The sun had risen, casting its golden light all over the city; a city in tatters, just like many of the families of those involved in the devastation the bomb had caused. Hopes, dreams and magical thoughts; gone within seconds. The bodies had been recovered and identified and the hospitals were full. The wreckage was already being removed ready for the city to be re-built... but other things, other things couldn't be fixed. The important things, the precious things in life, they were harder to fix and some things? Some things simply couldn't be fixed.

Alice rolled over trying to block out all the conversation that was whirling around her. She'd been moved to another room and it was full of gossiping women. Women who hadn't lost anything, women who were proud of being involved because they knew it would make them the centre of all the gossip. Most were spinsters. Alice gently placed a hand on her stomach but she didn't feel it. All she felt was coldness, numbness. She squeezed her eyes tight shut; she refused to cry in front of those... gossips.

Danny glanced at the signs on the wall as he leant on his crutches. 231-236, 237-242 turn right. He smiled, Alice was apparently in bed 236. He sighed slightly as she made his way along the corridors, slowly, gingerly. Pain was ribbing him with every step but he refused to give up. She needed him, she was hurt. He knew that. And although she would try and push him away, he wasn't going to let her. He knew her better than that.

Eventually he arrived and almost automatically he noted the change in her. She was facing away from where the other ladies were; ladies who Alice no doubt detested. She didn't turn at the sound of him entering; albeit she didn't know it was him but usually his Alice would always want to know what was going on. He took a deep breath before making his way in. The talking quieted to a hush as he made his way over to Alice, all he could feel were their stares on his back. But he didn't care. He needed to see her.

"Alice?" Danny asked as he made his way round to the side she was facing. He stopped in front of her and held his injured ribs with one hand.

"Danny." Alice whispered sitting up, "Sit down... you're ribs aren't good."

"That doesn't matter." Danny told her breathlessly, "You do."

"Please." Alice asked him, nodding towards the chair. He agreed with a slight nod of the head, sitting down gingerly, his face screwing up slightly with pain.

"We need to talk you know." Danny whispered taking both her hands.

"I know." Alice replied, "I just feel..." She wiped her eyes quickly, shaking her head slightly. Immediately despite his pain, Danny stood up and wrapped her in his arms. She buried her head into his shoulder. "Empty." She finally croaked quietly before silently sobbing into his shoulder.

Danny simply held her, kissing her in her hair at intervals. Eventually, he found the strength himself to talk.

"I know... it's unfair." Danny whispered hoarsely, "We'll never forget them though, never."

"I feel a failure." Alice murmured sadly as they pulled away from the tight hug they were in. Danny put his arm around her shoulders, "I'm the mother, I'm meant to take care of..."

Danny stopped her mid-sentence by placing a finger on her lips.

"Alice you haven't failed anyone... you couldn't have stopped this and nor could I, and that's what's killing me, that I couldn't protect you, either of you." Danny admitted looking down, avoiding her case and allowing his arm to fall from around her.

"Danny..." Alice whispered brokenly; her heart melting at the pain the man in front of her felt because he couldn't protect his family. She'd never seen him become so reserved and she couldn't bare it. "Danny, look at me." She kept her eyes on him, "Danny." She insisted taking his hands. Slowly he raised his head, his eyes slowly meeting hers. She leant forward and with her good arm, cupped his face in that hand. "I know how bad you feel... but you're an amazing man. You've always been an over-protective old fool but I love you for it. Just because you couldn't protect us from something you had no control over doesn't make you any less of a man."

"But it's my job." Danny argued, "Too look after you, the kids."

"Then look after us... look after me now." Alice pleaded with him, "Because... I... I need you now."

Their eyes met gently and held. Danny nodded, one tear rolling down his cheek. Alice gently wiped it away with her thumb. Danny smiled before leaning forward and pressing his lips to hers; the kiss was deep and slow. A kiss of comfort and reassurance. As they pulled away both smiled.

"It's not gonna be easy Alice." Danny said out loud.

"I know..." Alice replied, "But at least we're on the same page and that's a start yeh?"

"Yeh." Danny agreed, "And when you're home and ready, we'll have a proper chat ok?"

Alice nodded, taking his hand and turning for the first time to the ladies. Danny squeezed her hand gently as the pair dropped themselves into the conversation whizzing around the room.