There was hair in my face, and probably in my mouth too. It was tickling me, but I didn't care. It was soft, silky and smelled divine. There was also a woman pressed right against me, soft breasts meeting my hard chest. The fabric of our shirts was separating us, but she wasn't wearing a bra; I could still feel a lot. Opening my eyes, I glanced down at her. Jess was on top of me, literally draped over my torso. I could feel her thighs, one trapped between mine and the other beside my leg.

Her hands felt tiny, spread over my rib cage. One was under my shirt, burning against my skin. Groaning softly, I tried to ignore the heat of her body- or just the feel of her all together. It was too arousing, and this wasn't exactly an appropriate time to be thinking about her like that.

Too late, I was already at risk of waking her. I wouldn't be surprised if she woke up with something pressing at her, quickly becoming hard beneath her. Resting my hands on her waist, I decided to pretend they hadn't been cupping her ass when I woke. My phone-the reason I was awake- alarmed again, making me freeze. I needed to get to it before it went off again and woke Jess, or Lucy.

Seeing a nurse passing, I whistled. It was the only thing I could think of, especially since I had just woken up. My voice wouldn't work properly on my first attempt. Not to mention I was preoccupied with Jess. It worked, though, as the nurse back-peddled to check what the whistling was about. Seeing me, her eye brow went up. At least she didn't go off at me for treating her like a dog.

"Sorry, but could you please just grab my phone? In the front pocket. I don't want it to wake them" the blaring was back, making me flinch. Moving quickly, the nurse pulled it out and silenced it. I let myself relax against the bed, uncaring of the bar digging into my back. I was probably already bruised, but I had been more than happy to have Jess sleep on top of me. Hell, I was probably the one to pull her on me.

"Comfortable?" The nurse handed me my phone, probably having seen my lock screen. It was a photo of Jess, Lucy and me. I didn't have the energy to be embarrassed.

"Definitely. Thanks" she grinned, barely stopping to wash her hands before disappearing. Focusing my attention back on Jess, I let myself stare at her a little longer. She was beautiful. Relaxed. I was free to roam her face, taking all the little details in. Her top lip was a little chapped, probably from her scraping it against her teeth with stress. There were cute little freckles on her nose, barely visible.

The detail that fascinated me, however, was her eyes- even closed. Her eye lashes were golden at the ends, like Lucy's. Then there was the same cute, little pout in her lips too. The crease between her eyes brows was there, a mutter here and there. Then it was gone, as if she had solved the problem.

Grinning, I decided to take a photo. Just one. It would be my dirty little secret- as long as no one went through my photos. Using my phone's camera, I carefully captured her face, resting on my chest and relaxed with sleep. It was hard though, almost impossible to get everything I wanted.

"Need some help?" My head jerked to the left, a guilty expression filling my face. The nurse was back. She was smiling, obviously amused by my struggle. Hesitating, for a second, I smiled sheepishly and handed my phone over. Casie- apparently- backed up and took a few photos, before handing it back to me. she waited while I checked them, making me feel slightly awkward. They were perfect- even if I was in a couple of the pictures- with Jess's face at the perfect angle.

"Thanks... Just...no telling, right?" The last thing I needed was Jess knowing I was taking photos of her sleeping. If that didn't spell creepy, I didn't know what did.

"No telling. Now, what time are you leaving? As long as you're out before seven, we're good" I laughed, quickly shutting up when Jess stirred slightly. I didn't breathe until she murmured and relaxed again, not waking.

"I've gotta be down stairs by 6. I'll head off soon" Casie nodded, an easy smile on her lips. She was an attractive woman, curves that could drive a man wild, and nice features. She wasn't doing anything for me, though. The woman on top of me was the only one who could hold my interest.

