Author's Note: There is a bit in here that is in French. I used Google Translate for that and it doesn't really matter what is being said in the moment as you will discover it soon enough.

There's also a little time jumping.  We start on Day Thirteen, then jump back in time and work our way to Thirteen again.

I hope that makes sense!

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Day Thirteen

Harry was alive with excitement as he finished up at the event; shook hands, said his good-byes. It was Day Thirteen of Fourteen. At this exact time the next day he would be looking in her eyes, holding her close, making gentle fun of the way she took the phone she had jumped on him over and used it to check in with him every single day she had been there.

He couldn't wait to see her and it showed. He was smiling wide, walking briskly as he made his way from the venue towards the car. Stopping to shake hands and say hello. He was almost finished when it happened, almost done waving to the crowds when Thomas stepped forward with Harry's cell phone in hand with a light nudge. Harry glanced down and back up at Thomas; thinking maybe he had lost his mind. Harry had never taken a phone call when he was out like this; shaking hands, walking the rope line. He shook his head slightly, not once losing his focus. But Thomas was insistent, his hand resting on Harry's arm, forcing his attention.

"Sir," his voice was stern and when Harry met his eyes, he saw a genuineness there that spoke volumes. Thomas had been with Harry for a long time, with the family even longer. He would never put this out there if it weren't important.

Still, an annoyance went with him as he smiled apologetically at the people in front of him. "This couldn't have waited until we were in the car?" He muttered to Thomas who shook his head.

"No sir."

"Fine." Taking the phone from his hand, Harry stepped off to the side as much as he could to prevent himself from being seen on the telephone at an official function. Moving away from the view of the crowd, he rounded a corner and, as he pressed the phone to his ear, he heard the news that would hand the press photos of him that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Day Three

"Bloody hell..." Harry called out into his dark room as he rolled towards his nightstand, tangling up in the sheets. His hand slapped at the stand, searching for his ringing phone. His eyes squinted at the clock. "Who in the hell is calling at three in the..." His heart thudded in his ear as he answered the phone; panicked. "Maddie?"

"I'm okay." Knowing him, knowing his disposition, she went first for comfort and assurance and he was eternally grateful for that. "I'm okay. Everyone is okay." He heard her take a breath as every single molecule in his body relaxed.

"You're okay," he breathed.

"I'm okay."

"Okay," he eased back into his bed, taking the phone with him. "What's going on?"

"Promise..." Her voice was soft, whispery. "Promise not to make fun of me."

"I promise," he agreed; his heart warming at every word she spoke.

"I...wanted to hear your voice." Harry was thankful for the dark room as an embarrassingly wide grin stretched across his face. She could hear him over the phone, the way his breath drew in, the way he chuckled to himself. "It's only my second day here and already I want to crawl into bed with you and..."

"Third," he corrected her, unsure why he felt the need to do so. "It's your third day."

"Yes," she breathed with a smile. "I guess it is. I'm sorry Harry. I didn't mean to wake you. I shouldn't have called this late, I just..."

"What would you like me to say?" He raised his eyebrows sleepily.

"Sorry?"

"You..." He laughed lightly. "You said you wanted to hear my voice and I'm willing to help you out with that. I just need to know what you want me to say."

"You're..." Maddie's eyes teared up instantly. "You're willing to help me out with that? Just like that? In the middle of the night? You're not going to make fun or..."

"I'm not going to make fun," he shook his head. "Madeline, you very rarely need me. And right now, you need me. There's no way I'm going to make fun of you. Though, I will say this, it's a good thing that sneaky bastard slipped that phone to Ella before you left."

"It is," Maddie laughed; comforted by such simplicity. Her day had been horrible; long and sweaty and full of despair and, though she had tried on her own for hours, she was finding that sleeping without Harry was looking to be a trend from her past.

"Do you want me to find a phone book or..." They both chuckled at that.

"No," Maddie shook her head. "Just tell me about your day. Would you do that? Tell me what you did today?"

"Absolutely," he nodded, sinking into his pillow. "Just give me a second..."

"Hey Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"I always need you."

Harry took a moment to catch himself, a moment to collect his thoughts and then, with a wide smile and full heart, he began what would become a nightly event; him talking aimlessly and her listening. And damn it all if she wasn't falling for him further and further with every word.

