Ltfl: I think so. He doesn't understand but is also worried about Lily. Thank you, I love Gem's character and I love her scenes with Lily so I really hope she stays. I find her quite easy to write for to be honest and I do it. She'll feature quite heavily in this story :-)

Dancingwithmyshadow6: Me too and let's hope so. Thanks for reviewing :-)

Sally b: There will be a point where you think she's getting better, but something happens. I won't give too much away. Iain and Lily will get together soon though, and it starts with this chapter. Thank you and enjoy :-)

Chapter Thirty

"How's Lily doing?" Jez asked Iain the next morning.

The two of them were taking a small break and whilst they were having that break, they were playing basketball in the ambulance bay. Jez didn't seem to care but Iain was secretly praying that Connie wouldn't walk in on them, or they'd both be toast.

"Not great," Iain replied, as honestly as he good, leaping up to make a basket. "But she's seeing Mary today so that should be good. It's her first session so I think Mary is coming to the ED so Lily can chat to her in a place where she feels most comfortable."

"They can't keep bending over backwards for her though, can they?" Jez said, snatching the ball away from Iain.

"They're not," Iain said, immediately snatching it back. "It's just for the first session. Besides, Mrs Beauchamp needed to chat to Mary about her progress."

"So when does she have to go to court?" Jez asked, clearing his throat.

"April the 18th," Iain said. "And it isn't going to be easy for her so up until then, we need to be nice. I know that that must be extremely difficult for you," he joked, and chuckled to himself. "Seriously though, she's going to be feeling delicate."

"Dude, I know," Jez said. "Stop worrying."

Iain nodded and threw the ball to one side, just as Lily entered the bay. She wore her usual long brown coat and had her hands in her pockets. Her hair was down and straightened and she looked almost like her old self again.

"Hey Chuckles," Iain said. "We were just talking about you."

"Good things, I hope," Lily said, walking over and wrapping an arm around his waist for a hug.

Alarmed, Iain immediately hugged her back whilst Jez tried his best to put on his nice act for Lily's sake.

"Of course they were good things," he said.

"Jez," Iain laughed, rubbing Lily's back soothingly. "Could you give us a minute?" Jez nodded, hurried off to pick up the ball, and left the ambulance bay at once. "I thought you had an appointment with Mary today," Iain said to Lily.

"I do, but it isn't until later," Lily said. "I just wanted to see you first. Sorry."

"Don't apologise," Iain said, shaking his head at her. "I'm glad that you have come to see me." He looked down at her when she didn't say anything and said, "Lils. Are you sure things are okay? You're not nervous about this appointment, are you? Things will be fine, and Mary is really nice isn't she?"

"Yeah she is," Lily said, smiling up at him, as he continued to rub her back.

"You okay?" Iain asked, as she just continued to stare at him.

Lily smiled and leaned up, slowly pressing her lips against his. Iain stayed fixated to the spot, his arm around her still. He didn't pull away, and he didn't complain, but instead just waited until Lily had pulled away.

"Sorry," she whispered softly, gripping onto the ends of his jacket.

"No, stop apologising alright?" He said, holding a hand up to her. "What was that all about?"

"I've been thinking," Lily said, her voice still soft and quiet.

"Sit down," Iain said, gesturing towards the ambulance. He sat on the edge with his legs dangling, and Lily perched next to him with her hands still in her pockets. "What have you been thinking about then?"

"You," Lily said, a small smile on her face. "I know I freaked out before so, this probably seems extremely hypocritical right now. I don't want Archie to ruin my life though." Iain nodded at her, staying silent so that she could continue. "All I've ever wanted is a happy relationship and I still want that. I don't want to live in fear all my life and never getting the happy ending, just because of one man."

"It won't be forever, Lily," Iain said.

"Maybe not," she sighed. "But if I don't start dating now, then it may never happen. It's like learning to drive, right? Sure you're scared but if you let the fear get in the way, then you'll never do it."

"I don't think you can compare an abusive relationship to learning to drive," Iain said, suddenly realising what he'd said. "Sorry."

