Chapter 2

Leaving her in the hospital had been the only option, when she had said that one sentence to him his heart had shattered at the possibility. Never in a million years did he ever think he could feel this heartbroken over a "What if " scenario, but as he drove he lost himself and felt nothing but a sense of numbing dread settle over his heart. Nico drove for hours until he reached his apartment, he ran to his room, changed into sweats and ran out of the apartment. Running as fast and hard as possible, tears sliding down his face, as the sun came up over New York he lost his control. Falling onto his knees in the center of central park and sobbing with so much pain his throat hurt when he calmed down. He stood up, and jogged back to his apartment. Looking at his bed still made and crisp, he walked past it to his bathroom. He took a scalding shower, while the events of the night replayed in his head, one sentence haunted him the most. His fist clenched as he heard the words over in his head, as he remembered her being punched and the sickening sound of the impact the fist made to her ribs. He started to cry silently again as he began to beat into his wall all his rage he felt at her pain. When he managed to punch through his tile into dry wall, he pulled his bleeding hand out of the wall still shaking with anger. Walking out of the shower after turning it off, he walked into his room and gathered clothes. Dressing was done while on auto pilot, his fist radiating pain through his body but not being paid any attention. When he put his shoes on, tying the laces was something he wasn't sure he could even do. Walking into his kitchen he grabbed an ice pack and walked outside to look over the city as he began to deal with his reactions.

Nico stood there for a couple of minutes and let his hand go numb from the ice pack. When that was accomplished and Nico felt more stable emotionally, he calmed himself fully with the knowledge that she was alive. She was alive and would be ok. He would be there every step of the way, and he would never leave her vulnerable again. Nico changed into jeans and a tee-shirt and drove to hospital. Reaching the hospital Nico found a parking space close to the entrance, Dani would be leaving today and he didn't want her walking far. Walking in he steeled himself for the sight he knew may open the fresh wounds on his heart.

Reaching her room he could hear her talking to one of the nurses. He was about to enter the room when he realized he was the subject of their conversation.

"He isn't here?" He heard Dani say in a small voice, that tore at his heart making him want to rush in.

"No, but he informed us he would be back to pick you up, something about wanting you to rest."

"Oh, good. I don't have my phones and I need someone to drive me home." A pause followed in which he shifted from one foot to the other. Dani spoke softly "How long did he stay last night?"

"All night until he had me put you under. In all my years as a head nurse I've never seen anyone so passionate about someone, young lady you better sweep him off his feet before he disappears, he truly seems too good to let go."

"You don't know the half of it. He blames himself for not being there sooner, but I couldn't even contact him to let him know what was happening. He just knew. That's how amazing he is, always there and never too far away if you need him. I just wish he wouldn't blame himself."

"He is a man, you are his woman. Oh don't give me that look young lady, you and I both know he wants and needs you just as much as you need him. He will always feel responsible for anything that happens to you. That's a man you need to take care of whether he wants it or not. Tell me you love him?"

"You know, before I wasn't sure. Or maybe it was the fact I thought he was untouchable in that sense, I never thought he would feel the same. But after last night, even before the saving thing, I realized I loved him more than I had ever loved anyone in my entire life. I need him, and want to be there for him I'm just not sure how to go about it." Nico could feel tears coming to his eyes once again, deciding to leave and get some coffee before returning, mainly so he could regain some control over his emotions, he left for the cafeteria.

After getting a supply of coffee for the both of them, thankful this hospital had the extra spending money to afford a Starbucks, he returned to Dani's room. Walking in, he found her propped up and reading the headlines of todays newspaper. He smiled to himself watching her. She looked better with rest and somehow had managed to smuggle makeup out of one of the nurses effectively brightening the bruises. He walked over and allowed her to hear him, setting her coffee on the table next to her. He looked into her eyes, as she smiled brightly they lost themselves in each others eyes.

Dani finally broke the silence "Is that for me?" motioning over to the coffee cup beside her.

"Yes, I needed some myself and figured I'd pick you up some as well, knowing how much of a coffee feigned you are."

She chuckled, "You really do know me too well. Thank you Nico, for everything. How are you? Did you get some sleep?"

"I'm okay Dani, I'll feel better when you are back to normal again. Yes, I still blame myself but I think I always will. That just means I wont let you out of my sight for a while."

"Nico….I"

"Please, Dani , not now okay?" She nodded as she took in his features, when her eyes landed on his bruised and swollen knuckles.

"Oh my god Nico, what happened? Was that from the guy last night?"

"No Dani, that was my rage at what happened. You have no idea how much finding that situation effected me." He took a deep breath and then looked back into her eyes. "Let's talk about It later, okay?"

"Okay Nico, but hear this. You are every bit to blame…." Pausing she saw the guilt and tears build up, "You are every bit to blame for me being here today, for me only having this many injuries, for me being able to tell you this. You are every bit to blame for saving me, and caring for me in a way I haven't felt cared for in a long time if at all. Nico please stop this, at least blame yourself for something that is your fault and not something out of your control." Finishing her sentence she pulled his uninjured arm so that he bent over and hugged her, she couldn't stand his expression as a solid tear slid down his face.