Nick could tell by the disinfectant smell that he was in a hospital room. He didn't know what had happened, everything was confusing and his head hurt. He cracked one eye open to see his dad at the foot of his bed, he looked scared. Was he okay?

"Dad." He asked shaky.

"Nick, you had us so worried son how do you feel?" he asked as he came a little closer to the bed.

"I'm fine, how long was J out." He asked.

Burton couldn't look at his son. He had been so worried for the past two days. When he got that call that his son had passed out in court he had rushed over, but when he got him and saw him he was devastated. When would Nick ever learn?

"Dad?" Nick asked uncertain.

"Son, what do you remember?" Burton asked.

Nick took a look at his father and he didn't like what he saw. His appearance was disheveled, there were bags under his eyes, and he could tell that he hadn't slept for a while. He was worried, worried about him.

"What did they tell you?"

"Nick they called me down here two days ago and I rushed right over. I thought there was something seriously wrong with you only to find out that you are hopped up on all kinds of medication. Do we really have to go down this road again son, I knew that you had come back to work too soon?"

This was the moment. He could easily tell his father that he was dying. What would he think then? He bet it would wipe that look of disappointment off of his face. No one knew about his diagnosis, he made sure of it when he went to a specialist out of state. All he really knew was right at this very moment; he wanted his dad to go away, and to see Gracia.

"I don't know what I was thinking; I just wanted to feel something."

Lulu is going to make you a father and you need to start acting like a man. Time and time again I keep saying that this is something that you'll get over, but you're proving to me that your just like your…." He stopped before he said something he regrets.

"Say it! You know you want to, I'm just like my mother. In more ways than you could possibly imagine, so thanks for waiting around for me but you are no longer needed."

"Now Nick-"

"Shannon needs you." He told him cutting him off.

Burton stayed for approximately 10 more minutes staring at his son's backside. How could he keep doing this to himself? When he had gotten there he was terrified, and then he saw him. Talking out of his head all hopped up on god knows what, the tox screen hadn't come back yet but he could only imagine. It was that Blue Magic Mystic all over again, and Shannon was with him. She was out in the waiting room, and she wanted to see him. He wouldn't allow it though, she didn't need to see him this way. No one did.

*Gracia*

Gracia was getting worried, and she didn't know what to do. Nick was supposed to meet her for dinner last night at their secret spot but he never showed. She went by his place and hadn't been there all day. She didn't know what to do? The girlfriend in her was panicked and ready to call every number that she had memorized from his Rolodex, while the doctor in her had to stay professional and just check the hospitals and see if he had been brought in somewhere, but she didn't want to send any alarm bells up because Nick was keeping everything from everybody.

She nearly jumped from her seat when her phone rang.

"Hello." She answered.

"Hi, is this Dr. Gracia Evelette?" she asked uncertain.

"Yes, that's me. Who am I speaking too?" she asked. She didn't know why but something about the shaky voice on the other end scared her.

"I think you might now my brother? My, well I don't quite know what he is. I found your number in his coat and I think it's important. You're a neurologist right? That's a head doctor, so you can explain why a guy might be talking out of his head and not making any sense at all right? You can tell them where to look to see that it's something else and not drugs?" she asked clinging to hope.

"Shannon, what's happened to Nick? You're calling about Nicholas Fallin right?"

"Yea, he is at Pittsburgh General and they think its drugs, they did a tox screen but it hasn't come back yet. Do you think you can come here because Burton is worried and a little mad, and I don't think Nick deserves this right now?" she told her hoping that she was right.

"Yes I can come there, I'll be there in a half an hour, and will you still be there? Try to stay there, and keep your dad there if you can?" she pleaded.

"I'll try. Please hurry."

Gracia looked around apartment trying to decide what to do. She hadn't been home from work long and she hadn't gotten out of her work clothes yet, but she would have to slip in under the radar, she was positive that Nick hadn't told them of his condition. That stubborn man of hers, she smiled when she realized once again she'd referred to him as hers. She really could get use to that.

Shannon had managed to slip back into the waiting area just in time for Burton to return without noticing her.

"Come on Shannon, we're leaving." He told her grabbing her things.

"Can't I see Nick?" she asked trying to by time.

"No, what Nicholas needs right now is rest, and time to think about his actions."

"Do you really think it was drugs?"

"I would hope not, but every time I think he's got his head in the game he turns around and disappoints me."

"What if it's something else? What if he's afraid to tell you something important?" she asked fiddling with the card in her pocket. Maybe she should tell.

"Don't you worry about Nick sweetheart, we're his family and we'll see him through this no matter the situation."

"What about Lulu? She was scared when she left earlier?"

"Let's not worry her; the stress could be bad for the baby. Come on let's get you home and tucked into bed, it's been a tough few days."

"Yea it has."

Shannon had tried to stay really she had but Burton was determined to get her home. She took one last look towards Nick's room. She knew that he really didn't like her and she hoped she had done the right thing in calling this Gracia.

A/N: Thanks to those who are still reading this sorry for the long wait. I think this chapter would've been so much more, but what can you do right? More soon and next time it will be longer. Remember I like all feedback.