บท 23: Reunited

KIM'S POINT OF VIEW

You open your eyes and feel refreshed. It's already dark and you turn your head to look at Nick. He's sitting upright in his bed, looking at you.

"Hey, sleepyhead" He gives you his cocky smile again and your heart feels delighted.

"Hey back" You smile back at him.

"I….I…saw what happened to you and I think it had something to do with me. I don't know how to show my appreciation-"

You hold up a hand to stop him. "Nick, please…*cough*" You struggle to talk because of the extreme dryness in your throat.

"I've asked them to bring us some ice chips. It's there on the table next to your bed"

You reach over to the chips and you can't believe how thoughtful he is and saw to it that you also get ice chips.

"Thank you, Nick. You're so considerate"

You swear you see him blush and it's so beautiful to see a man so big and handsome reacting so humble and shy.

"Oh, it was nothing"

"Now, as I was going to say, please don't thank me for what I did, I just returned what you did for me"

"God, it's still not a small thing you did for me, Kim…You can't expect me to say nothing about that? You….you almost died…"

"It's not such a big deal, Nick. I just did what I'm sure you would've done…like, jumping that guy, without even thinking about yourself…thank you again"

You realize that this is the first time that you and Nick are completely alone with everyone sleeping in their tents. There's a few other patients but you two are almost the only two there. It's nice just to be with him and nothing else to worry about. There's no Helena or John around, just you two, talking. You know that Helena is still in his life but it's good to just get to know this man whom you have such a strong connection with. Nick swallows hard.

"I think that we wouldn't stop thanking each other so, let's call it even? What do you say?"

"Nick, I think that's the best idea"

He moves his leg trying to get off his bed and you see him wince. A small moan escapes his mouth.

"You doing okay over there, Nick?"

You sit upright in bed and you feel as new life runs through your veins.

"Yeah, I'm fine" Of course he's fine, he'll never admit if he's not fine. Just like when he was stabbed even then he was more concerned about if you were hurt and didn't even mention that he was wounded.

He stands up and then his weak leg gives in. He sits back on his bed. His face is contorted into an unbearable look but he doesn't make any sound or show any hint of pain. You look at him and you think, what kind of hard training, situations, or missions he must have had to go through, that he isn't even capable of showing or expressing his emotions. You move slowly to get out of your bed.

"What are you doing?" Nick frowns, looking at you.

"I'm getting out of bed"

"You can't do that"

"And why not?"

"Nita said you have to stay and rest for the night"

"Nick, thank you for your concern but you do know that I'm a doctor, right?"

"Yes but Nita-"

You hold up a hand and stand up, walking towards him. "See, I'm fine and I promise you that I won't do anything that will compromise my healing process, okay?"

"Okay, Doc…"

"Now, let me help you get up"

"So you got out of bed so that you can help me get up?"

"Yes?"

"If I knew that, I wouldn't have gotten up"

"Nick, please, let me help you"

You in next to him and put his arm around your shoulders. You briefly hold his hand and you feel his fingers lightly caressing your hand. You turn and look at him, only to realize that you're only inches away from his face. You look deep into his eyes and you know that you'll get lost in those eyes very quickly.

"Thank you, Kim"

"Anytime, Nick, anytime"

NICK'S POINT OF VIEW

He feels you putting your hand on his and helping him up. His senses are filled with your scent and he can't help to be intoxicated by it. He looks down at you and his lips want to kiss your hair that smells like lavender. There's a raging battle going on within him on not to throw you down on the bed and have his way with you. He uses every bit of self-control not to kiss your soft lips and make you his.

He looks down and tries to focus on his feet, starting to walk. He feels the pain shooting through his leg but he doesn't want you to know how painful it is.

"Where are we going?" You look at him and smile. "Well, it's very embarrassing…"

"I promise I won't laugh. Where do you want to go?"

"I urgently need to use the restroom"

"Oh god, yeah, of course. I'll help you to the door, is that okay?"

"Thank you, yeah"

KIM'S POINT OF VIEW

You walk slowly to the door and the walk is quiet but it's not uncomfortable. That's what you like with you and Nick. Never has there been an uncomfortable silence between you that made you feel you need to fill it with a conversation. His nature, his way of just existing is so intoxicating that you're completely consumed by his presence. It's not the kind of presence you want to get away from but that kind that you want to be dragged into and never want to leave again.

You get to the door and he goes in. You walk a little away and tries to breathe deep to escape his hold over you. You hear footsteps coming closer. You turn and see the Admiral.

"Dr. McPherson?"

"Admiral, sir. Yes, that's me?"

"I heard what you did for Master Chef Roberts?"

"Sir?"