The next morning was an early start day. Those days always killed me. Not that I had never gotten up at 4:30 in the morning before. I just didn't have to like it. Did I?

Colin came over to my room to collect me before heading over to costuming and make-up because we enjoyed having each other to talk to during the tedious process.

"So how did you sleep last night?" he asked casually.

"Horribly."

He laughed.

"Well, I guess the make-up girls will have their work cut out for them with fixing the dark circles underneath your eyes then."

"There wasn't anything good on TV to fall asleep during," I complained. "It's become a regular part of my routine and I can't get to sleep without it."

"Oh poor you," he mocked. "You know, some people have legitimate sleep problems like insomnia or their neighbors throwing college frat parties late at night. But no, you are complaining about the lack of TV shows to lull you to sleep. Good one, love."

"If you're just going to make fun of me then I'm not going to talk to you," I threatened.

I started walking faster and immediately slipped on a patch of ice and fell forwards onto my hands and knees. I might have cried from the pain if I hadn't immediately started laughing. Colin was the picture of contriteness as he crouched next to me and repeatedly asked if I was all right.

I pushed away his offered hand and, still laughing, tried to stand up, only to end up slipping again and crashing down to the ice. At this point, I was legitimately in pain.

"Jen, let me help you!" Colin said.

He was trying not to laugh. Which only made me laugh harder, even though I was in an insane amount of pain.

"What hurts?" he asked, looking me over.

I went to get up again and only ended up flopping to the ground again. My arm hurt so badly I was surprised I hadn't started crying yet. Colin finally just grabbed me by the waist and hauled me to my feet, setting me on solid ground so I wouldn't slip again.

"My arm," I managed to say between desperate gulps for air.

Laughing really uses up a lot of energy or oxygen or something.

"Come on, we'd better get you to the on-set doctor," Colin said, leading me in that direction.

I protested weakly. After all, we were supposed to be at make-up right now.

Half an hour later, the doctor had determined that my wrist was only sprained and the rest of me was bruised. I was thankful that it wasn't anything more serious, but I was also worried about how freaked out Anthony and Adam were going to be about me being late for filming. They had a very intense schedule that they hated to deviate from.

"Don't worry, Jen," Colin assured me. "I called them when we first got here and let them know what was going on. They started filming on of Ginny and Josh's scenes instead."

"I'm afraid you won't be filming any scenes for another couple of days, Miss Morrison," the doctor interjected. "I'll have a conversation with them."

"Are you sure?" I asked. "This will put us behind schedule."

"Jen, you're not in every single scene," Colin laughed. "They can film some of the other scenes until you're better."

"Stupid ice," I grumbled.

"I could've warned you," he offered.

"Shut up and help me get to my hotel room," I growled. "I'm exhausted and not in the mood for your sarcasm."

"Are you ever in the mood, love?" he asked.

He had a point.

"I'm more tolerant at certain times," I conceded.

"All right, miss, let's get you to your bed," Colin finally said. "Then you can take some pain pills and fall asleep."

"Do you have a scene today?"

"Not with the rearranged schedule," he said. "All my big scenes with Robert are done with and the rest of them will be with you so I'm off the hook."

I laughed.

"That pun was unintended," Colin frowned. "And you don't usually laugh like that about my stupid jokes."

"I'm just tired," I complained. "Can we go now?"

"All right."

Colin kept a steadying arm around my waist as we slowly made our way back to the hotel. He carefully settled me into my bed, tucking the blankets around me. Then he turned on the TV and found a semi-interesting movie to watch.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

"Not much," I replied.

"Well you need to eat something with these pills so I'm going to go grab you something from the diner. I'll be back in a minute or ten," Colin promised with a grin.

I waved him off half-heartedly and cradled my sore arm as I gazed at the TV.

I didn't even pay attention to how much time it actually took him to return, but I was pretty drowsy when he did. He coaxed my protesting self into eating a few bites and swallowing the pill with some Dr. Pepper. Because caffeine supposedly helps pain medication work faster. And it's liquid magic. Did I mention that already?

Then I started feeling even drowsier. Colin sat next to me on the bed and obligingly allowed me to lean against him as I drifted off to sleep. There was something really comforting about having his arm wrapped around me. I felt safe.