Date: November 3, 1981

Nico woke up in a grey chair. He shifted as his heavy eyes blinked away sleep. The hard surface of the seat made it so his body ached. For a few moments he wondered why he had fallen asleep in a chair.

    The smell of disinfect brought back the memories of yesterday: the long hours spent beside Hazel as she screamed and the aftermath. Suddenly, Nico's eyes didn't feel so heavy and his heart was racing. He looked around the room and exhaled as he saw Hazel's chest rise and fall. Frank was gently stroking her curly hair as she dozed off. Her face looked more tranquil now; the sweat was gone along with the half-panicked, half-anguished expression on her face. In her sleep, Hazel looked much too young to be a mother and Nico's heart twisted in his chest.

     "How is she?" Nico asked Frank in a low whisper.

      "The doctors are keeping an eye on her," Frank said.

    He paused and licked his lips. He didn't look at Nico as he spoke and his tone was strained. There were dark circles beneath his eyes and he was wearing the same pair of jeans and sweater he wore yesterday. Nico guessed Frank had not gotten any sleep.

     "Want me to get you some coffee?" Nico asked.

     "Sure," Frank said. "That'd be great."

       Nico nodded and stood up. He left the room quietly and looked back once more to see Hazel sleeping. She looked like an angel who had lost its wings and could not bear the harshness of this world. Nico wished there was something he could do to give her back her wings.

    Nico found Will while he was accidentally poking through the janitor's closet.

     "Going somewhere?" Will asked.

      "I'm just looking for coffee," Nico said.

      "No need to be so defensive, Death Boy," Will said. "Follow me for your daily dose of caffeine."

     Will's strides were long and Nico struggled to keep up with him.

     "My name's not Death Boy, as you know very well," Nico said, "and the coffee is for Frank."

      "You'll need some too," Will said.

       "I don't drink coffee," Nico said.

         "Tea then," Will said. "Everyone here gets their caffeine from somewhere. It's how we survive here."

       Will led Nico into a room where a bunch of nurses and interns were chatting. A few looked at Nico beadily. One woman threw him a withering look. A younger looking woman giggled when she saw Nico and nudged the curly-haired man beside her.

      While Will made a cup of coffee for Frank, he gave Nico a cup of peppermint tea. It was warm and sweetened slightly with honey. It seemed to soothe his throat and something about it reminded him of Will. Perhaps they were both invigorating?

      "Come on, Frank will need his caffeine," Will said after pouring a mug of coffee.

    Now that Will was carrying coffee, Nico was able to keep up with him.

     "How is my sister?" Nico asked.

       Will stopped and chewed his lip.

         "She hasn't woken since last night," he said slowly.

     Nico stared at the intern. Suddenly, he felt his body shake as if he'd drank a hundred cups of caffeinated tea. He was aware of only one thing as his legs drew him forward: Hazel. He finally reached the room and threw open the door.

    Nico saw Hazel sitting up and smiling weakly as Frank grasped her hand. The flare of panic inside his chest faltered. His sister was going to be okay. A few moments after reaching this conclusion, Will strode into the room.

     "Anyone need coffee?" he asked.

    Frank obliged. He needed it almost as much as he needed Hazel.