Even though this fic is set in 2011, (that's when Joseph left to Penrith) let's say Mr Thompson (mostly referred to, as Mr T, had always been working on the maternity ward at Holby)

"Here's your prescription, pick up your meds from the front desk," Jac told her patient as she signed the prescription and handed it to her.

"Thank you," the patient said as she took the paper and left the office.

Jac moved her office chair back and held her stomach, in pain. She opened her top drawer and took out some painkillers. She took one and swallowed it.

Jac got up, and walked out of the office, and moved towards the water dispenser across her office, in the corridor. She filled herself, a cup of water and took a sip, when she saw Joe walking up to her.

"Are you alright?" Joe leaned in to her ear.

"Yeah… I'm fine…" Jac uttered, as she took the cup of water and walked into her office again. Joseph followed her inside.

"Are you sure… you seem a bit pale…" Joseph told her as he sat down on the patient's chair.

"Yes, it's no big deal… just period pain…" Jac replied, trying to drop the subject.

"Right… so what do you think? It's not that bad a job is it?" Joseph asked Jac, seated in her chair. Jac had only started working at the practice, a few days ago.

"Let's put it this way… I used to spend twelve-hour days in theatre suturing beating hearts and now I'm here, on a desk, prescribing paracetamol…" Jac replied.

"I know it's nothing like the hospital, like you were used to… but it is a good job… good salary…. Nice people… what's not to like?" Joseph told her.

"Nice people, seriously? the receptionist doesn't even smile at me in the morning, it's like I killed her mother…" Jac ranted.

"Well let's be honest, your people skills aren't excellent, are they?" Joseph added sarcastically.

"Excuse me!" Jac widened her eyes at his comment.

"Just try to get along… I know you have it in you," Joe told her as he stood up and gave her a quick kiss on the lips and left.

As soon as Joseph left the office, Jac turned to face her computer, and logged onto her personal email account.

From: Jac Naylor

To: Mr Thompson

Subject: Gynae appointment

She started writing her email, requesting an appointment with him, explaining her symptoms, to see if she could get to the end of her problem. She definitely knew something was wrong, it was just any pain in her lower abdomen. She could go private, but she had Mr T as her gynaecologist for a while and she trusted him.

…

After seeing a few more patients, she decided to check her inbox at least one more time. She got tired of waiting for a response, and finally she saw he replied.

Ms Naylor, if you like, I can book you in for an appointment, this Friday afternoon at 4pm. Please note that as a precaution, it is possible to keep you in for more scans and observation.

Jac lay back in her chair and took a breath in. Friday was two days from now. Obviously, she had to go. The problem was, she had to do her best not to be seen back at Holby City Hospital, especially by people she knew. But the bigger problem was, how was she going to keep this from Joseph? There was no way she was going to tell him the truth. But what if they keep her in? She had to come up with a plan. And if they don't keep her in… well sod it, she'll book herself in a hotel. She had to be on the safe side.

…

Later that day, Joseph parked their car in the little driveway they had, and both of them made their way inside. The nanny handed over Harry to Joseph, in the living room and left, while Jac went straight to the bathroom to wash her face. She looked at herself once in the mirror and breathed.

She walked out into the living room to see Joseph spending some quality time with Harry.

"Hey... I… had a call today… from Hanssen…" Jac began as she sat down beside him.

"Really? What did he want?" Joseph asked, and looked up at the Hanssen mention.

"He said there's a medical student seminar about specialities, at the university up north, and he asked me if I would like to go as a cardiothoracic surgeon to offer talks and advice…" Jac lied.

"Right… and you're going? When?" Joseph asked, slightly confused.

"I thought it'd be great, you know… keeping in touch with CT… it's this weekend… starting Friday…" Jac explained.

"Well if you want to go, I won't stop you… it is work after all and I trust you… although I am going to miss you… two nights without you..." Joseph told her as he touched her thigh.

"It's just two nights Joseph… you'll be fine…" Jac told him, as she stood up and left the room.

She walked into the bathroom, closed the door and rested against it inside. She secretly, cried. She hated lying to him; after what happened between them, all those years ago. But that was her, she never felt comfortable disclosing her personal stuff with anyone, especially regarding her health, not even Joe… especially something like this… something she wasn't even certain of.

She tried not to worry... maybe it was nothing… she really wanted it to be that… until the cramps were felt once again.

She ran the tap, preparing herself a nice warm bath.

the drama is yet to come...