"It's fine." Lily shook her head at him. "You can say the word abuse, you know? The world isn't going to end."

"So what do you want to do then?" Iain asked. "Are you saying that you'd like to give you and I a go?"

"I think so," Lily said, turning to give him a smile. She removed her hands from her pockets and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You've been so good to me, even before you knew what was going on with Archie. You took me out, you gave me a lift home, and now you've allowed me to stay with you and Gem. You've even offered to go to court with me." She sighed and added, "I...I like you, Iain."

Iain smiled back and gently slid his hand into hers. "I like you too, Chuckles," he said. "A lot. I know you're still scared but I'm not going to hurt you. You know that, right?"

"My heart's telling me that," Lily said. "But my brain tells me differently."

"Then I'm going to have to prove it," Iain said. "Let me take you out this weekend. We can get started by going on a proper date."

"I'd like that." Lily nodded at him, as he wrapped an arm around her and kissed her cheek.

"We better get you back inside," Iain said, glancing at his watch. "Because Mary will be here soon. You okay?"

"Yeah," Lily said, resting her head against Iain's shoulder. "You always seem to make me feel better."

Connie allowed Mary and Lily to take her office, whilst she helped out in resus. A few of the staff had been complaining about being a doctor down, especially when they were so busy, but Connie didn't mind. She knew that Lily desperately needed the sessions, and the time away from work as well.

"So, how have you been?" Mary asked, as she sat in Connie's chair whilst Lily took the sofa.

Lily just shrugged her shoulders, her eyes on the closed office door. She thought that she'd be able to do it, sit through a whole session, but she was starting to feel anxious already and they hadn't even been talking for ten minutes yet.

"Lily. Are you okay?" Mary asked, obviously sensing how uncomfortable she felt.

"I just...I can't breathe," Lily whispered, running a hand through her hair.

Mary looked across at the door and sighed, before turning back to address Lily.

"Would it help if we kept the door open?" She asked.

Lily was stunned to hear her asking that. Usually people didn't bother asking what she wanted, and it caught her off guard a bit. She managed a small smile and nodded, as Mary stood up and went to open the door.

"Is that better?" She asked, and Lily nodded. "Good. I imagine being in quite a small room panics you a little bit. Am I right?"

"I...I don't know why," Lily whispered. "I was fine in here the other day, with Mrs Beauchamp. I couldn't handle Ben's office though."

"Counselling can be nervewracking," Mary mentioned. "And the fact that you're in here with the door shut, scared, probably makes it even worse. Did this boyfriend of yours ever shut you in a room by yourself?"

"No," Lily whispered, shaking her head, and picking anxiously at her nails. "Well, I spent a lot of time in my room. He used to invite himself over, but he'd make me stay in my room whilst he watched TV." Tears pricked her eyes and she said, "he never seemed bothered about spending time with me, but then he wouldn't let me spend time with anyone else either. I just felt constantly lonely."

"You're doing well," Mary encouraged her. "I just need you to complete one of my mood sheets."

"One of your what?" Lily frowned, as Mary handed her a sheet with lots of different emotions on. "I'm not five," she said.

"I know," Mary laughed. "Believe me, these are not for my child patients. They're for the adults, it's just so I can help get an understanding on how you feel in your everyday life."

"Sure," Lily sighed, as Mary handed her a pen from Connie's desk. "Thank you."

As she began to complete the form, Connie popped her head in whilst on her way to the entrance of the ED.

"Is everything okay?" She asked, wondering why the door was wide open during Lily's session.

"Lily just wanted the door open," Mary informed her. "Things are fine."

"If you're sure," Connie said. "Come and see me afterwards Mary, and we can chat."

Mary nodded, just as Connie disappeared out of sight. She turned back to Lily and asked, "are you okay with that?"

Lily just nodded in response, continuing to complete the form that had been handed to her. Mary sat and watched her. No matter how hard it would be or how long it would take, she was determined to help Lily.

I hope you enjoyed it. You'll see Lily and Iain's date in the next chapter :-) x