Started my daily ficlets to make the hiatus pass, then decided to keep going with a 2nd cycle, and then a 3rd, 4th, etc through 39th cycle. Now cycle 40!

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** UPDATED WITH CYCLE 40 CHEAT SHEET ** Check it out to find out about shift days, starting in cycle 40!

This is a shift day [see above]. There was another upload this morning: Showcased, chapter 2.

"Tender Love & Care"
15yo Mike/Tina
Chang Squared #17 (following "Hole in a Cloud")

1. Day Zero

She wasn't sure when it had happened, but she had turned into some sort of doting girlfriend, looking to all of Mike's needs as they waited for him to be discharged from the hospital. They were keeping him for just a few hours, which was better than overnight, though she would have stayed if that was the case. She would probably have gone into overload if Mike hadn't stopped her, taking her by the hand.

"Tina, hold on, okay?" he tried for a smile.

"How are your pillows?" she reached to fix them. He caught her hand midway, pulled her to sit by his side on the bed, his face showing the discomfort caused by the motion but then breathing out once she was resting at his side.

"They're about the same as they were… two minutes ago." She frowned in 'shame.' "I like that you care, alright? But if you keep this up you'll be the one laid out in a hospital bed for a rest." She paused, indicated that she was doing just that at the moment. "Point, made," he nodded.

"Am I going crazy?" she cringed, smiling.

"Crazy and cute," he assured her. "You don't have to worry so much, you know? I'm going to be okay. I just need to rest."

"Okay, well I'm right there for that," she nodded.

"I'm not going to find you camping in my yard until I'm all healed up, am I?" he smirked.

"No, of course not. The hidden cameras will take care of that for me," she nodded with conspiracy in her eyes.

"You think big, I like that," he laughed.

"I'm going to stay to help you settle in at home, but then I will go home, I swear."

"Okay," he nodded.

"But I'll come by tomorrow morning before school to check in on you."

"Okay," he smiled. "And after school?"

"That, too, if you want."

"Is that even a question?" he looked to her and she settled against his shoulder, just a breath and then pulled back.

"Am I hurting you?" she looked to his shoulder.

"I'll live," he promised, and she rested back.

Soon Mike was discharged and he was able to get ready to go home. When the subject came of helping him get dressed, Tina had become the shade of a ripe tomato and bowed out, leaving the task to Mrs. Chang.

When he stepped back in the hall, crutches and all, he found her sitting on a chair, Cheerio jacket pulled in snug, hood done up and all. "Is there a draft?" he asked and she sprang on to her feet.

"Draws attention away from my face," she admitted. "Ready to go?"

"My mother dressed me," he pressed the fact, and she bit back her lips not to laugh. "I need to get out of here."

"Well you're in luck," she pointed the way and they walked off along with Mike's parents. "You know she'll probably have to do it again, when you go to bed, in the morning…"

"Stop…" he begged and she saw he hadn't realized that possibility.

"Oh, and what about baths?"

"You are enjoying this too much," he accused. "What happened to the girl who blushed five minutes ago?"

"Her boyfriend got dressed by his mother."

"Traumatized… Betrayed… And traumatized," he blinked, shaking his head.

"Fine, fine, I'm sorry," she smiled and he returned it. After a moment she looked to him. "Did she pull your pants up for you?"

"Yes, yes she did. Shirt, too, you know, because of my shoulders. There I was, no shirt, no pants, and… there's my tomato," he saw her cheeks had reddened again, as he'd intended.

"Had that coming, didn't I," she tugged at her hood.

"Little cherry tomato…" he beamed. "New nickname."

"Michael Chang don't you dare," she gasped.

They got in the car, drove back to Mike's house. Rather than have him climb up and down the stairs time and time again on his crutches – which he was still getting used to and hurt his shoulders after a while – they had set him up on the couch.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, helping him out of his jacket.

"Tired," he admitted.

"Well it's after midnight," she pointed out. "And it's been a long day, for all of us."

"My mother tried to get me to stay until morning, but they said it was fine. What about you, aren't you tired?"

"I'll be fine. My dad's coming to pick me up."

"Mine could have taken you back…"

"He's had a long day, too," she shook her head. "It's okay," she promised. "Now lie down."

"Yes, Miss," he did as told and she helped him out of his one shoe, the other wrapped in a bandage.

"Fluff your pillows, Sir?" she played.

"Well you do it so well," he let her go for it. Once he was lying back and she had a blanket over him, she sat back on the edge of the coffee table. "Have I said thanks?"

"Yes you have," she smiled.

"Mind if I say it again?"

"You don't have to," she chuckled. "You're my boyfriend, I'm your girlfriend, it's part of the package," she nodded.

"Fine. Just so you know, Santa is going to be very good to you next Christmas," he guessed.

"No talking him out of it?"

"Asian Santa is very stubborn that way," he shook his head.

"Guess I have no choice then," she laughed just as the bell rang. "That'll be my dad," she sighed, looking back to him. She leaned in to kiss Mike, held for a moment out of relief he was doing so well. "I'll see you in the morning."

TO BE CONTINUED (TOMORROW)