"I told you she was down here" said Jonathon, jumping up and going towards the kitchen, the others followed, they reached the kitchen just as Ash reached the back door
"Ash" started Katie
"Are, you alright" continued Jonathon
"Yeah, I'm fine" replied Ash shutting the door
"Mum, said you were tired" replied Tom
"I, am but I wanted a glass of water, is that a crime" replied Ash, rubbing her head she had a terrible head ache
Just then the kettle flicked off, Jonathon looked at it
"And a hot water bottle" added Ash, filling up the hot water bottle and making a cup of tea instead
"Does anyone else want a drink" asked Ash
"No, thanks" replied Tom and Katie
"Yeah, I'll have one" replied Jonathon
Ash made him a drink as well, unknown to them Jill and Gordon had just returned home and were talking in the car
"We are sorry about earlier; we had no idea" said Katie
"Forget it" replied Ash, handing Jonathon his drink
"But we can't, we need to make it better" replied Jonathon
"I just need some space" replied Ash, feeling guilty as she did, she grabbed her things and went to make her way upstairs
"Please, let us help" pleaded Katie
Ash went to say something before she did, they heard their parents keys in the door, Ash took the opportunity to make her exit
"I could do with a drink" said Gordon
"What's going on here" asked Jill, seeing the others in the kitchen, she also saw that someone had finished the drying up, maybe they were starting to listen she thought
"Thank you" said Jill
"It wasn't us" replied Jonathon, truthfully
"But, you did leave her alone" asked Jill, worried they had bothered her
They didn't reply, Gordon had filled the kettle, and turned it on
"Mum, just asked you a question" said Gordon
"Well, it depends on what you mean by bother" replied Tom
Jill and Gordon looked at each other, they thought here we go again, when will they ever do as we ask
"Right, sit down and tell us what happened" said Gordon
Jill and the kids sat down, while Gordon waited for the kettle to make Jill and himself a drink
"Well, we left her too it for the most part" started Katie
"But then I heard the back door" stated Jonathon
Just then Gordon was getting rid of the tea bags
"It, looks like she has emptied the bin" said Gordon
"That's what she told us" replied Tom, she hadn't but he thought it was better if they thought she had
"Then what" asked Jill, knowing that wasn't the end of it
"Thanks" added Jill as Gordon handed her a drink, he then sat down next to her
"We asked if she was alright" replied Tom
"She said she was, that she wanted a drink and a hot water bottle" added Katie hoping that would be the end of it
But Jill could read their faces, she knew there was more to this, she looked at Jonathon, who looked down at his cup, then she knew for sure, so she pressed them for more
"I know you are not telling us everything" said Jill
They didn't say anything hoping Jill was bluffing and would give up soon. Gordon on the other hand knew Jill must be sure, there was something else, Katie and Tom went to get up
"Sit down and tell us everything" said Gordon
"There's no more to say, is there" said Katie to Jonathon and Tom
"No, nothing" replied Tom, but Jonathon didn't reply
"Well then, you two can go, but if I find out you have lied to us" said Gordon
Jonathon went to get up as well
"You can, sit back down" said Gordon
Jonathon thought about it, before sitting back down, he decided that the best way to help Ash was by telling them everything
"She asked if anyone wanted a drink, only I did, she made them" continued Jonathon, before telling them everything up until they arrived home
"So, that was it, she asked for space" said Gordon, he looked at Jill
"Go, on up to bed it's late" said Jill, to Jonathon
"Ohh and one more thing, I think she had a headache, she didn't say anything, but she was rubbing her head" replied Jonathon
"Night mum, dad" added Jonathon getting up
"Night, sweetheart, thank you" said Jill, giving him a hug
They waited until Jonathon had gone upstairs
"What, was she about to say" asked Gordon
"I don't know, but I am worried" replied Jill
"It, will be fine, I promise" replied Gordon, getting up and putting the cups in the sink, Jill wasn't so sure
"Come on to bed, it will seem better in the morning" added Gordon
"You, go on up, I'll be there in a minute" replied Jill
"Don't be long" replied Gordon, giving her a peck on the cheek, knowing she needed some time on her own
Jill went to the sink and was going to start washing up, Gordon had reached Ash's room and had the feeling he needed to check on her
Ash was asleep, she was so tired that she had not even gotten under the covers, she was tossing and turning, when Gordon opened the door, it looked like she was trying to fight someone off
He went to get a blanket for Ash, as he didn't want to wake her, he went back downstairs, knowing there was one by the front door
"Gordon what is it" asked Jill concerned
