#I'm not gonna fully comment in the front of my tags anymore but near the end

[perfectpaperbluebirds]

Sicktember #8

Prompt: Persistent Fever

Fandom/OCs: Cowboy ‘verse OCs (Aaron and Katy)

Words: 1900

Sicknario inspo: Checking for a fever post illness from this post, finding your love sick in bed from this post, patient reassuring caregiver from this post, and sick physically imposing character from this post.

Author’s comments/background: I just love these two so much, and it makes me sad to realize I haven't written them since last Sicktember (check out their first fic here). This would be a perfect fic for a "married people shenanigans" tag. They're crazy about each other, and I love writing about couples who are crazy about each other, if you haven't noticed. Would love to get more prompts for the two of them, hint hint.

Fun fact: I believe this is the only fic where I didn’t use the prompt somewhere in it verbatim. 

~~~***~~~

Aaron was kneeling in front of the stove, filling it with wood before bed, when he sensed Katy behind him. Guessing what was coming he paused, and sure enough, her small hand was suddenly pressed against his forehead. He frowned almost imperceptibly.

"I'm gonna feel hot, darlin'. I was jest choppin' wood. 'M all sweaty."

"I know, and I wish yeh wouldn't'a done that with how much ya been shakin'. I coulda done it."

He sat back on his heels and turned to look up at her, the frown deepening. "I'll never 'llow ya ta be choppin' wood while I'm home and able ta stand," he said firmly. "I ain't so sick anymore. Ya don't need ta worry 'bout me so much."

"I'm entitled ta worry if I please. I never saw ya sick like yeh were at first, sweatin' and shakin' and cryin' out. And then ya fall down outta nowhere like ya were dead the first day ya try ta get outta bed, burnin' up like ya were holdin' yer face in the fire. I've had my share of worry these last weeks, so I'm keepin' an eye on ya until further notice, buster."

"It was the second day I was outta bed," Aaron muttered.

"Even more reason, then. Yeh've caught yerself a damn stubborn fever, and I'm not takin' any chances until it's done and gone."

Aaron sighed. "Yer the boss, sugar, like I always say." He brushed his hand near his temple. "My head's still sore from fallin' anyway. I ain't keen ta have it happen again."

"I bet it is." Katy kissed the sore lump on his head tenderly. "Which is why ya need ta take it easy." She ran a hand over her braid distractedly. "I wish I wasn't leaving ya alone tomorrow. But Auntie Sarah's bound 'n determined to go into town tomorrow, and she won't go alone…."

Aaron carefully stood as she spoke, his sense of balance not yet fully returned since his illness, but when he was steady he tilted up her chin with a gentle touch, smoothing away the worry line between her brows with the pad of his thumb. "Quit yer worryin'," he murmured. "I'll be jest fine. Nothin's gonna happen, and yeh'll be back home before ya know it."

"I hope yer right," she sighed. "I don't like goin' ta town as is, an' this jest makes it worse. Tomorrow can't be done soon enough."

~~~

Aaron and Katy were up before the sun the next morning, neither in the mood for much talk. Aaron went out to do the morning chores (since that was the only thing Katy was allowing him to do currently) while his wife got ready for town. He finished the chores just as she finished dressing and primping. Katy watched through the bedroom window as her husband shuffled his way from the barn to the house, already (or still?) looking exhausted. She bit her lip in worry as she yet again noted how pale he still was, and how the deep circles under his eyes had yet to start fading. Despite what he said, he still wasn't himself, and she was at a loss of what to do. 

He made a point to put on a warm smile as soon as he came in the door, and she saw pride and admiration in his gaze as he took in her "dressing up" attire.

"Yeh look mighty fine, Miz Rivard," he murmured, pulling her into his arms and kissing her. 

She pulled away with a giggle. "Leave off, now. Yer gonna muss my dress, an' I jest pressed it," she said, though she flushed and smiled at his earnest praise. 

They both turned to the door just then as they heard Aunt Sarah's wagon roll up and come to a stop. Then they looked back at one another, worry puckering Katy's forehead yet again. 

"Ya be safe now, ya hear?" she murmured. "Don't do nothin' ta exert yerself too much. Ya cain't keel over while I'm not here, or I'll take a switch to ya."

"Don't be threatenin' me with a good time, now," he said, raising an eyebrow rakishly.  Then he laughed when she laughed. "I'll behave, I promise. Think I'll take a lil' lie-down this mornin', then I'll prob'ly dig up yer garden fer winter. I'll take it easy, though, don't ya worry none, my Katydid." 

"Okay," she sighed. 

They both jumped as Aunt Sarah began to holler for Katy, then shared a last smile.

"Behave yerself," Aaron murmured, pressing a handful of money into her palm. "And come home safe. I'll be waitin' up fer ya."

