Zelda drove from the hospital to Ike's apartment, finding a very impatient Mew at his door. "Hey there sweetie," she cooed as she scooped the white ball of fluff into her arms. Mew let out a small meow, immediately purring as she rubbed her head against Zelda's fingers. "I bet your dad is missing you huh?" she talked to the small kitten as she unlocked the door and stepped inside. "Let's get you fed." As she set Mew on the floor, the ball of fluff took off, pouncing on one of her toys.

The chime of Zelda's phone pulled her from watching the cute kitten attack the defenseless fabric mouse and she checked it with a curious brow furrowed. A text from Ike looked back at her, making her smile. 'Can I call?' She smiled as she dialed him, moving to his kitchen to get Mew fed.

"Hey." His greeting sounded nervous and Zelda paused in grabbing the bag of cat food.

"Hey, are you okay?" The worry showed in her voice but she couldn't help it, not after everything with him today.

"I'm having a minor freak out about everything," he admitted and she frowned as she opened the cat food bag.

"What do you mean?"

"They want to do this surgery..." he took a deep breath. "It's not gonna fix my leg but it'll keep it from getting worse."

"That's a good thing though right?" she asked as she poured the bag, Mew racing over to her immediately.

"Yeah but I can't do it Zelda. I've gotta work and the recovery time alone... I'd miss too much work to keep the place."

"Ike I can help-"

"No," he said firmly and she sighed.

"Please let me finish," she begged. "Let me help you with your rent. You need this surgery, it'll help you feel better and I want that more than anything."

"I can't let you do that," he said back at her and she rolled her eyes.

"Why not? What crazy Ike reason is there for me to not help out my boyfriend?"

"I'm not with you for your money and-"

"You think I'm dumb enough to get that idea when I offered to help?" she asked with a soft laugh. "Ike, if you wanted my money you would have done more to show me that by now. You haven't at all... in fact you've been ridiculously stubborn about paying for things. You're going to get this surgery done, and I'm going to help with your rent okay?"

"It's nice of you Zelda, it really is, but how the hell am I supposed to get upstairs while I'm wheelchair bound for healing? Even if they give me crutches I can't climb three flights of stairs."

"We'll figure it out," she said quickly, her mind trying and failing to come up with alternatives. Then it dawned on her. "You could stay with me at the dorm. There's an elevator and I could be with you longer because I wouldn't have to leave to get ready for class."

"Don't you have roommates? I'm going to be recovering for about a month," his voice was unsure but the fact that he at least seemed possibly open to the idea gave Zelda hope.

"I do have roommates, and I share the bathroom with the least obnoxious one but they're not even there half the time. Usually after class they go shopping and in the evenings they all hit the bars."

"No offense meant to you, but I really don't want to be the creepy older guy with crutches hanging around a bunch of college girls," he said and she laughed at that, honestly unsure of the idea herself. Could she trust her roommates to leave him alone? Would they try to flirt with him? They were all pretty easy, she had heard them talking about their various one night stands, would Ike be tempted by that?

"Well then I'll think of something else okay?" she offered and he huffed.

"Sure, a magical option I haven't thought of," he was slightly snippy with his tone, which made Zelda frown.

"I'm trying here Ike."

"I'm sorry, I am too," he grunted and she heard the distinctive noise of the hospital bed moving. "I can't stand being in a hospital, I fucking feel useless. And if they poke me with one more fucking needle I'm going to stab someone." She smiled at that with a small shake of her head.

"Be nice Ike, it's just their job."

"I feel like I'm feeding an army of vampires," he huffed and she laughed a little.

"Well," she decided to change the subject and hopefully improve his mood, "I'm here with Mew now, she's devouring her dinner."

"Good, I miss the little shit."

"I think she misses you too," she said as Mew looked up at her, meowing before going back to her meal. "I miss you," she admitted with a shy smile and heard his hum of response.

"I miss you too. They were talking about discharging me soon since there's nothing they can do unless I opt for the surgery."

"Well if they send you home let me know and I'll be more than happy to give you a ride."

