*James*

I head to the hospital first thing in the morning. Trisha must still be asleep because she still hasn't answered my text from last night or this morning. I worry about her.

I get the run down on last night from the Nurses station before heading in to the room, never knowing what mood I'm gonna walk in to with Julia.

"Hey, babe. I heard you had a rough night..." I sit in the chair next to her and she studies me for a moment before responding.

"Yeah, they gave me meds and I feel much better now. Hey, I'm sorry I flipped out on you last night."

"Let's just forget about it. Ok? I grabbed some clothes for you from the hotel. A pair of leggings and a T." I hold up a bag with her clothes. "I was tempted to make you wear your Celtics T-shirt so everyone here would hate you, but I refrained. Oh...and I got to pick out your underwear." I wink.

"Lemme guess. The red?"

"How'd ya guess." I smirk.

"Would you mind helping me take a shower?" Julia sits up more and yawns. "I feel disgusting. I spent the entire night getting sick."

"Oh, that reminds me. I bought you a new toothbrush and better toothpaste than that hospital chalky stuff. I'll get the nurse to unhook your IV."

This morning is a different nurse. Jonah's shift must have ended. She helps me get Julia up. She weaker today than she was yesterday from being sick all night long. Her anxiety was through the roof as well and she didn't get much sleep. Once she's up guide her to the bathroom and bring her bag of clothes with us. The first thing she does is brush her tooth.

I stand behind her and untie her gurney in back with one hand while holding her arm with the other.

"Sorry, you have to do all this." She tilts her head to the side as the gurney falls to the ground.

"Don't be sorry." I lean down and whisper. "I get to see you naked."

"Yeah, soo romantic in this sterile setting."

"I can't wait for you to break outta here." I move her hair out of the way and kiss the side of her neck.

"Shower.." She breathes out. "I need a shower."

I behave and back up, turning the water on while still holding on to her arm. I hate this shower. There's no curtain, and it's just this small hand-held shower head with a hose. Railings are on each wall to hold on to.

"I grabbed your shampoo and stuff, too. Hold on to that thing." I step her into the shower, and she holds on to the railing.

"Thanks for doing that for me. Really."

"Ok, like last time. You hold on to the railing. I do the work." I start washing her hair for her.

"I really thought our first few showers together would be different."

"Well, I don't consider this our first anything. I'm not in there with you, so this doesn't count. You feel ok today? Tell me if you get dizzy."

"I feel ok so long as I'm holding on to the bar."

"Guess that means you hold on to the bar, and I get to wash you up." I whisper in a devilish way. I grab the soap and goes directly to her chest from behind. She holds the shower head and the bar and I uses both hand now.

I behave, knowing she's too weak for anything , especially standing up for shower sex. I help her wash up and then wrap her shaking body in towels.

"Are you cold, or is your shaking from detox?" I rub both her arms, trying to warm her up. I know they switched meds around but didn't know if this was a side effect or her body going through withdrawals.

"I'm not cold. I guess this is part of detox. My whole body hurts."

"Jesus. Ok, let's get you dressed and back in bed.

"Have fun?" Nate glares at Julia and then me.

"Taking a shower? In that bathroom? Yeah, Nate, loads." Julia looks away and gets under the covers.

"I'll go get the nurse to hook your IV back up." I leave the room, once again, never making eye contact with Nate. Everything about this situation is awkward.

I'm gone for less than a minute.

"Ok, The nurse said she'll be in so- Julia!" I run to her aid. She's on the ground and getting sick in the bucket and no one is here to help her. Nate sure as hell is useless.

"I thought I was over this!" She cries.

"I know, sweetie. Come here." I pick Julia up like she's as light as a sheet of paper, while she holds on to the bucket, and sit her on the bed. I sits next to her and twirl her hair around my hand, making sure nothing is near her face as she gets sick. Not much comes out. She has nothing left. I hold her tight and rub her back while she cries in between her heaving. Fortunately a nurse waltzes in nonchalantly then see's what's going on.

"Oh boy!" She rushes over to Julia. "Did this start overnight?" She looks at me but I'm clueless since I left to sleep at home, now regretting that decision.