She reached up on tiptoes to press her lips to his forehead. "Take care o' yerself. I'll be back as soon as I can." With a wave, she flew out the door, hollering back to her aunt in greeting. 

Aaron watched wistfully, making sure they got off alright, then wasted no time in shuffling his way back to the bedroom, yawning wearily. 

~~~

It was just past dark when Aunt Sarah dropped Katy off after a successful day of errands. Katy nearly flew to the house once her aunt was out of sight, but she paused on the stoop, for the windows were dark and not a soul was in sight. She glanced at the garden and found it untouched from that morning. What else would Aaron have gotten up to that day if he couldn't get to the vegetables? She hurried to check the barn just in case, but it was quiet and dark, just like the house. 

She ran back to the house now, panic fluttering in her chest, expecting to find her man collapsed on the ground at any moment. 

"I jest knew shoulda had Andrew check on ‘im," she fretted to herself. "What a fool I am. I shoulda never left ‘im alone."

There was no sign of him in the main rooms, and everything looked exactly as it had when she left that morning. She flew to the bedroom, yanking open the door, then breathed a sigh of relief upon finding her husband safe in bed, wrapped in the coverlet and snoring, the moonlight casting the scene in sharp relief. 

She took several deep breaths to calm herself, knowing he would tease her mercilessly if he knew how worked up she'd been. Though she had a right to tease him right back after seeing all this. He'd promised to wait up for her and had fallen asleep before dark like a tired child instead. 

She moved around him quietly, changing into her night dress and brushing her hair for bed, but he didn't stir until she brought a candle to her nightstand so it shone directly in his face. She surveyed him at last as he stirred and mumbled and her heart plummeted again, because she didn't like what she saw at all. The hectic flush of an angry fever covered his cheeks, and the sweaty, tousled hair and blankets indicated that he hadn't left the bed for several hours. 

"Katy," he croaked, his eyes flickering open weakly. 

"Oh ya poor thing," she sighed, reaching out to brush the hair away from his forehead. 

" 'm not feelin' so good again all of a sudden," he mumbled, letting his eyes slip closed under her touch. 

"I cain see that. When'd it start?"

He thought for a minute. "S'pose it was right after ya left. Haven't had the gumption to get outta bed all day. Feelin' weak as water, jest bin sleepin' and sweatin' or shiverin'."

"It's a damn stubborn fever that yeh've caught, an' no mistake." She sighed again. "Alright, jest wait here while I fetch the basin, then."

"I ain't goin' nowhere. Don't think I'm much up to runnin' away jest now," came the weak, teasing response. 

Glancing over her shoulder, Katy saw the old, familiar twinkle in her husband's eyes, faint though it was under fever-shine, and the dimple in his cheek was flickering. Whenever he smiled like that, she couldn't help but smile back.

They passed the next stretch of time in silence as she bathed his face, underarms, neck and chest with cold water, trying to give him any relief from the heat raging beneath his skin. Katy was less worried this time than formerly, though, since he was fully lucid and even somewhat relaxed, just uncomfortable and sick where he had been delirious and restless before. He so rarely got to spend so much time at home, and when he was home he was rushing around to take care of things before he had to leave again, so this rare chance to simply rest and enjoy his company was a treat she was doing her best to savor.

 He had thrown off most of the blanket and she let herself get lost in momentary admiration. His long, lean legs, stretching nearly to the end of the bed, muscled and toned from a life spent on horseback; the various shades of tanning across his skin from years in the sun; the planes of his abdomen and chest and shoulders, smooth skin over rounded muscle, flexing and shifting each time he moved. Even feverish and miserable, he was beautiful, and his beauty distracted her from her worry. 

Eventually the water became too warm to do further good, but by then Aaron seemed marginally cooler and was resting more comfortably, so she set the basin aside. The sick man said he needed nothing further, so his wife at last slipped into bed beside him. He tugged her closer then, shifting to lie his head in her lap with a contented sigh. She began to trail her fingers up and down his back and neck and through his usually close-cropped hair. 

"We need ta give ya a haircut. Ya bin so sick that I ain't had the chance," she murmured, exploring the unfamiliar length around his ears.

"Mm," he hummed, too close to sleep for a true answer. In that same moment a chill wracked him, and he moaned softly as he shivered and shifted in discomfort.

Katy bit her tongue to keep from expressing her worry, but she couldn't keep a sigh from escaping as she pulled the coverlet over him once more. Out of nowhere his hand reached up, even despite the awkward angle, and he smoothed the worry line between her brows with the pad of his thumb.

"Quit yer worryin'," he murmured. "I'll be jest fine. Tried doin' too much the last few days. If I rest like ya bin tellin' me all along, I'll be good as new in a day or two."

