It was now 8 o'clock in the morning and as the sun rose, the hospital waiting room had begun to fill up again. Ronnie, having retained the same uncomfortable seat on and off all night, now sat hand in hand with her Roxy, staring into the empty space ahead of her. Neither had said anything for at least fifteen minutes, both preferring to sip quietly on their coffees instead of attempting idle small talk. It wasn't often that they had little to say to each other, but now Roxy – although, not for want of trying - could think of no more to say to make things easier for Ronnie, and her sister simply could not translate thoughts into words.

Roxy had suggested, the last time she had spoken, that it would be a good idea for them to be getting home, to be getting some sleep, but Ronnie had been adamant that she was not leaving until she had spoken to Danielle. But, Roxy knew it was becoming less and less likely that they would be seeing or speaking to anyone any time soon, and even so, she wasn't sure that Ronnie was in a state to be talking to her daughter, whether she was awake or not. In fact, she thought, Ronnie wouldn't be awake herself for much longer. Not even stagnant vending machine coffee could sustain someone for this length of time, especially someone in Ronnie's fragile state.

As if in reply to this thought, Ronnie lay her head down on her sister's shoulder and Roxy stroked her hair, sighing. This time, without a word, she grabbed hold of Ronnie and pulled her to her feet, supporting her weight. A fatigued, defeated Ronnie could no longer put up a fight, so Roxy led her out of the door, raising her hand to a taxi driver on the other side of the road. They watched as the driver did a three point turn, before pulling up at the pavement's edge.

"Where to girls?"

"Queen Victoria, Albert Square, please mate" Roxy replied, opening the taxi door. She continued to support Ronnie, who did not look back towards the hospital as she climbed into the car, but a second later both were forced to turn their head's quickly when a familiar voice rang out from just inside the hospital entrance.

"ROXY" Stacey shouted, breathless as she ran towards the doors. Catching Roxy's eyes, she stopped running; satisfied she had done her duty for Danielle. Roxy's eyes rolled back in her head; this was the last thing they needed.

"What's she doing here, Rox?" Ronnie questioned, surprised at what she was seeing "I didn't see anyone else arrive"

"Don't worry Ron, I'll get rid of her" She smiled at Ronnie and then at the taxi driver "One minute, please?"

Just inside the hospital doors Roxy spoke to Stacey, a look of exasperation now evident on her face, "Look, Stacey. I've told you already. We don't need this right now"

She lowered her voice, "Ronnie is not in a good way, yeah?"

"Danielle isn't in a very good way either, is she? No thanks to her" Stacey eyed the stationary taxi. She hadn't intended to start a fight with Roxy, but somehow just speaking to her she had begun to get aggravated. It was something about the Mitchell sisters, trouble followed them around, and Stacey wasn't about to let them harm Danielle, whether she wanted to see Ronnie or not.

"I've already told you, all she did was try to help. She did what any mother would do. Danielle is her daughter, Stacey", Roxy edged closer to Danielle's teenage friend, holding her finger up to Stacey's face in Ronnie's defence.

"Yeah, I know" Stacey replied, sternly, batting Roxy's finger out of the way, "And for some reason – no idea why, if you ask me - Danielle wants to see her".

Roxy opened her mouth wide; she was shocked "Danielle said what? Danielle's awake?"

"Yeah, she's awake. And she asked for your sister", Stacey was still somewhat reluctant to be helping the Mitchell sisters, but she continued un enthusiastically and in a voice drenched with sarcasm, "I don't know where you two are going, but I think you better re-think your plans, cos for some unknown reason Ronnie's the only person Danielle wants to see" This time it was Stacey's turn to roll her eyes as she finished her little speech; this is madness, she thought.

Saying nothing in reply, not wanting to give Stacey the satisfaction of thinking she'd got one over on her for being the person to deliver this news, Roxy turned and made her way back towards the taxi. Stacey watched her open the door and shut it behind her. Inside, Roxy took hold of her sister's hand and pressed a soft kiss against it.

"It's time, Ronnie" she smiled "It's time to see your daughter again"

"Wha…what?"Ronnie stuttered, beginning to tremble; she stared into her sister's eyes. Roxy's smile grew wider.

"She's awake, Ron. She asked for you. She wants to see you"