WTH is this? An update on a Thursday night? Remember...i love you guys :)
Ch. 87
7:55 p.m.
"And you're sure he's alone?"
"Yes, Mr. Duval. Looks like he was going for food, but then he came back out and ran around the block to an ATM…he looked kinda shocked and afraid for a minute, it was weird…then he hailed a cab and they drove off."
"So you don't know where he is?!" David Duval boomed.
"Yes, sir, I got a cab as well, and we followed him to a friend's house. At least I'm fairly certain this is where his friend lives…Blaine Anderson. The mailbox says 'Anderson' inside. They were friends in Ohio I think. Blaine is the reason he knows Nick at all…from the bar, sir."
"Yes, the bar, where you let me down the first time, Shane, I remember." David hissed.
"I'm sorry, sir. Nick is a hard nut to crack….and Jeff is a crazy dangerous weapon of his own, apparently."
"Is that your way of saying he kicked your ass?"
"My back was turned…"
"Like hell it was. Watch the house. Tell me, immediately, if he leaves."
"Yes, sir."
8:45 p.m.
"Where'd he go to get food, man, back to Ohio?" Danny complained.
"No…no, he um…." Nick began, but couldn't finish. He felt ill. Absolutely sick to his stomach, really. In hindsight, maybe waiting until Jeff discovered the money, instead of just telling him right away what he'd done, it wasn't the best idea.
"So what gives, it's been almost an hour!" Steven chimed in.
"Nicholas…what's wrong, you look positively stricken." Meredith said, rising from her seat in the living room and approaching him where he sat at the counter in the kitchen. The others turned to see what she was talking about and Alex, his oldest brother, approached him as well.
"Nick, what's up?" He asked, concern clear on his face. Nick looked pale and concerned…upset, for sure.
"Order something else…anything….here." Nick said, leaving his wallet on the counter and getting up to go into his bedroom.
"Oh no you don't…." Alex said, hauling him back into the room. Nick jerked his arm out of his brother's grasp and snapped at him.
"Don't, Alex…just don't, God damn it!" He said with barely restrained fury.
"Hey…c'mon, man, what's going on? Where's Jeff. Is he ok? What happened? You look like someone just ran over your dog…I just want to help."
"Nicholas, is Jeffrey well? Why hasn't he come back?" Meredith said, starting to feel a bit of panic welling inside her now. Where was Jeff?
"I don't know where he is…he's angry with me. I did something stupid and he has every right to be angry. I'm sure he's heading over to Blaine's….anywhere away from me, I guess." Nick said, dejected.
"Darling…he was fine 60 minutes ago. What could have happened?" Meredith demanded.
With a deep breath, Nick walked into the living room where Robby had clicked off the TV in order to hear what was going on. Nick landed hard in the upholstered chair near the doorway and closed his eyes, rubbing his fingers roughly against his eyelids. With a deep sigh, he began to explain all that had happened since day one: Jeff not knowing about the money, not caring if he owned a hot dog cart, not really thrilled with the idea of it, not sure he wanted to live in such a huge place, intimidated by the figures on Nick's bank statements, everything that he worried about because of David Duval, David being a complete and utter ass and insinuating that Jeff was only after his money, the pre-nup, the added extras Jeff insisted on…and then, his transfer of funds into Jeff's account.
The room was quiet when he finished and all eyes were on him, some accusing, some understanding, and some just plain confused as to why Jeff would care and not rejoice. Robby was the first to speak up.
"Dude…you can put that in my account. I won't bitch about it." He said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Ditto, bro!" Danny smiled.
"So, wait, there's more to this," Steven chimed in, "so why DID you put it there?"
For a while, Nick didn't answer. He wasn't ready to reveal that much of his soul to anyone, bare that much insecurity, but this was his family, and they loved him. They wouldn't judge him, and as much as it pained him to admit it, they might have some good insights. With a deep breath, he explained:
"He's never had money…doesn't care about it…doesn't need it or act like it's anything. He often refuses me outright when I want to buy him something. He doesn't let me take him shopping, he freaks out over the smallest things that I pay for, saying it wasn't necessary or he could have taken care of that and why did I pay someone else to do it. Truth be told, I'm a little terrified that he'll never get used to it and it'll cause strife between us forever.
