Fletch sat at his desk, head in his hands whilst Serena busied herself making tea.
"So you and Jac?" She ventured
"I know - unlikely but true. I love her Serena"
"And she feels the same?"
He nodded as he accepted the tea with shakey hands.
"This is all to do with that bloody trial isn't it"
"Well I have heard rumours about complications"
"Yeah fatal complications. I swear Serena, if she dies I'll go after that arrogant bastard Gaskell"
"Come on Fletch you're jumping ten steps ahead"
"I can't lose her now"
"You should go and sit with her. No one knows exactly what people in comas are aware of. It can't harm"
"I don't know if I can bear it again. I sat by her bed all through last time but we weren't together then"
"All the more reason then"
"More to lose" he choked back a sob
"Now you listen to me Adrian Fletcher if she wakes up who do you think she's going to want to see - smarmy git Gaskell or the man she loves?"
Fletch smiled despite himself "she calls him lizard"
Serena took his hand in hers "please just go to her Fletch. For all of us"
Fletch nodded and headed down to ITU
"I'm getting de ja vu Naylor" he said taking her hand, gently stroking the knuckles
"Wonder if I'll ever be the one fighting for my life and you being the one in bits holding my hand"
I don't know how you keep doing it. She said
Jac could hear everything that was going on, the alarms the urgent medical discussions but they were muffled and hard to make out, Fletch's voice however came through loud and clear
"I love you so much Jac. Please don't leave me, Not now , not after all we've been through"tears onto her hand
Fletch don't. I'm not going to leave you
Roxanna entered the room recording obs
"We've been here before Fletch"she smiled "if all goes to plan you should have her home in a week or so"
"I want you home Jac. I want you and Emma and me and my crew to be your home. Your sanctuary"
I want that too Fletch.
Why can't I wake up? Back in the wedding dress, back outside the church
You can't go in Jac. You don't want Fletch to marry a dead woman Gaskell's disembodied voice was sinister
No. No. I won't have it. I will survive despite you Gaskell. I will get back to him - I have to. There is no other outcome I will get back to him
"What's happening?" Said Fletch as Jac's blood pressure and heart rate increased
"I don't know Fletch. I don't understand"
Fletch stroked her cheek, brushing hair off her face
"I'll go and get John"
"No" Fletch said firmly "No. Look her obs are coming back to normal. What are you up to Jacqueline. Calm yourself down"
Jacqueline? I'm trying to get back to you Adrian
Even when they couldn't hear each other the easy banter was still there, such was their connection
"Fletch how long are you staying? Remember to look after yourself. You've got a family to think about too" Roxanna said gently
Yes Fletch, please go home. I'll carry on fighting whilst you gone. I'm worried about you
"Yeah I'm going to stick around for a while. Serena's staying at mine she says a house of 4 kids will be quieter than her house with Jason's baby"
You're impossible. Jac thought affectionately
"As you wish Fletch. Try not to stay here all night"
"I'll be OK. I wouldn't sleep at home anyway"
Jac's heart swelled with love for this man
You're lucky to have him Jac
She span round to find her mother of all people
I officially want nothing from you even in my subconscious. Even though I know you're dead
I never gave you love or happiness Jac- don't let it slip through your fingers
You made me the ice queen Paula and he has fought to break through the walls that I had to have because of you. Go
Paula disappeared. Jac breathed a sigh of relief. She looked around and found flowers appearing around the yard.Hope