She grabbed his hand and clasped it to her chest. "I jest need ya ta be well," she whispered. "I hate seein' ya so sick fer so long. My heart cain't take it."

His low chuckle was a soft rumble against her. "My soft-hearted woman. What would I do without ya. Ain't no way I cain stay under the weather for long with the good care ya bin givin' me."

"That better be a promise," Katy said, kissing his hand. 

"It's a promise, sugar," he murmured as he once again drifted toward sleep.

[mintchocolateleaves]

We’ve Only Just Begun (4/??)

Summary: The world comes to a halt, everything torn apart, All-Might left as dust, Deku the last hero left standing. In this world the villains win. In a fit of desperation, Midoriya Izuku turns the clocks back. In a fit of desperation, he rewrites everything. TimeTravel!AU

[Beginning]     [Previous Chapter]

Before

“They said they'll meet us in Tokyo, right?” Uraraka says, breathless, grief already lacing her voice. Izuku knows well enough that denial will be her coping mechanism.

He also knows from the way she refuses to let herself cry, that her denial will be enough to get them killed. It's how she's gotten the scar that runs down her stomach, a pink raw line that stretches against her leg. He's not going to let her refusal to accept their friends' deaths lead them into any traps.

Not again.

“Uraraka. They're not going to meet us there.”

Her resulting laugh is strained, laced with despair as she turns to face him. She stares – practically begging – for him to go along with the illusion she is attempting to weave.

“Of course they are,” Uraraka mumbles, and there is something akin to hysteria in her voice. It bubbles, rises from her throat, catching on the tip of her tongue. “They're not liars, Deku. They said-”

“They're not liars, no.” Izuku agrees, narrowing his eyes. He pockets the transmitter, bites the inside of his cheek and attempts to think a way around this revelation. It's impossible – there's only one outcome of those raids and they both know it. “They're dead.”

Uraraka recoils at the statement, trips over her feet. Banging her elbow on a piece of rubble she lets out a yelp, alarmed as the rock digs into her skin. The second she recovers from the shock, she scrambles to her feet, glaring through narrowed eyes.

It burns. “We don't know that.”

“Yes,” Izuku replies, “we do.”

Disbelief. Uraraka doesn't look at him, but it's present on her face, pure refusal to believe anything other than the best. Shouldn't she know by now not to be so hopeful?

“They never came back for the transmitter,” he says, voice harsh, not the gentle tone he'd have used once. Maybe he's just tired, maybe he knows he can't be empathetic any more without tearing himself apart, piece by piece. When the silence stretches in on itself, he continues, “they didn't come back for it. And Kacchan's transmitter is offline too.”

“They-”

“They're either dead Uraraka,” Izuku says, firmly, “or as good as dead.”

He offers her a hand, the closest thing to comfort he can give without leaving himself vulnerable. “It's just us now. Let's not waste their information.”

Uraraka nods. Takes his hand before wrapping both arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. She's shorter than he is – has been ever since Izuku had hit that one growth spurt in their third year at U.A – but it's not just her height that makes her seem small. The news has hit, makes her shoulder curl inward.

“Tokyo then,” Uraraka whispers.

“Tokyo.” Izuku agrees.

After

The hero team wins.

Izuku deflates at the words. He feels them like a slap to the face, as if the sting is enough to bring him back to the present moment.

This is not a fight against villains, it's a fight against children. A strategy game intended to make them better at fighting, to turn them from amateurs into full blown heroes. It's not something to be proud of, even if Uraraka's lips lift upwards into a grin as she jumps up and down in excitement.

Heroes don't win, Izuku thinks, as he turns to Uraraka and feigns his own happiness. They always lose – because by the time they show up, something has been stolen, whether it be innocence, or valuables or... or life.

“The losing team is unscathed,” All-Might's voice blasts through the speakers of the training building, something that leaves Izuku's smile thinning into a sad smile, his eyes turning to the rubble around them. How long, he wonders, has it been since a battle has ended without severe injuries. “The winning team, however, seem to be out for the count.”

Izuku turns, glances over at Uraraka. She's on her knees, trying to deal with the queasiness that comes with using her quirk too much. Other than that though, she doesn't look injured. He turns then, glances at one of the surveillance cameras to where he knows All-Might must be watching.

“Oh no, Uraraka's just feeling a bit queasy, she's fine.” He sends a smile and gives the camera a thumbs up, before his expression falters. Then, he tilts his head, “...wait... did you mean me?”

Out of the corner of his eye, he watches as Iida stands up. The boy steps closer, a frown creasing his forehead as he makes his way towards Izuku. He stops in front of him, lips tight in a grimace as he narrows his eyes. Iida says, “of course All-Might is talking about you, you're... you're injured Midoriya!”

Izuku glances down at himself, at that is when it really clicks.

