Sara responds to a commotion in Milo's room, where he has knocked his lunch tray to the floor in pain-fueled frustration. She finds his mother Teresa overwhelmed and tearful, and gently gives her a purpose by sending her to the cafeteria for a milkshake, promising to stay with Milo. Sara recognizes Teresa as a caring mother and reassures her that Milo's behavior is the pain talking.

Alone with Milo, Sara begins cleaning up despite his protests. His father Kirk briefly returns to share that someone named Jess is out of the woods, raising Sara's curiosity. After Kirk leaves, Milo confides he wishes his parents would go home because he feels guilty. Sara snaps that he is lucky to have them, then immediately regrets overstepping and retreats to gather supplies.

Returning, both apologize. While changing Milo's dressings, Sara explains the tea light from his neighbor Luna and the meaning of the 'Candle Palace,' which Milo finds clever. Sara grows increasingly aware of her physical attraction to him—his voice, scent, and body—and recognizes she is no longer behaving like a detached professional. She resolves to request a different patient assignment from Kym tomorrow, rationalizing it as a way to protect her job and her heart.

Dr. Vernon performs a long, painful debridement of Milo's arms, finding the damage worse than expected and warning Sara to closely monitor fluids. Vernon touches Sara's arm in a gesture she chooses to interpret as platonic, deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt. Sara pushes Milo to eat and drink, and he sleeps through the rest of her shift.

At day's end, Sara stops by Milo's room to say goodbye. He reveals he has sent his parents back to Montana. As she turns to leave—planning to no longer be his nurse—Milo grasps her elbow, sending an electric jolt through her, and asks her to sit with him as she once did with Luna. Despite knowing the right answer is no, Sara says yes.