But now they were surprisingly close to the right colour, and the sky was lighting up spectacularly to go along with it. But they wouldn’t be getting snow, just a huge storm.

Which meant driving home in the rain.

Which meant dealing with people who had suddenly forgotten how to drive. People would bounce between going way too fast on newly wet roads and dropping their speed ridiculously, endangering every person driving nearby.

Tearing her eyes from the view, Frazer checked her pager. New parents had arrived, waters broken en route.

At least they’d be able to boast that the baby had come out during what was probably going to be one of the biggest storms that year.

Which, for other cities, would be a minor storm, but they’d take what they could.

Hands buried in her pockets, Frazer rocked back and forth on her heels as she waited for the elevator to arrive. She was going to redeem herself and her terrible hangover by bringing new life into the world.

Or, rather, by observing their newest midwife bring new life into the world. Frazer may have gotten irresponsibly hung-over, but only because she was not supposed to be touching a patient that day.

When all that was done, she would then check her e-mails for the twentieth time that day to see if Alec had sent through the material to get started with the programme. Nervous energy played in her stomach as Frazer pressed the down button again.

Which she knew did nothing to help, but it made her feel better. Everything in this hospital was slow today. Or maybe it was just her.

If the e-mail was through, Frazer could start calling the parents she had on the waiting list she’d started. Which she shouldn’t have really started without being sure the project would be given the green light. But she had figured it was good to send out positive vibes into the universe. Or something.

The elevator finally dinged, and the doors slid open. It was mercifully empty. With a contented sigh, Frazer pressed the button for ground floor and leant back against the wall. Silence.

There was about to be none of that.

The elevator stopped again too soon, doors sliding open at the next floor. But it wasn’t a screaming birth that broke the silence. Frazer wanted to tell whoever was waiting at the open doors to go away, but she looked up politely. Then she froze.

Cora blinked at her. She slid into the elevator car slowly, like she wanted to be anywhere else.

Frazer almost laughed.

Of course that’s who it was.

“Hey.” Frazer even managed to look friendly. Or a reasonable portrayal of friendly, she hoped. Maybe she looked terrifying.

Cora cocked her head. “Hi.”

They didn’t move.

Frazer indicated the control panel with her head. “You, uh, have to press a button, or the doors will take forever to close.”