His suit has practically melted, he's severely burnt, and the thing that's been distracting him slightly, is his own pain as each neuron screams at the next, echoing the fact that he's in agony. Well... not so much agony, but Izuku definitely feels it, and has to lock his jaw to keep from reacting.

Izuku waits a moment, counts to five, and then lets out a small laugh. He says, “I'm okay, really. Nothing a bit of ice won't heal.”

The look he receives is nothing short of bafflement. Iida places both hands on Izuku's shoulder, hesitantly, as if to avoid causing any further pain, before saying, “ice reduces swelling, but not to this extent... Midoriya... you need to go to recovery girl.”

Izuku supposes he'll have to, but for now, he's going to help Uraraka up.

“Hey,” he says, offering her a hand, the skin feels raw, but it's doesn't hurt too much when he pulls her up, so he figures he should be fine. “we did great.”

Uraraka sends him a look filled with only doubt. But she is standing, and so is Izuku – and even better yet, the only person actually injured is him – so he decides to negate it. He offers her a grin, pulls her out to where Iida and Bakugou are stood, waiting for All-Might's grading verdict.

Last time, Iida had been the VIP of the match. Izuku doubts it'll turn out any differently.

“No seriously,” he babbles, as they meet with their two classmates, “we couldn't have won without your quirk Uraraka.”

Uraraka smiles, and the movement is shy. Izuku squeezes her hand, offers a smile, before they stop. He wonders how long they'll have to wait for All-Might's verdict, whether he'll be conscious enough after recovery girl uses her quirk on him to watch the other matches his classmates will carry out. Probably not, he's sort of... lacking energy today.

“I've come to my decision,” All-Might says, and his voice is a boom in their ears, too loud for their ear pieces to handle without leaving their ear drums buzzing afterwards. “The VIP from this match, is Uraraka!”

There's a small gasp of air from beside him, and maybe Izuku has deflated due to this match, but Uraraka has practically inflated. She lets out a small laugh, uncertain, before turning to Izuku and grabbing both of his hands. She gets a little too close for Izuku's liking, but her happiness makes it easier to bear, if only a little.

“I'm the VIP Deku,” she says, and Uraraka shakes him slightly in her excitement, “I can't believe it. Me!”

Izuku smiles.

It's not an unexpected result though, not if he thinks it over. Out of the two groups, only the Hero team had worked together. And Uraraka had adapted to each of Izuku's plans with little confusion. Unlike the first time they'd fought the match, she'd been on guard too – well, mostly – not getting distracted or letting the situation run away with her.

And well – she's unharmed too. If only a little sickly from the overuse of her quirk.

Her being the star of the match is only expected, but still, she glows.

Izuku thinks that maybe Uraraka hasn't won much before. It's almost sweet how much it makes her feel happy. Her expression is one that he wants to protect, the innocence, the pure giddiness she feels at being recognised by their teacher for having performed well in the fight.

Izuku can't let her lose that. Not again.

“Yeah,” he says, and he feels heavy on his feet, pain making his vision blurry, “you're deserve it, you know?”

He doesn't hear her reply.

Everything goes black, and he faintly recalls the feeling of unconscious grabbing hold of him, but mostly, it happens in the time it takes to blink – milliseconds, and he's gone.

He wakes to the sound of All-Might talking to Recovery girl.

They're talking about him, about how he's only been a student two days but has already been in the medical wing three times. Maybe it's inevitable, Izuku thinks, he's never been particularly good at escaping trouble without receiving at least one new injury.

He's tired though, absurdly so. It's a feeling that drags him down, makes it difficult for him to sort through his thoughts. It's almost like he's forcing himself to search through murky water for a penny, it's impossible.

Instead, he blinks until his eyes feel less heavy. Glances around the white medical room. His arm is linked to an IV, and it's itchy against his skin, but Izuku's isn’t stupid enough to rip it from his arm. He hardly wants to bleed out, and he doesn't have the energy to press against the hole in his arm until blood congeals and seals the puncture.

His arms don't feel so burnt any more.

Which is probably good, considering the sting he'd felt. A glance at his skin shows that it's slightly red – like a faint sunburn, but it's not as severe as he supposes it must have been to make his pass out. Damn... that means he must have missed the other fights.

And he'd almost been hoping he'd be able to watch them this time...

It doesn't matter, he supposes – after all, he already knows their fighting styles. Just not how much they've developed them so far. Maybe he should know, should remember, but frankly it's been so long and most things about UA come back to him in a haze.

“Midoriya, my boy!” All-Might seems to notice that he's regained consciousness, and he steps away from recovery girl – away from the scolding he'd been receiving for not teaching Izuku to use All-for-One without injuring himself – turning to his student. “You're awake.”

