Nic didn't reply, presumably getting wrapped up in whatever he was working on again.

Frei stared at his back a moment longer before continuing, "Don’t you ever wonder why she fell so easily into this role as your servant?" she asked harshly, "Cleaning and cooking, taking care of your every need, expecting nothing in return from you? She’s used to it." her voice raised slightly, "It’s natural for her because you’re acting just like her father, Nic."

"Get out," Nic suddenly snapped at Frei. "I need quiet to work."

Frei stared at Nic for long moment before slowly standing, "You're lucky it was Laurel who fell for you. No other woman would put up with this." she stated before leaving as he asked.

---

In the morning, Laurel woke with a rather large groan. The little light making it through the window irritated her as she rolled over and stuck her head under the blankets. She shivered a little as well, realizing she was cold.

--

Kale was waking for a final test before the move in two days. He slowly came around again, frowning as the pain came back.

It looked like Nic had been up all night working on his computer. He didn't notice Laurel stirring.

--

Like before, Blaze sat beside him, holding his hand.

Then suddenly Laurel shot out of bed and sprinted to the bathroom on unstable legs. From the sound of it, she'd barely made it.

Frei went into Raven's room without knocking.

--

Kale blinked his eyes open quicker this time, finding hers immediately. Again, he seemed content just to stare at her.

After a few moments, Nic went to check on Laurel with some water and a small bottle of tablets.

Raven was sound a sleep, snoring lightly.

--

Blaze didn't seem to mind.

Laurel was sitting by the toilet, it looked like she was too tired to bother moving as she rested her head against the cool wall. She glanced up at Nic approached but said nothing.

So Frei took a seat on his couch and stared at him.

--

Eventually Kale's mouth opened. It seemed very labored but eventually he got out the word he was trying to say. "S... ugar?"

Nic sat down quietly by the wall, offering her the water.

Raven continued to sleep.

--

Blaze glanced over at the doctor.

Laurel turned her head to follow him with her eyes but winced at the movement and leaned back against the wall again. She muttered something that didn't sound pleasant under the breath as she slowly reached out and took the water.

--

The doctor chuckled as he shook her head. Underneath the face of pain, Kale seemed to be pouting.

Nic didn't say anything. Waiting for her to take a few sips before silently handing her a tablet from the bottle.

--

Blaze stared at his face for a moment before reaching out with her free hand and gently pinching his nose.

Laurel looked at the pill for a moment before managing to glance over at Nic with a questioning expression.

--

Kale snorted a little but then sighed, giving it and seemed to be content again.

Nic gave her a 'trust me' expression since speaking was probably a bad idea.

Laurel nodded slightly then instantly regretted it as she grimaced and quickly swallowed the pill with a sip of water.

It wasn't specifically for hangovers, but it did a decent job of helping fairly quickly. The tablet began to settle her stomach almost instantly, and it helped clear up her head. It also released some of the tension in her muscles, helping her relax.

Laurel let out a small sigh of relief as she slowly leaned over and rested her head against Nic's shoulder.

--

Kale slowly seemed to frown as he continued to take Blaze in. "You..." he barely whispered, "okay?"

Blaze nodded.

Kale paused then nodded ever so slightly and squeezed her hand.

--

Frei finally walked over to Raven and pressed a pressure point in his wrist.

Blaze squeezed his hand back.

--

"Nic did it," Raven claimed as he jolted awake.

Kale gestured for her to come closer.

--

Frei looked confused.

So Blaze got a little closer.

--

It took Raven a moment to recover. "... You know there are nicer ways to wake someone up," he complained as he rubbed his wrist.

Kale gestured again.

--

Frei's calm and blank mask was still very much in place, but Raven could see the anger she was struggling to control right below the surface. She probably hadn't slept.

So she got a little closer, not really getting it.

--

Raven sighed a little, waiting to see if she'd talk.

Kale gestured a third time.

--

"I greatly dislike Nic." Frei suddenly said in a cold voice.

So she inched a little closer, looking unsure.

--

Raven sighed. "That's fine," he told Frei. "But we have to put up with him while we're all stuck in this mess."

When she got close enough, Kale kissed her lips lightly.

--

"He's not good enough for Laurel." she replied, clearly furious.

Blaze was a little startled like she honestly hadn't been expecting it.

--

"... Well... there's still a lot we don't know about him," Raven replied, almost like he was taking Nic's side. "Give him a chance."

Kale looked a bit smug.

--

"He has too many secrets from her." Frei argued back.

Blaze didn't say anything, a little embarrassed now.

--

"She'll figure them out," Raven replied.

Kale figured his job was done as he closed his eyes once more, tiring out.

--

Frei stared at Raven for a long moment, "And you think she's strong enough to handle them?" she inquired.

Blaze let him be.

--

Raven shrugged. "She's pretty tough."

And as the pain got to be too much once more, the smiling doctors put him back under. One of them winked at Blaze as they left.

--

Frei sighed a little, "She'll forgive everything. That's just how she is." she muttered, "She deserves so much better than that..." and the day kept getting more surprising as Frei uttered a string of foul oaths.

Blaze seemed to be over it by then.

--

Raven was speechless for awhile. He was about to ask where she learned those, but thought better of it. "... Well, maybe you're right," he replied. "But love does crazy things to you."

"You've already seen evidence of the crazy things Laurel does for love." she said simply and a little cynically.

"We'll keep an eye on her," Raven reassured Frei.

Frei still appeared to be upset but then suddenly she winced, putting a hand on her forehead. Instantly she closed her eyes, breathing slowing into a steady pace.

"... You alright?" Raven asked.

Frei continued to breath slowly, after another moment or two she open her eyes and climbed up onto the bed. She fixed herself cross-legged and closed her eyes once more. She appeared to be meditating.

After awhile, Raven let her be and laid back down to get a few more minutes sleep.

After eventually getting back into bed and resting, Laurel started to feel better. The pill seemed to help with the light irritation because she managed to sleep for a bit longer. A few hours later she was able to sit up without pain in her head and she slowly stretched, testing her body out. She seemed to be feeling more like herself.