"Aren't you tired of seeing me?" he asked and she snorted.

"Oh so very tired of your handsome face and gorgeous eyes," she responded and he huffed.

"I should go, before I get caught on my phone when I'm supposed to be resting. Zelda I... the fact that you even answered my call eases some of my worry about all this."

"Ike," she said his name gently, "I'm not going anywhere. You can trust me to be there okay?"

"I'm trying babe, I really am." She smiled at that, the term of affection unexpected.

"I know... babe," she stressed the word and could almost hear his eye roll.

"Do you want me to not call you that? Are there approved terms of endearment I should have a list of?"

"I'll get it to you," she teased.

"Good, I'd hate to mess up again," he replied sarcastically and she laughed.

"Alright you, go rest. I love you." The words left her lips without hesitation and she could almost hear the upward curve of his lips when he responded.

"I love you too." With that the call ended and Zelda found she couldn't help but smile down at Mew who now looked up at her, the cat bowl completely empty.

"Well weren't you hungry?" she cooed as she scooped the kitten into her arms. "I should just take you back with me, but then I know Ike wouldn't like that." She kissed the white fur of her head and the kitten began to purr loudly. She walked to the bed and laid down with Mew on her chest, the kitten immediately snuggling in for affection. "What can we do Mew? Your daddy needs that surgery for his leg, but he can't get upstairs here... I'd say my dorm but I really don't want to deal with my roommates and their ways around Ike." Mew purred loudly on her chest, her eyes dropping closed and Zelda snorted.

"Gee, way to help there you," she said as she continued scratching her soft fur. She pondered her predicament for awhile, an idea slowly forming in the back of her mind. "It's just crazy enough to work," she said to no one as she pulled her phone gently from her back pocket to not disturb the snoozing kitten.

'Do you think you can get the surgery done over my winter break? It's in a few weeks.' She sent the text off to Ike, hoping he'd respond. She wasn't disappointed, as her phone buzzed a moment later.

'I think so why?'

'Because I have a solution for the whole no stairs thing. Would you be okay to travel?'

'How far? What are you thinking?' Zelda smiled at her phone for moment before pulling up the string of texts to her mom.

'Mom, sorry I missed your call earlier I was driving in heavy traffic. What are yours and dad's plans over my winter break?' She pulled the texts from Ike back up and watched the dots appear on the screen as he typed another message.

'I can travel but not far comfortably.'

'I'm getting something set up don't worry ;)' she sent the text just as one came through from her mom.

'Oh it's fine for missing the call honey! I'm glad you're driving safe! As for our plans we're going to be overseas for a lot of it, unavoidable unfortunately. Will you be okay?'

'Definitely. I was thinking about hitting the cabin for my break, just a break from everything so I can destress. Would that be okay?'

'Sure honey! I'll go ahead and get it set up to be fully stocked when you arrive. Definitely need you to be stress free over the break! But are you sure you want to spend Christmas there all alone? We could fly you out to where we are.'

'Honestly Mom I just want to spend lazy days in my pajamas binge watching some shows to catch up.'

'I understand that. I'll get it all set up just tell me when you want to get there okay?'

'Thanks Mom! I'll let you know probably tomorrow.'

'Sounds good!' With that Zelda smiled down at her phone, a weight lifted off her chest. The cabin was small, warm, and while it had an upstairs, everything Ike would need was downstairs as well. Without hesitating she dialed her boyfriend, scratching the sleeping kitten absentmindedly.

"Hey," he greeted, sounding more exhausted than before.

"Are you getting sleepy?" she cooed at him and he gave a half hearted huff.

"Babe I'm so doped up with various sleeping pills right now it's probably a deadly concoction for anyone else." That made her scowl.

"They gave you sleeping pills?"

"Intravenously," he explained. "Didn't know until my eyes dropped half closed in the middle of the random soap opera I had stopped on."

"You're watching a soap opera?" she asked with a giggle.

