This one's for BeautyRani and everyone else who might enjoy it :))

I still can't promise for chapters to come fast but I haven't forgotten this story and will continue it step by step.


"What did I say?" The Chinese asked in disbelief, still trying to somehow analyze when things had started to - What had just happened anyway?

Tyson and Max were still snickering at him like two little maniacs and they didn't seem to want to stop with it again any time soon. The blond had even developed a little hiccup along the way.

"B-but, Rei", the cap-wearer tried to speak up again whilst fighting with his own laughter. "You, you said you-" Tyson had to stop himself and wait another moment until he had collected enough air to speak his next works. "I mean, damn, she was flirting with you, Rei. FLIRTING!" He repeated with emphasize whilst making a weird gesture with his hand. It looked like he was trying to draw something in the air but Rei couldn't make out what it was. Not that he didn't already know that Tyson was a horrible illustrator. The others hadn't seen the animal, by the way, that he and Kai had when they had looked at the picture the Chinese had shown to them. Max had claimed it to be a bicycle. Lee said it was just a mess of lines and Hiro explained that if Tyson had drawn the picture he was sure it was supposed to be cake. They had all agreed they wouldn't eat a cake looking like this – ever.

Back to the main topic, however. Rei frowned. What did Tyson mean, she had been flirting with him? To him she had appeared the same as usual. A little odd but friendly. Ever since he had apologized to her for having been rude on that one occurrence, he had gotten along with the nurse rather well. She was friendly after all – odd sometimes but friendly and whatever Tyson had got to say about this, is surely couldn't be anything smart. "She was just being friendly." Seriously, what were they even talking about? She had asked him things about the café that was all. Things he couldn't tell her much about, since he had no clue about how to run a café - or how to make a Mocha Cappuccino.

"Ohhh Please!" Tyson was making a face. "She is eating you up with her eyes every time she enters this room, Rei! Everyone noticed already! For a fact, it's a big joke between the guys and we even made a bet on when you would –" That was as far as the cap-wearer got before Max palm shoved itself over his mouth.

The Chinese felt more than a bit bewildered all of a sudden. A bet? A joke? Flirting? Whaaa…?

"It's not like that, Rei." Oh yeah, it was Max's turn now. "We're not trying to make fun of you, you know… but it is rather comical to watch sometimes." He said in an apologetic tone, trying to suppress a smirk whilst pushing his forefingers together. That however meant, his right hand no longer covered Tyson's mouth and said person's mouth made use of the new found freedom right away.

"Yeah, no offense, man, but when she asked you about coffee and shit, she didn't want you to explain to her how to make it, she wanted to get invited, you get that?"

The Chinese blinked. She wanted what? Get invited? To Mocha Cappuccino? "I cannot even leave the hospital." He mumbled, feeling way too disturbed about the whole course this conversation took to truly think about the weak nature of his protest.

Tyson shook his head and sighed theatrically. "After you're out of hospital, of course. You're not gonna stay here forever. She just wants to make sure that you don't forget her too soon." The cap-wearer rubbed his chin then in an almost thoughtful gesture. "Actually, I wonder why she hasn't given it up already, you're awfully unresponsive but I guess she pities you since you're amnesic and all..."

Rei stared. Already? What did he mean already? If there really was some truth to Tyson's words – and he still had his rightful doubts about that – she had hinted at wanting to go out for coffee some time on exactly one occasion. Precisely about fifteen minutes ago and it really wasn't his fault that he was no mind reader and that she couldn't just say that she wanted to get invited to coffee, if that was truly what she was after – not that he was sure he actually wanted to go drink coffee with her but at least he wouldn't have to feel like such a dumbass now and -

"Tyson!" Max's chiding sounding voice brought Rei's concentration back to the other two young men. "I'm quite sure that's not the reason, she's trying to get Rei's attention." The blond said, giving the cap-wearer a rather pointed look.

Hiro's little brother waved his best friend off, seemingly unbothered by his little lecture. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, he's a real chick magnet. Seemed nothing much changed about that but hey, since you're not going out with her anyway, how about letting me try to have a go, huh Rei? I mean, Erica's rather cute, isn't she?"

Max cheeks were suddenly swelling and he looked like a balloon ready to burst - which after a second, he did. "Tyson!"

