Zelda sat through the morning routine of checks and tests impatiently, willing the hands on the slow moving clock on the wall to go faster. She couldn't wait to go back to her room and see Ike. After what felt like an eternity she was finally wheeled back to her room, a sight she wasn't expecting waiting on her. There, in the chair Ike had sat in the day before, was her father, her mother at her bedside table inspecting the roses.

"Zelda!" her mother beamed at her, the very picture of beauty well aged with the help of an immense fortune at her disposal. Her brown hair was piled on her head in a casual yet powerful updo, her green eyes shining under flattering light makeup.

"Hi Mom, hi Dad," she said with a slightly nervous smile. Peach helped her back into the bed, giving her a knowing look. Zelda had confided in Peach about her up and mostly down relationship with her parents; the conversation about whether college was worth the investment had sent the blonde on a tirade and Zelda was pretty sure Peach was one step short of marching to her father's office and telling him off.

"We came back as soon as we heard," her father spoke up with a whitened to death smile. "How're you doing?"

"Everything so far is great," she said hesitantly, watching her mother caress the roses gently.

"Who brought you these?" her mother asked casually and Zelda bristled at the tone.

"My heart donor's brother," she answered, looking between them for their reaction. Shock flickered across both their faces. Her father seemed to recover first. "He came to see me yesterday with his mom-"

"Why?" her father cut her off and Zelda tried not to snap as she responded.

"To help them cope with the loss of Mist," she said firmly. "He's actually really nice and he's stopping by to visit me today."

"Zelda," her father's tone more than hinted at his disapproval of that and she sighed.

"It's helping him, and me," she said tightly. "Aside from doctors, nurses, and family he's the only person that's wanted to come visit me." She added that he seemed to want to see her more than her own family silently, wishing she had the gall to say it.

"Well these are lovely," her mother offered as a peace offering and Zelda smiled as she laid back on her pillows.

"Thanks for coming by," she said as she found a comfortable way to position her bed. She really didn't want them to be there when Ike got there. They'd read too much into it and besides that she selfishly wanted time with Ike all to herself. "It means a lot," she added and her mother gave her a smile worthy of a magazine cover. Zelda's phone buzzed on the bedside table and both her parents zeroed in on it.

"Who's texting you?" her father demanded more than asked and Zelda sighed.

"That's probably Ike. He said he had a short shift this morning-"

"What does he do?" Her father once more butted in and Zelda tried to keep the annoyance in her voice at a minimum.

"I don't know Dad I just met him yesterday and we talked about his sister with his Mom."

"Is she going to be here as well?" her mother asked in that obnoxious casual tone.

"I don't know!" Zelda snapped impatiently and jumped a little as Peach placed a hand on her arm.

"I'm sorry to say this," she spoke up in a tone that belied her words, "but I need you to leave while I check her vitals." Peach beamed a sickly sweet smile their way before gesturing with a shooing motion. Her father grumbled but left, her mother trailing behind.

"Thank you," Zelda said with a tired smile at the nurse who shrugged.

"You looked like you didn't want to get interrogated and it was a bit much for a guy who's not a potential boyfriend at this point. I just used my magic to make them shoo. Here," she held out Zelda's phone with a knowing smirk. Zelda took it with an excited smile and read the message from Ike.

'Can I stop by? Boss said he doesn't want me screwing up on the job and to take a few more days... His bizarre way of showing he cares I guess.' Zelda smiled and then felt it fall away. Could she get rid of her parents?

'My parents are here right now.' She watched the dots dance on her screen as he typed a reply.

'So the visits a no go?' Zelda groaned and bit her lower lip.

'No I want you to stop by I was just warning you because they can be pretty intense.'

'Don't worry Zelda, I've experienced intense parents before.' She smiled at that, trying to ignore the small spark of jealousy brought on by the thought of him meeting other people's parents.

'Then come on by. But I warned you.'

'I'll be there in ten. Maybe you should warn them ;)'

XxX

The next ten minutes of Zelda's life was spent listening to her mother gush about the various purchases she made while overseas. Zelda listened politely, glancing at the door every few seconds. Finally Zelda looked and saw Ike standing in her doorway. Her heart monitor beeped faster as he gave her a grin, her parents turning to see who had captured her attention.

