"People say you have to make it a game, killing people. It doesn't work," he said solemnly, "at least not for me. This one village... my first week there this guy comes running out with a machine gun and I shot him. I watched the life leave his eyes," Ike's voice cracked at the memory. He couldn't look up at Zelda, couldn't bear any judgement in her eyes aimed at him. So there he sat, eyes fixated on the table between them, not able to look up at her. "A buddy of mine was the gunner on a tank and he said it was easier at a distance... I never sat in a gunner's seat, I had to look them in the eye and just pull the trigger."

"In wartime it's kill or be killed," she said soothingly and he looked up at her.

"How do I not scare you?" he asked, searching those mesmerizing eyes of hers. "I've killed people with my bare hands and you're actually able to sit in a room alone with me?" He didn't add that he was grateful, that he had found a tether to the realm of the living that he had been missing so desperately, he just asked her and waited.

"You don't scare me Ike, nothing about you does."

"Even my freak out?" he asked, broaching the topic of the night before.

"Perfectly normal," she said reassuringly.

"What about kissing a woman whose name I don't even know?" he asked and she looked at him.

"You said you didn't-"

"I kissed you, all I know is you're Doctor No," he teased and liked the blush on her pointed ears.

"My name is Zelda," she finally said and he grinned.

"I like it," he said, rolling the name around in his head. "Can I call you Zelda?"

"If you'd like," she smiled at him softly, a slightly nervous one in his opinion.

"Alrighty then Zelda," he said her name, stretching out a bit on the couch, "what do we discuss now?"

"Anything you'd like," she said, tapping her pen lightly on her paper.

"What if I wanna talk about you?" he asked and her tapping stopped.

"What would you like to know?" she asked and he sat up a little.

"You said that you lost your baby, how long ago was that?" He saw her tense and bite her lip.

"Two months ago," she said softly, eyes far off. Ike felt bad, he hadn't realized it was so recently. He moved from his seat on the couch and crouched down beside her. As carefully as he could he pulled her to him. She stayed stoic and he pressed his lips to her temple.

"I'm sorry," he whispered against her skin, "I thought it was longer than that."

"It's okay," she said, patting his arm, a signal he took to mean to let go. He withdrew his arms, not moving from her side. "I only broke up with him a month ago... I knew things were going on behind my back, I just lived in denial about it." Her tone was sad, a glimpse behind her mask that Ike didn't want to lose. He took her hand in his, kissing her knuckles gently. She looked at him, slightly confused by his actions.

"Well he's an asshole who ruined the best thing that'll ever happen to him," Ike declared and Zelda smiled softly.

"Thank you," she said, not even trying to pull her hand from his. He didn't really understand how he got lucky enough to be crouching beside her and holding her hand, but he didn't want to mess this up. "Ike..." she pulled her hand from his and he scowled slightly, "why did you kiss me last night?"

"I wanted to," he admitted bluntly. "You're beautiful and I wasn't wanting to leave with them, honestly I would rather have left with you." It slipped past his lips, and immediately he realized just how that sounded, even though he meant every word. "I mean... uh..." he ran a nervous hand through his hair and Zelda smiled at him.

"For that comment alone I should request a new doctor for you," she remarked and he opened his mouth to object, to take back the words he really meant, but she cut him off by putting a hand on his. He wanted, needed this contact, and his heart thundered as she leaned slightly towards him. Her body language screamed 'kiss me' and he felt more than ready to comply with the demand. He never liked the dramatic movie moment of leaning in slowly and gently, he always thought it was something written by people who had lost all their passion, so he moved forward, quickly closing the gap between them. He felt her tense in surprise but he didn't back away. He shifted, half-standing to kiss her better, and slowly he felt her giving in. Her lips moved against his, parting and letting his tongue meet hers. Ike didn't hesitate, he took the invitation and simultaneously pulled her into his arms. The kiss turned to one of passion and need for both of them and soon he was gasping for air, a feeling he hadn't felt in so long, the burn of needing to back away but not wanting to. Whatever it meant to her, this was the best thing he had had happen in his life. This woman knew every issue he had, knew that he needed help, and here she was kissing him.

A knock on the door pulled them from their moment, Ike backing away like a startled cat. Zelda paled, the color draining from everywhere but her kiss-bruised lips. "Yes?" she called and the door opened.

"Your next appointment is waiting ma'am," the soldier said as he opened the door.

"Oh yes," she cleared her throat, send him in." She turned to Ike who left quickly, far too fascinated by his boots as he made a beeline for the door.

XxXxXx

Ike made it back to his room, gasping for air. He fell onto the floor, thankfully in a sitting position, and let his mind wander over what had just happened. He kissed her. He kissed the doctor that was supposed to be helping him. He kissed her, Zelda. Ike shut his eyes tightly, knowing what was coming next. She would leave him. Again. He would be alone. Again. He would have no one. Again. He clenched his hands into angry fists. Why did he have to fuck everything up? He smashed a fist into the floor, the pain shooting through his arm. He gritted his teeth against the pain and unclenched his fists slowly. This wasn't what he needed to do. Pain against himself like this would do him no good. He stood up on shaky legs, realizing he had messed up something in his hand. With a heavy sigh, knowing he was going to be in trouble for hurting himself, he went out of his room to the nurse's station.

Xxxxx

Thanks once again for reading! And as always concisponci (which upsets my phone's auto correct every time) thanks for the review! I hope I'm putting the chapters out quick enough!