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Chapter 16:A Madman's Lament

Leon slowly awoke the next morning, then his eyes widened when he saw that he was lying next to NiGHTS.

"What the-?"he whispered."How did this happen?"He slowly got out of the bed."I am such an idiot."He started to walk off when NiGHTS spoke up.

"Please stay, Leon,"she said. He turned on his heel and saw that her eyes were open, and she was looking straight at him. He slowly walked toward her, shaking slightly. He was still afraid that she hated him.

"A-are you alright?"he asked, still as concerned as ever, despite what he thought.

"My back still hurts a little bit,"she said softly."I feel fine otherwise."Leon bowed his head in shame.

"Th-that's good,"he mumbled."I'll go tell the others."Leon turned to walk off as fast as he could.

"They already know,"NiGHTS said."There's no reason for you to leave."Leon stayed in place, but didn't turn around."Could you come here?"Leon gulped nervously, palms sweating slightly.

"Okay,"he managed to get out. He turned around with his head still down, then slowly walked toward her. When he reached the bed, his teeth were chattering. NiGHTS slowly sat up in her bed, ignoring the slight pain she had. He flinched slightly as she raised her arm, as he was expecting to get slapped. NiGHTS wrapped her arm around his neck and hugged him tightly, confusing him greatly.

"Thank you,"she said, letting him go. Leon stared at her incredulously.

"I-I don't understand,"he said."Don't you hate me?"NiGHTS was saddened by what he asked, but continued to smile at him.

"Why would I hate you, Leon?"she asked."You're my best friend."

"I'm the reason you almost got killed,"he said miserably."How can you not hate me?"

"Leon. Why do you think I pushed you out of the way of that kick?"NiGHTS asked. Leon scratched his head in confusion.

"I...don't know,"he said. NiGHTS sighed, shaking her head.

"Because I didn't want you to get hurt,"she said.

Leon's eyes widened."You...actually care about a freak like me?"

NiGHTS laughed a bit."You might be insane, Leon. But you're still an incredibly compassionate person. By the way, Sheik told me about what happened."

Leon resisted the urge to flinch."What'd she tell you?"

"She told me about what happened to that giant primid,"NiGHTS said."She said that you took it out all by yourself when you thought I was dying."She hesitated."She also said that you don't remember any of it."Leon turned his head, but didn't speak. NiGHTS sighed again."You DO remember it, don't you?"That's when Leon sighed, but didn't look at her.

"How do you know?"he asked.

"The others may not be able to understand you,"she started."But I know you more than any of them can possibly hope to. Like I said, we're best friends, aren't we?"Leon's eyes widened in shock. Then he smiled, actually chuckling weakly. He was about to hug her as tightly as he could, but remembered her condition and stopped himself. NiGHTS smiled."Just don't hug me too tightly and I'll be fine."At that, Leon smiled again and gently wrapped his arms around her, and NiGHTS gladly returned the gesture. They stayed like this until someone coughed, then they quickly let go and looked to the doorway. Standing there was Dr. Mario, bandages in his hand and a smile on his face. They both blushed deep red.

"Don't-a mind me,"he said."I'm-a just here to-a change your bandages."He walked over to NiGHTS as Leon stepped aside."How's-a your back?"

"It's feeling a lot better,"NiGHTS said. Dr. Mario slowly removed the bandages, showing a nasty wound. Leon flinched slightly just from seeing it, and NiGHTS easily noticed him.

"That bad, huh?"she asked. Leon only nodded.

"It was-a much worse when they first-a brought you in here,"Dr. Mario said."It's amazing how these bandages work-a over your suit-a. Can-a you even take it off?"He immediately put his hand over his mouth after that. Leon blushed a very deep red and looked away embarrassedly, then NiGHTS gave Dr. Mario an annoyed look.

"Yes, but I'm not going to,"she said blandly.

"Heh, sorry,"Dr. Mario said sheepishly. He began to put the new bandages on her back, causing her to cringe in pain.

"Ouch!"she said."Can't you be more gentle?"

"If you would-a quit moving, I'd-a be able to,"Dr. Mario answered.

"Uh, Doc?"Leon asked. Dr. Mario turned his head to look at him."Mind if I try? I've seen how you do it."The Doctor looked at him strangely for a moment, then shrugged.

"Okey dokey,"he said, handing Leon the bandages. He began to gently put the bandages on NiGHTS' back, being very careful not to hurt her, and NiGHTS smiled at how gentle he was being. Once he was done, Leon handed the old bandages to the amazed Dr. Mario, who left the room with wide eyes. NiGHTS looked at Leon and smiled.

"Thanks,"she said."How did you do that?"Leon shrugged modestly.

"Like I said, I watched him do it,"he said."Do you want anything?"

NiGHTS hesitated to answer."Well..."she started."I don't actually need to eat. But I could go for some bacon, if it doesn't bother you."

Leon smiled."Of course not!"he said."In fact, we got some food right...umm..."He looked at the tray Peach had given him yesterday. He picked up biscuit and banged it on the table, making a small thunk."Uhh, you know what? I'll go and ask for some more. Be right back!"He quickly ran off, then NiGHTS giggled and laid down in her bed.

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Down in the kitchen, Peach was cooking lunch when Leon came running in, panting. Peach smiled when she saw him.

"Hi, Leon,"she said."It's good to see you."

"Hey, Peach,"he said."You mind if I have some bacon?"

She nodded."Sure, I thought you liked sausage more."

Leon shook his head."It's not for me. NiGHTS wants some."

Peach gasped."She's awake?" Leon nodded, smiling widely. Peach reached for a plate of bacon and handed it to Leon."Here. All the bacon she could want. Go! Hurry!"Leon nodded and quickly ran off. Peach turned back to her cooking, smiling, happy to know that NiGHTS was healthy enough to want food.

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"Here you go, NiGHTS,"Leon said, handing NiGHTS the plate. NiGHTS wasa bit suprised at how much was on it.

"You sure got a lot,"she said, taking a bite.

"I wouldn't have if Peach hadn't given me the whole plate,"Leon said. NiGHTS gave him a suprised look."Everyone's been worried about you. Heck, I think even the villians were worried about you. Didn't really show it, though."

"Wow..."NiGHTS said.

"Well, go on, eat!"Leon told her. NiGHTS nodded and began to do just that. After she was finished, Sonic, Mario, G&W, and Snake walked into the room.

"Hey, NiGHTS,"Sonic said, grinning."Good to see you awake."

"You gave us a hell of a scare,"Snake remarked."I gotta admit, I didn't think you'd wake up this quickly. Hell, I didn't think you'd wake up at all."

"Beep. Be-beep boop, beep,"G&W muttered.(Sheesh. Way to think positive, Snake.)

"What they're-a trying to say is,"Mario started."It's-a good to have you back."

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End of Chapter

Sorry. Couldn't think of a better ending. I'm losing inspiration for this story since I don't know if anyone's reading. I never check the hits. Tell me you're reading with reviews. I needs them!