Chapter 13

Mood Swings and Jealousy

The next morning Danny woke, he decided to make breakfast for everyone. He fumbled around in the refrigerator looking for eggs and bacon and the oven ready biscuits. He was getting around a little better this morning, but he was very stiff. Needless to say he was taking his time. While cooking he noticed Urd and Skuld had come to the kitchen from the smell of his cooking.

Danny: "Hi Urd. Morning Skuld."

Urd: "Hello."

Skuld: "Good Morning Danny."

Urd: "I figured it was Belldandy down here cooking."

Danny: "Nah just me, why?"

Urd: "She's usually up by 6 am. I wonder what's wrong? She'd never miss breakfast on purpose."

Danny: "She's probably just sleeping in, it's okay."

Urd: "Well, I'm going to check on her anyway."

Danny: "Ok. So Skuld? What would you like?"

Skuld: "It all smells good to me."

Danny: "I told you I could cook."
Skuld: "Well, maybe."

Urd had left to Danny's bedroom to check on Belldandy. She found her still asleep in his bed, holding a pillow close in front of her.

Urd: "Hey sis? Are you awake?"

Bell: "Why do you want to know?"

Urd: "I was just curious. Danny is making breakfast, so I thought you may be hungry."

Bell: "Not really."

Urd: "Oh. Would you like a cup of tea then?"

Bell: "No."

Urd: "Ok. What's wrong Bell? Are you still angry at what I told you last night?"

Bell: "Urd. Just leave me alone. Ok? I just want to be alone."

Urd: "Well. Alright. I'll check on you in a little while."

Urd was beginning to worry if she'd made the right decision to tell Belldandy what happens if she did return to her former self. She assured herself it was the right thing to do, but still. Seeing her this way wasn't easy. Maybe it was the flood of emotions she felt when she realized that anyone she had contact with here, would be left behind with no memory of her. Or maybe she thought things were to frightening to not have her or Skuld around with her if she stayed the way she is now. Either way, she was best left alone for now.

Danny: "So Urd? Bell still asleep?"

Urd: "Umm. Yeah. She's just very tired."

Danny: "Ok, I'll just save her some breakfast then. Here you go."

Urd: "Thank you Danny that's very sweet of you."

Danny: "No problem. Nobody starves in my house. Heheh."

Skuld: "It is really good. I guess you can cook ok."

Danny: "Thanks Skuld. I like to think I can cook, since I've had to cook for myself for years."

Urd: "I guess after breakfast we should go to the house Skuld, and pick up some clothes and things. Ok?"

Skuld: "Sure. We should get Bell some things too."

They sat at the table and had eaten breakfast, Urd and Skuld left to go to their house and Danny stayed behind to clean up. It was approaching 10 o'clock. He was becoming concerned about Belldandy, so he decided to go check on her.

He noticed the bear he'd bought her at the hospital was still in the bag she brought home with her things in it. He pulled it out and carried it to the room with him.

He opened the door and Bell was still in bed turned away from him. He carefully sat on the edge of the bed next to her.

Bell: "Urd, I said to leave me alone for a while."

Danny: "It's Danny, Bell. I just wanted to check on you. I'll leave if you want me to."

Bell: "Danny? Oh. I'm. I'm sorry."

Danny placed the bear in front of her while her back was still turned to him. She grabbed and held the bear, as a tear fell from her face unnoticed.

Danny: "I, umm. Saved you some breakfast if you feel like eating in a while."

Bell: "thank you, Danny."

Danny: "It's not a problem."

Bell: "No. I mean, thank you for coming in here."

Danny: "Oh. It's ok. I'm sorry if I disturbed you though."

Bell: "Would you, lie next to me for just a while?"

Danny didn't know what to think at first. But he carefully lied down next to her.

Bell: "No. Turn around."

Danny turned around to face her, Bell had grabbed his free arm and placed it around herself. Danny didn't speak.

Bell: "Thank you Danny."

Danny: "Your Welcome. Is this okay?"

Bell: "Hold me closer."

Danny's expression was one of a little bit of shock, but he did as she told him too. He placed both arms around her tightly, as she had turned to face him.

