to be alone Henrik."

"No you don't," he replied calmly. She had forgotten that he knew her so well and could always tell when she was lying. "Why haven't you told you husband?"

"Please Henrik, I don't mean to be rude but just leave me alone!" Sahira said loudly.

At that moment, the door burst open and Jac appeared. She blinked at the darkness in the room as her eyes quickly adjusted to see Sahira and Henrik sitting on the sofa together.

"Sorry to interrupt Mr Hanssen but I have Sir Fraser on the phone and he wishes to speak with you urgently," she said, looking over Sahira's puffy eyes'.

"I'm a quite busy at the moment Ms Naylor. Tell him that I shall speak with him later," Henrik replied sharply.

"I already have, but he says that it is extremely important that you speak with him now – it's about the FT status."

Henrik sighed, "I shall be with you in a moment Ms Naylor."

Jac nodded and shut the door leaving them in peace once more.

"You'd better go Mr Hanssen, you don't want to keep Sir Fraser waiting," Sahira said quietly avoiding his gaze once more. A part of her was relieved that Jac had just interrupted them and that Henrik was needed somewhere away from her, yet another part felt slightly betrayed that he could even contemplate leaving her to go and deal with hospital business of all things.

"I'm sure he can wait a moment longer. Right now I want you to gather your things together and go home in a taxi – I don't want you driving at the moment. Also, as soon as you get home I want you to inform.. your husband about all of this – he needs to know about all of this. Do you understand me?"

She nodded slowly. Hanssen sighed before getting up off the sofa and making his way towards the office door. His hand rested on the door handle and he turned back towards her, "It's going to be alright Sahira. You'll see."

With no reply he left the office quietly. For a moment Sahira was still, then a lone tear gently rolled down her cheek. She brushed it away. She knew she was weak – she didn't need her emotions to tell her that. Carefully she got up, wincing as a sharp pain shot through her side. She hugged her chest and eventually managed to stand up and look around her. The office was still in darkness with the cracks of light seeping through the gaps of the blinds. She rolled up the blinds allowing the light in and then straightened up the cushions on the sofa, clearing all trace that she had been there.

With a deep breath she left the office. The ward was quiet as it usually was around this time of day. There was a few nurses walking about, carrying out their tasks, and of course Greg.

Greg.

She owed him an explanation. He looked up as she made her way towards him. "Hey," he smiled his usual boyish grin.

"Hey," she replied softly. He looked over her carefully, particularly her face which was now dry from the tears he had witnessed earlier, "Want to talk about it?"

She shook her, "I could do with a hug though."

He laughed and smiled down at her, "Well I think I could stretch to that! Come here." He wrapped his arms around her and Sahira relaxed against his body.

Henrik watched as she seemed to melt into Greg's arms. He had waited for her, knowing that she would emerge from the office only minutes after him, and had been ready to shield her from any awkward questions that may have come her way. But seeing her walk straight into the arms of Mr Douglas, Henrik realised that when she said she'd wanted to be alone – it simply meant that she had not wanted to be with him.

He turned around quietly and walked off the ward.