A/N: Thanks for the great reviews on this story. Keep them up, please! LOL

Disclaimer: I don't own the Waltons...too bad

The next morning feeling foolish he went to see Nora for advice on how to court a woman. In high school and college, if a woman interested him he pursued her, but Mary Ellen was different. He hated to admit it, but he was totally ignorant on what to do.

Taking her advice, he began his courting with a Sunday drive after joining the Waltons for services. A few times over the next three weeks, he came by for supper with her family. He would join the family a few days a week for nights by the radio before taking Mary Ellen for a walk for alone time. The couple didn't advertise their changed status in Walton's Mountain, but it wasn't necessary. The news didn't take long to travel around the area, but few were surprised.

Their most recent week found Curt busy with house calls when not in the office. When he could, he would send Mary Ellen home to her family not wanting to exhaust her. Four nights running he would barely get home to sleep before he had to get up again for the following day. He was grateful as each of those nights when he got back when he found a plate in his oven loaded with delicious supper courtesy of the Waltons.

Friday came to the couple's relief and it was an easy day. They had supper with her family and then went to the family homestead to watch the stars and talked the night away. Curt confided about growing up in Wheeling and the difficulties his family faced with a father working for the local mines. She learned that his father's recurrent lung issues were the reason he went into medicine and took on the mine company in Stony Gap. He buffered those stories and kept Mary Ellen in stitches about his mischievous activities in high school and college.

In turn, she shared stories of growing up in a large family and of her younger days. She had him cracking up with stories about her rivalry with Martha Rose Coverdale, who recently got married. During that night, she found the courage to confide about her cousin Job Henby's attempted assault when she was fourteen. After that day, she and John Boy never discussed it again and it never went past the two of them until she told Curt.

When she was done, Curt held her close and filed that memory of Mary Ellen's away for future reference. If Job Henby was ever stupid enough to come back to Walton's Mountain, he would deal with him personally.

Before the couple knew it, it was midnight. Feeling guilty, Curt got her home as quickly as possible. As he and Mary Ellen went to sleep that night in their respective beds, each realized that they had let the other into parts of themselves that he or she had shared with no one else.

The next day, Curt took Mary Ellen to see 'Stage Door' in Charlottesville. Their last two attempts always culminated with a patient emergency and each was grateful that they could get away this time. Their date ended with necking like teenagers in his van halfway between Charlottesville and Walton's Mountain.

They continued to bicker and fight as before they got together, but usually made up with an apology or with an apology followed by a steamy embrace when alone. Curt longed for more, but he loved and respected Mary Ellen enough to not suggest that. If her kisses were an indicator of what their lovemaking would be like after they were married, she was more than worth the wait.

There was really only one ongoing disagreement, besides Mary Ellen's refusal of Curt's almost daily marriage proposals…

"Curt, I don't want to hurt David"

Curt and Mary Ellen were walking back towards the Waltons' after a walk to enjoy the beautiful spring night. By the time they got to her driveway, tensions were running high. When they reached the front yard, he was near the end of his rope.

"Mary Ellen, he's a big boy. Surely at some point, he will realize you are not a nun and will see other guys"

"But….."

Curt was frustrated as he turned to face his girlfriend. "But what Mary Ellen?"

"I don't want to hurt him, Curt. I made a mess of things"

Curt crossed his arms to hold back some of his frustrations. "Yes, you broke his heart and dumped him three days before your wedding. That was over a month ago, and now you're with me. I don't plan on marking territory like a dog, but I would like to be able to occasionally kiss and flirt with my nurse at the hospital. I'm tired to hiding our relationship to protect David's precious feelings, Mary Ellen. It's not fair to ask me to do this."

"Curt, I'm afraid he's going to do something stupid. The nurses have been talking and some said he's been depressed."

'Yeah, depressed from his flask of hooch' he thought as his frustration finally blew over. "Fine, Mary Ellen. Don't worry about it. We'll keep lying to people there, even though some probably already know. Someday if you decide you will marry me, we'll just hide your wedding ring under a bandage so dear Doctor David Spencer doesn't fall apart"

He stormed away before Mary Ellen could stop him. She huffed in exasperation before heading into the house. 'Why can't he understand why we need to keep things between us at the hospital? I've hurt David enough'

Curt needed the long walk home to keep his anger and hurt in check. As much as he loved her, she was testing his patience and it wasn't going to go much further. 'She needs to quit feeling sorry for that whiner and consider my feelings'

The following day, Curt was walking down the hall after seeing one of his hospitalized patients. He was surprised to see Mary Ellen manning the nurses' station but realized she must have been called in at the last minute. Their day in his office was a short one since he needed to come to the hospital in the afternoon, but the tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife.

He was not angry anymore, but the hurt was still there. He knew she wasn't ashamed of their relationship and he loved Mary Ellen's kindness and consideration towards others. However, there was a point where they had to live their lives and David had to move on with his. Sucking up his hurt, he put on a professional demeanor and he walked over to the desk for his next patient's chart. Staring at nothing and in her own thoughts was how Curt found her. He stood for a moment waiting for her attention.

Not noticing Curt, Mary Ellen's mind faded back to what he said the day before. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she wasn't being fair to him. She was knocked out of her thoughts when she heard her name called.

"Nurse Walton, are you finished with Mr. Anderson's chart? I need to finish my rounds"

When she saw Curt in front of her, an epiphany hit her. Looking down the hall, she saw a doctor walking down talking to another nurse. Acting on impulse, she got up and moved from behind the desk.

