Standby: Chapter 2

...

Are you moving on with your life?

Did you find a job you like?

I always thought you could do anything.

~Orla Gartland, Heavy

...

Six Years Earlier

The overhead lights dimmed slightly for a split second, the tram's carriage rattling as it turned around a corner, swerving as it began making its way from the Branson family home in Killester to Sybil's flat in Drumcondra.

In the daytime, or even worse during the morning rush hour, the Luas would usually be filled with a seething mass of humanity—everyone from every walk of life all jam packed together, shoulder to shoulder like sardines in a tin; no personal space, no exceptions.

However, just after midnight that Sunday, things were a little different. It was just the pair of them in their carriage, curled up together as the inner suburbs of Ireland's metropolis whirled past their window; Artane, Clontarf, Ratheny, Rathmines, Trinity College, Broadstone.

Sybil gripped tightly onto the bright yellow bar in front of her, steading herself as the tram began to gain momentum. Rather sleepily, she moved her head from the crook of Tom's neck, pushing her flashcards back into his lap. "Ask me again?", she requested, gesturing towards her notes.

Her final exams for her Bachelors in Human Health and Disease were quickly approaching and with Tom's dissertation already finished and submitted, he had offered to help her prepare.

"Syb, you know that I haven't a clue what half of this stuff is?", he teased softly, scanning the brightly coloured cards for something familiar. "What's this one on again?"

Sybil smiled, tugging on the drawstrings of her (or more accurately his) grey Trinity College jumper as she attempted to wake herself up a bit.

"Gynaecology", she replied, shoving the rather oversized sleeves up to her elbows. "The green ones are prenatal conditions and the pink ones are postnatal."

She watched the crease between Tom's eyebrows deepen, his blue eyes skimming over her written words.

While the complex terminology for diseases and their meticulously set out treatments were certainly much more her forte than his, Sybil honestly found Tom's earnest willingness to help her out immeasurably sweet.

"I do appreciate this, you know?."

Tom flashed her a smile, one that made her heart swell.

"Don't I owe you this at least, especially after you read through all ten thousand words of my dissertation? I don't think socioeconomic journalism is any more your cup of tea than...", Tom trailed off with a frown. "What's this, Love? Pre—what?"

"E-clamp-si-a", Sybil filled in helpfully, peering over his shoulder.

"Right. Well, this is definitely more your thing than mine."

Feeling a little more awake, Sybil threw him a cheeky grin in response.

"I don't know, darling. I think you secretly have a soft spot for medical jargon."

Tom glanced up at her, eyebrows raised teasingly. "Well, they do say smart is the new sexy", he parried, playfully squeezing her knee.

Sybil smirked, looking rather like a cat who got the cream. She eyed Tom appreciatively, certain that she could (and would) pay him the very same compliment. He was her perfect match in every way; mind, body and soul. It was one of the many things she loved desperately about their relationship.

"That they do", she agreed, resting her hand purposefully on top of his.

"So are you going to enlighten me, Future Doctor Crawley?", Tom asked, knowing that if their conversations continued down this route nothing would ever get done.

Grinning slightly, Sybil easily recalled what she knew on the subject.

"Preeclampsia is diagnosed by the elevation of the expectant mother's blood pressure usually after the twentieth week of pregnancy. Important symptoms to watch for include headaches, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, confusion, heightened state of anxiety, and/or visual disturbances such as oversensitivity to light or blurred vision."

She glanced at him for confirmation, Tom nodded in approval. "Great, and the treatment?"

"Depends upon how the condition is progressing", Sybil replied, frowning slightly as she struggled to recall the more specific details. She settled back in her seat, possibly getting a quick glance into the flashcard that her boyfriend was reading from.

Tom dramatically drew her notes close to his chest, leaving her to roll her eyes at his antics.

"I wasn't trying to take a peek, you know?"

"Of course you weren't, Love", he teased in return. "Just making sure."

Sybil smirked smugly and continued to rattle off what else she remembered.

"The healthcare provider should watch for signs of instability in the mother, including very high blood pressure that isn't responding to any kind of antihypertensive drug, signs the kidneys or liver are failing, and a reduced number of red blood cells or platelets. Providers must also watch closely for indications of an impending seizure or signs the brain is about stroke. If this is the case, they may treat the patient with an intravenous drip of magnesium sulfate."

