Author's Note: Hello, gang! I didn't realize my story would become this popular among the readers. I got my computer back on track. Yay! For the past week it hasn't been working so. I'm happy to be back. And also very happy to say that I got up a new chapter for all of you. Thank you all for reading my story and a very special thanks to all those who took the time and effort to review (LOL!). I loved them all! I almost cried 'cause I was so happy you all liked it. Anyway, don't want to keep you from reading the story anymore. Just wanted to say thanks, and enjoy!


As soon as they arrived, Jimmy took his sister in his arms and quickly got out of the car. He raced toward the door and passed the receptionist at the front desk. Cindy and his mother followed close behind. The woman yelled after them, but they ignored her. They soon finally reached the office they were looking for. The woman sitting outside the office pointed to the door behind her after Jimmy asked for Doctor Smith and before she could speak the door behind her swung open and a woman with short coffee brown hair stepped out. She wore a stethoscope around her neck and a long white overcoat.

"You took long enough," she said as she took Rebecca from Jimmy.

"I'm sorry, but Jimmy was taking a long time getting in the car," Mrs. Neutron responded.

"It wasn't my fault!" Jimmy protested. "Someone just had to argue about coming along."

He crossed his arms over his chest as he nodded toward Cindy. He shook his head and turned his back away from both his mother and Cindy.

"I told you I was worried and I still am! I want to know if your sister is going to be alright!"

Jimmy suddenly turned to her.

"Well, this is none of your business and stop being so damn nosey and just run along home!"

"I'm not being nosey!"

Jimmy watched as Cindy turned away just then as she crossed her arms over her chest. He ignored her and chose not to say anything more.

"I won't ask," the doctor said. "Listen, Jimmy, you and your girlfriend work things out while your mother and I - "

"She's not my girlfriend!" Jimmy shouted as his mother, and the doctor, with Rebecca in her arms walked into the office. Jimmy retreated to the bench beside Cindy, but he hadn't even noticed that he was sitting beside her. He barely felt Cindy's hand on his in an effort to comfort him. He looked up at her and she smiled. It was forced. What the hell could she possibly want now? Jimmy thought. He looked at her. Contemplating her actions and intentions. "What do you want?"

He pulled away from her, obviously startling her.

"What do you mean?" she asked, now getting a bit defensive. She glared at him a bit.

"Oh, come on," Jimmy began. "You know what I mean! Why the hell did you just put your hand on mine?"

He didn't know what to think of that. Was she truly, genuinely trying to comfort him? Or could this just be a trick to get something? And if she wanted something, what was it? He suddenly stood. Maybe she wanted to blackmail him. He knew it sounded a bit farfetched, but hey anything was possible, right? Maybe she was pretending to be nice just so she could get an idea of what he feared for his sister. It would serve for some juicy gossip and would also serve great for any blackmailing plan. Jimmy wasn't exactly known for being bright, perky, and happy-go-lucky at school. No, he was quite the opposite. People feared him and he was most known for his extremely short temper. If word got out that Jimmy Neutron was weak and insecure, his pride would be deeply bruised and the humiliation would begin. Jimmy's mind played with the possibility and was outraged by the thought of it all. She really shouldn't have come. This girl was nothing more than an annoying half-wit. She didn't even know Rebecca the way he did and she certainly didn't care for her in the way Jimmy did. She didn't care period! All she could ever cared about was her popularity. And her stupid looks (of course). What else was there for her to care for? Nothing. Absolutely nothing at all!

"It was an attempt to comfort you," she replied a bit angered by his reaction.

"Well, don't 'attempt' anything anymore."

"Look, Neutron, I care what happens to - "

"No, you don't! That's the problem, Vortex!"

He had noticed that she was startled by his rage. He simply didn't want her there because he knew she truly didn't care. And she was refusing to leave. She was the one making everything more difficult then it really was. Why couldn't she just understand that he did not want her there? It was simple. He didn't want her there which meant that he wanted her to leave. Now! There was no use for her in the hospital. And she wasn't helping Jimmy out one bit. Having her there was only putting more stress on him it wasn't relieving the tension in his body or in the atmosphere. If anything it was adding to the tension.

Suddenly, Cindy stood up before him. She walked closer to him. Dangerously close. Their bodies could've touched gently if she had taken another step closer. "I'm not leaving until I know that Rebecca will be okay," she said in a stern whisper. Jimmy scoffed as he took a step back to look her over. His eyes scanned her from head to toe. He grinned as he shook his head. Cindy scowled at his sudden change.

"What?!" she demanded.

He looked up at her. The smile fading quickly as his eyes grew intense with anger. "Do you think I'll let you stay around, just because you can prove to me that you're not afraid of me. Believe me, I don't care if you fear me or not, Vortex," he began. "I will not let you stay. My sisters and her little condition is my business and my mother's only. So, back off and run along home before I have to use force. And if you don't believe me, go on, keep provoking me. Go on!"

"I'm not leaving! I told you before. I'm worried and I'm not leaving until I know Rebecca is okay. And you will not touch me. Sure you're violent, but it's not like you to use violence on a girl." She smiled at herself.

