The wards rounds had thankfully passed without complication. Jill had only been in her office for a few minutes when Gordon entered. They shortly left, bidding Lizzie farewell on the way. She seemed very cheerful, looking forward to a night out with Alun, Frankie and some of the nurses. Jill was thankful for this, happy to see the receptionist much more like her old self.

They'd eaten a peaceful dinner after they'd arrived home, throughout which Jill had to repeatedly assure Gordon she was quite alright after her escapades on the roof. After a joint effort in washing the dishes, they'd entered the living room, disregarding the settees, choosing instead to settle upon the floor in front of one, wrapped in a blanket with the blazing fire before them. Jill had started a Cat Stevens record and its soft music reached them at a volume to be easily audible, but not so loud as to interrupt their conversation.

Gordon once again checked she was okay, to which her only response was rolling her eyes. After a while, she did, however, own up to a slight ache through her body and allowed him to massage her shoulders. Not that she was complaining.

She closed her eyes as she relaxed, allowing herself to concentrate upon the sensations he created as his hands moved across her shoulders. He occasionally leant forward, brushing his lips against her neck, causing her to emit a contented sigh. He was in the process of placing one such kiss when a sharp rapping, coming from the front door could be heard. He paused in his movements, and she stiffened beneath his hands, undoing all his work. The hand she'd placed upon his thigh tensed, and her heart rate accelerated, creating a queasiness within her.

"I'll go." Gordon uttered softly, sliding his hands down her arms gently before he made to get up. She increased the pressure of her hand upon his thigh, stopping him. Instead, she rose, and made her way out into the hall and towards the front door, already putting on an act of confidence.

Gordon strained to hear as she opened the door and partook in a brief conversation with the visitor before closing it again. He heard the two metal bolts slide across then her footsteps nearing the living room. However, the footsteps continued past the room and he frowned, until the sounds of the bolts sliding across on the back door reached him and his expression turned to one of realisation. He sighed sadly. It had become routine for her; not only did both doors have to be locked by the key as they normally did, but both bolts had to be used as well. For her, it was 'just in case' or 'you can never be too careful', both of which she repeated to him many a times. And he agreed, to an extent, and it seemed to help her feel safer, so he wasn't going to stop her. Still, he couldn't help but worry about her.

He turned her attention away from his thoughts and to the woman in question as she returned and settled against him. "Who was it?" He asked, whilst pulling the blanket around her, smiling as she slid her arms around him.

"Oh just someone selling something."

"At this time of night?"

"That's what he said." She shrugged. "I didn't recognise him anyway.

He gazed at her sadly, knowing just who her comment referred to, just who she hadn't wanted to see and recognise on their doorstep. He ran a hand through her hair and stroked her back, glad to feel her relaxing a little beneath his hands. He sighed softly, feeling her hair move with his exhalation. Despite trying to hide it from him, he knew she was constantly on guard. He only wished he could erase her fears. In the long term, he couldn't. But, in the short term, perhaps he could provide some reprieve.

His slide his hand to her chin, raising her head and placing his lips on hers, gently deepening it, increasing the passion. Her hands slide from around him, instead moving gently over him as his did over her. And thus, for the next hour they concentrated completely on the other, all worries forgotten, which was, ultimately, his aim.