Opening the window, the sound of the morning filled the room and she slowly opened her eyes. Looking at the window, she watched him stand in the sunlight half dressed and sat up. He looked over his shoulder and walked over to the bed.

Kissing her forehead, he said, "I'll take care of breakfast."

She watched him grab his shirt and leave the room. Leaning back against her pillow, she looked outside and felt the smile creeping onto her face. Slowly she pulled the covers back and grabbed her clothes from the floor. Tossing them into the basket in the closet, she walked into her bathroom. She slid into the shower and let the heat waken her muscles for another day.

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Putting the pancakes on the table, he watched Jared walk into the kitchen. The boy looked at him and took a seat.

"Still here?"

He nodded and turned back to the stove. Adding more batter to the skillet, he let the silence last.

"Mom needs someone like you."

He smirked and heard, "Morning."

Timmy walked over to the table and put a pancake on his plate. He took a drink of the orange juice in his glass and looked at Nick.

"Spend the night?"

Ignoring the question, he put the last round of pancakes on the table. Jared took some and started eating. Timmy held his gaze and he put the skillet in the sink.

"Just remember, she's our mom so we will be watching you."

"I think I can take care of myself, but thank you."

She stepped into the room and kissed Timmy on the head. He flattened his hair with a face and she shook her head. He handed her a mug of coffee and she walked over to the table.

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The doors flew open and the EMTs ran into the hall. Trent looked up from the desk and moved to the cart. He listened to the briefing and took the cart into the closest trauma room. Moving the woman onto the table, he yanked on a pair of gloves and the nurses began setting up an IV line. The side door opened and Nick stepped in without a word.

Trent looked at him and asked, "Can you handle it?"

His eyes flashed and he said, "Scaple."

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Closing her eyes, she leaned back in her seat and let out a sigh. The chores were done and Jared was out playing with Timmy. Billy rested on the other side of the office. The phone rang and she picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Katie? This is Trent. I need you at the hospital."

She frowned and asked, "What is it?"

"Please just come."

The phone went dead and she got to her feet. Putting the phone down, she picked up her keys and walked out to the truck. The boys glanced up at her and she opened the door.

"Where you going, Mom?"

"To the hospital. If you get hungry, go bother Mary."

They laughed and she got into the truck. Turning the engine on, she fastened her lapbelt and pulled out of the drive.

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"Nick, let it go. We've got it."

He ignored the command and continued working. Trent gripped his arm and jerked him from the table. A nurse took him by the arm and forced him out into the hall. His eyes burned and he yanked off the bloody cover and gloves. Throwing them into the trash, he walked around the corner and stopped.

Her green eyes met his and he slowly walked over to her. She stood silently by the doctor's lounge and he held the door open. She stepped inside and he closed the door behind. Walking over to the couch, he crumbled into the cushions and leaned his head onto the back.

"What happened?"

"My sister came in with the EMTS."

She walked over to the fridge and pulled out two waters. She sat next to him and handed him one. He took a drink and closed his eyes.

"I should've had someone sit with her."

"She's an adult, Nick."

He looked at her and said, "She got herself pregnant and was constantly trying to get rid of the baby."

She looked down at her hands and said, "I'm sorry."

He sighed and leaned back again. She looked at him and brushed the blonde hair from his face.

"I'm sure she'll pull through."

He looked at her and asked, "Why?"

She turned to face him and said, "She knows her big brother will want the honor of killing her."

He smirked and said, "That I do. How did you know something was up?"

"Trent called."

Frowning, he leaned forward and said, "The man is constantly up to something."

He got to his feet and walked over to his locker. Opening it, he pulled out a picture and showed it to her.

"This her?"

"Yeah."

She handed him the picture back and took his hand. He sat down next to her and she held him. His head rested on her shoulder and he let out a painful sigh.

"We'll get you some food. Stay with her."

He held her closer to him and she kissed his forehead. Running her fingers through his hair, she glanced at the clock and closed her eyes.

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Putting the food into a container, she wiped the small beads of sweat from her face and let out a sigh. Stopping, she held onto the counter and took a deep breath.

"Katie, you better get going."

She looked up at Mary and said, "Yeah."

"You okay?"

She looked down at the food and said, "It just is different."

Mary smiled and said, "But it's about time you had someone to care about and help in troubled times."

She picked up the food and walked to the doorway. Looking back, she found Mary putting the left overs in the fridge.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure they get to bed at a decent time."

She smiled and said, "Thank you."

"Get out of here."

Stepping down the hall, she picked up her keys and opened the door. Walking onto the porch, she descended the steps and walked over to the truck. Starting the engine, she took a deep breath and pulled out of the drive. The drive to the hospital was a quiet one and she tried to keep her thoughts calm. Pulling into the parking lot, she parked the truck and turned the engine off.

Walking into the hospital, she climbed the stairs to the third floor. Moving down the hall, she stopped outside the room and stepped inside. He looked up when she closed the door and she walked over to him. She put the food on the table next to him and he pulled her onto his lap.

"Thanks."

She rested her head on his shoulder and asked, "How is she doing?"

He looked back at Megan and said, "Hanging in there."

"The baby?"

"Gone."

She looked at him and said, "Nick, I'm so sorry."

He caught her gaze and said, "She'll be happy."

Her hand slid through his hair and he kissed her. The fire was missing and she closed her eyes as she pulled away.

"You need to eat."

He looked back at Megan and said, "I can't."

She turned him back to her and said, "Either you eat here or I take you home and you eat there."

His eyes flashed and she got to her feet. Walking to the table, she picked up the food and looked at him. The door opened and Trent stepped inside.

He looked at Nick and said, "I'll sit with her through the night. Go home and rest."

Getting to his feet, he walked over to Katie and she handed him his jacket. He slid into it and they left the room.

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Unlocking the apartment, he stepped inside and she closed the door. She locked it behind her and took the food into the kitchen. He grabbed two beers from the fridge and she took them from him. He sat at the table and she stood by the bar.

"Not joining me?"

"I ate with the boys already."

He looked down at the food and she sighed, "It's not going to kill you."

He smirked and she walked over to him. He slid back from the table and pulled her back onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and straddled his lap.

"You need to eat."

His eyes held hers and he slid his hands over her shoulders, loosening her tight muscles.

"Nick, I mean it."

"I will, later."

She caught his gaze and he stood up. Her legs went around his waist and he held her to him. His mouth plundered hers and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He trailed kisses down her neck and she closed her eyes. He walked her into the bedroom and lowered her onto the bed.

"Nick?"

"Just let me do this."

She brushed her fingers along his jaw and he captured her mouth once more. Her body burned as he removed her clothes. Her hands worked quickly and his disappeared onto the floor. He held her gaze with her legs spread for him and she kissed him. He surged into her and she closed her eyes.

PGS