"Oh, my life is changing every day, in every possible way. And oh, my dreams, it's never quite as it seems. I know I felt like this before, but now I'm feeling it even more. Because it came from you, then I open up and see, the person falling here is me. A different way to be." - THE CRANBERRIES

So this chapter is a little different, I've gone for the coma dream trope and how Kate and Jo could have met AU style.

And yes, Steve is a dog, idk why but it just kinda worked and I think a Labrador would suit him?

The chocolate brown Labrador bounded into the overgrown garden, eagerly seeking new friends to play with. He skidded to a sudden halt, eyes wide and alert as he looked around. Upon spotting her he decided the sleeping cat would be a great new play friend. He gently nudged the cat, as if to say, come on let's play.

The tabby replied with a low growl and swept an angry paw through the air causing the labrador to jump back, tail between his legs.

The small dark tabby hissed loudly as she arched her back, she did not appreciate the inquisitive Labrador interrupting her afternoon nap.

The Labrador stopped mid-bound, turning his head to the side in confusion. The little cat looked friendly, but it seemed she didn't want to play.

The cat hissed again, sweeping the air again with her front paw, claws drawn, trying to send a message to the seemingly stupid lump of a dog. Will you leave me alone, you great big oaf.

The dog whimpered slightly in return, he was used to getting plenty of attention and always finding someone to play with.

Moments later, Kate appeared from behind the tangled hedge. "C'mere you daft thing!" She called out to the dog, who quickly bounded back to his owner's side.

Hearing the commotion coming from outside, a petite woman with chestnut brown hair came out of the cottage, a battered cardboard removal box still tucked under one arm.

"Think he's bitten off more than he can chew there," Kate joked, greeting the stranger with a warm smile. "Steve y'soppy sod!" she gushed, affectionately rubbing the dog's head.

The cat hissed a few more times.

"Sammi! There's no need to be so mean!" the brunette addressed the feisty cat. "Sorry!" she apologised. "She can be a bit feisty around other animals, and people for that matter, that she doesn't know."

The dog had taken to cowering behind Kate's legs. "S'alright" she said with a smile. "Steve likes to think he's all tough, but he's a soppy lump at heart and he wouldn't hurt a fly. You gotta love him for it though." The Labrador gave a short bark of agreement, playfully nudging Kate's legs.

"I'm Kate by the way," she said, holding her hand out to the brunette. "I live down the road at number 12."

"Jo," the older woman replied with a smile. "I'm guessing you've already worked out that I've just moved in." she pointed to the sold sign standing in front of her Cottage, putting the box down on the stone step so she could accept Kate's hand.

"Yeah," Kate grinned back. "I'm no detective, but I figured as much. Nice to have some new neighbours, this house had been sat empty for ages."

The small Tabby wound its way around Jo's legs purring loudly as if to say, see I can be nice...

"Mum!" a voice shouted from behind Kate and a young boy came running up to her, playfully rubbing Steve in the head.

Kate wrapped a loving arm around the young boy, still smiling at Jo.

"And this, this is my son Josh."

Josh smiled shyly at Jo before turning back to Steve. "Come on boy, let's go find your ball." He ran off across the field with the brown Labrador lolloping behind him.

"My two boys," Kate said, still smiling. "I should probably see to it that they don't cause too much trouble, but if you fancy poppin' round for a brew later, you're more than welcome."

"Thanks," Jo smiled shyly. "I've not yet found the box with the kettle in so I might take you up on that."

Only a few hours later, Jo took Kate up on her offer. She knocked hesitantly at the deep blue front door and it wasn't long before Kate was placing two steaming mugs of tea down on the kitchen table. She then turned back around to rummage in the cupboards.

"Sorry, all I've got to offer is some choccy digestives," she said as she sat down at the chair across from Jo and placed the packet down on the table between them.

"Don't worry, chocolate digestives are fine," Jo replied with a warm smile. "A tea was enough, I forgot how tiring moving can be."

"You come from far?" Kate asked.

"Only from the city," Jo answered. "I fancied a change and fell in love with this little place the moment I saw it!"

A wide grin spread across Kate's face, "Yeah, this little village has a way of working its way into your heart. I thought I'd always be a city kid, but then I moved out here when Josh were little, things ended badly with his dad, and we needed a change. Ain't looked back since."

"Sorry to hear that," Jo replied earnestly.

"It were a long time ago," Kate responded with a sad smile, but there was an unmistakable hint of a cry caught at the back of her throat.

