Hope this is ok. A slightly shorter chapter this time. Please review to let me know your thoughts :-)

Jonny walked Jac up to Keller ward with Ava on his shoulders. They had eaten dinner together along with George and Jonny was buoyed with the success of getting Jac to eat a whole meal. Jonny swung the little girl off his shoulders and placed her on her mother's bed.

'Hi Munchkin' Jasmine greeted her daughter 'Have you had fun with Auntie Jac and Uncle Jonny?'

'Yes!' Ava says enthusiastically and proceeded to list everything she had done that day and all the people she had met.

'Wow! Jasmines responded just as enthusiastically 'you've had an amazing day!'

'I think its time I headed home' Jonny said as he yawned.

'Thank you for taking such good care Ava today Jonny' Jasmine said. 'I still didn't get that get-to-know-you chat though.' She added cheekily 'Jac is being a bit mysterious as to how you two met.'

Jonny blushed a little bit and Jasmine laughed having guessed the reason why her sister had been cagey on the details. 'I'll walk you out.' Jac rescued Jonny and rolled her eyes at her sister.

'How much did you tell her?' Jonny said as they walked towards the stair doors.

'I was trying to skirt around the main details to make it sound like we met at a conference and that was it.'

'Love at first sight hey?' Jonny said pulling Jac in for a kiss as they walked through the doors. 'Well you have been the only woman for me since that day.' Jac kissed him back.

'Urgh! Get a room you two!' the voice of Antoine Malick interrupted their moment as he walked up the stairs. 'I'm not spending a whole night shift witnessing public displays of affection.'

'Don't worry I'm on my way home' Jonny laughed.

'I'm under strict instructions from Spence and Levy to make sure you get rest so I'm giving you full access to the on call room. I'll just kip on the office sofa.'

'Thanks Malick' Jac replied gratefully. She hadn't been thrilled with the prospect of spending the night in the uncomfortable hospital chairs.

'No problem. Just don't cause me any trouble' he responded as he pushed through the double doors and onto the ward.

'Are you sure you don't mind me staying here tonight?' Jac asked Jonny, having regained their privacy.

'Of course not. Your sister needs you'. He placed another kiss on her lips 'Besides if I get lonely I've got the memory of this morning to keep me warm' he whispered in her ear.

It was Jac's turn to blush as she remembered the events that had taken place after that morning bath. Jonny laughed and pulled her in for another kiss. 'I love you' he said placing one last kiss on her forehead. 'I'll see you in the morning.'

'Jonny?' she called after him as a started his descent down the stairs. He looked up. 'I love you too.'

…

Jac had bathed Ava in the patient's bathroom and got her dressed into her pyjamas and dressing gown. The little girl had chatted away to Jac apparently at ease in her company and Jac found herself increasingly enjoying Ava's. 'Shall we go and see if mummy is ready to read you that bedtime story now?' Jac said as she helped the child put on her slippers. Ava held up her arms for Jac to pick her up and Jac obliged knowing the little girl did so for the reassurance of being held.

Jac placed Ava on Jasmines bed and the little girl settled happily down in her mother arms. 'Look at you all nice and clean.' Jasmine said as she planted a kiss on Ava's head.

'Read this to me Mummy' Ava said handing her mother a book they had stopped to pick up from the relatives room on the way.

'Where are your manors Ava Burrows?' her mother said sternly as she took the book.

'Please can you read me the book Mummy?' Ava sighed dramatically. Jac had to stifle a laugh. She could imagine Ava becoming a real drama queen if Jasmine wasn't careful.

'Much better' Jasmine said her voice softer now. 'Are you laying down comfortably?'

'Yes mummy' Ava yawned.

'Then I shall begin' Ava was fast asleep before Jasmine had chance to read to the end of the book. 'Wow you've tired her right out today. You and Jonny are going to have to let me in on your secrets.' Jasmine smiled at her sister.

'Its Jonny mainly' Jac informed her 'he still has the mental age of a three year old so they make a good match'.

Jasmine laughs 'Do you tell him your insults?'

'Of course.' Jac stands up and takes the book off Jasmine. 'Should I move her to the relatives room?' she asked unsure if moving a child that had recently fallen asleep was a good idea or if she should wait until she was in deeper slumber.

'No leave her.' Jasmine stroked Ava's hair lightly. 'I need her with me for a bit. She makes me feel braver.'

'It's ok to be scared.' Jac says. Jasmine held out her hand to her sister. Jac shuffled the chair forward a bit and took it in her own.

'Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?' Jasmine asked with tears forming in her eyes.

Jac smiled at her sister 'I'm not going anywhere.'

….

Mr Hanssen paced up and down his office wondering what would be the best thing to do about the 'Ava problem'. They couldn't continue to house a small child on Keller ward. It wasn't good for the hospital or for the child who was starting to show signs of distress at the lack of routine in her life. The obvious solution was for Jac Naylor to give the child a home. This would also, undoubtedly, go a long way in helping the 'Naylor/Maconie recovery' as Ms Campbell had discreetly termed it. He had watched Jac with the child over the last few days. In these times she had seemed less fought and she had smiled much more often. He was even surprised to have witnessed Jac devouring a whole plate of food this evening. There was no doubt about it; Ava Burrows was aiding Jac Naylor's recovery from grief at a far faster rate than anyone could have hoped. Jac Naylor was a mother without a child to care for and Ava was a child who would need as much love and support as could be provided.

The part Henrik Hanssen had to puzzle out was how to get Jac and Jonny to offer Ava a home at a faster pace than was currently unfolding. Now Henrik wasn't a man for hospital gossip. He preferred facts to embroidered truths. Thus he was an avid reader of his staff's personnel files. He took personal pride in his ability to memorise this information without anyone ever finding out about his regular breach of hospital protocol and confidentiality. He thought through every factual detail he had memorised on the couple and then the answer came to him. The answer was so obvious he scolded himself for not having thought of it hours earlier. Jac Naylor had had a cruel childhood and it had become even worse at the hands of some inefficient social workers. Now Henrik knew social services could be marvellous at helping with cases such as Ava. However he also knew Jac's first-hand experience of an older care system would not allow her to see her own niece take a chance on it.

Henrik picked up the phone and did what had to be done. He had a stroke of luck ; a diligent social worker he had had dealings with in the past was also working late. Henrik finished the call and smiled to himself. The wheels were indeed now in motion.

'I hope you know what you are doing Henrik Hanssen' Henrik turned around at the sound of Serena Campbell's voice.

'I believe I do Ms Campbell. All I ask of you is to trust me.'