Chapter 6
1 day before Christmas

Early next morning, Clint quickly ate breakfast. He wanted to go over and check how Nancy was feeling, but it was very early, and he thought he should probably give her some space. He had after all pretty much taken over her household yesterday and the day before, and they would spend tonight together as well. Not that she had given any indication that she wanted to be alone, not at all, but she was an independent woman. He didn't want to be overbearing.

So instead he did everything he usually did in the morning before going to the clinic. Yet as he walked to his car, he felt strangely bereft. He missed something – someone. He missed Nancy. They often carpooled to and from work, but not always, and it wasn't as if he missed her then. Well, ok, a little. He had become rather used to her presence he supposed – but not this much… right? Or perhaps it was because usually he knew he'd see her at the clinic. Clint shook his head at his own foolishness. He would see her again in the afternoon, so he really shouldn't complain.

He got the car into gear, and got himself into the early morning traffic.

He'd just call her later this morning. Just to check on his patient, mind you. It had nothing to do with him wanting to hear her voice. Nope, nothing at all…

Nancy woke up, looked at the clock, and stretched lazily. Taking a moment to reflect on how she felt, she decided she didn't care how long she'd slept, she'd obviously needed the sleep. In fact, she was in no hurry to get out of bed. Usually she didn't indulge in sleeping in, but last night's babysitting – even if Clint had done the actual babysitting – had sapped at her energy. It had been worth it though.

A smile spread over her face as she remembered how sweet Clint had looked with Mattie comfortably in his arms, while playing a game with the two older boys.

She shivered. Perhaps she should get something to eat. Something to eat and an aspirin. She carefully sat up, wincing at the head ache that immediately made its presence known. Maybe just the aspirin…

Quickly she slipped on her slippers and started towards the kitchen. By the time she got there, she decided she really ought to eat something, so she settled for a cracker and some tea, while she waited for the aspirin to work its magic.

She sat down on the couch to sip from her tea. She wondered if Clint would come over for lunch again. She sure hoped so. Oh, she knew she was being silly. Clint just considered her a good friend, and his compassionate and caring nature had urged him to check up on her yesterday. He would be here early in the afternoon, so why would he come for lunch too. She sighed. Oh well. She'd just have to wait till later. Maybe he would call, she thought hopefully.

Having finished her tea, she showered and got dressed, after which she sat back on the couch, feeling slightly drained from the activity. 'I really hate being sick,' she thought. 'The only good thing about it is that I can sleep any time and no one will care.'

Which is what she ended up doing. So when the phone rang, she still felt a bit drowsy from the sleep. Looking around for the phone, she quickly picked up. "Nancy Nichol," she said.

"Hey Sweetheart," a gruff familiar voice said.

"Oh, hi Dad," Nancy said, catching herself at being somewhat disappointed that it wasn't Clint, and she immediately berated herself for it. If her father noticed, he didn't let on.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Oh, ok. Weak still, but feeling much better than a couple of days ago," she said, knowing 'fine' wouldn't hold up against her father.

"Good, that's good to hear. But listen, if you're not up for tonight, then-"

"Plans are still on," Nancy said decisively. Paul Nichol raised his eyebrows. "You sure?"

"Absolutely. As long as no one minds me nodding off at times, we'll be fine. Oh, and Tippy's going to join us – Steven's out of town and couldn't make it back in time."

"Alright," Paul said, knowing when to give in. "Then I'll see you tonight. You take care you hear?"

"I will, Dad, thanks. See you tonight," Nancy said with a small smile. She was about to get herself another cup of tea, when the phone rang again.

"Nancy Nichol," she said.

"Hey Nance, did I wake you?" Clint's gentle voice came through the earpiece, and Nancy felt her mood lift immediately. "Hey Clint! No, you didn't. My father beat you to it. He called to ask how I was and if tonight was still on…" she waited for a moment, then hurriedly added, "and I said yes."

Clint chuckled. "So I'm guessing you're feeling ok?"

"Yeah." Nancy looked at the clock, and decided to just ask. "Say, were you going to come over for lunch today?"

Clint was surprised, and although Nancy couldn't see that of course, someone else did.

"Well," Clint said, "If it's not too tiring, I think I can manage that."

"No, it's not too tiring at all. I'd like yo-some company actually," Nancy said, quickly swallowing the 'your'. She wasn't sure how he would react to what she'd only recently admitted to herself, and she wasn't about to scare him off!

Clint meanwhile looked at the time, and wondered at her hopeful tone. Perhaps he shouldn't have worried about being overbearing…

"Well, in that case – "

"Unless you're too busy of course," Nancy interrupted, realising that, even though she was on sick leave, Clint still had work to do.

"Nah, I got a few more patients to see, but then I'll come on over. I'll pick something up."

"Great! I'll see you in a while then," Nancy said cheerfully.

"Bye Nance," Clint said, a smile on his face. As he hung up, he rose to get ready for his next patient, and startled whistling. Walking out of his office, he bumped into doctor Derek Hebert.

"Heya Clint! You're in a chipper mood," the older doctor said, raising his eyebrows as he took in his friend's demeanour.

Clint shrugged. "What's not to like? The sun's shining, I love my job, and it's a day before Christmas."

Derek smiled knowingly. "And it has nothing to do with a certain nurse we both know and love…?" he prodded. Clint looked at his colleague for a moment with a strange look on his face. Then he shrugged. "Well, yeah, I'm glad to hear she's feeling better."

The country doctor started walking towards the front desk to pick up his patient, while Derek nodded, then rolled his eyes before following the apparently oblivious doctor. "It's not just 'cause she's feeling better, my friend," he muttered under his breath.

TBC