"Have you got her?" The young doctor passed the sobbing bundle of blankets down to Nick as he stood on the bottom step of the ladder.

"Shhh, I've got you now." He breathed, hugging Azin tightly against his chest. He knew his words would hardly be heard, she was in such a state. For the fifth time in as many minutes he cursed himself for not breaking the news to her himself, though he doubted her reaction would have been any different, had the news come from him rather than from one of her neighbours. He knew he was being too protective of her, getting too close to her, it wasn't often he had found the patient doctor boundary beginning to blur, but this was no ordinary situation, he had risked everything for this child and he had no idea why, but in his heart it seemed as though every risk was acceptable.

"They've taken her father to prepare him for burial." the young doctor said quietly. Nick nodded, there was nothing more they could do for him, it was best his friends take over to bid him farewell. Nick's attention had to be focused on Azin now, though he was no clearer on how they might engineer a passage to India and on to England as her father had requested. He carried her to his room, sat down on his bed and cradled her in his arms until the violent sobs began to subside.

Some minutes later, Zoe stepped into the room and stood in silence, transfixed by the sight of Nick comforting the child, the tumble of mixed emotions served only to unsettle her further.

"You ok?" Nick mouthed at her. Zoe nodded and bounced the question back at him. In reply he patted the bed at his side, indicating she should join him. As she settled against him and gazed down at Azin, he draped one arm about her shoulders, forcing a small smile as she rested her arm across her own chest and took hold of his hand. Azin was snuggled into him, one hand firmly grasping the fabric of his shirt, the other curled into a fist, thumb firmly in her mouth.

.

"We'd better get her back to the ward and you need something to eat" Meyer prompted as he returned from breakfast. "It's all quiet at the moment."

"Sure." Nick ran his hand across Zoe's shoulders as she lifted her head from his chest. He gathered Azin in his arms. "Come on then Az, let's get you settled."

"I want to stay with you." She sniffed, tugging on his shirt.

"I know." He brushed her cheek with the back of one finger. "I've got work to do, but I won't be far away."

"Promise?" She pleaded. Nick nodded and supported her slight weight on one arm as he got to his feet.

The unmistakable smell of breakfast drifted down as the trapdoor was opened. Nick settled Azin on his hip, her arms looped about his neck as he climbed the metal ladder up into the hospital.

"Would you like to have breakfast in the Doctor's dinning room?" He asked raising one eyebrow at her.

"Can I?" Her expression brightened.

"Special treat." Nick smiled at Zoe as she gathered the loose end of Azin's brightly coloured blanket and tucked it under Nick's wrist. "Will you join us?" He asked Zoe.

Nick settled Azin on the bench beside Zoe, then crossed the room to collect three mugs and a pot of tea then three bowls of Haleem. He set them on the table and stepped over the bench to sit beside Azin. Zoe poured the tea and drank a mug full before reluctantly tasting the Haleem, although she didn't feel as queasy as yesterday, the food was far from appealing. Nick gave her a concerned look and refilled her mug, Zoe forced a slight smile, as she took a gulp of tea, Nick reached behind Azin to rub Zoe's back.

"Thanks." She breathed.

"You ok?" He mouthed, settling his hand on her shoulder, the concern in his dark eyes only serving to heighten Zoe's tangle of raw emotions. She laid her hand over his, took a deep breath then nodded. Nick put a big spoonful of the sludgy porridge into his own mouth and pulled a face of disgust at Zoe, making her laugh. Azin looked up at him, catching him blowing out his cheeks and rolling his eyes.

"Don't you like it Doctor Nick?" She asked.

"No, not really." He admitted with a laugh after swallowing quickly to avoid either choking or spitting it across the table.

"It's not very nice." Azin made a fair attempt at coping Nick's previous expression then stuck her tongue out. "Do we have to eat it?" She asked.

"Eat some of it." Nick prompted without hesitation. He took another spoonful and made a joke of eating it.