And Izuku, barely conscious, finds himself muttering. “All-Might... It's really you.”

All-Might coughs. He looks small too, when he's living his life as Toshinori Yagi, unable to stay in the inflated body his fans know him to wear. It's not a quiet small though, Izuku thinks, but rather a strong and determined small.

Izuku has missed it. Has missed being able to see his mentor without it being a memory he's conjured from his head to convince him to keep going.

“Of course it's me Midoriya,” All-Might responds. He looks confused for a moment, but it's not overly worried. “Who else would it be?”

Who else indeed.

“Sorry,” Izuku says, and he smiles sheepishly, “I think I'm still half asleep. And it's not until I fully wake up that I convince myself this isn't a dream.”

He's not even been here a day and already the pressure is loading itself onto his shoulders. Izuku will be able to deal with it, he's dealt with worse, but until then...

“It's not a dream, my boy,” All-Might says, “you're going to become a hero.”

Ah. Yes – he must be thinking that Izuku is excited about becoming a hero, that he thinks attending U.A high is just a dream. Which... well it was, once. Somewhere between then and now, it'd changed into something more desperate. The dream twisting into a nightmare until the only thing he'd desired was to survive.

“Yeah.” Izuku says, and he knows he should smile at this point, but he closes his eyes instead, tries not to grimace. “I'm going to be a hero, and I'm going to save everyone.”

All-Might doesn't respond. He probably thinks that Izuku's fallen asleep again. He doesn't sleep though, remains awake listening to his breathing until Recovery girl wakes him up and tells him class has come to an end.

He has to grab his bag to leave for the day, but Izuku doesn't think he'll be able to do so rather quickly. He pulls half heartedly at the bandages around his wrists, something just to ensure the burns that haven't fully healed yet won't grow agitated, but it doesn't offer any comfort.

Izuku's classmates, he knows, will be waiting for him.

Last time, they had offered him sympathy for losing his match against Kacchan. Kirishima has offered to spar with Izuku until he felt more confident in his fighting technique, but he'd never really taken him up on it. Had felt far too embarrassed about losing. Now, he's not sure whether he'd be able to actually say yes – not without letting them see the skills he's picked up.

Although... Izuku will need to reteach himself certain techniques, moves that had relied on instinct and quicker reaction times...

“Oh, it's Midoriya!” Kirishima is the one who drags his attention from his thoughts, as he opens the doors. He looks impressed, as he leans forward, glancing at the smaller boy. “You're fight was epic.”

Izuku offers him what he hopes looks like a shy smile. “...Yeah?”

“Definitely!” Ashido jumps in as he makes his way towards his desk, grabbing his bag. She fist pumps the air in excitement, offers a grin. “You dodge really well.”

“And those moments when he just went straight into the flames!” Tsuyu adds, joining the mini crowd around him.

“Oh yeah man,” Sato says, “I wouldn't have the balls to do that!”

They introduce themselves after that, which... would have been useful if he didn't already know them. Izuku rubs the back of his neck, and grins, feels awkward about the entire thing. He'd actually been trying to hold back... but had he still done too much?

“I grew up with Kacchan, that's all,” he says. “I know some of his tells.”

Some tells meaning, all of the tells he'd had as a teenager.

“But still!”

Izuku tunes the praise out, and he grabs his bag. He interacts when it's his turn to speak, but his mind is on other matters. Like Kacchan's who's probably leaving school already. And the home he's going to have to step inside when he leaves the school gates behind.

“I'm sorry,” he says, waving his hand in what he hopes looks like an apology, “but I need to go catch up with Kacchan before he leaves. Can we pick this up tomorrow?”

His classmates seem very understanding – Uraraka states that they'll have to work together another time, and Kirishima still asks if they could train together some time, and Izuku leaves the classroom behind feeling both happy and lonely at the same time.

First he needs to deal with Kacchan.

He finds him just outside of the school building. The other boy's shoulders are slumped slightly, and he kicks at a pebble as Izuku calls his name, trying to grab his attention. It works, but Kacchan doesn't turn to look at him. He stops walking though, and Izuku thinks maybe that's enough.

Now, he just needs to think of what to say.

His quirk – something about that, he supposes. He can't spend much time with Kacchan thinking he's been fooled for years, so he should say something about that. And then, he should also mention the fight in a way that doesn't sound boastful...

Ah, why is it difficult to deal with teenagers?

“Listen,” Izuku says, racing down the steps, nearing to Kacchan, “I can't tell you much, because it's not my secret to tell. But... I've not been lying to you – This quirk... It was given to me.”

Kacchan turns to face him. He glares.

Izuku thinks that it's prompt enough to keep going. He says, “I only won today because Uraraka and I worked together. I wouldn't have won against you by myself-” a lie, but Kacchan needs a little ego boost after a loss like this, “so... next time, let's fight just you and me. Okay?”

