Chapter 11

Fin and Jamie got to the hospital not long after the bus. They went inside and found Munch in the waiting room. "Have you heard anything?" Fin asked.

"They just took her in." Munch said putting his head back in his hands.

Jamie sat down beside Munch and put her left arm around his shoulders. "She's gonna be fine, John. Nic's a fighter."

Fin nodded, and looked at his partner, "She's right. She'll be find, John."

"I don't know what I'd ever do without her." Munch said looking over at Jamie and then up at Fin.

Fin sat down on the other side of Munch. "You'll never have to worry because she's not going anywhere."

Jamie nodded, "She's going to be fine. I know you're worried, but she's a tough son of a bitch."

Munch stood up and started pacing. He was definitely going out of his mind. Fin and Jamie didn't know what to do. But one thing that Fin did know was that he knew exactly what Munch was going through. He felt the same way when Jamie had been shot. Both times.

It seemed like, even when both girls weren't on duty. Duty seemed to follow them. So did the injuries. Plus it felt like the hospital was becoming their second home since Nicole had gotten back to New York.

Munch had been pacing for about an hour when the doctor finally came out. Munch walked over to him. "How is Nicole?"

"She's got a major concussion now. We have to keep her awake so that she won't slip into a coma. You can see her if you want?"

Munch nodded, "Please." he said looking at the rest. They nodded, understanding that the best thing right now if it was only those two in the room.

Munch followed the doctor to Nicole's room. Fin sat down on the couch in the waiting room and Jamie sat next to him. "Hell of a day." she said resting her head on Fin's shoulder.

"Yeah. Why do you always seem to get yourselves into these situations?" Fin asked looking down at Jamie.

"What can I say? Trouble is attracted to us." Jamie replied smiling up at Fin.

Fin smiled back and kissed the tip of her nose. "Well, I just might have to handcuff you to me to keep you safe."

"You won't have any argument from me," she said and winked at him.

/Chung Chung/

Munch entered Nicole's room and saw her sitting up in bed. "You scared me half to death." Munch sighed as he walked over to the bed.

Nicole looked over at him, "I'm sorry, John. I didn't think it would go this way," she said letting out a sigh.

"Thank God you're okay. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you." Munch said taking her hand into his.

She smiled, "It's gonna take more then a bump on the head for you to lose me."

"It was more than a bump on the head, Nic."

She gave Munch's hand a squeeze; "I'm going to be all right, John."

"I'll believe that when you stop getting your head knocked around." Munch said smiling.

She returned the smile, "Well, it's still attached."

"I know. But it's not gonna stop me from worrying about you."

She nodded, and yawned. "You keep worrying about me. You're going to get a worry wrinkle, John."

Munch laughed. "I'm gonna go and let you get some rest. Although, you know they're gonna be waking you up every hour?"

"Every hour" Nicole asked, her eyes went wide.

"Just kidding. But the nurse will wake you up during the night to make sure you can be awakened easily. By the way, did the doctor ask you all those questions, like your name, the date, things like that?"

"Name, the date and things like that is what I was drilled about. But nothing about being woken up."

"Well, they will. So, you should get as much rest as you can now." Munch said and stood up.

"What's the point of sleeping, if you get woken up almost every hour?"

"I was kidding about that. They'll only wake you up once during the night to make sure you haven't slipped into a coma, or that you're not confused or dizzy." Munch explained.

She thought for a second, "Just out of curiosity. What happens if I am a little confused or dizzy."

"You won't have to worry about that because you're already here in the hospital. If you were home and that happened I'd have to take you here."

She nodded, "Glad to know."

"Glad I could help." Munch said and kissed her forehead. "Now get some rest before the warden comes."

"I will. Thanks, John."

"Anytime." Munch said and left the room.

Nicole rubbed her eyes and dozed off to sleep. It seemed like she just closed her eyes when she felt someone gently shaking her shoulder, "Miss Green?"

Nicole slowly opened her eyes and looked up at the nurse. "Huh?"

"How do you feel?" the nurse asked.

"Tired."