"What's the problem now, Maxie?" Hiro's little brother asked wearing an expression of confusion. "I'm simply trying to be nice, sparing the girl a terrible heartbreak."

Alright, not that the Chinese wasn't already used to the fact that Max and Tyson liked to talk about him as if he wasn't there at times or stupid and deaf and therefore unable to hear them but he was not that stupid and certainly not deaf and therefore capable of hearing the things both of them were saying and as surprising as that might sound to others also reflect about them.

It seemed he had had a good stand with girls in general. It was not the first time Tyson had mentioned something in this direction, as well (as strange as this information was for him to comprehend) but what irked the Chinese more at the moment was the fact that Tyson had declared Rei wouldn't want to go out with her anyway. What right did he have to decide something like that for him? Not that he felt especially eager – alright he had no urge to go out with the nurse– or anyone for the matter but maybe that was just his momentary mood and would soon change? You couldn't know, could you?

So, why would Tyson, who had just started another argument with the blond, state it, as if it was a fixed rule? "Why wouldn't I want to go out with her anyway?" Rei asked straight to the point not bothering to make his voice sound especially friendly. That question brought almost immediate silence between the two squabblers.

"Uh, well… you, because you… wait! Does that mean you want to go out with her?" The cap-wearer's eyes had become quite big and he was staring at him like Rei had just explained he felt like living under the sea from now and Max, well, Max did appear like he couldn't decide if, or what, or how he wanted to say something because his mouth opened and closed again. Repeatedly.

Watching this whole strange display Rei felt a sudden tinge of insecurity but before he got to say anything at all then door opened and a man entered the room with confident strides. Just to take a stance in the middle of the room with crossed arms whilst regarding the other three occupants with an intense look. It seemed the momentary atmosphere did not go past him.

"Alright, no matter what this is about, you two can continue to annoy the patient some time later. Right now, he and I have things to discuss."

Having said that the Russian waited a moment for the two loonies to let the information sink into their heads but his patience ran out rather quickly as Rei noticed, who was slowly recovering from – whatever that just was now. "That means, get out!" Kai barked. "Go have lunch, or a second lunch or in Tyson's case even a third but don't come back before at least the next two hours."

"W-What?" Seemed the cap-wearer had managed to recover, as well. "You cannot just shoo us out of the room, Kai we have… urgh, alright, now that you mentioned it, I do feel kind of hungry, what about you Maxie?"

Interesting, the Chinese thought. Sometimes even Tyson had to have a bit more sense than people did give him credit for. It was that one special look the Russian did possess that made the cap-wearer react in such a submissive way. Kai didn't use it that often – at least not as often as he could, Rei was certain about that… but when he did, no one seemed to be willing to get into a discussion with him.

"Oh, erm, sure let's go and have a little snack." Max made haste to comply. He got intimidated even easier than Tyson who didn't always recognize the danger, especially when he was in an obstinate mood. "Do you maybe need anything, Rei?"

The Chinese shook his head and tried to show a thankful little smile though he felt still a bit disturbed about the whole scene earlier – it probably was best to just forget it, at least for the moment.

"So, what was that about?" The Russian asked Rei with one drawn up eyebrow after the two other boys had said their goodbyes and quickly exited the room. Funny. Now, that they were gone so was Kai's hostility and the Russian appeared to be rather normal again. Not that he hadn't always had that certain appearance of authority but within this last time Rei had gotten to know the Russian a bit better and there were some things about Kai that maybe weren't quite as aggravating as he first thought them to be.

The Chinese gave him a rather helpless look. "I don't think I know." No, he really didn't think he knew.

That made the Russian snort and then he also showed a little smirk. "Don't worry, Kon. You have to be a loony yourself to really understand what goes on in a loonies head."

"Whoa, that coming from you, Hiwatari, I take it as a compliment." To say the truth, ever since the headband thing their relationship had slightly improved. Rei hadn't noticed at first but after the Russian had started to visit him more frequently after his earlier longer departure – they had somehow found out that they could talk. A bit awkward maybe at first but after a couple of days… there simply was something about the Russian that Rei liked without being able to actually explain what it was – and no that didn't involve the Russian paying the bills for him in any way - but they had found a basis it seemed, at least the Chinese wanted to think that they had because by the time he actually would get released out of hospital… the thought of being able to live with someone he could get along with rather than with someone that hated his guts was… soothing somehow.

