Spoiled

Rick pauses his work to give Misty a look of reassurance. He knew this wasn't easy for her. "I'm not sure yet what's wrong. He collapsed a while ago - blacked out. I'm just trying to rule out anything like a stroke or heart problem, but my gut says he had a hefty anxiety attack. I don't think he's been taking very good care of himself." 

Sighing, he stops a moment with his arms full before aiming for the door and looking over his shoulder. "I'm not sure how long he'll be here. I expect a day or two. If I can accomplish that with the stubborn Aussie, I'll be doing well."

Giving her a little nod, he finally leaves and goes to the spare room. Upon entering, he's a little surprised to see Carson already lying down. He really must not be feeling well. "Alright, Carson... lets have a looksee." Setting down some of the items he'd brought, he glances at Nate. "I think I'm good for now. Thank you for your help."

...It would take a while, and several trips back and forth to the infirmary, but in the end, Rick had his diagnosis, along with a sleeping patient. Returning to his desk in the infirmary, he sits down and sighs wearily. "Well..." He looks to Misty knowing that even if this was upsetting, that she'd probably want to know what was going on. "He's dehydrated and a bit malnourished. I've got him on an IV for a while. From what I can tell, it was an anxiety attack like I thought. His blood pressure is through the roof - I'm pretty sure it's just from stress. I gave him something to help him sleep - or rather, make him sleep since he didn't want to stay." He gives her a wry grin. "You know how he loves needles. But... he's out for a while. I'll go check on him again in an hour or so." 

Alec listens quietly, enjoying hearing about Ryan's racing and that she was doing well. Just hearing her voice was like a warm summer breeze, wrapping him in a strange sort of comfort. He had missed that voice. That smile. Those eyes. Everything. 

As she speaks of Tal though his eyes drop back down to his coffee. Oh yes. Tal. For such a very short moment, he had almost forgotten that Ryan had love in her life. Love for another man. And deep down, the pain returns. 

Forcing himself to look up again though, he gives her a small smile. "I'm... really glad that he's doing well. There's a lot of things I deeply regret and... hurting him is one of them." He swallows hard. "I'm glad you're happy though... you deserve it." No matter how much it hurt, he really was glad she had someone to love and love her back. 

"Maybe it was supposed to be this way, huh?" He manages to hold his smile, even if it was a bit crooked. "I guess in the end, you... wound up with the better man."

Taking a deep breath, he nods and takes another swallow of his hot coffee. Yes... Tal was the better man. And Ryan was better off. Setting his cup down again, he lifts his eyes once more, unable to help but take another look at her sparkling gaze. "I don't think I could ever find somebody else though," he admits quietly. "You spoiled me by being the best, and... my heart just refuses to forget." 

Jared can't help a light chuckle at the pictures. "Mmm, I think that was a trip to Florida. I remember it 'cause it was the first time I'd been on a plane. Justin was fine... I was the one with the barf bag." He rolls his eyes. "After that I hated flying. Had a good  time while in Florida though." 

Glancing to the side and seeing Grace's mouth needed to be wiped, a grin emerges. Taking his thumb, he reaches over and wipes around her lips. "I have to say that I've never really gone for women with mustaches..."