"Kitty" Year-Round

Part I: A Very Humble Beginning

By Mia LeighArc

Just before the Legacy docked in the Spaceport Cresentia, Amelia found an old memory she had meant to keep away for as long as possible. It was a letter she had meant to send to her father from the time when her and Arrow had set off for their first out-of-this-world adventure. Arrow was gone now, and she didn't feel nearly as upset about it anymore. Seeing it after all this time allowed her thoughts to wander freely as she read it to herself.

Dear Dad,

I know how you've always told me follow my heart and live life to the fullest, but in the Interstellar Academy, it got harder every passing moment especially without you by my side. I miss you, and I can't wait until I can see you again. Although my going to the Academy must be something of pride to you, I'm afraid I must leave now before I go mad from all the chaos and protocol, they put us through...It's driving me crazy...This must mean I am a bit daft to you but when I leave the navy, I'm planning on taking Arrow with me...after all, you told him to look after me when you're gone. So far I suppose, but that's beside the point. You did say that every honorable captain needs an honest and loyal first mate; well, I do believe I have found such a person among a long line of highly qualified spacers out there. I hope to see you soon...I love you.

Your loving daughter,

Amelia

Amelia sighed to herself as she went to step off the ship and down the gangplank, but Delbert stopped her. He insisted on carrying her, an offer she strongly refused. She remembered all too well what had happened back on Treasure Planet. She smiled warmly at him, making sure nobody was watching and allowed him to help her, pulling her closer as they walked towards the hospital transport that had just arrived. A few paramedics (called by a fearful, over-protective Sarah Hawkins) came up the gangplank to where they were carrying a gurney. One of the medics looked at Delbert and insisted he let the men carry Amelia on the gurney instead, this being something that annoyed Amelia.

"No, gents that won't be necessary, I'll be fine on my own." Amelia said coolly as the medics nearly shoved poor Delbert out of the way. This annoyed her even more than their presence, but when she went to lunge at them, she fell rather short when she lost the grip of her feet beneath her, falling forward. Good thing Delbert was there to catch her.

"Captain…" he said forcefully as he caught her in his arms.

She hated to admit it, but he had such an endearing, gentle way with her and she found herself admiring that quality in a man. She tried to push the fond thoughts of him from her head but found herself blushing when the fire of Delbert's gaze met hers. She shook her head at the thought feeling her Captain façade return.

The first man noticed the fond look she had in her eye for the nerdy man before her before she reverted back to her normal persona and looked to question the said man before him.

"Are you a friend or family, sir?" the medic asked.

"I really don't see how that is relevant, we just returned from a dangerous mission and the one way the captain will-" But poor Delbert was interrupted.

"Are you a friend or family, sir? If you're not a family member, you must follow us in your own vehicle." the medic repeated firmer this time so they could be on their way. Delbert thought for a moment and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"A-a- a close friend...I s-suppose." He said, not fully realizing his words. Amelia rolled her eyes and let out a small sigh, as the medic "attempted" to pry her from her comfort zone.

"He really is a kind, caring man, but he really must do something about that nervous bumbling!" Amelia thought to herself with a smile. She concluded, "I suppose I should help to spare him from further embarrassment. But I really must get these neophytes away from me! And to think they call themselves medical personnel."

"Don't mind his bubbling, He's my husband...and I would prefer to go to the hospital with him by my side." saying the word "prefer" a bit more sternly than usual. After Amelia finally got the medics understanding, she gave a wink to the Doctor, turning back to him with a smile. He blushed slightly and cleared his throat. Throwing her arms around his neck, Amelia fully allowed and expected Delbert to pick her up like she weighed nothing more than a rag doll. As much as it was an annoyance the first time, he did so on Treasure Planet, his kind and sometimes forceful demeanor when it came to caring for and protecting her was becoming rather charming. A slight moment passed when Delbert snapped back into the reality of the situation, picked her up, all the while seeming to wake from the shock of Amelia's forwardness and blushed when she whispered to him, "Come along dear, I want to go home, but as you insist, I suppose we shall have to make a stop at the nearest hospital."

Later at the hospital, Amelia lay uncomfortably against the hard pillows. She looked over to where Delbert was and smiled, he was fast asleep in the chair beside her, his hand laying uncomfortably across her bed and his head next to her, she couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"He played the part well, I suppose pretending to be my husband exhausted him," she said quietly to herself, thinking about what the hospital staff might be thinking.

