continued...
Nick arrived for his nightly visit and hoped they released Natalie soon, as he could tell she was climbing the walls and knew it would only get worse the longer they kept her."How's it going tonight?"
"Great, just great," she said sarcastically. "I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated. They wouldn't believe the truth, said I was in denial. Yet when I told them what they wanted to hear, they believed every word and couldn't wait to hear more. Get me out of here before I really do lose my mind."
"I'm working on it. If you can't wait, I could always..."
"No. That wouldn't help anything. Sure it might get me out of here, but problems might still pop up. I guess I just have to tough it out. Please get me out of here before I lose what's left of my mind," she pleaded.
The door opened and Amanda entered. She saw her patient's hopeful look.
"Yes, I've come with good news. Since you've done very well in therapy, I think it's safe to send you home. I want you to talk to someone the next time you're feeling down. I don't want to see you back here."
"I will. You won't. When do I get out?"
"Is the morning soon enough?"
"I guess," Nat said a bit disappointed. She didn't want to spend one more night here.
"I suppose I could see about getting you released tonight, if you have someone to take you home." Amanda said, sensing it might be best for her patient to be home tonight rather than tomorrow morning.
"I'll take her home," Nick said.
"I'll be back shortly," Amanda said as she left.
"I can't wait to sleep in my own bed. To eat my own food."
"Want some company tonight?"
Nick saw Natalie's suggestive wiggling of her eyebrows and knew she was teasing him.
"Nat..." Nick chuckled. "At least you haven't lost your sense of humor."
"Much longer here and I would've," Natalie said. "What's taking her so long?"
"Maybe it's a good sign. Maybe it means she's having the paperwork redone."
"You're right." Natalie picked up her glass and felt a slight twinge in the sutures. "I also can't wait to get these out."
"How much longer?"
"Unfortunately, probably another week. I hope it's less as they're beginning to itch." She saw his expression change. "It's okay, it means they're healing fine. Remember, it happened last time too."
"I remember," Nick said. He saw her growing more anxious and restless the longer Amanda was gone.
A few minutes later the door opened and Amanda entered again. "It wasn't easy but I managed to spring you tonight. There are two things you need to do first."
"Thank you!" Natalie said cheerfully. It hit Natalie. "Nick, this is all I have to wear, and they probably want them back."
"I'll be back in half an hour. Okay?"
"Okay."
"I'll keep her busy while you're gone."
"That much paperwork?" Natalie groaned.
"Nah, just a few minutes worth. We can talk," she saw Natalie's expression subtly change. "About anything you'd like. No session tonight. However, I do need you to pass the last drug test before I can let you sign the paperwork."
Natalie grumbled as Amanda opened the door and motioned for the closest two nurses to enter. She stepped outside while they entered and watched Natalie until she'd filled and turned over the sample cup. She was then allowed to finish in private.
The sample was taken down to the lab by a nurse.
"What are you going to do tonight?"
"Grab some dinner from anywhere but here, then go home and sleep soundly in my own bed. Maybe watch a movie with Nick first."
"Sounds like a great plan. I'm not so lucky. I'm here all night. Then I'll probably go home and crash."
"Tomorrow, I'll take advantage of my time off and sleep late. I won't be allowed back to work until the sutures come out. Maybe take a long walk, or go to the ROM. I'll do whatever I feel like doing."
"Good for you. On my next day off I have a list of chores to do. Errands I have to run. Maybe I'll find a little time for myself."
"Maybe the doctor needs to take some of her own advice," Nat teased.
"I do. Maybe I'll do just that. Go to a movie, or out to dinner."
"I have a bunch of errands and chores to do. I'm going to try and postpone most of them for another day or so."
The nurse entered and handed Amanda the paper containing the test results. "Congratulations. You passed." With that, Amanda set the clipboard of forms on the tray table and handed Natalie a pen.
Nick returned and was a little surprised to see that Natalie was just now signing the paperwork. Natalie signed the paperwork with a minor twinge from the sutures. She couldn't wait for Nick to get back.
"That was quick," Natalie said, wondering if he'd flown there and back.