Day Seven

"Harry! Harry!" Harry turned towards the voices and offered a small wave. The press was lined up as Harry exited the school gymnasium with his brother. In their father's place, they were attending an afternoon recital for a local school and to say that the children were beyond ecstatic to see the two of them was an understatement. By the time they were leaving, the children weren't the only ones excited. There were throngs of people, young and old, waiting to catch a glimpse of them.

Unable to resist a chance to interact with little ones, the two brothers veered off path for just a moment; to say hello to some kids who had been playing at the park across the way. Kids were always the first to break protocol, the first not to care that Harry was a Your Royal Highness, going straight for his first name or, at times, even a Hey You! And he loved it.

So, when a bright, happy little girl who seemed to be bouncing as he said hello asked him, "Where's Maddie?" He couldn't help but smile at her and, despite the reporter that Harry knew was within earshot, answer.

"She's...she's off making the world a better place."

"Is she helping kids?" The girl beamed at the fact that he was talking to her. "My Mum says she helps kids."

"She is helping kids," Harry nodded; pride oozing from him as he spoke.

"Will she be back?"

"Ha! If I'm lucky," Harry laughed as William caught up with him; clapping his hand on his back in a brotherly way.

"He's always been a pretty lucky guy." And then, with wide smiles and a wave, the two of them were ushered back towards the car. "Well," William spoke under his breath. "I'm guessing you knew the press was right there."

"Of course I did," Harry responded equally as hushed. They had long ago learned how to spot them, always keeping their peripheral in mind.

"Talking publically about Maddie?" William raised his eyebrows as they slipped into the awaiting car. "Things must be serious."

"Well, like you said," Harry shrugged with a smirk. "I've always been a pretty lucky guy."

Day Ten

The time in Bendal had been such a roller coaster for Maddie and Ella. There were times when things seemed to fly by; their twelve hours out in the community zipping by in a flash. Then there were days when the misery simply wouldn't end; when they weren't quite sure if they were going to make it to the end of the two weeks, the end of the day, the end of the hour. And they were almost always split up; Maddie pulled to meet with victims of the quake or of the subsequent rioting and pillaging, Ella staffing the infirmary tent treating the wounded.

On day ten, Khenda went with Ella to the tent while Collins took Maddie out in the truck to meet with some of the people who were unable to make it into the community. Even though they were going out to work, there was an odd sort of comfort that fell over them, a familiarity with the moment that often came with going home. They laughed, they made jokes; they caught up. And, when they were finally back in the truck heading home from a long, sweaty day, Collins pulled out his best rendition of a big brother and brought up Harry.

"So..." He flashed a glance her way.

"So?" Maddie sighed; letting the air whip in through the window and around her.

"When was the last time you talked to Harry?"

"Hmmm..." Maddie stared out the window, a blush rising to her cheeks. "Last night."

"You've been talking to him every night, haven't you?" He grinned from ear to ear as he caught the smile that was her admission.

"So what if I have?" She shrugged, trying to play it off. "Are you going to razz me about it?"

"Not at all," Collins shook his head. "No need to be embarrassed around me. You ever see me hide my devotion to Khenda?"

"No."

"No," he smiled. "You don't need to get all blushy like you're trying to hide something."

"I know," she smiled at him. "I guess I'm just used to being in London, surround by photographers and people who are dying to print the next salacious tale. I play it closer to the vest than I really ever have."

"That makes sense," Collins nodded.

"But it doesn't mean that I don't absolutely adore him," she spoke softly, her mind wandering through images of him. "It doesn't mean that I don't love him."

"Oh, hey," Collins nudged her. "I know you love him. Are you kidding? You left everything to go to London and have your entire life paraded out in the daily rags. You only do that if you love somebody...or if you're really sick and crazy."

"Maybe I'm sick and crazy," she grinned at him.

"Maybe you are," he chuckled.

"I have been talking to him every night," she sighed an answer to his earlier question. "I know I made a big deal out of the phone but...I couldn't help it. Once I had a way to speak to him...why wouldn't I speak to him, you know?"

"I do," he nodded.

