Harry and Nikki walked the maze of corridors in the hospital with Erin dragging a few steps behind them, they had gotten the phone call about Leo this morning and although Nikki and Harry were thrilled, Erin seemed to have retreated into herself once more. They entered Leo's hospital cubicle and were at once relived to see him sitting up and looking a lot better than he had the last time they had seen him
"Leo" Nikki said giving the man a gentle hug "I'm so glad you're alright" she pulled away and he could see the tears sparkling in her eyes
"You gave us a scare" Harry said though the relief on his face was evident
"I'm sorry" Leo apologised "It won't happen again"
"It better not" Harry grinned "Or Erin will give you a hard time"
The three of them looked across at Erin who had said nothing and was looking down at her feet
"We'll go and get a drink" Nikki said liking her arm through Harry's as they left Leo and Erin to talk things through.
As soon as they were left alone, Leo turned his attention to Erin "Erin?" he called softly but she didn't look up at him "Can you come and sit over here?" he motioned to the stool next to his bed
Erin moved over as per his instructions but she still kept her eyes downwards, as soon as she sat down, Leo gently put his hand on her arm; she flinched away from his touch and Leo sighed
"Sorry" he said
"What are you sorry for?" Erin let out a small laugh which sounded to Leo more like a sob
"Scaring you"
"You didn't scare me" she said defensively "I just thought you were…you were…" she stuttered not able to finish her sentence
"I know. But Erin I promise I won't leave you on your own"
"But you will though" Erin looked up at him suddenly and he could see the pained expression on her face "You'll grow old and eventually you'll die and I'll be on my own again"
"That may be true" Leo said choosing his words carefully "But that won't be for a while yet"
"Its still going to happen; you, Nikki and Harry will all go and then I'll be on my own again"
"Not necessarily, by that point you might have a family of your own"
"But you won't be there" she stressed "Everyone leaves eventually…"
"I suppose that's true but that's a very morbid way of looking at things but people always stay in your heart and in that sense they're never really gone"
Erin nodded and sniffed back a few tears "Please don't die yet"
"I'll try my hardest" Leo said with a smile as he gently put his hand on her arm, this time she did not flinch away from his touch but instead took his hand and entwined her fingers in his and gave a small weak smile
"Looks like they go things sorted then" Nikki whispered to Harry as the stepped into the cubicle to see Erin looking less stressed and worried than she had this morning
"Did your mothers not tell you it was rude to whisper?" Leo called across to them as he saw them standing there
"Did your mother ever tell you it was rude to eavesdrop?" Harry grinned as they stepped closer to the bed
The cubicle was suddenly filled with a gentle, relaxed atmosphere and the toll of the last day suddenly took its toll on Erin and she nodded off to sleep
"Thank you for looking after her" Leo said as he watched Erin who was leaning against Harry as a make-shift pillow
"It's no problem" Nikki smiled "You know we don't mind"
"Was she very upset?"
Nikki paused before finally nodding "But it was a natural reaction and she spoke to her psychologist and that seemed to help but seeing you looking better has done the trick"
"She looks exhausted" Leo said and Harry looked down at the young girl who was fast asleep next to him
I don't think she slept last night" Harry said tucking a piece of Erin's hair behind her ear
"She's an early riser" Leo nodded
"You're telling me!" Nikki grinned "She was awake at the crack of dawn according to Harry"
Harry nodded to confirm this "Strange girl" he chuckled
"Would you mind looking after her until I get out of here?" Leo asked and Nikki and Harry nodded
"She can help Nikki sort out some of the wedding stuff"
"Wedding stuff?" Leo asked and Nikki groaned
"And the famous Cunningham discretion works its magic again"
"You two are getting married?" Leo said looking shocked
"Yes" Nikki and Harry said in unison
"Well I don't know what to say…"
"How about congratulations and I'll by you both a drink when I get out of here"
Leo nodded "Yes to the first part but you're pushing your luck on the second part, I'm happy for you, it's about time someone put Harry in his place"
"Thanks very much" Harry said sarcastically
"We've set a date" Nikki grinned "The thirteenth of January"
"But that's less than a month away"
"Well we don't want a lavish occasion, something small with those we care about around us so we won't have that much to arrange" Nikki explained "And we just didn't want to wait" she looked lovingly across at Harry who shifted to put his arm around her
Erin stirred in her sleep "Don't move" she mumbled to Harry "You're comfortable"
"Thanks Erin" he said looking down at the young girl
"Erin, you're going to be staying with Nikki and Harry for a few days until I get out of here, is that okay?"
"Yes" she mumbled twisting and shifting her position to try and get comfortable
"And you'll be good for them?"
"Yes"
"And you'll stop worrying?"
"Yes" she said sitting up straighter, now having decided that Harry wasn't as comfortable as she first thought
"Good girl, by the way does Janet know I'm here?" Leo asked as the thought dawned on him "I'm meant to be meeting up for drinks with her tomorrow"
"We'll call her and explain" Nikki assured Leo who nodded gratefully
"We better leave you to get some rest" Harry said glancing at his watch and registering the tried look on Leo's face
Erin looked across at Leo fearfully "You can't stay here all day Erin, you'll get bored" he said gently
"I won't" she protested but Leo shook his head
"I won't be much company when I'm asleep…." He said but she shook her head again
"I need some help on my wedding preparations Erin" Nikki coaxed
"There you go" Leo nodded towards Nikki "She needs your help"
"No" Erin shook her head wildly and held onto Leo's hand tighter
"Erin, we can come back and see him first thing tomorrow" Nikki said trying to persuade the young girl. She looked to Harry for help, who nodded and turned towards Erin.
"Come on Erin" Harry said standing up and pulling her up with him "Our company is much better than that old codger there" Harry grinned
"What happened to respect your elders" Leo chuckled
"I didn't realise the term elders extended back to those who came from the dawn of time"
"You'll pay for that when I get back to the lab, I think you should get all the decomposing corpses for at lest the next three years"
"I'm going" Harry grinned taking Erin along with him so she couldn't go back to Leo
"Take care Leo" Nikki said giving him a kiss in the cheek "We'll take care of Erin"
Leo nodded "I know you will, I wouldn't trust anyone else" he smiled as he watched them leave and exit the ward with Harry and Nikki trying to distract Erin with different topics of conversation so she wouldn't worry so much about him
"You're looking better" Doctor Winters said coming walking into the cubicle "I see that a certain visitor cheered you up" Leo nodded "How was Erin?"
Leo sighed "Fine I think, she seems to be starting to become a little clingy which worries me"
The doctor shook his head "I'm sure it's a phase which will pass once you're up and about again"
"I hope so" Leo said looking worried "I really hope so"