"Hey Zelda," he said with his grin still on his lips as he stepped farther into the room.

"Hi Ike," she barely managed to breathe the words, feeling the heat rise on her cheeks. He was dressed in faded jeans and a shirt bearing the logo of a company Zelda vaguely recognized as a construction company in town. He turned his eyes to her parents and Zelda tensed as he approached her father.

"Hi I'm Ike Greil," he said as he held out a hand and Zelda watched her father take it, looking a bit unwilling to do so.

"Arn Nohansen," her father finally offered before releasing his hand and motioning to her mother. "This is my wife Medilia." Her mother beamed a smile at him and Ike shook her hand as well before turning his eyes back to Zelda.

"How're you feeling today?" he asked as he stood there awkwardly, Zelda realizing her parents had taken both visitors chairs.

"I'm okay," she said with a smile she'd never admit was shy. Ike nodded and to her surprise he sat on the edge of her bed, kicking out his work boot clad feet a little to get comfortable. "Doctor Mario said that so far I'm still showing no signs of rejection and at the rate I'm healing I might even get discharged early." It was more than she had told her parents, and judging by the look she got from her father it was a bad thing this stranger got more details.

"That's awesome!" Ike exclaimed, putting Zelda's smile back on her lips. His hand took hers and squeezed her fingers gently, Zelda surprised by the action in front of her parents. The beeping on the heart monitor sped up a bit and he frowned at the machine.

"How's Elena?" Zelda asked quickly to distract him. It worked and he turned a grin her way.

"She's way better today. She actually opened the bakery this morning," Zelda smiled at his words. "Meeting you yesterday really helped, more so than I had hoped."

"I'm glad to hear it," she said earnestly, happy with Ike's hand still holding hers.

"What do you do for a living Ike?" Her father spoke up and she squeezed Ike's hand. He spared her a wink before turning to face him better, his hand still holding hers.

"I've done a little bit of everything. I'm working at Foxhound Construction right now, but I also help my mom out at the bakery she owns when she needs me to. When I was in high school I had a job at the auto shop my dad used to own."

"Used to own?" Zelda felt like slapping her father for his disapproving tone.

"Yeah he died when I was in high school so I couldn't take over. Mom sold the business to a family friend and started her bakery."

"Did you go to college?" he asked and Ike shook his head.

"I've done trade schools for construction but we didn't have the money for college at the time and my sister was always the better one at school with higher ambitions. Between my mom and myself we were getting her through college."

"So it's just you and your mom now?" her mother asked and Ike nodded.

"She's a fighter, toughest woman I've ever met. Losing Mist hit her hard, but meeting Zelda yesterday really helped her cope." He turned a grin her way and Zelda blushed. "Helped me too," he said and she squeezed his hand, unable to vocalize that meeting them helped her just the same. Ike moved his hand in hers a little, lacing their fingers gently. "Actually after meeting you my mom might get knocked to second place for toughest woman I've ever met."

"Zelda!" Peach appeared in her doorway, a wheelchair in tow. "You ready to go for a walk before it hits lunchtime?" Zelda glanced at Ike who nodded subtly before standing up.

"I'll get out of your way... See you Zelda," with that he quickly exited the room, Zelda feeling like she was missing something as her parents stood up.

"We will as well," her father smoothed his pressed suit and glanced at the flashy watch on his wrist. After saying a rather icy goodbye to her parents, Peach helped Zelda into the wheelchair and pushed her into the hallway. Her face lit up at the sight of Ike leaning against the wall a few doors down, a grin on his lips as Peach wheeled her over.

"No funny business now," Peach warned. "Thirty minutes outside, then she's back in her room. Understood?"

"You got it," Ike said with a disarming grin as he stepped behind Zelda to take over pushing. They moved in silence to the elevator, him pressing the button to call it. "Bet you wouldn't mind sneaking off with me huh?"

"Wh-what?" Zelda stammered out, taken aback.

"I meant getting out of this damn hospital," he said with a chuckle. "Sheesh guess you think I'm easy."

"I didn't think you meant anything like that!" she lied quickly and he chuckled again as he leaned over the back of the wheelchair, bringing his face close to hers.

"Then what did you think?" He whispered the question in her ear and Zelda had never been happier to be unplugged from a heart monitor.