The glare deepens.

“Goddammit,” Kacchan growls, and if Izuku's right, there are tears in his eyes. He decides not to comment on them. “I don't understand what you're saying at all. Gifted power? Listen, I lost to you today, but next time... I won't lose to you again, got it Deku?”

Izuku nods, and Kacchan turns away, stomps down to the gates.

Now that he's dealt with Kacchan – one difficult task checked off the list – he thinks over what he's got to do next. The thought fills him with dread, the next task that he won't be able to put off. He has to go home for the day. And he'll have to pretend everything is fine.

He has to go home.

[Next Chapter]

[furiouscloddonutpeanut]

Out of love: Part 1

Ethan Freaking Ramsey

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey × Rina Carrera

Warning: ANGST:O slight NSFW

Authors Note: Hi, hope you are having a lovely day! I am a little nervous I have never posted fanfic before, but have decided to get out of my comfort zone. Hope you enjoy!💗

Special Shoutout: Thank you @uncertified-bisexual you helped me so much! This literally would not have been posted without you! You are an AMAZING human being!I am so glad to have you as my tumblr bestie!You are seriously a beautiful GENIUS!

Tag list: @jlpplays1 @lapisreviewsstuff

@sparklinglilac @justhereforfanfiction @cdg03

@xxdangerouscapri15xx

"ETHAN" Rina screamed in frustration. Ethan aggressively raised his hand silencing her. "Dr. Ramsey". He corrected coldly, trying his best to remain emotionless even though he felt his heart breaking even more. They had been fighting about everything lately...out of anger...out of frustration...out of love? Ethan had spent many restless nights trying to figure out which. Everything had changed since Naveen made Rina junior fellow on the diagnostic team. Their relationship or what ever they had ended. It always started with a comment or two different diagnosis of a patient, but no matter how it started it always ended the same... personal. What neither one of them knew was that this one was gonna hit them ten times harder.

"I'm tired of fighting with you. I'm so tired" Rina whispered as she leaned up against Ethan's cold kitchen island.

"You say that as if I was the one that came to your home at ten o'clock demanding an answer to a stupid question"!

Rina felt her anger, all her anger toward him that she tried to keep at bay, boil over. "You know all those times you said that you weren't who I thought you were, I kept believing in you and for WHAT to find out that you are just a cold bastard that doesn't give a damn about anyone except himself and his career".

"What... I stopped our whole relationship because of YOUR career Rina"!

"Yes, but you took away my choice." She took a cautious step toward him placing her hand atop his. "What about what I want, who I want? I'm a grown woman I can make my own choices".

Rina leaned closer. She felt relief pass through her body. She had broke his walls agian. She ghosted her lips across his and felt his warm breath flutter across her face...that was all too soon replaced by a cold rush of air. She opened her eyes to see his face that held the same emotions that it did in Miami.

She sighed "Not again Ethan". She couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She knew that she looked awful her makeup probably ary, but it was nothing close to how she felt, embarrassment, anger, and heartbroken. "Please don't make me go thought this agian".

She was meet with silence. After a moment of building up enough courage, she looked over to Ethan. His ocean blue eyes giving his longing and sadness away.

"I'm sorry Rookie".

Her anger over taking her hurt, she grabbed her phone and made her way to the door. Her hand pausing on the silver doorknob when she felt a tug on her pant leg and heard a small whimper. She looked down to see Jenner bitting her jeans in attempt to keep her there forever. She bent down and scratched the dogs head. Being an older dog Jenner was stubborn and had no intent on letting go.

"Let her go Jenner". Ethan whispered.

Rina looked up from jenner and looked Ethan dead in the eyes and replying.

"Like you did"?

The hurt in Ethan's eyes was evident but she didn't regret it, he deserved it. With that she scratched Jenner's head once more before lightly tugging her jeans out of Jenner's mouth.

"Bye baby". She said looking at jenner but both her and Ethan knowing who she was really talking to.

The sound of the door slamming and Jenner's paws scraping up against it echoed throughout Ethan's apartment which now felt so empty without Rina's presence.

The Next day:

Rina rounded the corner and shuffled her feet until she was at Naveen's door. She knocked and heard a a muffled "come in".

She opened the door to see Dr. Benjiri sitting behind his desk smiling broadly. Ethan was to his right purposely looking at a file in his hand, not moving an inch. She was too busy studying Ethan that she was oblivious to the handsome stranger that stood next to a bookcase.

"Dr. Carrera please meet the newest addition to the diagnostic team Dr. Reed Hanson". She looked away from Ethan to make contact with a short but handsome brown haired doctor. She felt her cheeks turn light pink "Nice to meet you Dr. Carrera". He said with a brilliant smile stretching his hand out to meet hers.

