By Lisa Kennard

Why had he been so stupid? Tom, racked with guilt, could never forgive himself for what had happened. He couldn’t believe that he had put Alex in danger and now here she was fighting for her life and it was all his fault. It can’t happen again! he thought, remembering the brutal way that Joanna had been taking from him not so long ago. "I won’t let it happen again."

Tom sat with Alex in the back of the ambulance as it raced to a clearing in the trees where they were met by a helicopter. He watched nervously as paramedics tended to Alex, talking to her, comforting her, but she had not seemed to be responding to anything. She looked cold and weak, barely alive and although Tom knew they were doing everything they could, he couldn’t stop feeling helpless.

They had rushed her to theatre, stealing her away from him as soon as they had reached the hospital and all he could do was wait. Hours of agonising, pacing the floor and even the odd silent prayer followed and he breathed a sigh of relief when the surgeon emerged from the double doors and headed towards him.

Tom tried to judge the look on his face, but it didn’t really give anything away. He wasn’t sure if that was good or bad, but allowed himself to be led into her room where she lay asleep. He sat down in the chair next to her bed, just watching her chest rise and fall in time. He could feel Will and Kate nearby, hovering just outside the window if he needed them, but he preferred to be alone. Alone with Alex. Just in case . . .

Time past and he eventually lowered his head and allowed his tired eyes to close unable to fight the fatigue that was beginning to take command of his body. He had not meant to fall asleep but he could not resist his aching limbs and while he slept by Alex’s bedside he relived the accident again.

End of part one!

****

Part 2

"C'mon Alex, I promise we won't get wet."

"Tom, it's going to rain. Look," She pointed to the sky, trying to prove her point.

"But, it'll be fun!"

Alex gave in. Tom had a way of persuading you to do something, even if you weren't too sure it was what you wanted. She smiled at him, as he hugged her rewarding her for her co-operation. He had planned this weekend a month ago, and didn't want the threat of rain to stand in their way. Leanne had Joe and they could have the day to themselves. A short drive and a walk in the woods, followed by a picnic, that Carol had kindly packed for them. A perfect day off, Tom thought.

The rain had come, just as Alex had predicted. Hand in hand they had rushed through the trees to try and find shelter. Laughing as they ran, they were happy, despite the water that was showering down on them. But that moment of happiness was soon to be spoilt.

They reached a narrow stretch of path and had to turn suddenly to avoid colliding with an old tree stump in the middle of it. Dodging it, they had not noticed the small cliff that was hidden by a bank of leaves and Alex had slipped. In order to regain his balance, Tom had let go of her hand and she had fallen. It had happened in slow motion, and he had seen the look of sheer horror on her face as she disappeared over the edge. Lunging for her desperately, Tom grasped for her flaying arms, but he missed. He remembered thinking that he shouldn't have let go in the first place, but it had all happened so quick, so suddenly and there had been no way to stop it. Alex Redman had stumbled over the top and she screamed all of the way down. He heard that scream in his head, long after she had ceased her cry. Then there was silence and Tom stood dumbfounded peering over the incline. "Alex," he called, but no answer greeted him. "ALEX!"

End of part 2

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Part 3

The rain fell hard in the deserted woods. Tom stood alone at the foot of a tree; every drop of water plummeted through the canopy of leaves, drenching his clothes and reaching his skin. He was lost! He couldn’t find a way down to her; every route was a dead end, blocked by fallen trees and walls of rock. The last remaining light had now faded and there was no moon to light his way. He struggled along the broken paths, clutching at branches and anything to balance himself on the way down. Beads of sweat mingled with the rain and ran down his forehead. His mind was misty and confusion blocked out all sense of reality. This was a nightmare – it couldn’t really be happening, could it?

A flash of lightening lit up the trees for a split second and then he was plunged into darkness again. A loud thunderclap interrupted the silence and dissolved into a low rumble that spread through the forest. Aware of the dangers that this storm would bring, he tried to hurry forward, but every movement sent a surge of pain through his body. He felt giddy and clutched onto a tree to steady himself. His head swimming and his mind blurred he forced himself on. Stumbling through the undergrowth, he willed himself not to give up. Stay strong, he thought and I will find her. He had no idea where she was, but he knew he had to find her. He had to help her.

