The Hospital Banter

"Are you okay?" Nick asked, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

Jane rolled her eyes but lifted her shirt slightly to show the treated bruise. "See? All good," she said, trying to ease his worry.

Nick raised an eyebrow and teased, "Why so shy in front of your boyfriend?"

"Who's my boyfriend?" she replied, feigning confusion, but her heart raced at the word.

"The doctor mentioned it a lot, and you never denied it," he said, grinning.

Her eyes widened. "I wasn't paying attention," she said, swatting his arm lightly.

"Ow! Evil woman, don't hit your injured boyfriend!" Nick exclaimed, laughing despite the pain.

Jane covered his mouth with her hand, her tone sharp. "Shut it, kid."

"Kid?" he asked, surprised.

"My mistake, brat," she said with a smirk.

"I'm a man who protects 'his' women. Didn't you hear the doctor?" he said with a playful, serious look.

Jane tugged on his ear, her expression fierce yet playful. "Say that again, and I'll kill you, you stupid brat."

"Come here," he said, making room for her on the bed. "Sleep with your boyfriend," he added with a teasing grin.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you going to keep this up?" she asked, moving toward the sofa.

"Fine! Heartless woman doesn't want to care for her injured boyfriend or sleep with him. What kind of girlfriend are you?" he pouted dramatically.

"Nick, will you shut up?" she scolded, trying to hold back her laughter.

Just then, the nurse entered the room to change his IV, chuckling at their banter.

"You're embarrassing me," Jane muttered, her face turning red.

"Now you're embarrassed of your boyfriend?" Nick teased. "Evil woman."

Annoyed, Jane walked out of the room, her heart racing from the teasing. "I'm not staying with you, annoying brat!" she called over her shoulder.

"Hey, sorry! I won't do it! Come back!" Nick shouted after her, but she just shook her head, smiling at his immaturity.

"Sleep, or I'll leave you here alone and go home," she warned, her voice light and playful.

Nick went silent, closing his eyes like a child and pursing his lips into a thin line, signaling that he would behave.

Jane smiled, closing the door behind her.

As Jane walked down the corridor, she saw a police officer approaching, his badge gleaming under the fluorescent lights.

"Are you Jane?" he asked, his voice steady but firm.

"Yes," she replied, her heart pounding.

"I'm here because a doctor reported your assault. Do you want to make a complaint?" he asked, his tone kind but serious.

Jane nodded, gathering her thoughts. She took a deep breath, then recounted the incident, her voice clear despite the rushing memories. The officer scribbled down her words, nodding as she spoke. "We'll check the security footage and call you tomorrow to help identify the people involved," he said.

After the officer left, Jane grabbed a coffee from the vending machine and returned to Nick's room. He was sound asleep, the painkillers finally taking effect. She gently placed the coffee on the small table beside him, then sat down, her eyes softening as she watched his peaceful face. A small smile tugged at her lips, and she brushed a few strands of hair from his forehead. "Stupid brat," she whispered. She adjusted his blanket, checked his IV line, and settled in to nap beside him.

Nick stirred, sensing her presence. He opened his eyes and flashed a sleepy smile. Warmth filled him, momentarily pushing the pain aside.

The next morning, Nick's friend arrived to help with his discharge. Jane felt the tension in the room as they prepared to leave. Nick's face was taut, his usual carefree expression replaced with concern.

At the police station, Jane's heart pounded nervously. The officer guided her to the identification room. Her stomach sank when she saw the two men standing there, cocky smirks on their faces, treating the situation as a joke.

As Jane pointed to them, one of the men leered at her, his gaze repulsive. "It's a shame I didn't get to have a taste," he sneered maliciously.

Nick's face contorted with fury. "You bastard!" he roared, lunging forward. But Jane was quicker, wrapping her arms around him from behind. "Please don't! Please!" she begged.

The officers rushed in, swiftly apprehending and cuffing both men. One officer turned to Nick, attempting to calm him. "Take it easy," he said firmly. Another officer handed Jane some paperwork to sign. Nick's friend Adam stood off to the side, wide-eyed, still shocked by the intensity of Nick's anger.

As they headed toward the exit, Jane turned to Adam, her voice calm but serious. "Take care of him," she said, her eyes locked on the seething Nick.

"I will drop you," Nick said.

"I have some work. I'll see you later," Jane replied before leaving.