"You don't feel dizzy or anything like that?"

"No. Just tired and I have a massive headache."

"I'll get you some Asprin, okay?"

"Thanks." Nicole said and rested her head on the pillow again.

She absolutely hated being woken up, in the middle of the night. Most likely because when she was woken up, she felt like there was no chance of falling asleep again.

Nicole laid there for a few minutes staring up at the ceiling. At least Munch had said she'd only be woken up once. Her eyes started to feel heavy and she finally drifted off to sleep.

The nurse walked back into the room, with a small glass of water and another small cup of two painkillers. When she saw that Nicole was back asleep she set the glass of water and the small cup of two painkillers on the end table for Nicole to take when she woke up.

/Chung Chung/

The next morning Nicole was sitting up in bed bored out of her mind. Just then the door opened and Jamie popped her head in. "Hey, you feel up for some visitors?" Jamie asked.

"God, yes, I'm going out of mind with boredom." Nicole replied.

Jamie walked into the room with Fin close behind her. "Hey, Nic, how you doing?" Fin asked.

"Not too bad," she answered, "How about you two?"

"We're really good." Jamie said smiling and slipped her arm around Fin's waist.

Nicole smiled and shook her head, "Glad to hear, and it looks like you two are too." she said.

"Yeah, we're gonna make things work this time." Fin said looking at Jamie. "By the way, how are things going at John's place."

"Good, really good."

"Glad to hear it," a voice said from the doorway.

"Hey," she said looking at the doorway, surprised to see Olivia and Elliot. And just behind them Munch showed up.

The three detectives walked into the room and Munch went straight over by Nicole's side. "Hey, Nic, even when you're out on medical leave your getting hurt." Olivia said.

"I just happened to be there, to help." She smiled, and looked over at Jamie, "Your shoulder's okay, right?"

"My shoulder's fine. You just worry about yourself." Jamie said.

"Speaking of which, make sure you keep that head on your shoulders." Elliot commented.

Nicole laughed. "If I haven't lost it yet, I don't think I will anytime soon."

"Any word from the doctor when they are letting you out?" Olivia asked.

"No, he hasn't told me anything. I hope it's soon though."

"Just don't push your self to hard. That head of your's has had enough bumps for a while." Fin commented.

"No worries there, Fin. I'm gonna be watching her like a hawk." Munch stated.

Elliot and Olivia exchanged glances; "We just stopped by to see how you're doing." Olivia spoke, "We'll come by later," she said as her and Elliot headed towards the door.

"You guys don't have to leave so soon." Nicole said.

"No, it's okay. We gotta get back to the precinct anyway." Elliot replied and opened the door.

"Thanks for stopping by." Nicole said.

"You bet. Take care of yourself, sweetie." Olivia said and followed Elliot out the door.

Nicole nodded, and looked at the others, "So, what have you guys been up too?"

"Not much. Although, I've been bunking at Jamie's place. I'm not comfortable with leaving her alone." Fin said.

"So I've heard."

"Yeah, I'm lucky. I got my own private bodyguard." Jamie said smiling at Fin.

"It's amazing isn't it?"

"Yeah, amazing about covers it." Jamie said.

Nicole sighed, "Well, what would be amazing is if I don't end up back in here this month."

"That's where I come in." Munch said. "I'm gonna make sure you don't end up back in here."

Nicole smiled, "Then I, for sure, won't end up back in here."

Munch smiled back at her. "After you get out of here, none of us will back here at this hospital."

"Now, that's something you can't promise, John." Jamie said.

"Yeah, we're cops. We're all bound get hurt at one point." Fin added.

"Just hopefully, luck will save us and it won't be any time soon. I'm rather getting sick of knowing all the nurses and doc's here." Nicole commented.

"Yeah, and you think me being on a first name basis with everyone at the Brooklyn Diner is bad." Jamie stated. "By the way, Fin, Lorraine said to say hi."

"Tell her next you see her I say hi back." Fin replied.

"I won't have to if you come there with me." Jamie stated.

"Right..." Nicole looked at the two, "I think that place is a jinx for me."

