Adam POV

"Alright I think her broken rib has punctured her lung" I told Tess worriedly.

"She had a broken rib!" Tess stared at me, shocked.

Oh dammit.

"Err...yeah, she umm...she fell over...against the kitchen table...in her, erm, in her house."

I had always been an absolutely terrible liar.

"Really?" Tess said doubtfully "And she told you this?"

"Yes...No...I was there..." I wished I was better at lying. It just something I've never been able to do, I can't stand making people believe something that isn't true. I guess that's where me and Kirst are different; she's been living a lie for years now, never trusting anyone, never telling anyone what was going on. Until now...Until me.

"Adam!" Tess' shout snapped me out of my daydream. "Look, I know you're not telling the truth, you always were a terrible liar, please tell me what happened to Kirsty, what's going on?"

I really, really wanted to tell her. I nearly did, but then I looked down at Kirsty's peaceful face. She was so vulnerable when she slept – although in this case it wasn't really sleeping, she'd passed out. I couldn't tell Tess the truth. I owed it to Kirst. I'd promised her, and I keep my promises. It must've been so hard to even tell one person after all these years, so hard to finally trust someone enough to tell them her secret. I was that person, and I was not going to betray her now.

"I'm really not sure..." I tried to stick to the truth as much as possible "I...I know she hurt her rib. It was cracked. She...she hit it really hard on her kitchen table. She tripped...and fell. I x-rayed it, she didn't want any fuss..."

"You sure that was it...?" Tess was suspicious. It was obvious. Thankfully she decided to leave it for now. "Okay, let's take a look at her, we'll need an x-ray and 10mg of morphine."

I nearly sighed with relief, but I stopped myself as I realised that wouldn't be the best way to try and convince her that I was being truthful.

"Okay, I'll page x-ray, be right back."

I looked down at Kirsty and gently stroked her wild hair comfortingly.

"I won't be far." I whispered.

Then I strode through the swing doors, and out of Resus.


Tess POV

I gazed down at Kirsty. She lay, pallid-looking, under the crisp white sheets of the hospital bed. She seemed so small, so...fragile. It was the complete opposite of the Kirsty I knew, and it worried me immensely. I knew Adam wasn't telling me the truth about what had happened to her. Well, not the complete truth anyway. I'd known him long enough to be able to tell when he was lying, I could just see it in his eyes.

Suddenly, Kirsty's eyelids flickered and began to open.

"Kirsty?" I leant towards her, placing my hand on shoulder, to try and reassure her that everything was okay.

She groaned softly. "Tess"

"Kirsty, you're in Resus, do you remember what happened?"

"Yeah, yeah" She murmured, glancing around the room "Where's Adam...?"

"He's just gone to page x-ray, he'll be back any moment."

Right on cue, I heard the crashing of the Resus doors, and in walked Adam.


Adam POV

As soon as I acknowledged the fact that Kirsty was awake, my pace quickened sufficiently.

"Kirst!" I took her hand gently and looked deep into her eyes "How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright Adam" She sighed.

"...But that's the thing" I said, slightly frustrated "You're not alright, not at all, Kirsty please stop!"
"Stop...stop what...?" She whispered, confused.

"Denying everything, brushing off all my concerns, acting like nothing's wrong. Because someday, you're going to have to face up to the fact that you're not alright. You're a victim of domestic abuse Kirsty!"

"Adam please!" I suddenly realised that she was crying.

"...Kirsty, I-I'm sorry...I didn't mean to..." I brushed a tear from her cheek and began to stroke her forehead, comfortingly "It's okay".

"I'll...I'll think about it, Adam. Leaving him...I'll think about it." Kirsty whispered, as if she was scared to say it.

She'd finally realised. Finally seen that she couldn't go on like this. I was so relieved; I couldn't put it into words – so I didn't use words. I leant forward, and pressed my lips gently against hers. As we locked eyes, I could see that this was all the words I needed.


Hey guys! So sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've been REALLY busy with revision and things, but I'll try to write some more as soon as possible. Hope you enjoyed that, I struggled somewhat with the last bit, but It's done now. Not really sure where to take this, ideas would be more than welcome! Thanks :)