Nora spent most of Thanksgiving holding her breath. She felt as though she had to be on guard - ready for when Angie spilled the beans or flung the carving knife straight at Miles. Neither happened. In fact, the day was mostly uneventful. Just a quiet day spent with friends and family. It had been a secret celebration for their family - it marked another first of holidays together. Miles would remind her that, technically, Alex had been with them for these days last year but no one had thought of celebrating or they weren't in one place long enough.

No, they all came through the day unscathed, stuffed, and overall content. She would add that to the list of things she was grateful for.

Apparently, it was the next day she needed to worry about. It started off as a lazy day, most of their family rolling out of bed during the late morning hours. Miles had plans to take Alex to the park and Nora was going to enjoy an afternoon to herself. They would meet up later in the afternoon to grab dinner in town.

"What are you, scared?"

"N-No."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

No one moved, though all eyes were glued to the towering object before them.

"Baby, baby," the taunting began then and in Alex's opinion, that was crossing the line.

"Hey, leave her alone." his head whipped around to glare at the older boy next to him. After playing with Miles for most of the time, several of his friends had shown up - including Cat. He didn't really know their bully, who was the older brother of his friend Lucas. Peter let out a laugh and moved around the other kids to stick his face in Alex's.

"You're going to tell me what to do? What is she, your girlfriend?"

Both Alex and Cat blushed the deepest shade of red. Peter only laughed harder, clutching his stomach as he doubled over.

"Doesn't matter. She doesn't have to go up there if she doesn't want to. You don't have to pick on her." he shifted his stance, blocking Cat just a little. Miles would never stand for someone going after Nora. It was only normal.

"Fine. If you're such a tough guy, then you do it."

Alex's gaze transferred to the large oak tree. It had dawned on him very quickly that this tree was some sort of challenge for the kids in town. If it was conquered, that kid was pretty much revered. Other kids used it as a dare, trying to push each other to the highest point before someone would break.

"Okay."

"Alex, no!" Cat exclaimed. This had all started when she had shown up at the park and wanted to play with her schoolmates. Peter had quickly taken over the situation by declaring girls as stupid and if she wanted to play, she would have to prove her worth. "I'll do it. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'll be fine." he looked back to Peter with what he hoped was the most commanding gaze he could muster. "When I come down, she stays and you have to go."

He examined the tree carefully, trying to find an easy point to begin. Once he found it, he began to climb. Once or twice, his foot would slip but he caught himself as his heart pounded. After what felt like ages, he stopped at a branch and looked down. His friends seemed smaller. The ground seemed too far away. It didn't seem like he was any closer to the top though. The top of the tree was obscured by thick leaves that were already beginning to group near his head.

"Keep going brat!" Peter shouted up. Alex scowled down at him and climbed further. He stopped again and felt his heart stop. It was higher than he thought - or expected. He looked at the kids on the ground - most seemed amazed or awed and Peter looked irritated. Deciding enough was enough, he prepared himself to climb down.

Except, he couldn't move. His fear was too great. He was stuck and would live the rest of his life in this dumb tree.

Stop being stupid. He could get down, though most of him was ready to yell for his father. That won't prove anything if Dad has to pull you out like a baby. He just had to retrace his steps and take his time and everything would be okay.

He took a deep breath, then turned slowly on the branch he was standing on. Once he was secure, he began to go down. After the first few branches, his confidence grew and he thought he was ridiculous before. It was no big deal. Then, a bird flew too close to his head and squawked loudly, startling him and causing him to lose his footing.

He yelled out, trying to regain his balance but it was too late and he was falling. It felt like he hit every branch on the way down and then his back hit the ground. For a moment he couldn't breathe, then a blinding pain shot through his right arm. He thought maybe he screamed.

His companions stared at him in horror, then sprinted off in different directions. He was vaguely aware of footsteps racing towards him, then Miles was in his face.

"It's okay. It's okay. What happened?" the panic was evident in his eyes and Alex knew it was bad - he never saw his father so startled. "Hey. Alex, calm down. You gotta tell me what happened."