"A Felinid married to a Canid, honestly, what they must be thinking right now." She finally said aloud. She smiled as he rustled but stayed asleep. Amelia, now was feeling comfortable and in an amused mood. She couldn't help but have a little fun with him. She brushed Delbert's hand while taking it into her own, but was greeted with nothing once more, so she pulled herself closer to him and kissed his cheek, this finally waking poor Delbert from taking an aptly role reversing "cat" nap. He saw Amelia's face beat red when he opened his eyes and one phrase:

"Can I help you?" He said to her without thinking of his surroundings. He then remembered and smiled at her before falling went back to sleep. Amelia chuckled aloud and snuggled up to him the best she could. Closing her eyes, all she could see where visions of her good doctor.

XXX

Awhile later after Delbert stepped out for a bite to eat, a doctor came in to talk to Amelia.

"But there's nothing wrong with my organs, just a minor injury that's all!" She said shouting at the distraught doctor.

"Miss, the records say that you had a couple of broken ribs and a minor tear of your bicep muscle. We will need to do more tests and an X-ray to be sure. We'll have to keep you hospitalized for at least a week."

"A WEEK! I don't have that kind of time! Are you crazy? You can't keep me here that long!"

"Ma'am, there's no reason to raise your voice." He said trying to calm her down.

"There's nothing on this blasted heap that a good cup of tea and perhaps a bit of rest won't fix." Amelia's voice was echoing throughout the room and partially through the hallways as she shouted again.

"You should relax, read a good book and let Mr. Doppler take care of you." Amelia had the grace to blush at the thought of him taking care of her even more. Once again separating herself from her pleasant thoughts, she spat out a reply.

"I'm fine, I told you already. I didn't even want to come here- And for your information his correct title is Doctor Doppler I will not tell you again..."

"I apologize for the misunderstanding ma'am; I'll send a nurse in to see you if you need anything."

Amelia was still venting her frustrations when she sat back against her pillows, shut her eyes and began picturing things that came to mind, objects in the room, whatever she could think of. Her thoughts of course always coming back to her bumbling Doctor Doppler. Amelia was not only a fine spacer, but she also could remember images so deeply that it could make time stand still... This was one of the reasons why she refused to speak about her father, or Arrow for that matter. She missed them of course, but she was lonely. Not many men cared enough or were too intimidated to spend quality time with her. There was one though that kept coming to mind despite her best efforts to deny it. Though she would never admit it out loud. She hated feeling alone and Delbert Doppler was one man who made her feel safe and protected in his company. Amelia sighed, realizing how difficult it was going to be not to think of the bumbling, gentle man she had begun growing fond of the past few months.

Later that day, once he was sure that Amelia was asleep, Delbert finally decided to head home and get some rest as well. He had hardly realized that he had spent so many hours sleeping next to Amelia in her hospital bed that day. Tomorrow he was sure to discuss an alternative care plan for Amelia with her primary doctor. He we confident that the hospital would want to be rid of her after a week and it would be easier to visit her if she was staying with…a friend perhaps, a close friend even. He smiled thinking of the possible reactions the Captain would have for suggesting something as such; he was already anticipating the witty quips she may come up with.

"Just couldn't get enough of my company, Doctor?" he imagines her saying with a slight chuckle.

"To be quite honest," he continued,"…no, I can't…" he drew his bath and after removing his silken robe and matching slippers, he slid into the warm bathtub. The day had finally caught up with him, he had realized. He sat there for a short while enjoying the embrace of a good book. The smell of dinner filled his senses, so he placed a bookmark in his book and opened the drain of the bathtub, letting the now luke-warm water disappear down the drain beneath him. This left him with an empty feeling, but he didn't put much thought towards it.

After Delbert had gotten out of the bathtub, he was staring long and hard into the mirror, he hadn't just looked into the mirror in a long time. His mind began to wander freely, fighting to stay confined to the bloodless frame staring back at him. Pleased with the visions of Amelia and the time he spent with her erupted into the room and hurdled over every thought about that loving embrace back on the Legacy and the effects of its splendor. Doppler knew that he had enjoyed that fine moment and the mere chance to hold such a treasure in his arms for even a moment was a pure miracle. Mixed emotions began stirring inside of him. He leaned back in recollection of that magical moment, the way he followed her movements as if his own shadow were tracking her down. He liked the thought of her finally depending on him, but then he realized that something felt missing, "but how does she feel about me?" He thought to himself. "Has she just been toying with me this whole time or is the feeling I have around her real?" The answer just wasn't there. In his heart, he knew that he would have to find out before he could possibly lose her. Oh, how brave she made him feel whilst was holding her close; like he was ready and willing to take on the world-no matter the consequences.

