"Sleep well? I teased half-heartedly as she walked into the kitchen. "Calleigh's coming over in 20 minutes or so to check out your arm." She flipped over her wrist, exposing the huge bruise and barrel mark.

"Ouch," I said, looking at it. "Do you want anything to eat?"

"Not now. You?"

"I already ate." I paused. "Natalia, you haven't eaten since yesterday." I stood in front of her and crossed my arms, and I felt oddly like I was interrogating a suspect.

"Not hungry," she mumbled, shifting her gaze to the ground.

"You've been traumatized. Give your body something to work with. At least eat some toast."

"I'm allergic to gluten," she scoffed, brushing past me. Fuck. I knew that.

After grabbing a water bottle and half a bite of a banana, she shuffled over to the couch and winced as she sat down.

"Honestly," she started. "What the hell is going on?"

"I wish I could tell you. Horatio offered you police protection, and I said yes."

"I would have accepted anyway," she mumbled. The doorbell rang, but before she could answer it Calleigh half-walked, half-ran inside, with Alexx right on her heels.

"Baby, what happened?" Alexx asked, looking shocked. Calleigh was interested in the pattern embellished into Natalia's left arm.

"Nine millimeter," she said immediately.

"Honey, you need to get yourself checked out," Alexx commented, repeating the plea I had given her earlier.

"Hey Alexx, check her back too," I yelled from the kitchen, where I was busy devouring the first meal I had eaten in a full 24 hours.

"What's wrong with your back?" I heard her say.

"Nothing, just sore."

"Now, honey, we both know that's not true."

"I tore it I think."

"She can barely move, Alexx." I walked over and sat down next to Natalia, looking smug.

"Yeah, I can see that. Baby, Ryan's going to take you to the hospital, and they're going to bandage your wrist and give you something for your back."

"I am? Uh, yeah, I am," I tried to recover as Alexx shot me a glance. A polite maneuver to help my co-worker had turned into a multi-day commitment—I'm not getting paid for this.

"How are you doing?" Calleigh asked gently, equipped with her comforting southern accent. I almost responded before I realized that she wasn't speaking to me.

"I'm okay…just a little confused I guess," Nat answered, and for the first time I noticed how tired she looked.

"Yeah, I would be too. Listen, there are police outside your house. They'll keep you safe. I'll come back later and check on you, okay?" Natalia nodded slowly.

"Feel better, Nat," Calleigh waved as she walked out.

"You coming?" I asked, trying my best to sound gentle and comforting. Sighing, she finally stood up. "Do you need my help again?"

She managed a smile and said, "Give me five minutes." She threw on jeans and a tank top, leaving me slightly jealous that she had fresh clothes to change into.

"Do you want me to come back with you?" I whispered as we waited in the hospital. She nodded silently.

"Natalia Boa Vista?" She stood shakily and grabbed my arm for support, wincing as she brought her hand to her lower back.

"Easy," I murmured.

"We're going to check out your wrist first, and then your back. Are you a friend of Alexx's?" The doctor asked as he sat Natalia on the x-ray table.

"Yeah, we worked together," she replied tiredly.

"Well in that case, I'll send her in!" The doctor smiled and left. Nat and I exchanged glances, un-amused at his excessive enthusiasm.

"You broke it, baby. What color cast do you want?" I wasn't surprised.

"Umm…"

"I'll give you purple."

"I knew it was broken," I mentioned as we headed towards a different hospital room. I walked, Natalia merely shuffled—practically unable to lift her legs to take a step.

"Did Alexx tell you?"

"How'd you know?"

"Lucky guess," she joked weakly as she rolled onto her stomach in anticipation for the numbing shots she was about to receive. She winced at the needle, and I was surprised to find myself rubbing her arm for comfort. What are you doing? Don't touch her.

"Thanks for coming with me," she added as we left.

"Didn't have much of a choice. I'm in charge of you, remember?"

"Whatever. Drive me home, please."