"I just... didn't hear you right," she lied, knowing the words sounded fake even to her ears.

"Uh huh," he said and Zelda was relieved when the doors opened and revealed the relative safety of a nurse already occupying the small space.

XxX

They made it to the gardens in a comfortable silence, Zelda feeling oddly at ease in his presence. He pushed her past a few rows of flowers planted around flowering trees, her sighing in happiness. "So," Ike started and she tilted her head back to look up at him. He chuckled nervously and she smiled.

"I think I owe you a thanks for setting all this up," she said, unthinkingly putting her hand on top of his. She wondered if she should move it, but he surprised her by not saying a word about it as he found a small, out of the way bench tucked away under a bowing tree laden with white flowers.

"Well I got the vibe from your texts that a visit from your parents wasn't exactly something you wanted to endure for long so before I went to your room I stopped by the nurses station and talked to Peach who schemed with me."

"Well you two did great," she said, looking his face over as he sat. "Ike? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," he turned his eyes to meet hers and Zelda saw past the grin, sadness and sleepless nights reflected in his gaze as he looked at her, so obvious this close she let out a heavy sigh.

"How're you doing with all this?" she asked and watched surprise flicker across his features briefly.

"I'm alright," he lied and Zelda gave him a look. He sighed and leaned his head against the bark of the tree for a moment, his eyes distant. "She was leaving my place that night. About a week ago I broke up with my girlfriend and my sister being the concerned little meddler that she was... She came to visit me and when she left the accident happened."

"Oh Ike..." Zelda leaned forward as best she could and took his hand, squeezing his fingers to make him look at her. She waited for his eyes to turn her way before she spoke again. "It's not your fault, you know that right?" He scowled at her and she took his other hand. "Ike, a drunk driver hit her, just because she was leaving your place-"

"I hadn't been calling her like I always did, she was worried. If it weren't for me she would've been safe in her dorm," he said sadly and Zelda didn't know what to say to that. After a beat he looked down and Zelda pulled on his hands, bringing him to her. She wrapped her arms around him as best she could in the wheelchair, feeling the stuttering breath he let out against her neck. "My mom said the same thing but-"

"Ike," she turned her face, trying to catch his eyes, not realizing how the movement put them nose to nose until it was too late. She blushed at the unexpected contact and he moved back to sit on the bench. "It's not your fault," said in a shaky voice and he looked away.

"Sure," he said noncommittally and looked away.

"You must hate me," she whispered and his head whipped around quickly.

"What?" he asked.

"I got her heart and she's gone and now you don't have a sister and-"

"Zelda," he cut off her stream of words, his left hand taking hers while his right went to wipe a tear from her cheek, "I don't hate you. I could never hate you. I'm glad that something good came from Mist's death. You can live, without her heart... You wouldn't have made it. It's weird to say but I'm glad I had the chance to meet you." He moved his hand from her cheek, Zelda hating to admit she missed it. He looked out over the gardens and scowled slightly. Zelda followed his gaze, seeing a young woman in light blue nurse's scrubs pushing a woman holding a little pink bundle in her arms. "That's my ex," he said softly and Zelda scowled at the beautiful face framed by red hair that was pulled into a high ponytail.

"She's pretty," Zelda offered as the ex wheeled the new mother out of sight.

"Yeah, she is. She slept with a friend of mine though so," he let out a humorless chuckle and Zelda frowned.

"That's not right," she said and he turned his eyes to her, a grin threatening to turn up the corner of his lips.

"Shit happens," he said. Zelda leaned forward once again and took his hand. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Boyfriend? Girlfriend?"

"No no," she shook her head and he quirked up an eyebrow. "I don't have a boyfriend, I actually haven't ever had one."

"No way," he said with a shake of his head. "I'm not buying that one I don't believe it."

"I'm serious!" she said with a little self conscious laugh. "No boyfriends, no dates, no..." She trailed off and had to look away from his mischievous grin.

"You've never had sex," it was a statement, not a question, one that made Zelda blush violently. "Zelda that's not a bad thing I mean-"

"I've never even been kissed before alright?" she said, eyes focusing on a tiny pink flower poking out of the ground a few feet away. "Being in and out of hospitals, always being aware that I could be dead soon... It kept me from a lot."