"I hit all the green lights, and the streets were pretty empty. I'll wait outside."
"Do you need any assistance?" Amanda asked.
"I'll be fine."
Amanda left and Natalie changed out of the scrubs and into her own clothes, being careful not to reopen her wounds. She was grateful there weren't too many buttons or zippers, and her shoes were slip on.
When she was dressed she left the room, bag slipped over her arm.
"Let's get out of here," Natalie said, not wanting to spend one more second in the hospital than she absolutely had to.
Natalie led Nick out of her hospital room.
"How about stopping off at... What time is it?" she asked.
"Eleven pm. Most places are closing, if not already closed."
"I know," Natalie said with a small sigh. "How about the diner?"
"If that's where you'd like to go."
"It's probably the only place open so it'll do."
"I'll take you out for a nice dinner tomorrow night. Okay?"
"Sounds great," she said with a smile.
They reached the front entrance of the hospital.
"Can you get this off?" Natalie asked as she held up her wrist containing the hospital bracelet.
Nick carefully ripped it off and handed it to her.
"I think I'll hold onto this," Natalie said.
"Why?"
"In case we need it as evidence. Or in case I decide to shove it down his throat."
"Whose?"
"Whoever did this," Natalie said as she held up a bandaged wrist. "Whoever ordered this."
"Good idea to keep it. Want me to hold onto it for safekeeping?"
"Sure. Your place is a little more secure."
They both knew no place was secure from those with the skill and determination to gain access. Both shuddered at the thought. She handed him her hospital bracelet. Which he securely stuck into his jacket pocket.
There were several reporters waiting for her to step outside the door. Once she and Nick did, they shoved microphones in her face.
"Dr. Lambert, do you have anything to say about your drug addiction and suicide attempt?" One of the reporters asked.
"No. It's none of your business."
"Detective Knight, how about you? How did it feel when you learned about both?"
"How do you think it felt?"
Nick helped Natalie past the reporters, shielding her from them as they made their way to the car. They followed Nick and Natalie to the car, despite Nick's trying to keep them back.
Nick unlocked the car and opened the door for her, shutting it after she was settled into her seat. He walked around to the driver's side and got in, shutting the door. He helped her with her seatbelt before fastening his. He saw her sigh with relief as he started the car.
They noticed the press still following them and made their way to the loft. Once they pulled into the garage, she truly relaxed.
They headed upstairs to wait out the reporters.
"Nick, I hate this. How am I supposed to do anything if I'm constantly hounded by them?"
"If they keep it up, we'll see if we can't sue them for harassment. Or at least bring a couple of them in for stalking. I know we probably couldn't hold them long, but maybe it would make them think twice."
"Or just make it worse."
"We'll deal with it. Okay?" He put his fingers under her chin and made him look him in the eyes.
"Okay," she said with a sigh.
"What about dinner?"
"Do you think they're gone?"
Nick flipped on the video camera by the door and saw they were still there. He walked over to the phone and dialed the precinct.
"Captain, do you think you can send a unit over to my place?"
"Is something wrong?" Cohen asked a little concerned.
"The reporters have been hounding us since we left the hospital. They followed us to the loft and won't leave."
"I'll send a unit by. I'll send a unit by both of your places every couple of hours for the next day or two."
"Thanks, Captain."
As soon as Nick hung up, Natalie's expression asked what Cohen had said. Nick filled her in and saw her relief, along with frustration and anger.
"I should not need this."
"I know."
"While we wait, how about changing the bandages to something a little less noticeable?"
"Sure."
Natalie headed over to the couch while Nick headed for the bathroom to grab a couple bandages, then he joined her on the couch. He unwrapped her wrists then flipped on the light. Both he and Natalie examined the sutured wounds, noticing how well they were healing.
Nick picked up the first bandage, opened the package, removed the plastic backing and applied the sheer bandage to her wrist, knowing the skin would still be a little tender around the stitches. He then did the same to the other wrist.
After he did that, he removed the surveillance detection device from it's secret hiding place and swept the loft, pleased when it came up clean. They both relaxed, knowing they were safe here, at least for the moment.