I don't want to do laundry. I pay someone else to do that. He flips out, says he'll do it, it's not an issue. I don't WANT him to do it…to feel as if he has to…to even think for one minute that I expect him to. Same with cleaning around here. I've had a service come in once a week for as long as I've had my own place. Last week she texted me asking if I'd hired a new service because there wasn't anything to do. The place was spotless when she got here - dishes done, dusted, sparkling, no laundry to speak of, everything perfect - and she thought she'd been replaced. He knows she comes in every week, yet he does this…" Nick broke off, rolling his eyes. "I can't make sense of it."
"Oh Nicholas…." Meredith smiled, shaking her head. "For such a smart man, you're dense."
"Oh, thank you, Mother, that makes me feel so much better. Wow…."
"Come now…think about it. It's not hard to figure out, son, it's really not. You do all these things for Jeff…you buy him little things, take him places you know he couldn't afford on his own, you buy him extravagant gifts…BUILDINGS, Nicholas…you pay all the bills here. What, exactly, do you think that makes him feel like? The boy is trying to be necessary to you, for goodness sake! He's trying to-"
"He's trying to love you back with everything HE can give you, Bubby." Bailey chimed in. "I bet he feels like he doesn't have much to offer you…at least not as much as you have to offer him…and he wants to give to you anything he has. Taking care of you, and your home, is something he can give to you…do for you…and you took that away from him. And in the process, I bet he's completely misunderstanding your reasoning for putting that money in his account, dummy. In fact, if I were him, I think I'd be insulted…and thinking that I wasn't good enough on my own without it. Way to go, brand spankin' new husband!" She railed, tears in her eyes. She was angry on Jeff's behalf now.
"Yes, well…I may have said it with a bit more finesse, but your sister is right, Nicholas."
"I didn't put the money there because he's not good enough without it! Damn it!" Nick yelled, getting up to pace around the room.
"Then why did you?" Alex asked. Nick threw his hands up in the air in exasperation.
"So we have a pre nup…big damn deal. That means he won't LEAVE me for the money he could get if we divorced. Doesn't stop anyone from saying he's only STAYING for the money, now does it!?" He yelled, startling them all.
"Wait, wait, wait…." Steven began. "So you're saying you're worried that he's only staying with you for the money, but you say he won't allow you to spend any money on him? I'm so confused."
"God, this is so fucked up!" Nick said again, too loudly. His eyes were watery now and he was truly upset. "Dad has this mess all planted in my head now! He's accused Jeff of wanting me only for my money, and Jeff knows this! So he took precautions to make sure I knew he wasn't in it for that reason, by asking me to sign the pre-nup, ensuring he wouldn't get squat if he left. That's all well and good, but Dad will accuse him of staying with me for the money now. You know it and I know it. By putting that money there, I'm ensuring Dad, and anyone around, that he has his own money, he can do with it as he pleases and he isn't staying for mine, because he has his own. At any time, he can leave me and still have enough money to live off of for a long time, if not forever, who knows? He's here with me because he can be, because he wants to be and because he loves me….not my money!" Nick railed, then finally succeeded in storming off to his room to settle down. He needed time alone, away from everyone in his living room, because he felt he'd sold out to his dad's shitty way of thinking. Nick gave credence to what others might think and didn't consider Jeff's feelings. He'd caved and taken the low road. Jeff should be ashamed to be with him.
Bailey stormed off to her room as well, angry with her brother, and hurting for her new brother in law. Boys were just so dumb sometimes!
12:10 a.m.
Jeff lay on the sofa with his head in Blaine's lap on a pillow. His friend pulled his fingers through Jeff's blonde locks as they watched TV in silence. He'd been there for several hours, quietly fuming at first, but now just thinking and considering. His phone had been screaming J.T.'s "Sexy Back" all night as Nick tried to get in touch with him in some way, but he ignored it each time. He wasn't ready to talk to him.
"It's ok if you don't want to talk yet, but I can't help you if you won't tell me what's wrong, Jeffie." Blaine told him. He was worried about his friend after seeing how pale and distressed he looked.
"Here…" Kurt said, setting a cup of hot tea in front of Jeff, just the way he liked it – super sweet with lots of milk.
"Thanks….." He muttered, but made no move to take it.
"So…you've been married for 30 hours now, and you're here in our house and not with your husband. Something's up. How can we help?" Kurt asked, unwilling to sit quietly any longer.
"He's paying me off, and I don't know why." Jeff stated blandly, staring at the floor blankly.
"Who is?" Blaine asked, shooting a glance back at Kurt, who mouthed 'Nick's dad?' with big eyes.
