Sorry I'm so lazy and it took me so long to write and post this, but I have been busy too. Hope you enjoy, please review.

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When Mike finally made his exit, Kate first felt relief. She didn't need him to see her like this, the mess she was when she cried. Her face blotchy and her cheeks tear stained.

She closed her eyes and tried desperately to erase the conversation from her mind. She had enough on her plate right now; she could deal with Mike later.

When she opened her eyes once more, Pete was back by her side, and she could see the concern on his face.

She knew that she looked terrible, but there was nothing on his face that conveyed that he thought the same.

As Buffer resumed his position in the chair beside her bed, Kate realized that contrary to her prior belief that their relationship was one-sided, it was possible that Pete had true feelings for her. What else could explain him being here by her side, holding her hand when it was completely unnecessary?

"Feel like sharing?' Pete enquired, but Kate just shook her head "Maybe later, how about you tell me why I'm sitting in a hospital bed?"

Pete nodded understandingly before launching into the story. "… You were out for hours. The doctors said that you fractured your wrist and cracked two ribs. They said you'll be able to leave tomorrow. You're lucky Kate, it could have been worse."

Pete paused, thinking his words through before continuing. "I was… really worried about you Kate, please don't do that again." He whispered as his thumb drew soothing circles on the back of her hand.

Yes, Kate thought to herself, this is definitely not the behavior of someone who isn't emotionally attached.

She smiled at the thought, but then remembered the certain fraternization rules that had broken her only true relationship up before.

"I'll try my hardest" she said, unsure of what to say, and then remembering she asked "Pete about tomorrow, would you mind giving me a lift? I don't have anyone to take me home and I don't think I'm capable of driving by myself."

"Sure Kate, no problem at all." Pete replied, trying to hide the eagerness in his voice.

"Thanks Pete, I really appreciate it, there's no one else I'd rather have with me, I mean no family anyway." and Kate hoped he understood that she really did appreciate it, not just the lift but also for just being there when she needed him.

Locking eyes once again, she smiled at him; it was so different for her, going from a situation where communication was mostly verbal, to one where she found herself having whole conversations with just her eyes and her smile.

Kate believed that it was worth the pain, because had it not been for that incident on the boat, she would not have been able to witness this side of Pete, the softer side that made it easier to distinguish Pete from Buffer.

Kate looked out her window, there wasn't much of a view but she noticed that the sky had darkened.

"What's the time?" She was unsure of how long she has been unconscious for but she must have woken up pretty late in the day.

Pete checked his watch "Just past 6."

"Shouldn't you be leaving then?"

"Well, I thought I'd stay, only if you want me to though. It's just you were saying before that you didn't have any family to stay with you…"

"Thanks Pete." Said Kate sleepily, already she was tired and her eyelids were beginning to droop. Slowly she moved over to the side of the narrow hospital bed "Might as well get comfortable then." She whispered as she patted the small allowance of space beside her.

Pete kicked off his shoes and climbed into the bed beside her. They only just fit together on the bed, arms encircling each other. "Kate?" Pete whispered, but she was already asleep, snoring softly, so Pete just leant down to press his lips against her forehead.

"Goodnight Kate."

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The next day, Pete drove Kate home after she had been given the all clear.

As they walked to the door, Kate pulled out her keys. She unlocked the door and opened it slightly before turning it around.

"Thanks for this Pete; it was totally unnecessary and I really am grateful." The, going out on a limb, she quickly reached up and pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, that was stu-" she said as she turned to rush inside, but Pete grabbed her hand lightly and pulled her round to face him.

"That was far from stupid" He murmured as he leant down to kiss her fervently.

Kate reached up and just managed to hook her arms around his neck and Pete casually locked his arms around her waist, pulling her gently against his chest.

When Kate's lips were starting to bruise from the roughness of the kiss she pulled away, bringing her hands forward to cup his chin as her fingertips lightly brushed his cheeks.

"Stay." She said. It was a simple statement that required a simple answer, so Pete just nodded as he pulled her close once more.

That's the next chapter, once again I'm not sure when I'll have the next chapter up, it doesn't feel quite finished, so I will try my hardest to have a new update soon. Hope you're enjoying the story and remember that all your reviews are important to me.