Here's another bite for you. Please let me know what you think.

Note: I do not own Skip Beat!

Catherine had watched most of the filming from a secluded corner so that the ice bag on her wrist would not draw her charge from character. The long sleeve of her coat had prevented Kyoko from seeing the bag when the young woman appeared next to Catherine without her noticing. Kyoko spoke softly to her thinking the manager had fallen asleep waiting for her. Catherine had closed her eyes trying to will the dull pain in her hips go away, but she was far from asleep. She kept turning the incident over in her mind; the dark hooded figure, the impact of the hood, the feel of the hot pavement. She was acting strong to keep her charge from knowing, but really Catherine was a trembling mess inside. After watching Kyoko change back into her normal attire, Catherine let the girl lead the way to the car so she could drop the ice off without her seeing it.

"I informed Lory about the accident and he has requested that we come to see him when we are done." Catherine passed the information on to the young actress. Kyoko nodded her agreement. Contrary to what Catherine believed, she had notice the ice the woman was trying so hard to hide in the sleeve of her coat, and it was impossible for her to miss the ace bandage gracing the woman's wrist. She was sure that her boss would be able to make the stubborn woman get the medical treatment that Kyoko was sure she needed.

They arrived at Lory's office to find it already occupied. Lory, dressed in full flamenco garb, sat on the edge of his desk as he finish informing the two men about the attack on Kyoko and Catherine's daring rescue, but had not gotten to the part where Catherine got hit when the girls opened the door. Kyoko practically died when Ren rushed to her and gathered her to his chest as he physically checked her over for injuries. Even though he had been told Kyoko had not been hurt, he was not going to be satisfied until he saw for himself. She was sure that they had spent way too much time as the Heel siblings when the actor sighed in relief and laid his cheek on top of her head. Her brain refused to process it as it told her to run away, apologies for worrying him, and to cuddle into his warm embrace. She settled on remaining stiffly in his arms (if he would even let her go) with a light apology. Ren melted around her when she had not torn from him. He then looked to the manager stopped just inside the door.

"Thank you." Ren started. Catherine raised her hand so that he would not have to go on. She had learned enough about the two actors' relationship to know that if he continued, he could really scare the poor girl frozen in his arms. Catherine could read his thoughts and emotions through his eyes. Kyoko felt Ren stiffen around her. She took Ren's distraction as an opportunity to extract herself from his embrace and follow his eyes to the wrap on the wrist of Catherine's raised arm. Realizing what had caused Ren's concern, Catherine dropped her hand so that the coat covered the bandage again and proceeded to the chairs to sit down. Four sets of eyes watched her as she gingerly placed herself in the chair. Yashiro worried over the awkward way the normally fluid woman moved.

"How are you doing Saunders-san?" Lory addressed her calmly clicking one of his castanets. She tried to act as nonchalant as possible when she raised her arm for them to see the bandage again. Yashiro sat up at straighter ready to check on the injury if given the chance.

"I'm ok." She tried to downplay the injury. "I just twisted it a little getting Kyoko out from the road." Kyoko stomped her foot crossly at Catherine's untruth.

"That's not true!" Eyes turned to take in the anger rolling off Kyoko. "You hurt it when the car hit you!" Shock and concern pushed Yashiro to his feet as the two ignorant men learned the facts that the manager was trying to hide. Catherine and Kyoko locked eyes for a few breaths until she looked away in defeat. She could not argue with Kyoko because the girl was right. Both Yashiro and Ren stood poised for some unknown action. What could be done for the girl now? Lory waved the two tightly wound men back as he addressed Catherine.

"And how is the bruise?" Kyoko's anger dropped from her as she learned about the rest of the injuries. Catherine sighed under the heavy gaze of her friends. She stood up and pulled her coat off to reveal the darkening spot on her arm and shoulder. Kyoko hissed in response as the men cringed unsure of what they could do to help. Lory took it in and shook his head. "Hip." He sighed.