"And if an IV is not on hand?"

A beat. Sybil turned to Tom with a frown, snatching her notes from his grasp.

"Oh Fuck it!", she mumbled, feverishly scanning the cards for her answer. In the last four years that she had been studying in Ireland, her swearing had become quite a bit more flippant—something that (under more normal circumstances) amused her boyfriend to no end.

"An intermuscular shot of magnesium sulfate into the left or right buttock, how could I forget?"

Tom smiled comfortingly, running a soothing hand down her back—almost making her feel better. "Don't worry, Syb. You have time. We can still go over all of this later if you want."

Sybil smiled weakly, still tense. "It's going to be a long night."

"And I'll be with you every step of the way", Tom responded instantly, giving her a small peck on the temple. "C'mere."

Sybil sighed, taking a deep breath—hoping it would relieve some of the stress she could already feel building up in her chest. Leaning into Tom's embrace, she scarcely prevented herself from voicing aloud her most recent fears for the future—their future.

"Love, you know it'll all be grand."

"I hope so."

Looking up at Tom and seeing the genuine concern and love in his eyes, Sybil tried not to think too much about the email that she had received earlier in the week from her mother's Alma Mater in New York. They had offered her a place for the next academic year at their University's Medical School provided that her grades at the end of term were up to snuff.

...and Tom knew nothing about it...

Sybil truly and honestly hated feeling as though she was keeping something important from him, but she still hadn't decided what she wanted to say (or do!) about any of it.

Entwining their fingers, she tried desperately not to think too much about what her leaving Dublin to study in America would mean for them.

Could she really leave Tom and the life that she had grown to love so much? Did she even want to?

Sybil couldn't answer either of those questions just yet.

Present Day

Tom felt his heart hammer in his chest as he took in the sight of his ex-girlfriend, he glanced up over his computer screen—certain that Sybil hadn't seen him yet.

She looked more or less just like he remembered, although her dark curls had grown out considerably from their college days and her clothes were a little less casual.

To him, Sybil Crawley was as gorgeous as ever...maybe even more so.

He watched as his mother approached her, her voice full of instant recognition. Sybil's eyes brightened, immediately remembering Margaret Branson too.

"Sybil dear, is that you?", Margaret Branson asked in surprise, leaning over the counter to give the younger woman a quick hug. "Or should I say, Doctor Crawley?", she added teasingly.

Grinning in return, Sybil nodded. "I finished my residency a few months ago", she admitted casually, her modesty utterly betrayed by the pride shining in her eyes.

Margaret patted her on the arm. "Good girl, your family must be fierce proud."

"They are."

Tom smiled to himself, genuinely happy for Sybil—she really did look happy!

He ducked his head back down behind the computer screen as he listened to their conversation—unsure whether or not he wanted his presence known.

Did he really want to see Sybil again? Speak to her again? Surely it would be, if anything, painfully awkward.

He glanced up again, still a little amazed.

'Oh for feck's sake...', Tom thought, pulling himself together. It had been over six years since he'd seen her last. The whole latter half of their twenties had come and gone.

He was over Sybil, wasn't he? Well and truly over her.

Chancing another look, Tom was very careful not to catch Sybil's eye. His heart thumped nervously at the sight of her, betraying him totally.

Sybil smiled warmly at his mother's praise, bashfully changing the subject from her own accomplishments. "But how are you more to the point, Mrs Branson? How's everyone?"

Margaret smirked affectionately, knowing full well that the young woman standing in front of her had once loved her son to pieces. Sybil had probably been Tom's only girlfriend Margaret had genuinely grown to like over the years...but then again, it was hard to dislike Sybil.

"And by everyone you mean Tom?"

Panicking, Tom leaned further down into his chair. She didn't mince words, his mother—most certainly not.

'Ahh for god's sake, Ma!', he mumbled under his breath, unsure how his ex would take such a ribbing.

A blush crept up on Sybil's cheeks. "Well, I meant Kieran, Meadhbh and Bridget too...", she returned awkwardly, her voice coming out a little flustered as she listed off the other Branson siblings. "...but yes, how is Tom? Did he end up finding a newspaper that suited him?"

