Author's Note: As of the this chapter this fanfic has the word sorry in it 97 times.

Review Replies:

Antgirl1: Yeah, I know he said he has no fur. Rattlecat and I love the idea of a furry Wilt so we decided he is plush, like a stuffed animal. Plush doesn't catch fleas fur does.

Pitbulllady: He's not a stuffed animal, he's just soft like one.

Songbird: Thank you!

Fattyaddy: As yes, more mush coming right at ya!

Chapter 19: Waiting Period

Satin walked quickly down the hall, Crackers riding on her shoulder. She was so relieved that Wilt was safe at Foster's again. She couldn't help but feel pangs of guilt when she thought about the situation she'd gotten him into but . . . He had forgiven her and that was enough to calm her. He'd been gone for two days, drifting in and out of semi-consciousness. Frankie had posted two of his friends to watch over him each night with strict instructions to use the intercom if anything should happen to him. It had been frightening to sit with him, waiting and wondering if and when he would stop breathing. She'd fallen asleep more than once on watch while counting his breaths, only to be awakened when he began to murmur and twitch in his dreams. Every second had been nerve wrenching and now she was beginning to feel the effects of worry and exhaustion. In the time that she had stood watch she had thought about all of the possible outcomes of the situation and come to a realization. She would be devastated if Wilt were to die. If he passed away she would have not only felt guilt but despair for the loss of someone she loved. She realized that now, that she loved him and it was strange to her that such a joyous feeling could make her so miserable. She had come terribly close to admitting it to him and she knew she would eventually have to tell him but . . .

She was a afraid; not of what he might say but what he might not say.

Wilt was a helpful and kind creature to a fault. Satin feared that if she told him how she felt he would say he felt the same even if he didn't share those feelings just to make her happy. She didn't want him to love her because it made her happy she wanted him to love her because he truly did care for her. She wanted him to be happy more than anything.

He was her friend, she knew that, though some of his actions bespoke of more. Then again some of the same actions were Wilt's character. Kindness and compassion were like a second nature to Wilt and even if he hated someone he would still try to be nice to them.

It was a dilemma, one she could find no solution for.

"You like him." Cracker announced from her shoulder, scaring the bejeezus out of her in the process.

Satin blinked and turned to face the little pink puppy-like friend, "What?"

Crackers smiled, "Wilt."

It took Satin a moment for her mind to register what Crackers was talking about, "Wilt? We're just friends."

Crackers looked at her mischievously and smiled. He'd been worried sick about her but after two days of not leaving her side he'd eased into the calm of knowing that she was safe. Now, with Wilt awake and doing better he was positively chipper.

"That's not what I asked you." Crackers grinned and Satin had the sudden notion that he was behaving just like a little brother should.

"We're just friends." She said again. It wouldn't bother her too much if Crackers knew, at least she'd have someone to talk to about it but she wasn't going to give up and tell him easily.

"But you're not happy with that." he replied simply.

Satin paused, considering giving in then remarked, "I am happy with it, very happy, in fact."

Crackers shook his head, "Then why are you so miserable?"

Satin glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as she continued on towards their room, "Miserable?"

"Yeah, miserable. You've been different lately Satin and I don't just mean when you ran off. Before that. You just seem like you're somewhere else while your body's still here." Crackers said, looking genuinely concerned.

Satin quieted, thinking this over. She supposed that she had been distant to the little fellow. In truth, she'd been afraid to upset him. With a sigh she replied, "I'm sorry, Crackers. I've just been so worried about things . . ."

"Wilt being sick and all?" Crackers asked, smiling softly.

"Among other things." she replied, "I was afraid he'd blame me."

Crackers looked at her in surprise, "Wilt wouldn't do that. He's very understanding."

"Apparently not understanding enough." Satin whispered lightly.

Crackers raised an eye brow, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You would think he would have noticed by now."

"So I was right."

"Yes." she sighed, "Yes. You're right."

Her adoptive little brother smiled and said, "I thought so. And I think he's noticed."

"How do you come to that conclusion?" she said, turning into their hall.

"He just . . . He acts different around you." Cracker said, a thoughtful expression on his face, "Nicer."

"Nicer? How do you mean?" Satin replied, incredulous. She couldn't see how anyone could get much nicer than Wilt.

Crackers leapt down and went to curl up in his basket, "Well, usually you have to ask Wilt for something or be doing something that seems like you need help for him to jump in. Wilt does some things for you before you even show signs of needing help. I mean the sewing machine for one and he's gone out by himself before and brought you supplies from the store without you even hinting you needed any."

