Nicolas looked down at her, seeing the fear in her expression. He knew this kind of fear. He sat and listen to her explanation, and he knew all about running. Only he'd run away for himself. He couldn't face his parents knowing the standards he'd been facing his entire life. No friends, no relatives, locked up all his childhood... Thinking the whole world was a harsh, cold place, he never spoke to anyone, even in college. "Please don't send my baby back out in the snow." Now this woman sits in front of him, ready to leave as long as her baby is safe, sacrificing herself.<span style="font-style: italic">I haven't seen this kind of compassion in a long time... I thought everyone was like THEM...</span>His face drew a hard expression, thinking of the past as he looked into this broken woman's eyes, seeing himself when he was in her place, alone and scared.<span style="font-style: italic">Surely to God I can't send the baby out there, and I couldn't make this woman leave her baby and keep a clear conscious. I have nothing to she can steal, and even if I did she couldn't make it anywhere with it.</span><br/><br/>He finally spoke up, "You can stay for the time being. I only have one bed that I<span style="font-style: italic">would</span>let you have, but judging by your condition you'll be better off in front of the fire until you warm up. Give me just a second." He walked off to his bedroom closet for a few blankets. Looking down from the top shelf at the blankets to his hung up clothes, he thought to himself,<span style="font-style: italic">Her clothes are soaked from the snow... I know that feeling, and I don't think that would help her condition...</span>He grabbed an older, dry sweater of his own and a pair of his own sweat pants.<span style="font-style: italic">I may or may not regret this come tomorrow, but I surely know how she feels right now...</span>As he came back in the room, he pat Coal on the head and sent her off to her bed as he sat in his chair. "Here. You could probably use these," handing her the blankets and dry clothes as he continued, "I don't generally allow too many people in my home. In fact, you're the first that I haven't run off." Pausing for a moment as he looked into her tired eyes again, "You can't stay here forever, but I know you won't make it to any civilization if I send you back out there. I don't know who you're running from, but I don't think he'll find you out here. I'm surprised you found this place." He stroked his beard in thought for a moment.<span style="font-style: italic">More importantly, was she <span style="font-weight: bold">meant</span> to find this place...</span><br/><br/>"I'm sure you're tired, considering how far the road is from here." Nicolas stood up, "I'm off to bed. It's already pitch black outside. You may be better off holding the blankets in front of the fire to warm them up first. You can let your wet clothes dry by it overnight. Those clothes are probably ten sizes too big, but they're better than what you have on." He turned to walk out of the room, wondering who this woman was and why she stumbled upon him. He turned and looked back her, "While you're staying here, we may as well not be<span style="font-weight: bold">complete</span>strangers. My name is Nicolas. And you are...?"