A/N: Sorry for the wee wait! Both our laptops decided to have temper tantrums and not work, so it took ages, haha!

Sarah and Caja xxxx

It had been a number of days since the incident in the theatre and it was half way through a gruelling two to two shift. The fact it was late didn't bother Sahira; in fact, she rather liked it. This way she wouldn't have to face the long hard night back at the house. It wasn't home to her anymore, and it never would be again. Not since she had told her husband that she wanted a divorce. He was just getting worse and there was nothing that she could have done. After all she couldn't help feeling a lack of love for the man, not after him repeatedly getting drunk and becoming violent and loud, to the point that he terrified his own children, that it was impossible to carry on with any kind of normal activities. She had made the right choice, and she must remember that.

Despite all this she couldn't help feeling scared at the prospect of a life alone. Her wages were enough to support her, but not enough to feed two small children and pay for a house. She had nowhere to turn anymore; it was like she had been deserted by everyone when she needed them most.

The shift continued, but for some reason Sahira couldn't fully give her attention to the patients. The night was long and all she had done so far was treat… treat… treat. Even the young baby in bay four struck no emotions with her. Her mind was elsewhere… every time she looked around everything seemed to remind her of the last time she had been in theatre with Henrik. Something wasn't right and she knew it; the look in his eyes when she had expressed concern for his well being told her that something else was wrong, and it wasn't simply low blood pressure. She had known Henrik for years and at times he was the only one that was there for her. Years ago, for this very reason, she had begun to realise when things were wrong, when something was bothering him and when he needed help.

Before she knew what was happening, Sahira found her feet carrying her towards the office floor. Other than the occasional glance in her direction, no one particularly noticed her. She stopped short outside the door of the office to a noise that worried her. Without a moment's hesitation Sahira flung open the door and stalked into the plush office.

"Get out!" shouted the usually calm figure that was her boss, colleague and long term friend. All she could see was his guarded eyes daring her to come closer, and get what she was about to receive.

"Henrik…Henrik, what are you doing?" He was crouched over his own arm, his hands trembling, his eyes fearful of the trickles of blood from misplaced needle shafts.

"Sahira, I said get out!" he yelled at her suddenly. He lost his cool. Damn it, this was not good. As Sahira looked around the office, all she could see was papers among papers, testing kits among testing kits. "Sahira, get out, please! I am fine and I don't need your help."

"Yes, you do, Henrik; all I want to do is make sure you're alright. No matter what you say, it certainly doesn't look like it, does it now? I am not going anywhere until you tell me, firstly, what you're testing yourself for and, secondly, exactly what I can do to help. Because I am going to help you, Henrik whether you like it or not. Do you understand me?"

"Sahira, I don't want to tell you nor do you need to know. I will be able to continue my normal duties and so whatever my reasons for testing my own blood, it is none of your concern." He glared at her for her interference. In his heart, he knew she meant well, and she really was worried. This was just something he could not speak about. Not yet. Not while he still was unsure.

"I care about you, Henrik. Now, I don't know what you think but I've known you for a long time and, like I said, whether you like it or not, I am going to find out what is wrong with you and if you're alright." At that moment the blood testing kit that Henrik was holding seemingly slipped through his shaking hands and came smashing to the floor.

"You can go now, Miss Shah. I really don't need you here," he insisted. His hard stare wavered ever so slightly, and he could feel his resolve shaking as much as his hands were. If he didn't get rid of her, she would find a way in. She would see his deepest, most dreaded, fear.

He was making it difficult for her to see his feelings. He always had done that, but never so much as he did now. His eyes were darker than she had ever seen them; they made it damn near impossible to get behind the shield he created for himself. "You can't even hold a blood kit. How can you operate or even Clarke a patient? Let me help you, please."

"I will be absolutely fine," he replied. He knew it was a lie, and so did she. She saw the frustration in his face, the dread in his posture. He was not a straight back as he usually was; he hunched just a little at the shoulders, as if he was ready to admit something he never had before: defeat.

"I care about you, Henrik," she whispered to him, leaning over the desk. "Even you should find it in your heart of stone to accept that." She put her hand on his, steadying it as she lifted it. She had underestimated just how badly it shook. He looked down when she met his eyes. He knew she would not let it go. It was futile to hope that she would.

Sahira couldn't help feeling pity for the man, and the fact that this affected her so much, and that she cared so greatly, worried her. Before she knew what she was doing, Sahira slowly walked around the desk and pulled Henrik into a tight embrace. How long they sat there for, she didn't know, but she did know one thing for certain: she would do everything she could to help, and she didn't know or care what that would take from her…

Hope it was OK!

Please review and let us know what you think!

Sarah and Caja xxxx