"They get that and the local news on these fucking outdated televisions. Have you seen the local action news? Two creepers with bad camera angles that think they're hot shit, and pseudo hot chicks to bring in male viewers. So yeah, the doctor drama with a torrid love affair is the better option." She laughed lightly at that, imagining him getting hooked on the show and caught up in the drama.

"Well then, Ike's a secret soap fan, I'll keep that in mind."

"Shut up," he slurred, reminding her that he was under the influence of sleeping pills.

"Well hey, are you awake enough to understand what I'm about to say? I've got a place set up for us after your surgery."

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Yeah, can you set up your surgery for a couple days before I go on break? That way you'll be discharged by my break and we can go."

"Sure." He was fading fast, and she was shaking her head with suppressed giggles over how cute he sounded falling asleep. "I'll... talk to the doctor... tomorrow."

"Okay you, get some sleep okay?"

"That's what they want," he mumbled, his words practically indiscernible from each other.

"I love you Ike, bye."

"Love you too." She ended the call with a smile, looking down at the kitten currently rolling over in her sleep, putting her soft fluffy stomach in the air.

XxX

Zelda didn't mean to fall asleep on Ike's bed, but when her alarm went off that's where she was, Mew pawing at her phone curiously. She smiled at the curious kitten as she picked her phone up, turning off the alarm and accepting the fluff ball immediately turning her attention to Zelda's exposed fingers. "Don't bite," she chastised half heartedly as the kitten tried to nibble on her forefinger. "Are you so hungry you have to eat me?" She got out of the bed and walked to the kitchen, suddenly realizing that they would have to take Mew with them to the cabin.

"So little missy," she said as she grabbed the food bag, "do you want to go on a vacation with me and your dad?" Mew meowed up at her, tangling herself around Zelda's legs as she bent to pour her food into the bowl. Once the first few pieces hit the bowl Mew untangled and dove in, Zelda laughing at her exuberance. "Hurry up and eat, I've gotta get to class." It was a pointless thing to say, as the little kitten was already devouring her breakfast with the gusto of a starving man. She pulled out her phone and pulled up her texts to Ike, wondering if he was still resting.

'I ended up falling asleep over here with Mew. Do you remember what we talked about last night?' She slid her phone into her back pocket, worrying her lower lip between her teeth as she realized she didn't have enough time to get back to her dorm to change before her first class. Her phone buzzed and she checked it, shaking her head.

'Glad Mew had the company. Conversation last night is a bit of a blur? They drugged me up really good...'

'I asked if you could schedule your surgery for a few days before my break. I have a place ready for us while you're healing up.'

'Where?'

'I'll explain later. I didn't set my alarm for early enough to get to my dorm and then to class on time.'

'You can explain when you swing by later, smuggling Mew in your purse.' She laughed as she moved to the front door, Mew following dutifully.

'I don't think they'll approve of her presence. I need to drive so I'll text you later okay?'

'Yeah. I'll sit here and get poked with more needles and get more tests. Oh the fun day I have ahead of me.' Zelda shook her head and opened the front door, Mew shooting outside quickly.

XxX

Zelda went through her classes, her mind able to focus finally on lectures with having figured out what to do with Ike so he could get better. She was nervous to spend so much time alone with him, how could she not be, but this would be good for him in more ways than one. He would get the rest he desperately needed and he would see that she wasn't going to leave him over this, no matter what the outcome was. She smiled to herself at the thought, making a mental note to text him after class, and tuned back into the lecture.

XxX

'Have you fed the army yet?' The text would hopefully make him laugh, or huff in his case, as she walked to the on campus sandwich shop.

'I asked for more info on the surgery so they've been explaining exactly what that entails.'

'And?' She wanted to know, but knew this could be hard for him to talk about.

'And let's just say I'll be setting off metal detectors for the rest of my life. They're basically turning my leg into a pin cushion.' She nodded her head at that, having expected something like that to be his option.

'So what? You'll be feeling better and that's what matters.'

'You're a ray of sunshine. I need that.' She blushed at that, a smile curling up her lips.

'And you're my rain cloud.'

'Gee thanks. How was class?'

'Okay, got some reading to do but other than that it's all good.'

'So... when are you swinging by?'