"All night long." Nate chimes in. "They gave her Zofran and Ativan to help."

What. What???

"Ativan..." I whip my head over to make eye contact. "Why the hell would they do that?"

"I'll grab her chart. You got this?" She looks down at me and I nod while she retrieves Julia's chart. "I see. You were in pretty rough shape overnight. Looks like they are going to continue smaller doses to taper you down. It's been a few hours. I'll go start your order." The nurse rushes out.

"You should have called me last night if you were this sick." I rub her back.

"I thought it was over. I didn't want to worry you."

"I could have come back, Julia. I don't want you to have to do this alone."

"I wasn't alone. Nate was with me." But I shake my head. What the hell can he do. He has tubes everywhere and can't get out of bed.

"The nurse Jonah spent his entire shift in our room to help." Nate corrects her, knowing full well I'm aware I can be of no help.

"Oh God!" Julia cries out and gets sick again. After a few rounds Julia finally slows down and exhausts herself, still sobbing but no longer getting sick Just in time for the cafeteria worker to come in with her breakfast.

"I can't eat. God, I can't even smell that right now!" Julia snaps and pushes the tray away. "Please. Take it out of here." She pleads with me.

"Try a little. You might feel better once you start." The cafeteria worker tries to help but she has no idea about Julia.

"James, please! Take it out. It's gonna make me sick again. My whole body hurts. PLEASE!" She cries out and I instantly feel my eyes start to sting seeing her like this.

"Ok, Ok." I walk out with the tray and try to explain to the nurse what's going on but she doesn't want to hear it and I'm just an annoyance to her now. I walk back in defeated as the nurse walks in behind me

"Julia, you have to eat a little." The nurse says.

"She just got done throwing up. Give her a break." Nate blurts out and get a rude look from the nurse.

"Sir.." She doesn't need to say another word. Her facial expression says it all. We are overstepping her authority. She then ignores Nate and continues what she was going to say.
"Unfortunately, I can't administer your Ativan on an empty stomach. You have to eat something."

"Can you just give me five minutes to recuperate? Jesus." Julia wipes her eyes feeling overwhelmed. She JUST stopped throwing up. The last thing she wants to do is eat, but this nurse on duty doesn't want any of us wasting her time.

"Dear, you can take as long as you want. You just won't get any medication until you decide to eat. Your choice."

Julia looks away, not used to the rudeness. This is a very blunt nurse and already getting under my skin today. Nate feels the same and his blood pressure monitor goes off making it known and irritating the nurse even more.

"This is ridiculous. You two really shouldn't be sharing a room while detoxing." She shakes her head at us all like we have any control over the matter. "It just makes everything that much more difficult for us. Bad enough we have to get searched before we can even enter the building."

"Sorry...?" Nate says sarcastically. "I can't help it people are outside."

"You could have put the bottle down before you burned through your intestines." The nurse says under her breath while reading his chart. "There's rehabs for people like you. This isn't one of them."

Nate stares at the nurse in shock and unable to form a sentence. This is ridiculous and I'm surprisingly the one to lose my cool now.

"Can I speak to you outside?" I tick my chin towards to door and the moody nurse follows me.

*****

*Trisha*

I make Nate's bed perfectly. I need to go home at some point but can't bring myself to do it. Instead, I throw on the same jeans I wore yesterday and steal one of Nate's sweatshirts before heading to the hospital. I need to talk to Nate. We need to figure this out. Hearing that number, hearing how he could have died just from drinking alone..it haunted me all night.

I also need to get over my fear of the hospital environment. I can't keep thinking of my mom every time I pull up to the building. I need to be here for Nate. AND James.

I get through the craziness of security and take in the fact the crowd is multiplying by the hour now. Not only fans but reporters and news vans alike. The chaos is too much for the staff inside and the security team has their work cut out for them. Everyone seems on edge. Just because Nate is Nate.

I get up to Nate's room only to find James yelling at some nurse. Like REALLY yelling at her. Holy Shit. What happened?? I've never seen this side of James before. Paul doesn't stop him either which means whatever he is reaming into her about is valid. I walk by him quickly knowing he doesn't notice me and head right in to the hospital room.