"Hey," his tone was gentle as he cupped her chin and turned her face back to his, "it's alright. You've got a chance now, just take it one day at a time. You never know what's going to happen until it does." Zelda searched his eyes, a smile slowly breaking out on her lips.

"Maybe I'll find someone willing to help me with my inexperience," she said and Ike rolled his eyes as he finally let go of her chin.

"You won't have to look too hard," he said and Zelda wanted to ask what he meant, only he pulled out his phone with a sigh. "I should probably get you back to your room, I don't want Peach to murder me."

He stood up and moved behind her, Zelda letting out a heavy sigh. He began pushing her back towards the hospital and Zelda looked up at him, wondering if asking him for her first kiss would be too much. She let out another heavy sigh and decided against it. After everything he'd been through, the woman who got his sister's heart was probably the last person he'd want to kiss.

XxX

They made it back to her room, Peach following them in to help Zelda get back into the bed. Ike looked at the roses he bought her while Peach eased her onto the sheets, but sat on the edge of her bed as soon as she was settled. Without saying a word he took her hand, Peach humming a tune as she turned on the various machines. "Okay honey, you're all set up. I'll have Daisy bring in your lunch in a bit okay?" Zelda nodded and Peach left, Ike sitting there silently.

"You okay?" Zelda asked and he looked up at her.

"Yeah, just thinking," he said with a distracted nod.

"What about?" she coaxed and he shrugged.

"Stuff," he said and she narrowed her eyes. "Don't give me a look," he laughed and shook his head. "A man's allowed to think privately."

"Hm," Zelda hummed and looked to her roses, noting that one was starting to wilt.

"When's your birthday?" he asked and she looked at him curiously.

"About a week and a half away," she said and he nodded, "why?"

"Just making conversation," he said and Zelda gave him another look. "What's with all the looks?" He chuckled nervously. "I don't know what else to talk about... Just trying to learn more about you."

"Why don't you tell me about you," Zelda said and he quirked up an eyebrow again. "Aside from Peach going on about her new relationship with my cardiologist I don't have much else so tell me about you."

"Not much to tell Zelda, I'm kinda boring as far as guys go," he said with a shrug and she shook her head.

"I don't believe you."

"Alright," he chuckled and thought for a moment. "I was born a week after my due date, which my mom reminds me of constantly. I was teased in school because I was the only kid with blue hair until I hit a growth spurt and was taller than everyone. I love spicy food, spicy steak to be exact, and there's this restaurant near my place that makes the best damn spicy steak."

"I haven't been to a restaurant in ages," she said absently and he squeezed her hand.

"We'll go when you get outta here. Let's see..." he thought for a moment and Zelda smiled at the notion of him wanting to see her outside of the hospital. Was that just him being nice? Did he really want to? "I was on the football team, varsity my freshman year, a linebacker because I'm huge and can take down anyone who comes my way."

"Did you date all the cheerleaders?" Zelda teased and he scrunched up his nose.

"No, they were kinda all sluts at my school, the rumors around the locker room were enough to make me keep my distance. Actually I dated a few band girls, one dance chick... And an art nerd who was always covered in paint." Zelda smiled and he shrugged. "I didn't sleep with anyone my senior year. I got drunk at a party and ended up in bed with art girl, that's actually how we started dating," he made a face but continued. "We were a bad match, fought a lot but I was a lovesick puppy waxing poetic about how we shared that special moment so I stayed with her way too long. After high school I worked at the auto shop until I got the job with Foxhound."

"Do you still go out and get drunk and-"

"No," he cut her off quickly. "I drink one beer maybe if I hit the bar after work with the guys but after a few blackout nights in high school I lost the taste for drinking. It's really not all it's cracked up to be. You wake up, feel like shit... Why put yourself through that?" Zelda smiled at that, a little happy that he wasn't a party kind of guy. "Besides all that I've become quite selective in who I spend my time with. I don't want to make a bad call while drunk that I regret when I wake up in the morning."

"Good thinking there," Zelda offered and he smirked.

"Eh, the guys at work usually hate when I go with them because I get hit on and don't take up any offers."

"Well you had a girlfriend-"

"Even before her," he said as he leaned back a little on her bed. "Like I said, I'm a boring dude mostly."

