Tadashi sat straight up in bed. His chest felt tight and he struggled to get a deep breath to calm himself. The room spun before his eyes for a moment from bolting straight so fast. The room was pitch black and Tadashi fell back against the pillows. As a minute passed he was able to breathe easier but his chest was still clenched tight for a different reason. Not distress but something much deeper. In particular, fear of being left alone. Hiro and Aunt Cass had been constant features in his life. Tadashi couldn't imagine being without them. The wee hours of the morning brought forth many memories.

Ten year old Tadashi crept out of his room and bit his lip before tiptoeing out into the hall. It had been only a month since his parents died and he was having awful nightmares about losing his beloved Aunt Cass and Hiro who was only three. Tadashi dragged his feet to see Aunt Cass who was sound asleep in her room. It reassured Tadashi enough that he turned to go back to his bed. But Tadashi had to see Hiro, just in case Hiro needed him. After all, they only had each other. Quiet music was playing for the sleeping toddler and Tadashi walked over to the crib to see Hiro sound asleep, sucking on his thumb. Tadashi reached down and brushed Hiro's hair gently away, making sure that he didn't wake him. He had watched his mother care for Hiro and remembered how careful she was. That memory did little to comfort Tadashi but instead only brought back pain. He was constantly craving his mom's sweet touch and his dad's firm hugs. Tadashi whimpered a little thinking of the fun they used to have. Fun they'd have as a complete family. If there was one person Tadashi was never going to lose, it was Hiro. He was Tadashi's responsibility now.

Tadashi took a deep breath to calm his hasty heart. It had been a long time since he had dreamed anything like that. Tadashi sighed softly, he had been so scared when his parents had died. Scared to be all by himself. But he had almost left Hiro in that same position. Tadashi never imagined this would have happened to him. He wasn't reckless by nature, and he usually took every precaution to make sure he wouldn't endanger himself. Yet he had done just that. He ran into that awful fire and nearly died. He jeopardized his life promise to Hiro, to never leave him alone. Tadashi covered his face and began to shake. He wanted to go home and hug his Aunt Cass until he calmed, just like he had when he was ten. It hurt his aching bones to shake so he slowly internalized it all and tried to go back to sleep.

Needless to say, Tadashi didn't sleep well for the rest of the night. Instead of a nice restful sleep, he dozed until 7am when nurses came in. The nurses did their routine check ups then left to get his breakfast. A somewhat chipper voice greeted him from the other side of the curtain, "Good morning, Tadashi. Are you up yet?"

"Yeah, I am awake." His voice sounded very tired and almost sad. Carter asked quietly, "You okay? Did you sleep alright?"

"Only until 2am. Just had a bad night." Carter nodded, "Are you going to nap today?"

Tadashi didn't want to go anywhere near sleep. Sleep hadn't been calming but instead made him feel more tired, "I probably will." He shrugged and laid quiet. Carter could tell that Tadashi was exhausted and decided to turn on the television. There was no need to bother Tadashi. He glanced at the curtain thinking that some days he wished it didn't exist. Then on others the curtain made Carter feel safe. Safe from disappointing Tadashi. How? That Carter didn't know. Carter didn't know why he was so concerned with Tadashi's opinion but deep down Carter felt that Tadashi was going to be very important. Soon he heard familiar voices and his two sisters bounded over to his bed, passing Tadashi without noticing him. A middle aged lady and man followed the girls. Both sent Tadashi a cordial smile at which he smiled back before closing his eyes, listening to the family's discussion.

"Hi, Mom." Carter accepted the gentle kiss from the woman. "Hello, Carter. How are you feeling?"

"Just fine. I think I'll be ready to come soon."

Tadashi heard the man's deeper voice, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Carter. The doctor may have something else to test." Richard Stimson advised. Carter sighed, "I know, Dad." Then Carter smiled a little, "Tadashi is making the stay a lot easier." Claire asked, "Who's Tadashi? Is it the one-armed man?" Carter nodded to her, "Yes, Claire. It's my roommate. But he's really nice. Please meet him?" He asked his parents. "He even has a younger brother who is Joan's age." Richard looked at his wife, Miriam, and she smiled at Carter, "Of course." Carter smiled a little and his little sisters entertained themselves while the adults talked. Doctor Ito came by, "Carter, you're just about ready to go home. Your blood levels are getting back up to par so maybe in one or two days?"

"Oh, that'd be wonderful." Miriam rubbed Carter's shoulder happily. The doctor nodded, "Yes, ma'am. If we check him and everything works out then he'll be free to go. Hopefully you'll not be back until your next appointment." Carter agreed, "I'll try my best, Doc." The doctor bowed his head over his notes, and finding nothing else to say, bid his goodbye to the family. Richard shared a happy glance with his wife and they made plans to come and visit Carter the next day. "Claire and Joan need new school clothes so we'll be off to the mall."

Carter nodded, "Don't forget to meet my new roommate." His smile was bright and his eyes were excited, so how could his mother deny his wish? She peeked around the corner and saw Tadashi staring aimlessly at the wall opposite his bed. Miriam started, "I am Miriam, Carter's mother. It's nice to meet you, Tadashi." When she started speaking Tadashi shifted his tired gaze and smiled, holding out his good hand to shake, "Nice to meet you, ma'am. Your son is very nice and it's a pleasure to be his roommate."

Carter smiled a little more and Richard went to stand next to his wife, "That's kind of you to say. Richard Stimson." The man shook Tadashi's hand and took a look at the young man's looks. Tadashi's face was young and boyish but there was a long ugly scar present which spoke of a painful hardship. Tadashi's hair was long and unkempt but all his features were strong and defined. As Richard's eyes drifted downward he saw a prosthetic in place of his right arm laying near his stomach. Miriam was in the middle of introducing their two girls when Tadashi smiled more, "Looks like Carter has a very caring family. Glad I met you and I hope it won't be the last time."

Eventually the Stimson family bid Carter goodbye and waved to Tadashi on their way out. "Your family seems really sweet." Tadashi commented after the family had exited. Carter smiled and nodded, an affirmative "hm" was heard before he continued, "They're alright." The boy didn't know how much talking Tadashi wanted so he reserved the extensive descriptions and opinions of his family to himself. "Tell me about them." Tadashi said, his tone signaling a smile.