Margaret Branson glanced over her shoulder, catching Tom's eye. She winked conspiratorially at him—causing him too to redden up to his ears. "Why don't you ask him yourself?"

Sybil followed his mother's gaze, beaming instantly despite her discomfort when Tom's eyes met her own. He glanced up at her, smiling gracelessly in return—there was nowhere to hide now.

"Golly Tom, you haven't changed at all!"

They stared silently at one another for a moment, a wealth of fond memories (and not so fond memories) passing wordlessly between them in a single meaningful gaze.

Tom smiled genuinely, touched by her delight at running into one another again. "It's lovely to see you, Sybil."

Margaret chuckled slightly, motioning to a quizzical Ethel to follow her into the back office.

"I'll let you two catch up."

As they watched Margaret and Ethel leave in silence, Sybil and Tom turned back to one another hesitantly—neither entirely sure where to begin and what to say to each other after six years apart.

Awkward silences had never really been an issue between them before. For four years straight they had never once ran out of things to talk about.

"Were you trying to hide from me?", Sybil accused teasingly, finally breaking the ice.

Tom rolled his eyes, falling back into their old banter. "Would I ever?"

The two of them laughed together for a moment, the deafening tension ebbing slightly as they slowly became somewhat more at ease.

"I suppose we should hug...or something." Sybil suggested after a moment, biting her bottom lip—half expecting him to reject to such a proposal entirely.

Tom shrugged, instantly ensure of whether or not he was supposed to make the first move. He suddenly became very aware of his arms. They were hanging uselessly by his sides.

Several long seconds passed, Sybil and Tom stared blankly at one another—neither moving an inch, feet shifting uneasily .

"Do you want to?"

"I thought you didn't..."

"Only if you do"

"Do you?"

"Oh c'mere, love", Tom said decidedly, the old term of endearment slipping out accidentally as they both grew increasingly pink faced and flustered.

Sybil smiled slightly, still clearly not knowing what to do with herself as she reached up on tiptoes to stretch over the counter and embrace him. Feeling rapidly more self conscious, Tom wrapped his arms around her in return, his hands settling on her mid back.

Eyes wide up, they hung on for a little while...both waiting for the other to let go.

Tom already knew Sybil would have questions about what he was doing working in his mother's tourist office, seeing as how she'd broken up with a recently qualified Politics and Journalism graduate six years previously...but Sybil, still not looking fully comfortable, was too polite to ask about it. Tom wondered vaguely what she would make of the story, would she be impressed that he'd stuck to his principles even if it had lost him his job.

He wasn't sure he wanted to know...

"So how did you end up here again?", Tom asked, turning his full attention back to her as they disentangled themselves.

He knew that Sybil couldn't have had anyone in Dublin to visit—he hadn't been the only one she had lost touch with when she went to America. Most of their friends from college hadn't heard from Sybil at all since graduation save for the odd Facebook message.

"I was going home for Mary's birthday next weekend but my flight had some electrical troubles on the way over, so we landed here. I'm on standby for a flight to Heathrow tomorrow morning."

"Hence you're looking for a room?", Tom asked, reaching blindly to the clipboard under the counter to where his mother had tacked up several notices about local B&Bs with vacancies for the night.

"Exactly", Sybil confirmed, glancing down at the post-it note Tom had set down on the counter. She raised her eyebrows questioningly, her cheeks burning once more. Amusement coloured her voice.

"Goodness Tom, you were never subtle but this...this is on a whole other level, even for you."

Tom blinked in confusion, wondering for a second what she could possibly mean.

Then it dawned on him...

'Oh Shite', he thought to himself, instantly horrified. His heart sank and his face paled. 'Ethel's stupid bloody note'. Steeling himself amidst his embarrassment, Tom's eyes left Sybil's to read the rather crude and hastily scribbled post-it... immediately confirming his fears. He turned beet red.

'Fuck this guy!'

And just Tom's luck, the blasted arrow was pointing to him!

Hope some of you guys enjoyed this! Let me know if you're still interested in this story :)

Wishing you all a lovely week,

Pearlydewdrop xx