"What the hell is going on out there? Hot stuff is reaming into some nurse about being unprofessional." I plop down in the seat next to Nate "I've never seen that guy mad before. It's kinda sexy." I obnoxiously fan my face with my hand as a joke

"That nurse isn't happy to have me as her patient and is making it known." Nate sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "She's awful."

"Jesus. And the day's still young. You get to deal with that wench all day?"

"Apparently."

Julia stays quiet, her eyes closed. She looks so small and weak right now.

"Why don't you call that Jonah nurse and just hire him to be your private nurse? He already knows what you're going through. That way you don't have to deal with the rotation of different people."

"I'm not sure how that works or if the hospital even allows that."

"You know what? I'm gonna find out how to make it happen. I'll be back." I rush out, excited to have something to do. James is still going at it with the nurse.

"Can I speak to her supervisor?" I interrupt them both and the nurse gives me a who the hell are you look. James backs up a little and cools off when he sees me. "Listen. Nate Hollan doesn't want to be here. You all don't want him here. Correct? This whole thing is a mess and the crowd outside is only getting worse."

The nurse says nothing and both her and James give me their full attention now.

"What if there is a way Nate....and Julia can be discharged with a nurse to take care of them in the privacy of his own home. The nurse can report everything to the doctors here and all that shit But that gets him out of your hair and the hospital back to the way it was before a celebrity got sick."

James gives me a little smile of approval for Nate but I can tell the idea of Julia getting treated in Nate's apartment is making him rethink that approval smile. He looks away for a second and I can tell his mind is running a mile a minute. I get it. I feel the same way. But Nate can't be here any longer and isn't gonna leave without fucking Julia by his side.

"That would cost a pretty penny..." The shift supervisor comes over, overhearing the conversation.

"Sir. With all due respect. This is Nate Hollan we are talking about. You are aware of who this man is." I go on and stand up straighter proudly advocating for my best friend. "He is requesting a specific nurse named Jonah. I don't know how last name but he works the overnight shift and has been great with Mr. Hollan." I pretend to be all professional and they are eating it all up. "Not only would Nate pay for Jonah to be his private nurse, a donation will be made to your hospital for your cooperation in the matter."

I walk in feeling proud of my job well done and James is right behind me...still in a little bit of shock by it all.

Not only did Jonah accept the offer to temporarily be their nurses thanks to the extra numbers added to his paycheck, the hospital was more than pleased to discharge them so things can go back to normal for the staff and other patients.

Nate and Julia will each have one doctor that will check in with them and Julia will also have a few mental health specialists check in remotely. Nate will have a separate GI doctor for himself.

Nate hired Paul full time as well, to stay with them and watch over them as well for now, since Nate can't really move if anything were to happen.

"So, like 24 hour care? In his apartment? You sure this is a good idea?" James is skeptical and overthinking everything. He sits back in his chair. Nate is part of the conversation by default.

"James. I want to get out of here. This is our only option. Nate is spending his money to make this happen. And the nurse, Jonah, will be with us 24/7 so we don't have to deal with crappy nurses here." Julia explains. "You can stay with us too." She looks at Nate who nods in agreement. "I can't imagine I will be needing help for long anyways. James, I hate it here."

"And where is the nurse and everyone going to stay. IN his apartment??" James raises his eyebrows.

"I have a spare bedroom with a bed and a pull out couch, the nurse can take that room. Paul never cares where he sleeps whether it be on the pull out couch or I have a wrap around sectional couch he can sleep."

"And Julia? She's gonna, what. Sleep in YOUR bed????"

"James, I don't care where I sleep. I'll sleep on a fricken recliner if you're not comfortable with stuff. I need to get out of here. This is our best option."

"No, You can't do that Jules. I will sleep on the recliner, if you're not comfortable sharing the bed. I get it." Nate says.

"Nate- you can't even lay on your side yet with your stitches. Take your bed."

