Aeris, I thought to myself, defiantly Dr. Collin's doing.

"How much?" I asked raising an eyebrow. He must've known what I was implying, but he sure did know how to look innocent when he wanted to.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"You know exactly what I mean! You said you paid off the doctor… how much?" I put my hands on my hips, it's usually what I did when I wanted to look serious, I wasn't sure if I did now because Zack was laughing so hard, the bed shook.

"Actually," he said in a matter-of-factly tone, "it was only 300gil. Nothing much."

I wasn't sure to be offended, happy, or confused. So, I just smiled at his effort.

"So now what? I'm still bored," he squirmed around on the bed before giving up, "These restraints are killer! Do a guy a favor, please?"

"They restrained you? How?" I looked over the bed searching for their usual arm restraints; obviously, they didn't use those for him. He didn't seem like he would be the type to be restrained, but, then again…

I had a sudden flashback of Dr. Collin's face smearing against the window, I sighed, and they'd probably make me clean that up during Zack's shower-time.

"Yes, they restrained me!" He made a show of kicking the blankets that covered the bed off him.

I covered my eyes with my hands, by habit. He let out a suppressed sigh as he forced my hands away from my eyes. He gestured with a snap of his arm that in fact, he was still wearing the pants he came in with.

"Like I knew!" I moaned, observing the yellow belts wrapped around his stomach. "Oh, that's an easy fix," I giggled twisting the lemon colored fabric in many directions, "I've always known how to get out of these things, It's a good thing to know."

"May I ask how?" he said, holding in laughter, "were you in a mental hospital or something?"

"No!" I yelped. Actually, you could say that I was, but not for problems with my mind. It was…complicated. I didn't want to talk about it.

"Are you from around here?" I asked, changing the subject. I loved it when people told their stories; maybe I'd like Zack's as well, no matter how much of a pain he was.

"Nope," he popped the 'P' for emphasis, "Gongaga." He wiggled up out of the belt and crossed his legs on the bed, "what about you?"

"I've always lived here, but I would do anything to get out." I imagined Gongaga as being a country place, with few cars, trucks, and traffic. I envied him so much now.

"What's Gongaga like?" I asked, tilting my head to the side, I actually wanted to hear what he had to say.

"Dirt," he grumbled, lifting his pants leg and inspecting his wound, "Oh, and trees…" He winced touching the bandages, "…very tall trees, with pointy limbs that hurt when you fall into them…"

"Really, and—"I started but he cut me off.

"Fall wasn't the right word; it's really more like crash."

"What were you doing in the tree?" I asked. This might be an interesting story after all…

"Well…my buddies dared me first…Then I had to find a way to get the cow down…" He chuckled, nervously ruffling his dark hair, "then Mum discovered not only had I managed to get myself stuck, I had managed to get a cow in a tree…"

This was an interesting story. The man shouldn't be called a child; he should be called a freaking genus!

"Let's just say," He smirked, "A friend of mine owes me a lot of gil…and I suppose it's worth the stitches…"

I was curious, blood usually made me squirmy but…

"How many stitches do you need?" I found myself asking.

"About six," he said, like it was nothing. When he said that, I automatically felt extremely fragile and vulnerable. I hated that one thing about this job. I hated people getting hurt, which was unfortunate for me because I was working in a hospital.

"I have to go!" I said quickly, feeling quite nauseous.

"Aeris, wait!"

I darted to the elevator and pulled the same act I did, but an hour ago, except this time…

"Not too fond of blood, huh?" A voice asked me from behind as the doors shut.

"Nuh-uh…"I mumbled putting my hand on my head.

"I'll be more careful next time…you're my favorite, I wouldn't want to scare you away."

"Mmm," I said in reply, "wait, huh?"

I turned around to meet those lavender eyes again…

"Now I understand why I questioned taking the restraints off!" I pushed the '2' button hard, "ZACK, GET BACK TO BED!" I yelled. I was really irritated now.

"What if I don't wanna!" he complained. I take back what I said about him being a genus.

"I've got two reasons," I said as the doors opened, then shut again on the first floor. "One," I grinned, "is that the patients are having fried mushroom tomorrow…"

I saw the look on his face and guessed that my hypothesis of him being a carnivore was correct.

"…and everyone else is having sandwiches. I'll get you food," I finished.

As the doors opened to the second floor, "And the second," I continued, "Is that I won't come back to see you tomorrow, if you don't get back to your room!"

"Okies!" He squeaked, grinning at me. He knew I was treating him like a child and he intended to get as much fun as possible out of this, "…but, Aeris, my boo-boo hurts and I don't think I can walk."

Well, if that's how he wants me to treat him…

"It's okay, sweetie, but you have to try to walk, okay?"

He nodded in reply.

As we got into the room, he sat down on his bed. He used his normal voice again, "I'll stay here under one condition."

What could it be now? I thought.

"You will call me sweetie again, right honey?"

Does this guy ever honestly stop?

Ch. 3 is coming! Yay, Ch 3! I don't own Square-Enix, nor Final Fantasy. If I did, I'd be very rich and wouldn't be writing this. Who else thinks Zack is a fun character?