"i'm going to miss you, cutie." Tamara smiled, although it felt wobbly, she tried not to let it show. Grace stared up at her, and Tamara almost jumped when Grace grabbed her hands, holding on tightly. Her blue eyes, normally so full of life and laughter, held something close to solemn.

"Don't cry, Tammy. I'll see you again." She smiled, her left big tooth missing, an adult tooth starting to show. Tamara nodded, moved by the little girls braveness. Her hope was contagious, and for a second, Tamara wanted to desperately believe her. She wanted to believe that Grace would grow up, get married and have beautiful children. She deserved nothing less, but she was getting nothing more.

"You promise?" Tamara's throat closed up, and she knew she was desperately close to crying. Grace squeezed her hands, and seemingly mature response, and nodded.

"I promise."

Tamara hugged her tightly, and breathed out shakily. She let go of her, and stood up, meeting her mother and fathers mournful eyes.

"I...uh, you know where to find me, and don't hesitate to call if there's anything you need." Tamara smiled, and they both nodded. Grace's mother pulled her in for a hug.

"Thank you, so so much." She whispered, and pulled away. Her father shook Tamara's hand, his thanks all in his eyes. They then grabbed Grace's hand and walked towards the exit. With one last glance, Grace turned and waved, a knowing smile on her seven year old face.

Tamara felt her leaving like a blow to her stomach. She neared the reception desk slowly, knowing she needed to pull herself together. She would not cry at work. At home, however, she could break down and watch crappy re-runs with Melodie until her heart was content.

"You okay?" Willa asked her and Tamara stopped at the front desk. Willa ushered her behind and into the small room behind the reception. "I heard. I know you'll be upset," Willa murmured, holding Tamara's upper arms and making her hold eye contact.

"She's an inspiration, little Grace. Trust her, she'll fight it and probably be back before you know it." Willa smiled encouragingly, and Tamara nodded, smiling slightly.

"Thank you, Willa, for being understanding. I know we're not supposed to get attached, but I just couldn't help it!" She said, and Willa nodded in reassurance.

"Did I ever tell you how I met my husband?? Willa asked. Tamara shook her head, and Willa took a deep breath.

"The hospital was insanely busy this one day, and all the doctors and nurses were run off their feet, and one woman came in, asking if I could get someone to deliver these flowers to one of the recovering patients, and since no one else could do it, I took them to his room. When I walked in, he was lying in a bed with so many tubes hanging out of him he looked like his body was growing spaghetti off him. I put the flowers on the nightstand, since he was asleep, and suddenly, he was staring at me, asking me to stay." Willa smiled, her eyes unfocused slightly, obviously remembering the moment they'd met.

"What I'm trying to say is that it's okay to feel human, to feel obliged to get to know them and even become friends with them, because you never know who might be lying in that bed, and what they could mean to you."

"Wow, Willa, that's an amazing story." Tamara smiled, hugging the red head, touched by her ability to sooth people.

"It makes an interesting anniversary story," Willa laughed, and suddenly, the door swung open, revealing a very pissed off looking Josh, with Sasha behind him.

"Well I'm glad you two are having some bonding time, but will you please stop being lazy and come with me? There's an operation about to start you're supposed to sit in on." Josh said, still looking angry.

Tamara glared at him, and Willa nudged her with her elbow. "At least he said please."

"I was concentrating on the other words, but you're right, Willa."

"Just come on!" He growled, grabbing her arm and practically dragging her away from Willa. Tamara caught sight of Willa's sly smile, before turning to glare at Josh. Ripping her arm out of his hold, she scowled.

"I'm perfectly capable of exiting a room by myself, thank you very much." She snapped, and Josh just rolled his eyes, not bothering to look at her.

"Nows not the time to bitch me out, Jacobs. Besides, you can't have little heart to hearts with people all around the hospital whenever you feel like it."

"I wasn't having a heart to heart!"

"Oh, so you were just crying in the store room because it's a hobby."

"No!" Tamara half shouted, throwing her hands up in the air as they entered the elevator. Tamara didn't even notice Sasha hesitate, and before she knew it the doors were closing her and Josh in together.

"Then what were you doing!" He asked angrily, folding his arms over his chest.

"Counting the syringes!" Tamara shouted, feeling the heat well up inside of her again. Josh stared at her flatly, then scoffed.

"What?"

"I'm surprised you can count."

Tamara shook her head, biting her lip. "You want to know? Grace left today. She's not coming back. Ever. That's why I was crying, okay?" Tamara said quietly, not looking up at Josh even though she could feel his gaze on her.

"Jacobs-"

"Don't. It's fine. Let's just watch this damn operation." She muttered, exiting the elevators as soon as the doors opened. She walked enough in front of him so he couldn't try to talk to her, and she was glad that he kept his space. When she sat down, Sasha was already there.

"Thanks for ditching." Tamara muttered, and Sasha turned to look at her.

"I wasn't getting in the middle of that! Self preservation, okay?"

"Whatever. Next time, I'm throwing you in there."

Sasha laughed, and Tamara looked around for Josh. He stood with Nathan by the window, staring down into the room. He seemed distracted. She looked at his blond hair, ruffled slightly, and his broad, defined shoulders and narrow waist.

When her eyes lifted again, they connected with Nathan, who had a sly grin on his face, and he quirked an eyebrow when she blushed. Looking away quickly, she could almost see Nathan's thoughts. Well, it wasn't like that. Not much, anyway.

"You want to hear what Nathan told Melodie," Sasha whispered, and Tamara frowned, looking at the other woman.

"What?"

"He said that when he last saw Josh, he brought you up and he said you were the most stubborn person he'd ever met. Nathan said he thought it was quite amusing, then Josh brought up the time you smacked him in the nose on purpose with the door."

"Anything else?" Tamara was fast becoming mad. She knew the comments were supposed to get back to her, judging by Nathan's almost excited look on his face.

"Yeah. You're apparently a bigger brat then Paris Hilton in her teenage years."

Tamara felt her blood boil over. Sasha tried to hide her smile. "I swear Josh loves making you angry. I think furious woman turn him on." Tamara knew Sasha was joking, but she didn't care.

"Well," Tamara fumed, turning in her seat and getting ready to stand. "I'm about to give him a fucking orgasm."

****

Hope this is okay! Sorry if it's boring, but I needed to upload, so comment and tell what you think if you happen to read this! Thank you :)