AJ true to his word had spoken to Mr Connery and Simon ..(unknown to him) now had a 24 hour watch on him .... he'd also been denied access to part of the hospital....
What Mr Connery and his team really needed now....was for Heather to remember the vital parts of the puzzle..
They needed her to confirm what they were already pretty sure had happened...that there had been a struggle ..a possible assault of a sexual nature and she had run disoriented and scared into the path of a mud slide..
Nick did not want her forcing into any revelation ...a decision he came to after talking it thru with his brothers...
AJ had been right .....maybe whatever was in her mind needed to stay locked in there ....maybe letting it out or making her remember it would be bad...maybe locked away she'd forget it..
None of them had wanted to speak to the psychologist....
Kevin had offered to talk to him.... but then Kevin was sensible...
AJ prefered his own theories and Nick...didn't want some strange man probing her mind...or maybe he just didn't want to know the full extent of what happened ....
maybe Nick didn't truly know what to think at all...he just wanted things back the way they were he wanted Heather to come home with him.....even if home would have to be some European hotel whilst they toured ....as long as she was with him that was all that mattered
He wanted her to give up this ridiculous career ...travel with him
Nick decided that when she was recovered enough he would tell her this ..he'd be firm with her .....he'd lay it on the line....yes that was it!!....... he'd lay it on the line...
From the corridor window Nick watched anxiously as Heather took her first few steps in days...
Cora had banned him from the room for this event... ..because he had fussed too much...
He had protested that he was trying to help but Cora was taking no nonsense ..
she pointed her finger towards the door and used her 'don't mess with me boy' voice
Nick obeyed .......reluctantly but that didn't stop him pressing his face to the glass ..like a kid looking at his favourite toy thru the store window!
He could hear Coras voice coaxing and encouraging her.
As her feet and aching limbs carried her step by step ..
Heather looked up and saw him....... her smile changed her face from deep concentration to 'look at this!!'
Nick smiled and Heather wobbled...
An animated conversation took place between 'patient' and 'nurse'..then.....slowly they moved towards the door
Nick wanted to leap in and help but he knew Cora would just give him one of her looks
Deep inside he knew his 'behaving' was in Heathers best interest.
He watched every step she took until she reached the door and then he was there...in front of her..she looked up with the tears pouring down her mud stained face
Cora allowed Nick to take her...
he wrapped his arms around her and gazed into her eyes..the first time he had held her properly in what felt like months..
Heather struggled to make herself heard......her throat was sore and her ribs ached as she took a breath to speak..but she just tried again and harder...with a determined effort she managed to whisper up to him..."Take me home Nicky"
Nick smoothed her newly washed hair away from her eyes...."Anytime angel.....anytime"
Heather rested her face against his chest and listened to his heart beating...it soothed her as always...
She wanted things back the way they were.....she wanted to forget...but she knew there was only one way that was gonna happen....
Nick felt her legs giving way before she did and he caught her easily ..scooping her up into his arms
"I'm sorry Nick...I just felt dizzy.."
"Hey...no apologies necessary.....I kinda like having you in my arms."
She giggled and his heart soared ..he never though he'd hear that sound again.
For some inexplicable reason they felt compelled to look over to Cora ...who alarmingly was giving them BOTH one of her looks...
Nick whispered like a frightened child "I think we're in trouble"
They did their best to look innocent but Cora was not fooled...when was she ever!
Slowly Nick laid Heather back in the bed and covered her ..imitating the way Cora fussed over the blankets....making Heather giggle again
Nick leaned down to kiss her gently......when he straightened up ...Coras finger was pointing towards the door!
she didn't even need to say "go".
quickly he kissed her again and whispered 'see you later'
Cora tried to surpress her smile as Nicks mischievious grin began to affect her serious controlled expression.
As the door closed behind him she shook her head, grinned and turned her attention back to her patient.
Heather was already curled up and sleeping.....
Cora dimmed the light and busied herself writing up Heather's progress on her chart.
At the window Nicks eyes watched his love sleep.....in his hand...her engagement ring...
his voice echoed softly in the still corridor, 'It's time you had this back on your finger my angel'
Pressing his lips to his fingertips he gently blew a kiss towards her....