Sakura woke to find herself in a strange bed in a strange room with Ino by her side.

"Hey," the blonde said gently. "How are you feeling?"

Sakura smiled. "How do I look?" she mumbled, getting a laugh from Ino.

"You've been out for a while. Do you remember what happened?" Ino asked Sakura.

Sakura nodded. She remembered Kabuto, the child, the car. She remembered falling. She remembered Sasuke Uchiha. She looked around the room and her eyes came to rest on the very nice curtains framing the window. She realised she must still be in whatever hospital they had brought her to.

"Ino," she said sharply, as a thought suddenly hit her. "Where am I and how long have I been in this bed?"

"Umm... about 26 hours? It's almost midnight now. We're at St. John's."

"Oh, shit," Sakura said, sitting up in her bed. "Oh, shit. Help me up."

"What's the matter," Ino said, alarmed. She helped her friend up to a standing position by the bed, her eyes widening when Sakura pulled the IV out of her arm.

"Where are my clothes?" Sakura asked hurriedly as she began unbuttoning the hospital gown she was wearing. She had never understood why the buttons had to be on the back instead of the front. Foot hurts like hell, she thought. Ino pointed to the bedside drawer, but didn't motion to help.

"You really don't have to worry, Sakura. Everything's been taken care of. Sasuke's people granted EP Mag an exclusive with him and Naruto's over the moon."

"Ino-" Sakura tried to interject, but the blonde continued.

"It's been good for their campaign too. There was a good photo op of him visiting you while you were unconscious. It's been a real fluff story for the media. People love it, and I got to meet him and he is really SUCH a nice guy-"

"No, listen," Sakura said as she finally got the last button off. "Ino, I can't afford this. Medical bills. I can't."

Ino stopped. "Oh," she said softly. "Right. Well, I'll go see about getting you discharged then. Doctor did say you should be good to go when you woke up." With that, she disappeared back out the door.

Sakura got her clothes out of the drawer and somehow managed to struggle into her jeans with her bandaged foot. She grabbed her shirt, and in that moment heard a soft "Oh!" behind her. She turned in time to see Sasuke Uchiha politely turning to face the door, and quickly put her shirt on.

"Sorry," he said. "I didn't realise you would be... up."

"No problem," Sakura mumbled as she gathered her things. Sasuke stood lamely at the door, not knowing what to do with himself. She paused, realising she was being rude, and took a deep breath. "I hear you visited me while I was unconscious," she said, turning to look at him. "Thank you," she said sincerely.

Sasuke coughed. "Least I could do, seeing as it was my careless driver who ran over you. I am sorry about that, and I'm glad to see you're feeling better. I'm Sasuke, by the way."

"Sakura. And there's no need to feel bad. He hardly ran over me," Sakura smiled. "Now if you'll excuse me," she said anxiously, making for the door.

"Wait," Sasuke said, moving to block her way. Sakura, nose almost colliding into his chest, noticed suddenly how tall he was. Then again, at barely past five-foot-three, everyone seemed tall to her. She took a step back as he continued. "I do feel somewhat responsible. I want you to know I've personally taken care of your medical bills. You needn't worry about that."

"Oh," Sakura said, surprised. "I... you didn't have to do that. You shouldn't have. I appreciate it, but I really can't let you do that. Have your office send me the bill, and I'll settle it." Sakura did not like relying on other people. She did not like being in debt to anyone, much less a stranger.

It was Sasuke's turn to be surprised. "It's really no problem at all," he said. "And it's already done."

"No, I insist," Sakura persisted.

"So do I," Sasuke replied quickly. "Let me be a gentleman." Sakura raised an eyebrow.

Sasuke chuckled and began in a mocking tone, "Yes, let me prove today, to at least one woman in this world, that the gentleman does still exist; that chivalry is not dead, that gallantry prevails and that-"

"Have you already forgotten that you walked in on me half dressed," Sakura interrupted mid-tirade, smiling sweetly and condescendingly at his words.

"No, no I haven't," Sasuke said, amused by her sarcasm. He grinned roguishly and leaned in. "While I thoroughly enjoyed the show, I usually let the girls buy me dinner first."

Sakura scowled and pushed him lightly out of her way. She was halfway out the door when he caught her arm, stopping her.

"Hey," he said, pulling her back to face him. His tone was no longer cheeky. "That was a great thing you did last night," he continued gently, his gaze piercing. "You might have saved that little boy's life. I don't know if I would have reacted as quickly or selflessly as you did, so you should feel proud about that."

Sakura cocked her head to one side, a quizzical frown forming on her forehead. "I did what anyone would have done," she said softly, matter of fact. He saw her eyes become unfocussed for a moment as she recalled the moment she had pulled the boy out of harm's way. Those bright emerald eyes.

"Ahem."

Sasuke hurriedly let go of Sakura and the two sprang apart. Shikamaru stood at the door, Ino just behind him.

