Minnie sat beside Mickey in the hospital exam room, stroking his arm. Since his injuries weren't serious, she'd been allowed in. Minnie glanced down at his now bandaged ankle.

"How does it feel now?" she asked anxiously.

"A little better," he replied with a smile. Minnie smiled and kissed his cheek, making him smile even wider. "Much better now," he said softly.

The mice touched noses, and then quickly drew apart as the doctor came in. He smiled knowingly and looked at the X-rays as the couple waited uneasily.

"Well, I'm glad to say nothing's broken, Mister Mouse. You just have a bad sprain. You'll have to stay off it for a few weeks, but it should heal just fine." After he left, Mickey looked at his ankle and sighed.

"Are you okay?" Minnie asked gently. He looked at her and managed a smile.

"Yeah… I'd feel better if Pete was in jail, though." She looked down sadly.

"I'm really sorry, Mickey… I should've done something to make sure he didn't get away." Mickey sighed; it hurt him far more than a sprained ankle to see the girl he loved sad. Smiling, he gently lifted her chin, and then moved his hand to her cheek, stroking it tenderly.

"Y' don't have anything to be sorry for, Minnie. You saved my life back there." He grinned. "And I saw how y' slugged Pete after he threw me. I know y' can take care of yourself, but I had no idea you were that tough."

Minnie smiled slyly and put her arms around his neck. "And don't you forget it, mister." He chuckled as they kissed. Then Minnie leaned back, looking more serious.

"Mickey, I think I should stay over, at least for tonight. I know you might need some help." He smiled at her concern.

"Gee, Min… thanks, but y' don't have to." Minnie cocked her head.

"Who said anything about having to? I want to," she replied. "And besides, someone's gotta make sure you don't go running off to catch Pete with just one leg." He grinned sheepishly at that.

"Y' sure know me." She playfully tickled one of his ears.

"Inside and out, baby," she teased. A faint blush came to his face.

"Aw, gosh…" They touched noses again, and then drew apart, slightly annoyed this time, when the doctor came back with a pair of crutches. Mickey took them uneasily.

"Never walked with these before," he said, balancing on them and taking a few steps.

"You're good to go home," the doctor said. "But you'll have to come back in about week so we can see how it's doing. And remember to take it easy. It'll heal faster if you don't strain it." Mickey smiled and nodded.

"Thanks, doc… will do." Minnie poked his arm.

"I'm gonna hold you to that, just so y' know." She kept pace with him all the way to the car, but stopped him as he headed for the driver's side.

"Forget it," she said gently. "You go sit on the other side." Mickey balanced carefully on the crutches.

"My right foot's good… I can drive." Minnie narrowed her eyes.

"I'm driving, Mickey Mouse." she said firmly. He sighed in defeat and headed to the passenger side; Minnie followed, opened the door, and took his arm as he placed the crutches inside. Mickey smiled as she helped him get in, watching his wounded ankle carefully.

"Thanks, doll." She smiled and kissed his nose.

"You're welcome, baby." She went back around and got behind the wheel, turning the key. "I know you'd do the same for me." Mickey smiled lovingly and stroked her arm as they drove down the street.

"Anytime, anywhere," After they stopped at her place so she could feed Figaro and get some pajamas and other things, they headed to Mickey's house. When they pulled into his driveway, he picked up the crutches and opened his door, carefully slipping out.

"Easy!" Minnie exclaimed, hurrying around the car. He smiled reassuringly.

"All good, Min." They walked to the door, and he balanced on one crutch as he unlocked the door. Pluto ran up happily as they came in, then immediately drooped and whimpered when he saw the state his master was in.

"It's okay, boy." Mickey said, patting his head reassuringly. "I'm alright." He turned to Minnie. "Want me to take your stuff upstairs?" he asked. "You can shower before I go in." She smiled at how considerate he was.

"That's okay; you'd better sit down and take it easy." Mickey shifted a bit on his crutches.

"I don't wanna make you do everything," he said, his face sincere. Minnie smiled.

"Oh, Mickey… that's so sweet of you," she said gently. "But you need to rest that ankle. Tell you what… you relax down here while I shower, then I'll help you get the guest room ready after you take yours, deal?" Mickey grinned and kissed her cheek, making her blush slightly.

"Deal." Minnie giggled as she helped him sit in his armchair and carefully lifted his ankle so it rested on the footrest, then she went to the kitchen and got an ice pack for it.

"Now don't let me catch you sneaking up to do it yourself," she said, her voice playfully stern. He chuckled and raised his right hand.

"I won't, I promise." He watched her head upstairs, and then sat back. Pluto trotted over to the chair and laid his head on an armrest, looking concerned.

"Aw, don't worry, pal." Mickey said, petting him. "I'll be better in no time." And he knew with Minnie's help, he undoubtedly would. He sighed happily; there was no other person he'd want with him now.

…..

Pete tried not to tremble as he waited for the shadowy figure to speak. For probably the twentieth time, he wondered why he'd ever gotten involved with this guy. Sure, he was a fellow criminal, but despite his calm, cool exterior, Pete had no doubt he was also loony as a tune.

"It isn't good sense to keep someone who can't do a job given to him." The figure's cold voice made the hefty cat shudder.

"B… but how wuz I s'pposed t' know Mousie's girl was that tough? Lil' thing don't look like…" A glare from the figure stopped Pete's babbling. He gulped as the man stared menacingly at him for several minutes, then turned away.

