"Doctor… Doc… am I ill?"

Dr. Turner ran a hand through his hair and exhaled in relief. She tried to stand up, but he stopped her. "Don't, Sister, you will be wasting your strength. Allow me to help you."

He stood up, not very easily due to the stiff back, and gently grabbed her under the arms. She did not complain, but instead complied, working with him the best she could, as she felt her body fail her. "I am sorry I am not sufficiently strong."

"It's okay, my dear, you had an extremely rough night. You worsened very quickly." He gave her a glass of water to help with the crispness in her voice.

She blushed slightly at the term of endearment, and permitted herself to lean on him as he sat beside her. Her head, powerless against the very alluring shoulders, rested heavily against him. "What is wrong with me?"

"Pneumonia. You should have come to me sooner."

Her breathing quickened, and so did her pulse, which did not go by unnoticed by the Doctor. "Don't be upset, Sister. I never mean to upset you."

"It is not that which I am feeling right now, Doctor. Besides being a little weak, and perhaps embarrassed, I feel nothing like upset."

He smiled, secretly enjoying the close contact. "That's good."

The young nun smiled back, having felt the switch in his disposition merely by a change in his posture. "May I… may I ask you something?"

"Anything, Sister."

She coughed, her voice sweet on a sore throat. "I am tired."

He brushed her hand, with more vehemence than intended. "I regret that I cannot make you better altogether. It will take time, but you'll be okay." He assured her.

"Hum…" She breather into his cheek. "I know that. What I wanted to ask, though… and I do feel selfish to ask…" She admitted, embarrassed.

"That's nonsense."

"Could you stay with me until I fall back asleep?"

He placed a hand over her back, and she felt warmer. He kissed the top of her head, which was covered by fabric, but she almost shivered nonetheless. "Sweetie… I am not going anywhere."

"You are too good a man." She relaxed. "I feel safe with you."

"I want you to be safe." He breathed in. "But I'm afraid I cannot, in my good senses, let you sleep again without having eaten something first."

Sister Bernadette protested with a frown. "Oh, it is fine, I am far from being hungry."

Dr. Turner chuckled. "I'm quite aware of that, sweetie, but you have to eat something nonetheless."

"Hum… I… Oh… Very well, then." She slightly pouted, eyes threatening to fall shut together. "You are the doctor, after all."

He laughed. "That I am. Now stand still because I need to get up in order to get you your breakfast. Lean towards the couch's arm, please, Sister." She nodded, perhaps more stiffly than intended, and he smiled. "I see you are mad. It's okay, whatever gets you to comply."

She coughed and straightened her sore back, closing her eyes. "My head… it is so heavy I feel I cannot hold it for long."

"Don't worry, I will be back in just a moment." He assured her, and moved swiftly towards the kitchen. The room was somewhat crowded, what with the nurses having a late breakfast as well, and he greeted them all.

Jenny smiled. "Good morning, Dr. Turner. How is Sister Bernadette?"

He could not help but grin in relief. "Working her way back to health, hopefully. Pneumonia." He added, as an explanation.

"Oh." They all said, pity showing in their eyes.

"Poor Sister… She must be feeling quite dreadfully." Trixie mused.

"She is. And even though I suspect she is a bit nauseated from the medication, she still has to eat. Which is what I was coming to get… could you arrange for me to bring her a tray of appetizing food?"

"Of course, Doctor, I'll do that just now." Jenny promptly offered, quickly assembling bread, tea, fresh orange juice and a glass of milk.

"Thank you very much, Nurse Lee." He grabbed the tray. "Enjoy your breakfast."

"You too, Dr. Turner." She called after him, and he was soon out of their sight.

He rotated the doorknob with one hand and pushed the door with his shoulder. Sister Bernadette was torn between keeping her eyes open and her head steady, her hands snuggled under the warm blanket.

"Here we go." He announced with a cheerful smile, trying to get her on board with eating. He placed the tray on his side of the couch and sat down beside her. "Let me check your fever, please, Sister."

She squinted her eyes and answered the best she could with a nod. "Ouch."

