*Tom*
Tom was resting on his bed, staring up into the ceiling, he had a giant knot in his stomach, he had never in his life been this confused and torn apart.

He had been very surprised when Zac out of the blue told him it would be okay for him to go after Amelia.

Was it just random lashing out, because Tom was the one who was there, because Zac knew he would protect her or did he know something ? Had he seen through him ?

Tom thought he had been very discreet, he knew it was wrong of him to be harbouring feelings for her and normally he would never even consider acting on them, he couldn't do that to his friend.

And he had never thought it would earn him anything but a slap for being misbehaving, Amelia loved Zac with all her heart and he was just a friend.

But at the moment it was hard, the situation kind of blurred the lines, and he fought to stay on the right side of some invisible line and just be the friend she needed.

But the way she was clinging to him and snuggled into him, it made it so very difficult not to overstep the boundaries and he was aware that the nurses had started to notice.

He didn't believe she was wanting something, she still loved Zac, she was just so broken and needed safety and closeness, and suffered from Zac denying her all physical contact.

And then Zac suddenly gave him a free pass, told him to go for it, not risking their friendship, and he couldn't help being really tempted.

Okay he knew that Zac weren't exactly thinking clearly, and he would probably think very differently when he got better.

But he also knew that he wouldn't do anything, not even with Zac's blessing, it was to against his nature and moral.

His biggest fear was that she driven by sorrow and desperation would do something stupid and come on to him, even his self-control and strength had its limits and he was afraid he couldn't say no.

No he had to keep some distance, dial down the physical contact, he didn't want anything to happen.

When he heard the door open he knew right away that she was back, he cursed to himself, what had Zac done this time ?

Tom lifted his head and looked at her, it was clear to him that she had been crying alot and it hurt him to see. "Oh Ami, what happened sweetie ?"

"He snapped at me and told me to run back to you". She looked totally broken and he forgot what he had just told himself about distance and held out his arms to her.

She almost threw herself into his arms and he pulled her close to his chest, scolding himself for enjoying the feeling of holding her so much more than he was allowed to.
"It is okay Ami, hopefully it will get better soon, when the doctor talks to him". He was gently stroking her back, trying to hold his own thoughts at bay.

She shook her head, her voice broken. "They can only help him if he wants them to, and I am not sure he wants help and it can be neurological damage and then it is permanently".

"We just have to hope and pray that it is treatable and if he refuses help, then I will personally make sure that he changes his mind, I promise you that". He looked at her and her sad but beautiful eyes made butterflies erupt in his stomach.

She gently kissed his cheek and the memory of that half kiss on his mouth made his pulse race. "Thank you Tom, you are the best friend anyone could wish for".

"Thank you Ami, I do my best". And thought, I have to, because a friend is all I can ever be to you.