As we huddle together, the storm raging outside

He was barely conscious as she held him upright, a large splotch of red made its stay upon his temple. Of all things that could have injuried him it was Po losing his footing on a slippery patch of ice. He'd slammed his head upon a rather sharp rock below, nearly knocking the poor panda out.

It was obviously his pride that was stinging more than the nasty cut, she held one paw on the injury to put a quelling on the bleeding. Her other supported his plush back, his own arms were shakily thrown over her as she took on his full weight.

There was no way they could make it home safely in time with Po in such a condition. He was complaining under his breath about how nauseous and dizzy he felt, Tigress only pressed her muzzle comfortingly into his brow.

A sharp clap of thunder reminded the tiger about where they were, exposed on a mountain range northern from the Valley of Peace. Cold rain splashed against her back painfully, she could tell it was turning into hail. Poorly she tried to shield him from the elements but that was impossible.

This was just a routine mission, Shifu was worried about how a neighboring village had faired after a flood supposedly ran rampant. So Tigress and Po went to check on them and assist in repairs, luckily for the people living there the damage was not very bad. Only casualties had been a villager's favorite mahjong board, as Po had joked when no bodies were discovered.

Then Po had to go and be a clumsy oaf, only he of all people could possibly immobilize himself by tripping. Perhaps that head wasn't as thick as she originally hypothesized.

Somewhere along the way Tigress thanked Oogway above when she found a hole in the rock wall. Nudging her panda to get his attention, he drowsily looked at her with glazed green eyes. Without a word he obeyed her as Tigress pushed him to his knees to let him crawl into the small cave. He struggled for a moment thanks to his wide girth but after an encouraging push from Tigress at his behind, he was inside.

Tigress pawed her way after him, instinctively shaking herself out of the water clinging to her orange fur and clothes. Po dimly gazed at her from where he sat with his back against the wall. The cave was very shallow and Tigress could tell there would be very little room for the two of them already.

Heaving a loud breath of white air, Tigress felt the cold settling down in her bones. Repressing a shiver she turned her full attention to the giant panda. She shuffled her way closer, settling down upon her knees before him. He was a wet mass and Tigress attempted to try wringing out the moisture from his fur. Twisting his arms gently, she arched a curious brow.

"How are you fairing Po?" She asked and Po tried to grin at her. It came out a grimace.

"…mhm, s'alright," he mumbled, the way his words lightly slurred worried her. Leaving his coat alone she leaned forward to look him in the eyes, contemplating with a intense red stare.

Pulling back she lifted her paw, propping up her index she put it within Po's line of sight. "Follow my finger," she instructed, beginning to move it to and fro. Po struggled to follow, especially when the tiger began moving her entire hand, that was definitely game over for him.

"Where are we Po?"

"Um… not home I shink?"

"Your birthday?"

"Winter?"

"No Po, you're a Spring," she interjected, crossing her arms with a scowl.

"I am? Who would have thunk! Ow…" he grabbed at his wounded head.

Tigress looked upon the panda with a sigh. "It appears you might have a mild concussion, Dragon Warrior."

Brightly he gazed at her after slowly lifting his pounding skull. "A concoction?" He replied, the words just tumbling out from his large maws. "What'd I make?"

With a sardonic smirk she slowly wagged her head at him. "Scrambled brains…"

He basically took on the entire mountain with his skull alone. The fact he only suffered a concussion was a miracle in itself. Perhaps all that fat really was that beneficial, more midnight snacking was obviously to be in order.

She idly recalled what Po first said when they'd began making their way home.

'This mountain is going down, Ti! It's no match for the Dragon Warrior!'

She huffed to herself, "Oh you sure took on the mountain alright Po."

His little ears perked as they heard her through his daze. "Yeah?"

"Mhm, the mountain won by a literal land slide."

The panda's face fell into a pout. "Hey now that was mean… wait, did I seriously fight a mountain? Also… have your eyes always been that pretty?"

"Panda, please focus," she quipped, shrugging off his remark.

"I am… I am… you got nice stripes. I wish I had some."

"Do you now?" She replied, letting her friend speak despite his delirium.

"Yeah…"

Silence.

"I'm cold," Po suddenly complained, his voice rather loud.

His comment reminded Tigress of her own numbing extremities, of course Po didn't understand the concept of suffering in silence. Though she had to admit she too was cold to the bone and she couldn't imagine how much more miserable it must be for him with a throbbing head injury.

"We should fix that then," Tigress said, crawling her way to squeeze into his fluffy side. He scooted over at her light prodding, they were soon molded together as they exchanged body heat.

Her head under his chin, Tigress felt his breath fan against the top of her brows. His heartbeat was strong, soothing… Blinking quickly to fight off the need to fall asleep, she knew it was very important she of all people best remain conscious. Po would need someone to watch him in case his concussion grew worse.

He was breathing softly into her fur, by now hugging his comrade-in-arms close into his side. Tigress returned the gesture, trying to rub warmth to his shaking arms and back. He seemed to be falling asleep and Tigress lifted her eyes to watch him. She didn't have much of a good vistage but his eyes were indeed shut.

In and out of consciousness the panda would come and go, each time he would speak something of nonsense. As the night grew older and the storm wilder, Po uttered something that caused her to stiffen.

"I love ya… mhm, a lot Tigress…" He was fast asleep. Lightning flashed outside, Illuminating the inside of the alcove. Tigress nearly melted at the fond look crossing his features.

Looking away back toward the storm, she closed her eyes to listen to the thunder and the sounds of Po dreaming.