Discussions he did not seem to be involved in.
No-one was asking him what he thought...he heard plans for cancelling the concert tomorrow night.
He tried to protest but one of the doctors simply adjusted his oxygen mask.
All his tests were fine.
His breathing was back to normal, his throat wasn't swelling anymore, it was just bruised,so why was he still here?
Fortunately, Brian noticed Nicks' frustration and asked in a loud voice if this conversation could be taken outside.
He whispered to Kevin, ''You know Nick won't cancel!''
''Yeah I know''
Nick was tired and needed Heather.
Brian stayed behind as the room emptied.
Nicks' throat hurt ..he grabbed Brians' arm.. but Brian already knew what he wanted or rather who!
''I'll get her''
He didn't have to go far, she was right outside the door.
Brian smiled as he saw her.. stood there looking terrified.
''Guess who wants you?''
Heather practically ran into the room.
Nick propped himself up on one elbow, ripped off the mask and held out his arm.
Heather wrapped her arms around him.
''They wouldn't let me in.....''
Nick tried to say something but she stopped him.
''Don't speak..''
he tried again
''You've not to speak for twenty four hours''
Nick sat up and pulled at her, making her climb on the bed, so he could hold her properly
Struggling through the pain in his throat he whispered ''I love you baby''
Heather squeezed him ''I love you too''
Nick glanced at Brian as he held her and mouthed to him.
''Get me out of here!''
Brian left the room and called Kevin over to join him.
''Is he ok?''
''Yeah Heather's in there..... he wants to leave Kev and I know him... he'll sign himself out,
he won't let that concert be cancelled... you know how he feels about letting the fans down''
But if he's not well enough?''
''Well if we keep him here he won't rest ..if he's back at the hotel with us.... with Heather... he will.. I know he will.''
Kevin looked at the group of experts busy discussing Nick.
''We can take care of him Kevin... trust me.. just run it past the doctors''
Kevin smiled and strode off toward the animated group.
The conversation got a little heated but Kevin promised them that they would bring him straight back if he deteriorated.
Back in the room Nick had tired and laid back down
He had so much to say to her but he couldn't.
Heather simply held his hand and watched him,wishing she knew
what he was thinking.
The door opened and Nick looked over to it....it was Brian..
he simply smiled ..... Nick smiled back.
He knew that smile it meant 'Home Free'
Nick felt a little wobbly but he was soon safe in the now familiar bed.
He stretched out, turned on his side curled up again and fell asleep within minutes.
Heather stood and watched him for a little while.
Then she turned and walked into the lounge opened the terrace doors and stepped out, closing the doors after her.
Brian came back into the room followed by the others.
Reporters had already gotten hold of a story about Nick having some kind of accident.
In the absence of anyone else they told them he would 'be fine' and was' resting up' and they 'hoped not to cancel any performances'.
They noticed Heather alone on the terrace, and looked at each other.
Brian nodded, ''I'll go''
He stood on the terrace with her... neither one of them spoke for a few moments.
Brian moved closer.
''I know what you're thinking?''
''Do you?''
''Yeah... that it's your fault''
''Isn't it?''
''No!.... how on earth could you have known''
''But I've known Danny a long time''
''People can have a dark side that no one knows anything about... it's just unfortunate that Nicks feelings for you triggered something in Danny....he's a psycho you can't predict that''
''He could have killed him Brian''
''I know.... but he didn't''
''What if he had ''
she started to tremble,
''But he didn't honey ....Nicks' alive and he needs you!''
''What... along with all the grief I seem to bring''
''One incident honey ...one unfortunate, unpredictable incident''
''Still one too many''
''So what are you saying... you're gonna leave him ..in case it happens again ..cos that's not likely with Danny locked up..."
''C'mon girl think straight''
''I can't Brian.. all I can see is Nick on the floor choking''
''I know babe...I know''
Her shoulders started to shake more and she felt uncontrollable horror fill her.
Brian caught her as she collapsed..... Kevin saw them and rushed to the terrace taking her body from Brian and lifting her up into his arms.
He carried her to the couch and laid her down.
''She's exhausted ...let her sleep''
Gently Kevin brushed her hair from her face and covered her with the blanket that Howie passed to him.
''Let's all get some rest''
One by one they found somewhere to crash and grab some sleep.
None of them wanting to leave Nicks' room... a kind of solidarity, a guard over their much loved 'brother'.
Kevin pulled a chair close to the couch and held Heathers' hand as she slept.
AJ smiled at him.
''Hope this dosn't split them!''
''Why would it?''
''Well.. depends if Nick recovers mentally, I mean we don't really know what went down.. but my guess is there was some pretty heavy shit flying around before we arrived''
Kevin just squeezed her hand hoping that they would get through this disaster.
Heather woke with a start!
''NICK!''
Kevin jumped up and tried to calm her as she began to cry.
''Where is he Kevin.. I dreamt he died.. where is he?''
''In bed sleeping, he's fine.. c'mon sshh... it's ok''
Kevin held her and she felt her breathing slow.
''I want to see him, I promise I won't wake him''
''I'm sure he won't mind if you did''
Quietly Heather crept into the bedroom, it felt strange.... she'd been in here several times now,but under these circumstances it felt somehow forbidden.
Her eyes fell upon Nick,her beautiful Nick.
He looked so peaceful she couldn't take her eyes off him.
Trying not to make the whicker chair by the bed creak she lowered herself into it.
From there she'd be able to watch his face as he slept.
As she busied herself pulling the blanket around her shoulders she felt a strange sensation... she glanced at Nick.... his eyes were open and he was looking straight at her.
Without speaking he pulled back the bedcovers.......his eyes fixed on hers, inviting her to join him, his body having it's usual effect on her!
She scolded herself for thinking such things... after all he'd been through today.... but 'damn it' he was so desirable.
He was also naked.
She stood slowly.... his eyes followed her, she unbuttoned her dress and let it fall from her shoulders to the floor.
Nick smiled.
As she climbed into the bed his arms curled around her and pulled her close.
He whispered hoarsely ''That's better....now you're where you belong......with me.''
They held each other tightly and exchanged soft kisses before they fell asleep.
Their secret smiles mingling with silent tears.