He smiled. "Don't move your head, as it will worsen the headache." Tentatively, with as much confidence as he could muster, he placed a hand on her cheek, softly brushing it. He then moved to her temple and frowned. "It's still quite high. As soon as you are finished with breakfast, I must insist that you go lie down."

With a weak smile, she challenged him. "That is, assuming I will eat, correct?"

He chuckled. "I'm very good at what I do. If I want you to eat, believe me when I tell you that you will, in fact, eat."

She sighed, amused. "You sound quite confident."

He held both her hands under the blanket and stared right into her eyes, a teasing smile playing in his lips. "I am."

She sustained her breath and glanced down at his arms. "You are very warm yourself."

"That is because right now, the fever is making you cold." The Doctor removed his hands and ignored her silent protest. He held the orange juice in front of her mouth. "My dear, as soon as there is an intake of vitamins on your behalf, I'll let you go back to your sleeping affairs."

She furrowed her eyebrows, curious. "Are you playing me, Doctor?"

"Like I said, whatever works. All I want is for you to be back on your feet as soon as possible." He placed a hand behind her head, securing it, and brought the cup to her mouth, having met no resistance. "See? It's not that hard."

She made a face, wrinkling her forehead. "It is not pleasant either." She complained as she finished sipping.

He placed the cup on the tray and pulled her head onto his shoulder. "For now, it's enough. You did well, Sister."

She sighed, relieved. "No more food?"

"No. No more food for now."

She closed her eyes, and her breathing slowed down. "Thank you." She whispered.

"It's quite alright, Sister." The Doctor stroked her hand and felt her fingers entwine in his. He wondered what part in all this the fever had.

They stood still for quite a few minutes, Dr. Turner listening attentively to her breathing, looking out for any irregularities. Suddenly, a knock on the door made them both stir in their semi-conscious state.

Cynthia and Jenny peeked through the door. "Doctor?" Jenny whispered.

"Yes, Nurse Lee?" He whispered back.

"You are requested in the Northans' house for a suspected second-degree burn."

He silently cursed, eyeing the half asleep Sister beside him. "Oh… Oh, okay."

"Sister Julienne suggested we take Sister Bernadette to a vacant room nearer the bathroom and kitchen, should she need something." Cynthia informed him, glancing at the couch.

Dr. Turner nodded in agreement. "Of course, that's an excellent idea."

"Nurse Lee will accompany you, while I enlist Fred's help in moving her, Dr. Turner." Cynthia suggested in a helpful tone.

The Doctor shook his head. "That won't be necessary. I can carry her, and then I'll use the opportunity to make her comfortable in her new bed. She has quite the headache."

Cynthia nodded quickly. "As you wish."

Dr. Turner sat Sister Bernadette against the couch's arm again, and she whimpered. "I'm sorry, Sister, I'll try and be quick." He stood up and lifted her up in his arms without effort, ignoring the slight twinge in his back. Both nurses eyed him widely.

"Do you need any help, Doctor?" Jenny offered.

"Hold the door, please, and lead the way." He walked out of the room with ease and followed the nurses as they reached a door near the kitchen. They opened the door and Cynthia arranged for him to lay the Sister on the bed. He carefully laid her head on the soft pillow and tucked her in.

The sheets were colder than the couch had been, which resulted in a soft complain. Sister Bernadette opened her eyes and both nurses smiled.

"Welcome back, Sister."

"Sister…" The Doctor began, more formal than he intended, and she looked at him strangely.

"You have to go." It was not a question.

"I do." He sighed.

Her lip trembled and she looked away. "Will you…" She whispered timidly. "Will you come back?"

He did not even want to go. "Sleep, Sister." He subtly stroked her shoulder and whispered. "I'll be here when you wake up. It will be as if I never left."

BREAK HERE

Cynthia sat on the kitchen bench beside Trixie, looking puzzled.

"I think I'm seeing things."

A/N: Eheh, the biggest update to date. I have so much fun writing these two. THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you who reviewed, yes? It means the world to me 3

Kisses,

Inamioly