"Jill, when will Dad be home?"

"I don't know Katie, he didn't say." Jill said, placing the dinner plates on the table. She smiled slightly as Katie frowned and when she looked to Tom, he wore the exact same expression as he spoke.

"But Dad said we could finish the Monopoly tonight."

"I'm sure your Dad won't mind if we carry on without him."

Both children beamed and proceeded to eat their dinner, warming Jill's heart as she watched them. It wasn't really that long since she'd become a permanent fixture in their lives, and Jill still marvelled at the fact they'd so easily accepted her. And she easily fitted into the family routine, gradually taking on parental responsibilities. She then remembered another parental task she'd become accustomed to. "Have you both done your homework?"

"Yep!" They both exclaimed, clearly relieved they wouldn't have to complete any that evening.

The rest of the meal passed with such pleasantness, the children entertaining Jill with tales of their school day; Katie's first time of winning a race, and Tom's mild reprimand from his teacher for 'doing nothing'. They both wanted to know why Jill had been off work, but were appeased when she told them she had merely felt a little ill that morning, and they both went on to sweetly ensure she was now well.

After the table had been cleared and the pots washed and put away, with their help, without breaking anything much to the relief and surprise of Jill, they all made their way into the living room. Katie and Tom insisted on taking over Gordon's piece and money, rapidly bankrupting him.

They were still playing when Gordon arrived home. Jill looked up when she saw him standing in the doorway to the living room, watching them, but making no move to join him. She knew as soon as she laid eyes on him that things weren't right, but knew not to question him in front of the children. Instead, she just held her hand to him. He made his way towards them, taking it, and settling beside her, holding it tightly in his own.

"Dad!" Katie and Tom exclaimed before throwing themselves at him.

"We had to be you, but you've got no money now! And I'm winning."

Gordon laughed, looking fondly down at Katie.

"I'll make you something to eat." Jill said, receiving a small smile from him as she rose and made her way into the kitchen. His laugh reinforced the fact that he wasn't happy; it wasn't the sincere, natural laugh she was used to, instead it was more forced, simply to ensure the children didn't suspect a thing.

She could hear their giggles as she prepared some sandwiches and carried them through to him. She handed the plate to him and sat down beside him, settling naturally against him as he looped an arm around her shoulder.

He didn't say much, just emitting occasional laughs or comments to appease Tom and Katie. He put down his plate and tugged her closer to him, to which she readily obliged, sensing that he needed comfort from her.


"Here." She handed Gordon a glass of wine, and allowed herself to be tugged down to sit beside him.

Katie and Tom were both in bed, sleep, and Jill was now curled up next to Gordon on the settee, determined to get to the bottom of what was bothering him. She waited a few minutes before speaking, enjoying the feel of Gordon fingers tracing lightly on her upper arm.

"Gordon, what's the matter, and don't say nothing, I know you." She poked him playfully in the chest, keeping her tone light, yet still serious, not wanting him to feel like she was pressurizing an answer from him.

"Just something at work." He murmured sadly.

"What happened?" She questioned softly.

"I... You've got enough to worry about."

"Gordon." She shifted so she could look him in the eye. She took hold of his hand and squeezed it. "Tell me."

He sighed and glanced down, and she thought he was going to stay silent, but slowing the words came. He told her about Mavis Sullivan and the crash site, and the operation, and Ted Sullivan, griping her hand the entire time. Eventually he tailed off, loosened his hold on her hand and dropped his head to her shoulder. Her free hand instinctively rose and she began trailing her fingers lightly through his hair, hoping to convey some comfort.

"You did all you could Gordon. It wasn't your fault." She kissed the top of his head lightly.

"I know." He sighed. "It's just her husband was so devastated."

"I know." She said sympathetically, hugging him against her. "But it'll get easier for him. It'll take time, but it will."

"It's just..."

"Just what?" She said gently.

"Oh I don't know. The whole situation. It's just so- I don't know!" He tightened his hold on her hand as he spoke with frustration, and Jill responded by rubbing a soothing hand across his back, at a loss as what to say. There were no words, she'd just have to provide him with the comfort he needed, as she'd done so many times before, just as he had done to her, even when they were just friends. She supposed that was one of the advantages of them both being doctors, they understood when others might not.


Jill was slowly pulled into consciousness, unaware what had been the cause. She slowly opened her eyes, losing the slight disorientation of waking up, and realised it was far too early for her to be awake; the room was still enveloped with the obscuring darkness. Gradually though, her pupils adjusted to the dimness, and she could just about make out a large shape leaning over her.

"Hi." She murmured her voice somewhat thick with disuse.

"Hi." He replied, lowering his head a few millimetres to gently touch his lips to hers.

"What are you doing awake?"

"I dunno. I just kind of woke up."

She rolled her eyes and tutted. "I meant why? Is something bothering you? Are you worried about Mr Sullivan?"

"A little." He sighed, easing himself back down beside her, and sliding a hand across her stomach, creating a warmth that emanated through her. "But it helped talking to you about it. Thank you."

She shrugged. "No need to thank me. It was the least I could do, after all you've done for me. So thank you."

They were silent a moment as Jill snuggled closer to him, finding the position that allowed her body to fit perfectly against his. As sleep began to entice her yet again, enveloping her in its blissful ignorance, she spoke again. "You know... We should really get another clock."

"Erm okay... Why?" He asked, clearly bemused at the random remark.

"So," she paused, a yawn escaping her, "I don't have to wake up to you leaning over me to see the clock; I don't have time to prepare myself for the shock."

She giggled sleepily at his rapid intake of breath, feigning outrage, giggling even more when he jabbed a finger into her side, precisely on a particularly ticklish spot he knew far too well. "Apologise." He commanded, poking her again, causing her to squirm.

"Okay, okay." She murmured, taking his arm and hugging it to her. "I'm sorry." She yawned again, finally allowing her heavy eyelids to close, whilst a slight smile accompanied her journey into sleep as Gordon hugged her against him.