BIG thanks are in order for supernae, dearharuki, and fishie-twin for their support and reviews!! huggles I LURVE YOU ALL!! Thanks for the awesome reviews! NOW READ!! :P

When I woke up again, I was trying to figure out if I had been dreaming. Apparently I wasn't, because I was still wearing the good doctor's coat...I blushed.

...And then a dull roar filled the room.

"...food..." I moaned to nobody (or so I thought. Muahahaha...jk). Sitting up slowly, I looked around. I had never been in this part of the clinic before.

"Well, at least I don't feel as sore..." I got up out of bed, put on some conviently placed slippers, and headed for the door. I looked out a nearby window.

"Woah, I can't see a thing out there...I hope everyone is okay..." I thought for a second, then shivered, "I'm glad I am...at least I think I am..." Still a bit chilled, I clutched the coat tighter around me and kept walking.

"Oh, Amelia, you're up."

I turned around to see Alex headed towards me, smiling.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Just a couple of hours since the last time you woke up," he replied.

"So, it was only last night when you found me?" I questioned.

"Yes. How are you feeling?"

I gave a small smile. "Better, thanks. Oh," my faced warmed up a little as I took off his coat and handed it to him, " Thanks for this. It's really warm."

He only smiled, making my face heat up even more, "My pleasure, but you can keep wearing it if you're still cold," he answered, once again placing his soft hand on my forehead. "Your fever has gone down considerably, but try not to overdo it."

Then another dull roar filled the room, causing the color in my face to become crimson.

Alex laughed, "I guess we need to get you something to eat!" I shyly nodded and Alex made his way to the kitchen.

"Anything in particular that you want?" he asked, glancing in my direction.

"Hmm..." I put my finger to my lip, "Well, chicken stew sounds really good right now," I replied, slipping his coat back over my shoulders.

"By the way, where's Martha?" I asked, I hadn't seen her at all.

"Oh, she's at the Sanitorium with Gina and Dia to help out during the storm. Would you like some herb tea as well?" he questioned while putting the stew on the stove (I type this just as I take a sip of my tea, lol.)

"Sure." I took a seat at the table and lay my head down on my arms. A couple of minutes later the kitchen was filled with a healing aroma.

"Wow, that smells amazing!" I lifted my head when a bowl was placed in front of me.

"Enjoy," Alex smiled, taking a seat next to me. I took a bite. Then I took another bite. And then a third.

"This is really good!"

"Thanks, it's a family recipe," he replied, taking a sip of his tea.

"Do you miss your family much?" I looked towards him, but the look he gave me only made me blush and turn away.

"I guess I miss them a little, but I'm happy here. I've made many accomplishments and I've met some pretty amazing people," he answered, glancing purposefully in my direction. I blushed again (I seem to be doing that a lot lately, don't I?) and tried, keyword, tried, to a tuck a pesky stray hair behind my ear.

"What about you?"

I sat and thought for a moment. "Well, I never knew my mother, and my dad passed away a couple of years ago. I do miss him, but I know they are together in a better place," I smiled at him and took another bite. "Gosh, this stuff is just AMAZING!"

He laughed and got up to make himself a bowl, I suppose.

"Why did you move to Flower Bud? N-not that I mind or anything!" I glanced at him, waiting for an answer.

"Well, my life in the city was great and all, but I preferred the clean, fresh air and the open space." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know, the first day I came here I clearly remember you running into me. You were chasing after your dog," he laughed.

"Well, you would chase him too, if he took off with your cookbook!" I blushed, then giggled. "You should've seen the look on your face when we hit the ground! You looked like you were about to have a heart attack! (How ironic for a doctor, ne?) Hee hee!"

He put a playful pout on his face (so cute!) and crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, you would be surprised too, if some random pretty farmer mowed you down as you were entering the village." He gave a victorious smirk and I blushed. You'd think all of my blood would've gone to my face by now!

I stood up from the table to put my empty bowl into the sink, but just as I stood up, my foot caught the leg of the chair. I let out a yelp as I headed for the tiled floor...I waited for some kind of pain, anywhere, but it never came. Instead, I heard a grunt and landed on what felt like muscle. I opened my eyes to see Alex beneath me on the ground.

"That must be the look I gave you when we met," he whispered, tucking that pesky hair perfectly behind my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Umm...t-thanks...for, uh, breaking my fall," I stuttered, blushing like crazy, my heart skipping every other beat. I don't see why it shouldn't be. His face was only TWO INCHES away from mine. I slowly pulled away, so I wouldn't fall again. I sat up, but somehow he managed to get to his feet before me, offering me his hand.

"My pleasure," he beamed at me taking my hand.

Thanks for reading, I hope you all enjoyed this slightly long chapter! By the way, the next chapter will be about their first meeting, so you have that to look forward to! Oh yeah, AT LEAST 28 people read this story, and ONLY 3 REVIEWED!! I get happy feelings in my tummy when you review, so REVIEW DAD-GUMIT! OO Until next time! c-s-t