One-shot drabble based on a prompt from ehbiencherie: Tom surprises Sybil during her lunch shift at the hospital; the two have an (admittedly) quick date at an ice cream parlour, and neither can decide what kind of ice cream to get.

"What are you doing here!?" Sybil exclaimed from behind the nurse's station, seeing Tom approach with a smile.

"To the utter shock and delight of everyone at the paper, I met my deadline early today, so I thought I'd come and take you out."

Sybil came around the desk to greet her boyfriend with a proper kiss. "Hi," she said quietly after pulling away.

"Hi," he responded. "So can you get away?"

Sybil turned to the head nurse, who'd just come out of her office. "Nurse James is it all right if I take lunch now?"

"I don't see why not, Nurse Crawley. But do remember to sign in and out—and only 30 minutes if you still want to leave by 4."

"Of course," Sybil said, going over to the clipboard and doing as her boss had asked, before returning to where Tom was waiting. "Ready?"

Tom answered by lifting up his hand to take hers.

They'd just stepped out of the hospital, when Sybil said, "You know, I'm not actually very hungry. I had a late breakfast."

"Do you fancy an ice cream? I think we can walk to Gino Gelato from here."

"Sure."

XXX

"Can I try the pistaccio?" Sybil asked the attendant.

Tom rolled his eyes. "Dear God, Sybil you've tried every flavor, and we're short on time. Just pick one!"

She narrowed her eyes at him as she put the spoonful in her mouth. "I want something good!"

"They're all good."

"All right then, what are you having?"

Tom looked over the flavors and scratched his forehead.

Sybil laughed. "See?"

He deliberated for several minutes and finally settled on tiramisu, which the attendant served promptly.

Sybil finally ordered a vanilla, and after paying, they sat down.

Tom was about to dig into his cup when he noticed Sybil eyeing his ice cream. "What?"

Sybil's lips formed a very slight pout.

"Oh, fine," he said and switched their cups.

With a grin Sybil took the bite that Tom had prepared for himself. "Mmm. Thank you, love."