Peter rounded the corner, heading down the hospital corridor towards Carla's room. He smiled at the nurse nearby then turned to look through the observation window, hesitating when he saw a man in there with her. He frowned. He didn't recognise him, but he didn't seem to be a doctor.

He was sat in the chair beside Carla's bed; cup of tea in hand, and casual as ever as they chatted away. Something made Carla let out a laugh and Peter felt a stab of jealousy rush through him. He gripped the bouquet of flowers he'd bought her a little tighter, overwhelmed with the desire to stake his claim and send whoever the guy was, packing.

He took a calming breath and pushed the door open.

"Hey, you." He announced his presence, glad when Carla's attention quickly drifted to him, and a smile graced her face. She seemed less on edge than last night, but he couldn't help but wonder if her good mood was related to her other visitor.

That or she was putting on a front to stop him worrying.

"Hey," she greeted him, Greg temporarily forgotten as she set eyes on the one person she'd been eager to see all morning, and then the flowers in his hands. "Oh, Peter they're beautiful,"

He moved over to her, resting the flowers on the bedside table and leaning down to kiss her square on the mouth. She let out a faint whimper of surprise, but didn't pull away. He kissed her once more for good measure, before sitting on the side of the bed and taking hold of her hand, shooting what could only be interpreted as a glare at the other man in the room.

"Who are you?"

Greg tensed slightly, the message clear.

"Gregory Denver." He replied, offering his hand to shake.

Peter wanted the floor to open up and swallow him.

"O-oh… right." He cleared his throat, attempting to look a little less intimidating.

"I was just… returning Carla's flat keys."

"And he's been keeping me company," Carla added, stroking Peter's hand affectionately. She could see he was worked up, but something about his jealously and protective side set her heart racing in an altogether different manner to what she was used to as of late.

"Well… thanks. For everything." Peter forced a smile.

"Don't mention it." Greg forced a smile in return, as he got the distinct feeling he was being dismissed. "Erm, I'll… get going. Take care, Carla."

"Yeah…" She nodded, watching him leave then turning her attention back to Peter, who looked decidedly guilty.

"Sorry," he muttered quietly.

"No need."

"I just… I didn't know who he was and I wanted him to-"

"Know I was spoken for?"

He risked a glance, but she didn't look upset or annoyed, just amused. He gave her a small smirk.

"That and… I know it's stupid but I just… I don't like anyone else near you. Especially random blokes I don't know. It makes me worry."

"Other people are gonna come near me, Peter. It's unavoidable."

"I know I just… If I could keep them all out of touching distance I would. But I- I shouldn't have behaved like that. I won't do it again."

She found his naughty-boy expression incredibly appealing.

"What if I liked it?"

"You liked it?"

She nodded.

"It was… cute."

"Cute?" He pulled a face.

"Okay, not cute. Very… manly." She teased, glad when he let out a chuckle. She bit her lip, lowering her gaze. "I like that you're protective of me, Peter. Makes me feel safe."

He moved his hand under her chin, gently encouraging her to look back up at him. His eyes were warm and loving, and when he moved to stroke her cheek she didn't flinch away. He smiled softly, silently promising her he'd always keep her safe.

"So, you allowed out today?"

She shook her head.

"They want to keep me in another night. Said I need to be kept an eye on... and seeing as I live alone I couldn't really argue."

"Well, you can stay with me. I'll keep both eyes on you."

She smiled coyly.

"What about Simon?"

"Don't worry about that, I'll sort something out. Okay?"

She nodded.

"I'll have to wait for the doctor to come round again. Could be a few hours… You needn't wait, I can call you when I'm released."

"You sure? I don't mind waiting,"

"I'm sure. I'm safe here aren't I."

.

Frank was fuming, staring at the miscreant who now expected payment for a job far from well done.

"Which part of threaten her, did you not understand?"

"I threatened her."

"You hospitalised her."

"So she got a little knock to the head," he shrugged. "She got the message clear enough."

"If this gets back to me-"

"How could it? She's no idea who I am and anyway, I'm not sticking around. You know that. So if you could settle up-"

Frank laughed.

"Oh no, no I don't think so."

"What?"

"I'm not paying you for making the situation even worse than it already was."

"Well, I'll go to the police then. Tell 'em what you-"

"No, you won't." He said calmly.

"You wanna bet?"

"You won't go. You're leaving town for a reason, and I'm betting someone with morals as questionable as yours, probably has no desire to go anywhere near a police station." Frank smirked. "And even if you did, I'll just deny it. Not like any money's exchanged hands. Now, if you don't mind, I've got things to do."

.

Leanne looked at her phone, Peter's name flashing on the screen. She sighed, and picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Lea,"

"What do you want?"

"How's Si?"

She rolled her eyes.

"He's fine. How's your mate?"

Peter didn't miss the sarcasm. She didn't give a hoot about his mate. He was glad at least Simon hadn't told her it was Carla. He sighed as he unlocked the flat door and headed upstairs.

"I'll get straight to the point… is there any chance you can look after Si for the night? It's fine if you can't, I know it's short notice I just thought it might do him good spending some time with you. Help him adjust."

Leanne fought the urge to tell him where to go as she glanced across at Simon, eating the sandwich she'd made him and watching tele. She didn't know how things were going to work out but she knew one thing for sure, she couldn't just abandon him.

"Alright. Maybe it could be a regular thing. But, on my terms. You can't just drop him off as you please."

"Thanks. I'll drop some of his stuff round in a bit."

"Okay."

She hung up on him then, not wanting to hear anymore of his gratitude, and moved over to sit next to Simon.

"You fancy staying with me tonight?"

"I don't have any of my stuff for school tomorrow."

"Well, maybe we'll give you another day off, hm?"

"Okay." He beamed. It could only be a good thing that he was getting to spend time with Leanne. Surely her and his dad would be back together soon?

.

Carla sighed as the nurse left. Her doctor wouldn't be round for another hour – at the earliest, and she'd been advised to just get some rest till then. She wished she'd asked Peter to stay longer.

She rolled over in bed, facing away from the window and closing her eyes. There was something unsettling about being under observation, whether it was for her own good or not, it made her want to pull the covers up over her head for some remnant of privacy.

The door reopened, but she didn't bother to turn over. It was probably only the nurse again anyway. She sighed, snuggling into the pillow and listening as they flicked through her notes. They put them down, walking around her side of the bed and stopping in front of her.

"Hello, Carla."

Her eyes shot open.

"Frank?"

.

.

.