"Doesn't always mean it hurts less," Jo responded, her dark eyes suddenly clouded with an all too familiar pain.

As if he could sense the change Steve bounded into the kitchen, affectionately nudging at Kate's leg before scrambling underneath the table to rest his head on Jo's lap. He always seemed to know where and when comfort was needed the most.

"Hello again," Jo gushed, gently ruffling Steve's ears. "At least I've got one friend here," she joked.

"Make that two!" Kate grinned. "You're more than welcome to join us for a walk anytime and both me and Steve would love the company."

Although she had known her for only a few hours, Kate found the shy brunette so easy to talk to. There was something about her soft Scottish lilt and warm chestnut waves that made her heart flutter. She wasn't quite sure what the feeling was. She just hoped that she had found someone to share her sanctuary with.

The Saturday morning dawned crisp and clear.

Jo had happily accepted Kate's offer to join her and Steve for a day's hike around the local peaks. With Josh staying with a friend all weekend for football training Kate was grateful for the company and the chance to get to know the shy Scot a little better. She was a little nervous and had checked and rechecked her rucksack and hiking gear multiple times already that morning. She wasn't sure why, but just thinking of Jo made all manner of feelings bubble up inside of her, and she just wanted the day to go right.

Steve, on the other hand, was as boisterous as ever. The Labrador could barely wait to get out the door, he jumped around the kitchen excitedly. He'd already spotted Kate's walking boots and rucksack by the door so knew they'd be going for a long hike, and he loved long hikes. There were always other dogs to play with, fun things to chase and so many interesting smells.

"All right, mate!" Kate sighed, tipping her half-drunk tea into the sink and shoving a piece of toast in her mouth, it seemed Steve was not going to wait any longer.

She grabbed the sandwiches and a bottle of water from the fridge and laced up her boots while munching the final mouthful of toast. "If I get indigestion later, I'm gonna blame you, you impatient lump!" she joked, clipping Steve's harness in place.

Steve just looked at her with his large brown eyes and pawed expectantly at the door.

Steve bounded towards Jo, greeting her excitedly with a nudge to the legs that almost knocked the petite brunette off balance.

She stumbled for a second but steadied herself against the wall while a slightly flustered Kate caught up with the boisterous Labrador.

"Sorry!" Kate rushed, "he saw me boots by the door and has been bouncing round the house all morning. I only managed half my breakfast before being dragged out the door!"

"Oh Steve!" Jo ruffled the dog's ears, "it's a good job you're such a cutie."

"And he knows it!" Kate added with a smile.

The trio set off towards the woods, taking the track around the back of the cottages and out into the fields. The landscape quickly opened up to an expanse of rolling green hills, the grass glistening with morning dew drops. The trail wound its way up the hillside leading into the woodland that was glowing in all its Autumn glory. The trees were a wash with deep reds and burnt oranges, and streaks of golden light broke through the leaves.

"I love the colours this time of year," Jo said softly.

"Yeah," Kate agreed. "It might sound silly but growing up in the city we didn't get any of this and now, even after years of living here, it still feels magical."

"That's not silly at all." Jo insisted, "it's beautiful, that's what I always think. Autumn reminds us that change can be beautiful."

After stopping in a small clearing to share sandwiches and a flask of tea Jo had brought with her the trio continued their journey, the woodland giving way to a rockier landscape as the trail led out onto the moors.

They followed the path along the ridge overlooking the village, though the walk became more scramble at some points. Steve was constantly bounding far in front of the two women before then turning, his head titled slightly to the side as he implored them to keep up.

"Oh, you daft dog! We don't all have four legs like you do mate!" Kate had joked.

Dusk was beginning to settle as the trio and a now somewhat exhausted Labrador were finally making their way back into the Village.

They stopped in front of the pub, warm golden light spilled from the windows, staining the pavement a deep shade of orange.

"Fancy joining me for a drink?" Kate asked. "They do pretty good food too and all I've got at home to offer is frozen pizza." She had enjoyed every moment so far with Jo and she didn't want the day to end.

Jo hesitated for a brief moment, but the warm glow coming from the windows of the pub and Kate's kind smile were too much to resist. "Yeah, go on then"

The pub was warm and comforting, a fire cracked and sparked in one corner, its warmth making both Kate and Jo's cheeks flush red.

Steve excitedly greeted the man behind the bar and wagged his tail even harder when he saw him reaching for the jar of dog biscuits.