"He's really great, Collins," her voice was low, her smile soft. "He's been so amazing with all of it; adjusting to London, to my new...life. And when I told him I was coming here...I know he put up a fight about it but I could see it in his eyes..." She felt teary, emotional.

"See what?"

"Pride," she smiled, her head resting back against the seat as she turned to look at Collins. "He's proud of me, he's proud that I'm down here. You know he loves this place, loves the people. I think he would be here with us if he could. But he can't. His life is too complicated for this."

"Yeah," Collins nodded. He knew Harry enough to know all of those things. He watched Maddie for a moment, watched as her mind wandered over Harry; watched as a peaceful happiness settled over her features. "Someday that's going to be you, huh? Unable to travel without security because your husband is..."

"Shhh..." Maddie hushed him immediately, despite the grin on her face. "You can't just say things like that."

"Oh yeah?" He laughed at her, pulling the truck up outside the home he shared with Khenda. "That mile wide smile on your face says otherwise."

"Yes, well," Maddie opened her door and stepped out with a slight groan. Collins came around to her side, watching her as she paused in thought. "There may be a small amount of truth to what you say..."

"There may be," he laughed. "Come on Doc. Let's get inside, check on those two, get you some food and then you can check in with your man at home."

"I wish hearing you say that didn't make me sigh..."

"But it does," he finished her thought as they ascended the stairs.

"But it does." She grinned.

"No need to hide your devotion here," he held open the door for her, waited till she passed to follow behind and shut it. "Khenda my darling! Are you and Ella home?" Maddie snickered at him as she took off her work boots; pulling her hat from her head. "Khenda!"

"Hey," Khenda's voice was in direct contrast to Collins' drawing both of their attention as she rounded the corner to greet them.

"What's wrong?" Collins looked her over with a quick glance. "Ella?"

"What happened to Ella?" Maddie's pulse quickened.

"She's fine," Khenda reached a steady hand out to Maddie's shoulder. "She had a terrible day. I think the heat and the patients and...she's really feeling it today."

"Where is she?" Maddie dropped her bag onto the floor.

"She's in bed. I was in with her when I heard you two come in."

"I'm heading that way," Maddie reached out to pat Collins on his shoulder and went straight for the hallway.

"I'll make some tea and meet you down there?" Collins raised his eyebrows to Khenda.

"You're the absolute best," she sighed into a smile; leaning to kiss him. "Thank you."

And just like that, the three women were gathered in the bed; snuggled close to the friend who needed them the most at the moment. This wasn't the first time they had rallied around one of their own, nursing the wounded heart back from the atrocities they bore witness too. There were very few words; more hugging and kissing, stroking of hair and holding of hands. As soon as Maddie had hit the bed, Ella had turned in to her, resting her head on her shoulder as Maddie wrapped her arm around her; kissing her forehead. Khenda took her place on the other side, scooping Ella's hand back into one of hers while she reached out with the other to smooth back Maddie's hair.

It was there that Collins found them, just like that, when he made his way in with tea and cakes and a smile of understanding.

"You brought tea?" Ella sat up; tears in her eyes, in her voice. "How fucking perfect are you?" And, without missing a beat, Collins moved into the room.

"Pretty fucking perfect," he responded. And the room erupted in laughter. He winked at Khenda and leaned to kiss Ella's cheeks. "You going to pull through darling?"

"Yes," she sniffed and wiped at her eyes; taking tea from him. "I usually do, right?"

"Sure," Collins nodded, handing tea to the other two women before sitting on the edge of the bed.

"You want to talk about it?" Maddie met Ella's eyes.

"Yeah..." Ella pushed a great big breath from her lungs and inhaled. "There was a mother who brought in her three little kids today; I mean, no older than four. She was convinced that her husband had..." Ella cracked a defensive smile as tears pushed from her eyes. "She was concerned that after quake, with all of the devastation, that her husband had...poisoned the kids; thinking he could let them...go peacefully instead of in hunger or thirst or..." Ella's train of thought ran off as she began to cry again. Maddie felt tears in her own eyes as Ella pushed the tea to Collins and returned to her spot on Maddie's shoulder. "She was right. He had. I helped them but the dad came in and was yelling and screaming and...he wanted me to just let them go and..." And the story was over for Ella. She couldn't process it any longer.

