A/N: Thanks for the review, Brian. And thanks, I do hope the bug will soon pass too. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. Haha, do not fear, I will be posting 'another chapter' for quite a few times: this is the longest DOC story I've ever written. In fact, it's the second-longest story I've ever written.

Chapter 2

"Nancy?" Clint asked, stepping into the doctor's lounge. Quickly, Nancy moved her hand from her neck, and grabbed her coat.

"Hey, I'm ready for lunch," she said, turning around.

"You ok?" Clint asked concerned.

"Yep, come on, lets go fetch your coat," Nancy said, already moving past him towards his office. Clint took two large steps to catch up, and as they rounded the corner, Clint took Nancy gently by the arm, and steered her right into the exam room he'd been using that morning. "Clint, what are you doing?" Nancy asked apprehensively.

"Taking care of my patient," Clint replied, closing the door behind them.

"What patient? You just had the last one, and won't have another until after the lunch break which we were about to have," Nancy argued.

"Got myself another patient apparently. Why don't you sit up on the table," Clint said calmly. Seeing Nancy's stance, he said, "Nancy, you're obviously not feeling well, and you just scared Derek and Tippy by apologising to Oliver."

That took the nurse by surprise. "Wha-?"

"Besides, I've been watching you all mornin', and it seems to me, you're not feeling too good."

Nancy started to argue, but deflated. "Ok, fine. I might have been feeling a little under the weather."

"That's what I thought," Clint said. "But why don't I just examine you to be sure."

Not feeling up to an argument, Nancy rubbed her head and gave in. "Alright already. But it's nothing to worry about."

A few minutes later, Clint agreed. "Yup, looks like it's just the flu."

"See, nothing to worry about," Nancy said. "Shall we get on with it before our lunch break is over?"

"Actually, I'll be bringing you home so you can have a nice long break. And before you start arguing," Clint said, holding up his hands to stave off her protests, "those are doctor's orders."

"I can manage, it's just the flu," Nancy said, although the fire was gone.

"Exactly. You're running a fever, you're walking around with a headache, and you're running around doing your job acting like nothing's wrong, when you should be in bed. Now, I'm telling you, you'd better do what your body's tellin' you to do, or you'll be in bed during Christmas."

Nancy sighed then gave him a small smile. "Yes doctor." Her shoulders drooped a little, now that she didn't have to pretend anymore that she wasn't feeling miserable.

"Now, I'm just gonna tell Ms. DeWitt that you're leavin', grab my coat, and then I'll bring you home," Clint said. Nancy nodded, putting her coat on, while she waited for Clint to return. Within moments, he was back, putting his hat on, saying, "Let's go."

"You know, you don't have to bring me home. I can get there by myself," Nancy said.

"Sure you could. But why would you when I'm perfectly willing to bring you there," Clint said with a smile. Nancy just smiled – shaking her head hurt. "Alright then. Thanks."

"You're welcome," Clint said with a smile, holding the door of the exam room open for her.

"So tell me… did it really shock them that I apologised to Crane?" Nancy asked with a grin, at which Clint chuckled. "Oh yeah."

Clint had just returned from bringing Nancy home, and had made sure she had everything she needed. As he dropped off his coat and hat in his office, doctor Oliver Crane poked his head around the corner and knocked.

"Hey Oliver, what's up?" Clint asked, waving the other doctor into the office.

"I was just wondering if you could cover for two patients of mine. I'm going to that conference in Colorado, but they're expecting bad weather, so I'd like to leave a little bit earlier than I originally planned."

"Sure, no problem," Clint nodded. Relieved, Oliver nodded. "Thank you. Tippy knows which patients those would be."

"Got it. Have a safe trip, and have a good conference. When were you comin' back again?"

"Thanks. In two days. Will be arriving the day before Christmas."

"Well, in case I don't see you before then, have a nice Christmas too," Clint said with a smile.

"You too."

With those words, Oliver turned around and went to get ready to leave. Clint looked at his desk, sighed at the paperwork, and decided to first check at what times those extra patients would be dropping by.

"Hey Tippy," he greeted the receptionist, who looked up with a wide smile. "I heard you have some extra patients for me today."

"Why yes, doctor Cassidy. I assume doctor Crane talked to you about it?"

"Yes he did. Was just wondering when I could be expecting them."

"Oh, well," Tippy said, quickly looking at the schedule. "One of 'em will be in between your appointments with Mr. Davidson and Mr. Long, and the other will be just after your last appointment."

"Thank you, Tippy," Clint said, ready to return to his office.

"Oh, doctor Cassidy?" Tippy called, and Clint turned back. "Mrs. Miller called and asked if she could come in a little earlier. She'll be here in… twenty minutes. Is that ok?"

"Of course," Clint nodded, "do you have-" "Here's her file," Tippy interrupted, handing him the folder. Clint winked at her and accepted the file, returning to his office.

Just as he sat back down behind his desk, doctor Hebert knocked and walked in.

"Clint, do you have a moment?" the older doctor asked.

"Sure, what's up doctor D?"

"Oh, nothing in particular," Derek said, sitting down in one of the visitors chairs. "Just wanted to ask how Nancy was."

"She just got the flu. Brought her home during lunch."

"Do you think she's up for some company tomorrow afternoon? Nellie was thinking of dropping by tonight or tomorrow, but if she's home anyway, then she might prefer to come during the afternoon."

Clint shrugged. "Don't know, but you can always call and ask."

"Yes, yes, I know," Derek said, looking through the upper parts of his glasses. "I just thought I'd ask you to see if she'd be up for it, health wise."

"Well, I don't think she'd mind some company, but the best person to ask is Nancy," Clint said grinning. Derek nodded. "Yes, well, I'll tell Nellie. Thanks. Anyway, I have a patient to get to, so I will see you around, and leave you to your paperwork," he said with a pointed look at the desk. Clint sighed. "Yeah… thanks… I think."

Derek chuckled. "Good luck."

TBC