Nick's phone rang a few minutes later. Nick reached behind him and answered it. He thanked the caller and hung up.
"The coast is clear. The unit will stay there for a few minutes to make sure we get out undisturbed."
Natalie sighed, relieved and frustrated.
"I should not need a police escort to go out to a diner."
"I know. They'll lose interest before long. Something else will come up and take the attention away from you."
"I hope it's soon, and that no one has to suffer a tragedy."
Nick and Natalie headed down to the car and pulled out, pleased to see that indeed the coast was clear.
Before long they arrived at the diner and were relieved that no one had tailed them. Nat unfastened her seat belt while Nick undid his. He got out of the car and walked around to her side and opened her door for her. She nodded her thanks as she got out. He shut and locked the doors.
She pulled down her sleeves as they approached the entrance to the diner. They entered and were quickly shown to a booth and handed menus.
"I thought you wanted take out," Nick asked after they were alone.
"I did. But I've been cooped up so long..."
The waiter returned to take their orders. Natalie ordered a hearty breakfast and was both pleased and surprised when Nick ordered a smaller breakfast.
The waiter left.
"If someone is watching us, the best thing I can do is be as human as possible," Nick whispered, his face close to hers.
"You're right." Natalie was pleased that this part of the situation was working in her favor, mainly because Nick had to eat.
Nick choked down a few bites, before feeling as if he'd throw up if he ate one more thing. When he saw how happy it made Natalie he smiled back at her. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Yes."
She had a little trouble with the utensils, but nowhere near as much trouble as she'd had earlier in the week. She took it slow and easy, not wanting to reopen the wounds. Also, it didn't hurt as much if she took it easy.
After they ate they took a walk in the park, at Natalie's request. Nick knew it was a reaction to being cooped up during the last week. He indulged her, pleased to see her healthy once again.
When Natalie tired they headed back to the car, stopping by the video store to rent a couple of movies, and then the grocery store to restock her fridge after a week's absence.
Natalie grew slightly uneasy as Nick parked the car.
"Grace offered to clean up the mess but I couldn't let her put herself through that. I cleaned it up."
"Thank you," Natalie said as she kissed him on the cheek.
They headed up to her apartment and entered. They hung up their jackets in the coat closet. Nick then set the grocery bags on the kitchen counter.
"Will you set up the movie while I take a quick shower?"
"Sure," Nick said as he started unpacking and putting away the groceries.
Natalie entered her bedroom and shut the door behind her. She then entered the bathroom where she carefully stripped off her clothes and dropped them in a pile on the floor. She turned on the shower and once the water warmed up, she stepped in. She poured a small amount of shampoo into the palm of her hand and proceeded to carefully wash her hair, ignoring the twinges of pain from the movement, and from the suds soaking through the pores of the bandages. It did not sting quite as badly as it had earlier in the week when she had gotten soap on the wounds accidentally while washing her hands and face.
She slipped into her robe after turning off the water. She tied the belt, again ignoring the twinge of pain. She carefully removed the wet bandages from her wrists and dropped them into the trash.
She grabbed a towel and very carefully started to dry her hair, not wanting to rip loose the stitches. She did it long enough to get the drips and knew the robe would soak up the rest of the water over the next couple of minutes.
She hung up her towel and headed into her bedroom where she changed into a t-shirt, sweats and thick socks. The sweatshirt would soak up some of the moisture from her hair, but would dry quickly enough.
She returned to her bathroom to hang up her robe and grab her hairbrush.
She opened her bedroom door and headed out to join Nick on the couch, hairbrush in hand.
Nick noticed that her sweatshirt was pushed up slightly at the wrists, exposing the stitches.
She settled onto the couch next to him.
"Which would like me to do first?" He indicated the brush in her hand and the bandages on the table. He took the brush from her and laid it on the coffee table next to the bandages.
She gestured towards the bandages. "The air still stings them."
Nick nodded and picked up the first sealed bandage package. He bandaged one wrist, then the other with the same sheer bandages he'd used the last time, and earlier this evening.
