PART SIX

"Jac!" Joseph raised his voice just slightly. Jac stopped pacing and turned to look at him. "Will you listen to me?" Joseph continued, calmer.

"I've made my decision Joseph, I've resigned and that's that. I'm not going back," Jac said stubbornly. Joseph stifled an exasperated sigh and began pacing himself.

"Jac, please. Your whole life is here. I know you don't want to leave."

"Maybe I don't want my life here anymore," Jac said quietly. Joseph frowned.

"But everything you've worked for, the consultancy..." Joseph looked down at Jac's feet, "the Connie shoes, do you really want to give it all up?"

"That's just it. I've achieved it. I need fresh challenges Joseph. And there's one thing I don't have, something I came close to having..." Jac trailed off, giving Joseph a meaningful look. Joseph eyed her suspiciously.

"The hospital needs you Jac. You're the best," Joseph said, attempting a new angle. Jac's face flushed, briefly. She looked into Joseph's eyes and couldn't help smiling. Joseph took hold of her hand and squeezed it. "Don't give it up. You'll regret it," he said softly.

"What if I gave it up for something...someone else?" Jac said. "What if, I gave it up for you." Joseph stared at her, momentarily struck dumb. Then he pulled himself together.

"I wouldn't want you to give up everything, just for me."

"I want to." They were now so close they could feel each other's beating hearts.

"What if I came back?" Joseph said, a sudden thought had hit him. Jac considered this.

"What about Harry though?" she asked.

"I could come back to Holby, maybe not back to the hospital, but I'd be there for you."

"What would you do for a living though?" Jac asked.

"There'll be a GP position," Joseph said. "I'll just move my current life, back to Holby." Jac found herself smiling again.

"Is there room in your life for one more?" Jac asked cheekily. Joseph grinned.

"I love you Ms. Naylor," he said. They kissed.

Sacha Levy looked forlornly at the empty space where Jac's motorbike would normally be parked. He turned to Sahira who was walking past.

"This place isn't going to be the same without her," Sacha told her, his usually smiling face sad and full of regret. Sahira nodded. "She wasn't a bad sort, a bit of a superiority complex..." Sahira stared at him.

"Sacha, you're talking like she's just died!" Sacha couldn't help it, he laughed. "For the record, I'll miss Ms. Queen Bitch."

"She was rather," Sacha said, his usual cheeriness restored.

"Ah, admiring the empty space..." a voice said right behind them. The voice was American sounding and full of arrogance.

"Good morning Mr. Spence," Sahira said sweetly.

"Yes it certainly won't be the same without the Naylor," Michael said. "The post-Naylor era, there's not a hope in hell it can get better..." The rest of his words were drowned out by the sound of a motorbike engine revving behind them. The engine was turned off. Silence engulfed them as the rider climbed off the bike and walked towards them. The rider lifted up the visor on the helmet.

"What is this, my fan-club?" Sacha, Michael and Sahira turned around on the spot, dumbfounded. The rider took the helmet off and shook her long, shining red hair out of her eyes. Jac Naylor was back.

"You changed your mind?" Sacha asked.

"Looks like it doesn't it. Do you mind?"

"Of course not."

"No it's not that."

"What?"

"You're standing in my space." Sacha laughed and stepped out. Jac raised her eyebrows and wheeled the bike into the space. "Have you all quite finished gawping at me, or is anyone actually going to work today?" and without a backward glance Jac strode into the hospital.

"Yes she's just arrived. Good. Yes. Well thank you very much Mr. Byrne. Not at all. Are you sure we can't tempt you back? With a little shuffling of the budgets and a couple of reassignments...no? Well if you're sure. Goodbye then," Henrik Hanssen stared out of the window watching Jac Naylor enter the hospital as he talked softly into his mobile. He hung up and strode back into his office.

"If I could have your attention, just for a moment, please." Everyone fell silent. "Thank you. As you are no doubt aware, Ms. Naylor has kindly agreed to return to her role of Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon. I'm sure you will join me in wishing her well. Ms. Naylor!"

"Ms. Naylor," they called out. Jac smirked. As the group disbanded she walked up to the speaker.

"Was that really necessary Michael?" she asked. Michael grinned.

"Couldn't resist." They both burst out laughing.

"How was it?" Joseph asked.

"Like I'd never been away..." Jac took hold of Joseph's outstretched arm as they walked down the pitch-black street. Everything was peaceful. They came to a stop outside Joseph's hotel, where he was staying until he could find a place of his own. "I guess this is goodbye," Jac said quietly. Joseph said nothing. He had his other hand in his pocket, his fingers gripping a small box. Jac let go of his arm and turned to leave.

"Jac wait," Joseph said, his voice no more than a whisper. Jac stopped.

"What Joseph?" she said a slight crack in her voice evident. Joseph was holding the box in his hand, a hint of gold gleamed through the night.

"Will you marry me?" he asked. Jac's face lit up.

"Of course I will. Nothing would make me happier," Jac said as a tear of joy slid down her cheek and fell to the ground. Joseph smiled. Jac tried on the ring. It didn't fit. She laughed.

"Sorry," Joseph said.

"You dolt Joseph Byrne." Jac laughed again. "It doesn't matter. I've got all I want."

"So do I."

They kissed before striding into the hotel together, hand in hand, arm in arm. Jac and Joseph. Reunited.

THE END