The hospital room that seemed so bright and large before, appeared now to be gloomy and small. Was it her who made everything better? Was it her smile and the little wrinkles around the eyes that radiated the light he saw? Was it the aroma of her hair, which washed over his face and hit him almost senseless when she was bandaging him? Was it that subtle scent of wild flowers, air and rain that killed all the sterile hospital smells?

Choi Young looked at his chest, as if trying to stop the heart from this bitter sweet longing that pulled at him with each beat. He closed his eyes, tilting his head back, his Adam's apple rolling as he swallowed any feelings he had, ignoring the pain growing rapidly and banging against his temples, he tried to stop what was coming by pressing his fingers to the eyes and almost hurting himself in the process. The fingers felt wet, he looked at the moisture on his fingertips: "What were these tears about?", he wondered.

The general put the things she gave him into the plastic bag, finished changing his clothes and got under the covers. He planned to leave at night when there were fewer people at the hospital. The problem was he did not know where to go. He should have asked the doctor about the place where the Hwata's gate was, but he forgot. How can I forget something important like this? What else did he start to forget?

He heard a person enter his room, happily he opened his eyes, but it was not Imja, it was one of the other women, called a nurse. She was going through the motions, checking all the machines and writing something down.

"Excuse me, do you know where they found me?"

She was surprised to hear him talk. "You are not asleep?"

"Miss, do you know where they found me before bringing here. I do not remember."

"Amnesia, I know. I can check in your chart." She looked at something. "OK. Here it is in Gangnam, next to the Buddhist garden… intersection… across from the Expo center."

"How do I get there? I think the directions may help me remember."

"I will write it down for you."

"Just tell me, it is easier that way."

Dear Lauren, Kerry, passerby, shirauki, MistyLU, "guest" and all the rest of you who commented, thank you for the interest. Whether he will stay or leave remains to be seen, but please let me know your ideas and suggestions.

Eun Soo hid away in her favorite room. Facing the ceiling, she prostrated herself on the cot, looking dejected. Figures, a fitting end to this story. Didn't I promise myself to never fall for a man. It only took me a day. At least he is leaving, so my life can get back to normal. She turned to the wall, with her finger, she drew an imaginary profile… I will miss him. "I don't want to say goodbye"echoed in her mind. She clearly remembered his eyes piercing through her. His eyes were asking her.., openly asking her for a reason to stay. Did she miss her chance? Stricken by a realization, she rushed to the elevator, anxiously waiting for the doors to open. She exited at the post operative care floor. Running through the hallway, she did not notice surprised looks.

"Are you still here?" she entered the dark room. Eun Soo flipped the light switch on. The bed was empty, the plastic bag was gone and the pajamas were neatly laid out under the blanket.

He is gone. She was late. Eun Soo went to the stairwell and set on the steps. She looked at her hands. I was told I have golden hands. She scoffed, what good are they if she could not hold on to the one person who made her heart skip? What she felt in the empty room was not frustration or disappointment, it was a sense of loss.

If she did not walk out then, she might have had a chance to see him again, talk to him, convince him to stay longer. Where is he headed? She could not understand why he needed to leave urgently today of all days. His recovery was progressing well, he was taken care of, there was a safe place to sleep and eat, and she... She was here for him. Why is he in such a rush?

Personal feelings aside, she was still his doctor. Eun Soo felt responsible for the stranger's wellbeing. She would not keep him in a hospital unless it was necessary. If he left in this condition, he might collapse or develop serious complications. If what he said was true, and he was not from around here, whether it was from the past or another place, how would he find a way back? He has no money and he looks odd, the best case scenario, he will get arrested and sent back to the hospital after they discover his injuries. The worst… She did not want to think about the worst. She headed outside, needing fresh air. Stopped by a moan-like sound, she looked underneath the stairs. In the darkness, she saw a familiar figure on the ground.

"Stranger, is it you?"

"Imja?"

She turned on the flashlight application on her cell and directed the beam toward the voice. Choi Young was sitting on the ground: pale, white lips, breathing heavily. "I think I lost consciousness," he admitted.

She crawled to the space next to him. "I told you, unless I say so, you can't leave", she scolded him. They sat next to each other under the stairway, shoulder to shoulder, the only sound interrupting the silence was of their breathing. Her light turned off automatically and under the cover of darkness, she decided to be brave.

"Do you want to leave? she asked softly.

He swallowed loudly and breathed out "No," turning to her, his lips almost touching her cheek. She held her breath, waiting. His fingers searched for her hand, brushing the sleeve away. She felt how they lightly trembled, when he slid them from her exposed wrist till the very end of the fingertips, and planted his cold hand on hers. It reminded her of how frantically he looked for his sword and how after finally he found the hilt and had it in his hand, he calmed down.

"You have decided not stay here, right?" She turned toward him, aware they are a kiss away, lips almost touching. Before he responded, her heart shriveled. She already knew the answer, yet she hoped he would say "no".

"Yes, I have to find a way to the Hwata's gate. The king may be in danger, the assassin is on the loose, my guys do not know the latest developments. It could be a mess. I need to hurry up and return home" – he explained plainly with quiet determination in his voice. "I don't have a choice," his hand now firmly grasping hers.

Back upstairs, laying on that cot, when she realized that she should not fight her feelings, Eun Soo made a decision to help him. She started to care about him, and although he was going away, she wanted to make sure he was safe and watch over him while she could. If it could not be helped…

"Do you trust me?" she asked.

"Yes."

"I will help you get back home, but you have to do what I say."

"I agree to this condition."

"I'll bring you some clothes that won't make you stand out so much. Wait here."