Niki was pacing by the time Nathan finally picked up the phone, the drink was in her hand splashing over the rim of the glass onto her hand as she held it. Once she heard his voice, she suddenly felt bad because he sounded so haggard, but she also felt relieved to be hearing his voice suddenly on the other end.

"Nathan! It's...it's Niki..." Tentatively she spoke her next words, "are you okay? You sound terrible."