Time, Love and Illness

Chapter Three

So here's Chapter Three! I honestly can't believe how much I can make up out of this story, I planned it to be a one-shot you know... but hey ;D

I saw all the reviews this morning and read every single one... I almost cried, seriously! (Happy Tears Though) I really love you all! You're amazing, you made me feel so freaking amazing! Thank You x100000000! :D

But I won't go on any longer, since I don't really have anything to rant about. Yay! Hope you all enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thanks again. Read and Review? It means everything to me!

You are now Special Agent Natara Williams

It's getting ridiculously later every time you glance over to the clock, as hard as you try your body will not let you rest. Tossing and turning, you finally give up and let out a defeated sigh. Your eyes are heavy and your headache is starting to reform. Determined not to let it get any worse you cautiously remove the covers

'I do not want a repeat of this morning.' is all you think.

Vomiting is the worst possible thing you could do right now, considering one: it feels awful and two: you'd wake Mal up and he'd make a fuss over you. It's not that you don't like it when Mal comforts you, you love it actually, it's just you don't want him worrying... or dragging you to the doctors at 11 o'clock at night.

As silently as you can, you approach your bedroom door and turn the handle, much to your displeasure the door creaks as you open it. A small pit of rage is starting to boil in your stomach as you curse under your breath. Releasing a breath you didn't know you were holding, you slowly creep around the corner to see Mal sleeping sweetly on your sofa. A small smile tugs at your lips, but you don't try to fight it, after all what would be the point? Without you realising, your body has gone back into FBI Agent mode, as you stealthily slink your way to the kitchen – making sure to avoid objects that would cause Mal to wake up. Much to your surprise, you manage to do it... or at least you thought you did. Grabbing the nearest pain killers, you slowly turn around.

'Aw crap.' Instantly fills your head. Mal Fallon now stands in front of you, a smirk on his face and one eyebrow raised. He's casually leaning on the doorframe, blocking your exit.

"That was quite the performance you put on there; let me guess – Agent Mode?" You feel your cheeks redden and you look away. There's a long moment before you speak.

"You saw that then... did I wake you?"

"Nah. I was awake anyway, just resting. Why are you up?"

"Can't sleep." You state. He looks at you with... what's that. Pity? Aw, hell no. "Don't look at me like that!"

Mal seems shocked at your reaction, but doesn't dwell on it for long.

"Like what?" He asks, clearly puzzled by your outburst.

"Like that. Pity, I don't need, nor want it. Thank you very much."

Not letting him reply, you shove past him and sit on the sofa, formally - crossing your leg. He shortly joins you, but in his usual manner – making no effort. You don't know why, but you find that charming, attractive even.

'Oh Natara, what is going on with you! He's your partner, your friend. Stop thinking about him in such an inappropriate manner! So what if he's handsome and just... everything, it doesn't matter. Lots of guys are, I mean just look at Oscar... or Shawn... or your old college boyfriends. They were all attractive to you; it doesn't mean you get to date him!'

You turn to look at Mal and are immediately dragged out from your thoughts. He's looking at the floor, seems like he's debating with himself. You raise an eyebrow and cautiously take his hand, relaxing.

"You alright, partner?" Mal snaps out of his thoughts and faces you, an unconvincing smile on his face.

"Yeah. Fine."

Now it's your turn to take pity on him. You can't help it, it's like an impulse. You loathe seeing him upset or something that's on his mind. Normally he would share it with you if you asked... so why not now?

"Mal, I know something's wrong with you. What is it?" You try to keep your voice from pleading, but you really want to know.

"Don't worry about it, Nat. I was just thinking that's all. Why don't you go back to bed, or we're both gonna be zombies tomorrow. You know that they creep the hell out of me... especially after Halloween."

"Not. One. Word." You say playfully, trying to cheer him up.

"Yes... your highness."

"Mal, I mean it."

His charming smile returns to his face and he certainly sounds like himself again, but you can see it in his eyes... something's there. Not the usual glimmer, it's dark - emotionless. Realising that if you push it he's probably going to crack and you'll end up in an argument, you do as he asks. He is right after all. Once again settling in your bed, you close your eyes. You can only think about Mal...

Mal. The man you first met when working on The Maskmaker case. Even then he made your heart race, with his charming smile and handsome, rugged looks and eyes to die for. He was so mysterious, never opening up to anyone- but you - and even you don't know everything about his past.

Sure, you know he used to get in trouble with the law, until he joined the SFPD and even then he was rouge for a while. You know his mother died at quite an early age and his father, Jacob Fallon, was arrested for trafficking. But you can't help but let curiosity get the better of you. You want to know details. What things did he get up to that had him arrested? Why did his mother die so early? What did he do after then, stay with his sister?

You know you want answers, but don't want to make him re-live those memories, since they're obviously something painful – something he'd like to forget.

You remember when you first met him, his eyes were the perfect shade of ocean blue and you couldn't help but get lost in them. The first time he called you 'Nat', you felt your knees go weak and your heart melt. You remember that you had to put on your facade of being the 'tough FBI agent' to keep your mind focused on something. You had to remind yourself that, even though you were apart and he was hospitalised, you were with Shawn.

Shawn... your mind then drifts off to the memories you had of him, some good, and some bad.

Sleep doesn't come easily, you're not even sure if you slept at all. It doesn't matter because before you know it, its morning. You know what you must do today, but that doesn't make it any easier.

7:30am. Time is ticking.

Sorry this chapter is shorter than my others, I wanted to update soon and to be honest I wasn't really sure what to write about after the last chapter. I make it up as I go... I know. Very naughty of me! :D