Finally reaching the lower levels of the ravine, Tom spotted her and ran to where she lay. Stooping down to examine her still body, he checked for a pulse. It was weak , but at least it was there. He checked her over, the gash on her forehead, the slightly odd twist of her ankle and her shallow gasps for air. "It’s ok Alex," he whispered. "Everything’s going to be ok!" He stroked her hair and kissed her gently on the lips, then stood and took off his jacket. "This’ll keep you warm baby," he said laying it over Alex. "I’m going to have to go and get help."

Another bolt of light flashed, the electric glow threatening to destroy anything that lay in its path. The crash of the thunder sounded and he began to run. He had to get out of here. Leaves and twigs tore at his legs and cut into his trousers. Roots and vines entangled his body, pulling him down, slowing his pace. Thrashing between the branches, he pushed on, determined to help her. She needed him - he was the only one she could rely on.

Suddenly, catching his foot in something, he was hurled to the ground. Slamming face down into the murky, muddy floor of the forest, his head came into contact with a bolder. All of his senses were taken over by the full force of the pain that rocketed through his brain. Before the lights went out in his mind, he let out a cry, "Alex!"

"Tom, it's alright!" said her voice, inside his head.

The storm was still raging on, and the wild flashes that blazed through the night sky only illuminated the darkness occasionally. Confusion reigned in his mind. Tom? Who was Tom? Still he heard her voice, calling to him. It echoed on the wind that thrust itself against the trees, surrounding his body, with her silky soft speech and forcing him to continue. He loved her, he knew that much. Pulling himself to his feet, he moved on. Time was running out. The beating of his heart counted every passing second and he knew he had to hurry.

Forgetting the feeling of pain inside his head, Tom looked around himself to gather his bearings. There was the fork in the trees he had been looking for. Who would have guessed that a romantic walk in the seclusion of such a beautiful place would have ended in such tragedy? Who could foresee the hidden dangers that lay ahead? The sanctuary of the forest they had walked through that afternoon was now lost. The rain and the darkness had transformed the pleasant woods, into a place of fear and chaos.

"Tom," her voice spoke again, but he could not tell from where this time. Her rhetorical language lingered in the air, refusing to be silenced by the howling wind. She was close by; he could feel her, sense her watching him. Charging towards the edge of the trees, he could see the faint outline of a road. He just hoped it wouldn't be too late. Breaking free from the encompassing darkness of the tall branches, he breathed a sigh of relief. The shrouding trees of the woods had seemed claustrophobic and frightening. Tom's eyes glistened with tears and as one rolled slowly down the side of his cheek, he didn't brush it away.

End of part 3

Part 4

The road seemed long and winding. He hadn't noticed when they had walked down only a few hours ago. Desperately searching for where they had parked the car, he panicked at the thought of not being able to find it. It was the only way to get help. The only way to rescue her from the clutches of death. The only way! Suddenly, there it was. Parked beneath the bough of a tall oak, the shadows of the giant hiding it from view. It had taken ages to reach it, but now he only hoped he would remember the way back. Falling into the passenger seat of the vehicle, he lunged at his mobile, knocking it from its holder to the floor. How could he have forgotten to take it with him? Please work! he thought, as he scooped it back up and dialled 999.

His voice sounded strange and distant when he spoke. Not sure whether he had actually said anything or imagined it, he repeated himself again,"I need an ambulance . . . please!" he puffed out of breath. The mobile spluttered with the bad connection but a voice answered his call and he knew his cry for help would soon be answered. He just hoped it wouldn’t be too late!

It had been over an hour since the accident and Tom had hated leaving her, but there was no other way. She needed help and he was the only one who could get it, but that meant leaving her alone…hurt…bleeding…dying. She hadn't been conscious when he had left. Drifting in and out of a coma, she probably hadn't even known he was there. She wouldn't have missed him, but he still felt that he should have stayed.

Tom sat hunched over in his car and let the tears flow. All he could do was wait now and when help arrived lead them back to her. Hopefully she would still be alive when they got there. The lights of a car, shone through the rain as it approached him. He blinked the tears from his eyes and stepped out of his own, into the falling rain. Why was it still raining? he thought. The torrential downpour would make it harder to rescue Alex. Cursing the weather, he blinked as the flashing blue light of an ambulance pierced the darkness. For the first time he heard the wail of the siren and the full seriousness of what had happened began to sink in.