"But how could she ever understand how she makes me feel?" He thought as he went into the hallway while he walked downstairs all alone.

"Delbert, are you coming down?" Sarah called from downstairs. "Your food is getting cold."

"I'll be right there, Sarah." Delbert replied exhaustedly. While Delbert came down the main staircase, he had a lonely, dismal look on his face as he reached the dining room,. With a sigh, he sat staring blankly at his plate for the longest time.

XXX

The next day, Delbert, Sarah and Jim went the hospital, in hopes to visit Amelia, but when he arrived, she was in a deep sleep again. The doctor walked by as Delbert walked in the direction of her room.

"Mr.-Doctor Doppler? So nice to see you again." The man spoke kindly.

"Oh yes, it's good to see you too I suppose. Tell me, how is she doing?"

"Not to worry, your wife has been doing considerably better today. We are considering sending her home if that's okay with you. She is to avoid any rigorous activity for at least a week, and she shouldn't be sailing for 2 months until her wounds can heal. We believe it will be better to let her heal in the comfort of her own home, and that she will be more accepting of these conditions if a loved one is monitoring her care. Of course, if something should go wrong in the meantime, she is more than welcome back here."

"I was just thinking about that last night, how ironic!" Delbert blurted without thinking. He looked back to where Jim and Sarah were standing, hoping they hadn't heard the doctor referring to Amelia as his "wife." he didn't feel like explaining at the moment but the smug smile on Jim's face gave him the impression that his fears would soon be realized. He motioned over to them to wait another moment while he continued to converse with the doctor. The two men looked through the window of her room and saw that she had woken up again finally. Her eyes found sight of Delbert through the window and flashed a look of affection that only Delbert could see thank goodness.

"Well, it looks like your wife just woke up again, you may enter if you wish." Once this was announced Sarah and Jim stood and were following toward the door, but Delbert suggested that they go find some warm drinks for everyone. He kept insisting on the wonderful gesture and refusing to take "No" as an answer. This ensured that they cleverly left him and the Captain alone together. He opened the door slowly, so as not to startle the Captain and stepped inside.

"Doctor, so good to see you today, I had feared you wouldn't be stopping by today after caring for me so much these past few days." Amelia said with a sly smile "She is positively been driving me mad!" He said to himself with a soft huff as he pulled out a small bouquet of flowers, he was hiding the whole time in his jacket.

Amelia sat simply staring at him in delight.

"Why…thank you Doctor…I must admit, no man has ever brought me flowers before…well, with the exception of my father once when I graduated the academy."

Delbert didn't know what to say, his mind was riddled with worry about the poor bloke assigned as Amelia's doctor for the time being. He wondered how a beautiful woman such as herself dad never been given flowers before. He looked deeply into her eye forgot he was supposed to say anything at all. Words became an unnecessary thing in the presence of Captain Amelia. Maybe it was the fact that though she looked tired from the injury and all this time cooped up in a cold hospital, Amelia was holding his hand tightly. He enjoyed the feeling and couldn't get enough of it. Amelia noticed the glint in his eyes and thought to ask him about it. In a groggy voice she asked,

"Doctor, is there something on your mind?" Delbert was a bit surprised by her question but thought carefully about just how much he wanted to say, how much he wanted to share with her about what he was feeling.

"You captain, I-I I've been thinking about you lately. Are you feeling any better?" Amelia smiled at him as he lay his hand down next to hers and smiled at her shyly confident.

"I'm much better now that you're here. It gets so lonely sitting in a hospital bed by yourself." He had to mere courtesy to blush.