"I - I fell."

"Where?"

He tried to lift his arm to point, then screamed again and started bawling. Miles looked down at his arm and blanched at the awkward angle it was bent at. Nora was never going to leave them on their own again.

"No!" Alex was still wailing - Miles was sure he never stopped - and scrambled to get away from the nurse trying to take his vitals. He didn't go very far as he was sitting in Miles's lap.

"Stop. Stop, Alex, she's just trying to help."

"No. Daddy, it hurts. It hurts so bad."

"I know. Trust me, I know buddy but you've got to let them fix it. It'll stop hurting."

"No! No! I. Want. Mommy!"

"Can't you give him something?" Miles looked desperately at the young woman, who shook her head apologetically.

"We're low on supplies. I need Dr. Jennings to prescribe something. He needs to check him and decide what to use."

"How do you plan on setting a broken arm?"

"The doctor will be in in a moment." she glanced over the pair, then held up a clipboard. "In the meantime, keep the ice pack on him and also, if you could fill out this paperwork,"

"You're fucking shitting me right?"

"I'll be back in just a moment with the doctor."

The door shut quietly and Miles held back a groan. He held Alex tightly, mindful of his arm, and pressed his face against the back of his head.

"Daddy, make it stop."

"I can't kiddo. I promise I would if I could but you need to wait for the doctor."

"Where's Mommy? I want Mommy."

A sudden yelling in the hallway caught Miles's attention and he had the feeling 'Mommy' was not too far off.

"I don't give a damn what your policy is! You're going to tell me which room my son is in or I'll break down each door until I find him!"

A moment later, the frazzled nurse was back and Nora was storming by her. Miles felt bad for the woman, who overall seemed nice. Too bad she had to deal with the two of them today.

"What happened?"

"Mommy!"

"It's okay baby. I'm right here." she changed from angry to soothing in an instant, coddling their son. Their faces now inches apart, Miles feared that she would literally snap at him. She continued to comfort Alex but her expression meant business. "What the hell happened?"

"I fell." Alex mustered between sobs.

"From where? The jungle gym?"

"The tree."

"What tree?"

"The big one."

"Why were you in that tree!"

"Nora,"

"You shut up. Why the hell weren't you watching him?"

Miles opened his mouth to retaliate but stopped when he realized he didn't have a good reason. She seemed to realize this and glowered even further before turning her attention to Alex. She cooed and hushed him, trying to comfort him as much as possible. The door opened again to reveal an aging man with a stethoscope looped around his neck.

"O'Connells. Nice to see you. I'm Dr. Jennings, I don't believe we've met."

"Can you give him something to stop the pain?" Miles blurted out, not in the mood for niceties.

"I'll have to see what we have. Did Shannon explain we're low in supply? The next town over had some problems and we had to send assistance. We're still waiting on the pharmacy to get some stock built up. Has he ever had any reactions to any medication? Any allergies?"

Miles and Nora exchanged a bewildered glance.

"Not that I can remember." she stuttered. "Not much is available."

"That's alright. We'll monitor him. Does he have any other instances of broken bones?"

"I - I don't. No, no, not that I - no."

"Any serious illnesses?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry."

"You don't know?" the doctor peered over his glasses at her and immediately Miles jumped in at her defense.

"I don't think either of us are thinking clearly right now. Maybe you could slap a cast on him and give him some meds and we'll be good to go."

"As much as I would love to, we need to cover our bases and also do an exam. Now what exactly happened?"

"He fell out of a tree."

"How did you land Alex? On your back, stomach? Did you hit your head?"

"No and I fell on my back."

"Alright. Let me take a look here. Rick, I'll have to ask you to set him on the table."

"No!" Alex squirmed, trying to melt into his father.

"I just want to check your back pal. I can't do that if Dad's holding you."