'After I eat I have one more class then I'm all yours.'

'Awesome. I could use the company. Some dude in a wheelchair keeps coming in here and spouting nonsense at me. Doc told me his brain got fried over there. Kinda makes me wonder why the hell I'm not exactly like him.'

'Because you're strong and, while you didn't know it at the time, you had to meet me :P' she smiled as she sent the text, the thought having crossed her mind. How had Ike managed to come back? He was beyond a miracle of modern medicine, beyond even a strong willed individual to be able to function as well as he had after everything.

'Ha yeah, imagine if I hadn't been sent home I would still be over there and you'd be with a normal guy.'

'Ike stop that. I'm not sorry I'm with you. I happen to like you.'

'That's because there's something seriously wrong with you :P have you looked in a mirror? Any guy would be lucky to have you Zelda, I mean it.' She rolled her eyes and pushed open the door to the sandwich shop. She let her eyes roam over the gathered students, not a single male in the space even remotely close to attractive to her.

'Well that's nice but I don't want any guy.' She pocketed her phone and ordered her lunch, a small sandwich and a bag of cheesy chips that would turn her fingertips orange. She took a seat and pulled out her phone again, shaking her head at Ike's response.

'Well that's two things I'm lucky about then huh? Ugh hang on, nurse needs me to eat this so called "food" they serve here.' She smiled as she set her phone down and started eating, her mind on just how crazy her life had changed in a twenty four hour span of time. Ike was her boyfriend, she knew the general idea of what he went through, and she had realized she was in love with him. She knew what her parents would say about it; that it was too soon, she wouldn't know something like that for a long time. Perhaps for most people that worked, taking their time and accepting it much further into a relationship, but not for Zelda. She had known the minute she laid eyes on Link that he was going to be her best friend, that he would be the brother she never had. The same went for Ike. The second she saw his scowling, frowning, handsome face... something had clicked in her mind and she just knew that he was going to be something special in her life.

XxX

The drive to the hospital was less stressful than the day before, and for that Zelda was grateful. Even the nurse was nicer to her at the front desk as she passed by to go to the elevator. Once more with an army escort she made it to Ike's room, a smile on her face to see him stacking up playing cards into an intricate tower, under the studious watch of a man in a wheelchair. "There," Ike said proudly, nodding at the man, "suck on that."

"Cheater," the man huffed as he handed over a pudding cup and Zelda scoffed. Both men whirled to look at her with guilty faces, though Ike looked a bit smug.

"Are you betting with pudding cups?" she asked and Ike shrugged.

"Only thing edible they give you on the lunch tray," he said as he quickly disassembled his tower and handed the cards back to the other man. "Next time maybe." The man growled a few choice words about marines under his breath as he wheeled himself out of the room, Zelda shaking her head as Ike peeled back the lid on his prize.

"I see you're finding ways to entertain yourself huh?" He gave her a smug smirk as he tilted the cup and squeezed the thin plastic.

"This is the third pudding cup I've had today," he said as he licked his lips. "Good times winning them off of army guys."

"Be nice," she teased as she sat on his bed and he took her hand.

"I'm already nice to you, asking me to do more is too much." He set down the pudding cup and she watched him ease himself into a sitting position, his face twisting lightly as he did.

"Is your leg still hurting?" she asked carefully and he nodded.

"They're going to give me some injections for the pain before they discharge me," he said as he laced their fingers. "Apparently I'm going to feel as good as new but I'm supposed to take it easy." She nodded, determined to make him do just that, and he squeezed her hand. "I'm glad you're here."

"I'm not easy to get rid of Ike, I thought you'd know that by now," she teased and he huffed.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to the idea that you actually want to be here with me," he admitted and she smiled warmly at him.

"Well I think you will," she leaned in a pressed a kiss to his lips. He looked like he wanted more than that as she pulled back, but he refrained from trying to push it.

"You're supposed to explain to me this grandiose plan for after my surgery," he reminded and she nodded.