The Russian gave him a half smirk and an arrogant little snort. "Don't get too cocky. If you want to get any praises from me you need to really earn that."

What a bastard. Rei shook his head smiling, his eyes twinkling in amusement. "Has anyone ever managed to actually do that?"

Kai gave another snort before he made a straight face. "Hn, I didn't say it was easy."

"No, you didn't." The Chinese admitted almost grinning by now. It was strange, really. Last week he would probably have felt provoked by the Russians stern demeanor but now he found it had a funny side to it, as well. In fact, sometimes he was almost convinced that it was indeed Kai's intention to be humorous with the things he said, just that not everybody did notice immediately. The Russians humor simply seemed to be of a darker, more cynical kind and for some reason that was probably totally insane – Rei found that rather congenial. Maybe that was because he had a bit of a nasty streak inside himself at times, just that he, in most cases, only thought the things the Russian obviously never had a problem to voice out aloud.

"Anyway, Kon," The Russian continued nonchalantly and got himself a chair that he turned so that he could sit down placing his elbows on its backrest. "As I said there's something important we need to discuss right now."

Oh? Rei's ears pricked up at that. Something important? Sounded… uh, well, important. What could this be about though? Only one way to find out. "Uhm, alright." He slightly turned his head to take in Kai's face with an open gaze.

The Russian cleared his throat, his eyes flickering downwards for a second before they came up again to meet his own. "It's like this, the hospital is taking part at a new study. I'm not a medic, so I'll just explain this short and easy."

A study? Short and easy? Well, after being used to rather long lectures by his favorite doctor, Rei was rather taken by that idea. He nodded to let Kai know so too.

"Scientists developed a serum that upon injection can drastically increase the build-up of muscles within the body. It would strengthen your general constitution and help you to be back on your feet a lot faster. If everything goes as it is supposed to be you could probably be released within the course of a week, two at the most. All you need to do is tell me if you want to take part at that study." He ended his little speech looking at the Chinese expectantly.

Rei felt rather… overwhelmed. Okay, okay, time to try and review that information he had just received. So, a study and they had developed a certain serum that could help him to… build-up muscles, something he definitely did not possess at the moment, and that would mean he would be… able to walk again and everything and that a lot sooner than he would have dared hope for but… for some reason total excitement didn't want to come to him. Instead he tried to read something out of the Russian's face his words had already somewhat implied…"If it goes as it's supposed to be?" And what if it would not?

For a moment Rei thought there was a flicker in Kai's eyes but it was gone before he could be sure and then he simply shrugged. "There could be some side effects, of course, but you will find a list of those on the back of any package, be it pills, or spray, or a simple plaster. You know how it goes, everyone's in need to hedge their own bets but though this study is a rather new one, it's not entirely uncommon anymore and there are examples for a positive outcome. Frankly, Kon, this is your best chance to walk again and soon, so don't be an idiot and just take it."

He shouldn't be an idiot, eh? If this was a new study and would help him to improve that much in such a short time… that couldn't be cheap. No, it couldn't be cheap at all. "And how much would that cost you?" Rei asked straight away. This was not the right time to be polite and considerate. He had somehow accepted the fact that the Russian couldn't feel totally indifferent towards him, not after all the time he has spent with him so far but… he had done enough for him already. The Chinese already felt like a… he simply felt bad about it at times, because he really had no idea how to ever repay the Russian and now… maybe he would have to work a little harder for his first success but at least Kai wouldn't think that he just…

Kai's reaction was as surprising as it was really not. He simply smirked at him. "Ah, don't tell me, Kon, you are rattled by a guilty conscious. The hospital is hot for some willing lab rats, if I provide one they will gladly agree to my conditions." His smirk got something malicious to it then.

Ah, yeah, right… how nice Kai could see the amusing side of this but still… this was not really a matter to joke about and Rei was not certain what he was truly thinking, well, he was certain what he was thinking about one particular thing. "In all seriousness, Hiwatari." He stated. "I don't want you to have to indebt yourself even more because of me or something like that."

