Lost and Found

Chapter 13

"Are you ok baby?" she asked gently along his side. He winced slightly.

"I'm fine," He said as he saw the worry on her face. "Just bruised I think."

"Bryce, I barely touched you and you flinched. Here, let's go sit." She stepped away from him and headed towards a sofa. He moaned as he sat down.

"I'll be right back." Sydney said heading for the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To the bar to get you some ice. Even if it's a bruise, the ice will make it less painful." She left before he could protest. She walked to the bar and smiled at the bartender.

"What can I get you Sydney?" she asked.

"Can I get some ice wrapped in a towel."

"Everything ok?" she asked with concern.

"Bryce got hit during the fight, but you know Mr. Tough Guy..." she shrugged.

The bartender laughed. "Be right back." She came back quickly with a towel and a bucket of ice. Sydney smiled and took both back upstairs, getting a look from the security guard at the stairs. She walked back into the room to find Nick standing over Bryce. She put the ice on the table. She took a handful out and placed it in the towel and walked over to them both.

"Maybe you should go have it looked at," Nick said.

"I'm fine. I've taken worse than this." Sydney sat down with the towel and handed it to him. He reluctantly took it from her and placed it on his side.

"My shirt is going to get wet now," He said as he placed it on his side.

"You could always take it off," Sydney said, smiling at him.

"Miss James you are trouble," Bryce said as he untucked his shirt and pulled it up. He let out a long sigh as he placed the ice on it.

"Do you want me to hold it there for you?" she asked. He shook his head. He winced again before Sydney moved his hands from the towel and adjusted it for him, holding it against his side. "Better?"

"Yes. Thank you." He shifted his weight and let the ice dull the pain. He put his hand on her knees, rubbing it slightly with his thumb.

"Interesting," Kara said as she watched the two of them.

"What?" Sydney asked.

"I'll tell you later. Some things are better said in private."

"NOW some things are better left said in private?" Sydney asked as she laughed at her own question.

"This is," Kara said. She turned to Audrey. "Want to hit the dance floor with me?"

"Let's do it," She said as she got up. She turned to Nick. "Care to join us?"

"A good idea. I have some energy to work off." He looked at Sydney. "You ok with him?"

"We'll be fine." Sydney said. The three of them headed out.

"You three saw the whole thing, did you?" Bryce asked. Sydney nodded, not looking him in the eye. "Syd, I'm going to be fine. I've had broken ribs, and this doesn't feel like it. No problems breathing, it just feels sore, nothing more." He squeezed her knee and she looked at him. "I promise, I'm ok sweetie."

"Promise me if this feels worse tomorrow, you'll call me," Sydney said.

"Aww, are you worried about me?" Bryce gave her a cheesy, playful smile.