"Oh please call me Rina". She accepted his hand. A sudden spark of electricity rushed through body.

"Ah well apartly we have a spark". Reed said with a suggestive smirk.

As much as Rina tried to resist she couldn't help but get flustered at his words. She quickly looked at the ground. Missing the deadly and territorial glare Ethan gave Reed. Which just gave Reed's smirk more fuel, growing even larger.

"It's just simple static electricity". Ethan mumbled to himself before turning his attention back to his file.

Naveen being Naveen, missed nothing. Biting back a laugh he turned to Rina.

"The reason I called you in here today Rina is because I would like you and Ethan to give Dr. Hanson here a tour".

Ethan sighed "Benjiri, I have patients to attend to that is if you haven't forgotten".

Naveen knowing Ethan too well knew how to get Ethan to cave. "Alas Ethan you can tend to your patients I'm sure Rina would be fine with giving a private tour to Dr. Hanson". The infasis on private made Ethan's blood boil.

"I suppose I can find the time". Ethan replied with a unmistakable tang of jealousy.

"Well if your sure Ethan. Have fun kids and welcome Dr. Hanson it is a pleasure to have you here". With one last smile Naveen turned back to his pile of paperwork that lay in front of him.

"After you, Rina". Reed said as he held the door open for her.

"Well thank you...Reed". She gave him a smile and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She didn't know why he's kind words had such an effect on her maybe it was because he openly and shamelessly flirted with her in front of their boss. A bold move. One that she knew Ethan would never take.

10 minutes later:

"So this is your office which is right beside mine. If you ever need anything stop on by".

"All be sure too".

Ethan cleared his throat loudly. Causing their attention to drift to him. "As fun and glamorous as this has been I have patients to tend to as do you Ri- Dr. Carrera".

Rina casually opened the file that she had picked up from the nurse's station prior to coming to the their offices.

"No, actually my patients are alive and slowly getting back to the kicking part. So on that note would you like some help getting set up". Rina said gesturing into Reed's office which was filled with boxes.

"I would love that. After you".

Rina walked into the office setting her folder on the nearby coffee table. As Reed entered after her he threw Ethan a smirk as he shut the door in his face.

1 hour later:

Ethan aggressively threw his patient files into his brief case. He had walked passed Reed's office many times to check up on them. They sound of Rina's laugh still filled his head. His timing was impeccable the day after he screws up Reed shows up ready to whisk Rina off to a castle of gold. He had known Reed ever since medical school. He had always believed that rivalrys were stupid until Reed. Everything between them was a competition, grades, popularity, girls. One main girl in particular Alana Lee. Ethan cringed at the thought. Reed had always put on a mask of a nice charming man, but Ethan had always seen throught it. If only Alana had. He could still see that dammed smirk Reed gave him when Alana told him that she was leaving him for Reed...of all people! Now he was coming after Rina. This time it wasn't the same. Sure he cared about Alana but he didn't love her, not like he did Rina.

30 minutes later:

"Thanks for the help Rina". Rina glanced over her shoulder before returning her gaze to the bookshelf in front of her. "Oh it was no problem Reed".

"Um so listen Rina I was wondering"?

Rina knew where he was going. She had heard it many times in medical school, and had gotten used to letting them down gently.

"What"? Rina said walking over to him with a smirk.

Don't do this Rina you've only know him for less than two hours but...it would drive Ethan over the edge. She thought as he continued reflecting her smirk.

"If you like to go for some drinks with me tonight"?

"I would love too"!

Same Time:

Ethan hastily moved his ear from the door when he heard approaching footsteps inside the office. He searched his brain for an excuse as to why he was in a hallway that was no where near his office nor an exit. He looked for a place to hid. His eye landing on a supply closet.

He opened the door walking into the dimly lit, fully stocked closet. He heard faint voices and footsteps retreating, before realizing who he had become.

He was Ethan Ramsey. Well Ethan Freaking Ramsey as Rina called him when she saved Naveen, a smile ghosting across his face at the memory. He slowly slid down the door that he was leaning against till he sat on the floor. He once thought that love wasn't real that it was just a word people would say to each other when they could stand to be together longer than five minutes. It wasn't till now he realized how wrong he was. Out of love for Rina he was hiding in a supply closet. Out of love he ended their relationship. Out of love...he changed for her. But he had to change back, no matter how bad it hurt.

The Next Day:

"Damn, I shouldn't have drunk so much". Rina scolded herself as she walked into the hospital. The bright florescent lights blinding her.

As Rina passed the nurse's station she gave Sahra the early shift nurse a warm smile.