The Russian was looking at him for a very very long moment. Or maybe it was just a short moment but for the Chinese it appeared to be a rather long moment because, well, Kai's eyes had something so very intense that seemed to almost suck him in and before he even understood what was really happening time had begun to move… rather slow. Until the Russian's voice set it into motion again. "You want to walk? Yes or no?"

Ah, well, a simple enough question or so Rei thought but somehow there sure was more to it than he could yet foresee… "Erm, well, yes but even without that serum I'll be able to in time, right?" He felt a certain notion of uneasiness overcoming him. The doctor had ensured him that… well, of course he had mentioned it would be a hard path and take up a lot of his strength and willpower but in the end… he would be able to, right?

Kai gave him a rather cool look before he shrugged. "Maybe."

Rei's mouth opened at that. Maybe? What did he mean MAYBE? Was he just… they had told him he… but why would he say, what did he... KAI?

The Russian seemed to sense at least some of his discomfort, or should he call it sudden panic? And felt genuine enough to add something to this, after all. "Look, Kon, a chance for you to recover a hundred percent and regain your strength to your full potential had never really been given. Sure, with a lot of patience and dedication and hard work… maybe you would be able to reach a state close to how it had been before the accident but that would take many many years… this study will speed things up for you by a lot and in the end that'll only reduce costs instead of increasing them if that is truly your biggest worry in this…"

So, wait. Wait, there a second. A chance to entirely recover had not really been there… why did they encourage him then? Just so that he wouldn't lose hope? And he somehow was only at the start so how could they even know… sure, sure they had their fancy medical equipment and a lot of experience with cases as his but… what was that? Rei blinked. If that was truly his biggest worry? He looked at Kai incredulously. "What do you mean?"

The Russian regarded him for a second. Then his mouth twitched. "Well, to me it looks as if you're simply feeling like a little puss because I mentioned some side effects…"

At first Rei didn't quite trust his ears. Like a little, like a… a little… PUSS? Now that seriously went too far! He could insult him in many ways and he'd just overlook that by now like a responsible and sensible adult BUT… that! The Chinese felt the hairs at his neck standing up, and at his arms and actually he was itching like EVERYWHERE. "Know what?" He snarled at the Russian with glowing eyes. "I'm taking part as this study and I hope it's going to seriously empty your purse!"

Kai showed a rather unimpressed face at that but it was obvious he felt rather satisfied with himself. Smug bastard. "Leave the worrying about my wallet to me. Well, as soon as you are out of here, you can start with filling up the fridge though. I hate grocery shopping and it's your fault I had to do it these last weeks."

Rei's anger almost vanished, or let's say he forgot about it for a moment, with the arising of sudden new questions in his head that without a doubt had something to do with the Russian's last words. He hated grocery shopping? Yeah, well, everyone probably had a thing or two concerning housework that but… wait here again. "Does that mean you always made me do the shopping?"

"Hn." Kai snorted. "You volunteered and I don't see why I should be in need to adjust to any new rules, only because you're not able to remember the old. You agreed back then, so it's still your work."

That actually left Rei open mouthed for a second or two. Was the Russian for real here? Well, according to his look… fine, but then he would really like to learn what Kai's work involved in their… flat companionship. "So what did you do? Cook?" Somehow picturing that almost made him laugh.

"Not really." The Russian shrugged keeping a straight face. "You always complained about me putting away things the wrong way afterwards, so I left you and your sanctuary alone most of the time."

Eh? His sanctuary? What the hell? So now he was supposed to cook, too? He honestly… he remembered shit about that. Maybe he would find his way around to boil some water or… sanctuary… a damn kitchen? That sounded so wrong. "How did you participate then? Wash clothes? Cleaning?"

Again the Russian seemed to be in no hurry to give him any hint that would tell him that, concerning the housework, at least, Kai wasn't a total and complete slacker. "I did it sometimes when I had time but fact is, you were around a lot more than me."

Rei felt more and more… displeased with the conversation. "So let's sum this up, yeah? Basically I did everything." Sounded about right, didn't it?

Kai smirked. "I see you didn't lose your sharpness."

Rei stared at him in mock hurt but at always the Russian appeared not really impressed by that – no, not impressed at all. "So that's your real reason, eh?"

