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"Once we get them to the hospital, we'll come back for you. We can only take two at a time so decide who evacuates next." The flight paramedic yelled over the howling storm and the whirling blades.

The small group huddled together on the roof as the helicopter lifted off and disappeared into the whistling blizzard, leaving nothing in its wake but sleet and hail.

"Come on, let's get inside." Nigel took the lead with ease. His face was numb and cut up by the icy rain and he could feel how violently Lily shivered beside him.

The medics were true to their word and returned within the hour, their searchlights a solace as they cut through the inky sky.

"Lily, Jordan, go!" Nigel held open the door, waving them out.

Lily ventured out once the crewmen had made it to the door, but Jordan refused to budge.

"No," She shook her head like a petulant child, "I'll stay."

"Jordan," Nigel met her eye, "There isn't anything you can do, she's gone." He was as gentle as he could be, but he also knew they couldn't risk holding the helicopter longer than necessary. The storm was getting worse by the hour, they were burning unnecessary fuel and time they couldn't afford to spare.

Her eyes crushed, Jordan bit back the tears, "Bug, go. Go with Lily."

"But—"

"Go!"

Bug didn't get a chance to argue, one of the crewmen had already taken hold of his arm and was leading Lily and him carefully across the roof. The entomologist could only cast a single look back before he was forced into the body of the craft.

Nigel dropped the door closed, locking the storm out, his expression sullen. He'd never been one for boys vs girls, but his mum had raised him to be chivalrous and look out for others before himself and Jordan's inability to let others help her could be grating sometimes. His eyes lingered on the almost whiteout, knowing they were most likely trapped for the night. No way would they risk another flight for two able bodies.

Jordan's steps echoed down the metal stairs and Nigel just watched her go, knowing she needed to mourn in her own way. A while later, when he thought enough time had passed, he headed for the Crypt where he found her fighting back sobs beside Elaine's body. Gently, he rested his hand on her back. The gesture broke down her last defense and sorrow overtook her. Jordan turned into his arms, desperately seeking the comfort he willingly offered.

"It's alright." Nigel wrapped his arms around her shoulders, laying his head atop hers, "You did everything you could."

"C-clearly not." She choked out, her fingers digging into his back as she fought to escape this nightmare.

"Jordan," Nigel stepped back, tenderly brushing aside her escaped curls and wiping away her tears, "You have to stop taking credit for everything wrong in the world. Sorry to break it to you, luv, but you aren't the center of it."

A small smile escaped onto her face and Nigel accepted the win wholeheartedly. Jordan sniffed, bringing one of her hands up to rest over his.

His grin turned mischievous, and he nodded towards the door, "Come on." Nigel didn't wait for a reply and instead pulled her along, "Here." He threw an armful's worth of sheets at Jordan as he gathered whatever he thought might be useful; scrubs, towels, the trail mix stash in Emmy's desk.

"Um, Nige?" Jordan peered over her load, "What are we doing?"

He held the flashlight under his chin, getting her to smile at his antics, "We're going to build a fort!"

Her face fell, quite unamused, but, with a bit of prodding and not a few puppy-dog-pouts, Nigel had gotten her to help set up an elaborate canopy between his and Bug's desk. He stuffed the towels into the scrubs, creating makeshift pillows, and they scavenged whatever they could find for the interior's comfort. Beside the lantern, they set down the trail mix, a deck of cards, a plant, and Garret's Scotch bottle.

Jordan snuggled into the blanket she had gotten from her office, "I feel like I'm eleven again."

"Yes, but this is much better than a grape juice box." Nigel handed Jordan a glass of the liquid gold and toasted his to Jordan's, "Cheers!"

"Hey, Nige?" Jordan's voice was quiet as she nursed her drink.

Nigel looked up to her from where he lay on the floor, his eyes almost hidden behind the flap of his trapper hat, "Yeah, luv?"

"Thanks," She shrugged, sighing as she sought the right words, "Ya know, for always being there for me."

"Any time." His wide smile captured his face, "So, truth or dare?"

Jordan just laughed and took dare. After their game of questions, and a couple card games and sleight-of-hand, they rummaged through his and Bug's desk to see what else they could while the hours away with. Jordan came across the box camera Nigel kept on his desk and the two began recreating famous paintings with whatever they could find around the morgue. Jordan lost it at Nigel's attempt of Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. He stood in the middle of a bedpan, his hands strategically placed over his scrubs, as he threw a handful of coffee filters from the breakroom into the air.

She fell back into their pile of stuffed scrubs, coats, and towels, "I…I don't remember the last time I laughed so much." Jordan brushed aside her curls, "Or the last time I had this much fun."

Nigel crawled in beside her, "That makes me sad to hear."

Jordan dropped her head to the side, knowing there wasn't much to say to that. Though she also knew that, when it came to Nigel, sometimes nothing needed to be said.

They shared a yawn as Nigel snuck a peek at the clock, which told them it was well past 2AM. He pulled her blanket up over her shoulders, tucking her in, before grabbing a coat for himself, ready to turn in.

"Night." Jordan bid, snuggling in. Her smile was concealed behind the blanket's tassels; it felt nice to be taken care of for a change.

"Night, luv." Nigel hummed, already half asleep, "Sweet dreams."

Jordan relished the peace she felt in that moment. The storm could rage for as long as it liked, she was quite content being safely tucked away with her best friend in their shoddy fortress.

XxX

A small gathering stood before the hodgepodge of unzipped body bags, scrubs, and couch cushions, wondering what to make of it. Lily was doing her best to quiet her giggling, nearly losing it every time she caught sight of Nigel's long legs sticking out of the fort. Bug had already found the Polaroid and snapped a couple pictures for posterity.

Nigel was the first to stir, wiping at whatever was tickling his nose. He was surprised to feel the soft curls, which appeared to be attached to a head other than his own, and slowly he opened his eyes to see they belonged to none other than Jordan Cavanaugh, who had affixed herself to his side and was still fast asleep.

He felt their growing audience and cut his eyes to them, knowing he couldn't do much besides smile his way out of it.

"So," He grinned, brushing back his tousled hair as he felt Jordan begin to stir beside him, "What's for breakfast?"

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