A/N: How did you guys like Clockwork Princess? I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read it yet, but if you want to (literally) hear what i think, head over to my tumblr at jellybabyneutronflow for an audio discussion/review (I talk about Jem a lot in it...). I'd love to hear what you guys think too! Also, thanks to those who reviewed this story! :) By the way, this is kind of like chapter 3 part 1 as the next chapter would be a continuation of this... Thanks for reading guys!

Chapter 3

That day was different from the rest. The sky seemed a little bit too grey, the wind too harsh and biting against her reddened cheeks and nose. But still she felt like she was in a good mood that morning because she had a surprise for Jem that day. A surprise at a location that was not in the vicinity of the hospital he had grown to despise and one that involved cupcakes she had bought from the nice patisserie down the road.

He had never told her it was his birthday but she found out by accident when she was helping one of the receptionist girls with some filing while they chatted. She didn't mean to pry, but his name caught her eye and she couldn't resist a little outside expedition between just the two of them. She had asked the nurses for permission, and though dubious they eventually agreed after naming many terms and conditions.

"…Make sure he's dressed warmly okay?"

"Don't whisk him too far away Miss Gray!"

"Make sure he's packed his medicine with him!"

The head nurse, an elderly and kind woman, looked up with grandmotherly fondness while her eyes twinkled with mischeif "Taking your boyfriend on a first date?"

Tessa flushed bright red at that and promptly left as they chortled at her expense. Jem was not her boyfriend, she told herself firmly. He was most definitely not her boyfriend. She would never presume such a thing, not that the idea of them together seemed incomprehensible to her or anything…

She felt more at ease with Jem than she ever had with anyone else, and his ability to make her laugh and smile made her head spin with a sort of dizzy happiness sometimes. She liked to think that he liked her company too. He seemed to smile more now, laugh a little louder when they would talk till the day ebbed away. Sometimes, when he was feeling less shy, he would take out his lovely violin and play something for her. She would listen, legs up to her chin with her large grey eyes focused entirely on him. One time after he had finished, he lowered his bow and his eyes had opened to see what she thought. He looked so vulnerable, boyish and even a little scared, and it was times like this when she thought about how horribly unfair it all was. That Jem, the kindest and most selfless person she knew, was not even going to make it through his 21st birthday.

She didn't realise till Jem reached up a hand to wipe her tears away with the pad of his thumb that she had been crying. He looked concerned, but he opted for a lightly joking tone.

"Was it that bad then?"

It startled Tessa into a laugh and she shook her head, feeling silly for bursting into tears. Dragging the hem of her jumper across her wet cheeks, she gave him a wide smile.

"It was perfect. I wish you would play more"

He looked at her then, his expression quite peculiar as small smile touched his face.

"I will. I will as long as you want me too"

Tessa shrugged off the pleasant memory as she opened the door to his room. She had asked him whether she should knock once, but Jem just asked why she would need to. She told him that she didn't wish to catch him in a state of undress but he just raised his eyebrows and said "Are you sure you don't want that?". Tessa blushed furiously at that, smacking him lightly on the arm as he howled with laughter. She knew he was joking, being overtly flirtatious but it still didn't stop the persistent fluttering in her stomach for the rest of the afternoon.

She looked straight ahead, expecting him to be sitting by the window or practicing his violin. But the curtains were drawn and as Tessa tentatively batted them away, she bit her lip at what she saw.

He didn't look too well today. Sunken shadows under the eyes and his bluish veins too prominent against his translucent skin. Even though it had only been a week since she had last seen him, he looked like he had lost weight too. His collarbones seemed to stand out in stark contrast, the fine bones in his wrist looking frail. His silvery hair stuck to his sweaty forehead and his hands gripped tightly onto the white bed sheets.

At least he wasn't hooked up to any machines of IV drips.

He blearily opened his eyes as he heard the scraping of the chair "Hey you"

Tessa smiled gently at him, though she worried over how soft his voice had become. Clasping his hand in hers without a second thought, she rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand. He felt colder than he should, given the ridiculously warm temperature settings inside the hospital.

"How are you doing today?"

Something hardened in his sleepy, dark silver eyes "Don't treat me like a patient Tessa. I get enough of that from the nurses and doctors"

He tried to pull his hand away from hers but she held on fast "But you are a patient Jem, and I'm not going to ignore your health,"

His expression softened, his tone apologetic "I know, I'm sorry Tessa. I've been stuck here for a few days and now I'm taking it out on you". He sighed, the sound weary and weak.

Tessa shifted slightly in her chair, "Actually, I was going to take you out today but we can save it for another day I suppose"

Jem's eyes narrowed, the pillow rustling as he turned accusingly in her direction "Why specifically today?"

Tessa averted her eyes but she could never lie convincingly to Jem "I may or may not have accidentally seen your birthday in the files"

He groaned though it held no exasperation. With fondness he regarded her with a mock glare "Trust Tessa Gray to go and organise a surprise party"

"Well, I thought it was a nice gesture!" exclaimed Tessa, a part of her suddenly wondering whether it was a nice gesture.

Jem smiled with a bit of effort. "It is," agreed Jem solemnly "Especially if there's cake involved"

Tessa laughed "Sometimes I wonder if you actually like my company or if it's the food I bring"

Jem entwined his thin, pale fingers through hers "I'm not going to lie – it's a bit of both"

Tessa gave him a half exasperated look though she was secretly pleased that he looked much better already. There was pink in his cheeks and light in his silvery eyes that sparkled with mischief. It also helped that the look he was giving her made her feel oddly warm inside again.

"Well, we won't go out today but we can still eat the cake," said Tessa, compromising on the situation.

Jem frowned "No, we can still go out. I'm well enough and I'll bring my medicine"

Tessa looked dubious "Don't go just because I've planned it. We can easily go another day"

Jem disentangled his hand from hers and sat up on the bed, swinging his legs off the side and standing up. He swayed for a second before collecting his balance on the bed post. "I'm fine Tessa. We're going after I get changed out of these clothes"

Tessa found that she couldn't say a word to deny him once he began to pull off his soft white cotton shirt right in front of her.