That comment at least got Kai to stop with the smirking for now as he was drawing an eyebrow at him in question. "Real reason?"

Now it was his turn to shrug a little. "Yeah, why you're so eager to get me back, missing a willing slave, do you?" Not that he was quite serious with that, though he had to admit he did not particularly like the picture his flatmate had drawn for him here, though he wouldn't put it past him to try and shit with him a little simply because… well, the Russian had this nasty side as he had mentioned before. That, however, could well mean that in truth he really wasn't shitting him and then… woah, no way. Just no way.

At the moment he couldn't even imagine doing any kind of work at all and even if that serum would help… he was not Kai's personal cleaning fairy! Well, he sure wouldn't become anything like that and okay okay, if he truly was to improve a lot then… he owed the Russian even more and he would maybe do some of the work. Fine, he would do most, maybe, for starters, if he could but certainly not forever and then… suddenly he heard something that sounded suspiciously like laughter, well, chuckling, at least and then he blinked and focused. The Russian's features came back into view and yeah, it was quite obvious that he seemed to be rather amused about something.

"Don't space out like that, Kon, you have no idea how silly it makes your face look."

The Chinese blinked again. Space out… silly face… whaaa... "I see you're in an awfully good mood today, Hiwatari." And then he couldn't but add. "And why should I care if my face looks silly? I don't see it." He had not really spaced out, had he?

Kai's mouth twitched again and he placed his chin into his palm whilst slightly leaning his head to the side. He suddenly looked so… young. "But I do."

Oh, we have a king of stating the obvious here! "If you don't like it look away." The man in the hospital bed suggested rather sullenly. Really though, the Russian had dropped quite the bomb on him earlier and now he was poking fun of him any chance he got as if… "When would it start? I mean, you said something bout injections…?" And it was NOT that he was afraid of needles or anything like it. Hell, if that was the case he would have flipped every time a nurse had come to change the drip in his arm but… he still felt a little…uncomfortably with the whole idea altogether.

The Russian said nothing at first then he straightened himself up again and when he talked his voice sounded really calm. Somehow Rei was thankful for that. "Tomorrow. The sooner they start the sooner you'll be able to see the positive effects and you don't have to worry, Rei, the people here know exactly what they are doing."

Wow, had Kai just really… yeah, he was trying to calm his mind, was he not? And, no, he wasn't a puss because of that but he thought it was rather normal to feel a little… and he had just noticed another thing, as well, something that really made him feel a little warm inside right then. "Careful, Hiwatari, you are getting a little soft."

Of course the Russian was not especially pleased at that statement. "And how would you substantiate that allegation?"

Oho, big words, he had to be right then. "You just called me Rei." Rei smiled triumphantly and though he still couldn't help but feel strange every time someone did, in this special situation here… he had not really minded.

"I did not…" The Russian started, just to stop himself after a moment to reformulate his own sentence. "Fine, I'll let you have this win, only because you are already shitting your pants because of tomorrow." The smirk was back in place.

"I am not –" The Chinese was spared of having to exert himself verbally to give the Russian a piece of his mind when the door opened and a rather familiar nurse entered, carrying his lunch.

"Hello, Rei, I…" Erica's eyes suddenly widened and then she started to blush furiously as she obviously just now became aware of the other person residing in his room. "Mr. Hiwatari, I was just, ehm." She turned towards his bed and hastily put his food on the table. "Bringing lunch for Rei." Erica showed him a quick little smile though it was obvious she didn't feel like smiling… hell, he knew Kai could be a real ass but… he was not truly that intimidating, was he? Though the fact that the Russian said nothing and kept staring at her with a rather blank expression certainly would not help to make her feel any better.

"Well, thanks, Erica." He said with a little smile of his own just to do something against the rather weird atmosphere. She hastily nodded, her eyes staying trained on him. "So, I need to… the other patients… if there's anything call and enjoy your lunch. Have a good day Mr. Hiwatari." She was not exactly running but to Rei it looked as if she had fled out of the room anyway. What was that?

He had not much time to wonder before the Russian was drawing his attention again, however. "Seen something you like, Kon?"

