Sorry for the delay, new job + Christmas = no time! Please R & R!

Seven blinked sweat from her eyes as she ducked and weaved, subjecting the worn leather to vicious palm sots, elbows and punches. The punch bag in the hospital gym swung on its chain as she stepped back and swung her legs, her feet and shins connecting with loud smacks. She switched back to her upper body and her right hand shot out, palm forwards, fingers slightly curled. The blow landed but her sweat slicked hand slipped on the beaten surface, her momentum carrying her forwards and she had to grab the punch bag to stop herself falling. Seven leant her weight on the bag, resting her face against the leather. She could feel the residual heat from the beating she had given the piece of equipment but more predominant was the heat in her muscles, the way her lungs burned and her limbs shook. She was still aware of her body, of the way it worked and moved but her awareness had been dulled, like she was looking through frosted glass with cotton wool in her ears and a peg on her nose...and she couldn't heal. All things considered she was far healthier than she had any right to be after a cardiac arrest but loosing that part of her was more painful than any heart attack. Her sensible side told her that her ability was just stuck behind a locked door and all she had to do was find the key, and even if she never found said key, that the loss was worth it. She had saved Grace, restarted a young and promising life but her other, less sensible side mourned and raged at the loss of the spark that made her different.

When Steve didn't find Seven in her room he made straight for the gym and physiotherapy suite. As he neared the room he could hear the familiar slap of flesh against leather. He passed a nurse in the corridor who gave him a knowing glance. He nodded politely then stopped in the gym's doorway, watching Seven beat the long suffering punch bag half to death. The Medic completely ignored his presence continuing with her relentless attack. Her face was flushed, her expression intense, her hair and clothes damp with sweat. Steve shook his head. After the 'incident' Seven had become very withdrawn and spent alot of time sleeping or staring out of the window. He never saw her crying but her expression was always so...defeated. At one point the hospital staff had asked Steve or one of the team to be present at meal times as she only ever ate when they were there. After some coaxing she had told him what was wrong and then things had changed. Seven had insisted on leaving her room and when the Doctors had refused to discharge her she had practically taken up residence in the hospital gym. She pushed herself to the limit on every bit of equipment that wasn't being used by other patients and she completely ignored the physiotherapist to the point that the poor man had given up. More than once that same man had found her collapsed in an exhausted heap but no amount of telling off made her change. Tonight she had the gym to herself. Suddenly one of the blows slipped and she stumbled, grabbing the bag for support. Steve forced himself to stay still and listened to her heavy breathing but when Seven didn't move he cleared his throat softly.

"Seven?" he said, stepping into the room.

The Medic's face turned to him, sweat dripping from her chin and for a moment he saw annoyance in her expression before her features softened, but she didn't say anything.

"Your form is good...apart from that last bit" he grinned and Seven gave him a weak smile in return. She let go of the bag and stood but only managed a few steps before staggering. Steve grabbed her, holding her upright.

"Don't you think you over doing it slightly?"

"I'm fine Steve, let me walk...please"

He made sure she had her balance before letting go of her but stuck close by her side as she picked up her towel and left the room.

"Have you eaten today?"

"Steve!"

"Have you eaten today?"

Seven sighed,

"Yes, Kono baby sat me and made sure I cleared my plate"

Steve looked at her as he held a door open,

"We're not baby sitting you Seven"

"Right...ok" he could easily hear the slight sarcastic undertone in her voice and decided to change the topic but Seven beat him to it,

"I want to be discharged"

"Don't you think you should wait for the Doctors to make that decision?"

Seven stopped and Steve had to pull up quickly to avoid striding straight past her. She glared at him,

"Don't you think I'm the best qualified to decide if I need further medical treatment or have you forgotten who you're talking to?"

Steve raised an eyebrow,

"Of course not but you said – "

"Please Steve, trust my judgment on this one. I'm fine and I want out of here. Either they discharge me or I leave anyway"

Steve folded his arms and cocked his head to one side, a slight smile curling his lips,

"You going to tunnel out? Pull a Great Escape?"

Seven turned and continued up the corridor,

"Steve McQueen's nothing compared to me"

A couple of hours and alot of arguing later, Steve watched Seven as she made her way up the path to her front door. She gave him a small wave of acknowledgement and shut the door behind her. Steve shook his head and continued his drive home.

Seven shut the door and leaned back against it. She sighed and removed the sun glasses she was forced to wear due to the milky film that still marred her bright eyes. She dropped her bag by the door and made her way into the lounge, flinging open the large patio doors and stepping out onto the veranda, taking a deep breath of fresh, sea air. She had no idea what she was going to do, seeing as Steve had banned her from working for at least another two weeks. She hated that. Her phone beeped and she scowled, digging it out of her pocket:

'We need to talk...Centurion'

Seven's expression hardened and she switched the phone off, tossing it onto the sofa as she made her way back into the house. She could feel her temper rising as she marched upstairs and grabbed a rucksack from her wardrobe. She needed to get away for a little while, needed to be away from people and closer to nature. She would show them all.

Danny was loath to leave Grace but Rachael was with her and his little girl had made friends with all her nurses. She would be fine. Besides, he owed Seven a visit as the previous times he'd been to see her she was asleep. Steve had called and told him that the medic had been discharged so he hopped in the repaired Camero and drove the few miles to Seven's beach side home, a few doors down from Steve. He knocked on the door and waited. No answer. He tried again...perhaps she was asleep? Or maybe she had taken ill again? Danny tired the door, it was unlocked, not good. He stepped inside,

"Seven?" he called, "Sev?"

Her bag was dropped by the door and standing at the bottom of the stairs he could see drawers and cupboards left open, clothes scattered on the floor. He took his gun from it's holster but kept it by his side as he made his way into the lounge. The patio doors stood open, the sea breeze stirring the light curtains but nothing else in the room was disturbed. He put his phone to his ear but Seven's number went straight to voice mail, then he noticed the phone lying amongst the cushions on the sofa. He ran around to the garage cursing under his breath. It was standing open and Seven's bike was gone. He dialled a number on his phone,

"Steve? What?...Yes Grace is fine, we have a problem. Seven's gone AWOL...she's gone Steve. She's gone"