"What?" Catherine tried to feign ignorance. She did not want to expose the other injury; it would only serve to worry her already distressed friends.

"You said you tagged your hip." Lory reminded her of their phone conversation.

"My hip is fine, you must have misheard." Catherine was determined not to worry them with anymore.

"Show it to me." Lory pushed.

"My hip?"

"Yes, your hip. Or do you need help with it." Lory offered clicking his instrument again. Catherine sputtered her indignation as her three friends nodded that they would be willing to strip the girl if they needed to. She angrily ripped her shirt from her pants, unzipped her jeans, and pulled the waistband over her hip far enough so reveal part of the angry bruise concealed there, but not far enough to be indecent.

"HAPPY!" She yelled as she turned her face to the ceiling. Furious with them all, she did not want to look at anyone in the room. She was surprised when gentle fingers lifted the hem of her shirt to uncover the top part of the bruise. She looked down to find Yashiro kneeling beside her inspecting what he could see of the injury. He carefully prodded the bruise looking for any deeper damage. She let out a painful sound when he hit a particularly sore spot.

"She needs a doctor." Yashiro declared as he continued around the edge of the bruise. This was the final straw. Catherine stepped away from the warm hands touching her and pulled her clothing back into place.

"I don't need a doctor. I'm fine." She huffed as she tucked her shirt back in to the re-secured beltline. She ignored the protests of her companions as she swung her coat around and back into place. She drew a sharp breath at the twinge in her shoulder as she moved the stove-up joint a little too far slipping into the jacket. Any further refusal she could have given was cut short when Yashiro spun her around and pressed her into his chest. He slid one hand into her hair and placed her head on his shoulder. Catherine's brain misfired as her vision was suddenly filled with the pulsing flesh of Yashiro's throat before he dropped his cheek to rest on her head, blocking off her vision completely.

"Please." The pain he felt at not being able to help her vibrated through her body tearing away her resistance. How could she continue with her refusal when it meant so much to the man wrapped around her? Giving in to his need, she nodded her head in agreement. Yashiro squeezed her just a touch tighter before releasing her from his grasp. A hit of regret passed through Catherine's heart as she found herself standing on her own again. Catherine recovered to find that man that had held her so tightly trying his best to remove a nonexistent smug from his glasses as he attempted to compose himself again. Both Kyoko and Ren were frozen by the tender outburst from the normally proper man. He had managed to convince the stubborn woman to see a doctor, but wow… what a way to do it!

"Alright." Catherine broke the silence as her heartbeat returned to a more normal pace. "I will go." She turned her attention to the still stunned actors. "Ren, can I impose on you to take Kyoko home again?" Her request shook the actors from their spell.

"Anything you need." Ren agreed as Kyoko nodded.

"Then if you will excuse me, I will take myself to the hospital now." Catherine bowed to the group and proceeded to head to the door.

"You're going by yourself?" Kyoko complained before Yashiro could voice the same opinion. Catherine turned to her.

"Yes." Catherine looked over the concern visible on her friends faces. "It's late and it may take a while for them to finish checking me out. I know you all have to work tomorrow so go home and rest." Seeing that this had not resolved the issue, she pulled her attitude back out. "Look, there is no reason for you to go sit in a waiting room for half of the night when there is nothing you can do. I promise to let you know what the doctor says. So please…" Realizing they were not going to win this one without a major fight, Lory answered for the group.

"Alright, you can take yourself to the doctor," Lory stood from his desk making the pompoms on his hat swing, "but you must call me as soon as you get out." Catherine nodded and left without another word to the four people watching her go.

"You're just going to let her go by herself?" Kyoko rounded on her boss. Yashiro wanted to agree with Kyoko, but remembered the incident form the other night. There was no way the strong willed woman would let them coddle her once she had set her mind to something.

"Of course not," Lory answered with a grin. "Sebastian is going to go with her to make sure she gets there and home tonight." The cunning man had foreseen this outcome and had already instructed the silent man on the actions needed. "He is waiting for her at her car."