Kat woke up to such intense nausea from drinking too much she had to bolt right to the bathroom. She leaned over the toilet bowl, retching, her throat burning as the alcohol from hours ago emptied from her stomach. She pushed her hair out of her face but it kept falling in front of her again until Nex came up behind her and held it back. She reached a pausing point in the vomiting but couldn't bring herself to lift her head up.

"Don't do that," she muttered, squeezing her eyes shut. "I don't want you to see me like this."

"Too late," Nex said simply. "I'm not going anywhere."

Kat wanted to speak more but she felt it again, the bile rising in her throat. She gripped the toilet and retched again. Nex stayed until it seemed like she was done. She was curled up on the floor next to the toilet, clutching her stomach.

"I'm never drinking again," she groaned.

"Everyone says that and people rarely do," Nex said, brushing her hair off her clammy forehead. "Are you done?"

"I think so," Kat said, trying to sit up.

"I think you need some food," he said, helping her sit back against the bathtub.

"Ugh, no," Kat said, burying her face in her hands.

"French fries are a hangover miracle," Nex countered.

Kat considered a moment. She rarely ate fast food but she could this one time. She looked over at him and nodded weakly. He set his hand on her back, rubbing his thumb back and forth in a soothing way that had Kat relaxing just a little.

"I'm going to shower," Kat said, lifting her head up.

Nex stood and offered his hands. She placed hers in his and he slowly helped her up. She gripped her throbbing head and winced as she stumbled to the sink and grabbed mouthwash. She thoroughly cleaned out her mouth with that and a toothbrush then leaned against the counter, squeezing her eyes shut as everything seemed too bright.

"Just get in the shower, Katherine. I'll get clothes for you," he said, setting his hand on her shoulders and turning her to the shower.

Kat wanted to argue but she also didn't want to think or move too much so she just nodded. He left the bathroom and she stripped down and got in the shower. Once she was all done she peaked out from the curtain and was surprised to see clothes neatly piled on her counter. She hadn't even heard him come in.

Part of her was concerned what of her clothes he would pick but when she picked them up she almost managed a smile. He got her leggings and a big, warm sweater. It was actually just what she wanted today, to feel covered and wrapped up.

She got dressed and made her way out of the bathroom and bedroom and into the living room. Nex was seated at the couch, a fast food bag and take out cup sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch. She still couldn't get over how fast he moved.

Kat shuffled over, placing her hand over forehead where the pain seemed to gain power. She plopped down on the couch and closed her eyes a moment. When she opened them, Nex was holding out the cup and painkillers.

"The caffeine in the soda will help. You can stand to be unhealthy for one morning," he said.

Kat sighed and took the pills with the soda, sipping out of the straw slowly to test how it would hit her stomach. Better than she thought. Nex handed over the bag that contained French fries and she started off slowly, just nibbling on them to test the effect on her stomach.

Surprisingly, both seemed to be just what she needed. She ate a little faster and the headache started to fade but the horrible feelings from last night returned. It was strange, how they seemed to go away enough last night for her to sleep mostly peacefully but now they were coming back. Before she knew it, her eyes filled up with tears so fast they started running down her face.

"Come here," Nex said, opening his arms and turning towards her on the couch.

Kat was too upset to worry how he would take it or what position it would put them in so she just scooted over and laid between his legs, placing her head in his chest. He seemed to read her mind when he pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and draped it over her before wrapping his arms around her.

They stayed like that for the rest of the day and the next. Kat called into work at Nex's insistence and he even convinced her to eat a lot more ice cream doused in chocolate and whip cream than she ever did before. She spent nearly the whole weekend on the couch watching TV and crying while Nex stayed with her, never leaving her side and rarely without his arms around her.

Sunday night, Kat was falling asleep on the couch so Nex lifted her and carried her to the bed. He laid her down and laid next to her, facing her. Her eyes fluttered open and started filling with tears again.

"I don't want to go to class tomorrow," she whispered. "I have class with him and rehearsal with both of them."

"I understand why you don't want to go," Nex said, scooting closer and bringing his hand up to her cheek. "But you should. Don't let them keep you down. Don't give them that power," he said, brushing her hair back. "I'll come with you but you shouldn't miss class and you definitely shouldn't miss rehearsal. It's important to you, don't let them take that away from you."

"I'm worried they're going to talk about me to the rest of the cast," Kat admitted, her lip trembling.

"Kitten," Nex said, moving closer and wrapping his arm around her, tucking her head under his chin. "Trust me when I say it's not an issue anymore. I took care of it."