"Ah, Shikamaru," Sasuke said, putting his hands in his pocket. "I was just telling Sakura here how brave she was. Hello Ino. Nice to see you. Again. Today."

Ino smiled, "Hi Sasuke," she piped. Shikamaru's expression, on the other hand, remained impassive.

Ino continued, "Shikamaru told me you're settling the bill. Thank you so much. I don't know how Sakura would have managed to come up with that-"

"Ino!" Sakura warned sharply, and her friend stopped mid-sentence.

There was an awkward silence as the four stood here, broken by Sasuke when he said, "Oh, how rude of me. Sakura, this is Shikamaru, my publicist and good friend. Shika, meet our hero of the day, Sakura."

Sakura turned to nod at Shikamaru, their eyes locking. "We've met," she said shortly, holding his gaze.

"Shika!" Sasuke exclaimed. "You didn't tell me you knew her."

Shikamaru shrugged. "We were classmates before," he said, finally breaking into a smile.

Sakura grabbed Ino's hand and began hobbling towards the door. "Well, it was lovely to meet everyone, but we really must be going now." She turned to Sasuke. "Send me that bill, please."

"Take me to dinner instead," Sasuke said, grinning at her. "It's the least you could do after flashing me."

Both Sakura and Shikamaru turned to glare at Sasuke.

"Send me that bill," Sakura repeated. "Shikamaru has my number," she said, as she and Ino left the men behind.

Sasuke and Shikamaru stood in silence, watching them go.

"That girl is... interesting," Sasuke remarked pensively to his friend. "How do you know her again?"

Shikamaru snorted. "I know that look. Don't even think about it."

Sasuke laughed. "I'm not, honestly. I just find her amusing. Give me her number," he said, turning to Shikamaru.

"What? No!"

"Come on, Shika, what does it matter? One dinner."

"She'll say no. I know her."

"Sounds like somebody's already lucked out," Sasuke said jokingly as he made a grab for Shikamaru's phone.

Shikamaru swatted him away, phone in his hand. "She won't agree," he repeated, but Sasuke managed to snatch the phone from him and began scrolling through his contacts.

"Alright, I'm sending her number to myself. Hey, everyone in here is a first name-last name contact. She's just Sakura. Oh," Sasuke stopped. "Oh... you two used to date," he said with sudden realisation.

Shikamaru snatched his phone back. "Yes, but it was a long time ago," he admitted. "It was a while ago but I guess she still doesn't like me," he continued, giving Sasuke a weak grin.

Sasuke laughed and pounded his friend on the back. "Alright, I won't call her then, but you owe me that story. Now, food!" he demanded.

"So let me get this straight. He walks in on you getting dressed, but turns away like a gentleman. Then instead of being awkward, he manages to joke about it and indirectly asks you out. That's hot, Sakura."

Ino and Sakura were back at Sakura's apartment, sharing a bottle of wine. It was almost two in the morning.

"He was not asking me out," Sakura protested.

Ino ignored her. "On top of that, he paid your bills, is sexy as hell, and remind me again why you didn't just give him your number?"

"I did, in a way. His friend has it."

"Oh, Shikamaru. He's pretty damn sexy himself," Ino sighed. "What's the story with that one anyway?"

Sakura shrugged.

"Come on," Ino pried. "The guy practically carried you to the hospital."

"He did not!"

"Well, apparently when he heard about it, he took on the heavy responsibility of making sure you were looked after. Heavy because your thick skull weighs so much," Ino added, earning a light swat from her friend.

"Okay, okay," Sakura had to laugh a little. She paused, and Ino waited. "Remember that boyfriend I told you about from when I was getting my degree?"

"Oh, yes. Mr. Smart-Cute-and-Unfaithful. You know, he didn't deserve you, but you did kiss that other guy too. Just saying. Anyway, what about him?"

Sakura just stared at Ino.

Ino started. "Oh," she realised. "Oh, I see. Umm... wow. "

They sat in silence for a few moments, then Ino broke into a cheeky grin. "Damn, Sakura, you did goooooood. He is one sexy beast," she said, patting Sakura on the back.

"Ino!" Sakura said, starting to giggle. "It's not funny!"

Ino began giggling too. "Come on, it was a little funny." The two broke into laughter for a while.

"Okay, no more wine tonight," Sakura said when they recovered. "You're staying here, yes?"

"Already settling in," Ino said as she stretched back on Sakura's couch. Sakura went to get a spare blanket and pillow.

"You should give him a chance, you know," Ino mumbled as Sakura got into bed. Her apartment was a small studio – basically one rectangular room with everything jammed in.

"Who, Sasuke?" Sakura asked, puzzled.

"No, Shika," Ino continued sleepily. "He was already at the hospital when I got there, you know, and he hardly left. He just... sat there looking worried the whole time."

Sakura was silent.

"I'm just saying," Ino continued after a moment. "I think he still likes you. Maybe he's changed."

"That's the wine talking. Go to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow morning," Sakura said quietly.

"They don't change, Ino," she added softly.