Sorry it took so long to update but I changed my mind so many times on what I was going to do and finally decide on something. Thank you for all the lovely reviews they really spurred me on to keep going with this story.

Back in the ED

Charlie and Tess were standing at the nurses station looking on with astonishment at how full the ED was today.

"This place is manic today, we really need back up, Dylan and Ruth can't handle this on their own"

"I know Charlie, but everyone else has the day off, will I call a low come ?"

"Call Zoe she won't mind coming in, she practically lives in this place anyway"

"Ok, I'll page her first though" Tess paged Zoe and then returned to reception thirty minutes later to see if there was a reply.

"Noel, have you heard anything from Doctor Hanna?"

"No, but if I know her she won't be in any state to work" Noel replied giddily, he smirked as he turned around and returned to work. Zoe had a reputation for going a bit too far sometimes, especially when she had the next day off.

"Yes, but I might just give her a call just in case" Tess knew that Noel was probably right but she also had reservations in the back of her mind because of the way Zoe had been acting over the last few weeks. Tess walked into her office and dialled the number. A voice she did not recognise answered.

"Hello...Mmnn is Doctor Hanna there... She is in theatre at the moment but I can take a message... Sorry but who am I speaking too... Oh yes sorry, I am Nurse Barron, I work on the post-op ward at Holby City Hospital... Do you have any idea when Doctor Hanna will be available?... Yes, she should be out in the next 2 hours but it will take a few hours for the anaesthesia to wear off... Ok thank you... Wait sorry can I take a name" But before answering Tess had already hung up. Everything had now started to make sense, the strange phone call, the vomiting and the general down mood. Tess sat still at her desk deciding on what she was going to do, when Charlie knocked on the door.

"Can she come in ?" Tess hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Mmmn no, she's away at her mum's for the weekend"

"Ok, I think we will be ok, the place is getting quiet now anyway" Tess gave a slight smile as Charlie left. She was going to tell Nick but then decided that it was none of her business to tell him, that was up to Zoe. Tess decided that once her shift as finished she would go and find Zoe, not knowing what to expect.

...

Zoe's eyes flickered open to see Tess sitting at her bedside. She tried to sit up but slumped back down when she realised she didn't have the strength. They sat in silence for a few moments as Tess beamed that look of sympathy that Zoe knew all to well at her.

"I had to say I was your mother to get in, I hope you don't mind?"

"No, it's fine... how did you...find out?" Zoe's voice was still groggy as she had just woken up.

"I called your mobile to see if you could cover and a nurse answered"

"Oh" Zoe now knew her secret was out, she was no longer going to be able to get out of answering questions.

"Do you want to tell me why you are here ?"

"I had an oophorectomy"

"Well, I know that but why?"

"I have...I have cancer" Zoe's voice began to crack when she said those words.

"Oh sweetheart" Tess stood up and pulled Zoe into a comforting hug however she was careful not to squeeze to hard as Zoe still had a healing wound.

Tess sat back down when the nurse entered to look Zoe over, the nurse quickly left them in silence again. Tess shuffled in her handbag to find her mobile and then held it out to Zoe.

"Call him"

"What?"

"Call Nick"

"Tess, Nick and I aren't together anymore, he's with Yvonne"

"I know Zoe, but we all can see you both still love each other, the flirtatious comments and caring looks don't go a miss you know"

"Well, he's with Yvonne now, he's happy Tess and really don't want to mess that up for him"

"Ok, well I guess I can't force you too" Tess stood up and gathered her things.

"I'll be back tomorrow, so if you need something just call, goodbye sweetie" Tess leaned over and kissed her on the forehead before leaving.

"Thank you Tess...really thank you"

Sorry it's crap, it's a bit of a filler chapter, the big thing will happen in the next chapter. I promise I will update ASAP... Probably in the next few days.