Just as an exhausted Nikolas finally relented and began to rest his eyes, he heard a rustle from the bed. Nadine gently began to exit her restful slumber. Disoriented, her thoughts reflected back to the dreadful fire. She remembered walking into the building, noticing smoke from the supply room. Nadine opened the door, flames bursting from every corner, and Matt lay unconscious on the floor. That thought jolted Nadine back to the present.
"Matt! Is he alright? Did someone find him in the clinic?"
"He's fine. Just a little banged up." Nikolas gently assured her. "Thank God, you're going to be alright."
Nadine saw something in Nikolas' eyes that she had never seen before. She knew that he cared for her well being, but his face and expression displayed tenderness beyond friendship. No, I'm making more out of his concern that I should…the drugs must be working very well.
"When I got to the clinic," Nadine recollected, "it was on fire. I went in and found Matt on the ground unconscious."
"Why in the hell would you go into a burning building?" Nikolas questioned unbelievingly.
"I was supposed to meet you there, and I was worried you were inside." Nadine said sheepishly.
Nikolas retorted, "That was incredibly irresponsible of you. You should have called 911. When I found you in there, I thought I had lost you."
"Hold the phone, Cassadine." Nadine interjected as Nikolas finished his sentence. "So it was irresponsible of me going into a burning building, but your princely highness can just march in?"
Nikolas countered, "I am not going to argue about this with you. Nadine, you need your rest."
Just as Nadine was about the further the discussion, Patrick Drake entered the room. Surprised, he commented, "Nadine, I'm happy to see you awake, but I wish Nikolas would have told me."
After Nikolas explained that he was about to inform the doctor of Nadine's consciousness, Patrick examined the injured nurse. The doctor indicated that her broken ribs would heal without concern. She would need to recuperate in the hospital for a few days. However, Patrick focused on Nadine's head injury.
"Your concussion is far from minor. You are going to need constant supervision over the next several days, which is why I'm keeping you in the hospital." Patrick continued, "Once released, you'll continue to need additional care."
"Nadine will come home with me." Nikolas interjected. "She'll have me along with my entire staff at her disposal."
A touched, but independent Nadine assured Nikolas, "I'll be fine. I can see if I can stay with Leyla for a few days."
"No." Nikolas immediately rebuked. "You need more help than Leyla can offer."
You're telling me… Nadine was thankful the thought only played out in her mind. "Nikolas, I don't want to be a bur-".
"Nonsense. You won't be a burden."
Patrick agreed that Nadine required around the clock care, at least for a week after the accident. It was imperative that she not suffer any type of relapse which could result from Nadine losing consciousness. The nurse finally submitted to Nikolas' insistence.
After Patrick left the room, Nikolas once again took his place in the chair next to Nadine. That same look from a few minutes earlier entered his eyes. Unexpectedly, Nikolas reached for Nadine's arm. He gently touched his lips to her soft and tender hand. They stared at each other without saying a word.