When Mr Mole Met Miss Mouse

-Chapter 5 - Uncertainty-

She heard the door close upstairs and she slowly withdrew herself from Mole's embrace, covering the blanket over him. She rushed to meet them, trying to be nonchalant. She hoped they hadn't returned with Toady- she was too worn out to fight with him. Much to her relief, it was just Badger.

He looked concernedly at her, "Are you feeling better, dear?" he asked.

"Oh … yeah," she said, biting her lip and folding her arms to hug her stomach.

"And how is Mole?" he asked, taking his jacket off and hanging it on the coat rack.

She nodded, "He's fine- I've just gone and patched him up … he's asleep on the couch now."

"Ah, good. Just what he needs is a good rest …" he stopped and looked at her, "I'm supposing you'd want to know that Toad's returned."

She sighed, shaking her head, "I'll punish him in the morning," she excused breezily, "No doubt you've mentally scarred him at this moment, eh?"

"Oh, to be sure," he said with a grim smile, "That boy should've stayed in jail where he belongs." He walked out to the living room, and Mousey followed. Badger lowered his voice as he caught sight of sleeping Mole, "I've got plenty of guest rooms …"

"It's quite alright," she assured, "I should stay with him, you know … in case he wakes up in pain or something …" she lamely excused.

"Right you are …" Badger answered, "Well then, I'm off to bed."

"Goodnight Badger," she said.

"Goodnight," he said, and headed off to his quarters. Mousey stood there and waited until she heard his door close. She looked over at Moley, and jumped when she saw he was wide awake, "Were you pretending?" she asked with a smirk.

"No … I-I woke up just before …"

Mousey sat on the seat in front of him, "How's your wound?" she asked.

"Better," he answered, smiling lightly, "It still aches a bit …"

"I'm afraid it will hurt for a while …" she admitted.

There was a long pause of awkward silence. Then Mole spoke up.

"Mousey?" he asked.

"Yes?"

He looked down, blushing in embarrassment, "I was just … w-wondering … if you …" he sighed, "if you … feel the s-same way I do … about … us …" he glanced hopefully at her and quickly turned his shy eyes to the carpet.

Her mind went blank, and she felt sort of dizzy. Was he trying to say he loved her? He couldn't. She hadn't much left in her life to lose, but she certainly didn't want to be a burden. That's all love was- a burden. All she got into was trouble- heaven forbid she get into another confrontation with the weasels as she did tonight. What would become of Mole? She was a hazard. He was willing to risk his life for her, and that would be the end of Mole.

Mole cleared his throat, and pretended he never said anything before, "Well, I'd better be off to bed … it'll help me heal, you know," he said with a fake half-laugh.

He avoided eye contact with her. She just stared at him with tears in her eyes as he laid his head upon his folded scarf and lay across the couch, closing his eyes.

She wanted so badly just to kiss him on the cheek to apologize for all the pain she caused … but she rethought this action, for it might just break his heart. She didn't think it were possible to hurt him anymore than she had. Or perhaps, she had already hurt him a whole lot more by not answering his question. She inwardly kicked herself for being so stupid. It seemed that when she thought she was doing something good, it was something bad.

Without thinking, she got up and left to sleep in one of the guest rooms, and she didn't look back.

(A/N)- Short, but I had to stop somewhere. Reviews are greatly appreciated!