"You keep saying that but I don't know what you mean," Kat said, resting her cheek against his chest.

"Don't worry about what it means. Just trust me," he said, kissing her head.

There was something in his tone and presence that gave her enough confidence to go the next day. She was tense as she walked in the door although Nex was there with his hand on her back. Her eyes couldn't help but dart around the room for Jason but she didn't see him. She wasn't sure if that made her feel better or worse, to not know where he was.

She sat in her usual seat and Nex sat next to her, leaving his hand on her back all throughout class as she took notes. Initially she thought she wouldn't be able to stand anyone touching her for a while but Nex had a way of touching her that didn't leave her uncomfortable. He hadn't so much as made a dirty joke the entire weekend and although his display of affection may have looked like something more to someone else, he was careful about the way he touched her, never going too low on her back, never doing anything even close to inappropriate. Kat didn't know he was capable.

Class finished and her stomach became a mess of nerves, twisting uncomfortably and making her feel slightly ill as they made their way towards the theater. Nex walked with her, wrapping his arm around her waist as they entered the building, keeping her closer to him.

They walked backstage and Kat almost turned around to leave. Nex kept his grip on her and urged her forward. Other students were standing around whispering and she was terrified to know what exactly they were whispering about. Kat thought she might be sick when one approached her.

"Did you hear about what happened?" The girl asked.

"No," Kat said, swallowing hard.

"Apparently Ashley slept with the director to get the part so he's fired and they're redoing auditions!"

Kat's eyes widened and she couldn't form words. That wasn't what she expected to hear them whispering about.

"That explains what's wrong with Ashley but what's Jason's problem?" Another student said.

Kat stiffened at the mention of his name and hesitantly looked over where the students were looking. Both Ashley and Jason were slumped against the wall, white as ghosts, looking sick and visibly shaking. Kat frowned in confusion, frowning even more when Jason looked over at her and immediately dropped his head, fear going over his face.

"Something weird is going on," Kat said quietly, turning to Nex.

"I wouldn't worry about it too much," Nex said, setting both hands on her waist and looking at her seriously. "You have to audition for that part again."

"I'm not ready, I didn't prepare," Kat said, biting her lip. "Plus I'm not exactly full of confidence right now."

"You should be, kitten," Nex said, tucking her hair behind her ear. "You have a lot of talent. You should sing this time."

"Sing? No way," Kat said, shaking her head.

"Yes way," Nex said, pressing his forehead against hers. "You've got this. You want the part, don't you?"

"Well, yeah, I guess. I don't know. If they're redoing the parts then I could just get out of it and not have to be around those two," she said, nodding to Ashley and Jason.

"Something tells me that won't be a problem," Nex said, smiling lightly.

Kat frowned in confusion and stiffened when just a few moments later both Ashley and Jason clambered to their feet and started heading her way. She moved to take a step back but Nex held her in place.

"Stand your ground, kitten. Let them see they mean nothing. They don't hold the power, you do," he said, stepping aside but keeping a hand on her as they approached.

"Kat," Jason said shakily, not looking her in the eye. "I'm really really s-sorry for what we did," he stammered out. "Really sorry," he said before stuffing his hands in his pockets and bolting past her.

"Yeah, I'm sorry," Ashley said, wrapping her arms around herself. "R-really sorry," she stuttered, also rushing past Kat and heading for the same door Jason went out.

"Ash, aren't you going to try out?" One of the students asked.

"N-no," Ashley said, her eyes filling with tears before she turned and went out the door.

"What the..." Kat said, staring at the door in confusion.

"Look at that. No need to avoid it now," Nex said simply. "You should sing."

"Did you..." Kat trailed off, looking at him curiously.

"Did I what?" Nex asked innocently.

"Nothing," Kat frowned, darting her eyes away.

Kat tried to make sense of what happened and part of her strongly suspected Nex held the answer. He said he took care of it but he didn't say how and she knew he couldn't hurt them unless she let him but Jason and Ashley looked like they'd seen a ghost. Kat's eyes widened again. Or a demon...

She turned to Nex, ready to ask him when someone else walked in, carrying a briefcase and glancing around at the students. "Everyone quiet down. I'm professor Ladlow, your new director. Let's get this sign-up sheet going so we can start auditions," he said, setting down a piece of paper on the nearby table.

"That's your cue," Nex said, gently nudging her forward. "You've got this. Don't be nervous. I'll be here the whole time."