IMPORTANT: guys, please read the author's notes! Sometimes there might be a story featuring people you don't care for or ship together, but there are notes that relate to me, or all of my stories that might just happen to be on a chapter that you don't intend on reading. But the messages are really the easiest way to get to readers, since apparently profile's aren't the most popular things to read...So yeah. Thanks! :)

Plus, you might miss out on something related to the chapter. Like the last one, I put in the word "EgoShipping," and, like, no one read it (a big thanks to you if you actually did) because of that. But if you read the note, it said that it wasn't really EgoShipping. (-_-) So yeah.

Well, enjoy the story!

Gary was whistling as he ventured up the stairs to Leaf's room, bag in hand swinging lazily. He'd gotten word from his grandfather that she wasn't feeling too well. (He had also prefaced this with "don't go bothering the poor girl" but since when did Gary listen to things like that?) He knocked once before opening the door without waiting for an answer, slipping in before shutting the door. Leaf was lying in bed with the covers on even though there was a faint sheen of sweat on her forehead, and her hair was messily spayed out on the pillow. Leaf was pale, and her cheeks were red.

"Hey, Leaf," he greeted, pulling up a chair and making himself comfortable. Her eyes, dulled and tired, flicked over to him before she let out a little groan. He made to smile, but Leaf turned herself over, facing the wall in an obvious rejection.

"Well, excuse me," he grumbled, the almost-smile vanished and replaced with an indignant frown. He thought Leaf laughed, but it was probably a shudder. "Well, Gramps told me you weren't feeling well." This time he knew she snorted. "I..." Well, it was just too hard to get out. Gary struggled for a few moments before sighing and setting his bag on the floor, gently kicking it under his (her) chair. "I came to say- er, gloat," he managed. "I wonder why and how you got cold. Was it because you missed me and made your heart race to fast?"

"No," she muttered, so faint and cracked that he wondered if he had heard correctly. But he smirked.

"Oh, c'mon, Leaf. What's wrong with you, anyway?" He slung an arm over his chair.

She coughed into the wall before faintly saying, "Cold...everything hurts..." Gary winced to himself, but inwardly cheered because he had guessed correctly. After a few minutes, he figure out a way to approach the matter.

"I bet it was from playing in the cold last week like a little girl," he taunted. "That is what you did, isn't it?" He got no answer except for Leaf bundling herself up into the blankets; he guessed she was embarrassed. Gary held up his bag. "Well, that's what I thought. So I brought you something." Wait, that sounded too...sweet. Swiftly, he added, "Because I bet that no one else would even deign themselves to taking care of little Leaf; it was up to me to make sure-

"YOU stood me up!" Gary blinked in surprise. Leaf was sitting up now, the blanket fallen, and she was glaring at him with all her might, even though her voice didn't sound like her and her eyes seemed to be having a little trouble focusing. It was pretty...pretty scary, at any rate.

"What?"

The girl scowled. "Remember, hot shot, who asked me if I wanted to grab some dinner? You. And who stood me up, leaving me in the pouring rain for two and a half bourse before I went home? You! I'm sick, Gary, and it's all your fault!" she screamed hoarsely. "It wasn't a date, sure, but what kind of jerk lets a girl - or anyone - wait for him in the frigid rain, you-" Leaf's breathing suddenly cuts short, and she collapses into a fit, hacking and coughing and...he thought she's crying as well, though from the pain or her words or both, he couldn't tell.

'Oh, Leaf. I'm so sorry.' It flashed through Gary's mind, but he had to bury it and dive over to the poor sick girl who's face was contorting in misery. went up to her, but Leaf turned away from him, curling up to stay away, even though it only hurt her breathing more.

Gary made a grab for her shoulders, forcing Leaf to lie still, propped up on her pillows. She glared at him, but Gary made no move to stop until she was settled. Leaf eventually stopped resisting, and Gary sighed, pulling the blanket back over her shoulders for her to cuddle with.

"I'm sorry, Leafy," Gary mumbled.

She stopped, looking up at him.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left you there, I shouldn't have forgotten, I shouldn't have not come back to check on you. I'm sorry, Leaf."

She looked up at him with wide eyes, but he had turned to face the other way. "...I...I brought you some s-soup..." Gary wanted to slap himself; why would THAT matter?! Ugh; he was such a fool. "...Sorry..." he said again, like that would make a difference.

"Thanks." It was quiet and faded, but it rang through the room and stayed there.

Gary turned back around to see a small smile gracing Leaf's face. "Would you like some?" he offered weakly, but Leaf nodded, sort of stunning Gary. But he took the bag from under the chair and pulled out a bowl of steaming goodness. "Heard this kind was good for colds, so I, um...I made you some," he admitted, and Leaf thought that was perhaps one of the sweetest things he had ever done. She sat up a little more, and Gary pulled the chair closer so he could help.

It was a totally good start to making up for the dinner.

This is off a request for some Gary and Leaf from PichutheMadHatter; thanks a ton! :) People, I have a poll up on my profile; please go check that out! And thanks to the two people who did, though I have a pretty good guess on who they are, based on what the results were...:)

Requests and suggestions are always appreciated!