Tough guy

Jason rolls his eyes as Misty goes back into the infirmary. Why did things have to be so difficult? All they needed was a little bit of cooperation...

Signing, he turns to go.


Carson looks to Misty, his eyes threatening, don’t tell me what to do. For a moment, he refuses to move. Something in her tone though, persuades him to obey, and he grudgingly turns to go sit back to the bed.

He sits with one leg stretched out on the bed, the other knee tucked up near his chest, lamely allowing Misty to work on him, as he says nothing.



Not even having time to react, Laura’s eyes widen, her cheeks immediately turning crimson as Nate’s lips touch hers. She stares at him in shock at his words, her mouth open in astonishment. She tries to say something, but her voice seems to have fled.

Before she can even recover, she jumps as Nate passes out in front of her. “Good heavens, Nate! You are an idiot!”

Spying Jason down the hall she calls out to him. “Jason! Get over here and help me, would you?”

Jason looks at he and Nate with surprise, hurrying his route. “What on earth happened.”

“Oh, he passed out,” Laura replies in annoyance. “He said he was fine, and then…” Her face grows hot and she decides not to tell all. “Well, he just keeled over. Personally I think he’s just plain tired and doesn’t know when to quit.”

Jason furrows his brow with concern. “I hope that’s all it is. Misty’s got her hands full a the moment and Rick is still gone, so let’s take him to my office. Get a glass of water, will ya?”

Jason hefts Nate’s limp form up off the floor, slinging an arm across his shoulders to half drag him to the office. He gets Nate set down in a chair and Laura is right behind him with the water.

Jason puts some to Nate’s lips, and gives his face a little jolt. “Yo, bud, come on. Back to reality.” He looks up to hand the water back to Laura, but she’s suddenly disappeared.


Laura goes back down the hall, trying to concentrate on cleaning up the files that were still on the floor. Her fingers tremble slightly and she chides herself for being so clumsy. Despite her efforts not to replay Nate’s actions, she can’t help it, and can feel her cheeks growing warm again. He was obviously sick. He had been on the verge of passing out. Who knew what state of mind he had been in? This whole thing was just silly.

Getting up off the floor, she heads to her desk, careful not to drop anything this time.


As Katie sits back down, all three guys exchanges grins. Phil cocks his head. “I do believe someone in this room knows how to sing.”

“Encore!” Kyle claps his hands enthusiastically. “That was great!”

Mike nods his agreement. “I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about, missy.” His eyes smile. “I look forward to hearing you at the fundraiser.”


After more chatter and talk of the fundraiser, the three guys finally rise from the table, helping clean up. Phil yawns and stretches. “I hate to break this up, but we gotta get going.”

Mike grimaces. “Yeah, I know it.” He turns to Katie, grinning. “Thanks for letting us invade your time.”

The three start for the door, but Kyle stops, cornering Henry by the couch. “Aha! Now I’ve got you!” In a quick movement, he reaches down to scoop the cat up, cradling him like a baby.

Henry squirms at first, but then settles in and starts to purr. Kyle laughs. “I knew you weren’t such a tough guy.”