Bell: "That's much nicer."

Danny: "You sure you feel ok Bell?"

Bell: "I feel better now."

Danny just smiled.

Belldandy just nested her head into Danny's chest, she wasn't sure if this was the right thing to do for now, but she felt she wanted to be close to him for now. She still had a lot of thoughts running through her head right now. But she felt strangely better as soon as she'd heard his voice this morning. She was still afraid of the thought of loosing him, if she returned to normal. But she half-heartedly accepted that this was what she wanted right now. They both lay and hold each other for a while, Bell had even rolled Danny to her a little, He could tell she was thinking very hard about something, but he was afraid to bring anything up that might upset her.

About that time they heard the front door open and close. Danny assumed she would let go now, but she gripped him even closer, any closer and they'd be sewn together at the skin. About that time, Skuld opened the door to the bedroom.

Skuld: "Hey Belldandy we got you some of yo…Ooooh. I'm sorry!"

Bell: "Go away Skuld."

Skuld: "I-I'll just leave them r-right here."

Bell didn't speak. And Danny was too afraid to think right now. But Skuld did as she requested, and the door closed again. Bell moved the sheet over Danny, and snuggled next to him again. He noticed she had nothing on but her essentials, and he blushed a bit. She took his arm and placed it over herself again.

Bell: "I'm not through holding you yet, is that, ok?"

Danny: "Sure. I-I don't mind."

They continued to cuddle with each other for over an hour before Bell decided to get up, Danny was just sitting up in the bed when Belldandy slipped from beneath the sheets in front of him, as though he wasn't even there, still in her underclothes, she headed to the bathroom. When she spoke to him, he'd turned his head slightly, she noticed this and walked right in front of him, so he had to look at her.

Bell: "Danny? I'm going to take a shower now."

Danny: "Oh. Ok. Go right ahead."

Bell: "Why won't you look at me? Am I ugly?"

Danny's eyes got large as he looked up at her face in confusion.

Danny: "N-No you're not ugly. I umm, just felt."

Belldandy threw her self into him, almost knocking him down onto the bed again. She smiled at him, because of his embarrassment.

Bell: "I don't mind, you've seen me in my nightgown already. I just thought maybe you were upset with me because you wouldn't look at me when you spoke to me."

Danny: "Sorry, I just. I mean, I think you're very. You're pretty ok."

Belldandy let out a giggle.

Bell: "Ok. I seriously thought maybe you seemed put off by my looks like this. I. I don't feel modest around you I guess. I could be totally naked, and I, probably would feel comfortable around you."

Danny: "I was just trying to, be a gentleman is all."

Bell: "Thank you then. I'm going to take my bath now. I'll be out in a bit."

Danny: "Ok. I'm going to see what Urd and Skuld are doing."

Bell: "Ok. I'll be with you in a little bit."

Danny got up as Bell went to the bathroom and shut the door. "Why is she acting so strange? I guess she feels better now. All I can say is, Wow. I can't believe she thought I looked away because she was "ugly" ? That's crazy. I'd have to be a sick person to think she was ugly. Whew." He thought as he headed out the door. "She could be totally naked around me and feel comfortable? That's nice to know, but why on earth would she say that?" he scratched his head as he thought about it. This was going to be a very strange day indeed.

Danny went into the living area where Urd was smiling at him, and Skuld was giving him dirty looks.

Danny: "Sooo. Um. You guys get plenty of clothes?"

Urd: "Oh yes. But from what I heard you didn't need any. Hehehehe!"

Skuld: "You're sick Urd. That's not funny."

Danny could only blush, he'd knew then that Skuld told Urd about the goings on in the bedroom. Even if it seemed serious, it was innocent enough.

Danny: "It's not like we were "doing" anything you two. Gimme the benefit of a doubt."

Skuld: "Did I "say" anything?"

Danny: "Well. No you didn't."

Skuld: "Then don't worry about it. Just don't hurt my sisters feelings."

Danny: "I don't intend to really."

A knock on the front door interrupted him.

Urd got up and headed to the door, and asked who it was.

