A/N: Thanks felicity18! Glad you're enjoying it! Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 4

When Clint entered the building with groceries he first went to his apartment to drop off some stuff. There was a knock on the door. "It's open!"

Nate Jackson entered. "Hey Nate," Clint greeted the police officer.

"Hey Country. How's Nancy?" Nate asked.

"She's ok, still got a fever, but at least she's gettin' some rest. How're you doin'?"

"Fine. Anyway, what I came here to ask – could you babysit Raul and Mattie tonight? Bev and I still need to do our Christmas shopping…"

"Sure, what time?" Clint asked, putting away his own groceries.

"An hour ok for you?" Nate asked.

Clint thought for a moment. "Yeah, should be. I'm going over to Nancy to prepare supper, but I think we'll be done in an hour."

"Great, thanks Country."

"No problem," Clint nodded. Nate left and Clint grabbed his keys and the remaining bag of groceries. He knocked on the door of Nancy's apartment, waited a few moments, then opened the door with his key. Entering, he noticed Nancy's sleeping form on the couch. He closed the door behind him, and put the groceries on the kitchen counter.

Then he went to the couch, and crouched down beside it to pull the blanket up a little further. Tenderly he brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. A flood of emotion, of affection and the need to protect and care for this woman, washed over him, the force of it taking him by surprise. He could still feel the heat of her fever radiating from her brow, although he was happy to note it was lower than the day before.

Sighing, knowing he couldn't just sit here and watch Nancy as she slept, he decided he'd start supper and wake her up when it was almost ready.

Nancy woke up slowly. Completely at ease, she started to become aware of the smell of food, and the domestic sounds of someone moving around in the kitchen. Lazily she looked at the clock, and her eyes widened when she realised she'd slept that long. Carefully she sat up.

"Hello sleepyhead," she heard a familiar voice. She turned her head, and saw the set table and Clint's amused expression.

"Hey," Nancy said, her voice still a little raw from the sleep. "When did you get in?"

"About thirty minutes ago," Clint replied, moving towards the kitchen to stir in a pan. "Did you sleep well?"

Nancy sat up, yawning. "Yeah, bit longer than I expected. I'd wanted to set the table before you got here, but guess that's a little too late now."

Clint chuckled. "Just a little."

"How long till dinner's ready?" Nancy asked, coming to stand next to Clint to peer into the pan.

"You hungry?" Clint asked. Nancy shook her head. "Not really. Just wanted to know if I can quickly freshen up a bit."

"Yeah, 't will be done in about ten minutes."

"Ok, will be back in a few minutes then." Nancy walked towards her bedroom to freshen up. Clint took a spoon to sample the soup he was making, and nodded, satisfied with the results.

Ten minutes later they sat down at the table. Clint prayed before they started eating. Clint told her about some patients that he had treated today. He also told her that Tippy was disappointed that Steven wasn't able to come home before Christmas, even if she tried to hide it bravely. And on top of that, the General and Tippy's mother had decided to take a week away together, and had gone to California.

"We can invite her for Christmas Eve tomorrow," Nancy said.

Clint nodded. "Yeah, thought about that too. Just wanted to check with you."

"Yeah, sure. You didn't have to ask," Nancy said.

"Usually I wouldn't have, but you know, didn't want to invite people over if you weren't feeling well." Clint shrugged, and Nancy smiled. "That's real sweet, but it's fine. Tippy's a friend and I don't want her to spend Christmas Eve alone."

"Ok, just as long as you take it easy and don't hesitate to take some rest if you need it," Clint warned.

"Or what?" Nancy asked cheekily.

"Or you're grounded," Clint replied with a straight face.

"Ouch, nasty," Nancy winced. Their eyes met, and they both started laughing.

"I'll call Tippy in a moment, after the dishes," Nancy said.

"You can call her now," Clint said, "I'll do the dishes."

Nancy raised her eyebrows. "You sure? You already cooked."

"Yes, I'm sure. Just 'cause you're sick," Clint said, rising from the table. Nancy sat back.

"Well, be careful, I might get used to it…" she said with a smile. Clint sent her a look, at which she giggled. "Just call Tippy," Clint grumbled good-naturedly. Laughing, Nancy took the phone and started dialling. While she was waiting for Tippy to pick up, she watched as Clint started clearing the table.

"Hey, Tippy! It's Nancy… Yeah… uh huh… I'm better," Nancy said, but at Clint's raised eyebrow, she quickly added, "than yesterday… yes. Anyway, Clint and I were wondering if you wanted to come over tomorrow and spend Christmas Eve with us… Yeah. No, we'll just have dinner, go to church, come back, have some coffee or something… no, we're keeping the gifts for Christmas day…ok… great, see you tomorrow then." Nancy hung up.

"She comin' over tomorrow then?"

"Yes," Nancy said cheerfully.

"Ok," Clint nodded. He looked at his watch. "Well, I'd better get going."

Nancy frowned. "You don't have to leave on my account."

"No, but I promised Nate I'd watch over Raul and Mattie tonight. They still had some Christmas shopping to do." Clint winked.

"Oh, ok. Want some company?" she asked. Clint raised one eyebrow.

"Have you been feeling lonely?" he asked amused. Nancy grimaced but grudgingly gave in. "Yeah, a little. There's just not much to do when you're sick, bored and alone."

Clint chuckled. "Alright, in that case it would be my honour." Nancy grinned as she took the proffered arm.

TBC