Satin thought about this for a moment. It was true, Wilt had done those things but they seemed quite in character to her. Sitting on her bed she thought it over, "But Crackers . . . I'm afraid."

Crackers looked up at her, "Of what? Rejection? If that's what you're scared of then you really don't know Wilt."

"No, I'm scared he won't reject me even if he wants to." Satin replied, looked over at her little friend.

Crackers thought this over for a minute, "I see your point."

Satin sighed, "I just wish there was a way to tell him and know how he felt."

Crackers went to her side and clambered up in her lap, "Don't worry Satin, things will work out."

Satin smiled at the little guy, "I hope so."

It took some time for Wilt to regain his strength. Imaginary friends naturally heal faster, especially in the presence of their creators. However, this ability in abandoned friends lessens over time. In addition to this hurdle, the doctors had explained that since they rarely received imaginary friend cases they didn't keep a blood supply for them and human blood is, unfortunately, inadequate for imaginary needs. Because of this they simply had to wait for Wilt's body to replace it's blood supply on its own. In a human the process takes close to a month. It took Wilt, who'd been unconscious for a little over two days, three weeks for his symptoms to recede. Much of that time was spent on bed rest. He managed two trips down to the living room he and the others frequented for a change of scenery but Eduardo escorted him both ways, once having to resort to carrying him when he fell.

Frankie or one of the others always brought his meal to him since Mister Herriman had made an exception in the 'not eating until everyone is at the table' rule for infirmary patients. A variety of friends would stop by each day to check up on him and hear his story over and over again. He liked the company but, truth be known, he tired of the attention. It was nice of everyone to check up on him but he felt they could better spend their time elsewhere playing a game or having fun. He didn't like to keep them from their day.

Wilt was sick of bed rest as well. Being the athlete that he was he often found himself aching to get up and join the others out on the basketball courts or to help Frankie clean up, anything to keep him from going stir crazy.

It was on one such day that Satin showed up with a gift.

He'd been on bed rest for a week and was slowly going stir crazy. It was torture to be inside during these last few warm days of autumn. It was perfect basketball weather, moderate temperature, no wind, a crisp clean feeling to the air. He was about ready to launch himself out the window when Satin had come in.

She quietly approached him with a soft, "Hey, doing any better?"

His heart had skipped a beat at the sight of her and it took a moment for him to register her question. With a smile he replied, "Oh, I'm doing okay."

"I bet it's awful being stuck in bed all the time." she said, giving him a look of empathy, "I know it was awful for me when I broke my leg."

Wilt looked at her in interest, "You broke your leg? When?"

"When I was still with Natalie. I was about six and we'd been climbing trees." she smiled, "I was thinking about that while I was out and I got you something. I thought once you get out of the infirmary you can put it up in your room."

She presented him with a neatly wrapped box. Smiling, he'd accepted it with a, "That's very nice of you! Thanks."

"Open it." she urged in a soft voice full of barely contained excitement.

Carefully, he unwrapped the package and opened the box. Lying in the bottom of the box was a miniature basketball hoop complete with basketball. He beamed up at her.

"Oh this is great! This is exactly what I need!" he exclaimed, cheerfully.

It was a good gift, a very thoughtful one at that, unlike some of the others he'd received. He didn't know how many more sports trading cards he could stuff in his locker before it would burst.

She smiled, "I figured since you couldn't come out to the court I'd bring the court to you."

Wilt laughed and beamed at her, "Thanks a lot Satin! This really means a lot to me."

The last part came out a little too emotional and he could see from the look on her face that she'd picked up on the undertone as well. There was a moment of tense silence before she suddenly smiled and said, "Want me to set it up for you?"

Wilt blinked at the sudden change in demeanor then smiled as well, "Sure! That's be great!"

He hated not being able to do it himself but he was still rather weak and probably would have passed out before getting it out of the box. She set it up rather quickly and tossed him the basketball, which he caught easily out of habit. With a grin she stood in front of the set up and said, "Ready to try it out?"

"Yeah!"

It became the first of many bed rest afternoons spent shooting hoops.

It was because of these same afternoons that Wilt decided he had to tell her the truth. He knew that she and Crackers were together but there was something about the way she acted around him. She was friendly but at times shy and awkward. He couldn't tell if it was because she didn't like him or because she did, but he intended to find out he moment he was well enough to do so.