Chapter 11

Closer to You

Danny was resting quietly in the bed when he heard the door to room open, he closed his eyes slightly until he could recognize who it was that came in.

John: 'Well. Looks like he's asleep, I guess I'll take you for coffee Bell."

Bell: "Huh? Oh. Ok then."

Danny popped his eyes open suddenly.

Danny: "Hey! Bring me one too, will ya?"

Bell: "Danny! You're ok?"

John sat in the chair near him, laughing to himself.

Danny: "What's so funny John?"

John: "When did you get married huh?"

Danny: "WHAT?"

Bell: "Sorry, everyone kept thinking we were married I think."

Danny: "OH. Ok, I see now. Very funny John."

John: "Yeah, the nurse said, "his wife is over here.." I couldn't help but laugh."

Danny: "So when are they letting me out of here?"

Bell: "Rest please. They said you would be here at least two days. You need to get your strength back."

John: "Yeah. It's no joke. They said you lost a lot of blood, so you just have to tough it out."

Danny: "Ahh, they don't know anything. I'm fine like I am now..(he tried to sit up on the edge of the bed, nearly passing out as he did) Well. Maybe one day won't hurt."

Bell: "Danny, be careful. You should do as they say."

John: "Besides, Ms. Vidblain here said she'd stay and keep you company anyway."

Danny: "Huh? Bell you don't have to do that, please."

Bell: "I know but I want to. Besides, my home is likely too damaged also."

Danny: "Well, I guess that's it then. Can't complain to much about having company. Heheh."

John: "Especially of the female persuasion huh?"

Danny: "Come on. You know me better than that."

John: "I know. That's why I said it."

Danny: "Real hilarious John."

Belldandy just sat and smiled at the two of them, not registering what they were talking about.

John: "Well. I'm going Danny. I'll call you later this afternoon ok? I'll look at the houses and assess what's going on. You just rest, you hear me?"

Danny: "Ok. I will."

John: "Take good care of him Belldandy. But you got to watch out."

Bell: "Huh? Watch out? Why?"

Danny: "My brother's a great guy. You might lose your heart to him. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Belldandy only blushed as Danny started to chew John out for the comment.

Bell: "It's ok. I'll "watch" myself. Hehe."

John: "Talk to you later guys. Get some rest."
John left as Belldandy started to search for something, anything to say to Danny. As she was thinking, Danny placed his hand on hers and gripped it softly.

Danny: "You sure you're alright Belldandy?"

Bell: "Yes. Thanks to you."

Danny: "It's nothing. I was only looking out for you and your sisters."

Bell: "Thank you, much the same. I don't know what I'd have done if you hadn't came and carried me off like that. I'm sorry if I sounded so mean to you for picking me up like that."

Danny: "No. I don't blame you. I'm just glad you trusted me."

Bell: "I think I will from now on too. Hehehe!"

Danny: "Are you tired?"

Bell: "Sort of."

Danny: "Let me call the nurse and see If I can get you a spare cot in here to sleep on."

Bell: "Oh, no. I can sleep in this chair.."

Danny: "NO. I'll not have that. You need to sleep comfortably."

He hit the call button on the remote.

Nurse: "yes? Can I help you?"

Danny: "Yeah, can I get a cot in here for my friend to sleep on?"

Nurse: "Yes, but it will be this afternoon. We are short on cots right now because of all the storm damage. But we'll have some here at around 4. I'll make sure you get one."

Danny: "Well. Ok then. Please do that."

Bell: "I Can sleep here till then."
Danny: "Well. If you insist. I guess you can."

Bell carefully lie back in the chair, as she silently went to sleep. Danny wasn't very sleepy, so he lied in the bed and relaxed as he watched Bell sleep. She was very restless as she slept. He still felt uncomfortable with her sleeping in a chair. He watched TV as he saw a recap of news from the other day. That's when it hit him. He remembered seeing her on the news a while back. He found it strange that he'd remember that now. Not that it mattered to him. But it simply seemed strange to him that he would end up knowing someone like her. She was absolutely beautiful, he wondered if she genuinely liked him of if she was simply being nice because he's a neighbor and he helps her out. He hated thoughts like that. He wasn't real good with women, though he liked quite a few in his lifetime. The excuses he got from them all the time were, "we're better as just friends" or "you're just too good for me" that was his favorite B.S. line he got. "just how in the hell can you be "to good" for someone? " he thought. Then he thought about what line he might get from Belldandy, had he asked her if she thought they had a chance of a relationship, other than just "neighbor" or "friend". It kind of made him sad thinking about it. He'd not had a steady girlfriend since high school, even that ended in something of a joke. What made him think he had half a chance, hell even 1/1000000th of a chance she'd want him for a boyfriend. It disgusted him thinking about it. Even if she put him down, or more like shot him down. He decided to stay a friend and be as nice as he could to her. He just liked being around her so much, she was always so cheerful and outgoing. But at the same time she seemed like she was so shy, and withdrawn like himself. It's almost like she's never had a real boyfriend before or something. He passed it through his mind. No way. Somebody as hot and outgoing as her. She's had at least a few boyfriends. No way she's THAT pure. Not in this day and age.

