xp_logs | Nathan and Domino, early Friday evening

The next time Domino sits down at his bedside, Nathan wakes up. They don't have much of a conversation, but it's enough to deal a fairly conclusive blow to Domino's self-control.

"Hey, old man," Domino said very softly, seeing Nate's eyes open. "How are you feeling?"

Dom. Dom, here? Nathan blinked at her, managing a wan smile. "Tired," he murmured, his voice hoarse. "You... look like you are, too."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Domino laid a hand over his, careful to mind the bandages. Madelyn had been up to check on the dressings on the burns a few minutes ago. Nate hadn't even stirred. "Been a long week," she said in a voice that was much lighter than she felt. A long week of running around Northern Canada with only gut-level terror for company.

"Yeah," Nathan said slowly, after a long moment. He could feel her, trying to guard her thoughts. Like trying to hold back the storm, though. Even more so than usual... "Sure has." He let his gaze wander, past Dom to the wall. Nice, safe wall. Didn't look at him with sad, worried eyes, eyes that were full of anger that wasn't directed at him but still burned. "When did you..."

"Today. Pete let me know what happened on Monday, but I stayed out for a few days, trying to track down some leads." With her other hand, Domino stroked the rumpled hair back from his forehead, an almost unconscious gesture. He flinched violently, and she withdrew her hand, swallowing. "I'm sorry, Nate. Maybe if I'd still been here..."

"Don't." The word came out in barely a whisper, his throat so tight he felt like he was being choked. He turned his head on the pillow, looking away. "No what-ifs."

"Okay. No what-ifs." Domino didn't let go of his hand, though. "Between Charles and Pete and Moira, I think I got most of the story," she went on, her voice a bit uneven. "Fuck, Nate..."

"It's done," Nathan whispered, his voice still rough. Not going to do what he wanted, here. Couldn't, really. The instant he let go, he'd be falling asleep again, and he still wasn't convinced that he wouldn't wake up back at Mistra. It just wasn't sinking in yet. Logic was still fighting that battle. "Don't... dwell."

"Don't--" She cut herself off, swallowing again. Calm, she had to stay calm. Didn't want to put too much stress on him by projecting all over the place. "Okay. I'll try." Her voice only wavered a bit. She was moderately proud of herself.

"Where's GW?" He wanted them both here, a small, petulant part of his mind complained. Both of them, and Moira.

"Coming. He'll be here tomorrow." Domino took a deep breath, trying to let the tension drain away. "Can I get you any water or anything?" she asked very softly. "Moira said you've been asleep for a while again."

"No. I'm fine..."

"You're not fine." Her voice was still quiet, but her tone was vehement. She saw him shiver at it, but she wouldn't have taken it back even if she could. "Let's not play stupid games, okay?" She was shaking herself, just a little. "I won't push, but you don't need to lie to me. I know you're not fine."

Nathan swallowed, but didn't look back at her. Couldn't. "They were in my head." The words slipped out before he could stop them, low and strained and fuck, he was falling asleep again. "In my head... twisting everything around..."

"I know." She was not going to cry. Was not.

"Almost..." Charles, seen through the sniper rifle. The SUV flying at Pete. Nathan squeezed his eyes shut, struggling with the lassitude that was now very determinedly creeping over him. "Glad you... weren't here," he whispered raggedly, knowing that he was done for, now that he'd let himself go there. The art exhibit was one of the places his mind wasn't supposed to go yet. He'd figured that much out. "Bad enough... putting Pete in that position. If it had been you..."

"I wouldn't have done it." Her voice did break this time. "I couldn't have."

"You would've..." He sighed, his muscles relaxing despite his best efforts to stay awake, to stay focused. "Know you would've. Would've wanted you to..."

Something all too close to a strangled sob escaped her, but he was already asleep, his chest rising and falling in a regular, if slightly shallow rhythm. Tears trickling down her cheeks, Domino leaned over and kissed him lightly on the forehead.

She'd stay with him until Moira got back. And then, since all the people who needed to die slowly and horribly over this were well beyond her reach at the moment, she needed to find something to break.