He held it up to show Kate and she nodded in agreement, commanding Steve to sit and wait patiently for the treat. Steve did so but he was clearly itching to leap up and demand more attention, he'd become well acquainted with both the pub and its friendly owner in recent years and he was always excited to see Freddie. Freddie always gave good cuddles and he always had treats.

"Think we might have worn him out for once after today's hike!" Kate smiled warmly at Freddie, who was now happily giving Steve belly rubs.

Kate and Jo shrugged off their coats and stomped the mud off their boots before wandering across the pub and nestling into a table in the far corner. After a quick drink of water Steve lolloped towards them, he wriggled his way under the table and promptly fell asleep.

The conversation flowed easily between the two women, only being interrupted briefly when the food order arrived.

"Fancy another?" Kate gestured to the now empty wine glasses.

"Go on then," Jo smiled back at Kate.

"So, Kate," Freddie said with a sly smile as Kate placed their drinks order at the bar. "You gonna tell me about your hot date?"

"We're just friends," Kate laughed back, knowing how well the pub landlord liked to gossip.

"Hmm," Freddie replied with raised eyebrows and a knowing grin. He handed Kate the wine bottle and a couple of glasses, looking over to the corner where Jo was sat. "In my experience, that is not how just friends look at each other."

Freddie's words were still spiralling around Kate's mind when she set the wine and glasses down on the table. She caught how Jo's eyes flickered golden in the warm half-light and the shy smile that broke across her face. Her heart began to flutter, and she felt a rush of warmth flood through her. She sat down, nestled into the corner with Jo, close but not quite touching, Kate finally realised what that feeling could be. Love.

The evening wore on and the time came for the women to part, night had drawn in and there was a biting chill to the air.

"Brrrr," Jo grumbled, pulling her coat tighter.

A sleepy Steve nudged the back of Kate's legs, causing her to take a step closer to Jo.

Jo reached out and wrapped her arms around Kate. "Thank you for today," she whispered. "It was just lovely."

They held the embrace for just moments, it was warm and comforting and felt so right. Kate's heart fluttered and her cheeks flushed, for those few seconds, it was just Kate and Jo, the world around them seemed to still and Kate was sure. This was how it felt, this was love.

The ache Kate felt in her heart as they parted only made her more certain.

Love.

She was in love with Jo.

The leaves slowly fell and Kate and Jo continued to grow closer.

November brought rain, wind and storms.

It was cold and grey, but Kate had never felt more alive.

November brought cosy shared evenings in front of the TV or sometimes just talking.

Talking freely and openly without judgement.

Kate sharing some of the antics the kids at school got up to and the even more dramatic things that went on between the staff.

Jo rattling off story ideas and plot twists with jokes of, "my publisher might kill me if they knew I were telling you all this."

Nothing had ever felt so easy. Nothing had ever felt so right.

Yet still, she didn't say it. The feeling that now had a name, the feeling that burnt through every fibre of her being. Love.

Because if she said it out loud, she risked everything and she didn't know if her heart could take that.

"Gosh that was so good," Kate smiled, mopping up the last of the curry with a chunk of naan bread.

Jo shrugged nonchalantly from across the table. "I just threw some things together, it's nothing special."

"Well to me it was," Kate smiled. "A jar of ready-made sauce and some chicken is as good as it gets in my house. Providing I don't burn the rice."

"You've managed to burn rice!" Jo made an expression of mock horror.

"Josh always says my cooking comes with a touch of charcoal flavour!" Kate joked, though the tickle in her throat quickly turned her laughter into a full-blown coughing fit.

"You're still suffering with that cold!" Jo's eyes grew wide with concern.

Kate nodded grimly, if she was honest, she felt terrible, but she didn't want Jo to worry.

"I've been teaching for 10 years and still haven't built up an immunity to all the germs the kids seem to carry in," she joked trying to lighten the mood.

Jo saw through her in an instant. "I know you think it's just a cold, but it might be worth getting checked out at the Doctors."

"M'fine," Kate protested. "There's all sorts of stuff going round this time of year and working with kids in a stuffy classroom all day I'm bound to pick something up."

Jo narrowed her eyes slightly, concern etched into her usually soft features.

"Still, from the way you're coughing, it sounds like it's getting to your chest and that's never good."

Kate tried to protest further but was waylaid by another coughing fit.

Jo placed a glass of water down next to her and proceeded to rub her back gently until the hacking coughs had subsided.

"It's alright," she soothed. "It's horrible being ill but you're not going do yourself any good if you ignore it."

