Deputy Pérez walked into her partner's private hospital room. There was a small sofa by the wall, a window ahead and a chair by the bed where Tim was resting. He was white as a sheet, oxygen mask was covering his face and there were multiple tubes and wires attached to him. Nina sniffled and wiped a strand tear of her cheek. She walked over to the bed an sat at the chair, rested her hands on the bed and fixed her eyes on the monitors – his heart rate was steady but a little too fast for him to be asleep. He turned his head a little and looked at her, and moved his right hand enough to touch hers . Nina looked down at him and grabbed his hand. He smiled a little under the mask.

You look awful Pérez commented quietly returning the smile. Tim huffed a laugh and winced when it pulled at his wound. Nina squeezed his hand and smiled. Don't do that again, okay? he looked at her in a funny way, then removed his hand from her grasp and took of the mask. Nina gave him a worried glance, but he tugged at her arm.

C'mere he whispered. Nina smiled and leaned over with a sigh.

Glad to see you awake she said before placing a soft kiss on his lips. Then she pulled back and placed the mask back in place without saying anything. Tim quirked an eyebrow at her, which caused Nina to snort a laugh.

I'll go get the doctor and the others she squeezed his hand and got up. Few minutes later Nina came back with doctor Booth and their friends, she also brought a cup of ice chips for Tim per doctors recommendation.

Raylan grinned when he noticed Gutterson's eyes watching all of them Good to see you alive buddy Tim hummed from behind the mask.

How are you feeling? Art walked closer to the bed and put a hand on Tim's foot. The younger man pulled his mask off with a little huff.

Fanfreakingtastic he whispered with a smirk but ended up in a little coughing fit. He moaned when it subsided. Nina gave him some ice chips to ease the sore throat – the result of being intubated during surgery and put his mask back in place. Tim gave her a grateful look and sighed, than turned his gaze to the doctor.

Deputy Gutterson got pretty lucky, considering doctor Booth started with a little smile The damage was far less serious than we originally thought. Shouldn't be any lingering effects. We fixed everything we could, rest is up to you mr Gutterson. Which means lots of rest and then physical therapy.

How long doctor? Art asked noticing Tim's questioning gaze

At least two months, which really isn't long. I think three months tops doctor gaze them all a reassuring smile. I will leave you alone for a few minutes, but then you have to go. I'll allow one or two of you to stay. Considering mr Gutterson's history I think it will be beneficial. The doctor left with a nod to the people in the room.

Tim kept his gaze mostly on his partner while the others chatted. He noted that Tony was a bit jittery, he knew that his friend didn't like hospitals, so it was obvious he wouldn't even want to stay. Tim actually wondered why would anybody stay – he was an adult, he could stay alone – not that he really wanted to. For one, he has gotten used to having someone by his side since Nina moved in to his house and second, he guessed it would be easier to calm him down in case of a nightmare to someone he knew – and he was pretty sure he would have some. After a while he noted that they apparently has reached an understanding about who will stay so he tried to focus on what they were saying a bit more.

Why Pérez? wondered Rachel

She's his partner stated Raylan. Tim noticed that the cowboy Marshal was watching him. Art sighed.

I agree he said. The kid is worried, it's gonna do both of them good if she stays. He looked at all of them one by one, his gaze lingered on Givens You could stay too?

Hm? Raylan looked up in surprise

You stay too repeated Mullen and gave him a pointed look. Raylan held his gaze and nodded. The others said their goodbyes and left, leaving the three Marshals in the room.

Raylan looked between Tim and Nina with a little smile. After few moments young woman turned her eyes to him.

What? she noticed Givens' expression

Nothin' he drawled in response and raised his eyebrows in their wounded friend's direction – Tim has lost his battle with exhaustion and was soundly asleep. Nina smirked You take the sofa, I'll take the first shift Raylan commented softly

What?

You're tired too he shooed her with his hand a little. Young Marshal nodded and moved to the small sofa. Raylan got as comfortable as possible on the hospital chair with a sigh and focused his gaze on Tim's sleeping form.

Two hours or so later Givens realized that he dozed off when he has gotten startled by some small noise. He couldn't place where it came from at first, he looked at Tim, but he was still soundly sleeping. When he heard the little whimper again he turned around. Nina wore a grimace and was breathing faster than she should. He moved quietly to her side and shook her shoulder slightly.

Nina. he whispered Kid wake up. He shook her again a little more urgently. She woke up with a sharp intake of air and it took her a few seconds to focus her eyes enough to know where she was, he noticed. Pérez looked at him with a little spooked expression.

What? she said softly

I think you just had a nightmare Raylan whispered back and gave her a worried look. She closed her eyes briefly with a sigh and then looked at him. Are you ok?

Mhm she started to get up You're turn

Nina?

My shift, you sleep she said in a weird tone. Raylan figured it would be better not to ask now, but he filed the event to investigate later.

Tim lasted two days before he started asking if he could go home. Art and Rachel were frustrated. Raylan and Tony ware slightly annoyed, but they understood, neither one of them would probably last even those two days. Tessa had to go back to DC, but made Tim promise to let her know how are things every couple of days. Nina was talking to the doctor alone, so they didn't exactly know what it was about. She walked in few minutes later and was met with everybody's eyes on her.

And? asked Art and Tim in stereo.

Tim can go home her partner grinned and the Chief sighed hearing that he's to stay in bed as much as possible for at least a week.

Right Chief looked thoughtful for a minute You're going to stay with him for a while, you can work from home

How?

Paperwork, there is always paperwork Art winked with an annoyingly bright grin. Nina rolled her eyes. Tim chuckled on the bed.

Gutterson was driven to his house by the ambulance, he tried to protest of course, but doctor Booth did not bent. He won the argument about where he would stay though. Nina has unfolded the sofa bed an brought some pillows. Tim lied down with a sigh.

God, it's good to be home Nina chuckled slightly with an eye roll and gave him a glass of water and his pills. He took them with a grimace.

Doctor Booth will check on you in a few days. You need to take the meds

Mhm. And just like that, few minutes later, her wounded partner was soundly asleep.