So here's the third chapter! I've seriously had major writers block on this part. I know what I want to right about but putting pen to paper has just been quite hard so I apologise if this chapter isn't up to scratch!

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Why had it have to come to this? Offloading her problems onto others that probably didn't need the extra stress. She could tell what those other people were thinking about her. She knew that some of the nurses gossiped about her when they clocked off for the day. She couldn't care less though. Being the lead item in the hospital gazette was the least of her problems. Her concern was her Fiancée's illness and whether he would live till the end of the year. Her concern was her daughter's well being and making sure she cared for her after her father became an angel in heaven. Zoe knew she needed to stay strong and not breakdown into tears at the slightest little thing, even though the urge to at times was sometimes too much to resist. Seeing her daughter's smiling face and knowing that soon, that happiness would be ripped away broke her heart and the worst part of it was that she was powerless to stop the heartbreak that was slowly approaching.

"Here you are Zoe" said Charlie, handing Zoe a steaming cup of coffee. Zoe nodded gratefully and clutched the warm drink.

"So, whats wrong?" asked Adam, sitting down next to Zoe. To be honest, Adam didn't really know why he asked the stupid question. He knew full well what was wrong with Zoe, his best friend.

"What do you think?" replied Zoe, sounding slightly irritated as Adam frowned.

"...Sorry" said Adam meekly, twiddling his thumbs awkwardly. Zoe sighed and took a hand away from her drink, entwining her hand in his.

"No, it's my fault I shouldn't have snapped"

"How is Nick?" asked Charlie, worried about how the both of them were coping at home.

"Pretty rubbish" mumbled Zoe, staring down into the contents of her coffee, not completely engaged in what Adam and Charlie were asking her.

"You know you can talk to us about anything Zoe" pleaded Adam. He squeezed Zoe's hand tenderly and she responded with a small smile. Zoe savoured this piece of comfort. It gave her a warm and wanted feeling, something that she had craved for so long but never received. Most evenings when Zoe returned from work and Alexa was asleep, she would curl up on the sofa with Nick, linking her arm through his and kissing his neck lightly, hoping for a glimpse of attention from him. Nothing. Every time, Nick sat there, an empty expression covered his face which was unreadable.

"I know and I appreciate that but I'm dealing with everything" said Zoe, watching her colleague's sympathetic faces as she lied through her teeth to them.

"We know you are Zoe but sometimes, everyone needs a little bit of help..." said Charlie.

"Try telling that to Nick" answered Zoe.

"Why don't I go round and see him eh?" asked Adam but Zoe gave him a horrified look.

"Adam, you know he'd hate that. People fussing around him" Zoe protested.

"Who said anything about fussing around him? If you haven't forgotten, I am joint clinical lead with him so I'm sure he will see my visit as work and nothing remotely caring!" replied Adam, smirking a little. Zoe laughed slightly in response to Adam's jokey speech. His casual manner allowed her relax slightly and made realise that maybe Nick did need a little bit of help from others rather than herself all the time.

"I suppose it could do some good" replied Zoe. She felt better for confiding in others. Two supportive friends who would do anything in their power to make her life easier.

"Sorry to interrupt guys" said Lenny from the doorway "Incoming RTC, 2 casualties"

"Ok Lenny thanks" nodded Adam as Lenny scuttled off in the direction of resus.

"Should I lend a hand?" Zoe said hesitantly but Charlie shook his head.

"No, it's fine Zoe. Why don't you get off home with Alexa?" suggested Charlie. Zoe smiled gratefully back at the older man, pleased to be able to go and see her daughter again. Alexa was the glimmer of light in this darkness she and Nick were surrounded in.

"Right, I'll go and get her" said Zoe, getting up off of the sofa. Adam stood up next to her put an arm round her shoulder.

"I'll go round and see Nick tomorrow Zoe, presuming you will be coming into work?" asked Adam. He didn't want to assume that she was coming in for fear or pressuring her if she wanted to be with Nick but on the other hand, Adam knew that Zoe could probably do with different company.

"Yeah, I'll be in. Alexa's going to my mum's for the day so it'll just be Nick at home" mentioned Zoe.

"Ok. I'd better get into resus, see you later Zoe" called Adam, half running out of the staffroom.

"I don't know what we'd do without you and Adam!" said Zoe turning to Charlie. By 'we', Zoe meant her and Nick. He wouldn't admit it but deep down, Nick was aware that he and Zoe couldn't have got through their rough times without support of colleagues.

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