Sam was finally discharged a couple of days later. But had been told she was not to come back to work yet. Rita had suggested at least another week, if not two, to recover. Sam was frustrated but understood.

However, Rita did say they would still go out for drinks on Saturday night but only if Sam felt up to it. Sam said she would definitely be there, she would need to get out by then. Rita had told Sam to get her glad rags on and they'd have a good girlie time.

So, now Saturday was here, and Sam was slowly getting ready. She'd made sure to have a good nap in the afternoon, as she still found she was getting tired. She only had a small glass of wine while getting ready, as she didn't want to peak too early, she needed a good chance to catch up with Rita, she was desperate for some company if truth be told. She put on a black dress and some heels, curled her hair and applied her make up. Then she called for a taxi and headed off to meet Rita.

Rita was standing outside the pub waiting for her when she got there, which initially Sam thought was strange that she wasn't inside, but she shrugged it off. She gave Rita a hug and kiss on the cheek when she got there and Rita held the door open to the pub. As she went inside, she was met by the sight of all of her colleagues cheering and shouting 'surprise', then setting off party poppers and blowing horns! Sam couldn't stop the massive grin spreading across her face, she was so happy and overwhelmed by their act of kindness. She looked around and there were birthday banners balloons and streamers around. Lofty stepped forward with a birthday cake in the shape of '30' with 30 candles placed over it. She laughed and blew out the candles smiling around at the thoughtfulness of her wonderful colleagues. Then Rita appeared over her shoulder with a glass of champagne, which she took gratefully, then everyone raised their glasses in a toast to Sam, and wished her a happy birthday. She thanked them all for coming and then declared they were going to have a great night and drink plenty, at which point Cal shouted "challenge accepted!" And the room laughed. Then the music started and they all broke off into groups. The nurses were the first to gather around Sam to chat.

"We are so missing you!" Declared Robyn, giving Sam a massive hug.

"You look much better." Lofty smiled giving her a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks guys, I feel better for seeing you all, and this is amazing! I can't remember the last time I had such a fuss on my birthday!" Sam grinned.

"You deserve it." Rita smiled giving her shoulder a squeeze.

"I can't believe so many people came." Sam couldn't wipe the smile off of her face. She headed over to say hello to Charlie.

"I'm so pleased to see you looking better." He smiled giving her a hug. "You had us all worried."

"I thought I'd follow in your footsteps Charlie, only I think I might have gone too far! Instead of mimicking your nursing career I've followed your medical dramas too!" She smiled.

"Yeah, well I think we can both say that's not the best way forward." He laughed. "Any way, happy birthday." He smiled raising his glass to hers. She clinked it and they had a drink. She kissed him on the cheek and carried on circulating the room to try and catch up with everyone.

Cal and Ethan were stood at the bar talking to Zoe, Ethan kept trying to sneak glances at Sam, he couldn't believe how amazing she looked tonight, she was glowing, circulating the room, laughing and chatting with everyone. She was like a social butterfly, flitting around the room. Everyone liked her. He tried to concentrate on the conversation, but he was too distracted. Zoe made her excuses when she saw Max heading outside for a cigarette.

"Nibbles, are you with us tonight, you seem like you're off in your own world." Cal said.

"I'm fine, I've just got things on my mind." Ethan sighed.

"Things?" Cal raised his eyebrow.

"Yes things." Ethan shot back.

"I think you mean you have something on your mind, or someone." He smiled.

"Don't Cal, just don't OK?" He pleaded.

"Ok, sorry." He said, picking up his drink and moving towards the action. Ethan sighed and rested his chin on his hands.

"Hey gorgeous." Cal smiled kissing Sam's cheek. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you." She smiled giving him a hug. "I've missed you boys. Where is Ethan? Is he still here?"

"Yeah, he's sulking at the bar." Cal inclined his head in his brothers direction.

"Sulking?" Sam questioned.

"Yeah, he's in a weird mood."

"Should I go speak to him?" She asked.

"You could try." Cal shrugged. As Sam was about to go and talk to him Robyn and Lofty came running back up shouting something inaudible.

"What?" She laughed.

"Karaoke!" They both shouted.

"Come on!" Robyn said dragging her up on stage. Suddenly, with microphones in their hands and Sam squeeling that she didn't know what they were singing, the opening chords started and the song title appeared on the screen and she laughed looking at her friends and nodding. They sang Journey's - 'Don't Stop Believin', finishing to rapturous applause from their colleagues; most likely due to Lofty's air guitar solo which saw him fall to his knees and get lost in the moment. Egged on by the crowd, Robyn and Sam jumped straight back on with Rita and Dixie and sang Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive' again receiving cheers and applause from their colleagues. Sam managed to break away while the others carried on, she searched around the bar looking for Ethan, she still hadn't caught up with him and hoped he hadn't already slipped away. She went to the bar to get another drink, and before she could order, Cal appeared holding a glass of wine for her.

"Take it steady yeah?" He said kindly.

"Yes dad!" Sam smiled, but she knew he was only looking out for her. "Where's Ethan? He hasn't gone has he? I haven't seen him yet." Sam sighed. Cal nodded his head to the corner of the pub where he sat quietly with his drink. She picked up her wine, took a sip, smiled at Cal, took his hand and headed over towards Ethan. They sat down next to him and as he looked up at them Sam gave him a warm smile.

"Hey you." She said still smiling. "I've been trying to find you all night."

"I've been here." He forced a smile.

"But you don't want to be." She said sadly.

"Oh, I do, I want you to have a good time, I just don't want to cramp your style, I thought it was best I stayed out of the way." He said blushing.

"Don't be silly, if I'm going to have a good time then you have to be there celebrating with me." She reached out and squeezed his hand. "Wait here." She instructed the boys. She went to the bar and came back with a tray of shots. Cal's eyes lit up and Ethan looked terrified. Sam laughed. "Don't worry they aren't all for you Ethan." She giggled. "Right, last one to do all three shots has to down this one..." She said producing a jägerbomb. She winked at Cal, both of them knowing it was in the bag that Ethan would have to do the jägerbomb.

"I-I don't know sam, I-" Ethan started.

"Come on, for me?" She pleaded giving him a 'puppy dog eyes' look.

"Ok." He sighed. They lined up their shots, Sam counted to three and they downed them. As predicted, Ethan was last, but not by much, he put up a good fight not to be.

"Sorry Nibbles!" Cal smirked, its all yours he said sliding it over.

"What is it?" Ethan questioned. Cal and Sam looked at each other.

"Jägerbomb!" They both shouted smiling then bursting into laughter. Ethan shook his head at the pair, but he would do anything Sam wanted at this moment in time, so he raised the drink in the air towards Sam and knocked it back. They applauded him and he shook his head as it went down. He slammed the glass on the table in triumph.

"Happy birthday to you." He smiled. Sam leaned over the table and kissed him on the cheek. He almost felt like he was going to stop breathing on the spot. He blushed red, and Cal smirked again to himself.

"Now I just have one more question. Nibbles?" She grinned. "What is that about?"

"Oh, its an old childhood nickname, I just can't shift it." Ethan groaned.

"It suits him doesn't it!" Cal grinned.

"Definitely, its cute." Sam smiled. "One day you will have to explain it to me, but right now you are saved by the song! I love this one!" She squueled, grabbing her wine and zipping off. Ethan watched her go, and Cal watched him.

"Come on Eth, she wants you to have fun with her. Let have fun."

"I know, I just don't want to make a fool of myself, or let her down."

"You won't. I swear. Those shots will do the job soon and loosen you up. Come on." He smiled, getting up and heading over to where the group was laughing and watching the karaoke.