A/N: This takes place during "In Vino Veritas." I just love Tucker so much and I couldn't resist writing this. They're not mine but if they were Tucker would be around more often! Enjoy!

Hank Lawson strolled down the now familiar hallways of Hampton's Heritage toward Room 25. When he arrived he knocked as he opened the door. "Hey, Tucker. How ya feeling buddy?"

Tucker Bryant was half-sitting up in the hospital bed, and IV dripping fluid into his arm. "Hey, I'm doing all right."

He looked tired and his voice was still rough from the toxic gas that had poured into his lungs only hours earlier. "How's Ollie?"

"He's breathing on his own," Hank sat in the chair next to the bed. "His parents are with him. He's going to be fine."

Tucker let out a breath and looked up at the ceiling. "I can't believe this happened."

"I can't believe you jumped into that tank when I told you not to," Hank said pointedly.

Tucker managed a half smile as he turned his head to look at Hank. "Lecture time?"

Hank nodded. "Tucker, that was a really bad decision," the doctor told him. "You could have been hurt, badly, or your airway could have closed up like Oliver's. You really need to think clearly in situations like that, not just react."

"I know, I know," Tucker sighed. "But pretend it had been Evan, or Divya down there. Wouldn't you have done the same thing?"

"I'm not questioning your motive, Tucker," Hank told him seriously. "Your heart was absolutely in the right place. But I have to tell you, it kind of scared the crap out of me when you jumped in. Two injuries in one day is pushing it, even for you."

Tucker smiled. "I promise I will never jump into a fermentation tank again."

"Good man," Hank smiled at him. "So…did you call Libby yet?"

"And risk her wrath? I think not," Tucker told him. "I tweeted about it."

Hank winced. "That was probably a poor choice."

As if on cue Tucker's phone began to vibrate. "Are you gonna answer?"

"Like I have a choice," Tucker picked it up. "Hey Lib."

"Tucker? Oh thank God!" Hank could hear Libby even without speaker-phone. "What happened? Are you okay? Why on earth would you tweet something like that?"

"Libby, there was an accident with Ollie. We're both fine. There's no reason for me to even be in the hospital. Hank took good care of us."

"Hank's there? Put him on the phone."

"Libby-"

"Now, Tucker!"

Tucker looked at Hank. "She wants to talk to you."

"So I heard," Hank took the phone. "Hi, Libby."

"Hank, what is going on?" Libby sounded close to tears.

"Libby, Libby, calm down. Breathe honey, you're going to hyperventilate," Hank waited several beats, listening to her take a few shaky breaths. "Are you okay?"

She sniffed. "Yeah. Hank, what is going on? Why is Tucker in the hospital?"

"Oliver had an accident and Tucker helped. He inhaled some fumes and now he's here at the hospital, just as a precaution. He's going to be absolutely fine."

"So this has nothing to do with his hemophilia?"

Tucker's eyes widened as Hank looked at him. "I'm going to let Tucker answer that one," he passed the phone back to his patient.

"Thanks a lot," Tucker mouthed as Hank shrugged helplessly. "Hey Lib."

"Tucker, what isn't Hank telling me?"

"It's nothing Libby, just a little cut on my hand, that's all. I cut it on some broken glass."

"What? Tucker, how could you do that?"

"It was an accident, Libby. Look everything is fine, I promise."

"I'm coming home."

"No! Libby, it's fine. I'll be out of here in a couple hours, no big deal."

"Tucker…"

"I'm fine, Libby. Go make me a friendship bracelet or something."

Libby managed a small laugh. "Okay. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Promise me you'll be safe."

"I promise."

"Bye, Tucker."

"Bye, Libby."

Tucker hung up and looked at Hank. "Gotta love her, right?"

"She's worried about you. And with good reason, Tucker."

Tucker frowned. "I thought you said things were good? I feel fine."

"Except for the headache you're trying to hide from me," Hank observed.

His patient grimaced. "Picked up on that, huh?"

"Please," Hank rolled his eyes, "Give me a little credit here. The nurses also said you didn't eat your dinner."

"Felt kind of nauseous," Tucker admitted, his earlier cheerfulness fading at the knowledge that he wasn't fooling anyone.

"It's not surprising," Hank said. "That's all perfectly normal considering the day you've had. Those toxins will do a number on your system."

"But, I can get out of here soon, right?"

"They're going to keep you over night to make sure there are no complications. You'll be home first thing tomorrow morning."

"And Ollie?"

"He's going to be here a couple days to make sure his new meds are working and then he'll be home too."

"Well, that's good."

Tucker shifted to get more comfortable. Hank could see he was fading quickly. "Listen, Tucker, I think you should come stay with Evan and me. Just for a few days until you're feeling better and can take care of yourself."

"Hank, you really don't have to do that," Tucker protested. "I take care of myself all the time."

"Let me try again. Tucker, you're going to come home with me tomorrow to stay until you're back on your feet."

"Okay, okay, I'm too tired to argue with you," Tucker surrendered.

"Good. I'll pick you up here at 10:00 tomorrow morning," Hank began to rise, not noticing the odd look that flitted across his friend's face.

At that moment his phone rang. "I'll be right back," he said, as he stepped outside to take the call. "Hello?"

"Hank! It's Libby."

Hank smiled. "Seriously, Libby, he's going to be fine."

"No, Hank, it's not that. You have to stay with him."

"Why, Libby?" Hank asked curiously.

"He hates hospitals, Hank. He's been in and out of them since he was little, and a lot of the time he was by himself. He can't stand to be there alone, Hank. You have to stay with him or he'll go crazy. Please, Hank."

"Yeah, yeah, of course, Libby. I'll stay," he assured her.

"Thanks, Hank," Libby's voice was full of relief. "Take good care of him for me."

"I will," Hank promised. "Bye, Libby."

"Bye."

Hank closed his phone and stood a moment in the hallway, digesting the information he'd just been given before he returned to the room. When he did he found Tucker getting out of bed. "Whoa, hey!" Hank held up his hands to stop him. "What are you doing?"

"I really don't think I need to stay, Hank. I feel a lot better."

Tucker stood, despite Hank's protests, and his knees buckled instantly. Hank caught him before he hit the floor, his heart pounding. "Take it easy. Breathe, Tucker," he commanded as he helped him back onto the bed. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm-I'm good," Tucker said, looking slightly disoriented.

"Here," Hank handed him a glass of water, "drink this."

Tucker took the cup with shaking hands and sipped. After a moment he attempted to smile. "Guess I was wrong, huh?"

"You're fine, Tucker. Just not ready for an early departure. You need to get some rest."

Tucker's eyelids were already drooping as Hank rescued the half-empty cup from his hand. "I am kind of tired," Tucker said sleepily.

"Just let yourself relax."

He helped Tucker get settled back into the bed and then returned to his chair. "Hank," Tucker's eyes opened and he looked at him in desperation, "Will you-would you stay with me?"

Hank's heart broke. "Of course I will. Go to sleep, Tucker. I'll be right here."

At last Tucker allowed himself to relax. Hank watched the young man drifted off to sleep and then reached for his phone. The text he sent was to Evan.

At the hospital with a patient. Don't wait up.

Breaking hospital policy was not something Hank made a regular practice. But for Tucker, he would ignore the rules anytime.

A/N: Any and all reviews are welcome! Thanks for reading!