--November 18, 2007: Evening

"Of course, Mrs. McCallister. You can see him anytime you'd like, although right now he's sleeping. You can wake him if you like, it sounds like he'd be glad to see you. Keep in mind that he is sedated, and his...senses, might be dull." The private spoke in a nice, reassuring tone, one which Danyelle found personally irritating, and one which they likely tought at Nursing school. But, nonetheless, she nodded and smiled politely, the grief, stress and shock of the last week showing heavily in her eyes. She wondered, idly, if the sedation /her/ psychiatrist had given her was notable, but then again, most modern wealthy women had such pills readily at hand. It was a new thing to her, though.

She looked through the window upon the white door, into the hospital room beyond, and upon a bed, her husbend, laying asleep. She sighed a bit, and with slightly trembling hands opened the door and stepped inside.

Her nostrils were immediately assaulted by the strong aroma of various brands of flowers, and the colors which lined the room nearly blinded her eyes which were used to the solid whiteness of the rest of the hospital. In just over a week, her husbends room had been transformed from nondescript to exotic greenhouse--minus the humidity. She walked over to one of the arrangements, and extended a hand to look to he card.

"You're in our prayers and hearts -- Miss Jennings"

Madame Hitler`s card and choice of flowers brought a slight smile to Danyelle's face; it made her feel a bit better to see so many people cared and loved Nicholas. She still did.

A lump formed in her throat, almost immediately, and the tightening in her chest threatened to bring tears to her eyes, but she fought it, forcing the lump down... She had succumed to these tears enough in the last week, and dispite the hurt she felt, she could not let the father of her children lay here, and -die-,.. She didn't know what she could do, but she felt that she had to help him.. Somehow.

A gentle sigh escaped her lips and she moved over to sit beside his bed, her eyes looking over his form appraisingly. He appeared paler then he should be, and sickly, even in his unconscious state. An IV ran up from his arm, and the sight made her cringe slightly; she hated needles, and knew he did too, greatly.. A strong desire to remove the needle swept over her, but she quenched it quickly. He needed whatever it was that they were giving him, that much was for certain.

Danyelle extended her hand and lightly brushed his hair aside, then leaned back in the chair to watch him sleep, not desiring to awaken him...

The mists of dreams parted, and Nicholas found himself in familiar surroundings,..

Her face was pale from fright and saddness; a look of pain and betrayal showing deep into her eyes, straight to her soul. The tears had already been falling from her eyes as she rose up from him and moved quickly away... He did not persue her, for he knew not what to do..insead he just slumped, pulling his legs up to himself, and closing his eyes... He did not sleep, instead he felt the anguish and pain swelling deep inside him...

Time passed; how much? He did not know, but her voice came into his ears, and that triggered the rising of his eyes. What he saw was her, dressed, with a suitcase packed..

"W..we'll be at my sisters cabin for a few days. Don't try to contact me,.. just..just leave me be, for a litle while.. Let me think." She turned, and walked away.....

"No.." came his whimpers from whatever dream his mind held, and immediately Danyelle came forth from her own sleep, looking to him with some concern just as he continued, "Don't leave, Dany.. Please.." She furrowed her brow at this, and took pause,..watching him.

His murmurings continued, "Don't.. take.. them.. Please.. I'm..sorry... S-sorry...D..don't le...leave.."

Danyelle could take no more of this, so extended her hand out to gently touch his shoulder and nudge him awake, "Nicholas, wake up, I'm here.. its allright."

Immediately his eyes opened with a start, and he looked around the hospital room in confusion, eyes pale and seeming somehow disconnected. "W..where am I?"

"You're in the hospital, Nicholas.. don't you remember?" replied Danyelle, doing her best to keep a calm, gentle voice. It held, .. for now.

"W..where is Mike? 'Liz?" he then asks, concern crossing his face until Danyelle sighs gently and says, "At...home, Nicholas. The sitter is taking care of them."

He nodded, slowly, but then turned his face away from her, almost as if in shame, and saddness. Nick stared off at the opposite wall, and just stared..for a long time. Danyelle attempted to speak to him, attempted to get a response, but she received none.

Finally, his eyes closed, and he returned to his troubled sleep.