"Nick is," Jeff said, handing Blaine his receipt from the ATM, all squished up and wrinkled from being in Jeff's hand for so long.
"Jesus freakin' Christ, Jeff!" He exclaimed, standing quickly and nearly knocking Jeff to the ground in the process. "Oh my God….what the hell?!" Blaine hissed, staring at the jumble of numbers.
Kurt stood to look over Blaine's shoulder at the receipt. His eyes shot as wide as Blaine's and he gasped loudly, muttering "Jesus…." quietly.
"I don't know. We talked about it…the money…last weekend, for hours, man. He promised me no more extravagant gifts after my birthday…after the theater. He said ok to my terms, signed the papers and then turned around and did this. I feel like screaming. I can't, for the life of me, figure out what the hell he could have been thinking. I don't want this, I don't need it, and quite frankly, I'm so fucking mad right now, I can't even consider going home to talk to him about it. I can't come up with any good reason for it, other than he's expecting me to pay for stuff, which is fine, I mean, I want to…I offered to…but maybe what I do…what I can do, will do, want to do with my life, isn't enough for him. Maybe he wanted someone who came with his own fortune and…." Jeff began, but choked up instantly and couldn't pry the words from his own dry mouth. "Maybe he realized too late that I'm just not enough for him as I am. I don't know."
"NO…..No way, Jeff. I stood there last evening with you and everyone else. I watched him as his eyes followed you around that boat wherever you went. He wasn't creeping on you, he was adoring you from afar, every minute that you weren't connected bodily, dancing, holding hands, or something like that. That man is so in love with you that it's scary, and there is nothing you can say to make me think otherwise. If he did this, it was FOR you, not against you in any way. Why are you not talking to him about it? I mean, not that you aren't welcome here in any capacity at any time, but I think you'd get more answers from him…at home…and not hiding out here." Kurt said sternly. "Part of what you promised to each other last night was communication, if I recall correctly."
Blaine stared at Kurt with his mouth hanging open. He surely hadn't expected that little tirade from his boyfriend, and from the look on Jeff's face, Jeff hadn't either.
"His family is still there. I can't talk to him about it with them there. That, and I needed to calm down a little before we talked. I was so angry I was afraid I'd say something I couldn't take back or apologize enough for." Jeff said sheepishly.
"I know you, man. I know you wanted to think about it before you talked. You don't jump into important conversations without weighing your options, either." Blaine added.
"Yeah…I kept thinking 'there's a reason…he has a good reason, but what is it?', so I wanted time…." Jeff trailed off, studying the rug under his feet.
"So what is it you think he's feeling now, hmmm? You think he's sitting at home eating pizza with them, playing x box or something, figuring you'll come on back when you're damn good and ready? No, Jeff, I guarantee you, he's hurting. He's sitting there wondering what he did wrong, or agonizing over why he did what he did and how he's going to make it up to you, the love of his life, while you're here, wallowing in self-pity because-oh whoa is you- your freakin' husband put twelve million dollars in your bank account." Kurt smirked.
"Twelve million, seven hundred thousand and change, really…." Jeff muttered, shoulders hunched as he shook his head, still in shock.
"Well, guess what, I can think of worse things! Go home, Jeff….talk to him. Find out what happened to make him think this was necessary and fix it. I guarantee you he's dying inside, blaming himself for things, and wishing you were there with him." Kurt said, folding his arms over his chest.
Jeff considered his words for a long time, all of them quietly existing in the living room unsure of what to say next. Jeff knew Kurt was right. He knew, without a doubt, that Nick loved him, endlessly, for certain, and he may not know why Nick put the money there, but he knew Nick wouldn't have done anything with malice in his heart. Whatever his reasons, he did them with Jeff's best interests in mind. They were right. He'd been wallowing there in self-pity while the love of his life was home, most definitely beating himself up over this, and he needed to go home and talk it out and not hide from the discussion here. But, as it was, it was late, nearly 1:00 a.m. and he still felt like he had a few things to sift through his brain before he confronted Nick about the deposit into his bank account. He wanted to say the right things, ask the right questions and use the right tone. He'd head home first thing in the morning and they'd talk as soon as Nick's family left.
"Did you even tell him where you are?" Kurt finally asked.
Jeff sat up on the sofa now, eyes heavy and closed, head leaned back against the cushions, exhausted from the day….hell, the whole weekend. He shook his head 'no'. "I'm sure he knows where I went."