As she was about to enter her office a sharp, cold voice stopped her in her tracks. Ethan was walking straight toward her with purpose. His eyes resembling fire even in the darkest blue specks.

"Could you explain this".

He said once he had reached her, shoving a tan folder at her. Instantly regretting it when she jumped slightly in response to his rought manner that he never used around her but to other interns and people that were agitating him.

She sighed deeply "That's one of my old patient's chart".

"That you dismissed".

"Considering she's an old patient, yeah Ethan".

His eyes narrowing even further before continuing. "Do not forget Dr. Carrera I am your boss and you are being unprofessional and unethical".

"Ah, so you've said but your actions seem to differ. In my apartment you were not very ethical, nor were you at yours".

"Technically I was not your boss on either of those occasions".

"I-I'm sorry did y-you just technically me, right now"?

"Rookie, we can't have this conversation in the middle of the hospital".

"Ethan, its early morning, literally no one is here except us, Sahra who is hallways away, and patients who honestly don't care".

"Oh Reed's not here? I thought you two were inseparable"?

"Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean"?

Ethan mentally scolded himself. He was supposed to keep up the act that he didn't care, like he was just her boss but, but his jealousy was slowly taking over.

"My office now Rookie"!

He walked past her not waiting for an answer. When he didn't hear footsteps, he turned to her still standing by her office door. Confliction written upon her face.

"No"? She said shakly not looking at him, keeping her eyes glued to the floor.

"No"? He was so startled he just looked at her his mouth agape. No one ever told him no. Why would they dare he was the Ethan Ramsey after all.

Rina looked up from the ground determination taking over her features.

"No"!

"Excuse me"?

She walked toward him until she was right in front of him. His breath the only warmth in the cold hallway.

"I am your damn colleague Ramsey, I know you are used to belittling people showing your authority. But I know you well enough to know this is not about a patient that I had the audacity to dismiss. So what is this really about".

"D-did you-".

"WHAT".

"Did you s-sleep with him".

She let out a loud mocking laugh. "What if I did"?

She didn't have time to register what was happening before Ethan had had dropped the file and had her pushed up against the cold hallway wall. Leaving fiery kisses down her neck to her collarbone.

"If you did, answer me this, could he make you feel like this".

She leaned her head up against the wall. Cherisheing every kiss. Letting out a small whimper. "Only you can, Ethan".

"Only you".

He looked up meeting her eyes, with a proud smirk.

"Good".

His hands untangled from her hair moving lower. Brushing his finger tips on her hip briefly before continuing lower.

His hand playing with the bottom of her skirt before slipping under.

"Et-".

The hallway suddenly echoed with the sound of sharp stilettos hitting the ground.

"Damn it"! Ethan murmured before removing his hand out under Rina's skirt and moving away from her, picking up the dropped file and acting as if reading it.

"Ethan there you". Harper said as she rounded the corner stoping beside Ethan. Laying a hand on his arm as if he was hers.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were hiding from me".

"Then apparently you don't".

Harpers fake smile slipping before she recomposed herself.

"Um, yes well Ethan you and I have business to discuss, and you Rina, Benjiri needs to see you".

"Well thank you for telling me". Rina snuck a glance at Ethan who was glaring at an oblivious Harper. She had to hold back a laugh when she glanced down to his his evident arousal, which still remained.

Ethan glanced over at Rina giving her a puzzled look before following her gaze down. He quickly moved the file down in attempt to hide it. Harper jumped slightly at the sudden movement.

"Ethan are you alright"?

"Um, yes I'm fine. Thank you".

Rina gave a tight nod to Ethan and Harper before turning in the direction of Naveen's office.

1 Hour Later:

Rina walked down the hall toward Ethan's office in hope of continuing, what they had earlier started. When she heard a breathless Reed call out her name.

She turned in his direction and smiled.

"Hey Rina. I'm glad I caught him. You left your purse at my apartment last night".

"Oh my gosh! Thank you! I can't believe that I never noticed it was gone".

"Yeah, speaking of last night. I had a lot of fun and was wondering if you'd like to have some more fun agian tonight"? Reed asked with a very suggestive smirk.

"Oh I-". Before Rina had the chance to respond his pager went off. "I gotta go, but we'll talk later okay"?

He turned on his heel disappearing around a corner.

She sighed turning, coming face to face with Ethan.

"Oh gosh. Ethan I can-".

"Dr. Ramsey". He corrected as he did that night at his apartment.

"No Ethan nothing happened! Don't go back to this please! Ethan!

The hallway grew quite. Rina looked around at the doctors and nurses that had gathered, watching intently.

She opened her mouth to respond, but not a sound came out. She couldn't stop the tears that poured down her face. Don't do it Rina she told herself but her hands had already taken off her badge.

"Rookie"?