"Right yeah. Okay, so my parents are going to be overseas during my break and they own this cabin." He raised an eyebrow and she nodded. "So we're going to stay there while you're healing. It's two stories but everything you need is right there on the ground floor, the second floor is really just a big open loft for guests they never have. How's that sound?"

"They're really okay with me staying there alone with you?" Zelda bit her lips together and he huffed. "You didn't tell them I'd be there."

"They're not going to know, everything will be fine," she insisted and he shook his head.

"Babe I really don't like this plan," he sounded hesitant and she shook her head.

"It'll be fine." He stared at her for a minute before nodding.

"Alright," he nodded once. "We'll do it but I'm not exactly sure about the whole them not knowing bit."

"So you'll set up getting the surgery?"

"Yeah," he reached over and pressed the button to call the nurse.

"Yes?" the voice crackled over the intercom.

"Can you send my doctor up here when he gets a chance? I wanna set up having that surgery."

"Of course." With that Ike's eyes roamed over her, making Zelda blush.

"I can't wait to get out of here," he said as he subtly tugged on her arm. She moved closer to him and he wrapped a hand around the back of her neck, claiming her lips. She kissed him back, nervous when his hands slid down and gripped her hips.

"Ike," she mumbled his name against his lips and he pulled back with a sigh. "We can try again after you get discharged okay?" He raised an eyebrow, his eyes searching hers for a long moment.

"Yeah?"

"Yes," she pressed a soft kiss to his lips and he gave her a small grin.

"I'm going to hold you to that," he warned and she shrugged.

"Go ahead."

XxX

After staying as long as possible with Ike, Zelda went back to his apartment to take care of Mew. Once more she fell asleep on his bed, and was roughly pulled from her sleep by her alarm. Zelda glared at the offending sound, trying to remember why she had set one so early. "Oh crap," she groaned as she got out of the bed, Mew immediately demanding attention. She fed the demanding kitten and pulled up her texts to Ike.

'How am I supposed to work without you?' she sent off, not expecting a response for a long time. She was surprised when her phone buzzed a moment later.

'Snake will have someone over there with you. He and I already talked about it.'

'Why are you up?'

'You know why.'

'I'm sorry Ike, if I could help I would.'

'It's okay, I'm not the only one here who's having trouble. I've currently got two army guys and even a navy guy sitting with me playing cards.' Zelda felt a small smile come to her lips at that. While it was awful that he wasn't sleeping, at least he wasn't alone in his hospital room.

'Have fun with the card game then, I'm going to go to work.'

XxX

Working without Ike was miserable. Zelda didn't quite realize how much he made it bearable until he wasn't there. She was stuck with Marth and someone else she didn't know, both of them moving slow and just generally getting in her way. She was about one more mistake from snapping Marth's unhelpful head off when Snake called break.

"Where's Ike?" Marth asked curiously as they moved to the break room.

"He's in the hospital," she answered and Marth gave a light gasp. "He's fine, but they're keeping him for some reason."

"Is it his leg?" Marth asked in a quiet voice and Zelda knew the line of questioning was dangerous.

"Partly. He fell at his other job and hit his head." Marth shook his head and Zelda shrugged. "I'm just glad he's okay and they'll probably release him soon."

"I hope so. No offense but I seriously hate stocking groceries." She offered him a light laugh as she pulled out her phone and texted Ike.

'Work is no fun without you.'

'Now you know how I feel.' That made her smile as she sat down with Marth and Samus, the duo immediately talking about some movie Zelda could care less about. Her phone buzzed in her hand and she checked it, a smile coming to her lips.

'I've got my injections, I feel fucking amazing. They're gonna discharge me this afternoon.'

'I'll be there.'

'I know.' That text alone made Zelda's day more than him saying he was getting out. That was him saying he trusted her, that he knew she'd be there. She smiled at the screen before locking it, feeling more at ease. He trusted her.

XXX

Sorry if this update took a bit or if any of this doesn't quite flow right. I'm super sick with a high fever and trying to take advantage of the free time by writing. Anyway, thank you everyone for reviewing last chapter! It means the world to me. Let me know what you think! Much love, Leigh