Author's notes: Thank you to mossib, tia and everydayisa for reviewing the last chapter. It's so good of you to take the time. Here's the next instalment.

Burton is at the hospital early, he wanted to stay all night but was persuaded to go home with the promise that they would call if anything changed. He called them when he woke up and they said that Nick had a comfortable night and his vitals were good but he hasn't woken up yet. He says hello to the nurses as he passes the nurses station and enters Nick's room. He looks just as he left him, just as pale, just as still.

As Burton sits down in his chair he thoughts turn to Jenny, he still hasn't been able to reach her. What is he going to tell Nick when he does wake up.

Burton is in the cafeteria having a cup coffee while he waits for his next visit to see Nick when an announcement comes over the tannoy.

'Can Burton Fallin return to ICU immediately.'

Burton stands up immediately as he makes his way back, his mind is racing and jumping between hope and dread. He enters ICU and a nurse at the nurses station smiles at him. Burton legs almost turn to jelly with relief.

"He's awake?"

She nods.

"Yes Burton he's awake."

He enters the room and he can hardly see Nick as he's surrounded by a couple of nurses and his doctor.

Nick's confused, he realises he's in a hospital, the doctor and the nurses tell him that, but he doesn't know why. He searches his memory and the last thing he remembers is helping Jenny get things ready for the people arriving to help paint her new work place. So how on earth has he ended up here!

Pain crashes through his skull and he closes his eyes against it. He hears his name.

"Nick, I'm Doctor Jarvis, you have a bad head injury and we had to do some surgery and drain off some fluid. I need to do some tests to check on how you are doing? Okay?"

Nick nods his head without opening his eyes.

"Are you in pain?"

Nick nods again.

"Okay the nurse will give you some relief as soon as I've completed the tests. I'm sorry I can't do it before or it will affect the results."

Nick nods again to show he understands. He feels someone take his hand.

"Son, it's so good to have you back."

It's Dad. Nick opens his eyes and turns to look at him, and is instantly sorry that he did. He winces with pain instead of the smile he was going for and gently squeezes his Dad's hand instead, Burton squeezes in return.

"You're doing all right son, just listen to the doctor."

Burton sits back in the chair, his eyes never leaving his son's face as the doctor runs through his tests. He can see that Nick's in a lot of pain and that the questions from the doctor are wearing him out, he suspects he'll be asleep once he receives his pain medication, better asleep though than unconscious. Listening to Nick's answers he realizes that Nick has lost a couple of days, and can only remember from things from before he fell off the ladder.

The doctor's scribbling on Nick's clipboard giving Burton the chance to talk to his son. He stands up and gets closer to him.

"You're doing well Son."

Nick turns to him and asks him the question Burton's been dreading.

"Where's Jenny?"

In an effort to keep Nick as calm as possible Burton makes the decision to not exactly lie to him, just omit to tell him some things.

"Only family are allowed in here."

The doctor grabs Nick's attention.

"You're doing well, you have lost a couple of days but that's normal, the memories may come back to you, or they may be gone forever. I've upped your pain medication, so you should feel better soon."

Nick nods. As the doctor's leaving, Burton calls to him.

"Can I just have a word with you doc?"

He turns to Nick.

"I'll be right back."

Burton follows the doctor out of the room.

"How serious is his memory loss."

"I was speaking the truth to your son, it's understandable result to the trauma he's suffered. It's nothing to worry about. He may remember in time or it may never come back to him."

The doctor places a hand on Burton's shoulder.

"Go back in there and enjoy being with your son for a few minutes. He looks like he's been through the wars because he has, but he's on the road to recovery. I expect to move him out of here in the morning."

"Thank you doctor...for everything."

"No problem."

Burton feels much happier as he returns to Nick's room where he finds him fast asleep.

As Jenny begins to wake she jerks her arm as she tries to move it, immediately bringing her back to reality. She's chained to a bed, in the clutches of her ex boyfriend and Nick's in hospital seriously hurt. Tears immediately prick her eyes. It has been a long and difficult night, she only fell asleep out of pure exhaustion, her thoughts of Nick, and fear, keeping her awake. What hadn't escaped Nathan's or her notice in the report last night that there was no mention of her being missing. It would appear that no-one is looking for her, until Nick regains conciousness. She has no choice but to go with Nathan, she's certain that Nathan will go through with his threat. But she has to find a way to delay him leaving Pittsburgh, it's her only chance.