"Dad, you need to get up. You've got work in an hour." Rachel sat on the side of his bed.

Mark groaned and rolled onto his back, forcing his eyes open. "Yeah, I know."

"Your toast is getting cold." She stood up. "Can I get a ride to school?"

"Sure." He sat up. "Where's Susan?"

"Work." Rachel yelled back.

Mark forced himself out of bed and padded through to the kitchen, the floor cold under his bare feet. "So you're all set to stay at Rebecca's tonight?"

"Yep."

"I just need her phone number and then you're free."

"It's by the phone. And Susan has it too, just in case… are you sure you should be working a double shift?"

He was surprised at her attentiveness and it was clear on his face. "I'll be fine. Are you ready to go?"

"No, but neither are you." She looked at his pajamas.

"Give me five minutes." He went back to his room.

"What about your toast?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Hey is Susan still here?" Mark stopped at admittance.

"She's hiding out, trying to sleep in exam three." Jing Mei said absentmindedly.

"Thanks." He turned away.

"She's just done a double, John said to let her sleep."

Mark ignored her and let himself into the dark exam room.

He smiled, looking at her face, and brushed a blonde strand of hair off her face.

She opened her eyes slightly and smiled when she saw him.

"Hey sleepy." He cocked his head to one side.

"Hey." She sat up and kissed him. It was meant to be a quick kiss but it didn't go as planned.

"Good morning to you too." He smiled cheekily when she pulled away.

"Oh, I love you." She breathed, holding his face in her hands.

"This was definitely worth coming in early for."

"What's the time?"

"Quarter to seven."

"I'm off in fifteen minutes." She rubbed her tired eyes.

"You must be shattered."

"I'll be fine. What are you doing here – other than visiting me?"

"I'm working." He said, like it was the most obvious thing.

"But isn't your surgery at one?"

He nodded, "I finish early."

"Mark…"

"I'll be fine."

"I'll come see you after."

"No, you need to go home to sleep." He ran his hands back through her hair.

"I'll sleep, then I'll come back." She kissed him again and got off the bed, rearranging her clothes, trying to look something like presentable.

He stood by the door and waited for her.

"What?" she questioned his stare.

"You're so beautiful."

"Seduce me at home." She grinned.

"I might not be up to it tonight." He touched her face.

She reached up into a tight embrace, full of the knowledge that she might not be able to do that in the near future.

"I'll be fine. It's not dangerous surgery."

"I know." She pulled back and opened the door. He walked out into the hall and she followed. "I'll see you this afternoon."

He nodded. "Thank you."

She looked confused but brushed it off and backed away, "Don't work too hard."

Susan looked through the window. Mark was still talking to a white coat. She leant against the wall beside the door and waited. When the white coat exited she went in.

Mark pulled his shirt on.

"How you feeling?"

"Side effects haven't kicked in quite yet." He turned to her – not wanting her to fuss about him. "I'm supposed to be down in the ER for a couple more hours."

"Are you serious?"

"I'm fine, really."

"They don't need you." She shook her head.

"Oh, that's good for my ego."

"Your ego will be fine too. I'm taking you home." She passed him his coat from where it was hung over a chair.

"I warned you before, I might not be up to seducing you tonight."

She laughed silently but her humour turned to heartfelt concern. "You shouldn't be working today."

"It's okay, I'll go home."

She knew he wasn't feeling good – he never gave in that quickly.