"What's the blanket for" asked Jill puzzled, when Gordon hadn't replied
"I'm just getting this for Ash, she looked so peaceful I didn't want to wake her" lied Gordon
"I love you" said Jill, rubbing his cheek
"I love you too, why don't you check for yourself" replied Gordon, knowing Jill would want to check for her own peace of mind, he handed her the blanket
They both made their way to Ash's room
Gordon was right, she did look so peaceful, as they got nearer Jill became more concerned
"Ash, wake up" said Jill, Ash was holding her breath
"Sweetheart" said Jill gently shaking her shoulders
Ash gasped
"Ash" said Gordon loudly again, the others had heard this and came to see what all the noise was about
"Sweetheart, wake up" said Jill
"Dad" said Katie worried
"It's alright, everything is fine, go back to bed" replied Gordon
But they didn't move
Ash started to come around
"Sweetheart" said Jill, slightly relieved
Ash felt a little groggy, and her head was pounding, she closed her eyes again
"Ash, stay awake" said Jill concerned, she had taken something
"I'm tired, let me sleep" replied Ash, groggily
"I can't do that, have you taken anything" asked Jill, just getting straight to the point, she looked at Gordon, who was also worried
"Right kids, rooms now" said Gordon, leaving the room and moving them on, he then went back downstairs and grabbed his bag
"Ash" said Jill
"No, leave me" said Ash
"I'm sorry, but I had to ask, but you are really worrying me" replied Jill
"Ash, can you get up" asked Gordon
They didn't wait for her to answer, they helped her to sit up, Jill took her wrist and was trying to take her pulse, she also put a hand on her forehead
"You're burning up" said Jill
"I'm fine, I'm just tired, please let me sleep" pleaded Ash
"What, do you think" asked Gordon
"I think it looks like some sort of infection" replied Jill, slightly relieved
"So, are we going to go in" asked Gordon
"I think we need to" replied Jill
"No, leave me" replied Ash, trying to lie down
"Up we get" said Gordon
"What's going on" asked Jonathon
"It, looks like an infection, we're just going to check it out" replied Gordon
"Can I help in anyway" asked Jonathon
Just as Ash was trying to sit back down again, Gordon lost his grip on Ash
"Gordon" said Jill, struggling, to regain her balance seeing as she had all of Ash's weight all of a sudden
"Mum" said Jonathon
"I'm fine, come on sweetheart" said Jill
"Let me help, I'll carry her to the car" replied Jonathon, not waiting for a reply, he swiftly lifted Ash up
"Be careful" said Jill, Jonathon made his way downstairs
"I should have checked on her sooner" said Jill to Gordon
"You, could not have known this was going to happen" replied Gordon
"Mum, dad" said Tom
"Has, she tried to" started Katie, but she couldn't bring herself to say it
"No, no sweetheart" said Jill to Katie
"So, what" asked Katie
"We are going to have to do some tests" replied Gordon
"We're coming with you" replied Tom
"No, stay here, it doesn't take all of us" replied Gordon, starting to make his way downstairs
"But, we want to be there" replied Katie following
"Look, we don't have time to argue, you take them in your car, and I'll take the other two" replied Jill, knowing they could all be as stubborn as each other
She didn't wait for a reply, she carried on towards Jonathon to help get Ash in her car
"Mum, she's cold, she's shivering" said Jonathon
"That's not good" muttered Jill, feeling Ash's forehead, she was still burning up
"Mum" said Jonathon concerned
Jill shut the door before walking around and getting in
"I'm sorry baby, how did I not see this" said Jill
"It's not your fault" replied Jonathon, not sure if he should say anything or not
They drove the rest of the way in silence. Jill was deep in her own thoughts trying to remember if there had been any clue as to what was causing this. When she had checked on Ash earlier the wound had seemed clean, but Ash was not really letting her look, and she was more interested in trying to talk, that was the real reason she had gone up there, but now she thought about it, she did feel a little warm, how could she have missed this, just then they pulled up at the royal
"Come on then sweetheart" said Jill, as she quickly parked the car and got out
"Mum" said Jonathon, as he climbed out the car
"I'll, just go and get a wheelchair" said Jill, she had been hoping Gordon would also be there by now
"No, need" said Jonathon, picking Ash up, he adjusted his grip slightly
"Careful" said Jill, noticing this
"Mum, it's fine" replied Jonathon
Jill held the doors open for him, and as they walked along the corridor, she took Ash's pulse, Once Jonathon had placed her on a bed in casualty, Ash had fallen back asleep
"Can you go along to Milner ward and grab me a nurse" asked Jill
Jonathon didn't reply, he just swiftly left
"Ash, sweetheart, wake up, I'm just going to take some bloods" said Jill