Danny spent so much time thinking about all this stuff, he unwittingly fell asleep for a while himself.

Belldandy woke in the chair, with an annoying crick in her neck. She stood up and walked around in the room a bit when the nurse came in to check on Danny. She took his temp, and shook her head slightly. Belldandy was concerned with the look on her face and asked her what was wrong.

Nurse: "He's developing a fever. Likely from his body fighting any infection he's trying to get from his wounds."

Bell: "Is there anything you can do for him?"

Nurse: "Sure honey. The meds will help, they just take a little time to work. You could help keep him cool with a damp cool cloth on his fore head and face and chest a little. It will help keep him comfortable."

Bell: "Ok what do I need to do?"

Nurse: "Here. I'll show you."

The nurse showed Bell how she should wipe him down every so often, to keep him cool and comfortable with the fever he'd developed. He had taken on a noticeable sweat on his forehead and around his neck. After the nurse left she sat quietly in his bed next to him. Carefully moving not to disturb his rest, as she carefully dabbed the sweat from his forehead and around his neck. She occasionally wiped down his upper arms and his forearms as she held up his hands. Danny began to stir a little in his sleep, in a quiet voice he said Belldandy's name. She smiled sweetly, wondering why he was calling her name in his sleep. It made her wonder about what Urd said about being able to read minds. Well, sort of read minds. About that time, he stirred again, but this time it appeared to be to wake up.

Danny slowly opened his eyes slightly. He wasn't able to focus good at first, he was still very groggy form his sleep. He had an arm behind his head under a pillow, that he pulled out and lay down on Bell's leg without realizing it. He opened his eyes more as he felt a cool damp cloth stroke across his neck and his chest. He struggled to focus his sight more. As he did, the view of a smiling Belldandy sit right next to him, holding a washcloth, as she wiped his forehead and then his neck and chest again.

Danny: "Bell. Belldandy? Is that..you?"

Bell: "Yes Danny. It's me. Are you ok?"

Danny: "I feel kind of weak."

Bell: "The nurse said I should do this to help your fever. It this ok with you?"

Danny: "Sure. It feels really fantastic."

Bell: "That's good. As long as it makes you feel better."

Danny noticed his hand lying on her bare thigh, and he quickly moved it. But Bell put it right back, unexpected.

Bell: "That's ok Danny. I don't mind. You put your hand where you feel it's comfortable. Ok? I don't mind really."

Danny: "Ok. I just didn't want you to get the wrong idea."

Bell: "What wrong idea?"

Danny: "That I only want you to do this to "cop" a feel so to speak."

Bell: "Goodness. I know you aren't doing that. That's silly Danny. Besides, I don't think I'd mind even if you were."(Bell winked at him and smiled)

Danny: "Well. I appreciate the trust a lot Bell."

Bell: "I've been sort of thinking too."

Danny: "About what Bell?"

Bell: "I. I kind of. Well. I want to get a little closer to you."
Danny: "Closer? To Me? Why?"

Bell: "I just do. I think you're a very interesting fellow. I want to really get to know you better."

Danny: "Well, I certainly know I want to get to know you a lot better. Is that ok?"

Bell: "Oh certainly, Danny. I. Well, I really like you. So I hope we can become very close friends ok? I really have no friends here yet. But I feel like we might have a lot in common. I'm not sure why. Is that stupid of me to think that, when we really don't know each other that well?"

Danny: "Of course not. I like you a lot too Belldandy. You're very attractive, but once I thought about it, that's not even the real reason I like you. You're really nice, and not afraid to talk to people, you're outgoing. But at the same time, I think you're kinda shy? I've never been really comfortable with my feelings toward women. I mean, sometimes I just don't know what to say. Then sometimes I talk too much and ramble on ..like now. See?"

Belldandy quietly giggled and sighed as Danny gave her strange look.

Bell: "Oh don't worry. You don't talk too much. I like that you talk to me so freely. My sisters say my attitude has changed since I got here. Maybe they are right. I used to be really shy and afraid to talk to strangers, so. I guess I've overcome that some."