Once he'd finished that, he picked up the brush and gently started to work out the tangles. He loved the feel of her chestnut hair as he ran her brush and his hands through the wavy mass before him.
She enjoyed the way he carefully brushed her thick mane.
They both knew she was able to brush her hair, even if it did hurt a little, but during the last incident they had discovered how much they enjoyed this simple act. It had started when her wounds were fresh and it hurt too much for her to brush her hair. He had brushed it that first time to help her, but the enjoyment they both received from it had turned it into a daily ritual, at least until that first set of stitches had been removed by Nick. They took advantage of this opportunity to return to that ritual, if only for the next week.
Once her hair had been brushed thoroughly, Nick set the brush on the end table and started the movie.
Natalie barely made it through the movie. After it finished, Nick scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom and gently laid her down on the bed.
"Night, Nat," He said as he kissed her forehead.
"Night, Nick."
He helped her crawl under the covers, turned out her light and shut the door on his way out.
He secured the living room blinds and made himself comfortable on the couch.
Late the next afternoon Natalie awoke to the heavenly smell of chocolate almond coffee.
She headed out of the bedroom and was met half-way to the kitchen by Nick holding a steaming mug of coffee.
Natalie took the mug from him and deeply inhaled the fragrance. She blew on it before taking a sip. "Mmmmm..." she nearly purred.
"I take it you approve?" He asked with a huge grin on his face.
"Very much. Thank you," she said gracing him with a large, warm smile.
"Later we'll have that nice dinner I promised you."
"Sounds great," Natalie said as she sipped her coffee.
They talked for a while before Natalie dressed for dinner. She had a little trouble finding the right outfit, one that would cover the bandages. Nick changed after she was finished in the bedroom."
Nick lead Natalie to the car and they headed out to one of the finest restaurants in Toronto. He had not told her where they were going, just that it was a very fine restaurant.
Natalie was surprised when they pulled up to El Piatro. She had heard of the excellent food but it was out of her price range, except for a special occasion.
"I promised you a nice dinner, and this is the best I have to offer," Nick said, loving the expression on her face.
"I think it'll do," she said with a grin.
Nick escorted her into the restaurant, where they were quickly shown to the best table and handed menus.
Nick ordered a bottle of the finest champagne to start things off. He knew it was okay, that she wasn't taking any pain medication. She didn't like the side effects, so she refused to take them.
Natalie hated restaurants that printed their menus in a foreign language. Chinatown was the only exception in her mind.
"Would you like me to order for you?" Nick asked.
Natalie nodded, curious to see what he would choose for her.
The waiter returned and Nick ordered, starting with the appetizer, then moving onto the main course and dessert.
She noticed he'd ordered two different items for each course which both surprised and pleased her.
"Is it easier?"
"A little. I still have problems with most of it, but there are a few that are easier."
"Sounds like we're making slow but somewhat steady progress."
"I hope so." Nick looked at her a moment, studying her before speaking. "Are you..." Nick didn't know how to phrase it. He didn't want to ruin the night, but needed to know.
"Am I what?" She asked curiously.
"Are you doing this for purely scientific reasons like you once stated, or are you doing this for a more personal reason?"
"I'll admit it started out purely scientific but very quickly became personal. I kept trying to tell myself that it was only scientific for both of us, but a part of me knew that it was much more than that. I could tell that you felt the same way I did, even if neither of us could bring ourselves to openly admit it, even to ourselves."
"I always did say you were brilliant," he said. "Do you like THAT side of me better or do you like the man?"
"I like all of you. It's what makes you who you are. Would I like the man without the other part? Yes. Am I attracted to THAT other side? Yes."
"Why do you like the darkness? Is it some dangerous thrill it gives you?"
"Nick, we all have dark sides. A part of me is attracted to that part of you, but that's just human nature. Most of me is attracted to the man. To the man who controls the darkness," Natalie said. "I know you've sensed my darker streak. And probably have seen it in the blood you tasted. Does it attract you?"
"How did you know?"
