8:58am

Mitch hurried through the doors onto Ward 17, throwing a quick glance at his wrist watch. He was due in the clinic any minute.

"Notes for the next group of detox patients!" he announced to those gathered around the nurses station, carefully not noticing the grimace that played across Bron's face.

The collection of folders and papers that had a second earlier been brandished high in the air above Dr Stevens' head came down with a thud beside the lolly jar. His mission accomplished, and the passing time foremost in his mind, Mitch immediately swung around and made to leave the ward.

"Mitch." Nelson's voice called him to attention and Mitch turned again to face the nurse's station, still moving slowly away from the desk, ever conscious of his lateness.

"Is Terri alright, do you know?"

Concern clouded Mitch's handsome face, all thought of the clinic driven from his mind. "As far as I know. Why do you ask, Nelson?" Mitch was no longer drifting towards the doors.

Nelson shrugged. "I don't know, she just seemed a bit under the weather when she came in today. She's been holed up in her office all morning."

Relief was evident as Mitch began his movement once again. He quickly checked his watch. "I'm sure she's fine, Nelson. I'll have a word with her later. I've gotta go." With that he spun around and banged through the doors and off the ward.

Nelson watched him leave, then turned back to the notes Mitch had left, eyebrows raised. Paula eyed him carefully, curious and a little distrustful of what was going through his mind.

"Terri hasn't looked too good a lot of mornings lately, has she?" Nelson's tone was innocent, giving away nothing of his thoughts.

Paula frowned, thinking back. "No, but she always seems better when she's been here a while. She may just be tired. Struggling to get up in the morning. Anything."

"Maybe." Nelson looked unconvinced. "But don't you think it's a little odd? Perhaps there's something else going on there ..." He raised one eyebrow at his female colleague and smirked.

Paula paused a moment, mentally going over the possibilities. Finally her mind settled on something and she involuntarily took in a sharp breath. "Nelson, surely you don't think Terri's pregnant." Her voice was deliberately low.

"Well it's possible, isn't it?" Nelson matched Paula's tone, but couldn't keep the ever-present smirk out of his voice.

Paula obviously had no idea how to respond to the suggestion. "Nelson, I ..." Fortunately she was saved by a patient buzzing from Room 4.

Von stood in the drug room and watched as Paula shook her head slightly and pulled away from Nelson, before making her way to see her patient. The elder nurse stood stock still for a moment, her mind running over the hushed, gossipy conversation she had just overheard. A moment later she found herself outside Terri's office, her hand poised to deliver three sharp raps against the wood.

"Come in."

Von entered and shut the door sotly behind her. Terri was on the phone, but gestured to Von that she should sit down. As the NUM wrapped up her call, Von took the opportunity to examine her old friend. Nelson was right, Terri didn't look good today. Why hadn't she noticed?

Terri Sullivan looked up at Von and smiled as she replaced the phone in its cradle. "How are you Von?"

"Oh, you know. Same old. How are you?" Von's tone was delicate, and Terri seemed to catch something in it.

"I'm fine." Terri's gaze fell to her desk as she spoke, but she tried to keep the smile on her face.

"Uh huh."

"Really." No reply seemed to be forthcoming, and under Von's direct state, Terri moved to clarify her statement. "Well, I was a little tired this morning, but I feel a lot better now."

Von nodded, realising this was as much as Terri was likely to concede, and decided she needed new tactics. "How's Mitch doing?" She asked casually, glancing around the room.

"He's good. He's still pretty busy with the clinic and everything though."

"Everything alright with you two? I haven't seen you together much lately." Von knew she was getting into territory that was none of her business.

Terri's smile became a little less forced and a little more genuine. "Everything's fine. Great, actually. He's just very caught up with the clinic."

Von nodded, smiling, genuinely happy for her two good friends. "You might just want to watch yourself though. After all, we do have one of the biggest gossips in the hospital right here on the ward ..."

Terri seemed confused. "Who? Nelson? He's harmless." Amusement followed the confusion across her face.

"Mmm, maybe."

"Why, has he been saying something?" The amusement vanished from Terri's face as quicky as it had appeared.

"Terri, it's alright, just calm down. What would he know? I'm just saying, you need to be careful." Von was suddenly afraid that Terri was backing her up into a metaphorical corner.

"Von, tell me." Her voice left no room for discussion.

Von signed in resignation. "I just overheard him planting seeds in Paula's head earlier, that's all."

"What sort of seeds are we talking about?" Terri was clearly in no mood to be pacified with vague references.

Von paused for a moment before plunging ahead. What harm could it do? "He suggested to her that the reason you've been so under the weather lately is because you might be pregnant."

Von prepared to share the joke and laugh with her friend, but swallowed the sound when she realised Terri had no intention of laughing.

Terri sat with her eyes fixed on the desk, fighting to maintain her composure.

"Terri?" Von began. "Terri, you're *not* pregnant, are you?"

Terri's eyes lifted and met the elder woman's, telling her the truth without any words.

Von searched the blue orbs of Terri's clear eyes, struggling to come to grips with this unexpected reality. She found no trace of fear or uncertainty in the younger woman's gaze. Unsure of how best to respond, she blurted out the first thing that came into her head. "Does Mitch know?"

Terri's smile widened. "Yes, I did mention it to him ..." The amusement was back in Terri's face.

"And how did he take it?" Von could barely contain her astonishment.

Terri's countenance took on a fond warmth and she chuckled softly. "How do you think?"

Von considered the possibilities. She had known Mitch a long time. "He was thrilled."

"Yes." Terri grinned. "He was thrilled. Is thrilled. So am I."