nick orbed into their bedroom and fell forward onto the bed face first. a small content groan slipping past his lips as he closed his eyes.

Lici walked outo f the bathroom when she heard him orb in. With a small smile she sat next to him on the bed, rubbing his shoulders gently. How's Sacre? She asked him.

bald...but getting treatment now so better off then he was. he said softly as he turned his head so he could look up at her with a small smile.

Lici kept rubbing his shoulders. Did you sleep at all last night? She asked.

not much. sacre kept tossing his stomach and then i had to help emma get her memory back by watching home movies with her. he said before yawning tiredly.

Lici was about to say something before she realised what Nick had said. Wait, Emma's alive? She asked him, sitting back so that she could look at Nick properly. How?

nick shrugged, i don't know. she just is...ended up in india somehow...lost her memory of everything 'cept her first name... he told her tiredly.

Wow. I would say that's crazy, but I guess it's not the first time it's happened. She said with a small smile.

nick nodded with a smile, yeah, river and alec were happy when they saw her. even though they're loosing a parent they're getting one back at the same time. he said softly.

It might make things a bit easier for them. She said softly. Do you want anything to eat? I'm sure you didn't get anything decent in the hospital.

nick nodded into the bed, yeah sure... he said quietly only to groan as a small jingle sounded in his head, what....now....? he muttered and didn't move. i'm not going...

Who is it? Lici asked him softly.

them...upstairs...in the clouds... he muttered as they continued to jingle. bloody bastards...

Lici stroked his hair softly. You should go, you know it will only get worse if you ignore them. Hopefully it won't take long. She said softly.

nick shook his head, no, i'm not going this time...i'm staying in this room. eating something and then going to sleep with you and im not leaving this room till i have gotten enough sleep. he muttered with a determined frown.

How do you plan on sleeping with them jingling in your head the whole time? Lici pointed out to him with an amused smile.

by ignoring them and trying to block them out... he muttered into the mattress as he turned his face into it tiredly.

Lici smiled. If you're sure. She said quietly, Do you want food before or after you sleep? She asked, just wanting to lie down next to him.

which ever one you prefer i do... he murmured with a small smile.

Lici laid down, wrapping one arm around his waist as she faced him. You'll live till after you have a sleep. She said softly.

nick grinned as he turned onto his side and pulled up against him. i think you're right.... he said softly as he nuzzled her neck lightly.

Lici closed her eyes. I've missed you. I don't sleep well when you're not here. She told him quietly.

nick nodded with a small sigh, i've missed you too. he said softly, sometimes i feel like i should just tell them i don't want to do this anymore...but then i realize i shouldn't because i like what i do... he murmured softly. even when i'm stuck with all my dad's charges at the moment.

How long do you think they'll leave you with Rob's charges? She asked him softly.

i have no idea....he murmured softly.

Lici opened her eyes so she could look at him. She ran her fingers through his hair. Surely they can't do this to you for much longer. She said quietly. You're going to collapse from exhaustion sooner or later. She added, the worry evident in her voice.

nick looked down at her with a small smile, i'm sure they won't.... he said softly as he reached a hand up to stroke her hair lightly. the jingle in his head causing it to ache though he didn't let it show.

Lici smiled at him softly. I hope not. She said, watching him carefully. She knew the jingle must be annoying him, but she couldn't see any evidence of it.

nick nodded and sighed lightly before nuzzling closer to her tiredly. how're the kids doing lately? he asked curiously.

They're good. They were all a bit shocked when we told them about Sacre. But they're good. Lici said, closing her eyes once again.

well that's good... he murmured with a yawn as the jingle seemed to become distant as he slowly started to fall asleep.

Lici opened her eyes once more and watched Nick as he fell asleep, she pressed a kiss against his forehead gently before allowing herself to do the same.

a few hours later nick slowly woke to the urgent jingling in his head. with a small groan he closed his eyes tightly as the sound caused his head to start to throb horribly.

Lici woke when Nick groaned. You ok babe? She asked, sleep clouding her voice.

yeah i'm fine... he murmured as his hand went up to hold his head, i've just got a pounding head ache...

You should go see them. Lici told him softly, running her hand through his hair.

nick sighed in annoyance, i really don't want to... he mumbled softly.

I know babe, but it's not going to stop until you do. Lici said quietly, The sooner you go, the sooner you'll come back.

nick let out an annoyed groan before orbing out of the room.