Nick has woken up from his nap and finds himself alone in his room. His Dad has not yet returned. He reaches over and picks up one of the newspapers, the date on the newspaper catches his eye. It's been well over week since his birthday. He did know this but seeing it in black and white jolts his system. The memories of his birthday breakfast with Anne flood into his mind, he feels tears prick his eyes as he realises that he has missed a whole week of her life, he wonders what happened to his badge. He picks up the phone to give Lulu a call. He hears her say hello.

"Hey Lulu..."

"Nick how wonderful it is to hear you. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing much better, I'm on a regular ward now and hoping they will allow me out of bed tomorrow."

"That's great Nick, you had us scared for a while."

Nick is silent as emotions overwhelm him for a moment. He is finding it hard to cope with the knowledge that he almost died. It seems unreal to him but the price his Dad has paid is written clearly on his face.

"Nick are you alright."

"Yes - yes I'm fine. I was calling to see how Anne was and if you could bring her to see me."

"Of course Nick we will be there as soon as we can. She is having her afternoon nap but when she wakes up I will bring her"

"Thanks Lulu, that sounds great. See you then"

"Bye Nick"

As Nick puts down the phone Burton opens the door and allows Laurie to walk through. She smiles.

"Nick it's so wonderful to see you looking so much better."

"Thanks Laurie."

Nick finds he actually feels a little self-conscious laying in a bed, being so vulnerable around someone he knows other than his Dad, but there is not much he can do about it.

"How are things at LSP?"

"I was there this morning and things are going along. Emily is feeling a little overwhelmed but she is doing a good job. Everyone can't wait for you to get back though. How are you feeling"

"Stir crazy and frustrated. I want out to here."

Laurie laughs

"That's wonderful to hear Nick, it means you must be getting better."

"Yes seeing my son laying in bed all day without a murmur of complaint was very unnerving."

Nick feels a twinge of guilt and changes the subject.

"Laurie the fire investigator was here this morning to take a statement about what happened that day and it brought back a lot of my memories."

"Your Father was telling me."

"I'm concerned about Arnie. He was in the kitchen when it was full of gas, I smelt it the moment I opened the door but he was unaware of it and was in the process of lighting the stove. I don't know if he was responsible for the gas being present or not, I guess that is what the fire investigator will find out, but he didn't seem to be aware of the gas."

"That's good to know Nick."

"Where is Arnie?"

"He is staying with that neighbour Ralph is it?"

"Yes. mmm I wonder how that is going, with the cat and Ralph was so angry when I talked to him."

"I will call Susie from social services, she has been given Arnie's case and let her know what you have told me."

"Good."

"I need to be going, I am due in court. I will tell everyone that you are doing much better. I know a lot of people are missing you."

Nick looks away from Laurie

"Tell them I said hi and thanks for the flowers."

"I will and you take care Nick and if it's alright I will come visit again."

"Of course you can."

Burton stands up

"I'll see you out."

Laurie and Burton leave and a thought enters Nick's head that he pushes away immediately.

Nick is disappointed to find that he is tired once more and he is a sleep when Burton returns. Burton sits down heavily. Nick isn't the only one who will be pleased to have him out of the hospital. The whole enviroment of a hospital magnifies the stress and worry. Whilst Nick is in that bed he can never be sure that the danger has passed. He leans back in the chair and closes his eyes, he has never felt so tired in his life.

Nick awakes to a nagging pain and clicks the PCA he sees his Dad asleep in the chair beside him, looking very uncomfortable. Once again Nick is hit by guilt. It is not hard to see the worry he has caused his Dad and knows that he somehow needs to convince his him to go home and get some decent rest.

"Dad"

Burton quickly opens his eyes and he moves to his son's side.

"Is everything alright Son?"

"I'm fine Dad but you look exhausted. I want you to go home for the rest of the day and relax and get some decent sleep and not be in before official visiting times in the morning. I will be fine here I have people to look after me."

"That's alright son I would rather be here."

"I know and I appreciate that but I also need you healthy and while I'm sleeping most of the time you may as well get some rest too, and that chair just is cutting it."

"You may need me."

"Dad today I spent half an hour talking to the fire investigator and a few minutes talking to Laurie and then all I was good for was sleep. Lulu is bringing Anne in soon and so chances are I will be sleeping after they leave. I will need you more when as I get stronger and if you don't look after yourself you will be in here along with me."

"Anne is coming in?"

"Yes I called Lulu and asked if she would bring her to visit. I saw the date on the newspaper and realised I had missed a week over her life, I miss her. And I still want you to leave."

"Okay, okay, I will wait until Anne has been, if that's alright?"

"That will be fine, can you bring me some pajamas, the doctor said I might be allowed to get out of bed tomorrow and I would feel better moving around in pajamas. Oh and Dad have they given you my personal effects?"

"Yes I took them home, Your suit is ruined so they threw that away."

"Oh"

Burton can see that something is bothering Nick.

"What is it? I know you have a few more suits to your name."

"Nothing I was just wondering where my things were."

The door opened and Lulu was backing in pulling the stroller. Burton rushes over to hold the door for her. He looks up at Nick, who is straining to see around the stroller to his daughter. He knows exactly when Nick is able to see her as a big smile takes over his face. He is reminded of the last time Nick looked upon his daughter as he regained consciousness, his eyes had barely registered Anne presence, although he's convinced it was her touch that brought him round, and he realises just how far Nick has come. He still looks pale and drawn but there is life in his features.

After polite chat with Lulu Nick asks for Anne to come up on the bed with him. He moves over to make space beside him, as he know it would be too painful for her to be on top of him and suggest they put the rail up and asks for one of the books he can see in the pocket at the back of the stroller. Anne is sitting on Burton's lap and he stands up and places her besides Nick. He sits back down and watches as Nick kissed Anne on her head and begins to read with her. Anne loves to look at her books and is always attentive and absorbed. She especially loves reading with Nick. This is a scenario that Burton witnesses being played out in his own home on a Sunday and the familiarity of it brings comfort and some belief that maybe things will get back to normal.