Enjoy the next chapter, and thank you all for your reviews.


Chase stood outside the door, taking a deep breath before pushing it open and stepping in. It was her – after so many years, she hadn't changed at all. She sat up in bed, awake, watching him. He avoided her gaze and busied himself with checking the monitors to the side of her bed. Once he couldn't justify spending any more time checking her heart rate, he picked up her chart and retreated to the single chair in the corner. He sat taking notes in silence, frantically chewing on the lid of his biro.

"Hey Oz." Her quiet voice broke the silence. Chase didn't look up from his notes. "Still chewing on anything and everything!" She joked, trying to raise a smile, but he still kept his head down.

"Mrs. Ryan." He started, pleased that his voice was steady. "I'd like to ask you some questions if I may." She looked hurt at his cold tone of voice.

"Robbie," she whispered, "don't be like that…" Chase acted as if he hadn't heard her.

"Have you been abroad in the last year?"

"Robbie…" she pleaded.

"Please just answer the question, ma'am." She looked like she'd been slapped.

"Yes. I went to England for a 3 week walking holiday in May." Her voice was dull, and the sparkle in her eyes had faded.

"Any medical problems whilst you were away?" His voice matched hers.

"No."

"Anything whilst you were back home?"

"Um… my legs were a bit swollen, but I figured that was from too much walking."

"Uh huh" said Chase, noting something down on her chart. He continued questioning her, and she continued to answer, the tension in the room so thick you could cut it with a knife – even if both were trying to keep the conversation light. "Right. I think there's enough stuff here for now." Chase said, rising from his seat. "Thank you, Miss Ryan. Someone will be along shortly to let you know what's going on."

"Ok." She replied, in a small voice. He walked to the door, but stopped with his fingers gripping the handle, as he heard her voice.

"Oz… Oz, am I going to be Ok?" Chase turned and looked directly at her.

"You'll be fine, Pip" he whispered, before leaving. Once the door was safely closed, he leant against the wall and sighed softly. Dammit, this was hard.