"Perhaps, but it's late, and-" Kurt began, but the buzzing of Blaine's phone cut him off. Both looked and gave Jeff a smirk when Nick's name appeared. "Speak of the devil." Kurt said, reading the text message.
1:05 a.m.
Nick: He's not answering me. Is he with you? Please say he's there and you're talking him out of divorcing me already. *frowns*
Blaine: He's here, man, no worries. He's half asleep on the couch. I'll send him home first thing in the morning, ok?
Nick: I'm a little worried that you didn't jump to reassure me he's not having divorce papers drawn up, Blaine.
Blaine: You know better. This guy loves you more than life itself. He's kinda pissed, man. I guess he's doing a lot of thinking….I can smell everything burning up by his hair. It might be singed. *wink*
Nick: NOT THE HAIR! :O Anything but his hair…NOOOOO!
Blaine: Get some sleep, goof.
Nick: Thank you…for, once again, being there for him when he needs you. I love him…desperately…and I have my reasons for the money. I'll explain it all to him tomorrow. Please tell him I love him.
Blaine: Happy to.
1:10 a.m.
"Your husband loves you, Jeffrey." Blaine smirked.
"I know he does…and I love him more. I'm sure he has his reasons. I'll talk to him in the morning and we'll figure it out. Can I stay tonight? I'm too tired to mess with going all the way home now."
"You don't even have to ask. You know you're always welcome here." Kurt smiled, rising to head to bed himself. "Let me make sure there are towels in the guest bathroom in case you need 'em."
"Thanks, man. Don't mess with the bed. I'll just crash here on the couch if that's ok?"
"Wherever you want. I told him I'd send you home first thing. I'm going to bed though. You want ear plugs?" Blaine said, smirking at Jeff with a wink.
"Oh God, shut up! I put up with enough of that shit when I lived here!" Jeff whined.
"Have you seeeeeen 'dat ass, Jeffie?" Blaine said, glancing over his shoulder at Kurt as he sauntered away, hips swaying. Jeff just rolled his eyes and grinned.
"Night, buddy."
"Night, B."
1:15 a.m.
Jeff: I'll be home in the morning.
Nick: Can we talk, please?
Jeff: No…not now. Not over texts. We'll talk tomorrow when everyone's gone.
Nick: I hate that you're upset with me.
Jeff: I hate that I'm questioning anything between us.
Nick: If I call, will you answer?
Jeff: Nope….we'll talk tomorrow. Still stewing a bit.
Nick: You sure? I could really stand to hear your voice.
Jeff: Nicky…I need the time to think and try to understand. Please just let me be tonight?
Nick: ok…I can understand that. Please remember, no matter what, I love you.
Jeff: I love you, too.
With a sigh, Jeff put his phone on the coffee table, went in to use the bathroom and hopefully find a toothbrush he could use before bed.
1:53 a.m.
Nick: Blaine…by any chance is my sister there with Jeff? She's not in her room. He's not answering….probably has his phone on mute, as always.
Blaine: Dude, it's almost 2:00 a.m…..and she's not here. Stuck my head out. Jeff's sound asleep on the couch – alone. You want help looking?
Nick: No….there are six of us…we'll look. Maybe she went out to grab coffee or something….food? She's probably pissed at me about the situation with Jeff. I thought she'd head there. If she shows up, call me asap?
Blaine: Absolutely. Do you want me to wake Jeff?
Nick: No…let him sleep. I'm sure he's exhausted. I'll keep you posted.
Blaine: Will do…yeah, keep me posted.
1:22 a.m.
Bailey: Jeff, I snuck out. I know you're at Blaine's. I'm coming over. I wanna talk to you. Please don't be angry with Nicky…he's an idiot, but he loves you, and I know why he did it. I need to tell you.
Bailey: Cab driver hit on me and doesn't seem to think "no thanks, not interested" is a good answer. Jerk. He's a skanky pervert, and I told him so. He cursed me out, I think, in some language I didn't understand.
1:35 a.m.
Bailey: That asshole stopped and kicked me out of his cab! I don't even think we were going the right way. What an asshole!
Bailey: Not sure where I am, but I haven't seen a cab for ages. I don't think I'm in the best neighborhood, Jeff. It's darker than the devil's asshole around here. I wish you'd answer me. Been calling you. I'm scared to call Nick or Mom….where are you?