"Your attitude change the first time. You suddenly believed me without a doubt. And it would've been hard to accept that with all that blood around that you wouldn't have tried a drop. Even if it was just to reassure yourself that I was telling the truth. And especially after tasting my blood this time."
"I did sense it from the moment we first talked. And yes, I did see it in the first drop. And yes, it is attractive, but that's not what draws me to you. It's the big hearted person I care for."
"If you ever change your mind about our project, I hope you will let me know," Natalie said.
"I will. I hope you will do the same."
"I will."
Nick sensed the waiter's approach and changed the subject.
"I hope you're hungry."
"Starving."
The waiter set their appetizers before them. Natalie loved Nick's choices. He had picked them each something different, wanting her to experience as much wonderful food tonight as she could, hoping it would help boost her mood, give her a pleasant night to remember if things got worse, which he somewhat thought they might.
Natalie was having thoughts similar to his, but pushed them aside.
"How about no more serious discussion for the rest of the night?" Natalie asked somewhat lighthearted.
"Fair enough," Nick responded in the same tone she'd used.
Nick tasted a little of everything set before them, leaving the rest to Natalie to eat as much or as little of as she wanted. She tried everything, finishing off the things she really liked. She was careful to leave room for desert. Later that night her wounds started to itch. She knew it was a sign that they were healing, but it was also a bit on the annoying side.
By the next night it was more intense and she was tempted to scratch, but knew she couldn't.
"Nat, what's wrong?"
"It itches." She fought the growing temptation to scratch. The more the wound itched, the more she wanted to scratch, and the greater the temptation.
Nick did his best to keep her busy in an attempt to keep her mind off of it. She did notice that the busier she kept herself the less time she had to think about it and the less tempted she was to scratch.
Nat was happy as she was most likely going to get her sutures out tonight. She waited for Nick to drop by and take her to the doctor. The itching had been unbearable for the last week and made her a bit cranky. It was so hard not to scratch.
Nick arrived and they left together. He hoped the sutures came out as he didn't know how much longer she could take it, not to mention how much more he and the rest of her friends could put up with her crankiness.
Before long they were walking into the doctor's office. Natalie was ushered into the examination room where she took a seat on the exam table. She pushed up her sleeves and gently removed the bandages.
The doctor entered, examined the wounds and decided that it was indeed time for the sutures to come out. He carefully cut the string down the middle and pulled out each thread. When he was finished with one wrist he started on the other. Natalie noticed that the scars were a little wider than the set Nick had sutured. The current set were about as wide as a pencil.
"I do hope I won't see you back here again for this same problem?"
"You won't," Natalie said, hoping that whoever had done this to her would not make a liar out of her. "When can I return to work?"
"I want you to keep the wounds cleaned and covered for another week. I would prefer it if you stayed home another week, but if you'll stick to paperwork and things not involving contact with bodies, organs or anything of that nature, you can go back to work in two days."
"I'll need the paperwork from you before I'll be allowed back," Natalie said. "Maybe I'll take the week off. I hate doing nothing but paperwork."
"I think it's for the best. It will allow your wrists to finish healing without the extra stress work would put on them."
"And who knows when I'll get time off again."
The doctor rebandaged her wrists and walked her out as he was headed that direction.
Nick was waiting for Natalie in the waiting room.
"Well?"
"I got them out," Natalie said with a smile. Natalie told Nick what the doctor had told her.
He was pleased that she would not be returning to work before the wounds had fully healed. And that she would take the week off.
After Natalie was dropped off at home, she called work and told them that it would be another week before she could return.
Natalie relaxed over the week, getting antsy towards the end of the week. Part of her was looking forward to returning to work as she was bored. She'd read the novels she'd wanted to, watched a bunch of movies she had wanted to see. She'd been to the museum. She'd walked in the park almost every day and eaten out most of the time, when Nick hadn't ordered food to be delivered, or one of her friend's had not brought over food, often home cooked. The other part of her was enjoying the time off, and another part of her was not looking forward to the looks she'd get, the whispers behind her back, or coworkers treating her like she was nuts or would go nuts if they said the wrong thing to her.