Laurel waited for Nic to reply and when he didn't she sighed again, "He's always been a sensitive soul." she stated quietly, "He never recovered from my mom leaving us and when my sister... died... he lost it." she explained, voice and expression remarkably calm, "To be honest, I was almost glad when he slipped into a coma... he was in such a deep depression, it was hard to watch."

Nic sighed a little, but didn't say anything more.

"I... don't know what his mental state will be like when he wakes." she explained, "That's why I need to be there. I'm the only thing he loves right now, he'd probably give up on life if I wasn't with him." she murmured, eyes still focused sadly on Nic.

Nic looked a little annoyed. "I doubt James will let you stay long," he replied. "And he won't be able to return to the states for a few months at least."

Laurel swallowed, "Then I guess... I won't be back for a few months." she said quietly, "I've told you before, Nic, that I can't lose another family member. I won't leave him, not unless I'm sure he'll be alright on his own. I don't care what I have to do... if I feel my dad will slip back into a coma or injure himself, I won't go." she stated firmly.

Nic rolled his eyes a little. "Whatever," he replied. "It's James you have to convince, not me."

Laurel's eyes were burning but she didn't retort. Instead she took a sip from a bottle of water that was beside her and sat back a little. "What have you been up to?" she finally asked, eyes simmering back to normal.

"... Not much," Nic replied. He didn't appear to have noticed anything.

Laurel nodded and then began to laugh as Amela popped up onto Nic's shoulder and into the frame. She realized she hadn't laughed in awhile. "Are you eating well?" she asked Nic though she was looking at the monkey which was chewing on Nic's ear.

Nic was really good at ignoring Amela by now. "Yes," Nic replied, putting the towel over his shoulder again.

Laurel nodded again, stopping her giggles as she smiled slightly at Nic, "You know it isn't the same without you here." she told him, "I miss you."

Nic's usual blank expression didn't change as he tried to pry Amela off his ear.

"I think we all do. Even though you always tell me you're 'no fun.'" Laurel continued, used to his blank reaction, "James has been bugging Yue pretty much nonstop since you're not around." she chuckled.

Amela let out her typical high pitched squeal right into Nic's ear.

Nic's face became annoyed again as Amela squealed. "Don't you have something better to be doing?" he asked the monkey.

"Amela!" Laurel chastised and instantly the monkey froze, looking around for Laurel. Laurel blinked before chuckling again, "Amela, over here!" she called and the monkey stared at the computer screen, very confused.

Nic took the opportunity to pry Amela off his ear.