"Not to me," Zelda said and blushed when she realized she said it out loud.

"Says the one who's been cooped up in a hospital for over a year," he teased and she scowled. "Nah when you get out of here you'll meet people that make me look boring has hell."

"I don't-" Zelda started but was cut off by Daisy popping in the door. Daisy beamed at the sight of Ike holding her hand as she brought in Zelda's lunch tray.

"Hey Zelda!" she said happily and Zelda smiled at her, though it was a little strained when Ike let her hand go. "Lunch is here, and it's your favorite," she said with a little laugh and Zelda rolled her eyes.

"Baked chicken?"

"With the flavorless green beans!" she said in a sing song voice and Ike chuckled.

"I should go," he said and Zelda looked at him quickly. "I promised Mom I'd stop by the shop so..." He leaned over her and Zelda wrapped her arms around him as he hugged her. "Call if you need anything," he said as he pulled back and she nodded.

"Bye Ike," she said and he nodded at Daisy before leaving the room.

"He was holding your hand," Daisy commented and Zelda rolled her eyes.

"He's been doing that today, don't read too much into it," she said and Daisy set her food on the table before putting a hand on her hip.

"Today and not yesterday when his mom was here?" she asked with a tone Zelda didn't understand. "Eat up!" she called as she left the room and Zelda sighed as she looked down at her sad little lunch. Her phone buzzed on the table next to her tray and she looked at it, smiling as she saw it was from Ike.

'Guess where I'm eating?'

'Where?' she sent back before picking up her fork and stabbing her green beans. Her phone buzzed again as she raised the bite to her lips. She picked it up and scowled at the picture of the fastfood place next door to the hospital, obviously taken from the window on his way to the elevator. 'You're so mean!' she sent in response before taking a bite and chewing slowly.

'I'll eat a french fry for you ;)' he sent back and she rolled her eyes as she tried to think of what to say.

'I'd rather you brought me an order.' She finally sent and sighed as she tried to look out her window to the parking lot she could barely see, wondering if she could see him from there.

'...we'll see' he sent and she scowled at the message in confusion. Shrugging, she went about trying not to think about all the food she hadn't been able to eat in a year.

XxX

Her lunch tray was taken away barely touched and Zelda sighed as she leaned the bed back into a more lounging position, wishing she could have more company. She stared at her phone but knew texting or calling Ike would seem desperate so she she set it down and instead picked up the remote for the tv. She flicked it on and settled in watching a rerun of cop show when her phone buzzed.

'You awake?' The message from Ike made her smile.

'Yeah. How was my fry?'

'Why don't you tell me for yourself?' the message made her frown in confusion until her door opened and she looked up. There Ike stood, a small bag in his hands.

"Hey," he greeted as he stepped forward.

"Hi?" she questioned and he sat by her bed, pulling the table back to her and settling it over her.

"As requested," he said and pulled out a medium order of fries, Zelda's mouth instantly watering.

"How'd you sneak this in here?" she asked as she picked one up and he grinned as he flattened the bag, ripping the little squeeze packets of ketchup and pouring them on the bag.

"It's a free country and lunchtime, besides Peach wasn't at the desk so one grin from me and the brunette was history." Zelda tried not to scowl at the notion of him pseudo flirting with someone, but it must've shown on her face because he frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she lied and he gave her a look before he grinned.

"Don't worry Zelda," he said as he leaned back on her bed, his arms behind him to support his weight, "I have no interest in dating another nurse." He winked at her and Zelda blushed despite herself, popping a fry into her mouth before she could say anything. The fry hit her tongue and she let out a little whine.

"So good," she said and he grinned.

"Well eat up pretty quick before Peach catches you," he said as he stood up. "Right now I really need to get going. Text me alright?" She nodded and he grinned as he leaned over and gave her a hug. Zelda melted into the touch and wrapped an arm around him, keeping him there a beat too long. Finally she let go and he hesitated for a moment before heading towards the door.

"Call me!" he called as he went out and she sighed happily as she looked down at her pile of fries, happier than she had been in a long time.

XXX

Thanks for reading! And to my reviewers last chapter (Crayle, Qoh22, and Approaching Dawn) thank you! The alerts make my day, you have no idea. As always, let me know what you think! Much love, Leigh