On the road to recovery (Marree)

Kalina grins at his comment about never knowing that girls could be interested in such qualities, such as eyes and she watches as he blinks a few times and small laughter erupts from her lips as she coveres her mouth. "There are alot of qualities girls see that guys don't. I just happen to have found your good qualities just by looking into your eyes." She cant help but flirt with the idea that she might be falling for this guy, but he asked about it.

For the next few mintues, she's speechless to him. Up until the point that she stumbled and was caught close enough to him that she could see his face up close, then he turned to her. She saw his eyes within a few inches of hers. Her breath suddenly hitches and she smiles, feeling the hand around her waist. She knows he was doing it to catch her when she stumbled. Merely because she was trying to dust off the grass that was beginning to bother her leg and ended up right within his sights. She dropped her head slightly, not exactly wanting to move but it felt so foreign to have his hand there. Something about it made chill bumps crawl over her arms.

"Oh... umm.. Sorry about that. The grass was bothering me, I was just trying to dust it off, but... I'm fine. Thank you." Kalina couldn't help but stare into his face then hear his comment. Suddenly, he took the same thing she had seen about him and turned to back toward her. Something about the eyes. She was unsure of what to say to him. Unsure of what to make of his comment. What would she say back to him.

"Such qualites I see in yours as well, as well as a gentle nature." She wanted to say she loved his eyes. That they seemed soft and caring yet determinded as well, but would that be pushing it? And then she smiles.

Using his arm rest as a stable point, she once again bends over, her hair cascading over her shoulders close to him again. This time dusting off her leg with the stable hand around her waist. She doesn't pull away from his touch, but she hopes that he will use that as a sign that she doesnt mind it. What was it about his touch that didn't effect her to move away? If he wasn't interested in her, then he would surely remove his hand, and it would truely be a mere helping hand that he was giving her. If not, what could that mean? What would come of it? She decided to ask him back.

"You are alright as well, right? I didn't hurt your leg or anything with my clumsiness, did I?" Her eyes searched his, flashing back and forth between his, waiting. She began to back away a bit, wanting to move to a standing position, but hesitates.

Kalina notices how, despite the time that his hand has been on her waist, he doesn't try to remove it even after she is stable. Instead she hears him call her his healer. That she keeps him sane and it puts a smile on her face. She shakes her head and once any traces of the grass were gone on her leg, she began to contemplate the words he said.

I'd really lik to see more of you once I get out of here. Myabe you can help me 'heal' some more.

She shakes her head slowly, and then tilts her head to side momentarily. "I think It would be nice to see you out of this place, too. I mean, seriously... hospital gowns and hospitals beds aren't your thing. You're cute and all, but they don't do anything for you." She teased him. Wanting at that moment, to just simply bump his arm, turn around an await the words that would come back. Hopefully, some sort of comeback. Some taunt or something about she, herself, sporting the look once. She simply shakes her head and the small smile never leaves her face. Then almost suddenly, the hand moves away from her waist and she stands up, but not before he see's the marking on her shoulder.

She subconsciously puts a hand to her shoulder, to cover the mark. She begins to fret about it. "Oh.. yeah. That... Well, you see, I told you about my sister. It's just temporary..." She claims. She had forgotten about that being there. Out of sight, out of mind kind of thing, but now she knows he was looking at her and it sets her cheek to warm up a bit. The wind began to pick up and Tyler noticed before she even did. His warning to the sky, gave her the perfect moment to get away the attention away from her sister's artwork.

"Oh, great. What a way to ruin a perfect day. I don't see how the weather can just up and change like that. It's really not fair." She says to him, and instantly takes it upon herself, to get him inside before the rain does hit. Once inside, her vision never leaves the window.

"I should get home. I don't want to be caught out in it when it starts. I'm sorry Tyler... I just hate storms. I'll take you back to your room, if you want? " She offers up. Something in her voice says it all, even after a low thunder roll, it has her jumpy. She turns to him, faking a smile for the moment. Wondering if she'd be able to make it home in time, but she knew the walk would last longer than ten minutes, unless she ran.