Bailey: J, I'm scared. If I call Bubby he'll go all fucking ape shit angry on me. Can you come get me? Please answer your phone!
1:49 a.m.
Bailey: Jeff?
1:55 a.m.
Bailey: Please pick up, Jeff. I hope you're not angry with me…with us…because of Nick. I need you.
3:45 a.m.
When Terrance rang the penthouse at 3:45 a.m., Meredith was certain it was because Bailey was back and didn't have her key. Instead, he informed her that she had visitors on the way up. When she opened the door and found two uniformed officers in the hallway, her blood ran cold.
"Mrs. Duval?"
"Y-yes…I'm….that's me…oh God…is Bailey ok? Have you found her?"
"Mrs. Duval, may we come in?"
"Yes, absolutely, please…" she said, stepping back from the door. "Please…just tell me why you're here."
"Mrs. Duval, there's been an accident…an automobile accident, actually, and unfortunately your daughter, Bailey was involved." The officer explained.
"That's not possible…she doesn't drive. I mean, she has her license, but she doesn't have a car here. We don't live here, we live in Chicago and she doesn't….we didn't…." Meredith said, and began to break down. Why had all of the boys left?
"No ma'am…she wasn't driving. Someone else was driving and she was struck…as a pedestrian, ma'am." The officer said calmly. "She was able to give us your son's address before she lost consciousness. They took her to Brookdale University Hospital, ma'am, as it was closest. We'd be happy to escort you there, if you're ready to leave?"
"I…yes…please, I can…I need to call my sons…they're out looking….Bailey, oh my God, Bailey. Please tell me she's alright!" Meredith cried, frantic now.
"She was speaking when the paramedics arrived, but we believe she went into shock shortly thereafter. We'll know more when we arrive at the hospital. Shall we?" The officer said, motioning toward the door. Meredith nearly ran out, not paying any mind to the fact that she was wearing only thin pajamas under the sweater she wrapped around herself in her haste to get to her daughter.
3:53 a.m.
"Nicholas, I don't KNOW what happened. They took her to Brookdale University Hospital. I'm on my way there now. Call your brothers, Nicholas, please." Meredith sobbed.
"Mom, stay calm, I'll call everyone, and we'll meet you there. She'll be fine, Mom. She's too hard headed to be anything but fine. I'll see you there, ok? I love you." Nick said, attempting to keep his mom calm, but the minute he disconnected, he was in a panic. He called his brothers and told them what happened and drove to the hospital as if the hounds of hell were on his tail.
4:02 a.m.
Nick: Jeff…I know your ringer's probably off. I've called you 20 times. I need you to call me. It's important…it's about Bailey.
4:10 a.m.
Nick: Jeff….seriously. I don't want to wake Blaine again. He's probably ready to kill me already. Bailey's been in an accident. Please hear this….God…call me. Love you.
4:15 a.m.
"Oh Nicholas…thank goodness…" Meredith said, grabbing him in a hug when he arrived. Clearly he'd been the furthest from the hospital as his brothers were already there.
"What did they say? Have you talked to anyone yet? Can we see her?" Nick asked, his sentences running together.
"They said she's in surgery. Something about having busted up her arm pretty good. Apparently it's broken and needs to be re-set…the bone….the bone was sticking out. They believe this is what caused her to go into shock and lose consciousness. Other than that, I don't know anything else…and we just have to wait. Here, darling, have a seat." Meredith said, motioning for him to sit down next to her. He did so and made eye contact with the nurse behind the counter nearest to them. She gave him a warm smile of understanding. Clearly she saw anxious people in this waiting room all the time.
Even with the complete lack of conversation, the atmosphere was tense. They sat in silence watching the doors that spelled out, clearly, that they were for staff members only, hoping that any moment someone would come out with news of Bailey's condition.
"Did the cops say how this happened, Mom? Did they tell you any details at all?" Steven asked.
"No, not much, honey…just that she was walking and was hit and the driver took off. Several witnesses were on the scene, but nobody wants to talk. I don't doubt that in that particular neighborhood, from what I overheard the officers discussing, nobody talks to policemen if they don't have to."
"What neighborhood?" Nick asked.
"Flatbush, it's called, I believe."
"What the ever loving HELL was she doing there!?" Nick boomed. "Christ Almighty…" he hissed. "She couldn't have picked a less safe area to be. I can't even wrap my head around this…."
