Thanks for all the lovely reviews - please keep them coming (40 is my next target!). And James I won't be killing off Tara in this story (she'll be making another appearance shortly) but do have an idea for another story that will include her death in it and hopefully tie up some of the other things that have happened on 'real' Holby that I have chosen not to include in this one.

Tuesday evening, Holby City Hospital

Darwin

Jonny waited on the ward for Jac to return from the case conference. He was on edge – eager to know the decision, yet dreading it at the same time. He had read the MRI scan report himself and, more tellingly, had been there when Jac had read it and seen the momentary flash of fear that had passed over her face as she did so. And he knew then that it had become a matter of when, and not if, Jil would need surgery. That the case conference that that had been arranged for that afternoon, with a video link to Professor Kopelmann at the Royal Brompton, would now be discussing the nuts and bolts of the operation – the how and the who and the where and the when – rather than if there was a need for surgery at all. There could be no mistake – the MRI scan had been looked at, apparently at Mr Hanssen's request, by the head of radiology who had confirmed the opinion of the consultant radiologist who had already reported on it. And Jonny was surprised at Mr Hanssen's intervention although, thinking about it now, he knew he shouldn't be. He and Jac did seem to have some strange kind of understanding, which had been more obvious since Jac's trip to Sweden, and it was obvious that despite his death eater reputation Mr Hanssen actually cared very deeply about his staff and their well-being. And Jonny found it strangely comforting to think that he would be with Jac in the case conference. He had wanted to be with her too and, for once, she had seemed OK with the prospect of him openly supporting her. Her response to him of, 'Oh yes, that would be good', to him asking whether she wanted him to be there, surprising and pleasing him in equal measure. But then work had got in the way – Mrs Thele had 'gone off' yet again, which had put everything else off kilter on the ward, and meant that he was still doing the medication round (a task he couldn't delegate) when the case conference started , and then there was still handover to do. Which was why he found himself here, now, hanging round the ward checking the clock every few minutes and hoping against hope for some good news.

ooooooooooooo

Jac left the relative's room and wandered over to the nurse's station where Jonny was still waiting. She had insisted, so Elliott informed Jonny, on telling Jil and Daniel the results of the case conference herself but had, after doing that, left them with Mr Thompson, the obstetrician, and Professor Zeller the neonatologist. They were now discussing whether or not Jil should have the steroids that would help with Robin's lung development, in case a caesarean section became necessary. She already knew that Jil would say yes, disregarding any potential risk to herself in order to give her unborn baby the best possible chance, but had decided to leave Jil and Daniel alone to make that decision together, without any influence from her. Because Jil knew and like him Jac had also asked Sean to be present and he had agreed straight away with no stupid comments about her finding him irresistible or owing him a favour. This made Jac think that either the rumour mill had gone into overdrive or that the strain she was feeling was showing through in her voice. And she had the sneaking, and rather unsettling, suspicion that it was the latter.

"I just want to wait till they've finished," she said, looking back over at the relative's room, "make sure they're alright, and then we can go, OK?"

"Of course," Jonny replied. "It makes no odds to me, whenever you're ready."

"Thanks," Jac said, managing a small smile, as she sat down.

"Are you OK?" Jonny asked, noticing the signs of strain that appeared on Jac's face as soon as her smile faded.

"Mmm, I suppose so." Jac replied, uncertainly.

"How did they take the news from the case conference?"

"I don't know," she answered truthfully. "Jil was pleased she'd be able to have the op here rather than going back to London, because she'll be able to spend more time with me" she continued, another small smile appearing on her face. "But, if I'm honest, I'm not really sure how much they took on board, although she has agreed to let her parents know tomorrow, so maybe something did stick."

"She hasn't told them yet?" Jonny asked incredulously.

"Nope," Jac stated. "Reckoned there was no point in worrying them, when we didn't know what was going to happen."

"Unbelievable!" Jonny said, "she really is something special your friend."

"On yes," Jac agreed, "that she is!"

ooooooooooooo

"So, do you want me to stay tonight then?" Jonny asked as they sat in a traffic jam waiting to get on to the ring road.

"Yes, if that's ok with you?" Jac replied. "I promise I won't wake up a gibbering wreck this time. Well, I'll try not to," she corrected herself.

"Hey, it's fine if you do," Jonny reassured her. "Although, maybe I won't fell asleep holding your hand tonight – you've an exceptionally strong grip you know."

"Mmm hmm," Jac said. "I do know actually. It's because of all the exercises I do to keep my fingers in tip-top surgery ready condition."

"You do finger exercises?" Jonny asked, unable to keep the astonishment out of his voice.

"Of course," Jac replied, "if you don't use it you'll lose it, after all." Continuing, "have I never shown you my trick with the pound coin?"

"I don't think so," Jonny said, "although you're going to have to now."

"Yeah, well that'll be something for you to look forward to when we get back, won't it? Oh, and I might need a bit of help with the sofa bed too – I've not used it since I got it, so it'll probably need a bit of extra oomph to get it all set up. If your hand's recovered now, of course," she continued, smiling impishly over at him.

"My hand is fine now, thank you." Jonny retorted, returning her smile. "See," he said, reaching over to touch her cheek, "it's in perfect working order."

"Hmm," Jac said, catching it between her own, "I'll just check shall I?" and started to examine his hand, stroking it and gently bending his fingers, before saying, "Yep, seems fine, but just in case…" she quickly kissed the back of his hand before finally letting it go and saying, "Now, it's definitely fine!"

"Think you're right," Jonny said, "it suddenly feels a whole lot better to me. You obviously have the touch" he said, reaching over to take one of her hands in his and quickly kissing it. And they stayed like this, holding hands in a companionable silence, until the traffic in front started to move and Jonny had to reluctantly let go of Jac's hand. And when the traffic had, once again, come to a standstill, and he was able to look over at her again he saw that she had fallen asleep. And for possibly the first time in his life he didn't mind the rush hour traffic and the traffic jams or the delays they brought.