Patrick crept silently into Lara's bedroom, and perched precariously on the end of the bed. He watched as Lara slept, her eyes tightly shut, and the teddy bear close by. For the first time that night Lara had actually slept, whereas before she was restless, unable to sleep. Having Patrick there seemed to help Lara relax, because for the first time in 3 years she felt safe and secure, just knowing that there was someone who seemed to care. Patrick smiled, ut this was only the beginning.

It was another hour before Lara began to wake up. Patrick remained by the bed, so that he was there for her. He watched as his sleeping beauty awoke from her perpetual slumber, with her prince charming looking on contentedly, waiting for the right moment to deliver the kiss of life. He leant over and kissed her softly, as to not startle her. She stretched, before sitting up. She noticed Patrick, sitting there.

"Hi... how long have you been here?" She asked, her voice slightly croaky from all the crying and shouting the day before. She cleared her throat, before collapsing back onto the bed.

"What time is it?" She asked, rubbing her eyes, sighing loudly. She glanced over at the clock beside her bed. It read 9:30. Her shift was meant to start to start in half an hour. She sighed loudly, and with that she got up. She walked out of the room, when Patrick picked up the phone and placed it on the table.

"Ring Max... tell him you won't be in today". There was a look of disbelief and confusion on Lara's face. What to do? Should she pull a sickie, or explain all to him? After all, he saw what she was like, and he should understand. Patrick held out the phone.

"Go on". He said, encouraging Lara to ring Max, say she wasn't coming in today. She took it, and walked back into the bedroom. She sat on the unmade bed, and dialled the number.

"Hello Holby ED, how can I help?" A voice said. Lara smiled, as the familiar voice belonged to Bex.

"Oh hi Bex, is Max around?" She asked, yawning quietly.

"Hi lar.. he's up in his office, i'll put you through". She tanked her, and waited anxiously. Patrick towered above her, waiting to catch her if she fell. He didn't dare say anything in case anyone heard.

"Hullo...Lara?" A voice answered. It was Max's familiar warming voice.

"Hi Max.. Erm would it be ok to talk to you about something?" She waited anxiously for a reply.

"Yeah that's fine hun.. Why don't you come in later, around, say, 1:30? The department shouldn't be too busy then. I'll meet you at reception".

"Yeah that's fine..I'll see you then". Lara breathed a sigh of relief as she hung up the phone. Patrick delicately laid a hand on her shoulder, smiling contentedly. Lara stood up slowly, and turned round to face him. He was wearing the clothes that he was wearing the night he died. It was like he never went away .It felt like nothing had changed. He hadn't changed one bit. Patrick followed as Lara walked out of the bedroom, and into the kitchen. There she began searching through the cupboards, before rushing through to the bathroom. There she began rummaging through one of the cupboards. She paused, and pulled out a small box.

"Lara..what's that?" Patrick asked inquisitively. He glanced over, but couldn't make out any writing.

"It's.. Er.. Calms me down..I started taking them after the..." She stopped, before opening the box.

"Started taking them after what?" He asked, pushing for an answer.

"Nothing. Really it's nothing" she said, stealing the box away from him.