*Trisha*

I did it. I actually fucking did it! A proud smile forms on my face even after a sleepless night. Sleep doesn't matter right now. What matters is Nate's health. I'm finishing up the very last email to send as Nate begins stirring next to me. He slept hard last night and barely moved, which proves to me he is beyond exhausted. I don't even care what Richard ends up doing or the repercussions from my actions. I'll take all the blame for whatever happens.

But right now, Nate needs to rest.

"You're not allowed to get out of this bed today." My eyes are focused on the laptop, but I can tell Nate is awake now.

"Angel, I'm pretty sure Richard would hang me from a tree if-"

"Everything but tonight's concert is cancelled. I'm already doing it now. There's a hot cup of tea right next to your side of the bed. Decaf. No caffeine for you at all now, got it?" The tension in my neck builds from being at this damn computer all night long but it was worth it.

"Trish, I'm ok. I was just tired." Nate sits up. Is he seriously fucking kidding me right now by downplaying last night? I slam my laptop closed and glare at him, feeling my emotions rise right to my eyes.

"No. You scared the shit out of me yesterday, Nate. God, I never should have added more concerts to your week. I never-"

"Look at me." He takes my hand and places it on his chest. "I'm fine. Am I glad you canceled everything but tonight's concert? Hell yeah. Because yes, I need rest. And I should be allowed to rest, whether Richard wants me to or not. But I'm ok, alright?"

I study Nate's face with a sigh and open my laptop back up.

"Anyway, how did you even get Richard to let me have today off? I thought I had a signing event and the E.T. interview?" 

I purposely keep my eyes on the screen, knowing Hollan is going to flip his lid.

"Easy. He doesn't know."

3....2.....1.....

"Are you out of your mind?!" Nate blows up.

Yep. Just as I expected.

"Nate, this needs to happen. We will deal with Richard when the time comes." I close my laptop again and lie back down in Nate's bed, facing him.

"You heard him! I'm under contract, Trisha! He could-"

"He could what? What can he really do, Nate?"

"It's a breach of contract!! I will be liable.. the advertising costs, any loss of profit. LEGAL FEES! Oh God...This could cost me my reputation. My relationships with promoters. My FANS!"

Ok, well, that's a little dramatic..  I roll my eyes at my best friend and wave him off. "Calm down. Seriously. I already discussed this with Elliott last night." 

I turn away from Nate, but he immediately pulls me so I'm facing him again. He's not gonna let this go, is he? He should be happy that he has a day off. I will handle it. I always handle it. I may have a panic attack in the middle of it all, but that's to be expected when dealing with a prick like Richard.

"When?! We didn't get back here till almost midnight! Trisha, what have you done?!"

"Again, relax, Nate. Remember, there is a three-hour time difference. It was only nine in L.A. You fell asleep. I got the ball rolling on things. Elliott told me what to say. What to do. He's in your corner, Nate, not Richard's. By the time we outlined everything, it was midnight there and three in the morning here. I waited until five to start sending out the emails Elliott drafted for me to the promos explaining today's cancellation. I CC'd Leslie. Just.. you know...happened to leave Richard off the emails." I explain, biting back a yawn.

"Trish... wait. Have you even slept yet??" He asks, but I ignore his question and continue my rehearsed explanation.

"And I managed to get in touch with one of your lawyers, Steve Holden, and he's going to review all the medical documentation with Jonah today to ensure everything is accurate and supports the claim. He is going to review your contracts with Richard. The legal and financial consequences depend on the details of your contract and insurance policies. He's going to make sure you have adequate coverage to protect you against potential losses. Because, let's be honest, what do we REALLY know about these contracts that were signed years ago? Richard is on a fucking power trip. He probably doesn't even know what's in those damn contracts. Sure, he'll be pissed when he finds out we cancelled shit today, whatever. And sure, this one day might impact you financially- I'll cover it if it comes to that. But nothing is going to fuck with your reputation, Nate. Your fans love you. Promoters love you. The world loves you. You wouldn't be nicknamed 'America's Heartthrob' if they didn't."

I rest my cheek on his beating heart and gaze up at him. "And now, moving forward, we'll have a better understanding of what can be done, per your contract, when you're unwell. Because, sweetie, you ARE unwell. Something is definitely wrong. And I'll be damned if something happens to this heart because you fucking overdid it."

Nate lies in bed, holding me against him, with this shocked look on his face. The fucker is speechless and I love it. Because this seriously needed to happen. Last night opened my eyes big time. Not only do I feel guilty about the extra concerts, but I have been pushing him to his limits to make this tour happen. To get him away from Julia. To let him live his old life again....on the road doing what he loves. But I pushed him too far. I try not to think of that and continue my rambling.

"Oh, and by the way. Even though you get to spend today in bed before your concert...Jonah scheduled an appointment with a cardiologist from Mount Sinai Hospital, along with two nurses. They will come right up to this room. Do some labs, urine samples, an EKG, and a full physical. We're not fucking around anymore, you hear me Playboy?" I raise a brow at him. "And no talking until tonight's show. Now, get your ass over here and lie with me so I can sleep." I roll back over and tug at Nate's arm, silently begging him to come lie next to me while I attempt to get some rest. We have all day now.

 I feel Nate's body right up against mine, spooning me, and he rests his stubbled cheek against the side of my head so his mouth is close to my ear. He smells so good. A little of his clean shampoo and cologne lingers, but it's the natural scent he has that gets me hot and bothered. Damn pheromones.

