A/N: My apologies for this chapter taking so long, but my uncle passed away in July and it's been hard enough getting through each day much less finding the energy to actually write anything. He was more than my uncle, he was a father to me when my own father couldn't be there, and even after almost two months it's hard to get creative and write.

I hope that this chapter isn't a complete disappointment, and that you'll all continue to be patient as I slowly work at getting this story completed.

For the ride to the firehouse, Bailey had a limousine sent over so that they could all ride over together. He had to call in a few favors, but it was worth it when he saw the smile on Nicole's face. "Nothing is too good for our Princess," he said as he held open the door and waited for her to get in.

"Then what is the van for?" she asked, looking back.

"Taking your stuff to the firehouse, and following behind us for security. Don't worry, we'll be safe and sound for the entire ride."

"You realize that you just jinxed us," John told Bailey once Nicole and Grace were inside the limo. "Never, ever say that we'll be safe and sound."

"Just get in so we can get over to the firehouse, John." Bailey gave him a playful push as John got inside, then got himself in and closed the door.

"How did you manage a limo?" Grace asked once they were moving.

"I have friends who owed me," he replied. "Besides, our Princess deserves the very best."

Nicole blushed this time and cast her eyes down. "This is too much, though," she softly said.

"Nonsense, there's no such thing as too much where this family is concerned...and make no mistake, you are now a part of this family."

Much to everyone's surprise, Nicole reached over and rested her hand on Bailey's, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," he said, smiling at him.

"You're welcome, Princess. We'll be at the firehouse any minute."

Despite John's comment about them being 'jinxed', the ride was an uneventful one and as soon as they got to the firehouse several "firemen" came out to greet them. "These are the agents that guard the place, all FBI agents," Sam said, putting her arm around Nicole's waist. "There are cameras on all of the doors, alarms on all of the windows, and nobody gets inside without getting past these guys."

Angel and Chloe came out of the den and approached slowly. "You must be Nicole," Chloe said, smiling. "I knew that you'd like the doggy."

That was when Nicole realized that she still had Johnny in her arms, and she smiled back at the little girl. "I like him very much. Thank you."

"You get to sleep in my room, and I'm going to sleep in Angel's room."

"Oh Chloe, I don't want to put you out of your own room."

"Nah, I like sleeping in Angel's room. It's like a slumber party 'cause Angel and I watch movies on her TV and eat popcorn and tell stories. It's cool."

"Then I thank you again, Chloe."

"How do you know my name?"

"Your mother told me that her daughter was the most beautiful girl in the world, and her name is Chloe."

Chloe giggled. "I like you. Anyway, I got all my toys picked up so you should be okay in there."

"Why don't we show Nicole where she'll be sleeping while she's here," John suggested. He could see that Nicole was getting tired since this was the longest she had been on her feet since being kidnapped.

"Excellent idea. I'm sure you'll want to get some rest; this was been a tiring day for everyone," Sam said.

"I am tired. Would you mind if I just go to bed and see everyone in the morning?"

"Of course not. If you want to go to bed, that's fine. No one is going to mind, I promise."

"Thanks Sam."

"I'll get your clothes from the van," Bailey offered, and while he was going to fetch her things Sam, John and Grace guided her to Chloe's room.

As soon as they reached the bedroom Nicole sat on the bed. "So are you going to let Sam put the salve on your back tonight?" she asked John.

"Yes, I will, I promise."

"Good. Look, I'm okay. You all don't have to stay here. I'll be fine."

"We have nothing else to do until Bailey gets back," Grace said, earning her a grateful smile from Nicole.

"Thanks."

"We're your friends, this is what friends do."

"Could you make sure John gets enough rest?"

"I'm fine," John quickly said. The last thing he wanted was Grace hovering around him.

"I think maybe you should go to bed and get some rest," Nicole told him. "In fact, as your doctor, I'm ordering it. Plenty of bed rest for you."

With a loud sigh, John sat on the bed next to Nicole. "Listen, I'm okay. Honest. I'll let Sam put the salve on my back so you can be sure that it's being done. Please, don't worry about me."