"I can pay and have a hospital bed delivered for you. Does that sounds better, James?" Nate sighs. "But nothing's gonna happen either way. Unlike you two horndogs. I assure you there will be nothing with me and Julia. Anyway, there's gonna be too many people around. Trisha has free reign of my flat as well since she's my personal assistant."

"James." Julia pauses. "Nothing's gonna happen... but to further convince you...He has a fricken catheter up his-"

"Ok! Ok! We don't need to be discussing where I have a catheter to your boyfriend." Nate interrupts.

"I mean, that DOES kinda put my mind at ease." James laughs. "Ok. If this is what you want Julia. I'll support whatever you want to do." He kisses Julia's cheek and everyone is happy with getting out of this hell hole.

*****

And just like that, they are discharged. Jonah came to the hospital to grab any and all supplies needed. Everything gets documented and signed off by the supervisor. Jonah will have to do this whenever he needs things, as well as keep track of all supplies.

Unfortunately there's a shortage on some things and a hospital bed is one of them. We're on the list but unsure we will get one delivered anytime soon. Nate thought that was fine. James did not. Regardless, Nate and Julia are leaving this hospital.

Because Nate can barely sit up, never mind walk, He was taken out the back via wheelchair first, to be transported by ambulance, bypassing any fans or reporters. Jonah meticulously hung all of his bags on the metal pole and was careful to keep the tubing intact while he got him situated in the ambulance. I was then wheeled by Jonah in a wheelchair with my IV. Me, James, and Paul all rode with me back to Nate's flat.

Amazing what money can buy you. A personal nurse, a very happy hospital to not only get rid of the attention but ecstatic with the donation Nate wrote out as a thank you for cooperating, and two relieved patients.

For all we know, the fans and reporters wait outside the hospital thinking the one and only Nate Hollan is still being treated inside.

We pull up to the back lot where the entrance is private, and see the ambulance leave. I quickly park my car and we all jump out to help the nurse get both Nate and Julia, along with all the supplies, up to Nate's flat.

"I got her." James wheels Julia in the elevator while the nurse handles Nate. Me and Paul wait for the next one with the dolly of supply bins.

*****

*James*

I can't believe I am actually agreeing to this. Here I am, with my girlfriend in a wheelchair, getting ready to bring her to her ex's apartment to live while she's under medical care.

The elevator doors open and Jonah halts when he walks into the large, perfectly decorated open room. "Jesus. This is where you live??" Jonah's eyes dart around the spacious flat. "MUCH better than working at the hospital. That's for sure."

I wheel Julia in and lean down to her ear. "Jules.. I feel weird being here."

"James, it's just an apartment."

"I'll have Trisha do a good food shopping later this afternoon. Speaking of, when do you think I can start eating real food?" Nate looks over to Jonah who, like me, is still mesmerized by the spacious flat.

"Oh no..." Julia nervously looks away. "I'm gonna be sick." She rushes her words out. The supplies are still with Trisha and Jonah on their way up.

"Take her to the bathroom! That way!" Nate points, and I quickly wheel her into the bathroom. The poor thing starts violently throwing up in the toilet and crying in between. I am practically holding her up to the toilet now so she can vomit. She has no strength left to her. I hold her hair out of the way and help her the best I can.

" I can't take this, James." She cries. I feel awful and wonder if we made the right decision discharging her.

"I know, babe. We're gonna get you healthy, ok? I promise." I kiss her ear and she gets sick again, violently heaving till there's nothing left to heave. She looks so pale and weak. It breaks me seeing her like this.

Jonah the nurse better know what the hell he's doing.

*****

*Trisha*

Once Nate is lying down in bed and his IVs and bags are hooked to the pole, I can tell he feel's more comfortable. Paul wheels the dolly of supplies into Nate's spacious bedroom. Jonah starts setting up, first thing being Nate's monitor. He hooks Nate up and pulls out his chart to leave on the nightstand.

"Look at that. Your numbers are already getting better just by being home." Jonah jots down the blood pressure numbers and then looks around the room to start setting Julia's stuff up.

"Trish, can you do a food shopping later for everyone?" Nate asks me.