"Sounds good" she left, the light in the corridor hitting her and showing me how exhausted she really was. She's probably about to finish her shift. Checking the time, I was disappointed to find I would have to get going. Rolling Jess over took a while, but she didn't wake. Tugging the blankets over her, I was satisfied she wouldn't wake up when she curled into a ball and hugged the blankets against her chest. Giving in, I let myself peck her on the lips. Kissing Lucy on the forehead, I quickly grabbed my bag and headed out.

~~~

Running into Jennifer was awkward, us both arriving at the ED doors together. I knew I was in the same clothes I had arrived in the previous day, and it wouldn't take a genius to figure out that I had slept upstairs. She didn't immediately say anything, giving me a nod in greeting and finishing what appeared to be her breakfast.

"Morning. How's Lucy?" Jenny always did have a great memory, so I wasn't surprised she remembered Lucy's name. She never forgot a thing, not a face or name. It was plain scary sometimes.

"Stable. They're just keeping an eye on her for the moment. Hopefully she'll pick up on her own" she nodded, walking with me. I made sure to shorten my stride, matching her much smaller one.

"You both stayed last night?" There was no judgement there, making me relax slightly.

"Yes" she nodded, as if there was no other answer for it.

"Good. That rule- where only one parent is allowed to stay- is ridiculous. It's all about money" I smiled, not fully comfortable with her. I mean, she was a senior nurse, usually my boss. I was still a newbie, even if I had been there for a couple months so far. I had been a nurse for longer, a other hospitals. I wasn't in the position to be putting my opinion in, even if I agreed with her. I should probably tell her I'm not Lucy's father, too. I just didn't want to. I wanted to pretend, for just a second, that Jess and Lucy were mine.

We split off, going separate ways and leaving me to my thoughts. I should have stopped at the cafeteria and gotten some breakfast. They're closed. That solved that problem; no food, not until lunch. Concentrating on the day ahead, I decided I needed to use the bathroom and have a quick shower. I had spare clothes in my bag, including some clean underwear, and could borrow pair of scrubs off the shelf or from theatre. I would be fine for today, but would have to go home later.

The thought of going back to the unit, and leaving Jess and Lucy, didn't sit well with me. I didn't want to do that. Would she even let me stay with her again tonight? Last night had just happened, so there was no guarantee that she would let me stay again. The nurses might not let me either.

Not really focusing, I grabbed a pair of the biggest scrubs I could find on the shelf before heading to the staff shower. The little cubicle was still too small for me, but I made it work after months of practising. Getting dressed quickly, I pinned my name badge and watch to my borrowed scrubs on the way to the usual meeting room. I was just in time for hand over, accidentally stabbing myself in the chest when I bumped into someone.

Swearing silently and muttering my apology, I quickly pinned everything in place and paid attention to what was being said. It was the usual, and I was fitting into my position within minutes. I didn't get stuck with the desk, a bunch of older kids coming through the doors unconscious. I was the biggest nurse in the ward; meaning I was the 'heavy lifter'. Usually my size was a pain, but if it kept me away from desk duty? It was awesome. And not being at the desk also meant my head wasn't focused on Jess and Lucy, upstairs. Well not much, anyway.

~~~

Ambling back into Lucy's room was like coming home- just because the people I loved were all there. Including Marie and my parents. It was like a party or something. No one noticed me sneaking in, too busy playing with Lucy. She was awake, looking much brighter than she had when I left. Seeing me, she started wiggling her arms and making sounds at me. She wanted cuddles, something that brought a grin to my face, no matter how tired I was.

"Hey, gorgeous girl" Jess spotted me first, shifting enough to let me squeeze in. I did, probably pressing against her more than necessary. Bending down, I gave Lucy a kiss on the forehead. She had obviously had her oxygen tubes changed and re-taped. They were cleaner and neater, a new pattern adorning the white tapes. Letting her take one of my hands, I focused on everyone else.

Marie was beside me, stepping back so I could greet our parents. Dad hugged me first, leaving a quick kiss against my cheek. Mum was next, followed by Marie. Once I had hugged and kissed my family, I wrapped an arm around Jess and kissed her on the forehead gently. She was in much better spirits, the fear dulled a little.

"What's the status?"

"She's improving. We might be out in a few days. They don't think it's going to get any worse" I grinned, tickling Lucy with the hand she insisted on playing with.

"You've been a good girl, eh?" She chuckled, her adorable little laugh sounding hoarser than I would have liked. Her hair was in tight ringlets, telling me she had probably had a bath.

"She has been good. You just missed out on chair time" I didn't remove my arm around Jess, not willing to just yet. She wasn't complaining either, happily resting her head against me.

"Damn. At least I got some play time on my lunch break" Lucy was still grinning at me, her little teeth on full display. It didn't take long before she was worn out, drifting back off to sleep. Mum and Dad stayed for a little longer, eventually having to go home to feed the dogs. Marie didn't want to leave, but I knew she had to. Jess obviously knew it too.

"Go. It's okay. Ayden's parents will be waiting"

"Are you sure? Do you want me to go pick anything up? From the unit? I can bring it back" Jess hesitated, probably already having a list of things she needed in her head.

"No, it's okay. Go ahead" grabbing paper and a pen, I folded them in Jess's hands. She needed something, but didn't want to be a burden. She also didn't want to leave Lucy.

"Write two lists. Anything personal or whatever, Marie can grab. Anything else, I can get. She will meet me there, find what you need and put it in a bag. I'll grab everything else and bring it back. Sound good?" Jess was still hesitating, but nodded. I smiled, poking my tongue out at Marie's comment over my bossiness.

Marie left, planning to grab everything at the unit and leave it in a bag on the bench. I dawdled a little, wanting to talk to Jess alone for a few moments. She easily accepted my open arms, head going back to my chest. That spot was fast becoming her spot.

"How are you doing?" I nuzzled her hair, sighing when I inhaled her. She still smelled amazing.

"Fine now. I mean, everything's going to be okay, right?" I laughed, nuzzling the top of her head.

"Yes. Everything will be fine" the nurse in me told me I shouldn't be making promises, but I wasn't her nurse. We were silent for a minute, Lucy's oxygen heard hissing throughout the room. Then Jess took a breath, like she was preparing to put herself out there. I didn't push her, just waiting.

"When you come back... I mean... Are you going to grab some stuff for yourself too... To- to stay again?" I smiled, pulling her closer. She didn't need to know I thought she was adorable when she stuttered and blushed. I wanted to kiss her, desperately. I settled for pressing my lips against her head.

"If you don't mind, I was planning on it... Just in case" I felt her smile against me, the stiffness in her body easing away.

"Yeah. Just in case"