"Apparently another pedestrian was struck also and didn't fare as well. Officer Mallory said that by the time the cops arrived, the poor man had already been robbed of his wallet, laying there in the alley unconscious! Can you imagine the nerve of these hoodlums?! I'm sure it was some drunk that hit her….my God, my poor Bailey Girl…." She trailed off, shaking her head, eyes shut tightly. "They can't tell me much, apparently, as it's an ongoing investigation…."
Nick squeezed her hand and tried to be strong for his mom, but he was angry and upset. Who would do that…hit someone…apparently at least TWO someone's… and then leave the scene. He was sure his mom was right…a drunk driver, but still, that didn't make him feel any better. And why, in God's name, was Bailey out alone, in East fucking Flatbush, to begin with!? He was furious with her. He was getting increasingly upset with Jeff as well, and made a note to ask him never to put his phone on mute again!
Ten minutes later he wasn't faring any better, and he gave up and called Blaine.
"Nick….man, what's up?" Blaine yawned into the phone. "Did you find her?"
"Blaine…can you wake Jeff for me? Bailey's been in an accident. I know he's upset with me, but he'd want to know. And I'm not ashamed to say I need him here with me. I'm falling apart…she's my baby sister, man."
"Yeah…sure…hang on…" Blaine said, and hauled himself out of bed. He stumbled through the dark into the living room and flicked on a small light so he could see where he was going. After only a week, he wasn't used to navigating this apartment in the dark yet.
"Jeff…dude…." He said, walking over to the rumpled blanket on the sofa. "Huh…"
"Huh?" Nick repeated.
"He's not here, man. He must have gotten your messages and took off for the hospital. His jacket and his phone are gone. Call him again. I bet he's on his way and he's turned his phone on by now. You sure you don't want us to come out there?" Blaine told him.
"No…no, I'm good as long as he's on his way."
"K, man…take it easy. Call me when the sun's actually up and let me know what's what."
"Will do. Thanks B…sorry to wake you again. I owe you."
"You do…I'll collect on that soon, too." Blaine smiled. "Take care, Nick."
Nick called Jeff's phone again without an answer and he was starting to get pissed off. Then again, if Jeff had gotten his messages, he may be on his way back to the penthouse. Nick hadn't said where they were, so he texted Jeff yet again.
Nick: Babe, if you get this, we're at Brookdale University Hospital…all of us. Will you come here, please? I need you. God, how I need you…..
He stood and stretched, paced around the small waiting area again and smiled at the nurse who was still watching them. Briefly, he thought she was smiling right at Alex…who may or may not have dropped his gaze to his lap with a smile and blushed. So that's how it was.
He strode out to the long hallway and dialed Jeff's number again. Still nothing. He was walking back into the waiting area when an orderly came around the corner at a jog.
"Darrius, how many times have I told you we don't run in the hallway?" The nurse scolded him, her face stern with the young man. He couldn't have even been 20. "What's that?"
"Personal items. They came in with that dude who's all fucked up from the hit and run…Doc says if he hears that song one more time he'll lose his ever lovin' mind…told me to bring it out here instead of under the table 'til they see if he gets a room. Dude may not need his shit anymore anyway, he don't look good, already lost him once and got him back I heard. Guy's a fighter, that's for damn sure! Screen's locked, so I can't turn the ringer off, but it's been ringin' non-fuckin-stop. I used to like that song, too…" he grinned.
The glint of jewelry in the bag caught Nick's attention as he walked back toward his mom and his brothers. Again, he dialed Jeff hoping he'd eventually answer. He hoped like hell he was on his way.
When he heard it begin to ring in his ear, along with Justin's familiar "Sexy Back" close by, he paused and looked around. Had Jeff snuck in on him?
"See, told you. Non-stop…thing just keeps going off…." The orderly said, shoving the bag across the counter at the nurse. "Can't make it stop…"
Nick's breathing was shallow…and he was suddenly breaking out into a cold sweat. No….it wasn't…couldn't possibly be. Slowly, his feet took him to the nurse…to the counter…to the bag. He stopped, staring at it…at the familiar clothing, now shredded and with dark stains, at the glint of the silver tone band in the bottom of the bag….and he dialed again, head spinning wildly.
From inside the bag he heard it…"I'm bringin' sexy back…yeah…..". And then all hell broke loose.
A/N Thank you, Suzanne, for the rush job today so that I could get this out. I promise to hold all the hate upon my own shoulders.
Hold my hand...and remember just how much I love Jeff Sterling...