"I already have an online order going, I'll pass my laptop around, and people can order whatever else they'd like. Courtesy of the one and only.. America's Heartthrob." I tease, feeling pretty damn accomplished with all I've gotten done for him along with being on top of the food shopping order before he even asked. Incompetent my ass, Hollan.

"Oh good. Julia's going to need to be on a special diet. And you, my friend, get to start drinking Ensures until you can handle real food."

"Isn't that like..chocolate milk for the elderly??" I ask seriously.

"Sure is." Jonah laughs a little. "Julia may have to go on them too if she keeps getting sick like this without eating. Especially the way she keeps passing out."

"She keeps passing out??" I have been so consumed with Nate's medical issues I haven't been paying attention to whatever the hell is going on with Julia.

James wheels a very pale Julia out of the bathroom. She looks so worn out already, and it's not even ten in the morning. The first thing the nurse does is get the well-known pink bucket for Julia and then hooks her up to her IV pole.

"Nate, do you mind if I get her set up in here with you? It's just easier to keep an eye on you both if you are in the same room." Jonah asks.

"Of course."

Both James and I share a look with each other and accidentally let out a little huff, not meant to be heard but it was noticed. We say nothing as Jonah lifts Nate's comforter and helps the shaky Julia into his bed. The bed I was just sleeping in. I look away.

Julia lays on her side, too tired to even talk, never mind fight about sleeping arrangements with James. She lays away from Nate, with her bucket right on the nightstand next to her IV pole. She seems so small and far away from him with this being an oversized California King sized bed. It's like having two queen sized mattresses put together. James obviously loves seeing that. As do I.

"We'll get some Ativan and Zofran in you soon, ok?" The nurse assures Julia and my eyes widen.

"Wait.. Isn't that-" I start but Nate cuts me off.

"I'll have the nurse explain everything to you later, Trish. Just get that food order going." He says.

"Where do you need me?" Paul stands in the doorway.

"Just make yourself at home like always Paulie. If Jonah or Trish need any help with anything you can help them. Till then, turn the TV on and make sure no fans find out I'm not in the hospital. You'll get paid well." He knows this like always but Nate likes to remind him. He nods and follows me out of the room so we can get a food shopping order submitted.

*****

*James*

Jonah pushes the dolly into the far corner of the bedroom and starts going through the supplies, setting everything he needs up on the small table next to two oversized chairs in the sitting area of Nate's bedroom.

I kneel on the ground and brush Julia's hair back while she starts to fall asleep.

"You can move that recliner over here if you want to stay close to her." Nate ticks his head to a leather recliner in the opposite corner of the bedroom near a book shelf filled with books. On the wall next to it is two more stands holding two very expensive looking guitars. I nod and carefully push the heavy recliner to be parallel to Julia's side of the bed, making sure to not touch the guitars.

"Thanks man." I nod. Nate can tell this is out of my comfort zone but can also tell he I am grateful Julia seems content here and starting to rest.

"Ok. Everything's all set up here." Jonah announces. "I'm going to add food Julia will need to the order. I'll be back in a bit to come check your vitals." He exits the bedroom.

I lay on my side continuing to comb my fingers through Julia's hair until she falls asleep. Nate closes his eyes as well. Once she's finally asleep, I leave the room, keeping the door open, and head out to the main living area with everyone else.

Still unsure if this is the right thing to do.

*****

*Trisha*

"Hi Julia, my name's Dr. Rayson. Angela. I'm one of the hospital's psychiatrists."

The doctor was given Nate's address and still had to go through a little bit of a security protocol by Paul before she was let up into his flat. Paul was happy to feel useful.

It was Dr. Rayson to wake Jules up. Julia sits up in the bed and combs her hair off to the side of her shoulder nervously. Both me and James watch from the doorway for a second before leaving and waiting in the hall. We can all still hear the conversation though.

"Do you mind if we find another room to go in to talk? I'd like to go over your survey."

The doctor seems very nice and friendly.

"Let me get her into her wheelchair. She keeps passing out." Jonah rolls the wheelchair over.

"Passing out? Is that a pre-existing medical problem she has?" Dr. Rayson raises an eyebrow and jots it down on her pad of paper.

