Jill and Gordon entered the hospital, PC Bellamy just behind them, into a bustling reception.

Out of the corner of her eye, Jill saw Matron advancing towards them.

"Doctors! Where have you been? You have patients- Oh my!" She cut herself off as her gaze fell upon them. "What happened?"

Jill averted Matron's gaze. Obviously, she hadn't managed to clean herself up enough in the car. She swallowed, feeling the tears building again. She couldn't cry, not here! A glance to her right confirmed her suspicions that Lizzie gaping at her. She edged closer to Gordon and slipped her hand into his.

"Look, Matron, we'll explain later, I need to make sure Dr Weatherill's fine, then we have to speak to the police." Gordon squeezed her hand as he said this, seemingly sensing her urgency to leave the prying eyes in reception. He then turned to PC Bellamy. "You can wait in Dr Weatherill's office whilst I examine her." After receiving a nod from the constable, her led her into his office.

Once he'd closed the door, Gordon turned to Jill. Gently, he slipped her coat from her shoulders, the dust from the explosion covered it, standing out against the black material. He took off his own coat, hung them both up, and turned back to her, noticing her shiver slightly.

Wordlessly, he reached out and drew her into his arms, holding her tightly, yet gently as she began to sob once again. Finally, here, in the familiar surroundings of their work place, he could hardly believe he was actually holding his wife in his arms, when not even an hour previously, she'd been tied up, a gun pressed to her throat.

He didn't care PC Bellamy was waiting for them, he didn't care Matron was waiting for an explanation, he didn't care there was a waiting room full of patients. All he cared about was the woman in his arms, the woman he loved, the woman he so very nearly lost, but the woman who was now safe. And he had to make sure she stayed that way.


She sat in the small enclosed area in Gordon's office, her legs dangling over the side of the examination bed. Gordon stood close in front of her, gently cleaning the areas on her wrist the ropes had bitten into. He patted her skin lightly with a towel, then applied a cream to sooth them, his fingers applying just enough pressure to administer the cream, but not enough so as to cause her pain.

He finished and slid his hands to hers, squeezing them slightly as his eyes met her red, glistening ones. He raised his hand to her cheek, his fingers sliding into her dark hair which was now free from its earlier ponytail. His thumb glided over her cheekbone, wiping away the last of the salty moisture.

His leant forward, lightly brushing his lips on hers. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. Passion consumed them both and he too slide his arms around her as they lost themselves in the moment, quickly forgetting, for just a little while, the horrors of the day.

Eventually, they stopped, but still remained pressed together. "Thank you Gordon." She whispered, her breath hot but not unpleasant on his face.

"For what?" He questioned, equally as quietly.

She glanced down briefly, collecting her thoughts, before returning her eyes to his., her gaze intent and sincere. "For this, for being here for me, and for risking your life for me..." She looked away again, as tears once more filled her eyes, but not in the same frantic rush of emotion she'd sobbed before. This time, only one tear escaped her. It slid slowly downwards, only to be stopped by Gordon's thumb.

"There's no need to thank me, if I had to, I'd do it again; my life is nothing without you."

She tightened her arms around him, and lay her head on his shoulder, barely able to comprehend the amount love he seemed to have for her.

She was calmer now, not alright, but not panicked, not frenzied, not hysterical. And she knew, with Gordon there, in time, she'd be okay. They'd be okay.


There was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Gordon called, sliding his arms from around Jill, but keeping a tight hold of her right hand.

"Doctors." PC Bellamy said, stepping into the consulting room. "PC Younger has just arrived with your car, Doctor Ormerod. I would like to make a start on the interviews if you're ready."

Gordon turned to Jill, looking at her questioningly. She nodded and squeezed his hand gently. He noted she looked much calmer, much of the fear had diminished from her eyes. But he wasn't going to delude himself, he knew it would be a long while until she was back to how she was before today. It would take a lot of effort, both from him, and also Jill herself. She would need to allow herself to open up to him. And despite the fact she'd taken comfort in him this afternoon, they still needed to talk. He also knew that when she was back to her usual self, it wasn't going to go away completely; the horrors of the afternoon would always stay with them, and there would occasionally be times when they would be haunted that little bit more, and they would need the other that little bit more. He vowed always to be there for her when she needed him.

"Do you need us separately constable?" Gordon questioned.

PC Bellamy nodded in response. "'fraid so. We'll make sure it won't take too long though."

"You go first." Jill whispered. He almost didn't hear her as he thanked the constable.

"You sure?" He was loath to leave her, even for a few minutes; she was far too vulnerable and he was determined keep his promise to himself to be there when she needed him.

She nodded, attempting a weak smile, no doubt sensing his concerns. "Go, I'll be fine. The sooner it's done, the sooner we can go home."

He returned her nod, knowing she made sense. Despite PC Bellamy's presence, Gordon raised his hand to her cheek, stroking the soft, slightly damp skin before leaning in and placing his lips on hers for the briefest, but no less loving of kisses. "I'll be right through there if you need me." This said, he reluctantly broke contact with her and followed the policeman out the room, closing the door softly behind him, wishing with all his might he could be back in there with her, holding her close to him.

He'd almost lost her.