Thank you everyone for your continuing interest in my story. I present the next chapter for your pleasure. I hope you continue to enjoy this as much as I enjoy writing it.

Note: I do not own Skip Beat!

The rest of the day passed without remark. Kyoko was excited when she arrived via LME car at the hospital. Catherine was up and ready to go. She had changed out of the flamboyant dress the president had brought in favor of the more modest clothing Kyoko and Ren had arranged. How Ren had known what she would like was beyond Kyoko. He claimed that it was the mark of a good model to know style and left it at that. Kyoko had known her size from the time they spent together in the LoveMe locker room. So between the two, finding a nice outfit for her was easy.

"Just a few more things and the doctor should release me," Catherine said to Kyoko. Catherine sat back down on the bed and motioned her charge to sit in the chair. "So how was your day?" Kyoko sat down and started in to a long detailed account of everything that happened since she last saw her manager. Catherine smiled at the girl's tyrant about stupid people and the gum she had cleaned from the floor. This time she was not as gung-ho about shining the floor and it had gone better than the first time she had performed this task. There was a knock just as she was explaining what she wanted to do with people who chew gum. Both the girls looked up to see Ren and Yashiro standing with Catherine's release papers.

"The doctor said you're all ready to go," Ren held out the finished paper work for the lady's signature. "We just have to drop these off with the nurse as we leave." Catherine stood and took the papers from him. Yashiro noted that she looked a little pale, but was much better than the last time he saw her.

"Well, lets blow this popsicle stand," Catherine, using English, laughed as she signed the paperwork and headed out the door. Kyoko looked at the back of the retreating woman with a confused expression, she was not familiar with that phrase. Ren chuckled at the look on Kyoko's face. Kyoko's expression darkened when she heard her senpai's mirth and she hurried after her manager. Yashiro was also confused by the phrase Catherine had used, but had not wanted to announce that fact to Ren, seeing as the younger man knew what she said.

After Catherine was done with the nurse and finale instructions were given to her companions for her care, the group left to find Ren's car. After some haggling, they all finally got their places inside. Catherine insisted that she sit in the back behind Ren so she didn't have to turn her head to see everyone. Yashiro insisted that Kyoko sit in the front so she could give Ren directions where to stop to get groceries. Kyoko could not argue with either manager's logic so resigned herself to the seat next to Ren. He was happy with the seating arrangement and quickly set off to find food for the group.

"Umm. Where are we going?" Catherine asked to the car in general. She was sure Kyoko didn't know where she lived and they were also going in the opposite direction. Kyoko turned and smiled brightly at the confused woman.

"We are taking you to dinner." She beamed with joy. "I figured the hospital had not fed you properly and the nurse did say you were not to be left alone for a while." Yashiro grinned and wiggled in his seat like a fan girl at Kyoko's statement. He knew that Ren had pressured Kyoko into agreeing to stay with Catherine at his apartment so she could take care of the injured woman. He has informed her that it wouldn't be right to invade the manager's home without proper permission. Kyoko, unable to find holes in his logic, has reluctantly agreed that this was the best course of action. Catherine looked at the reaction of the older man sitting next to her. She did not understand how the prospect of food could elicit such a joy from him.

"That sounds wonderful. Where are we going to eat?" Catherine asked Kyoko as she ignored Yashiro's ear to ear grin.

"Well," Kyoko began sheepishly, "I'm going to cook for everyone, as an apology and thank you for everything that has happened." Catherine was still a little confused. The Darumaya was not this way either. How could Kyoko be cooking them dinner? A light came on inside Catherine as she understood what was going on. Where Kyoko and Ren dating? She turned to Yashiro for the answer to the unasked question. After meeting his eyes she glanced at Ren, then Kyoko, and back at Yashiro. He sighed deeply and lightly shook his head. 'No they are not together' was the answer she took away from the exchange. She now understood the older man's reaction.

"That sounds wonderful." Catherine was delighted to get an opportunity to get to know her coworkers better. She had a feeling she would be seeing much more of these two men.

When they reached the market, Ren took Kyoko inside to get the ingredients she needed. Yashiro and Catherine sat in the car. She was still not fully recovered and didn't feel up to walking around the store. Yashiro and Catherine chatted about general things; like where she was from, how long she had been in Japan, and how she liked LME. After the basic small talk with new people, she finally got down to the things that needed saying.

"Thank you for helping me yesterday at LME." Catherine bowed her head to her savior. "I didn't expect the crowd to be that violent." Lory had given her a full account of what had happened. She sighed as she thought about the blood stains Lory said she had left on his jacket. "I will be happy to replace your damaged coat." She looked at the man sitting next to her.

"You are very welcome." Yashiro smiled and waved off her offer. "There is no need for you to do that. It was an older coat anyway." He lied. He had only gotten that suit coat about three months ago. "I am glad to see LME has finally got Kyoko some protection. But, I am sorry that you got hurt doing it," he quickly added.

"Well, it is my job to make sure she doesn't get hurt… and if I have to put myself between her and what will hurt her, I will," Catherine shifted up onto her hand so she could see the bandage in the review mirror. She pushed her loose hair back with her free hand so she could see the entire bandage on her face. "It's not the first scar from work that I have received, and it more than likely will not be the last." She was suddenly overcome with a wave of dizziness and her supporting hand slipped from under her. Yashiro caught her as she fell and pulled her down to safety against his chest. His pulse quickened at the sudden closeness of the mysterious woman. They remained in that position for a few moments as she regained her senses. As she sat up, Yashiro saw Ren looking at them through the driver's side window. He smiled at them; now he had something to tease his manager about. Kyoko missed the entire exchange as she was placing the bags she had in the trunk of the car. Catherine had not noticed the audience due to her addled mind, but apologized to Yashiro as Ren and Kyoko got in. Kyoko looked at her confused by the apology.

"What happened?" Kyoko asked.

"I moved too fast and got dizzy," Catherine blushed, "Yashiro-san caught me before I could fall over." Settling back over on her side of the seat, she was surprised at herself. She could still feel the warmth from the man's arms around her from just that brief moment. She was usually not easily moved my chivalry. 'What has come over me today? I must be the head injury.' She reassured herself.

"Are you ok now?" Kyoko asked concerned.

"Yes. I am feeling better now." Catherine raised her hand to reassure Kyoko. "I just needed to rest for a moment." Ren looked at Yashiro in the mirror. Yashiro had turned to look out the window. He was not going to let the younger man tease him, even though he had teased Ren in the same manor previously. The corners of Ren's mouth turned up just a little at Yashiro's reaction. He could work with this.