Danny: "Your sisters are nice. But they're kinda funny too. Does Urd usually drink that much?"

Bell: "haha! Yes, sometimes she does. But not everyday, She tolerates it well. Unlike me I think. That drink that you made me the other night, I got pretty tipsy. I hope you don't think I was being too forward with you the other night. I've never had any alcohol before."

Danny: "Wow. Really? I didn't know that. Now I feel bad for making you drink it."

Bell: "No, no. I wanted to drink with you. You didn't force me at all, so don't think that ok?"

Danny: "Ok. If you say so."

Bell: "Besides. I kind of liked the drink in general. Actually, I'd like another one sometime, hehe."

Danny: "Sure. I can make them with a little less alcohol too. They taste just the same."

Bell: "Your Brother is very nice. But I think he was confused when the nurse told him I was your wife. Hahaha."

Danny: "Yeah. He's always kidding me I should get married one day and settle down. I just keep telling him it will happen when it happens."

Bell: "Hehe. I bet he wasn't expecting it that way though."

Danny: "Yep. I guess he wasn't."

Bell: "OH! I almost forgot." Belldandy got up and pushed the tray over to him.

Danny: "Ah. Food. I am kind of hungry."

Bell: "It doesn't look like much though. Only a sandwich and a fruit cup. But it looks ok."

Danny: "I know. Hospital food leaves little to be desired. But it's something to eat. Say, did they give you something too?"

Bell: "Yes, it's over here."

Danny: "What you haven't eaten yet? If you're hungry please eat."

Bell: "I just wanted to wait and eat when you did."

Danny just smiled.

Danny: "You didn't have to wait Bell."

Bell: "I wasn't hungry at the time either. If I were really hungry, I would have eaten already."

Danny: "Ok. Juss makin shure.. (he spoke with his mouth full)"

Bell: "Hehehe..Hungry?"

Danny: "Sorry. That was pretty caveman of me."

Bell: "Caveman? OH. I get it. Hahaha. No it's ok. I thought it was funny actually."

Danny: "It isn't too bad for a sandwich I guess. That lasagna you made the other night was terrific."

Bell: "I'm really glad you liked it. It was the first time I made it, so I was wondering if it tasted ok."

Danny: "Can I ask you a question?"

Bell: "Sure. Anything."

Danny had to think of how to put what he wanted to say into words. He always fell apart when he wanted to say something important.

Bell: "Yes? Come now. You can ask me anything?"
Danny: "Anything?"

Bell: "Anything at all."

Danny: "Have you ever. Um. Had a boyfriend before? I'm sure you've had dozens."

Bell blushed at first. Then she smiled and cleared her throat.

Bell: "To be honest. I've never seen someone as their girlfriend or a , um how do you say? A lover."

Danny didn't expect that, but then he thought, she IS a foreigner, her culture probably accepts lover as something else? Nah, she didn't really , really mean that.

Danny: "I see. I just find it hard to believe someone as wonderful as you hasn't had a steady boyfriend or a "lover" at least once."

Bell turned two shades of red. She assumed he meant what he said. Then she thought of a better way to put it to him, but she was very embarrassed.

Bell: "Really. I am. I know the word but I'm embarrassed to say. I'll whisper it to you instead." Whispers in his ear: "I'm what you call a virgin."

Danny's eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

Danny: "AH. Well. Actually, I wasn't sure that was what you meant till you said that."

Bell sat quietly, blushing and unsure of what to say next. She wondered if this was unacceptable to him or something, or the culture here.

Danny: "You ok? You don't look so good."

Bell: "I'm ok really. Is something like that unacceptable? To you?"

Danny: "NO. Belldandy, don't get the wrong idea. It's just that. Well, nowadays a lot of girls have um, you know. Had sex, before their 18th birthday a lot of times. Not all mind you, but it's just really unusual, that's all."

Bell: "I see. Sorry. I just didn't want you to think I'm strange because I haven't before."

Danny: "Certainly not. I think it says even more about your personality and the way you hold yourself. It's great, really."

Bell: "Why. Thank you Danny." Bell kissed him on the forehead.

Danny: "hehe. That was nice."

Bell: "I was only checking your fever."

Danny: "Oh..um."

Bell: "I was JUST JOKING Danny..hahaha!"

Danny: "Got me on that one. I'll get you back."

Bell: "Oh you will, will you?"

Danny: "Yeah not now though. I'm too weak."

Bell: "Might I ask YOU a question?"

Danny: "Sure."

Bell: "Do you have a girlfriend? Or someone special to you?"

