Gordon opened his eyes and immediately shut them again as the sun streaming through the gap in the curtains hit him. For a moment, he was disorientated, the usual sight of the bedroom door and the wardrobe not greeting him. His gradually opened his eyes, and realised the mantel-piece in front of him belonged to their living room.

He then became aware of a dull ache filling most of his body, the areas not affected were those afflicted with pins and needles. He yawned and tried to stretch, but was constricted, by, he realised, his wife.

He glanced down at her. She was still curled up tightly on his lap, clinging to him. Although he couldn't see her face, he guessed she was still asleep; the rise and fall of her ribcage was slow and rhythmical, her warm breaths hitting his neck softly.

A glance at his watch told him it was getting near the time their alarm clock would normally wake them. Although, he wanted nothing more than to let her stay and sleep after the little she'd had, he knew if he didn't wake her, he'd be late for work and he'd never get the circulation back in his legs.

Quietly, he said her name, whilst gently stroking his thumb where it rested against her thigh. After a few seconds, he paused, but she hadn't stirred. Gently, he brushed her hair from in front of her face and said her name louder but equally as lovingly.

This time, she did stir. A soft groan made its through her lips and she slowly unfurled her limbs. This caused her to tip slightly, her balance now lost. She was in danger of leaving him completely to meet the floor, but he tightened his arms around her and pulled her was more securely against his chest.

A few seconds later and her eyes opened, she too, temporarily blinded by the sun, causing her to squint. Her face tipped up towards him, her eyelids opening slightly so as to look at him.

"Hi." He whispered, placing a quick kiss to her forehead.

"Hi." She returned, her voice thick and croaky with lack of use. She coughed, trying to clear her throat as she shifted again, whilst he made sure she was in no danger of slipping away from him. "What time is it?" She murmured, her voice almost its natural clear sound.

"Time to get up." He said, changing his hold on her as she immediately made stand. He slid his hand from her thigh to her waist, his other hand resting on her other side, pushing her gently, and at the same time supporting her as she levered herself up from his lap into a standing position.

She steadied herself before stepping back so he had room to stand, stretching his legs as he did so in an attempt to rid them of the pins and needles. "I'd better start getting ready then." It was obvious to him that the brightness in her tone was forced, but he made no comment upon it. Instead, he uttered a single word.

"No."

She frowned, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Sorry?"

He sighed, and took her hand, knowing she wasn't going to like what he was going to say, but all the same hoping she'd react better than he feared. "I'm going to work, you're not."

"Well if I'm not going to work, neither should you!" She winced, regretting shouting; he didn't deserve it.

"You went through more than me." Was his calm response, said with his arms folded across his chest, his gaze resting unwaveringly on her face.

"But-! But you were the one that was shot at! You had you grenade thrown at you!" She stopped abruptly, her features crumpling as she turned her head away and covered her mouth with her hand, smothering the sobs that overwhelmed her. "I nearly lost you!"

Gordon quickly stepped forward and gathered her up in his arms. He lowered them both onto the settee. He cradled her head to his shoulder, stroking her long, dark, tussled hair, occasionally moving down to rub her back. "It's alright sweetheart."

She shot her head up and pulled away from him. "No! No, it's not alright! You're being so lovely to me, and I'm just being horrid. You don't deserve it. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..." Her voice, raised and sharp at the beginning had tailed off, quieter and marred with sobs and the accompanying tears flowing continuously down her face. She hung her head, ashamed to even look at him.

Gordon sighed, and reached out to her once again, sliding her arm around her shoulders and tugging her gently against him. For a few seconds, she resisted, her posture stiff, defensive, but it didn't take long for her to relent, for her form to slump and almost collapse against Gordon. He immediately encased her in his arms, rubbing her back in an attempt to calm her as she continued to whisper desperate sounding apologies.

"Jill, look at you. You're exhausted, you're in no fit state to work Please, take today off, get some sleep. Just for today." This was said softly and tentatively, and Jill thought she could detect a hint of desperation.

She made no move for a few seconds, contemplating her decision, until eventually, she nodded. She raised her head so she could look at him, and saw the shock in his expression. This provoked a small smile from her; never before had she given in so easily, and it was obvious Gordon hadn't thought she would this time. "Only for today mind." She said, her voice warning but her expression soft as she gazed at him.

He smiled at her, leaning in and pressing his lips to hers, the kiss building in intensity, until they both had to pull away, breathing heavily.

"I might take more days off if that's my reward." She joked.

He merely grinned at her and rose, before making his way to the door of the living room.

"Gordon." She called, stopping him. "Thank you."