She smiled slyly in return and touched her small knuckles to his cheek; half dazedly he closed his eyes for a moment. He flinched at her touch and then opened his eyes to find the same feeling, coming back this time, the glint in her eyes was even more noticeable than ever before. Delbert brought her hand to his lips, leaving a simple kiss to be a gentleman by. A flirtatious look from his lady love encouraged him to give her a real kiss. This stopped him dead in his tracks. Delbert seemed nervous; he hadn't been on too many dates before. His love life also hadn't involved much "making out" as the kids were saying today. The most he'd done in over 15 years was kiss a woman on the cheek. So, he figured the only thing to do was follow her lead. As it come closer and closer to their lips meeting, Sarah & Jim had finally returned with the coffee. Startled, they sat back sharply, both embarrassed. Delbert again tried to remain calm as he went to sit and fell on the floor. Everyone laughed so hard he had to act like nothing happened.

"Dammit!" He thought to himself, unaware that Amelia was thinking the exact same thing at that very moment.

"What took so long? If-if I might ask." Delbert said with a false confidence albeit irritated by the intrusion.

"We got lost, sorry." Sarah said with a small smile, snickering to herself.

"So how did everything go?" Sarah added with a twinge of unneeded curiosity.

"Just fine, thanks" Amelia said coolly. She first looked at Sarah and Jim, noticing their skeptical expression and then Delbert, looking frightened that they might figure things out. How dreadful, although they both probably already knew. Several moments of silence went by before anyone spoke.

"Well anyway, here's your tea Captain, and Delbert," Sarah said with a wink, "here's your coffee." Sarah said calmly. She sat in a comfortable chair and spoke kindly "So Captain, when do you get to go home?

"Well, earlier I was told I am to stay here at least a week. Not something I am likely to take well, wouldn't you say Doctor?" Amelia asked as Delbert merely smiled as a familiar feeling reached his features. Some moments passed without so much as a sound. Delbert spoke briefly to change the subject quickly.

"Yes, well on that note, I spoke to the doctor earlier and he had mentioned that you appear to be well enough to be released to go home with the condition that you have someone to monitor your care. I was going to speak to you about you staying in my home for the time being. I'm sure it would be extremely helpful to you to have someone to care for you." Delbert stated matter-of-factly.

"You shouldn't fuss over me doctor; you've done so much for me already. I'm quite sure you're growing tired of me."

"Now captain, what kind of a doctor would I be if I left you here to fend for yourself against the hospital staff?" He quipped with a warm smile. Amelia had the grace "The kind with a doctorate in Astrophysics." She said with an eyebrow raised and a smile.

"Well…er…true, but Captain, you said yourself how lonely you've been." He whispered to her. Amelia stopped dead in her tracks. She didn't know Sarah well enough to want her to know so much upon first meeting. She furrowed her eyebrows at him. She might have to have a word with him later about that.

"Well doctor, if you insist that you can handle the likes of me, I suppose I should have no other choice. Now all we must do is wait until the blasted doctor allows me to."

Sarah looked in Amelia's direction.

"How would you like to have dinner with us, say when you get out of this dump?" Amelia smiled at the woman's words and replied

"Why, I would love to." Amelia said prepared for anything. Jim leaned towards Delbert with a snickering look on his face. "Did you hear that? She said she'd love to." Jim whispered in Delbert's ear.

"Yes, right then I guess that means I'll have to get some sleep." Delbert said with revelry in his eyes though he tried to hide it. He stood there next to Amelia, not looking away from her gaze.

"Why don't you go home?" He said addressing Sarah and Jim, but not turning in their direction. Amelia wasn't sure whom he was talking to, so she replied angrily. "Well, I'd like to, but I can't, at least not until they clear me to leave. You should know that by now, doctor." She glared at him after that. He began to get slightly frazzled. "But-oh- I wasn't talking to you, Captain."

"Oh, I'm sorry, do go on." She replied with a warm smile.

"I was finished, actually." Ignoring Amelia's, previous sentiment, but still giving Sarah the look that he wanted them to leave. Sarah noticed and quickly started out of the room holding back roars of laughter.

"Oh, that reminds me, don't you have to pack for the academy or something, son?" Sarah said again in a tone that wasn't meant to be a question.

"Whoa? What are you talking about? School isn't starting 'til September; it's the middle of August." Jim said confused.

"Well, if you start now, maybe you'll have everything ready by then." Sarah said matter-of-factly.

"But mom-" Jim said with a teenage sigh. "Let's go son, you should get some rest young man." Sarah was desperately trying to get her son to leave so Delbert could talk with the captain alone, although he vaguely understood why until she pulled him by the ear and towards the door.

