Julia began to panic. What was wrong with him? He seemed fine a moment ago, though now was lying lifeless on the ground. "Ok," she mumbled breathless to herself, trying to calm her rapid breathing. She knew for Nick's sake she had to push panic aside, and was prepared to do it at all costs.

The first thing she thought to do was make sure he was still breathing. He was. She thanked God deeply when she felt his pulse and could hear his breathing, even if it was still very shallow. What shocked her, however, was a red rash that burned over his face. What was that? In the light it almost looked like it could have been the shape of a butterfly that bridged over his nose.

Questions, however, would have to come later. It was more important she got him to a Hospital. One Problem, her car and his were up on the parking lot that was up a steep hill that led to the bay. She couldn't carry him up that hill, she wasn't even sure if she could carry him at all. And she wasn't going to drag him.

Then she remembered her phone! "Nick, I'll be right back," she said quickly, "I promise I won't leave you." The words were out and said before she really took notice to what she had promised him. Somehow, it was the right thing to say and without another word she took off up the hill not daring to slow down for anything.

"You've reached 911 how may I help you?" a voice came onto the other line.

"My friend, I don't know what's wrong with him. He just collapsed, and passed out." Julia quickly rushed back down the hill her heart pounding uncertainly in her chest.

"Alright, just remember to remain calm," the voice answered. It was now that Julia registered it as belonging to a female; her voice almost soothing, and comforting. "Do you know where you are?" she broke into Julia's thoughts.

"Uh," she searched around the lake for a sign that could have stated what the name of the place was. Perhaps the name of the lake. There was nothing. "I'm near a lake, actually not too far from Jefferson High." She began to scan frantically through her memory, perhaps the street that took her to the lake had a name? If there was one she didn't notice.

"Ok, there is a team of paramedics on their way." Julia gave a sigh of relief when she learned she didn't have to tell her more. "Is your friend breathing?" The woman questioned her.

"Yes," she said automatically, "But it's really shallow breathing."

"Uh-huh," the woman said and Julia pictured the lady nodding as she said this. "Do you know how to check his pulse?"

Julia quickly checked Nick's pulse and recorded it to the lady. Not long after that paramedics came down the steep hill and found her sitting next to Nick, his hand wrapped in her own...

-later-

The wait outside the medical room was unbearable. The doctors at the Hospital needed a specialist who could check on him, and Landon Carter, the specialist, had run into traffic from his lunch break. Even though Julia remembered what she had said to her father and regretted it, she found her anger boiling at him now for being so late. For all she knew Nick's life was at stake.

While she waited she was at least able to scrounge a little bit of information about Nick. For starters she discovered that Nick had systemic lupus erythematosus—whatever that was. She had only heard the bits and pieces of what the nurses had said to themselves or to another nurse as they walked in and out of his room. Whatever it was, Julia decided, it didn't sound good.

Finally Landon showed up rushing into Nick's room, completely giving his daughter no acknowledgement as he did so. "What happened?" he questioned the nurse that followed him.

"Your daughter brought him in, sir; it seems he passed out from lost of oxygen."

Landon nodded and ordered for a few tools then said to himself, "It sounds like this time it's circling around his lungs." Then aloud he said, "We need his medication in here, and we need it now!" The nurse scurried out and went to retrieve it, while Landon finished his checkup.

After they hooked Nick up to the IV and started giving him his medications, Landon realized, thankfully, that it was a false alarm. He had just a few symptoms but would be fine. Now he just needed to let Julia Know that.

When he exited the room he nearly collided with his daughter who was like a vulture hungry for answers. "Is he alright?" she questioned and then stammered, "What's wrong with him? What the hell is going on with him Dad?" A few of the patients who passed gave Julia a sharp stare from cursing but she hardly took notice. It was none of their business.

Landon rubbed a hand across his forehead, trying to think on how to answer her, and knew there were more questions coming. "Julia, come here. I'll talk to you in my office." He didn't even get halfway turned before she pushed passed him into Nick's room.

It hurt to see him tied up to tubes and lying so lifeless. Sure in a peaceful way, but there was nothing peaceful about being connected to a machine. Her eyes followed up and down his figure and felt a sharp twist inside her stomach. She really cared for him. She couldn't deny it anymore. She understood now why she was so intrigued in getting to know him, in why she could imagine herself lying in his arms. She couldn't quite say that she loved him yet, but there was definitely something associated with it.

"Julia, he needs his rest." Landon whispered, reaching for her hand. Julia shrugged it off.

Stepping toward his bed she took a seat at the end and began to just admire the little things she had refused to take notice too. "Let's go," she mumbled to her dad. Landon nodded and walked out of the room and as soon as he was out of sight Julia bent down and kissed Nick's forehead lightly.