DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters of Sam Nixon and Jo Masters.. They are the property of TalkbackThames and shall be safely returned to their original state once I have finished with them. evil grin

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the delay in updating, been busy working. Currently writing next chapter so stay tuned!

Chapter 3:

Jo stirred, a dull ache in her left shoulder waking her from her unconscious state. As she opened her eyes slowly, Jo tried to gauge exactly where she was from her blurry surroundings.

As her eyes came into focus, she realised she was in hospital. Jo turned her attention towards the doors as she saw movement outside her room, noticing Sam curled up in a hard plastic chair beside her bed, sleeping peacefully.

At that moment, Jo felt Sam's hand move slightly over her own. Jo smiled, trying her best not to move. She didn't want to wake her slumbering superior, Sam looked so happy and, strangely, comfortable. It was a side of Sam she had never seend before, a peaceful, calming one.

Jo suddenly felt a sharp pain in her shoulder, coursing through her body and she couldn't help flinching. Sam woke instantaneously, smiling as she saw Jo was awake.

"Hey," Sam said, "How you feeling?"

"Just a little sore," Jo replied, "Sorry for waking you."

"It's okay, I'd just dozed off," Sam answered, "The doctors said you'll be fine. You have to wear a sling for support for at least a few weeks until your shoulder heals properly. You're allowed to go home in the morning."

"The morning?" Jo queried, sounding slightly annoyed, "I can't stay in here overnight, I hate hospitals."

"You don't have a choice I'm afraid," Sam said, "Unless there's someone you can stay with… Oh, I completely forgot about Tess, I'll give her a call."

Sam stood and went to leave the room, but Jo touched Sam's arm lightly to stop her. Sam turned back around to face Jo.

"Don't," Jo began, looking slightly saddened, "There's no point, we've split up."

Jo's eyes drifted away from Sam to the other side of the room as Sam sat back down beside Jo.

"Oh Jo, I'm so sorry, I had no idea," Sam replied.

"It's okay, things weren't really working anymore," Jo said.

"Is this why you've been a bit spaced out and tired at work?" Sam asked.

"Yeah, partly," Jo responded, "Look, Sam, I can't stay here, I'll go crazy."

"You could… stay at mine?" Sam suggested, rather nervously.

"I… I wouldn't want to put you out," Jo stammered.

"You wouldn't be. Quite frankly I could do with the company," Sam admitted.

"In that case, I would be extremely grateful, thank you," Jo replied, smiling.

"Right," Sam continued, smiling back at Jo, "I'll go and fins someone so we can get you out of here."

Sam stood and left the room, leaving Jo to ponder about what had just happened, and the kind of caring expression on Sam's face when she had offered to help her out.


"Okay, the living room is through there, make yourself comfortable and I'll put the kettle on," Sam said as she led Jo up the hallway of her house.

"Thanks," Jo said as she walked through and sat herself down on the couch, leaning her sling against the arm of the couch to take some weight off her neck. She smiled as she looked around the room, everything appeared ordered and neat, just like Sam's office… well most of the time. Her thoughts were interrupted when Sam appeared in the doorway and Jo looked over at her.

"Tea or coffee?" Sam asked.

"Coffee would be great," Jo smiled as she watched Sam disappear on her way back to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Sam walked through with two mugs of steaming coffee. Jo took one from Sam and smiled.

"Thank you," Jo said.

"Stop saying thanks for everything, its no trouble really," Sam replied.

"Sorry," Jo smiled before sipping her drink.

"So?" Sam said, "You wanna talk?"

Jo looked a little uneasy. "There's nothing to talk about," she replied, "Tess and I began to lose touch with each other, it happens."

"Yeah but I thought the two of you had a really strong bond, you seemed so happy all of the time," Sam replied.

"And when I came back from my time away from Sun Hill?" Jo asked, "How did I seem then?"

"A little stressed, but you also looked vibrant and happy," Sam responded, a little puzzled as to the questioning she was getting.

Jo didn't respond, just sipped her coffee.

"You ok?" Sam asked.

"What? Oh yeah, I was just thinking," Jo replied, "And yes Tess and I did have a really strong bond, but I guess when circumstances change you get pushed apart."

"So something happened and it weakened the bond you shared?" Sam said, "Do you want to talk about that?"

"I'm just… I'm finding it hard to cope," Jo responded, "It's hard on your own."

"You must have got so used to having someone by your side," Sam replied, "If you ever need someone to talk to and share your problems I'm here, you know that."

"Thanks," Jo said, placing her cup down on the table, turning to face Sam, "I never thought I'd be this lost without someone."

"You're a strong person, you'll be fine," Sam said, placing her hand lightly over Jo's.

"Strong? You think I'm strong?" Jo replied, tearing up, "I'm not strong at all. Everyone thinks I am, that's the appearance I like to give, but really, I'm weak and vulnerable and…"

Jo clammed up and started crying.

"Oh Jo, come here," Sam said, pulling Jo into a hug as she wept in her arms.

After a few minutes, Jo looked up at Sam. "I'm… sorry…" Jo managed, looking into Sam's eyes for a moment, who brushed her lips gently against Jo's. Sam kissed Jo lightly and Jo responded slowly at first but then returned the kiss tenderly. As both women pulled away they both felt a little breathless.

"I… I'm sorry," Sam began.

Jo pressed a finger against Sam's lips. "You have nothing to be sorry for," she replied, smiling softly.

Sam smiled then held Jo closer. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to just hold you in my arms and kiss you," she said.

"Probably as long as I have," Jo replied, smiling with a slight yawn.

"Come on, you've had a big day," Sam said, "Why don't you go up to my room and have a sleep."

"Are you sure?" Jo asked.

"Yeah, go on," Sam replied.

Jo smiled and got up slowly, moving towards the door before turning back around to face Sam. "Aren't you coming?" Jo asked.

"Oh, I…" Sam said, suddenly feeling nervous.

"It's ok, we can just cuddle if you want," Jo replied, holding out a hand to Sam.

"I'd like that," Sam said, taking Jo's hand in her own and leading her up to the bedroom.

Both women lay down on the bed and Sam took Jo in her arms. They kissed each other gently before Jo fell asleep.


Jo woke sometime later and looked at the clock - 22:00. It was the longest she'd slept in ages. Jo smiled as she saw Sam in the same peaceful state she had been in early when she was in the hospital. Manoeuvring herself out of Sam's arms so gently that Sam didn't wake, Jo found a pen and some paper and wrote Sam a note. Jo called herself a taxi and waited in Sam's bedroom, watching her until she heard the horn of the taxi outside. Jo kissed Sam's forehead lightly, placing the letter on the bedside table before leaving the house.
Sam woke a few hours later to an empty bed. "Jo?" she called. When there was no response, she turned on the lamp on and squinted as she searched the room for any resemblance of Jo. Sam went to get up but noticed the piece of paper beside her bed and picked it up. Sam read the note:

Sam,

Sorry I had to leave. There were things I had to sort out. This isn't a goodbye and its not a rejection. The kisses, the cuddles, they were all wonderful. I care about you so much and if you care about me as much as I think you do, the next time you see me you won't ask me why I left. I am so sorry, I really wanted to wake up with you. You looked so peaceful and beautiful. Sleep well.

Jo x

Sam studied the note, trying to figure out why it was that Jo had to leave.