"It was lovely meeting you captain." Sarah said sweetly, shuffling her son out the room.

"You can call me Amelia," she said politely.

"Well, good-bye Amelia," Sarah said shaking her hand. She walked over and placed a hand on Delbert's shoulder and spoke again. "We'll wait for you outside Delbert." She said sweetly.

"Wha, Whe- Oh great, not again." Delbert mumbled to himself. He couldn't believe that they had left him to his own shaky romantic defenses…again, however he also thought they would never leave.

"Let's give them a moment." Sarah mused as her and Jim finally got out the door.

"Why are we leaving so quickly, is something going on aside from him having feelings for her that he doesn't want us to know about?" Jim asked half laughing.

"Delbert is falling the Captain no doubt...I can see the way he looks at her." Sarah thought as tried to cover her amusement.

"Yeah, I know, they had plenty of awkward moments during the voyage, you could write a cheesy romance book!" He mumbled. Sarah just smiled. It was nice to see Delbert find someone; she couldn't remember the last time him so happy.

"You'll see son, I'm sure it's going to be amusing as she is staying with us at Delbert's place."

"Fine with me just as long as they get a room already..." Jim said. Sarah had to laugh at that. They both shared a short outburst of chuckling and jokingly pushing each other back and forth. Delbert already knew it would be coming; they must stay with him temporarily until the Benbow is up and running again. What he really wanted to know was if Amelia was up to having their first "date" with a full house. He had hope set them up a romantic evening for them to enjoy in the first place, but with prying eyes among them, would it be worth the risk? Would that still be a date then? He wasn't sure what she was going to say. He gave her a slightly worried look which she disregarded by accepting his offer.

"Well, this has been interesting, hasn't it?" Amelia said with a mischievous grin as she sipped her tea. Delbert was very annoyed at Sarah's behavior, but he still acknowledged the feeling he knew was remaining. Amelia was the most important person to him right now, even though he didn't fully realize why at the time.

"Yes, it has." He said thinking hard whether he should stay and risk the possibility of something happening between them or leave and lay awake thinking about it all throughout the night. It was so hard to choose, but finally he concluded that he should go home and come back the next morning.

"I guess this means I should be going." Delbert said with reluctance in his free spirit.

"Oh, and we were having so much fun." Amelia remarked sarcastically, biting her bottom lip mischievously, knowing all too well what things of that nature do to poor Delbert. He tried to get up and leave, but she pulled him back to her to give him a loving embrace that would warm his heart more than anything he had ever known. She snuggled into his chest fiercely for a minute. He kissed the top of her head and she began purring. She let go reluctantly but smiled at him.

"I will miss you, Doctor." She said with surprising disarray in her voice. It truly seemed that she was disappointed and hoped he would stay...or maybe she was still delirious. This was all very new to her, but it would be something she would have to get used to feeling. Delbert was stunned beyond words when she said it. He was caught, and he stumbled while walking closer to the door. He turned to her once more.

"Feel free to call me Delbert." He insisted.

"Goodnight, Captain." He said with a heavy heart.

"Please doctor, call me Amelia." He briefly heard the Captain say with a big smile.

Finally, with the truth ringing in his ears, he turned toward the door.

"Goodnight—Cap-, err…Amelia." He said slowly as he walked through the doorway in a tired way but managing to see the depression in her face. As she began to try to say goodbye one last time, the words she savored much as the last drop of the warm, bitter sensation of the tea left her lips were gone.

"Goodnight, Delbert" she said after he left, testing his name to her lips. Though Amelia hoped that he would come back and stay with her, nothing else could be stopping him from making the difficult decision he already made. He stopped dead outside the door, possible second thoughts residing in him. He quickly turned back and saw Amelia alone though the glass window. Was he mad? Here he was in the company of a beautiful woman and he was acting like a shy 15–year-old! Many thoughts scurried there as he spotted Jim and Sarah waiting for him causing a long journey home in silence. His heart was aching, what was happening to him? As he walked down the long roadway that led to the carriage, he felt a deep resentment building up inside of him because of his decision, regardless of if he thought it was the right one or not. He thought about going all the way back and staying by her side, at least until she fell asleep, but he knew it would just make the situation even more strange.

Sometime later that evening Sarah bombarded Delbert with questions of what exactly went on between him and the Captain at the hospital that day.

