Trials of Life and Love

Chapter 4: Evil Nurse Wielding a Thermometer Strikes Again

Disclaimer: James Patterson owns the characters and original story that this fanfic is based on. I only own the plot and use of his characters in this story.

Please Enjoy!

My eyes snapped open at the feel of someone prodding me with their fingers. I knew Fang couldn't be responsible so I went into attack mode, figuring someone had snuck into my room.

My head shot up to glare at what I thought was my attacker only to stare into the face of my nurse. The woman who had taken my temperature was back and responsible for the uncomfortable prodding.

"Do you mind? I was trying to sleep and your poking is irritating."

"Oh, I'm sorry miss. I was just running some small tests to make sure your healing properly and that your muscles are responsive."

The woman spoke in an English accent as though she had popped out of Mary Poppins. When she talked to me she didn't make eye contact either. I guess freaked her out because when I had spoken her eyes had widened in shock in fear.

"Are you done testing then?"

"Almost miss, I just need to take your temperature again to see if your fever has gone down."

"Whatever, do what you have to so you can leave."

"Yes, of course." The nurse hurried out of the room to no doubt retrieve the plastic do-dad that would take my temperature.

"I think you scared her."

"What?" I snapped to attention at the sound of Fang's voice, I'd forgotten that he was here. When I looked to him he looked on the verge of laughter. I guess when I'm surprised I look dorky cause their was definitely the hint of a smile on his face.

"I said, 'I thing you scare her.'"

"Oh right. Yeah, I think so too. She definitely left in a hurry to get that thermometer."

"Yeah."

"So what time is it? I don't even know the date." Fang looked down at his old battered watch to read the time before responding.

"It's five thirty-four in the morning and last time I checked the date was December seventeenth making today the nineteenth."

"Oh. It's almost Christmas."

"Yup. It was November when you were injured."

"I thought it might have been November but I wasn't sure. Hmm… what are we going to do about Christmas?"

"I don't know, normally we just ignore the holiday, you know, we are kinda broke."

"Yeah, I know, but still. I think we should do something this year. Besides, we have the Max Ride bank card and we can do secret Santa or just pair off into groups of two."

"True, I guess we could do something like that."

"Good, because you have to admit, we all could use a holiday these days."

"You have a point."

"So is that a yes?"

"Sure, why not. A holiday sounds nice anyway and you are the leader, its not you need my permission anyway."

"I know, but you're my second in command and your opinion matters to me."

"Nice to know opinion means something."

"Yup, so how should we do the pairing off? And do you think we should budget the costs of each gift to a certain amount of money?"

"Hmm… I think we should pair off into groups of two like you suggested. We could pair off Gazzy with Iggy that way Gazzy's supervised, plus they both know what each other likes. As for Angel, I think she should go with Nudge since they get along and are bound to know what each other wants."

"Good call, so I guess that just leaves you… and me, together."

"Yup."

"So when do we go shopping?"

"As soon as we leave here tomorrow we'll tell the flock our plan and leave for the nearest mall."

"Okay, so everything's set?"

"Yep, everything's set."

So there we have it. Christmas is all set and planned. Me and Fang would be shopping for each other. I wonder what he'll get me?

I looked at Fang for a moment while the silence swirled between us. Suddenly I had the intense need to kiss him. I was surprised by the desire but saw it mirrored in Fang's eyes as well. He wanted to kiss me too.

Fang leaned closer towards me as his eyes slowly drifted closed. My own eyes shut as I leaned forward, welcoming the idea of his lips upon my own. I wanted to kiss Fang, I wanted to be with Fang. I loved Fang. There, I admitted to myself. I was in love with my best friend, but guess what? He seemed to like me to.

I felt myself drawing closer to him when suddenly I heard my door open. Oh no! I had forgotten that the nurse was supposed to come back and take my temperature, darn it. Would me and Fang ever get time to ourselves?

The moment the nurse stepped into the room, me and Fang jolted apart. The warmth of his breathing as his face neared mine was gone. I suddenly felt this urge to rip the little British nurse to shreds like I would with an eraser. Seriously, how many times was this lady gonna interrupt me and Fang?

"Excuse me miss but I've got the thermometer. Is it okay if I take your temperature now?"

"Sure, go ahead."

The nurse stepped forward towards my bed and handed me the plastic thing for the second time this week. I slid it under my tongue and waited for it to finish taking my temperature.

About a minute or so later the thing beeped and I handed it to the nurse so she could look at it. Her eyes scanned the object before putting it into her pocket.

"Your fever has dropped, and your temperature is at a decent ninety-eight point nine."

"So I don't have a fever anymore? I'm perfectly fine then?"

"Yes, but your still not in perfect shape. You need more rest, so I'll leave you to do just that now."

"See ya."

The nurse walked out of the room upon my dismissal and shut the door with a click. I eyed the door for a moment or so, almost daring it to open and reveal the nurse once more. That woman was always walking in at the worst possible time.

"I hope I never have to see another thermometer for as long as I live. God I hate those plastic pieces of crud and the annoying females that wield them."

Fang chuckled at my remark and replied, "At least your leaving here tomorrow, although I cant promise that you wont have to see another thermometer again. Hopefully you'll keep yourself safe from now on so you wont need visit a hospital again."

"Hopefully. I definitely didn't intend to end up here in the first place."

"True, Ari's the one that sent you a one way ticket to this hole in the wall."

"I'm glad the flock took care of him. I'll be happy if I never have to see his face again but you never know who might come back from the dead at this rate. Ari's already been killed once."

"Yeah, I know."

"So… when are we leaving here tomorrow?"

"Sometime in the morning. Probably as soon as you wake up. I have all of your stuff with me right here, you just need to change into your normal clothes and then we can fly out of here as soon as possible."

"Good. I cant wait to be free of this place."

"Same here."

Thank whatever god or goddess there is in this world that I would finally be leaving. I cant wait to be free and flying. All I want to do is jump out of here right now and be with my flock again. I cant stand being away from there. The only thing keeping sane and holding me back from ditching this dump right now is Fang.

Fang. I don't know what to do about Fang, I know I love him but where does that leave us? Do I tell him I love him? I mean, we haven't even kissed yet. Obviously he cares for me too, but does Fang love me? Things were getting so confusing now. Why did I have to fall in love with my best friend? My second in command, my brother. At least he's not my real brother.

I pulled myself out of my thoughts to look up at the center of my turmoil, Fang. He was staring right back at me, with a look of longing and… could it be? Love? Maybe Fang did love me like I loved him.

I leaned forward slightly as though drawn to Fang. I could see myself reflected in his eyes as he moved toward me as well. We were like magnets being drawn towards each other.

My eyes shut as I angled my head. I felt Fang's arms wrap around my waist as my own arms encircled his neck. I clung to him as his breath touched my skin. He was so close, I could feel his warmth, hear his heart beating.

He drew closer. I could feel his hair upon my forehead as his face came closer to mine. We were about to kiss. My first real kiss with Fang, the man I loved.

End Chapter.

Sorry about he cliffhanger but I just thought it was the perfect ending for this chapter. I'm also sorry the chapter is so short but I ran out of creativity at the last moment.

Anyway, please review. Don't forget to read the next chapter to find out if Fang and Max finally kiss or if some other distraction keeps them apart once more.

The Author.