Jimmy stomped toward her. He pointed an accusing finger at her, but before he could speak, Dr. Smith and Mrs. Neutron came out of the room. They moved toward the two into the hall. Jimmy turned quickly. He looked past both women and peered into the room. His heart sank as he spotted his little sister lying on her back in the hospital bed. She had some nose plug looking thing in her nose. It was connected to a machine beside the bed, which had obviously helped her to breath. Her small chest rose with greater ease. Without much thought, he ran into the room beside the hospital bed and fell to his knees. He took her little hand in his and looked at her face. She turned her head to him and smiled. A tear brimmed in the corner of Jimmy's eyes. He blinked it away, not wanting anyone to see him cry. He smiled brightly at his sister.

"Hey," he said softly. His voice was almost a whisper. It was sweet and gentle.

"Hello," she replied. Her voice sounded a bit raspy.

"She looks comfortable, I know," Dr. Smith said.

"But, Becca says she's fine, right, sweetheart?" Mrs. Neutron asked.

Rebecca nodded, sweety. "It doesn't hurt anymore," she said bravely. "Aunt Meryl said I had to stay over night though."

Jimmy's heart ached. "Overnight?" he asked. He looked over to the doctor, his aunt Meryl. She nodded. Jimmy hesitated, but he nodded, agreeing with his aunt. Jimmy turned to Rebecca. He gently squeezed her hand. With the other hand he moved the strands of hair away from her eyes. She looked so fragile, so weak, but she smiled and kept her spirits soaring. She was a brave little girl. Braver than anyone Jimmy had ever known in his entire life. She had more courage than a soldier at war. So it seemed to him. He admired her for it. Even looked up to her because of it. He only wished he could have as much courage as she. Hell, he wished he was even half as courageous as she was. But he wasn't.

He kissed her small hand. Rebecca patted him on the head lightly, the way she petted Goddard and smiled. Jimmy laughed. "I'm no dog," he said. Rebecca giggled.

"Yes, you are. You're my puppy," she commented.

The others laughed along with them. It was just like her to change something that was so gloomy into something joyous and fun. She always looked at life positively. It was almost as if there was no negative thought in her mind.

Rebecca turned her head toward the door. She propped herself up on her elbows. Jimmy stood quickly, trying o pull her back down. Meryl and Mrs. Neutron ran to the bed. Rebecca ignored them and sat up slowly. "Join us, Cindy," she offered politely.

Jimmy turned to Cindy. She took one step in, but backed away as soon as she noticed Jimmy's cold stare.

"Looks like you two didn't clear up your 'issues'," Meryl concluded. "It's a shame. You two are so cute together. You need to fix this thing between you or else then you two will break up and I won't have that. I was some nieces and nephews running around me, you know."

"Not too soon," Mrs. Neutron quickly added.

"And I don't remember hearing about Jimmy and his lovely new girlfriend, dear sister of mine," Meryl said as she turned to Mrs. Neutron. The woman shrugged.

"She's not my - "

Meryl put her hands on her hips and stared at Mrs. Neutron, waiting for an explanation. Jimmy waited to scream. How could they think that Cindy (of all people) and him were dating?! Not possible. Nope.

Rebecca soon joined the conversation, "Oh, Aunt Meryl, Jimmy and Sarah broke up weeks ago. Jimmy didn't want to talk about it."

"Ah," Meryl said knowingly. "So, new girl then."

Mrs. Neutron nodded as well as Rebecca. They laughed.

"She's not my girlfriend! Vortex is not my girlfriend and she will never be!" Jimmy exploded. "She's not my type anyway." He crossed his arms over his chest. He looked at Cindy and scowled, proving his statement.

"Jimmy, please," his mother sighed.

"Don't please me!" Jimmy shouted.

"Jimmy, please," came Rebecca's soft voice. Jimmy sighed as he retreated to the chair resting by the way in the corner.

"I wish you would listen to me like that," Mrs. Neutron said with yet another sigh. Jimmy scoffed as he turned his head away from her.

Rebecca was the only person in the world who could truly tame Jimmy when he was in a rage. No one else had the power to contain him the way she did. He listened to his mother, but that was only when he wanted to. And that was never very often. In fact, it was rare for Jimmy to ever listen to his mother. But when it came to his little sister, all of his defenses came crumbling down. She was the only one he truly listened to, the only reason why he still attended school, and she was his whole reason for living.

"Well, Becca needs some sleep now. Maybe we should leave her to rest," Meryl suggested. "Come by tomorrow after school, Jimmy. You can pick her up then. Deal?"

Jimmy nodded as he stood. He walked to Rebecca. Smiled down at her and leaned forward to kissed her forehead. "I'll be back tomorrow, Becca." he promised.

Rebecca nodded with a smile. She kissed him on the nose before he straightened his back. Jimmy's heart swelled as his sister smiled. And at that moment he knew she'd be fine. He watched her she rested her head on her pillow and closed her eyes. He tucked her in and kissed her forehead one more time before pulling away. He then walked out the door, completely ignoring Cindy on the way out. His mother and aunt followed him out.