Kalina doesn't really hear him much as he speaks about getting her hair wet from the storm. He doesn't understand the fear behind the storm that begins to appear. Something touches her hand and she does jump slightly, but realizes it's his hand, and she calms down momentarily. The skin to skin contact takes her out of her daze, if only for a minute as he tries to comfort her. Telling her that he can make it back to his room. She's greatful to him and as he tells her to go, she doesn't hesitate at all, but before she does, she squeezes his hand back and walks off, a bit rushed through the doors.


Kalina left in such a hurry, that she hated that she didn't say anything to him. She didn't tell him bye, but just simply squeezed his hand and left. Did he understand with that physical contact what it mean to her to get home. That the storm frightened her? She barely got halfway home before the storm hit, and she was forced to take shelter somewhere, while she imagined being anywhere else but caught in the storm. The lightning and the thunder making her physically shake, her eyes closing just to hope for it to go away. Only when it let up, in the eye of the storm, did she get to make it home. That night, her thoughts were only on him. Thinking about the touch to her waist when he tried to stabilize her. His words and the comforting touch he gave her before he left. His hand in hers.

A few days went by since she had seen him. She was unsure if she was wearing out her welcome, and after the last time she had seen him, the butterflies began to attack her with every thought she had of him. A smile appearing on her face at random times during the day at work and at night in front of her sister. She asked about him, but Kalina didn't say anything. Was it too premature to think that he liked her back? That anything would come out of it other than just friendship?

On the third day, she had seen no trace of him coming to her work place or no word of someone looking for her, so her only thing that came to her mind was that he was still at the hospital. She wanted to see him again and since he was bedbound there, she was going to have to check in on him. She didn't mind, no, but she couldn't wait for him to get out so that he may surprise her with a visit, if it should come of it. So, that afternoon, despite the look of the sky, she ventured out, heading toward the hospital. Surely, he'd still have that look in his eyes when she saw him. One of determination and a gentle nature.

The hospital came into view. The wind was also beginning to pick up a bit, but she wouldn't turn back now. She had come this far. Why go back now? Upon going to the front, she saw a figure standing outside. A white casted leg and crutches was holding the guy up. It was Tyler. She halted in her steps and waited momentarily, but instead called out to him.

"Tyler!" She smiled, making her way calmly to him. "So, your free, now. What? No wheelchair? Afraid of my driving?"

Kalina coudln't believe that he was out of the hospital and the thought that they might actually get some good coffee and chat outside of his hospital room would be great. The extra sets of eyes on them woudnt' be peering at her as though she were his girlfriend. The extra eyes wouldn't be looking at her as though she should be, if she wasn't. At the moment that she reaches him, he retorts back a comment showing the crutches and Kalina laughs a bit and shakes her head at him. With a quick change of hands with the crutch, he opens an arm for her to take the spot meant for her. She does, and as he embraces her, she felt closer to him more than the last few visits. Before hand, it was simply touching his shoulder, then his hand. Then the other day the waist and a comforting grip as she took off out into the storm. The hug though, made her a bit nervous. To have his body so close to hers. To feel his arm around her body. She felt a chill run down her spine.

"It's great to see you to, Tyler! I'm so happy they let you out. So, your leg is healing nicely, I assume? You best get off of it soon though. Don't want to mess up what you've been lounging around for, for the past few weeks." She tells him and after the hug ends, she crosses her arms in front of her body. She glances up to the sky momentarily but then back to him as they begin walking.

"I've got all the time in the world. Well, at least for today. No work for me today." She tells him and as he asked a question about the other day, she was afraid to say anything. Afraid to tell him that the storm caught her off guard. Pulled her to seek shelter until the storm had reached the eye and was calm enough for her to venture further home before the storm went into full force again. She didn't want to tell him that the storm had frightened her. So, she simply replied to him a fib. "OH yeah. Made it home just in time."

The car's that honked at Tyler had made him mad. She wondered if they coudln't see that he was on crutches. Why on earth they were so impatient. They had the right of way to be walking. They were annoying. "Well... I can say, that I am a patient driver, unlike these goofs on the roads."

The wind picked up, blowing Kalina's hair around before settling down again. Another storm was coming, but how far away would it be? Would Tyler be able to make it home before it started up again? She looked to Tyler momentarily before purposely bumping his arm and smiling. "So, where are heading now that your free from your favorite nurse?"