"M'kay," Kate grumbled in reluctant acceptance. "I'll make an appointment for first thing tomorrow."

Jo had been right, of course. It wasn't just a cold. Chest infection. The Doctor diagnosed after a quick listen to Kate's chest. A course of antibiotics, plenty of fluids and most importantly, rest.

But Kate was Kate, all stubbornness and determination and putting everyone else in front of herself, plus she had too much to do to take any time away from school. So, it was no wonder that a week later she found herself back in the Doctor's Surgery if anything feeling worse than she had on the previous visit.

Bernie removed the blood-pressure cuff from Kate's arm and rolled back under her desk.

"Your blood pressure is on the low side and there's a slight crackle in your chest. I'm thinking pneumonia, but I'd like you to get a blood test to be sure."

"Have you been resting like I told you to last week?"

Kate just looked at the floor. She had intended on phoning in ill, but it was the last couple of weeks of term before Christmas, and there was the pantomime to sort out, plus the class Christmas party, the carol service and she still had reports and marking coming out of her ears.

"I…"

"I'll take that as a no," Bernie said bluntly. She'd known the young teacher for too long. Kate was a brilliant teacher and clearly cared very much about her job and the kids, but she had never been one for following advice or orders, even when they came from a medical professional.

"I know how much your job and the kids mean to you, but you're going to make yourself really ill one day if you don't listen to your body and rest and give yourself time to recover. This is the third time in the last few years that you've come in with chest infections that I'm sure started out as the standard winter cold, but when you don't rest and keep putting yourself under such stress, it's no wonder you end up quite unwell."

She shot Kate a look from above her glasses that indicated she was deadly serious.

"Sorry," Kate mumbled, suddenly feeling very much like a disobedient pupil.

"I'm going to prescribe a new course of antibiotics," Bernie stated, handing Kate a green slip of paper. "They should take effect pretty quickly, but if you feel no better within 48 hours, or you start to feel worse at all, don't come back here, go straight to A&E. If this is pneumonia, it can get very serious, very quickly."

"Thanks," Kate mumbled, diligently taking the slip from the Doctor.

"You're too stubborn, for your own good sometimes." Bernie sighed. "Is there anyone who can check in on you occasionally?"

"Well, there's Jo," Kate said with a slight wheeze. "She lives a few doors down and I guess we've gotten quite friendly…"

"Ahh," Bernie smiled. "The illusive mystery writer." She fixed Kate with a look that suggested she knew exactly what she meant with quite friendly.

Kate got up to leave, coughing heavily, the crackle in her chest clearly audible in the small room.

"I mean it, Kate," Bernie rolled back out from her desk and towards Kate, placing a gentle hand on Kate's arm to stop her from leaving. "I worry about you."

Her face was lined with concern, but her eyes were kind.

"Just try and rest, please. I know you want to be there for Josh and the kids at school, but you'll do no one any good if you end up in hospital, or worse…"

A few days later and Kate was still feeling awful. She felt so weak that she'd been forced to take time off from work and in the past couple of days she hadn't even made it out of bed.

She rolled wearily onto her side, coughing weakly. Lying on her back left her unable to breathe. Tangled in her duvet, she was shivering despite the burning fever. Everything hurt. Why did everything hurt? Her head felt so foggy.

What had Bernie told her? She couldn't remember…

"Mum!" Josh was shouting, but everything sounded so muffled. "Mum, say something please!"

Kate wanted to answer, but she couldn't form the words. She couldn't breathe. Her chest hurt so much, she gasped for air, but no oxygen reached her lungs.

Everything hurt.

"I need you mate. You've got to keep fighting."

Kate's brow furrowed. That wasn't right. She could hear Steve's voice. But that can't be. Steve? Why was Steve talking to her, why was Steve talking at all…

Everything was being drowned out by an erratic beeping.

Kate felt as if she was falling. Spiralling into the darkness.

Down…

Jo.

Where was Jo?

Down…

She was going to die, and she never told her.

I love you, Jo. I'm sorry, I should have told you.

I love you…

Down…

Sounds overlapped and voices jumbled. Kate's head was spinning as the darkness dragged her down.

"K-know y-you weren't p-pr… pre-tending. L-love y-you."

Down…

"I miss you…"

Down…

"Keep fighting mate, y'hear me."

Down…

"P… p-please w-wake u-up,"

Down…

"Please mum, I love you and I don't want anything to happen to you…"

Down…

The beeping grew louder, a continuous toned screamed, then everything went black.