The Chinese blinked. "What? Erm," It took a moment until the real message of the Russian's words sunk into his head. "What?" Had he just asked him… oh, right, right. "C'mon, don't tell me you're taking part at that bet, as well." Not that he had any real idea what this bet truly was – and he didn't care – it was bad enough that they secretly amused themselves at his… his… well, whatever!

Kai slightly frowned. "What bet?" His voice didn't sound very nice any longer. Well, yeah what bet? Seemed the Russian also didn't know… why giving him such shit then?

He shrugged, not feeling like explaining anything much when Kai appeared to be in one of these moods.

Obviously the Russian was not willing to simply accept that though. "What bet, Kon?" He inquired with emphasize and though Rei had told himself to keep calm and just ignore…

"Hell, if I know, ask the loonies if you are so interested to hear it. They are making things up about the nurse and Mocha Cappuccino and why did you have to be that rude towards her, eh? Should have been kinda obvious even for you that she was feeling distressed."

Kai raised a single eyebrow. "And what's it to you if she is feeling distressed or not?"

What question was that even? Well, sure, he and the nurse weren't close friends or anything like that and maybe he wasn't the most caring person, he really couldn't tell, but he sure took no pleasure out of other people feeling bad and… yeah, damn, could be that he was still feeling a tiny little bit guilty because some time ago he had really yelled at her… anyway, the Russian's question was just… just… "Man, sometimes I'm really not sure what went wrong with you. She's just… a little girl, why would you get off at giving her a hard time?"

For a moment the Russian said nothing then he crossed his arms in a gesture of defense. "Hn. First of all, she's not that little and second I didn't do anything."

"Yeah, that's the problem. Would not have killed you to at least say hi to her, would it?" Seriously sometimes he simply didn't get the Russian.

There was a little glimmer coming alive in Kai's eyes that was suddenly not so little anymore and Rei had to reprimand himself to not suddenly lean back and away from him. Damn, alright, the Russian did know how to look intimidating. "Not everyone can be such a people person as you are but if you like her that much and want to make up for my bad behavior, why don't you invite her to a date?"

It was almost thrown at him as a challenge but all Rei could think was… he had to know about the bet, after all! "Know what, I'm having it with you guys making your fun just because I don't remember how all of these things are supposed to work! It's not easy, okay? How should I know talking about coffee is like a code for going out? That doesn't even make sense, not everyone likes coffee, I sure as hell don't, so be assured I'm not going to drink coffee with her or anyone! So whoever of you makes money with that now, hope he's happy and now leave me alone with that shit!" He really better leave him alone with that shit now!

Now it was the Russian's turn to blink and he did so at least twice. "Calm down, Kon, I didn't… you don't like coffee?" There was no hostility in Kai's voice any longer just something close to… plain curiosity?

Oh, now he could suddenly talk normal to him again? Rei huffed. "Well, don't know, no, not really, I mean I tried it once and that was... questionable." Yeah, really questionable.

For some reason that statement seemed to amuse the Russian again. "Don't let Lee hear that, you'll break his heart."

Lee… oh, because of the café… well, maybe he had a point with that. Not that right now Rei especially cared. Not if Lee was in on that stupid bet, as well, in any case. So he didn't deem it worth to give an answer to it and simply shrugged again.

Kai smirked and then glanced at his watch. "Well, I have to go, you should eat your lunch anyway and if I meet your lovely nurse on the way out, I'll let her know you'd enjoy a coffee pudding desert."

Rei suppressed to voice the 'fuck you, Hiwatari' out aloud but he was thinking it anyway.

The Russian smirked obviously feeling pleased with himself again, before he stood, moved the chair and then made for the door.

The Chinese hesitated a moment but then… "Erm, Hiwatari…?" He didn't know how to actually say it and maybe he shouldn't since… but he couldn't help and think back to the study and… he sure would have to listen to some sort of lecture by his doctor after all and the only person who knew… well, the only person he could imagine to make sure that he'd be able to really… "Will you be back tomorrow?"

The Russian turned to regard him with a look… then the corner of his mouth quirked upwards. "Don't worry, Kon, I'll make sure the big bad dogs won't eat you."

A white pillow hit the door at least twenty seconds after the Russian had exited the room and Rei had to admit to one thing for certain. He really could do with some more muscles!