For a moment or two the small room was silent, then Tess reached over to Sam and placed her hand on top of Sam's and for once Sam didn't shy away, instead she held her head high and looked Tess straight in the eye.
"I just can't do this now, the time isn't right."
"I know."
Sam's confusion must have shown on her face because Tess sighed and she tore her eyes from the intensity of Sam's gaze
"I was pregnant not so long ago."
Sam made a small gasping sound then her hand found her mouth, as if to hide her shock. Saving her from finding a response Tess continued.
"I aborted the baby Sam, I gave up my child. The reason? I couldn't bring that baby into the world knowing it's father couldn't possibly love me, commit to me like he should. But Tom? Tom loves you unconditionally. And you may say that I only found out recently about your relationship, and you may have a point but I've seen the way you look at him and the way he looks at you. He wouldn't care who found out Sam. Give him a chance, take the chance I never could."
Sam's vision blurred with thick tears yet her mouth suddenly dried up, she felt the utmost respect for her older colleague but didn't quite know how to tell her.
Something told Sam that Tess understood.
"I have to speak to Tom."
"Of course" Tess smiled, although it was clear to Sam her colleague was struggling to keep it together, sensing she wanted to be alone Sam left the room but not before Tess could call to her,
"The time will never be 'right' Sam. Remember that."

"Zoe?"
"Yes Sam?" Zoe put down her files and turned to her colleague.
"Have you seen Tom?"
"Erm" for a second Zoe was about to ask why but when she turned and saw the look of panic on Sam's face she fell short.
"He just went into cubicles, Sam are you ok? What's going on?"
But Sam had left.

She found him pacing the corridor.
His brows were furrowed in a way that she knew meant he was unsure of what to do.
She watched him walk to the window at the end of the corridor, watched him stretch his arms to either side of the window pane, watched as the muscles in his arms became taunt and then relaxed again as he brought his hands to his hair and held on to loose curls with a vice like grip.
She knew he cared. She knew what she had to do.
Then she watched as he dropped his arms to his side.
And turn.

She was watching him.
One hand was hovering in the air as if reaching for something seen only to her, the fingers splayed in a manner that reminded him of a greeting.
Her face was rigid and stony and he knew she was keeping something in, knew she was trying to keep everything together.
He wanted more than anything to be at her side.
So he went to her.

One hand reached for her face, stroking gently at her cheek, the other took her hand and held her slight fingers between his.
"Sam I'm sorry, Fletch told Tess and I don't know how long it will be before he tells someone else I'm sorry Sam I've been thinking of what to do and I just don't know I-"
"I'm pregnant".

Sam said the words so quietly she barely mouthed them, but Tom heard.
And then that was it, Fletch didn't matter. Neither did Tess. Neither did Zoe or Ash or anyone for that matter.
Anyone apart from Sam Nicholls who was stood barely half a meter from hiding behind a sheath of blonde hair biting her lip as she nervously awaited his response.
And then he kissed her. He cupped her face and interlocked his fingers with those of her trembling hand and kissed her. And with the feel of his gentle lips caressing hers and the support of his hand in hers, soft and warm Sam knew it would be ok.
She pulled away from their embrace and smiled softly at her boyfriend blinking back tears once more. Looking around shyly, not wanting to be seen crying.
Tom laughed.
"Sam you just kissed me in front of everyone and you're worried you'll be seen crying?"
Sam lowered her eyes to the floor, a smile splitting her face.
"Actually Tom." She said, looking up. "I don't think anyone noticed."
Tom, looked around and he had to admit no-one was looking their way, whispering or giggling.
"Sam I love you, and you're going to be an amazing mum to our little one."
Sam suddenly stiffened in his arms, an action not missed by Tom.
He drew her away from him and looked her in eyes.
"Sam you do want this baby?"
Sam looked up at Tom, at the pained expression in his eyes, the concern in face, the soft contours of his lips which were pursed into an expression of worry and she felt guilty for making him worry even for a second.
"Yes."
She smiled and it was a smile of someone in love.
"Yes Tom I want the baby and I want you, need you. I love you too Tom."
"Sam I-"

"Thomas Kent, Samantha Nicholls. Will one of you tell me what the hell is going on in my ED?."
Zoe's voice rang shrill, echoing off the walls and catching the attention of almost everybody in the cubicles.
Robyn looked up from where she was helping a man into his wheelchair.
Fletch turned from the computer where he was typing notes, and winked at Tom.
Ash stopped in his tracks from the doorway and stared at them.
Big Mac let the trolley in his hands roll to a halt.
And Tess looked up through her office window wiped a singular tear from under her eye and smiled at the pair.

"Well?" Zoe demanded, one hand placed firmly on her hip, elbowing jutting out. It was clear she was not alone in her demands for answers, their colleagues were now gathered in a horse shoe formation around the couple.

Sam looked up at Tom. Her eyes wide.
He could see the mischievous smile beginning to work it's way onto her face.
She found his eyes and saw he understood.

She whispered, "Let's give them something to stare at."

Then he gave the briefest of nods.

Then her lips found his.