Ash, woke up when the needle went in
"Sorry, sweetheart" said Jill
Ash looked around dazed
"It's all going to be fine" said Jill, trying to keep her calm
"Ash, I know you are tired, but please stay awake, why don't we carry on talking about earlier" said Jill, she could see Ash starting to drop off
"What did you do when we left" asked Jill
"Not much, please let me sleep" replied Ash
"Did, you go downstairs" asked Jill
"I, needed a drink" replied Ash, Jill had now gotten the samples ready to hand over to the nurse
"It's cold" added Ash
"I know, as soon as I've done this" started Jill, just then Gordon arrived
"Ash" said Katie
"Please" started Ash
"You three, go and wait in the kitchen" said Jill, knowing what Ash was about to say
"Gordon, I need these testing, I.V. fluids and antibiotics putting up" said Jill
Gordon handed the bloods to the nurse, who rushed them away, before he got on with what Jill had asked for. While Jill, went to get a blanket, there was a spare one on the next bed, but she needed a bit of space, Gordon could tell she was beating herself up
Meanwhile in the Kitchen
"So, tomorrow, this is what we will do" started Katie
"Do, you think we will still" started Jonathon
"Of course," interrupted Tom
"So, we get up early, we go shopping" started Katie
"How, early is early" asked Tom
"Does it matter, we are doing this for Ash" replied Katie
"Well as long as it's not too early" replied Tom
"You, could always stay at home and phone nan and matron" replied Katie
"Okay, I'll do that" replied Tom
"So, what else should we do" asked Jonathon
"I think, we should still meet mum and dad for lunch" replied Tom
"Okay, agreed" replied Jonathon
"As, for the rest of the day, how about we just spend it at home playing games, listening to music that sort of thing" replied Katie
"Yeah sounds good, I mean, Ash won't be up to much anyway and we can give her space if she wants it" replied Jonathon
"That's settled then" replied Katie
"What's settled" asked Jill, overhearing the last part
"Our plans for tomorrow" replied Tom
"What have I already said about this" asked Jill
"Don't worry, it's only if she wants to join us" replied Jonathon
"How is she, when can we see her" asked Katie
"Soon, I'll get dad to come and get you" replied Jill, leaving them to it
"So, what are we going to cook" asked Jonathon
"Ash's favourite of course" replied Katie
"Which is" asked Jonathon
"I can't believe you don't know" replied Katie, but the truth was she didn't either she was hoping they did
"She, doesn't know either, but don't worry mum will" replied Tom
Meanwhile Jill had just gotten back to casualty to find Gordon in there on his own, he turned to face her
"It's alright, she's gone for an x ray" said Gordon, seeing the look on her face
"The others are planning something" replied Jill, changing the subject
"Let them, it's keeping them quiet and out of the way" replied Gordon
"How did I miss this" muttered Jill
Gordon was looking through Ash's note from this morning
"You, didn't miss anything, we could never have known" replied Gordon
"But that's not it is it" added Gordon
Jill just looked at him, she didn't want to continue this conversation here and now
"You know something, why did you and Katie both think she" started Gordon, but he stopped when the doors started to open
When the nurse had left, and they saw that Ash was still asleep
"I don't know anything, it's just a feeling that I can't seem to shake, and what with everything else going on, she's become more distant" started Jill
"But she would never" said Gordon, trying to convince himself as much as Jill
"I hope you are right, but then why is she cutting us all out" asked Jill
"Well, we'll have to ask her" replied Gordon, hoping there was a perfectly good reason
Jill didn't reply, she went over to Ash and placed the blanket over her, before placing a hand on her forehead
"She's still a little warm" said Jill
Gordon, got the thermometer from the side
"Let's take a look" said Gordon as he reached the bed
"Yes, I think we should give her some" started Gordon just as the doors opened
"Doctor, I've got the results for you" said the nurse
"Ohh, thank you" said Jill taking them, they were lucky, they were still here and that they had rushed them through for them
"Ohh, and sister is on her way" added the nurse leaving
"It, looks like the antibiotics will work, I'll just give her some paracetamol" said Jill
"Well, that is a relief" replied Gordon, he grabbed Ash's hand and squeezed it
"Why don't you go and tell the others" replied Jill
"I won't be long" replied Gordon, knowing Jill needed time on her own, he pulled a chair over for her
Jill gave a small smile to say thank you, as he past her he put a hand on her shoulder, he wanted to take her into his arms and take all the guilt away from her and tell her it was all going to be alright, but he knew now was not the time, so he just gave her a peck on the cheek