a/n: The beginning of this tale takes place a month after the end of my previous story.
"Nick seems a little down since Bobbie went back to college last month," Rachel said to Alex.
"Actually her mother just called Derek today. She said that Bobbie's talking about leaving college now. Her mother doesn't like that. She thinks that if Derek talks to her, Bobbie will change her mind," Alex told her.
"In the short amount of time I've known her, Bobbie doesn't seem like the type to just quit."
"Derek talked to Nick about it before leaving. It turns out that she called Nick and was very upset about something the criminology students at the college are learning. It sounded like a lot of them are harassing her about it because it bothers her. She says she's not going back to classes. Derek had Nick go with him. I have a feeling they're going to end up bringing her back here."
"Does her mother know what Bobbie told Nick?"
"Derek hasn't called her about it. He thinks she might try to... interfere in Bobbie's choices. Apparently, she's very insistent that Bobbie must stay in college."
"Well, just based on what you've told me, it sounds like she's become very uncomfortable there. Bobbie might not feel safe."
"That's Nick's opinion. He's all set to rush her right over here."
"How's she doing?" Alex asked Derek after he and Nick had returned with Bobbie. She'd waited until Nick had gotten her upstairs to ask.
"She's a bundle of nerves," Derek said. "The criminology students at the college haven't been nice to her. She went through abuse before she was adopted. Bobbie doesn't keep that secret from too many people."
"So they're studying child abuse?"
"A very specific person. Her mother is going to have to put up with Bobbie leaving college. She can't attend college in that condition."
"Something looks different about her, Derek. I don't just mean that she's upset."
"I noticed, but I don't think Nick's noticed. I'm wondering if she realizes there's anything different though."
"Maybe you should get her to a doctor."
"I might have to be the one to speak with Nick about this anyway. He might not take it well."
"Did you want me to talk with him?"
"No, I think it might be best if I spoke with him."
"Before or after a doctor's appointment has been made?"
"I'm going to give them some time. If she is aware of it, she might tell him herself."
Nick had to bring his ear close to Bobbie's mouth to hear her. "Say that again," he said, not thinking he'd heard her right. She whispered in his ear again. "Are you sure?" he asked. Bobbie whispered in his ear yet again. "Ok... um... maybe you could take another test...?"
Bobbie scowled at him and threw a pillow at him.
"Just to be sure! I really don't think you should be throwing things at me." She turned away from him. Nick sighed. "Bobbie, I'm not mad at you, ok?" Bobbie mumbled something. He had to lean in close and ask her to repeat herself. "Three? You took three tests?" He was quiet for a while.
She turned back over to him. "You're mad at me," she whispered.
"No, I'm not. I'm mad at myself. I should have been more careful."
There was a soft knock at the door a few minutes later. Alex poked her head in. "Nick, Derek wants to speak to you."
Nick looked at Bobbie, who had been crying. "I think she needs me to stay with her."
"Derek says it's important. I can stay with her if that helps."
Bobbie grabbed Nick's hand to prevent him from leaving.
"He'll come back," Alex said to her.
Bobbie still held onto Nick.
"I don't think she's going to let go, Alex," Nick told her.
"Before I tell Derek about this, you should know he made an appointment for her to see a doctor. Am I going to need to tell what sort of doctor he's taking her to?"
He shook his head.
"She wouldn't let Nick leave her," Alex told Derek. "But I did find out that she's aware of being pregnant and she told him about it. He's going to make sure she's downstairs in time for her appointment."
"I still need to talk to him about this," Derek said. "It's important to Bobbie's mental health that he support whatever choice she makes. Her mental health seems very poor right now. I've asked Rachel to work with her."
"Nick mentioned to me before I left the room that Rachel would be better for her to work with, so he is aware that her mental health is important."