"Thank you." He whispers in my ear, sending goosebumps to form all over my body,

"You're welcome. Now, no more talking. I'm sleeping." I close my eyes and fall asleep in my best friend's arms.

******

I force my eyes open when I hear the familiar notification sound on my phone. I'm still wrapped up in Nate's arms, against his body and he's fast asleep. With a groan I reach over and grab my phone off the nightstand. Jonah sent me a text letting me know the doctor and nurses will be here in fifteen minutes. I look up at the clock and and surprised to see it's already almost noon!

"Nate," I tug his arm a little. "Sweetie, it's time to get up."

"Fuck off." He growls, still very much asleep.

Yep, sounds about right. Nate is NOT easy to wake up, never has been, and it takes a few good shoves and him spewing out profanities left and right before he is fully alert.

"Nooo. I'm still tired." He nuzzles his face into my hair which I adore and ticks his hips against my ass. Men and their morning wood.

"Seriously, Nate. The doctor is on his way to check you out." Peeling his arms away, I'm able to sit up. My fingers comb through the sleepyhead's hair as he yawns and stretches like a cat. "Put that thing away before you hurt someone." My eyes gravitate to the hard length in his underwear, wanting my attention.

"You know, there are ways you can make it go away, princess," Nate smirks, giving me his infamous raised eyebrow emoji expression as he sits up.

"No time. C'mon. They'll be here soon."

We are both slow to get out of bed, neither of us wanting to leave the comfort of the the soft sheets and each other's body heat. We brush our teeth, wash our faces and fix our hair in unison like an old married couple. Like we've been doing this forever. When Nate hears the knock on the door, the color drains from his face.

He's nervous.

Why?

Nate is never nervous. Is he afraid of what the doctor might say or find? Has Nate been downplaying his symptoms not only to me and everyone else but to himself?

"Hey, playboy-look at me." I pull Nate's face down to mine and kiss his perfect minty lips. "It's nothing to worry about. A quick checkup is all."

"Yeah says the one with the healthy heart." He frowns and answers the door.

*****

Jonah thanks the doctor and nurses who came to the penthouse suite. Blood was drawn, urine sampled, and vitals taken. EKG was crap but it is to be expected when dealing with heart disease, arrhythmia, and other related conditions. 

Once the medical team is gone, Nate hightails it right to his room. It was a long appointment.

"So now what?" I turn to Jonah and Casey.

"I'm not sure. Let's wait and see what the test results from his labs say. But you did the right thing, Trish.  He needs a day to rest." Jonah exhales sharply and then takes Casey's hand. "We're gonna go out for lunch and do a little sightseeing, if that's fine. If you need anything, you know to call me right away, correct?"

"Of course. There's nothing you can do right now, anyway, so enjoy. You can go too, Evan." I turn to the quiet bodyguard who stood by the door the entire time. "I'm going back to bed. I'm not letting him go anywhere today, but I will text you if anything changes."

"Yes, ma'am." Evan nods, but there's a strange look to his face. Does he think I'm gonna fool around with Nate all day? Even if I did- why the hell would Scofield care? I shrug it off, and once everyone leaves, I head back to bed.

Nate is staring up at the ceiling, lost in his head.

"You need anything?"

"A new heart.... got any extras lying around?"

I frown and crawl into bed next to Nate, tangling my legs with his and running my fingers through his hair.

"Resting today will be good for that old thing." I press my cheek to his chest and feel him wrap an arm around me.

"Has anyone heard from Paul?" Nate asks with closed eyes. I bite my lip and lie.

"I talked to him earlier. She's fine. He's tired but fine. And James is.... You know. The same."

I haven't talked to Paul today. But I don't need Nate worrying about shit over there, so I am fine with this lie.

"Have you heard from Richard yet?"

"Are you trying to give yourself a heart attack thinking about shit, Playboy?" I gaze up at him. "I told you I'll handle it. You need to shut your brain off."

 "It's easier said than done, doll."

"I know it is." I sigh, knowing all too well how much alike me and Nate are. How we sometimes can't shut our brains down. I peck his cheek, and his heavy eyelids close once more. Staring down at his perfect lips, he just put chapstick on, I slowly kiss his cheek again. And again. I feel my body tingle in all the right places with each touch to his skin. My lips trail to the corner of his mouth, and I kiss him again, this time letting it linger before pulling away. We are so close that my eyelashes touch his nose, and his breath tickles my cheek. Nate parts his lips and comes alive, kissing me back the way I need him to. Slow and soft at first until we can't take it anymore, and our tongues touch. Electricity sparks through me, and I can tell Nate feels it too.

"Wait. Everyone's still here." Nate breathes out.

"No, Jonah and Casey just left to go out to lunch and sightsee for the afternoon. I told Evan I was going to take a nap with you so he could go back to the room...or wherever the hell he wants to go, until four."

"Are you planning on seducing me, Miss Banks?" He cocks a brow at me when I lightly stroke my fingers down his chest and abs.

"Will it help you relax?" I kiss his neck. The soft skin right under his ear. His spot. 

"You know it will, princess." Nate swallows hard, making me smirk at the effect I still have on him, even though we have had each other a trillion times before.

I make love to him in a slow manner which lasted well over an hour. I took care of him. In every way possible I will always take care of him.

That will never stop.

*****