"It's okay. It'll take two seconds." Miles eased Alex onto the table next to him and glanced at Nora. She looked totally lost, with a tearful, dazed expression on her face. He reached for her hesitantly and she jumped, shaking her head slightly. They exchanged a look and he knew she was beating herself up for not being able to answer the doctor's questions. He squeezed her hand gently, then turned his attention back to Alex as Jennings began to speak.

"No injuries to the head. Slight bruising on his back, doesn't appear to have any broken ribs. Ankle is slightly swollen. Most likely a simple sprain. I want to get that arm an x-ray. We'll have to take him across the hall."

As they started to move, Shannon appeared once again and spoke quietly to Jennings. Nora noticed she looked frequently to the end of the hall and it was then she noticed her father standing in the open doorway. She took a step forward when Alex cried out.

"Mommy, no! Don't leave!"

"I'll be right there baby. It's okay."

"Alex we're going to take a picture of your arm. Your parents have to stay out here anyway. Can you be brave for just a few minutes?"

"Mommy,"

"I will be standing right here. We're not going anywhere. You can do this. It's going to go very fast and then we can go back in." Nora glanced up at Miles, nodding to for him to take Alex in the room. She walked towards the lobby of the office and stepped into the corner with her father.

"I was just getting to the park when I heard the commotion. Is Alex okay?"

"Stop the bullshit. What the hell are you doing here?"

"I came to check on Alex."

"Teachers make personal calls now? I think that's going a bit above and beyond your duty."

"I told you before, I've taken a very close interest in Alex."

"I want you to stay away from him."

"Evie," the tone in his voice was mocking, pointing out that they both knew damn well that wasn't her name. But the look in his eyes was a scolding one she was used to from when she was a child. "I would speak very carefully if I were you."

"You never gave a damn before. Don't start now with him."

"The Patriots have an abundant supply of medical products. I hear Dr. Jennings is low on anesthetic and pain medication."

"I don't want your help."

"You would let your son suffer so you can prove a point? I don't think that's what good mothers do. I have the resources available for him. I just want to help."

She scowled and crossed her arms, not willing to give in. There had to be some other option. Alex's faint cries trickled out into the waiting room and she glanced back. Only Miles was in the hall still, slumped against the wall in exhaustion.

"He doesn't sound too good. I can't even imagine what he'll sound like when they go to set that arm."

"Fine."

"Good. Dr. Graham is on his way over as we speak."

"After this, I don't want you taking the time out of your day to check on him. He has parents. He doesn't need you. You're a teacher and that's it."

With that, she turned to go back to Miles. She was well aware that her father was watching them but she refused to give him the satisfaction of looking back at him.

"I'm sorry." Miles's voice was so quiet she almost didn't hear him. She glanced up and suddenly felt terrible for yelling at him earlier. It was quite obvious that he felt guilty and she was sure that having to deal with Alex in this situation had been no picnic for him.

"You don't have to apologize."

"No, I should have - "

"Should have what? Told him to stop acting like a kid? That's stupid. I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to yell at you. I mean, I did, but that was a poor choice on my part. It wasn't your fault."

"I wasn't watching him."

"I find that doubtful."

"I had been with him all afternoon and finally he went off with the others. I kept an eye and then Eric showed up and we were talking and next thing I know, he's screaming and the other kids are scattering."

"So? I talk to Sandy all the time. He was going to climb that tree whether we told him to or not and he was going to fall if we were standing there or not. It was an accident." she moved off the wall and stood in front of him. "Don't beat yourself up. Would you blame me if I was the one there with him?"

"No."

"So why are you blaming yourself? I know it's surprising to hear but I don't hover over him."

"You're better at this than me."

"You did not see the crazy lady tearing through town to get here. I am no good at this."

He snorted slightly, then started to laugh quietly. She smiled, a little confused by his reaction, and he explained, "I probably looked like a deranged person rushing him in here. I think I was yelling as loud as he was. These poor people. I feel sorry for them."

"We definitely are an interesting pair."

"That's one way of putting it. How did you even know we were here?"

