AN: Reviews replies!

Guest: Thank you lovely anonymous! Your support is great even when you do not have a fanfiction account. But fanfiction accounts are great and you should get one.

Chloemcg: Ah! Okay. Yep I can certainly do that request. It has been added to the list and if all goes to plan, it will be chapter 9! :D And this chapter's a request from you, too! :)

A Hundred Snap Shots of Their Lost Future

4- Imagination

It wasn't until three days after the explosion had occurred that Claire properly woke up. On occasion, her eyes would half open and she would mumble a word or two, but she would soon drift back into a deep sleep. But when Hershel made his way into the ward for his daily visit that third day after Claire had been admitted, she was wide awake and sitting up.

"Claire!" A bright smile came across his forlorn face and the length of his strides increased so he could hurry to her side (he didn't think it would be appropriate to run in a hospital).

"Hershel...!" Claire chuckled slightly. Her voice wasn't as loud as Hershel's due to her weakness, but the excitement was there just as much. "They told me you always came as soon as visiting hours began."

"But of course," Hershel nodded, tipping the top hat that Claire had given him those three days ago. "That's what a gentleman does."

"And you've got the hat on too!" Claire beamed with a slight giggle, as she eyed the brown hat with the red rim. "It really does suit you, you know..."

"But, of course," The newly pronounced Professor repeated, as he lent over to give the redhead a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Now, how are you feeling?"

Claire rolled her eyes. He was such a worry pot.

"I'm fine," Claire chuckled gently, taking his new position to her advantage and cuddling up against him. He wrapped his arm around her cautiously, not wanting to aggravate any of her burns, bruises or breaks. "They said the concussion's almost gone. It was really only a minor one, anyhow. Just in a place that caused me to be unconscious for so long."

Hershel chuckled. Claire seemed to have a rather enthusiastic tone for someone who was talking about their own severe injuries. Still, that was Claire all over.

"How long have you been awake, then?" Hershel asked, as he stroked her arm gently. He was careful to be soft and not to hit her bandaged wrist.

"Oh, about four hours, maybe," Claire shrugged.

Hershel looked at the clock on the wall of the ward. It was quarter past two now. Visiting hours were until eight pm. They had a good five and a half hours left before he had to go, though it was likely that Claire would fall asleep within the next two. He would gladly watch over her whilst she slept, though, he was so grateful she was alive. Still, he wanted to have some time to talk to her after such a close call.

"Do you need anything at all?" The archaeologist questioned.

Claire shook her head. "Just you, right now."

Hershel chuckled and squeezed her as light as he could, whilst still making sure the squeezing was actually noticeable. He must have succeeded as Claire let out a small giggle and no squirms of pain or discomfort.

"I don't think that's an issue," Hershel chuckled.

There was a slight pause between the couple as Claire snuggled against his chest. Silences between the two of them were rather common, and Claire had always taken it as a sign of the closeness between them. No words were needed; they could carry the silence with no awkwardness.

"Tell me a story..." Claire whispered after several moments.

"Hmm?" Hershel raised an eyebrow. "A story? Uh... What about?"

Hershel frowned slightly. A story? Even as a child, fiction had never been an interest of his. Neither was he as imaginative as most people. How could he come up with a story? He had no idea why Claire had even suggested that in the first place.

"Can you really not think of anything?" Claire giggled slightly. Hershel truly was too logical for creativity. "Hmm... I want a story about us."

"But... But you know all of them..."

"Then tell me one that hasn't happened yet..."

"One that hasn't happened yet?"

"Yes!"

"Hmm... Okay..." Hershel thought for a moment before he began. "One day, a few years from now, we will have a young son named Alfendi. He has my hair, but is far luckier to have your eyes. He'll be rather interested in the world around him and enjoy exploring. He'll be a curious young lad, and he'll be ever so interested in my archaeology work. He may even occasionally steal a fossil from my office to analyse himself in his bedroom. He'll have a younger sister, too. She'll be just as curious as him, but not so much about archaeology. She'll be called Lillian. She'll be an even bigger explorer than him. She'll love hide and seek, too. In fact, she'll enjoy it so much that on occasion she won't even ask to play; she'll just go and hide. That may lead to some worry more than once- but we'll always find her, of course."

"Mm... That was nice..." Claire murmured. "You know, if anything like that ever happened, I can't tell you how happy I'd be."

It was a good thing that all of that was just around the corner.

AN: Thanks for reading, guys! If you wanna drop a review, I'd be incredibly grateful. Also, I'd be super happy if you gave a one word request- however many you like! Remember guys, this story can only continue if you send in your requests! As random as you like! :D

Nikki~