Boston, MA

No matter how many times Sawyer traveled by plane, she was always vaguely surprised by the discomfort it brought. It was as if the anticipation of what was to come negated all previous unpleasant memories, only to have them come flooding back mid-trip. The only difference here was that she was experiencing the wrong kind of anticipation.

She had to admit that it was probably a blessing in disguise. It was easier to think of the ache in her back and her tired muscles than it was to think of her father, lying in his hospital bed in God knows what state. She always knew to appreciate a welcome distraction.

She braced herself as her cab pulled up outside the hospital, just barely building up enough strength to force herself inside. She had finally managed to get in touch with someone at the hospital after landing, and had finally gotten some small bit of information about her father; stable, but had yet to regain consciousness. She didn't need to be a doctor to know that, in situations like this, it was better if people woke up.

It didn't take her long to find her Dad's room. She had spent half of her childhood wandering around this place after him. She even remembered him finding a spare stethoscope and white coat for her on long days so she could join in. Sawyer distinctly remembered the adventures of Doctors J. and S. McDermid being a real hit among her father's older patients. That world seemed miles away at that moment, as she barely forced herself into his room.

She had known what to expect on a theoretical level; the machines, the bed, the patient. It was a very different experience when the patient was your own father. Pale, small and fragile; he didn't cut the same fine figure of a man that she was used to.

Sitting down gently on the edge of his bed, she placed a hand softly on his cheek. Was it really possible that this was a man still in his forties? Jared had always been a fine looking man; lean, strong and handsome, with a kind of confidence befitting his intelligence. She barely recognised him in the frail man lying before her.

All cynicism aside, part of her had hoped for a movie ending; he would sit up, stirred by the voice of his child, and everything would be normal. It didn't take long for it to become clear to her that it wouldn't happen. She didn't see herself leaving until it did.

Sighing, Sawyer pulled a spare seat as close to her father as possible, leaning in to place a soft kiss to his forehead. 'I'm not going anywhere'.

Hollywood, CA

Danny awoke with a start at the sound of a knock at his door, and wondered briefly what cruel god it was that refused to let him sleep beyond seven. Sleeping hadn't been easy last night, but the exhaustion of the previous days seemed to hit him all at once, sending him off. Clearly there was no hope of him getting anything beyond the bare minimum he needed.

He rose solemnly, and rushed to open the door as quickly as he could, just to end the banging. Admittedly, whatever small amount of annoyance he felt disappeared quickly after opening his doors to reveal Tillie and Pudge, and he invited them both in happily.

The trio spoke about Sawyer for some time. Danny had contacted those two at the studio, and both had been dying of curiosity ever since. It was something of a wonder that she had been able to contain herself.

At that moment she seemed particularly caught up in the contents of the care package she was going to send his way. 'Well, I figured food wouldn't hold up all the way, but it gets so cold in Boston this time of year that I was thinking of sending him some of my knitting! I think a nice sweater or something might do just the trick!'

'And you came here to ask me about sewing patterns?' Danny asked, a teasing smile on his face. It was good to have a normal conversation. Or at least a normal conversation by Tillie's standards.

The pair opposite him exchanged a definite Look at that, shifting uncomfortably in their chairs. 'Well, that isn't the only reason. We were talking with L.B. last night, and he was saying that you two couldn't show up yesterday, and that Sawyer wouldn't be available...'

'That's right. And what did he mean by that?'

'Well...he just said some of the backers were getting a little hot under the collar, y'know? About whether or not Sawyer would be back. He kinda wanted you to meet with them this morning.'

Danny sat back for a moment, taking in what they just said. Suddenly he sat forward, shaking his head with a smile. 'You guys worry too much! Sure, they'll have to change some schedules, but it can't be too serious! I'll go in now and sort everything out!'

Tillie and Pudge simply smiled at that, but neither could really wipe the worry off their face. 'Hope you're right.'

Danny had to admit that the meeting appeared to far more sombre than he had hoped for. Not only was there L.B, but there was also a roomful of the backers from their current film. He suddenly understood why Sawyer had called the all grey faced. He took his seat, staring out into the sea of faces in front of him, without seeing one that looked remotely pleased.

L.B. looked as if he wanted to say something, before he was cut off by one of the backers, who leaned across the table to stare him in the eyes. 'Would you like to tell me how it is we're supposed to rescue this movie?'