"So…what happened?" Sarah said with a suspecting grin as the three weary travelers entered the door. Delbert didn't say much, but he was honest and truthful with his friend.

"Well?" She said still curious.

"Nothing happened, Sarah." He said with a sigh heading to his bedroom. He turned around and gave her a reassuring look that it was true. She glanced at him surprised. He never was much of a social person, especially when it came to women. She didn't understand. He opened his bedroom door and closed it right behind him. Sarah had tried to say something, but the door closed in her face. She tried to open it herself, but it seemed to be locked, so she couldn't get in. Her despair was filling up the hallway and she began to feel shunned by her dear friend.

"Good night Delbert." She said with concern and remorse for his feelings.

"Good night Sarah." He returned for behind the door. "This is going to be a long night' he thought as he attempted to go to sleep. When he finally got to sleep, he had an odd dream

Delbert and Amelia where alone in B.E.N.'s hideout and Delbert had just gotten the captain to go to sleep. As he was also very tired, he fell asleep himself. In an hour, he woke up to find Silver holding a flintlock to Amelia's head, and threatening to kill her if he didn't find out where Jim was. Delbert appeared to be an enormously proud man. He would fight for her if he must but when Silver stated it was time to keep his end of the bargain, Silver purposefully twisted Amelia's bad shoulder a bit. Delbert got truly angry, he offered himself in her place, but the blasted pirates (and Amelia herself) declined the offer. Silver set the last laser bullet into place, preparing for the inevitable. Delbert lunged at Silver; (a fact that surprised both he and Amelia)) but that he heard was the bullet going straight into Amelia's brain, killing her instantly. Heartbroken and stark craving mad for vengeance, he removed a dagger from the waist of one of the pirates, plunging it into Silver's heart with his bare hands. He rushed over to his companion's side. Blood covered both the front of him and her beautiful face, but next to her were four children; three kittens and one puppy that looked exactly like him and Amelia... The only sounds that could be heard were his angry sobs and the wails of "Mommy!" from the children as they looked to him asking simultaneously "Daddy, why won't mommy wake up?!"

Delbert couldn't believe the dream he just had, and the trauma hadn't yet invested in his head; but he wasn't sure what it was supposed to mean. He sat up, wiping away the beads of sweat that were rolling down his face. What was happening to him? He knew it would be a long night before the morning came, if only he lasts that long.

XXX

Back at the hospital, Amelia grew restless for someone to talk to, so she got out her book "Space Wars" By Giorgio Trinidad. A while later, her head collided with the pillow as she nodded off. Discovering the truth of her subconscious, she had developed feelings for Delbert a great deal. That indeed was the night when she would finally get to sleep through the night, her every thought focused on an eccentric scientist with whom she had a future date. The coincidence of the matter was that later that month was her 36th birthday is she hadn't had a good birthday since the year she left for the academy? Every year after that seemed like a dull cupcake with a candle on top given to her by Arrow. He had also usually scrounged to afford a small but thoughtful gift for her. But now that she was a friend of Delbert, Jim, and his mother, she felt like she might be capable of opening herself up…again

As the morning sung over the horizon, the beams of light cascaded through the window of Delbert's room. He winced at the thought of sunrise, but he remembered he had important business to attend to this morn. As he rummaged through his clothing for something to wear, he thought to himself,

"Delbert, you can do this, you can be calm and reserved today. Then again it is your first date...well, In YEARS! Just act natural, you'll be fine." Delbert still felt uneasy about the whole situation and the dream he had. It must have been a sign of things to come. For a moment he simply forgot what he was doing. He snuck out of his room and down to the stables where he excitedly harnessed up Delilah and headed for the hospital. When he reached the room, he stopped momentarily when he heard voices coming in his direction.

"Well, hello handsome, you must the 'male friend' my niece was talking about in her letter," Said the older lilac-eyed & greying haired Felinid woman who saw him going to Amelia's door. Her husband a (a black and grey haired blue eyed Felinid man) wore an embarrassed look as Delbert turned to face her not knowing what to say.

"Who me? I think you have me mistaken for someone else ma'am." Delbert said politely but shocked and confused.

"Oh, and a gentleman too dear." She whispered to her husband though he didn't really care. Amelia strode slowly through the doorway to the restroom, still in pain from the IV injection site. Delbert lost his breath for a second at the sight of her, causing him to look incredibly nervous, although he felt a sensation in his heart to see her in pain still.

