Kat remembered the last time she was in the hospital. It was a horrible experience. She generally avoided being near them at all costs. They were too bright, too clean and too easy to be seen. Today, she had no choice. In fact, she welcomed the hospital with it's bright walls, it's cleanliness and for the ability to be seen.

Kat sat in a plastic chair, surrounded by her family, all of them waiting for any news.

'Stop tapping your foot' Gabby hissed at her cousin.

'Sorry' Kat tried to still her twitching leg

'I'm sorry too, I shouldn't of snapped' Gabby rested her head on Kat's shoulder 'It's just that last time we were here...well...you know' Kat did know. She knew extremely well. So clearly that she was sure that she could still hear the screams.

Kat didn't feel comfortable, sitting here and waiting, knowing that at any moment, bad news could storm through the doors.

'Here' Kat glanced up to see Hale offering her a cup of steaming liquid. 'It's hot chocolate. From the vending machine. I know it's not the your favourite authentic Aztec blend that you love but-'

'Thanks' Kat cut off his rambling, accepting the cup. The paper cup burnt her hands and the hot liquid scorched her throat. Kat didn't complain though. She was grateful for the distraction. A few moments later, Simon, Hamish & Angus came through the double doors.

'Are there any updates?' Angus asked

'They're running tests on him' Gabby informed

'What kind of tests?' Hamish asked

'He most likely suffered from a heart attack so they'll be running the test fo-'

'Simon, stop' Hale hissed.

'Sorry' Simon muttered 'its my default to ramble when I'm worried'

Everyone descended into silence. We were all worried, we call feared the worst, and all of us could not imagine what we would do if the worst actually happened.

It was the arrival of Irina bursting through the doors, her long coat blowing behind her, that pulled us all out of our thoughts.

'Me amores' Irina spread her arms open wide, engulphing both Gabby and Kat. 'What happened?' She asked. Gabby glanced at Kat quickly.

'Aunt Irina…' Kat began, not quite sure where to start. Hey Aunt Irina, your supposedly dead brother is actually alive, and he was the one who stole your actual dead sister's valuable painting. Oh and when I told Eddie, he had a heart attack. How was your trip?

Before Kat could say anything, Bobby entered from the other door, the door that said NO ENTRY. AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY

'Irina! Thank goodness you're here. They need Eddie's medical history and information. There's only so much I know. I need your help'

'Yes of course' Irina nodded. She then turned back to the girls. 'Are you girls alright?' She checked us both over.

'We're fine, mom. Go help uncle Bobby' Gabby squeezed her mom's hand. Irina cupped one of their cheeks with each hand.

'I love you girls' she kissed their foreheads then disappeared through the forbidden doors.

'Something's wrong' Gabby & Kat said simultaneously

'How do you know?' Hamish asked

'Last time Irina kissed our foreheads and caressed our cheeks was the day Nadia died' Gabby was numb, as if each word was attached to a painful memory...which it was.

'I'm going for a walk' Kat put her barely drunk paper cup on the small coffee table in the centre of the room.

'I'll come with you' Hale grabbed his coat from the back of his chair. Kat wanted to object, she wanted to be left alone, but she knew that with recent events, being alone was not a good idea.

The pair walked in silence, Kat dictating where they went and Hale willingly following. Kat took them out of the hospital, she walked along the street for several blocks until she came to a little artisan cafe. She pushed open the door becoming absorbed by the smell of freshly ground coffee and freshly baked bread.

Kat strode right up to the counter.

'Hi' she smiled at the girl behind the counter. 'Could I have a large Hot Chocolate with cream and Marshmallows please and...ohhhh I think I'll have the salted caramel cookie' Kat glanced at Hale behind her 'do you want anything?' She asked. Hale just stared back at her, not sure how to deal with the situation.

'He'll have an cappuccino please. Oh, if fact can we get a box of 12 cookies'

'Certainly miss' The worker said. Kat paid, thanked the woman and tucked herself into the corner. Hale, confused, sat opposite her. When the food arrived, Kat dived into her hot chocolate, swirling her spoon around and eating scoops of cream. She looked over the rim of the mug to see Hale watching her curiously. She shrugged.

'You were right. The machine hot chocolate was not my favourite. I needed something good'

'So is this your favourite?' Hale raised an eyebrow.

'Not even close' Kat shook her head. 'But is better than most'

Hale and Kat descended into silence as they drank. There wasn't much to talk about and Kat was grateful for the opportunity to just sit and stop.

'I've been here before' Kat began 'the day my mom died. I was distraught, crying my eyes out and screaming. The hospital staff asked for me to leave, said that I was upsetting other patients. Dad didn't want to leave, he didn't want to accept that she was gone. Eddie took my hand and led me here. He bought me a hot chocolate and a salted caramel cookie. When I stopped crying, he told me that he took my mom here when she was younger. She'd just had an operation on her arm and Eddie took her because she was brave. She had the hot chocolate and salted caramel cookie too'

'Kat' Hale reached across and caught a tear Kat hadn't realised fell. 'I'm so sorry'

'He can't die, Hale' Kat whimpered, her tears and sobs now coming in floods. Hale scooted round and engulphed Kat in his arms, blocking her tears from people around.

When Kat and Hale arrived back at the hospital shortly after, everyone was still in their original positions. Kat placed the cookies on the table. Gabby (who had her head on Simon's Shoulder) sat up sharply.

'Are they?' She asked. Kat nodded. 'And You?' Kat nodded 'Does he?' Kat nodded. Gabby opened her mouth to say something else but thought better of it. She slumped back in her seat. 'Thanks Kitty'

'Is there any news?' Hale asked

'Bobby came in and asked us whether Eddie was born before, during or after the Second World War' Hamish said

'Then we had to try and remember his birthday' Angus rolled his eyes.

'Long story short, we don't actually know what the complete truth is. We've tried to call Charlie but he's not picking up' Gabby said.

'Maybe it's one of those weird twin things and Charlie's had one too' One of the Banshaw brothers said.

'I highly doubt that' Simon adjusted his glasses on his nose.

'I'm just trying to lighten the mood' Was the reply

'Guys, an we just drop it, please?' Hale draped his arm across Kat's shoulders, pulling slightly so she could sink into his arms.

'All we can do is wait' Kat said 'and pray'