She glanced at the clock above the mantel piece for the countless time. Dinner was prepared ready to be put in the oven, the table at the other end of the room in which she was sitting was set with candles waiting to be lit to create a romantic atmosphere, the remaining paperwork from her day had been completed. All she had to do was wait.

It wasn't late. It wasn't even that long since they'd parted at the hospital; he to Hannah's house and she to their home. Still, she couldn't help feeling increasing anxious as the minutes ticked by, a feeling that was becoming increasingly familiar when Gordon wasn't within the same building.

She wondered where he was. Was he having a nice reunion with Hannah? She hoped meeting an old friend was one good thing to come out of the whole torturous experience. Was he driving back home. Was he safe?

She glanced at the clock again, sighing as she realised not even a minute had passed since she'd last checked. She glanced at the book on the coffee-table but dismissed it. She'd tried that, tried her medical journal, tried watching television, but she was too on edge. Any noise made her lose attention, hoping it would be Gordon's car drawing into their driveway, but every time she was disappointed whilst the worry built.


"Gordon." She breathed his name as she heard the familiar sound of a key being slid into a lock of their front door. She practically flew into the hallway, restraining herself at the last moment so Gordon wouldn't suspect anything amiss.

"Hi love." He closed the door then proceeded to remove his coat and hang it up on the stand to his left. He bent to untie his shoes, picking them up and placing them inside the cupboard under the stairs along with his doctor's bag which belonged next to Jill's. She watched these actions, the familiarity of them serving to settle her and disperse the anxious feeling that had been plaguing her all evening.

"Have a nice time?" She questioned, walking with him into the kitchen.

"I did." It was his turn to watch her as she set about placing their dinner in the oven. "It was... weird... to see her again though. In some ways she's changed, but some aspects of her are exactly as she was all those years ago."

She glanced at him from her crouched position in front of the oven. "How did she take seeing you again?"

"Well she was a little shocked at first, since I'm not actually dead." He winced as he saw Jill flinch at his words. "It took a bit of explaining but she understands now I think. After that we just had a nice couple of hours catching up. I invited her to dinner next week. Is that okay?"

"Of course." She stood and pushed the oven door shut. "Dinner should be about twenty minutes. Want to go through to the living room?"

He nodded, rising from his place in one of the kitchen chairs. She followed him out the kitchen, grabbing the box of matches from the counter top as she passed.

Gordon relaxed into one of the settees whilst Jill lit the candles on the table. She flicked off the ceiling light leaving the illumination of the room to the candles. Their glow just reached Gordon. "You didn't want to read or anything did you?"

"No, I'm perfectly content here. At least I will be when you join me."

She needed no further invitation to sit beside him, happily letting him tug her to rest against him. She sighed contentedly as he enveloped her in his arms. The last of her worries left her. He was there, beside her, safe. That was all that mattered. She refused to think of the long drive he would be undertaking the following day and of the whole weekend he would be away from her.

Gordon looked down at her, smiling gently as her body relaxed considerably against him. He had seen the tension when he'd arrived home, accompanied by the worry on her face, and though her conversation was natural, he could tell she was on edge. She was still overly tense when she sat next to him, prompting him to draw her into a hug, hoping the affection from him would relax her. It happened he was right.

He knew she was still struggling with what had happened. He had seen the change in her demeanour; her increased alertness when out and about, her eagerness when he arrived back home or at the hospital. He understood though he wished it hadn't affected her so.

He moved his hand from her back to her hair, running his fingers through the silky strands. She moaned softly with contentment and his smile widened. Her moan was quickly followed by a groan as she looked at her watch. "Dinner's ready." She rose reluctantly. "You sit at the table and I'll bring it through."

He did as she said. It wasn't long before she returned, two plates of delicious smelling food in her hands. It tasted as delicious as it smelt, though it wasn't the food that captured most of his attention.

"What?" Jill asked bemusedly as she caught him staring at her for the sixth time.

"Nothing... I was just thinking how beautiful you look." It was true, he always thought his wife looked beautiful but the candlelight gave an extra softness meaning he could barely draw himself to tear his eyes from her since she'd sat before him.

Despite the dim light, the blush was visible in her cheeks. "Well... thank you..." The embarrassment was evident in her tone, but she smiled nonetheless.

He took her hand, leaning forward and placing his other hand on her cheek. He leaned forward further, using his hand to guide her face towards his until his lips met hers. The kiss was one of such tenderness, showing her his love for her, lingering for a moment before they both pulled away though he kept his fingers on her cheek. He stroked her skin softly, gazing into her eyes, so very happy to see some of the familiar sparkle returning to them.