She drew her car smoothly into the familiar parking area, engaged the handbrake, killed the ignition, and stepped out, bringing her bags with her.

She laid a hand on the smooth metal of the roof and watched as her husband pulled up his light blue Zephyr, dwarfing her own mini.

It was strange; she'd done this countless times before, knew the dimensions of the car park well enough to almost do it blindfolded, the routine familiar, friendly, done almost on autopilot. But today a little apprehension, a slight nausea, were slowly building in the pit of her stomach. Perhaps it was because of the state she'd been in the last time she'd arrived her, albeit in a pander car, the emotions she'd been uncharacteristically unable to hide from the hospital staff. Perhaps it was also in trepidation of the near future; what she'd have to confront, and worry for Gordon as he faced the source of his worry.

"Hey." The subject of her thoughts placed a hand on her arm, his other hand holding a doctor's bag identical to her own. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

She rolled her eyes and turned to face him, placing a hand on his cheek and locking eyes with his, hoping it would increase the sincerity of her assertion. "I'll be fine. Stop worrying." She removed her hand from his cheek to poke him playfully in the chest, flashing him a reassuring smile as she did so.

Gordon, however, sighed and took hold of her hand, rubbing her fingers gently with his own. "I can't help worrying though..." He sighed again, and Jill was slightly surprised to see a pained look cross his features.

She squeezed his hand, a little of the familiar guilt creeping upon her. She had to do something to alleviate his worry. "Gordon, honestly, I'll be fine. And it's hardly as if we're going to be apart is it, eh? We'll be in the same building most of the time." She smiled at him, placing her bag on the car roof, sliding her other hand into his, and squeezing it for extra emphasis. She was relieved when Gordon smiled exerted gentle pressure on her fingers in return.

"I suppose you're right..."

"As always." She grinned and leaned in, pecking his cheek. "Come on." She picked up her bag. "We've work to do doctor." And flashing him one last smile, she proceeded into the hospital.


"Hello Doctors!" Lizzie practically sang at them as they walked through the doors. "It's nice to have you back."

"Thank you Lizzie." Jill said, accepting the files and post handed to her.

"Doctor Ormerod." She prompted, holding out his papers.

"Sorry Lizzie." He muttered, flashing a smile before jogging after a person he'd spied retreating down the corridor, leaving a bemused Jill and a confused Lizzie.

"I'll take them." She said, taking Gordon's files from Lizzie. She proceeded down the corridor, seeing Gordon at the other end just catching up with Matron.


"Matron! How's Mr Sullivan?" He asked, coming to a halt beside her.

"Not good I'm afraid. We had to call Doctor Goodwin in. He recommended he stay here and sedated him."

Gordon nodded as he took this information in. "I'll see him on my ward rounds. Perhaps Doctor Klein could visit aswell."

"Yes. I'll ask her. I believe she's seeing Mr Heath today."

He nodded. The mention of his name brought his concern for Jill to the surface again, and he glanced past Matron towards reception, wondering if there was time to see her before morning surgery. "I'd better get going Matron."

"Yes of course doctor."

He smiled before making his way to his office, meaning to deposit his coat and bag before getting his files from Lizzie, and then hopefully on to a briefly see Jill.

He was surprised to find his office door unlocked. He was sure he had locked it the night before. But then again, he was at the hospital until late; perhaps he's forgotten to lock it in his tiredness.

The true reason however, was to become apparent as he entered. Jill was standing by his desk, turning when she he closed the door behind himself.

"I brought your files." She gestured to the pile on his desk.

"Thanks." He smiled, hanging up his coat, and placing his bag beside the files.

"I saw you talking to Matron."

"Ah, yes." He sighed, leaning against his desk and picking up her hand. "Mr Sullivan had to be sedated. I'll go see him later, and we both agreed it would be a good idea if Lucy did as well."

Jill nodded, and moved to stand in front of him, sliding her arms around his neck. He gratefully hugged her close, resting his head on her shoulder, their cheeks pressed close together.

"He'll be okay Gordon. It'll take time, but he'll be alright."

"How can you possibly know that?" He realised almost immediately the harshness with which he'd delivered it. "Sorry." He whispered, grateful she didn't pull away, instead placing a kiss on his cheek.

"I know it's hard Gordon, but you're doing everything you can. And I know you did everything for his wife as well. We're doctors, we have our limits. And you, my dear, are one fantastic doctor. So whatever guilt you're holding onto, you can let it go now."

She pulled back slightly to look at him as she finished, her tone playful, but he knew she meant every word.

Unable to find his own words to reply, Gordon merely pulled her back against him, placing a firm kiss on her head. "You have no idea how much I love you right now."