Tom hurried over to the vehicles that had pulled up and all doors opened up simultaneously. Distraught and tired, Tom almost didn't recognise Will and Kate who emerged from their own car a little further behind. He heard their voices, felt them embrace him each in turn, but nothing else registered in his mind. Turning without saying a word, he headed back up the road and into the forest, leaving the others no choice but to follow. Rescuers from three other cars headed after them. No one spoke. Heads down as they picked their way through the slush at their feet, they hurried after the doctor. He was Alex's lifeline, her only hope of survival.

Nearing the place where it had all happened, Tom suddenly stopped and could go no further. Fear took hold of his heart and he had no wish to look over the edge of the cliff they had reached. He already knew what he would see. Sensing the torture he was suffering, Will put a hand on his shoulder. "It's all right, mate," he said and leaving Tom with Kate, he went to help the others.

Kate placed a comforting arm on Tom’s shoulder as he stood and watched the rescuers climbing up and down the cliff. He wanted to help but felt frozen to the spot. He was lost, caught up in the events of earlier that afternoon, replaying it all in his mind. It’s too late, he thought, but her voice told him he wasn't.

"It's just a dream, Tom," she said, but when he looked, he saw the cliff, the trees at its edge, the falling rain, and the stricken look on everyone's faces. It was no dream, it was real. He knew it was real! A rumble of thunder mocked him as he lowered himself to his knees. It had happened, and now he might have to face life without her. Walking into the surgery every morning would never be the same. No more secret little notes, whispers or giggles. No more nights spent in secret liaisons at either of their houses. No more Alex!

End of part 4

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Part 5

"Tom," her soft voice spoke from the distance somewhere. Opening his eyes he lifted up his head. She smiled faintly up at him, her face pale. Tom noticed her ghost white appearance, the only colour deriving from the crimson gash on her forehead. He smiled back and squeezed her hand, glad that she was awake. Her hair was splayed out over the pillow and the sheets were pulled up over her body. He realised he was bathed in sweat and had not washed the mud out of his hair. He must have looked awful.

Alex spoke quietly to him, "Were you dreaming?"

"I…I've…" he didn't know whether he should tell her that he had experienced the whole accident again, in his dream, but she guessed. "You were in the forest again, weren't you?" He nodded, unable to hide the memory that had surfaced in his sleep. He pushed back her fringe with his hand and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry!" he whispered.

"What for?"

"For everything. This wasn't supposed to happen," unshed tears sparkled in the corner of his eyes. "This is all my fault!"

"No it's not," she insisted, and kissed him softly on the lips. "No-one could have predicted what happened."

"You did. You said that it was going to rain and you were right. I should have listened to you."

"It is not your fault!"

He looked into her eyes as she spoke those words and he could see that she didn't blame him. I'm so lucky, he thought. I'm lucky she is alive, lucky that she doesn't blame me and lucky that she still loves me. He thanked her by giving her another kiss and reached for her hand. This time he wasn’t going to let it go, he thought as he gave it a squeeze. Then as she closed her eyes to rest again, he mimicked her by closing his own and placed his head back on the hospital bed where she lay.

Outside, peering in on the tableau, Will and Kate breathed a sigh of relief. They smiled at the couple through the window then Will turned to kiss his wife.

"What was that for?" she asked, her tone light-hearted with the realisation that Alex was going to be fine.

"Just wanted to tell you I love you!" Will answered, and arm in arm they set off up the hospital corridor.

"They’ve had it tough recently," Kate mused thinking about everything that had happened to them.

"Yeah," agreed Will. "But I think it’s gonna start getting better for them from now on," he added with a smile.

"I hope so!" Kate looked at the devious glint in his eye, but he wasn’t giving anything away. "Hey, what do you know?" she tickled him lightly until he gave in.

"Ok, ok – I was speaking to the consultant earlier and . . ." he lingered a while before making the announcement. "Alex is pregnant!"

"What?" Kate exclaimed, knowing how happy Alex and Tom would be. "But . . .she couldn’t . . . and the fall! How . . .?"

Will nodded, knowing full well what the consequences could have been. "It’s a miracle!" was all he could manage in explanation. "I guess it was just meant to be."

Will pulled Kate in towards him for a hug. "I’m so happy for them," she cried as he stroked her hair. "At last, a bit of happiness!"

THE END!