Voice behind Door: "Is Danny home? It's Natalie."

Urd opened the door and Natalie stepped inside. She only looked on at Urd, then at Skuld before acknowledging Danny was now right next to her.

Danny: "Hi Natalie. What's up?"

Natalie: "Gee, who are these two? Did you suddenly become a playboy all of the sudden?"

Danny: "Come on Natalie. Why are you here?"

Natalie: "Greg talked to me and said that you were hurt in that storm and you were laid up at home. I just thought I'd drop by and see if you needed anything. Apparently you don't need anything at all, from the looks of these two."

Danny: "Just because you talked to Greg, doesn't mean you can just come barging in here to "check" on me! "

Natalie: "Are you going to introduce me?"

Danny: "Urd, Skuld, This is Natalie. Natalie this is Urd (points) and this is Skuld(points)."

Natalie: "Nice to meet you."

Skuld: "You too."
Urd: "Likewise, um. Natalie? Was it?"

Natalie: "Yes. Danny and I used to date along time, up until about 8 months or a year ago."

Urd: "OH! I see. That's interesting."

Skuld: "It figures.."

Natalie: "SO how are you feeling Danny? You ok? Need me to do anything for you?"

Danny: "Now's not a good time Natalie, I think it would be better if you came baa.."

Bell: "Hi Danny. Who is this?"

Natalie looked over in the direction of that sweet beautiful voice, and almost fell over craning her neck in that direction when she spotted Belldandy.

Natalie: "A-another one! Just how many are you hiding in this house Danny?"

Danny: "This is Belldandy, Natalie. Bell this is Natalie. An old friend of mine."

Bell: "I see."

Belldandy had something of an irritated look on her face, not angry, but at the rate she was going, it was evident that she'd end up this way.

Natalie: "Hello Bell Dandy. Nice to meet you."

Bell: "It's one word, Belldandy. If you can't say it right just call me Bell."

Natalie looked at Bell with a surprised look on her face, like she had just slapped her.

Natalie: "My aren't we touchy. So. Anyway, Danny. Are you sure you don't need my help with anything? You know I'll do anything, you know."

Danny: "No. You've been enough help already."

Natalie: "Aww. Come on. You know you want some thing, don't you?"

Natalie was really close to Danny now, with her arm around his neck and her face close to his. It was clear she was coming on to him.

Bell: "I believe he said "No". "

Natalie: "I dunno. Danny's always been very shy with his feelings, I think he wants me to he's just afraid to come out and say it."

Bell: "Sure sounded like "NO" to me!"

Danny: "Ok, girls it's time to calm down now..let's not get too.."

Bell: "Wha-what? You're going to take her side in this? I…I wasn't being mean to her. I was only…"

Natalie: "I have nothing to say to a snooty snob like this, this Bellflower person."

Bell: "AH! It's Belldandy! You..you. Hussie! Danny, if she doesn't leave then I'm leaving!"

Natalie: "Bye –bye then, Belldan..oh whatever your silly name is.."

Bell: "YoU LiTtle…you little WITCH! I've had enough of this!"

Belldandy left raging mad to the Bedroom and slammed the door loudly behind her, locking it as it closed. She paced the floor furiously as she tried to calm down from the remarks of this arrogant lady.

Urd and Skuld stood stunned at what just transpired. Belldandy was raging mad. They'd never seen her this way ever. Did this woman really make her this angry just by being here, or was something else wrong with her?

Danny: "Natalie. I won't ask you this again. Please leave. Call before you ever come over again."

Natalie: "Well, alright. But I certainly won't be over while that little tramp is still here in your house. I knew Greg was right. You have fallen for a strange woman."

Danny: "Just leave. Maybe some other time, okay?"

Natalie: "Alright then. Tah-tah everyone."

With that Natalie left out the front door. Danny went to the door of his bedroom. Bell had the door locked, so he knocked quietly.

Bell: "What do you want!"

Danny: "Are you ok Bell?"

Bell: "Maybe. Why do you want to know!"

Danny: "Because I care about you. I'm sorry about Natalie, okay?"

