CHAPTER 10

The next morning was a hive of activity as Robbie left to meet the boys parents at the airport and Nick was showered with difficulty (not to mention frustration on his part, and some significant pain). He had refused any pain relief other than paracetamol because he wanted a clear head when his parents arrived, but Catherine saw it was taking a toll.

All showered and shaved, Nick relaxed back in bed and waited for his parents, chatting quietly to Catherine.
Nick was to be moved to a general ward later in the morning so Catherine packed away his meagre belongings for transport.

Finally, Robbie returned with their parents and Catherine, after a quick greeting, moved away to let the family reunite.

As Nicks mother clung onto her youngest child, his father and Robbie made their way to where Catherine was standing.

Catherine shook his hand and waved away his thanks for taking care of his son.

"How was your flight from Australia?" she asked.

Nicks father closed his eyes momentarily and wiped a hand wearily over his face. "It was horrendous." he said simply. "15 hours from Melbourne to Los Angeles. Worried sick about our boy the entire flight. But, at least we're here now."

He looked over to the bed as his wife finally let go of Nick and lay a gentle kiss on his forehead before turning to the others.

Looking well groomed as always, Nicks Moms face told a different story - etched with exhaustion and immeasurable worry.
It wasn't lost on Nick.

"Mom?" he said concerned. She turned to smile at him. "Mom, go get some sleep. I'm OK. You look like you're ready to fall."

His Mom shook he head, laying a hand against his temple. "I'm staying with you." she said firmly.

"I'm OK, really. Robbie and Catherine are here as well. Please, Mom, go get some rest." he pleaded with her.

Nicks father came across to put an arm around her shoulders and said "Jillian, lets go to the hotel. We'll have a few hours sleep and come back this afternoon." He smiled at his son and asked "Are you sure you're OK with that? We can stay if you need us."

Nick shook his head and gave his Dad a smile back. "I'll be fine, Cisco. I've managed for the last couple of days - I can manage for another few hours."

His father nodded and, arm still around his wife's shoulders, headed for the door, turning back once to mouth "Thank you." to the others.

Nicks parents had only been gone about half an hour when two burley orderlies arrived and transported Nick, bed and all, to his new hospital room. Luck was on his side again when they arrived to a relatively spacious single room with ensuite.

The small trip from ICU to the private room coupled with the brief reunion with his parents and no pain relief, had knocked the stuffing out of Nick. He could barely hold his head up and fell into a deep slumber

Catherine settled herself into one chair while Robbie dropped into the other. The conversation came freely as if the two were old friends.

Robbie told Catherine about his life in Vermont and how he was looking at moving back closer to family - he had a job prospect in Los Angeles which he was looking forward to persuing. He had always liked LA life and would be closer to his family in Texas and Nick in Vegas.

Catherine spoke about her family - her Mom and Lindsay - and her work family.

Their conversation was punctuated by the odd moan from Nick, who was clearly having a restless sleep with all that had happened in the morning. He was tossing and turning more than he had the last few days, and was reliving old, painful memories.

When the restlessness would peak, Robbie would rise quickly and settle him without waking him.

Sitting back down after the most recent episode, Catherine commented on his ability to calm his brother.

Robbie sat back down and glanced up at Catherine, leaning forward to rest his head on his hands. "I've had a bit of practice over the last few years." he said sadly. "I dont know how much he let on to you guys but he had a really bad time of it for months and months after he was abducted. He tries to hide it from most people - even Mom and Dad. But the two of us have gone through some crap together over the years. He's been there for me. I'm here for him."

Nick had been crying out and bolted upright suddenly in bed, pain kicking him in the ribs with a ferocity that took his breath and made him cry out again. Catherine got up and moved to the wall to give Nick some privacy as he clung onto Robbie, who spoke to him softly and rubbed Nicks back until he finally settled yet again into an uneasy rest.

Robbie sat on the side of the bed a little while longer before moving back to his chair and continuing with their conversation.

"After Nick was taken, after he was rescued, he was in counselling for months before he could sleep through the night."

Catherine gazed at Nick, eyes shut, a light sheen of sweat covering his face and his breathing coming rapidly as his panic increased before settling as it subsided again.

"I didn't know." she said. "I knew he was in counselling, but he never spoke to us about it. I wish I'd known."

"You're too important to him," Robbie started, "He loves you guys. He loves the team. He didn't want to worry y'all, but he also didn't want to jeopodise his position on the team - didn't want pity. He just wanted to pick up the peices and move on. Control the controllables."

"We could have helped him - somehow." she said.

Robbie shrugged. "He made it through OK, Catherine. He's tough. Counselling helped though. I think we should start it up again to get through this setback. He wont like it though."

"I want to help this time." Catherine said.

Robbie smiled at her. "Lets play it by ear." he said.