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A doctor came in later, speaking in medical terms that Nick couldn’t Google because he was technically still grounded and the internet on his phone was blocked. They thought Nick’s dad was going to be fine, but they were still going to run some more tests to make sure. Dad tried to argue, especially when he found out he wasn’t going to be going home for a few days, but eventually, agreed to start with a CT scan and go from there. He only agreed after Nick had threatened to leave him there and make Dad a ward of the state, but still. Nick would take grudging victories any day of the week.

The doctor said the best thing was rest, and that he should sleep. Nick panicked briefly, sure that was a terrible idea, because people with concussionsweren’tsupposed to sleep. The doctor, oblivious to who Nick actually was, said rather sardonically that maybe Nick should allow him to be a doctor and make decisions when it came to the care of his patient.

Dad whispered hoarsely that it probably wasn’t the best thing to say.

Nick was well aware of his lack of a medical degree. But he had read many, many fics about people getting head injuries and not being allowed to sleep, and he trusted them far more than he did this stranger who seemed to consider Nick a nuisance more than anything else. Becky—who had apparently been on her way home after working nearly twenty-four hours—managed to stop Nick mid-rant (in which he was threatening to have the doctor’s license revoked, thehack) and she reminded him that doctors, while not exactly the most empathetic of individuals, tended to know what they were talking about.

Nick was of the mind that Becky had betrayed the Hippocratic oath.

She told him that was only for doctors, but that she wanted nothing but the best for him and his dad.

Nick got a little weepy again.

Becky hugged him.

Nick told her to go home, and she looked like she’d been hit by a truck.

Dad was asleep by the time he’d turned back around, a small smile on his face.

He was sitting with Mary in the waiting room when Cap arrived, looking a little worse for wear. Dad was getting his scans done. He’d been grumpy about being woken up, and that made Nick feel better. Especially when, with a scowl on his face, he’d reassured Nick he remembered who his son was.

Cap kissed his wife, then said, “Stand up, Nick.”

Nick did. Cap was the chief, after all.

Cap hugged him.

Nick hugged him back.

“Told you, didn’t I?” Cap said quietly. “Hardheaded, your dad. Wouldn’t let this take him away. He’s got too much waiting for him back at home.”

“You better give him desk duty for the foreseeable future,” Nick mumbled as Cap finally let him go.

“You got it, Nicky. Why are you out here?”

“Aaron’s getting scanned,” Mary said as Cap slumped into the chair next to her. He was in uniform, and he pulled his hat off his head, setting it in his lap. His mustache fluttered as he huffed out a breath. “Should be back shortly.”

“Good, good. Going to have some words, he and I.”

“Can I watch?” Nick asked.

“Sure.”

“Rodney.”

“Maybe not, Nick.”

Mary patted Nick on the hand when he muttered threats under his breath.

“The woman?” Cap asked.

“Seems to be okay,” Mary said, taking her husband’s hand in hers. “Baby’s fine too.”

Nick didn’t know what they were talking about. “What woman? Whose baby?”

Cap grunted. “The one your dad rescued before he got himself hurt. She’s here too.”

And Nick… didn’t know what to think about that. He knew she wasn’t to blame for what happened. She’d been looking for a place to stay. She hadn’t asked to be trapped in the middle of a battle between Extraordinaries who—