"Thomas, come on Brother, you need to sleep," TC encouraged.

"I'm fine, I can keep watch for a little while longer. You guys should get more rest," Thomas replied.

It was dark outside again, and Juliet had been in the hospital and unconscious for almost 24 hours. During those 24 hours, Magnum hadn't slept for one second of it. Other than leaving the room briefly to change into clothes that Kumu had brought for them, the three men never left Juliet's room. Rick and TC alternated between sleeping and keeping Magnum company since he insisted on staying awake, but the former Marines didn't think it was a good idea for Thomas to stay awake longer than he had to.

"'Keep watch?' Thomas, we're in a hospital, not the desert. In here, you getting some shuteye isn't going to be the difference between life and death," Rick said. He hated using those words considering the circumstances, but Magnum looked exhausted and he had to get through to the stubborn SEAL.

Holding back a cringe at the word "death," Thomas shook his head. "I know, but really, I'm fine. I wasn't part of the firefight and I spent last night in a cozy cell. Whereas you two spent the past 24 hours fighting for your lives as well as Higgins' and have been in the hospital ever since." Sensing the unanticipated anger in his voice, Thomas softened his tone before speaking again. "Guys, I'm okay without sleeping for a bit. I wasn't there when everything went down, so please let me do what I can here and now."

Rick and TC glanced at each other, both knowing what the other was thinking. This was Magnum's way of making up for not being at the house when the intruders arrived. Even though it wasn't his fault, Thomas was going to feel guilty about it. In addition to his close relationship with Higgins, the guilt and other emotions were enough to keep him awake, regardless if he was actually tired or not.

Sighing, TC folded. "All right, TM, we understand. But as soon as you think you can sleep, let us know."

After Thomas agreed, TC situated himself on the daybed and Rick sank into a chair. Within minutes, the only one in the room that was awake was Thomas, and when he was positive that his friends were sleeping, he finally let his guard down.

Thomas gently squeezed Juliet's hand and lost himself in the beeping heart monitor, reminding himself that Higgins was still with them. He wouldn't know what to do if she was gone, but he was sure he would certainly not be okay. Losing Nuzo was hard enough- it was almost impossible to handle, but Higgins was different. He couldn't put his thoughts or feelings into words, but Magnum knew if Higgins was gone, his emotions would get the better of him. He didn't even want to consider the scenario in his mind, so he shook his head to clear his thoughts.

We are not going down this path, Thomas, Magnum told himself. She is alive and fighting. Your friends saved her. Everything will be okay.

Magnum leaned back in his chair, watching over his friends. He decided right then and there that he wouldn't allow anything like this to happen to the people he cared about ever again.