"Aunt Mildred, for the last time, would you stop flirting with my friends!" Amelia blushed slightly under her obvious fatigue.

"Good morning Doctor...Delbert, sorry." Amelia finally got out pleasantly while Delbert remained silent the whole time.

"Hello Ami, it's not every day that my only niece finds male friends. But this one seems to be a keeper." said the chipper voice of Aunt Mildred. "How many times have I told you not to ever call me that in earshot. He can hear you."

"That's the point. So…Is this your boyfriend dear?" Amelia got so angry that she looked like she was about to blow up like a volcano. "AUNT MILLE! He is not my boyfriend!" Her aunt gave her a shocked, sly glance.

"Calm down honey, you don't have to be so defensive, he can hear you." Amelia let out an angry cry as she fumed her aunt's mischievousness with embarrassed be perspiration on her brow. She was edgy because it was her birthday and Arrow was not around to celebrate it with.

"I am NOT defensive!" Amelia fumed as Delbert tried to understand what was going on, but he tended to get things confused. The day got a little better after her Aunt finally went home. They sat for a while drinking tea and sharing discussions about, work, love lives (or the lack thereof), and anything they could think of to share with one another.

"So, Doctor, are you saying that you went to your college finals without even realizing you hadn't any breeches on!" Amelia said as she coyly sipped her tea. Delbert covered his face with his hands, let out a long sigh and tried not to let the bright scarlet color of his cheeks be shown. Amelia pried his hands from his face and smiled slyly at him

"How bad could it be Delbert?" Amelia said saying his name especially breathy.

"Yes, yes, unfortunately it is true! It was after a crazy college party the Astronomy department at the University was holding. My friend Bartholomew made me drink bottle of Qutaren Vodka before I could go back to our dorm and study for my finals the next day! Luckily, I retain information like a sponge, so I passed my classes, as well on my final tests as if I could've been sober. It was the worst experience I can think of; I had a massive headache the morning of my senior finals but my classmates made me. I did and said some interesting things after I had gotten a few drinks in me." Delbert admitted while Amelia smiled warmly. She was having more fun taking to him about past events than she had talking to anyone else in a long time, including Arrow. She had already known everything about Arrow, but this feeling of getting to know someone new even after she had lost her dear friend was a welcoming thought.

After they talked for a while at the hospital, Delbert packed Amelia's things for her to take to his house for the time being. He helped her into the carriage the direction of his home. He let out a slight sigh which Amelia noticed in the silence between them.

"Are you alright Doc-Delbert?" Amelia asked softly. Delbert was interrupted in the middle of his thoughts.

"Yes, I'm just thinking of what a fun time it was meeting your Aunt and Uncle today…"

"Oh, don't mind her, she's very nosy as I'm sure you noticed." Amelia stated with a chuckle. Delbert smiled slightly and briefly looked in Amelia's direction, not realizing she met his gaze. He quickly looked away and couldn't help blushing as he continued in the direction of his house.

Later that night, after spending the day with Amelia; Delbert was prepared for a good dinner. Once he and Amelia got into the carriage, he knew that the night would be perfect. Upon arriving at his house, Delbert kindly showed Amelia around. She was astonished at all the amazing artifacts that he possessed. It all seemed so overwhelming to her. The two of them, Sarah and Jim ate and started chatting with one another.

The foursome chatted for hours about the trip to Treasure Planet, stories of Jim's childhood and how Dr. Delbert Doppler became not only a family friend but also a godfather to the boy and just as Amelia was getting lost in her thoughts, Sarah Hawkins, Jim's mother interrupted her pleasant memories...

"So, Amelia, tell us about yourself…something that we haven't learned about you yet." Sarah proceeded curiously. Amelia looked at everyone around the table and shared her "brief" memoirs.

"See it all started one cold winter morning..." She started. It seemed like hours had passed like mere moments. She liked Delbert's friends and the feeling seem mutual. She had hoped her developing feelings for Delbert were also mutual as well.

Before she knew it, Amelia was being carried to a warm resting place where Delbert tucked her in to sleep. She woke up in one of the guest rooms directly across the hall from Delbert's room. She was woken by the smell of tea and a hot Montressain breakfast. Amelia sighed with contentment for the first time in a long time.