A/N: OH MY GOD, I'm so going to kill Call the Midwife's writers! What on earth were they thinking? SPOILER ALERT!SPOILER ALERT (((Giving her TB?)))) Well… I hope you step on a lego each time you breathe!

On with the story….

Five days had passed. Dr. Turner had been in and out of the nursing convent, persistent in his quest to assist Sister Bernadette in her recovery, and she presented him with a ready smile and moments of comfortable silence or apparently simple topics of conversation. All the nurses would visit from time to time, subtly checking up on the highly defensive and not-complaining nun, and would leave it to Sister Julienne to gently knock some sense into her stubborn self.

"I must insist, dear girl, that you remain seated until further notice. The ideal would be for you to lie all day, but I do not even ask that." Sister Julienne admonished her.

Sister Bernadette smiled. "Oh, but Sister, do you see the Sun outside? It is incredibly appealing, and I must say, as a person with medical background, you should agree that the sunlight does wonders to those convalescing."

"You smart girl…" The older woman shook her head, slightly amused. "While I can think of no rational arguments to contradict yours, I have strict orders from Dr. Turner not to allow you out of you room until you are completely fever free."

She sighed, frustrated and embarrassed by the consequent outburst. "But I want to, Sister."

Sister Julienne raised an eyebrow. "Are we throwing a tantrum?"

The young nun blushed and quickly lowered her head. "I am so sorry, I do not know what came over me."

Sister Julienne sat on the end part of her bed, massaging her feet. "I do." She smiled kindly. "You are an active woman. Believe me when I tell you that even if it seems as if time will not end, your current predicament is not forever." She paused and reinforced the firm tone to her words. "Pneumonia is just a scary word these days. You will be cured, and in the meantime you have the best pair of eyes and hands looking out for your recovery."

Her blue eyes lit at the mention of Dr. Turner. "I know… and I really appreciate it. I feel safe knowing the Lord sent him to help me overcome this disease." Sister Julienne nodded knowingly. "It is just…" A trembling sigh made her close her eyes.

"You are scared."

"No… no, Sister. God's plan is, and always will be, God's plan. I should not fear what God has sent for me." She played with the fabric of the blanket.

Sister Julienne reached her arm and brushed her cheek. "There is no shame in being afraid. Never. Just own up to what you are feeling, will you, Sister?" She eyed her intently. "You, my dear, are too young still. You are much, much too young for everything that has come your way, and you have sprung by it with a fabulous grace. But remember, sweetheart, you are a young person, and you are entitled to make mistakes. Everyone is, really, but society these days has a soft spot for the youngsters. Be afraid, feel, and make your own choices. You have our love, now and always."

Sister Bernadette grabbed the older nun's hand and softly grasped, while a tear ran down her cheek. Sister Julienne wiped it and kissed the top of her head.

"I will be coming to check on you before dinner. Try and get some rest."

CALLtheMIDWIFEcallTHEmidwife CALLtheMIDWIFE

It had been a whole hour since Sister Bernadette had been left alone in the room. She would never admit it to anyone, but she had become quite dependent on her daily visits to get some decent sleep time. Although having chosen to deal with disease on a daily basis, when it came to her own health, she took it quite hard.

With her head on the pillow, and her eyes closed, she listened intently to every small sound. She could usually hear the birds singing in the morning across the patio, and the morning bustle around the convent.

The door opened with little noise, and hesitant steps made their way towards the bed. Steps she had learnt to recognize. She smiled subtly.

Dr. Turner chuckled. "I know you are not sleeping, Sister."

She cracked one eye open. "Am I that predictable?"

"To me you are." She blushed. He shook his head, amused. "No, I'm just teasing you. In fact, I came here to make a deal with you."

That sparked an interest in her. "You did?"

"Yes." He lowered a tray in the table beside the bed. She sat up, confused.

"Do tell." She requested, curious.

"It has come to my attention that your rest is of more consistence whenever you manage to fall asleep in someone else's company." He remarked, nonchalant, rearranging the food in the tray so as to make it easier.

"Oh." She blushed even more, unsure of what to say.

"Consequently, and as it will be impossible for me to visit you again today, I want to make sure I can be of help. You will eat your dinner right now, an hour earlier than usual, and I'll stay with you until you are fast asleep."

Sister Bernadette eyed him, surprised and touched. "You…" She sighed. "You are too kind. I have said it before, and I will say it again."

"You sound as if you think you're undeserving." He grabbed a plate of chicken and held it close to her. She grabbed the fork and noted, smiling slightly, he had cut the chicken in small pieces.

"I would not go that far."

"But you would go as far as half way." It was not a question.

She smiled, silent.

They spent the rest of the meal in silence, and he ended up grabbing a chair and sitting beside her. It took them no longer than a quarter of an hour for her to be ready and tired enough to sleep. She yawned politely, eyes on the blanket covering her legs.

"I trust it was good. Sister Mary Joan sends her regards and regrets being too busy folding laundry to come here before dinner." He smiled and put the plate back in the tray.

"It was wonderful, thank you."

"And now…" He sat back on the chair. "Sleep, Sister."

She pursed her lips and stuttered. "I… I guess so."

He stared at her, a knowing look in his eyes. "It's worse at night, correct?"

"Yes." She whispered.

"Lie down, please. Please, trust me." She slowly complied, and he covered her with the blanket the best he could. "Now, close your eyes and listen."

Sister Bernadette closed her eyes with effort and her breathing became heavier. He grabbed her hand and felt her pulse racing. "Relax."

"I am paying attention, okay?" He spoke calmly. "I am trying to make sure you only have to spend a couple of more days with this disease haunting you. I am going to speak the truth, in the most honest way that I can, okay?"

"Hum…" She acknowledged.

"I have no reason to believe you won't be okay. Your pneumonia already scarred your lungs, yes, but the scarring is minimal. You, sweetie, are going to be just fine." He kissed her hand. "Trust me."

"I… do." She mumbled, and he chuckled.

"Sleep, sweetie. Get better soon." He paused. "Please."

A/N: I just love them and their sweet, out of the ordinary chemistry…! Review, people, I love reading your thoughts! And please, give me suggestions, I highly need them : ))))