Danny: "I did. But it was a couple of years ago. Since I haven't dated or seen anyone since. Only been on one or two blind dates."

Bell: "Blind date? What is that?"

Danny: "Oh, right. That's were you go out on a date with someone you've never met before. Usually with someone that has a date, and wants you to go out with their "friend" most of the time."

Bell: "Oh. I see, they didn't seem interested? I think you're very interesting."

Danny: "Well. Um. Would you be interested in ah.."

Bell just sat there with those beautiful eyes staring at him, he lost it again.

Bell: "Interested? In what Danny?"

Danny kind of looked away a little, so he wouldn't be put off by the answer.

Danny: "Interested in going on a date?"

Bell didn't speak at first. She wanted to speak while he was looking at her, but he seemed afraid to do so. She took her soft fingers to his cheek and turned his face over to hers, so that he had to look at her.

(Danny oh, boy here it comes again…)

Bell: "Danny? I'd be delighted to see you that way. Why would you think I would not?"

Danny: "Excuse..me?"

Bell: "I'd love to go on a date with you. Why are you surprised?"
Danny: "Sorry. I'm so used to being turned down. I think it's just a defensive thing."

Bell: "Oh Danny. That's silly." Bell reached down and kissed him gently on the lips, lingering for a moment, but nothing more.

Danny: "I, um. Don't know what to say Bell. I, well."

Bell: "How about. That's great Bell. What should we do?"

Danny: "Sorry. My mind is in overload right now. I just wanted to say, that was really nice."

Bell: "Well, I really like you. So why wouldn't I want to go on a date with you."

Danny: "I meant, that a minute ago. That, was umm. Nice. Really nice."
Bell: "Huh?"

Danny: "This.."

Danny reached up around the back of her neck and pulled her to him, and he kissed her gently, Bell wasn't prepared but then she smiled and kissed right along with him, actually enjoying the moment, as a single kiss turned into quite a few "long" ones.

Bell: "My goodness. That WAS nice. Hehehe!"

Danny: "I didn't mean to get carried away."

Bell: "If you got carried away, I was too. So I have to take the blame too."

Danny: "Have you talked to Urd or Skuld yet?"

Bell: "No. They aren't where I can reach them for a while."

Danny: "Oh. I was hoping you at least got to tell them what happened so they know what's going on."

Bell: "I'll leave a message with them at the umm, hotel that they are staying at."

Danny: "Oh. Ok then."

Bell: "If it's alright. I think I'm going to take a quick shower and change into these fresh clothes I have."

Danny: "Ok. I think I'm gonna call John and see if he's looked at our houses yet."

Bell: "Ok. Be out in a few minutes."

Danny: "Ok."

Danny tilted his bed up so that he was upright more to reach the phone. Then he started thinking about Belldandy taking a shower, and he lost his train of thought. "if the rest of her is anything as soft and silky as her leg was earlier…mmmm.." Damn I'm such a perv. Why do I have to think of stuff like that at a time like this.." Danny thought as he grabbed the phone and set it on the tray in front of him.

Urd and Skuld were at their stations at Yygdrasil, Skuld was tending to the system bugs that were plaguing the OS and Urd was in charge of, being in charge?

Peorth: "Urd, what is going on with Belldandy? You know the reason the OS is crapping out is because of Bell's signature missing from the master registry."

Urd: "I'm aware of that Peorth. But what am I supposed to do about it. We've been here almost 48 hours now, and Skuld can't get the registry reconfigured until all the bugs are taken out."

Peorth: "Is Bell really ok down there. We're all worried about her."
Urd: "It's very scary that she has no idea that she was once a goddess first class. What hurts even more is, what do we do if we can't get her back? Just leave her to her own devices? I can't accept that."

Skuld: "URD! Can I get some extra help please? Aren't Felicia and Laura free to help me with this?"

Urd: "Sorry Skuld. They're on their way now."

Peorth: "If we need to do anything to speed this up. Let me know Urd. Is Bell safe where she is? "

Urd: "She should be. The neighbor likes her. And she likes the neighbor, so I think that says something."

Peorth: "I can't imagine what it's like to be Mortal. It must be hell for her."

Urd: "Actually she's taken to it quite well. It seems her synapses when she was cut from the system, left her with above average intelligence and common culture customs and aware of what most things are. But I'm sure there's many "unknowns" that she hasn't dealt with. Like some right and wrong things, She's still pretty naive about some things and being nice to too many kinds of people. So I am worried a little."

Peorth: "Bell has a good head on her shoulders I think anyway. Goddess or not."

Urd: "Let's hope we're both right."

Next Chapter

Spirits Revisited