"When you didn't show up at the restaurant, I walked over, thinking you two had lost track of time. Everyone was gossiping about how badly injured Alex was and I thought the worst."

They watched as a man with a doctor's bag entered the hallway. Shannon led him into the exam room Alex had been given just as the door to the x-ray room opened.

"Looks like a simple fracture, nothing too serious. We'll set it and put a cast on." Jennings announced as he led a now sniffling Alex out. He immediately pushed himself into Nora's leg, rubbing tears and snot along her side as she stroked his hair gently. "I assume Shannon explained to you that the Patriots have been kind enough to bring some supplies. We'll get everything set up and have you out of here as soon as possible."

They walked back into the exam room, where Graham was setting up what they would need. His glanced over the family with a stern expression and Alex whimpered quietly, hiding further against his mother. Nora soothed him quietly as Jennings made introductions. Once that was done, they began to get situated for the procedure and the doctor continued to explain what would be happening.

"We'll give him a light dose of anesthetic. This way, it'll be easier to set his arm and it won't be painful for him. Otherwise, things would go downhill pretty fast in here."

It was obvious Alex did not understand what any of that meant, as he was looking to his parents with a nervous expression. It didn't help matters when Graham began to advance with a needle in his hand.

"No. No, no, no," he started squirming on the table, eager to get away. The older man scowled and dropped his hand, clearly not in the mood for an uncooperative child. "I don't want to."

The tears, which seemed to have dried up, started again with a vengeance.

"Mommy," he started to roll towards Nora and she moved in, holding him gently while Miles stealthily placed his hand over Alex's wrist in a firm grip so the doctor had a chance to inject the medication.

"It's okay."

"I don't want to."

"I know baby but you have to. It is only going to take a little bit and then it'll be over."

She noticed his gaze shifting towards Graham and Jennings and he jerked, making a panicked noise.

"No, no, look at me." she took his face gently in her hands, forcing him to lock eyes with her. "I'm going to be right here."

"It's gonna hurt."

"It won't. This is going to make it stop hurting. You'll feel better. Trust me."

He sniffed loudly, clearly struggling to accept this. She stroked his cheeks gently, silently deciding this was among the top worst moments of her life, and tried to keep him focused on her.

"You promise?"

"I promise."

"Don't go."

"I won't. I'll be right here." she moved in and kissed his forehead, blocking his view as the doctor moved in. He whimpered as the needle was inserted and Miles tightened his grip slightly, making sure he didn't yank his hand away. She kept her eyes locked on Alex and watched as the anesthetic took effect. Once he was out, she released him from her hold and settled back against Miles as Jennings began to work.

"Alex?"

His eyes opened slowly and looked confused as he tried to decide where the voice was coming from. Nora let out a breath of relief and felt Miles's posture relax as well. Though they placed their trust in his doctor, it was still a nerve wracking experience.

"Hi baby," she smiled softly as he finally met her gaze. He continued to frown at her and she held back a chuckle, knowing the sedative was still clouding his brain.

"Mommy," his voice was low and slurred and he blinked slowly. "Mommy, I don't feel good. I feel weird."

Miles let out a quiet laugh and Nora elbowed him gently as she continued to smile.

"I know. It's just the medicine. It'll take a little while for it to wear off. It's okay. How does your arm feel?"

His eyebrows furrowed at the question and he shrugged one shoulder.

"I don't think it's there anymore." he mumbled, eyes closing.

"It's there."

"Don't feel it."

"At least it's not hurting anymore. It's all done now." she said as she brushed his hair out of his eyes. "You were so good baby."

"Okay." he looked up again and the frown on his face deepened. He tried moving his arm but didn't get far with his new cast. Instead, he raised his left arm and pawed at the air just to the left of Miles's face. His parents exchanged an amused glanced.

"What are you doing buddy?" Miles dared to ask the question, curious as to what the answer was.

"I got to get it before it gets you." he explained drowsily.

"Get what?"

"The monster. It's eating your nose. Go'way."

"I think it's going to be a long night."

"Oh yeah, definitely."