"The kids are okay," Khenda finished. "But it was..."

"Terrible," Ella finished. "It was just absolutely terrible."

"I'm so sorry," Maddie whispered into her hair as she hugged her. "I'm so sorry that was your day Ella." As Maddie comforted her best friend, Khenda looked to Collins who was watching with abject horror.

"See, Khenda, this is..." He shook his head and looked away; clearly upset by the story. "This is exactly what I was talking about. This place is..."

"Hey," Khenda reached her hand out to his arm. "It's okay."

"No, it's not okay," Collins shook his head, the conversation between them private and personal as he moved to their first language. "C'est exactement pourquoi je veux partir en France."

"Encore une fois avec la France?!" Khenda rolled her eyes; allowing the tiniest of glances to the other two in the room.

"S'il vous plaît ne pas prendre à la légère cette Khenda! Je m'inquiète pour toi tout le temps ici et maintenant ..." Ella perked up slightly, looking to Maddie confused as Khenda and Collins moved into an entirely different moment right there in front of them.

"Are they..." Ella squinted. "Are they speaking French?"

"I think so," Maddie whispered, just as confused by what was happening; though the arguing continued. "Do you know any French?"

"A little bit," Ella sat up. "Mostly medical terms though. You?"

"No," Maddie shook her head; moving closer to Ella. "Harry does though."

"Great. Why don't you go get the phone I...."

"God damn it Collins!" Khenda yelled, rising to her feet. "Je suis enceinte, pas impuissant!" Maddie flinched in surprise as Ella's eyes grew wide as saucers.

"Oh my God!" She pointed. "I know that word. I...."

"Oh my God..." Khenda groaned as it registered that Ella and Maddie were there.

"Khenda!" Ella moved to her knees, her face twitching into a smile. "You're pregnant."

"Oh!" Maddie gasped, her hand clasping over her mouth.

"You are!" Ella grinned. "I know pregnant in about seventeen languages and French is one of them and..." Her eyes moved to Collins who, underneath all of the fighting and craziness, couldn't control the smile on his face. "Collins."

"Yes?" He tried to avoid the stares as Khenda remained unfazed.

"Were you just yelling at a pregnant woman?" Ella's voice was accusatory though her face remained excited.

"I..." He looked to Khenda; eyes soft and pleading and, with a deep sigh and roll of her eyes, she caved.

"Yes. He was just yelling at a pregnant woman."

And the room erupted.

Ella and Maddie were on their feet, jumping on the bed as they clapped their hands. Collins stood to pull Khenda to him, protective and loving; making the other women ooh and aww. As Maddie and Ella rushed to congratulate them, rushed to hug them, the torment from the day slipped away from the room without another thought. Love had a way of doing that.

Day Eleven

"Mmm..." Harry's voice was muted as he answered the phone, just after midnight. "You're a little late tonight," she could hear him smiling.

"I'm so sorry darling," she crooned; her grin taking over her face.

"Darling?" He chuckled; waking up enough to speak to her.

"Can I call you darling? Or...Sunshine. How about sunshine?"

"Sunshine?"

"Or puppy!"

"Not puppy." They shared a laugh at his quick retort.

"Sunshine it is."

"Have you been drinking?" Something about the levity in her voice made him happy, more at ease.

"Only a very little," she sighed. "I had a sip of champagne...or a few glasses. But that's not what this is. This isn't me drunk. This is entirely celebratory."

"Oh?" He was confused. "You're in Bendal on a Crisis Intervention team after an Earthquake. What exactly are we celebrating?"

"I don't want to tell you." She bit her lip with an unshakable smile.

"You don't?" He laughed.

"No," she shook her head. "I want to tell you in person. I want to see the look on your face when I tell you."

"Then why did you bring it up?"

"I couldn't help it," she shrugged. "You think I'm drunk and I'm not and...it's big and wonderful and it makes me giddy and happy and...Oh Harry. I love you."

"I love you too."

"No I..." She sighed back into her pillow; her eyes welling with tears that were part sad but mostly joyous. "I love you. So much. I...I can't even talk to Collins about you without blushing. I can't even get out your name without feeling all tingly and...oh I hate it. I hate the