Jeff sat distractedly at the kitchen counter in his and Nick's loft. He was expecting Nick to be home soon, it was nearly seven thirty, and he usually didn't work past six. Jeff was growing more anxious wondering what Nick had planned and why he was so late getting home. What was he going to say to explain his behavior this morning? Jeff began chewing on his bottom lip anxiously.

Suddenly the door opened and in walked Nick clad in his pale green scrubs with a beautiful bouquet of lilies in a blue vase. Jeff stared, frozen to his seat, and Nick looked at him with a concerned expression. Their eyes locked for nearly a minute and a half before Nick broke the awkward silence by looking to his feet apologetically. "I uh, bought you these flowers. I know lilies are your favorite" he mumbled. "Jeff, I'm really sorry I scared you. Will you forgive me?" Jeff visibly relaxed and gave Nick a warm smile, well, as best he could anyway. His jaw was starting to become slightly swollen, Nick noticed.

"Have you tried eating anything since this morning Jeff?" Nick pressed

"No, it's a little….difficult to." Jeff stated reluctantly

"Honey if you're in pain you should let me help you, I can fix-"

"N-no Nick! I'm fine, really. I don't need you to fix it." Jeff cut him off.

"Jeff, your jaw is swelling" Nick stated as he gently cupped Jeff's face. "Tell me, why is this so scary?"

Jeff became flustered at his touch "Its, a long story. I don't want to talk about it, its embarrassing Nick." Nick gave him a pleading look "I- just…it's going to hurt" Jeff choked out.

"I promise I would never dare hurt you Jeffy" Nick soothed "I love you too much to see you in pain. We'll figure this out" Jeff let out a whimper of panic. He thought Nick was going to leave him alone after earlier.

"Hey, let's not worry about this right now. Why don't we relax tonight and watch a movie" Nick suggested as he lead Jeff over to the couch. While he followed behind Jeff, Hick took the opportunity to push his backpack closer to the sofa.

Jeff sat on the couch and looked expectantly at Jeff. "Thank you by the way, for the flowers. They're beautiful Nick."

"You're welcome Jeff, I'm glad you like them." He beamed before placing a quick kiss on Jeff's lips. They shared a few more sweet kisses before Nick pulled away. "I wanted to do something nice for you, in hopes you'll forgive me" Nick said with an apologetic look on his face.

"There's nothing to forgive Nick, you didn't know I was scared. I'm just glad were not going to think about it anymore."

"Yeah, about that…" Nick trailed off.

Jeff lay down to rest lengthwise on the couch and Nick seized his opportunity. He straddled Jeff and sat on his legs so he couldn't get up. "Nick what are your doing? Nick! Get off, please!" Jeff said in a panic. "I'm really sorry honey but you left me no choice but to use tough love." Nick explained as he reached for his backpack. Jeff started struggling against Nick's weight trying to push him off. Nick moved closer up to Jeff's face and pinned his arms down with his knees. He reached into his pack and pulled out his tool case he had packed for this purpose. Jeff's eyes widened at the realization of what his husband had intended for their night in. he started shaking his head back and forth as tears began to well up in his eyes.

"Nick p-please, I'm r-really scared! I-I don't want t-to do this! Please!"

Nicks heart hurt seeing his love in such a frightened state, but this needed to be done.

"Jeff, the sooner you let me look at how bad your tooth has gotten the sooner I will get off of you" Nick announced while he began pulling out his tools one by one, trying to keep them out of Jeff's vision.

Jeff became fearful when he heard the distinctive clicks as each instrument was set on the coffee table, and tried to crane his head to see what Nick was doing. "You're not putting those in my mouth!" Jeff shrieked as he caught glimpse of what Nick was unpacking. "Yes I am Jeff, you need to calm down. Take a few deep breaths and try to relax" Nick stated coolly.

"What can I do to help calm you down Jeff?" Nick questioned.

"Forget all of this and get off me?!" Jeff Pleaded. "Besides that" Nick quipped back while rolling his eyes.

Nick grabbed his glasses and a pair of gloves from his bag, and slipped them on. "Ok Jeffy, time to be brave and open your mouth" Nick persuaded as he grabbed his mirror and explorer and held them above Jeff's face.

Jeff clamped his mouth shut and shook his head moving his eyes between Nick and the tools in his hands. He started to squirm again. "Jeff, cooperate, I don't want to have to force you" Nick pleaded, but Jeff didn't budge. He shut his eyes and turned his face away from nick.

Nick let out a frustrated sigh and placed his tools back on the table. "Jeff honey, trust me, it won't hurt. I'm just going to look ok?" when he received no signs that Jeff was going to willingly give himself up, Nick decided it was time to speed things along. "I'm really sorry about this honey" Nick murmured "I'll try to be gentle."

Jeff grew panicked as Nick grabbed his jaw and gently pushed down forcing his mouth open. Jeff tried to move his head away but Nick was too strong for him. Nick picked up his tools again and Jeff started to cry. Nick brushed the tears away and soothed "I'm just going to look love, don't panic."

Nick moved his tools around searching for the tooth from earlier. He knew he'd located the problem when Jeff started to whine "nnn uhhuh."

"I'm not touching it Jeff, but it seems to be worse that I originally thought. There's and infection that needs to be cleared up. I'll prescribe you some antibiotics and well take care of it later this week."

Nick didn't want to worry Jeff with the details of what he needed to do. His heart ached knowing Jeff wasn't going to like what he was going to have to do. The infection was unknown to Nick this morning, but now he was certain. The tooth couldn't be saved with just a filling. Poor Jeff was going to need a root canal at best. Nick could have kicked himself, this was all his fault. If he had just kept on Jeff to come in for checkups this would have never happened.

Nick put his tools back on the coffee table and smiled at Jeff. "See, I told you id be gentle." He quickly got up from his position on Jeff's torso and pulled him in for a tight hug. Jeff sniffled into his shoulder and let a few remaining tears fall.

Nick carried his exhausted husband to their bedroom. He'd had a long stressful day and all his energy was lost in his struggle with Nick. Nick laid him gingerly on the bed and pulled the duvet over him. "Don't worry Jeff; I'll take good care of you." Nick whispered and gave Jeff a tender kiss on the lips.

"I love you Nick" Jeff mumbled "even if your job is scary."

Nick laughed "I love you too Jeff. Get some sleep."