"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"Sleepless in Seattle"

Nat & Summer chatted a bit outside just recapping what had happened between the past couple days. Nat started the engine to warm up his car.

Nat: K is such a strong woman. I can't believe she's still standing after what she's just experienced.

He was shaking his head as he spoke.

Summer: Yeah, I'm still shocked myself. I didn't go through it, but I felt like I did, you know?

Summer stood there with arms crossed still a bit shaken about what happened to Krystal.

Summer: Anything could happen to any of us at any given moment. I mean we can plan & prepare, but we don't know what's ahead. I just wish life were simpler...

Nat walked up to Summer & placed his hand on her shoulder.
Nat: Yeah. Hey, we both have been through a lot this week. I was thinking of getting a couple drinks. Wanna join me?
Summer: That sounds perfect except that I'm trying to catch a flight out to Seattle.
Nat: Today?
Summer: Yeah
Nat: You need help getting to the airport?
Summer: You sure?
Nat: I have nothing else going on.
Summer: Nat, you're the best.
Nat: Ok, I'll just go home & shower & I'll be at your place in like an hour.
Summer: Ok, I'll see you then. Thank you!

Nat & Summer hugged & parted ways. As she drove off, Summer had so much on her mind. She knew Krystal would be fine & that Nat would be there if Krystal or her girls needed anything. Summer got home & pulled out her suitcase & started packing for her trip. She simultaneously got out her laptop & started shopping for tickets to Seattle. She luckily found a flight that would leave at 8:30 her time which means considering the time it'd take to travel & the different time zones, she'd be able to make it to the hospital by midnight. She got so excited thinking about her niece & sister. She couldn't wait to see them. She finished packing her bag & purchasing her ticket so she jumped in the shower to start getting ready for her flight. Halfway through getting ready, she heard the door downstairs open. It was Nat. She was dripping wet from her shower & wrapped herself in a towel & tiptoed to the top of the stairs.

Summer: Nat, is that you?
Nat: Yup!
Summer: Ok, make yourself at home. I'll be down in a bit.
Nat: Ok, need any help?
Summer: I'll be fine.

Summer sat at her vanity & decided just to throw her hair up in a messy bun. She wanted to finish getting ready as much as possible. She was almost done with her makeup when the door to her room opened & she peeled around the corner to see Nick standing in her doorway.

Summer: Nick, what are you doing here?
Nick: Nat said you needed a ride to the airport. I wanted to come with him to drop you off.
Summer: That's nice of you. Look Nick, I realize I might need to postpone our next couple of sessions.
Nick: Yeah, about that. I was thinking it'd be nice if I actually came to Seattle with you. I've never been & we can do my sessions there. It'd really mean a lot to me. I just can't be alone for the next week.
Summer: Oh... Alone? Nat lives with you.
Nick: I can't talk to him about what I'm going through. It's just that our sessions have really been helping me. I haven't had the need take any medications & I think it's because of the time we've been spending together.
Summer: In our sessions...
Nick: Right.
Summer: Nick, there are other counselors in my department who have open schedules who I know could be a help to you.
Nick: Summer, I've seen them all. It wasn't until my sessions with you that I've seen actual progress in my mental health.

Nat was coming up the stairs & came in the room. He caught the tail end of Nick's sentence.

Nat: Girl, are you ready?
Summer: Yeah, I just need to get my purse.
Nat: Two bags?
Summer: A girl's gotta be prepared.
Nat: Oh for sure, queen. Nick, you're getting those.
Summer: Thanks, Nick.
Nick: Summer, please. I need this. You can't leave me now.

Summer & Nick held on to the suitcase with their hands touching. They were looking at each in the eyes. Summer could sense the need from Nick's eyes. They say that the eyes are the window to a man's soul. And Summer could see straight into Nick's soul. He was sad & lonely & needed her help. It felt nice to be needed, but she wasn't sure she should be giving Nick this type of attention. The car ride over to the airport, Nat was talking up a storm & wanted to go to Seattle as well, but knew he should stay in case Krystal needed his help. Nat actually encouraged Summer to agree to having Nick go with her. Nick had promised Nat that he couldn't be creepy or make any moves on Summer. Would he keep his word?

Nat: Ok, babe. This is it. Please congratulate your sister for me.
Summer: I will. Thanks for the ride.
Nat: And don't worry, Nick promised he wouldn't be weird. I think this could be good for him, you know? A change of pace & scenery.
Summer: Yeah...
Nat: Ok, bye love you.
Summer: Love you!

Summer hugged & thanked Nat. Nick stood to the side & had his backpack along with Summer's 2 bags. Nick & Summer went through the security line like a breeze & were soon at their gate to board their flight.
Summer noticed Nick retrieve a bottle from his backpack & took a few pills. It looked like they were anxiety pills. Summer put her hand over Nicks arm right before we took them.

Summer: I thought you didn't need medication anymore.
Nick: There's just something about planes that freak me out.

Summer let his arm go so that he could freely take his pills. They hardly spoke a word to each other the whole 5 hours. Nick was glad & relieved Summer was open to the idea of him accompanying her on this trip. Halfway through the flight, Nick fell asleep on Summer's shoulder. She tried to gently wake him up so that he could get off of her shoulder, but he was out cold. She realized that it must've been the pills that knocked him out. She stayed awake the entire time & was running on excitement & adrenaline. She was counting down the hours until she got to see her family.