Curt saw the look in her eyes and the smile on her face. He didn't know what to expect until she placed those soft lips on his and kissed him breathless. When each needed to come up for air, the kiss stopped. Curt was still recovering his faculties when he heard Mary Ellen speak to the nurse and doctor he didn't know until now had witnessed their embrace.

"Doctor Thomas, Nurse Bacome, I just wanted to let you know that we're a couple now. Doctor Willard wants to be able to brag about us"

The doctor and nurse smiled politely before walking away. Mary Ellen was giggling when she turned to Curt, who finally was back on terra firma. "So, is there anyone else I should inform here of our relationship or are you satisfied with the gossip informing everyone?"

He could feel the hardness of his loins, but got himself into control. Looking around and seeing no one, he turned to his girl. "I think we're okay for the moment"

"I'm going to try to find David tonight. I would rather he hear about us from me"

"I can accept that, Nurse Walton" Curt said. After making sure the coast was clear, he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply.

After their kiss was finished, Mary Ellen happened to look to the side and was startled. "David"

David Spencer had just finished in a patient's room and as he left the room he saw them at the nurses' station in an embrace. He noted when Mary Ellen saw him and the couple let each other go to look at him.

"David, I wanted to talk to you later so you would hear it from me"

"So, you're with Doctor Willard now" He turned to his colleague. "Congratulations Curt. You have a fine girl here. I should know. If you two will excuse me"

David walked away from the couple who continued to watch him. Mary Ellen was feeling guilt while Curt felt dread. Something told him this wasn't the last time he would be dealing with David Spencer.

One day the following week, Curt was walking out of the county building in Rockfish. As he got to his van, he saw a jalopy pull into a nearby spot followed by Nora exiting out of the car. He started getting his wallet out and removed a few bills. "I'm sorry my meeting at County Health ran late. Were you able to get to the store before close?"

When Nora got closer, she opened her bag and pulled out a small white box. Nora put the box in Curt's hand and accepted the money he gave her. "I was able to get there as the owner was locking the door, but he was nice enough to let me in. Now can I see what's got you so excited for me to pick it up today that you couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

Curt opened up the box and Nora was dumbstruck at what she saw. "Curt it's lovely. Mary Ellen is going to love it"

"I paid extra to have the owner put a rush on its delivery so the engraving could be done today. Do you really think she will like it?"

"She's not going to like it, Curt she's going to love it. You said when you and Olivia saw it last week that she said it was perfect, right?"

At that moment, Erin walked by the county building and put copies of John Boy's newspapers in the bin. She was about to turn and walk down the street when she was stopped in her tracks by the sight of Curt and Nora. She moved closer until she was behind a tree out of their sight and watched, frustrated that she couldn't hear what they were saying.

"Yes, she did. Sorry, Nora. I don't know what my problem is"

Nora could see the stars in his eyes. "You're in love, Curtis Willard. It's simple as that. Now, relax"

"Yeah, but there's one more thing I need to do" Curt hugged his friend, who returned the hug in turn. When they broke apart, Curt kissed Nora on the cheek. "Thanks again, Nora for picking this up and for helping me with Mary Ellen. I don't know if I would have gotten this far with her without your help."

"Picking up her gift was no problem. As for your relationship with her, yeah, you needed me, but I am always up to help a friend, so you're welcome on both counts. Now let me get out of here. Daniel and I are going to see 'A Star is Born' in Charlottesville tonight."

"The surgeon from the hospital? He better be treating you right" Curt said mock threateningly.

"He's treating me all right. The four of us will get together soon. Now get a move on. Didn't you say Olivia was making ham for dinner tonight knowing you were going to be there?"

"Good point. You're a good friend, but to not have Miss Olivia's cooking is a sin. Good night and thanks again Miss Nora Nightingale" After saying goodbye, each got into their cars and pulled out into the street, unaware they were being scrutinized.

Erin almost exploded from what she saw. First her sister dumped David for a man who wasn't even half as wonderful as him and did nothing but mooch off her family. Now, he's fooling around with her sister's friend. She had to do something.

She walked down and around the corner to the final bin, where she saw John Boy waiting in his truck with Ben. She dropped the papers in the bin and then headed over for the rumble seat.

"Geez, Erin, if we thought it would take you this long to drop off a few stacks of papers we could have just asked Grandma"

"Oh shut up, Ben Walton" Erin yelled as she climbed in. When situated, she let her brother know and the three siblings headed back to the Walton house.

During the short drive back, Erin contemplated on what to do what she had learned. When they arrived back at the house, they came in and got washed up for supper. As the family was coming to the table, there was a knock on the door. Before Olivia could say anything, Mary Ellen ran from the kitchen and grabbed the front door. Opening it to Curt, they immediately started kissing, oblivious to everyone there.

Grandpa nudged Grandma. "Remember when we were like that, Esther?"

"Hush old fool. Don't encourage them" Grandma muttered before turning to the couple, still at the front door. "That's enough you two. Supper's getting cold!"

Sheepishly, Mary Ellen and Curt walked towards the table. Olivia stifled a laugh like everyone else and turned to Erin. "Erin move by Jim Bob so Curt can sit down to supper"

After she moved and the couple sat down, Erin got an inspiration and smiled. Elizabeth saw her older sister smile. "Erin, what are you smiling about?"

"Nothing, Elizabeth"

"Probably mooning over one of those guys in her Hollywood magazines" Jason said laughing, joined by his brothers

"It's none of your beeswax, Jason Walton"

"Enough. John Boy, it's your turn to say the blessing" John said

As John Boy gave the blessing, Erin smiled because she realized how she could help Mary Ellen get away from Curt so she could be with someone who respected her. Knowing this made her relaxed as when the blessing was done and food was passed around, she enjoyed it with gusto.