"Of course you wouldn't know," he said, more to himself then anyone. Then he turned back to Pete and spoke again. "Now then, since it's apparently too difficult for you to take care of my… problem… I suppose a new plan is in order. And this time, I'll handle it myself."

Pete shuddered as the cloaked figure chuckled evilly. For the first time in his life, he wanted out of a job.

…

Minnie tied her hair bow, having finished showering, then she blushed at the thought of just whose shower she'd been in. She giggled at the thought of what would happen if Clarabelle found out. She was always complaining that none of her friends ever told her anything, but anything she heard the whole block would by the end of the day.

Daisy, on the other hand, could keep a secret if she had to. Of course, she'd also squeal Minnie's ears off, then unplug the phone and drill her for every little detail. After brushing her teeth and smoothing her pajama tee, she went back downstairs to see how Mickey was.

Minnie always hated it when he was sick or hurt, but she always knew he'd get through it. And she always knew she would be there to help. On entering the living room, Minnie smiled; Mickey was still sitting with his ankle elevated, like he'd promised.

Moving closer, she saw that he'd fallen asleep. After the night they'd had, Minnie didn't blame him for being tired. Pluto wagged his tail as she walked up and sat on the chair arm.

"Mickey," she said, gently shaking his arm. He stirred in his sleep and turned in her direction.

"Min…" he murmured, smiling. Minnie giggled; he looked adorable.

"Wake up, sweetie," she said, "Shower's open." He stirred again, then opened his eyes a bit. They widened the minute he saw her.

"Wow…" Even in her pajamas, she looked gorgeous. She smiled sweetly and indicated her red lounge pants and pink, frilly tee.

"Guess you like these, then?" He gave her a goofy, love struck grin.

"Doesn't matter what you're wearing… you're always beautiful." She blushed pink and looked down.

"Oh, Mickey…" He chuckled and took her hand, stroking it.

"You're cute when you blush," he teased. A sly smile came to Minnie's face, and before Mickey could ask any questions, she grabbed his ears and pulled, so his lips were planted squarely against hers. His head buzzed and his mind went numb. Minnie pulled back after a few seconds and smiled widely; his face was red.

"Now you're cute, too," she said teasingly.

"Aw, gosh…"

After gazing at each other's eyes for a while, they suddenly remembered Pluto. The minute they looked at him, he quickly covered his eyes with his ears. Both mice laughed warmly, then Minnie helped Mickey stand up, making sure his ankle wasn't being jolted too much.

"I'll help you upstairs," she said. He smiled.

"Thanks, Minnie." With her beside him at every step, Mickey slowly and carefully made his way up the stairs, balancing on his crutches.

When they reached the top, Minnie blushed deeply as she asked, "Will you need any… help?" Mickey shook his head, blushing too.

"Nah, I'll be okay." She looked concerned.

"Are you sure?" He nodded.

"Don't worry." She still looked uneasy, but didn't argue.

"Okay, but please just call if you need me," she said. Mickey kissed her cheek.

"Promise… trust me." Minnie nodded, but still couldn't help worrying as she waited. She trusted him, but what if he slipped or something and hurt himself even worse? She kept her ears pricked for any sound of trouble.

Mickey managed fine, however. He didn't hit a problem until he was getting dressed. As he pulled his lounge pants on while balancing on one foot, he lost his balance.

"Whoa… whoa!" As he fell backward, Mickey managed to catch himself so he just sat down hard. But in the process, his sprained ankle bumped against the floor.

"Ungh!" he grunted as a sharp pain shot through it. He bit his tongue, but Minnie heard him from the other room and gasped.

"Mickey!" She hurried to the closed door, hesitated for a moment, then peeked in. Seeing he was just bare-chested, she hurried in and knelt beside him.

"Are you okay?" He managed a smile and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just bumped my ankle." Minnie immediately started rubbing it gently.

"Is it still sore?"

"Kind of, but it's not too bad," Mickey replied, then smiled warmly. "And you're helping a lot." Minnie smiled, and then looked at him anxiously.

"Mickey, are you sure that it's all right?" Mickey nodded honestly.

"It's no worse than before, Min. I promise you, I'm fine." Then he noticed her trembling and frowned worriedly, taking her hand.

"You're shaking," he said, stroking her hand. She smiled.

"I was just scared. I'm fine. Can you stand now?" Mickey nodded and Minnie held his arm as he pulled himself back up and reached for his shirt.

"Here," she said, taking it. "Let me." Both felt their hearts beat faster as she slowly and carefully pulled it over his head and down.

"Thanks," Mickey said softly. Minnie smiled tenderly.

"You're welcome." She gently took his hands. "Ready to turn in?"

He grinned tiredly as he picked up the crutches. "Sounds good to me," After they got the guest bed ready, Minnie walked around it and took Mickey's arm again.

"C'mon, I'll help you get settled." He opened his mouth to protest, but ended up yawning loudly. Minnie giggled.

"Let's go, and no arguing." Mickey just nodded, too tired to protest. Minnie walked with him to his own room and took the crutches as he sat on the bed. She propped them on the wall, within reach, and held his bandaged foot steady as he settled in. Minnie pulled the covers up to his chest.

"Be careful of that leg, okay?" Mickey smiled and squeezed her hand as his eyes closed.

"I will… night, Min." She smiled and laid her other hand on his, stroking it as he drifted off.

"Night, Mickey." She leaned closer and gently kissed his forehead. "I love you." Mickey opened his eyes slightly and smiled.

"I love you more," he murmured.

Minnie giggled and kissed him again. "Not possible."