"It's not the diner that's a jinx... it's just us." Jamie said.

Nicole laughed, "I've heard that before."

Fin looked at Nicole. "You know, Satan could run that place and she'd still eat there."

"Excuse me, Odafin, but I believe you happen to like their food, too." Jamie stated defensively.

Nicole and Munch shared glances. Then they both looked at the two, "I don't want to know." Nicole commented.

"Wise choice, Nic." Munch said. "I don't think we should involve ourselves in this little spat between Jamie and Odafin there."

Fin glared at Munch. "Watch yourself, Munchy." Fin stated.

Nicole looked up at the roof, "No comment."

"Really? It was you who gave me the name to begin with." Munch said looking at Nicole.

She couldn't help but laugh, "I know."

"Is it just me, or is this conversation getting a little weird?" Jamie asked.

Nicole looked at Jamie, "Remember this: You don't have to be crazy to be here. But it helps."

"Yeah, especially when you're hanging out with Munch here." Fin stated and smirked at his partner.

"Ah, Fin. You're just as crazy." Nicole commented.

"No, I'm not crazy. But I am a carrier." Fin said laughing.

"No wonder you make us all crazy." Munch answered.

"Ah, don't listen to him, sweetie." Jamie said to Fin.

"What? He does." Nicole smirked.

"Nah, not really. You guys just don't understand him." Jamie stated.

"Understand, what's there to understand?" Munch asked.

"Hey, whoa, what're you guys picking on me for?" Fin asked.

"Cause your handy." Nicole stated.

"Really? I don't know; Munch here is pretty handy. Pick on him." Fin said.

"That's later. Right now, it's you."

"Alright, you guys have your fun. I'm leaving anyway." Fin stated.

"So soon?"

"Yeah, I got better things to do than hang around here and be hassled by you two." Fin said.

Nicole looked at Munch then Jamie, "Alrighty then."

Fin walked to the door and opened it. "Fin, wait up, I'll go with you." Jamie said. "I'll see you later." With that, Jamie followed Fin out the door.

"So, any chance of me getting out of here soon," Nicole asked, looking at Munch.

As Nicole said that, the door opened and her doctor walked in. "Well, if you promise to take it easy and take care of that head of yours, you can leave this afternoon."

Nicole smiled, "Awesome."

"I'll get your release forms ready and then you can get out of here." the doctor said and left the room.

"Any chance you can take the day off?" Nicole asked looking at Munch.

"I already have." Munch said and smiled at her.

She smiled back, "Wow, are you reading my mind now?"

"No, just looking out for you."

"Knight and shining armor."

"Yeah, I'll pick up my sword and my horse on the way home." Munch joked.

Nicole laughed, "And I'll pick up my gown, and crown too."

"Great. Sounds like a good plan."

She nodded, and sat cross-legged on the bed, "Just remember pa wants me home by ten."

"Of course. Don't want to upset dear old dad." Munch said.

Nicole laughed, "Smart."

"I always was." Munch stated.

"And always will be."

Munch sat down on the bed and took Nicole into his arms. "I'm glad you're okay," he said.

She smiled, "John, its going to take more then a bump on the head to get rid of me."

"Thank God for that." Munch said returning her smile.

She looked him in the eye; "I plan to be around for a long time."

"Me too, Nic, me too." he stated.

"Glad to here."

Munch turned Nicole's face up to his and kissed her briefly on the mouth. When the kiss broke he looked into her eyes and smiled. She smiled and kissed him again. When the kiss broke this time, Munch stood up. "I'm gonna go see if those release forms are ready."

"Okay, thanks John."

"Your quite welcome." Munch said and left the room.

Nicole got out of bed and walked over to the bathroom, where the nurse had set her clothes. If those release forms were ready she would be ready to get out of there.

A few minutes later, Munch came back to get Nicole. "Hey, Nic, your forms are ready let's get you out of here."

"Great," she said walking up to him, putting on her jacket.

They walked out to the nurses station and Nicole signed her forms. When everything was completed, she and Munch left the hospital hand in hand.

TBC…