"If you had been letting Sam put the salve on your back all along, there wouldn't be a risk of you getting an infection and getting sick. You need to be getting at least 8, preferably 10, hours of sleep each night until your body heals." John just rolled his eyes, which only made Nicole more determined. "You need to be getting to bed right about now, mister."

"I'm not tired."

"Yet. Sam, will you make sure that he gets his rest?"

"Oh, you better believe I will."

"Will what?" Bailey asked, coming in with Nicole's things.

"Help Nicole," Grace said, winking at John. She wasn't about to make him feel worse by having Bailey on his case.

"Of course we will. Your wish is our command, Princess."

"Thanks for bringing my stuff in. Do you think John and I could have a minute to talk?"

"Of course." Sam kissed her cheek, and Grace followed suit.

"If you need anything..."

"Don't worry, Grace. I'll yell for Bailey."

Once the others were gone, Nicole placed her hand on John's arm. "You don't have to pretend you're okay, John."

"I am okay."

"You're tired, you're hurting, and a little part of you is still scared...scared that this is the dream and that you'll wake up and find that we haven't been saved at all."

"I guess I am a little tired and sore," he conceded. "But the only thing that scares me is the thought that you could get hurt again."

"What happened isn't your fault, John. I don't blame you."

"They only hurt you because you were my doctor."

"They hurt me for the same reason that they hurt you; because they were sadistic bastards." She smiled when John yawned. "I think you need to get some rest, and if I have to I'll tell Sam and Grace that as your doctor I'm ordering bed rest for you."

"And do you intend to take your own advice, Doctor?"

"Yes, I do. I'm going to change into my nightgown and just lie here and relax for a while."

"I guess I should go lie down before I fall asleep sitting here."

"Go on then. I'll be okay, John. Go get some rest."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek before standing up. "We'll get through this together."

"Yes, we will."

Finally John left her and headed for the room that he shared with Sam. "She okay?" Sam asked when she saw him coming down the hall.

"She will be...we will be. I'm going to lie down and get some rest. Doctors orders."

"Okay. Are you going to be okay? If you ever want to talk or you just want me to stay with you..."

"I'm okay, Sam, just as long as I know that you'll be there to comfort me after a nightmare."

"Planning on having a lot of nightmares?"

"No, but I have a feeling that they're going to be coming."

The rest of the household decided to get some sleep as well, so while John and Sam cuddled together in one room and Chloe and Angel camped out in Angel's room, Bailey and Grace sat in the living room with George. "I guess I should be going," George finally said, standing up. "Should I...do you want me to work on this from the office or from here, Bailey?"

"Where can you get the most work done?"

"Well I...I can access more files from the office."

"But..."

"I'd rather work from here," George admitted, drawing out each word slowly.

"Glad to hear it. Nicole seems to feel more comfortable with all of us here, so why don't you come over here and set up after you've gotten a good night's sleep."

"Thanks, Bailey." George stood up and grabbed his laptop before heading out.

"What about you?" Bailey then asked Grace.

"I want to stick around in case Nicole needs me. I can sleep out here on the sofa."

"Nonsense," Sam said, walking by them. "I got thirsty and decided to get a glass of water," she explained as she pointed towards the kitchen. "There's another bedroom down the hall that you can use."

"A four bedroom firehouse? I'm impressed," Grace teased.

"Never know when you'll have company," Sam answered. "Besides, I think it was meant to be used in case there was a need for another agent to stay up here with us."

"Well I'll take a bed over the couch any day. What about you, Bailey?"

"I'll take the couch."

"No, you should – " Grace started, but Bailey cut her off.

"I know that I won't get any sleep tonight, so you may as well take the bed and actually use it. I just want to be close by...just in case anyone needs anything."

"Let me at least grab you a pillow and a blanket," Sam told him, taking off down the hall before he could say 'I'm fine'.

"I'm going to run home and grab my overnight bag and tell Morgan that I'm spending the night here," Grace said. "Bailey, you want to come along? We can swing by your place if you want."

"I don't think it's a good idea for both of us to take off at the same time, Grace. You go take care of what you have to, and when you get back I'll go over to my place."