Author: Lisey

Rating: Whoever wants to read it

Disclaimer: I don't own them, but when I win tattslotto I'm buying channel 7 so I do!!!!!!!

Ben sat in the chair beside the window and stared at the ring she had just given back to him. He tried to put it down but found that he couldn't break contact with it.

He shifted in his seat - trying to find a comfortable position - but found that he couldn't. The pain that had been a constant presence in his life for the last couple of weeks were subsiding finally, but in it's place was a new and far more intense ache. If he was honest with himself, he would admit that the pain had been with him for the last 4 months - but he wasn't an honest man, not with her and not with himself. He lied to her when he said he didn't know if he meant it when he said that he still loved her - the truth was he had always loved Bron, and he always would…. And that scared him. But was his fear worth living his life without the woman he loved? He looked back down at the ring and knew his answer…

"Bron.." he whispered hoarsely.

Bron shut herself in the tearoom and sat down at the table, burying her face in her hands. The tears stung the back of her eyes but she refused to let them fall. All of her life it had been instilled upon her that crying was a sign of weakness - and she hated being weak. When she felt she was under control lifted her head up and took a deep breath; her eyes fell on the finger where up unto a few minutes ago, her ring had sat. "Her ring" she snorted, it wasn't her ring anymore.

Nelson stood unseen in the doorway and watched her for a few seconds before walking in and making himself a coffee. After watching her look at her bare finger for as long as he could stand, he sat beside her and awkwardly took her hand in his, unsure of how to comfort her.

"Bron…." He began, unsure of how to go on "Von's going to cover for you while you have a break"

Bron just nodded her head and kept staring at her finger; Nelsons grip on her hand tightened.

"He's an idiot Bron…." Nelson raised her face so their eyes met "I…uh…."

"It's alright Nelson," Jared walked in and knelt in front of Bron, "I'm here now, I'll take care of her."

Nelson looked at Jared for a second then turned back to Bron "Look I know you probably don't feel like it right now…but how about you and I have a drink together after work? It'll do you good, take your mind off of it," he could see she was about to say no, "don't answer now, we'll talk about it later" he gave her hand one final squeeze and left her with Jared.

Jared said nothing, just pulled her in for a hug.

Von was NOT happy with Ben when she walked into his room to do his ob's. Von had a soft spot for Bron - not that she would ever admit that to anyone but herself.

"Time for your ob's" she said opening his chart.

Ben looked up surprised to see her "Where's Bron?"

"Bron's on her tea break" Von said fitting the blood pressure cuff to his arm.

Ben was quiet while Von did the rest of his obs and filled out his chart.

"Now is there anything I can get you?" Von asked capping the pen "water? Something to read…a lobotomy maybe?"

Ben wasn't paying attention "maybe later" he said staring at the ring which he still held in his hands.

"I'm a dickhead Von" Ben said dully.

"Among other things" Von said placing the chart down, "Talk to her…"

"And what do I say?" Ben replied

"I've been a dickhead Bron is a good start" Ben turned back to the ring and Von grabbed his hand to get his attention "Look I'll say there's a problem and she's needed in here - after that it's up to you….or mate you're going to lose her forever."

"Thanks Von" Ben said in appreciation.

"Just don't screw it up" Von said going to leave.

Ben grinned for the first time in ages and started to plan what to say to Bron.

Von walked into the tearoom and saw Bron still sitting talking to Jared "Bron…." Von didn't know what to say, she didn't want to scare Bron, but she needed to get her into Ben's room., "aah there's a slight problem with Ben….I need your help"

Bron looked worried and went to stand up, but Jared stopped her "You stay here, I'll help Von"

"NO!" Von said quickly "I mean it's nothing major….just a problem with his chart….I um…..ah…..can't read your writing, more like chicken scratching's if you ask me"

Bron sighed and stood up, Von took her arm and practically dragged Bron across the ward, the reached the door and Von motioned for Bron to go in first. Bron sighed and walked into the room, Von made out like she was going to follow, but instead quietly closed the door.

Bron jumped as the door clicked shut