Silver Lining

He was grumpy. He wasn't mad since he didn't know who he should be mad at.

Should he be mad at the fans for pushing too hard causing him to fall? No- it was an accident.

Should he have reprimanded the bodyguard for failing to do their job? No- because that isn't fair.

Should he be mad at himself for not breaking the fall? No- it has happened and he should move on.

But he was still grumpy. He didn't want to talk to anyone or have his photo taken or eat. He just wanted to be left alone.

"Oh, kuya okay ka na ba? Are you comfortable?" Caryl asked for what seemed like the 3rd time in a span of an hour. He didn't bother to look at her and simply waved his hand.

Caryl turned her attention to Nadine who was hovering near James. She's been worrying the entire time and she couldn't sit still. One moment she's hovering, the next she's biting her nails, and then she's almost-hounding the doctors for answers.

"Ateng, ikaw na muna bahala ha?" Caryl said.

"Duh, that goes without saying." Lauren interjected. She observed the events from afar and although she was worried for her brother's condition, she knew he'd be okay. James is always a trooper. Albeit a grumpy trooper, for now.

Lauren placed her arm over Caryl and gently pushed her out of the room saying, "Let's just leave these two behind. Maybe then, James' mood will improve."

She turned to look at Nadine and winked. Nadine gave her a half smile and walked them towards the door.

Once they were gone, she climbed into bed beside him and burrowed her face on his neck and wrapping her arm across his stomach.

She didn't say anything and they stayed that way for a few minutes- in comfortable silence.

"I'm sorry-" they both said in unison. James turned to her and smiled. Her brows furrowed as she asked, "Bakit ka nagsosorry? You're the one who got injured."

He shifted to better see her face and sighed. "I'm sorry I screwed up. I screwed up what little vacation we have by getting injured. And now, I'll have this fucking thing on until Tuesday. TUESDAY, Nadine! That's two days off our 5-day San Diego vacation."

Nadine pushed herself away from him and said, "You're worried about that?" he turned away, ashamed at how shallow he sounded. But that was the truth. He was brooding over the days they won't be able to spend frolicking around the streets of San Diego. The memories they should be making.

Nadine cupped his face and made him look at her. She stared into his sad brown eyes and she smiled that smile he loved. The kind of smile that can makes all his worries seem so small and insignificant.

"James, it doesn't matter where we are. As long as I get to spend alone time with you like this, I feel like I've won an all-expenses paid vacation trip." She let go of his face and burrowed into his side once again.

"As long as I'm with you, I'm happy. We will be making memories- even when we stay in bed all day."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Your turn.

"Huh?"

"You said, you're sorry. Why?"

"I'm sorry you got injured. I feel guilty, James. I should have been there to catch you, to keep you steady, I should have done something. But I wasn't quick enough and I'm sorry you got injured."

"Love, it was an accident." He said caressing her arm.

"I know. But that doesn't stop me from wishing it should have been me."

That made him stop. He pushed her away gently so he can look her in the eye and say, "Don't."

"What?" she said baffled by the vehemence in his voice.

"If it were you who got injured, I don't know what I would have done. I would have punched the guards or pushed back the fans."

Nadine was speechless. It was the first time she saw James so passionately angry. His eyes were wild, his ears were red, his breathing was labored. She reached out to touch his face and remind him that she was there now.

He sighed and took her hands to his lips, whispering, "Sometimes I get scared of what I'm willing to do for you."

"I'm willing to do anything for you, too."

"Really now? I didn't see you raise hell when I got hurt." James teased. He knew Nadine would never do anything to hurt anyone.

"I just gave them the deadliest glare I could muster."

James suddenly felt a pang of pity to whoever received Nadine's spine-chilling glare. It was probably more merciful if she just shoved them.

"I love you, James." She said suddenly and he had to smile at that. Here she was a vision in their bed, worried sick over his condition. He never knew he needed and wanted to be loved this way. Knowing that she loves him just as much as he does and hearing her say it still makes him grin like a lovesick crackhead. How did he get so lucky?

"I love you more, Nadine." She smiled at the man she loves. Here he was with a swollen knee and a little grumpy, but he still manages to make her feel so loved. How did she get so lucky?

"So, about that stay in bed all day suggestion..." He shifted so his body was now facing hers and if he tugged her down, she'd be under him in a matter of seconds.

"No, James!" Nadine danced away from his grip and she was suddenly off the bed and standing as far away from his reach as possible.

"Naddie, come on! You've been such a tease throughout the show. Come here, love. Please. "

Nadine was laughing, "No, James! The doctor said complete bed rest!"

"I can do it without my knees. Give me some credit, woman!"

Her laughter reverberated across the room and even against his will, he started laughing too. She turned her back to him and went to the closet and started removing pieces of her clothes.

"Nadine! Love, please. You're killing me here." And she just laughed- the little minx.

She was now down to her tank top and short-shorts. It was too hot in Vegas this time of the year and it was such a relief to be out of her cardigan. She was pulled from her thoughts when she noticed that James had grown silent. Worried, she turned her attention towards him only to see him smirking.

Mischief danced behind his eyes and she shivered. He wore the same look whenever he promises a night full of bite and scratch marks.

"I wonder how I will ever take a bath with these braces on?" he said feigning innocence. "It'll be so hard to take off my pants on my own and oh God, I might slip and fall while showering!"

"James..."

"Nadine, you have to help me. We need to shower together. How else will you make sure I'm safe?" James said grinning. He had won this round.

Nadine growled, throwing him her cardigan. James laughed out loud stretching his arms and placing them behind his head.

"Ah, I guess there is a silver lining to everything."