Bell didn't say anything, she sat quietly, thinking about why she felt this way.

Danny: "I'm sorry that she's so forward. I have nothing to do with her anymore. She just has a bad habit of popping in when she feels like it."

Bell: "She's a little witch."

Urd: "Now Belldandy! Please don't be so rude. You were just as much at fault as she was. You had a very sour attitude to begin with toward her."

Bell: "I don't CARE! She's a snooty little W-I-T-C-H!"

Skuld: "Urd, I think she just needs time to cool off.."

Danny: "Look. I guess this is all my fault somehow. If you want to be mad at someone just be mad at me."

Bell: "I AM mad at YOU! Telling me to calm down and taking her side. You must still care about her too much."

Danny just looked in amazement at the door in front of him, Urd looked toward Danny as he shrugged his shoulders at them, then he hung his head down and walked off to the kitchen where they heard the door open and close.

Urd: "BELLDANDY! You outta be ashamed of yourself! Danny just walked off upset because of what you said!"

Bell: "GOOD! I hate him, I HATE him for putting her first!"

Urd: "Bell, listen to what you're saying. Please? Why would you hate him for someone else instigating the whole thing. He never once was even nice to her while she was here. I can understand you being upset with her, but Danny has done NOTHING wrong."

Belldandy just sat on the bed, she snatched up the stuffed bear that he bought her, she looked at it and started to punch it with her fist, harder and harder until she made her hand hurt. Then she gripped it to her chest and started crying, she lay on the bed as she cried herself to sleep.

Danny walked into the backyard and took a few deep breaths, then he hobbled over to the outdoor swing that was still undamaged from the storm. He sat in it, and slowly rocked himself back and forth, staring up at the trees, noticing many areas of broken branches and stripped leaves. He swung in the set for quite some time, almost falling asleep from the motion and the wind in his face.

"Why is she acting like that? She really didn't seem the type to get so upset like that." Danny thought to himself as he stretched out in the swing. "Just and hour ago she was wanting me to hold her close, and now she hates me? I just don't understand women." Danny took in a deep breath as he fell asleep outside on the large swing.

Urd and Skuld talked a while about how Belldandy was acting, Urd had explained to her that she told Bell what will happen when and if she is returned to normal.

Skuld: "Why did you have to go and upset her with that right now? You know it may still be quite a few months before that even happens."

Urd: "Better that she know now than when she has feelings that she can't deal with later. I know I made the right decision."

Skuld: "Still, she's never acted like that before."

Urd: "I spoke to Peorth too. She seemed to agree with me, but everyone is concerned as much as we are. We just have to make sure to keep her spirits up somehow."

Skuld: "What about Danny? He looked so hurt when she said that she hated him. I know she was just speaking out of anger, but still."

Urd: "I know. I think I should go and talk with him about it. I hope she hasn't turned him away from her. I think she needs him too much right now myself. And he really is concerned for her welfare."

Skuld: "Maybe we both should then."

Urd: "I think it's best if I just talk to him, ok Skuld?"

Skuld: "Well, ok then."

Urd: "I'll be back in just a little bit. Keep an eye on Bell ok?"

Skuld: "Okay I will."

Urd left to the backyard where Danny was in a light sleep lying in the swing. Urd came up to him quietly and gently brushed his cheek with the back of her hand. He didn't stir at first until she spoke to him.

Urd: "Danny? Are you alright?"

Danny: "Oh. Hi Urd. Yeah. I'm ok I think. Belldandy's pretty pissed at me huh?"

Urd: "No. She's merely confused right now. Her feelings are in a turmoil. Please don't shy away from her. You're the first person she's taken an interest in and she trusts you very much."

Danny: "She's got a strange way of showing it."

Urd: "Belldandy was injured some time ago, it was a head injury. I think they call it a head trauma. Well it took quite a lot of memory jogging to even have her remember us at all."

Danny: "You mean, amnesia?"

Urd: "Yes. She doesn't want anyone to know. That's why I never told you before now. Please don't tell her that you know. Just keep it to yourself, okay?"