"She's not eating. She's getting IV fluids but keeps vomiting due to her detox. We ordered some Ensures she will have to start drinking this afternoon." The nurse answers.

"I see." Angela writes everything down quickly while Jonah helps Jules into her chair.

"Is the spare bedroom across the hall a good place?" The psychiatrist asks.

"Of course. Wherever she's comfortable." We hear Nate say and Jonah wheels her and her IV pole into the spare room and the doctor closes the door behind her.

"Wonder how this is gonna go..." Nate mumbles to Jonah.

"Probably not great. She's irritable and exhausted as it is. She's not gonna like what she's gonna hear."

"Your labs came in." He reads the lab work off the laptop. "Bacterial infection is causing the fever. Staphylococcus."

Shit. I look up at James. "My mom had that while in the hospital." I whisper and he leans down to hear me better. "It's not great. He's gonna need antibiotics." I continue. James shakes his head like this is unbelievable how it's one thing after another. We continue to stand in the hallway and chat while listening in on Nate and the nurse.

"Staph infection. It doesn't say in your lab but it could possibly turn into MRSA so we will treat is asap." Jonah reads on not looking up from his laptop.

"MRSA? What the fuck is that??"

"It's common in a hospital setting that can be treated with antibiotics. But it can't go untreated. It could get into your bloodstream, cause pneumonia, and sometimes be severe and cause sepsis. We're gonna start antibiotics right away. The prescription has already been filled. Is there someone who can pick it up at the pharmacy for you? I'd like to get a dose in you as soon as possible.

"Trisha can."

Both me and James scramble to the living room and act like we haven't been listening in on their shit. Jonah rushes out of the room to tell me.

"If I call in a prescription, can you pick it up right when it's ready? Nate says you can pick up his prescriptions for him?" Jonah asks me and I nod.

"Of course." I waist no time and jet out of the building to pick up the script at the pharmacy. MRSA. That's not good. I let my mind wander why waiting in the pick up line. I want to say my mom had MRSA from the hospital at one point and was on some heavy antibiotics and closely watched. Fortunately it never entered her blood stream which is what I think complicates things if that happens.

It takes all of ten minutes to grab the prescription for Nate and make it back to his apartment. I barrel into the room like always, holding his medication. Apparently a lot can happen in ten minutes. Nate no longer has the NG tube.

"Look at you! No more tube in your nose! That's a good thing, right?" I look at Jonah.

"Sure is. Let's start these antibiotics, and I'll let you rest for a bit before coming in for a vital check." Jonah gives Nate the meds which he take immediately, and both me and the nurse leave so Nate can rest. him and Trisha leave so I can rest.

I sit next to James at the kitchen counter and we both start going back and forth with the nurse a little.

"You're really ok with the two of them sharing a room? A bed?" I ask James.

"I mean.. I kinda have to be. Besides, the guy has a damn catheter. They're not gonna do anything." James responds.

"It makes it much easier for me, to be honest, having them in the same room. That's where all the supplies are, and I can watch over them both at the same time. Especially overnight." Jonah chimes in.

"There's a history between them two." I mention without going in to detail. "I don't know why, but Nate is fricken addicted to her more than the booze. I can't believe you're not concerned or even worried a little, James." I was really hoping a hospital bed would be on the way.

"I mean. she's always gonna love the guy. I know that much. But they are in fucking detox. I really don't think either of them are well enough to even WANT to do anything. Especially with all these people here." James pauses. "It was nice of him to even offer to bring her here for treatment. He could have just gotten discharged and pay for himself to get individual treatment, leaving her in the hospital. He wants what's best for Julia. As do I."

"She's got you wrapped around her finger just like she has Nate. I don't get it." I huff, stand up and grab my keys. "Whatever, you all figure that weird shit out. Paul, I get to steal you to help me with the grocery order that's ready. Cmon' hot stuff."

"I gotta run out too and drop my dog off at my ex's. Can you give me a ride back to the hospital so I can get my car?" James asks me.

"Drop your dog off at your ex's.... You know what? I don't even want to know. Ya'll are nuts. C'mon hot stuff number two."

What a weird bunch we are.

*****