Danny: "Well. I guess that explains a few things about how she acts sometimes. But, I still don't quite understand things about her."

Urd: "You will understand her more in time. I know this much. Please try and tolerate her outburst earlier about hating you. She doesn't, not in the least bit."

Danny: "I know. But she really sounded like she meant it, hehe."

Urd: "Believe me. I was surprised too. She's never exhibited a side of herself like that before, not even to Skuld and I. And we're her sisters."

Danny: "Well. I think it's best I stay away from her till she cools off."

Urd: "If you think you should, I guess that's alright. But I do wish you would talk to her later about things regardless. Okay?"

Danny: "Alright. I will, I promise. Thanks for telling me those things Urd. I really enjoy having all three of you around. Especially Bell. But life has been anything but boring since you three have been around me."

Urd: "Aww. Thank you Danny. That's very sweet of you."

Danny: "I think I'll fix us all lunch. I'm sure Bell hasn't eaten. Maybe a little food will loosen her up to talk to me more."

Urd: "Yes. Do that. I'll go and talk to her now. winks Don't worry, I'll go talk to her now and tell her to expect you in a little bit ok?"

Danny: "Ok. Thanks Urd. You're Terrific."

Danny watched Urd as she returned to the house through the back door into the kitchen. He was right about one thing he thought to himself. It hasn't been the least bit boring since the three of them moved in next door, but for some reason he felt like they all weren't telling him the complete truth. He silently threw that back into the tiny recess of his mind to analyze some time in the future. He sat back into the swing and he noticed that his bandage on the right knee was drawing blood. Some where in the process of coming outdoors, he must have popped a stitch or two in his incision. He carefully stood up and slowly trod back to the door at the kitchen and inside the house to the nearest bathroom.

Once there he carefully peeled back the bandage and the gauze to a swollen and blood soaked knee. He cut the remainder of the bandage off as he cleaned the area with the iodine. As he dabbed at the wound to dry it, the bleeding had stopped and began to ooze a bit of pus. It wasn't painful until he attempted to squeeze as much out as he could. He let out a soft yell and a few curses. Urd, who was now running to the bathroom from his shouting, flung the door open. She had almost knocked Danny completely to the floor as he fell back to sit on top of the toilet seat with his leg strung out in front of him, now oozing blood along with what had been extracted.

Urd: "Danny! Oh my! Let me take care of that for you. Please, be still."

Belldandy also heard Danny's shout and came out from her room to investigate. She slowly looked into the open door of the bathroom to see Urd knelt over him, and the look of pain on Danny's face. As she came closer, his leg came into full view and she pushed Urd aside to look closer at the swollen, bleeding knee.

Danny: "Ah, Bell. I'm, ok. So it's.."
Bell: "You are NOT. Urd let me help him, please get the things they sent home for him from the hospital."

Urd smiled : "Yes, Belldandy."

Danny: 'Really Bell, it's no big deal."

Bell : 'Your knee is swollen, infected and bleeding. And it's "No big deal?" "

Danny: "Sorry. You're right."

As Bell began to wash the area of his knee again, she gently squeezed his incision to release remaining pus in his knee. As she did this he tried very hard not to yell and his body became stiff and rigid like a board.

Urd: "Here's the new bandages, Bell."

Bell: "Did that hurt Danny?"

Danny never spoke, he only stay rigid with his eyes closed shut and an awful expression on his face.

Bell: "I'll take that as a yes then." She washed it a final time and carefully wrapped his knee back up with gauze and made sure that it wasn't to tight for him.

Danny: "Thank you Belldandy."

Bell: "Your welcome, but next time ask someone to help you replace that."

Danny: 'Ok. Thanks."

Belldandy slowly got up and headed to the kitchen.

Bell: "Urd? Please help Danny to the couch. I'm fixing lunch, I'll tell you all when it's done."

Urd: 'Um. Sure, Belldandy."

Urd helped Danny to the couch, where he lied down to elevate his leg. Urd gave him a puzzled look before heading off to the kitchen to assist Bell with lunch.

Danny's only thought at this point was, "What the hell was that all about?"

Chapter 14

Remnants of Memories