Kalina shrugged her shoulders at his question. "Sure, there are plenty of things I could be doing. Like, taking care of my little sister, sleeping in." She paused a minute, grinning to Tyler. "Doing homework or working out in the fields.... I just couldn't decide, but seeing you was number one on my list of things to do for today."

Had she made it seem as though he was the best choice given? Yeah, because she couldn't get him off her mind and not seeing him the last few days had her worried that his leg would have to be worked on once again. She knew how upset he would be if that happened.

"Oh! Kinda. I mean, I drove a car once, but it was a peice of cake. It belonged to a family friend, but I prefer walking. Never took up to driving much though. Running keeps me grounded. Keeps me connected in a way that driving don't let you. Besides, did you see the crazy guy honking? So tense? I don't want to be like that." She was fond of the ground beneath her feet. She never wanted to change that. "Are you sure it ruined all your dreams of bed baths? If so, you'll do well to stay out of the hospital then. Or she'll be coming right back to your room again. Its good motivation right?"

Laughter rang out from her, as she covered her mouth to conceal it. Was the sponge bath a sensitive topic? If it was, she didn't want to offend him or tease him anymore about it. He mentions going home would be good, but would that mean, she'd be walking him home? What if they got there and the storm had taken effect? Would she try to brave it in the storm or would she have stayed with him until it let up.

No sooner had the thoughts of getting stuck at his house came across her mind, the rain began to pelt them both. Wanting to drench them to the bone with the sky's water dropletts. Kalina tried to shield her head, and to usher Tyler faster, but trying to keep him steady all the while should he slip. The water drips casually from her face, each drop, falling at its own pace as they take shelter with so many others in the cafe. She shivers subconsciously and turns to Tyler.

"I guess we'll be stuck here until the rain lets up. It won't be good to get that cast of yours any more wetter than it is now. Don't want to gave a replacement, do you?" She teased, while placing a hand on his arm. "We should take a seat somewhere."

She offers up. Already the cafe looks to be crowded but she spots two seats by the window that hadn't been taken just yet. She nods her head in the direction, and dodges the people in her way to grab the chairs.

Kalina hadn't noticed how much of a hard time Tyler had trying to follow her. It only meant that her mission was to grab the table before any of the other dripping wet people got to it before she did. She took a seat, trying to pull the hair away from her face. It was drenched and her clothes were clinging to her skin. When she looked to Tyler, who finally had made it to the table, sat, she looked at him and grinned.

"I think we don't have to go swimming for a while. Not while the rain continues to pour." Kalina notices as the girl trips over Tylers leg and the moment of pain that he experiences. She gasps slightly and then hears him apologize to the girl. He was so sweet. It wasn't even his fault and he still told the girl that he was sorry. She dropped her head a bit, the curly strands of hair still dripping over her soaked clothing. Somewhere in the distance thunder rang out and she jumps and pulls her hands into together. She would find the table next to the window. She would be the one to get stuck in a place like this with Tyler, whom she was afraid would laugh at her because of her fear of the storm. She would have to bear it. Try to think of something else to keep her mind occupied. It wasn't too hard with Tyler sitting right in front of her though.

The waitress comes to the table and she hears Tyler order some coffee. A quaint order considering they were suppose to go out for coffee as their date when he would get out. Instead, she had made coffee for him , but she felt though he didn't like it. Perhaps, he'd be able to make it the way he likes this time. That way he'd be able to enjoy it more. She quickly orders the same. "Coffee, too. Please?"

On the table, she grabbed two napkins from the dispenser and started dabbing at her face and her arms. Trying to soak up the water. "Yeah. Rain is funny like that, Tyler!" She grins at him. "YOu didn't seem to escape the wrath of the dropletts either. Just look at you. YOur clothes are stuck to you!" She notices his body once again. Not like in the hospital when he was bare chested, but this time the water soaked clothing clinging to his chest makes her advert her eyes a bit. She fools with her hair, trying to get it to be managable when lightning lights up the room. She gasps pretty loudly and turns her head forcefully away from the window. HEr breathing hitched momentarily, before she turns her attention back to Tyler.

The waitress comes quickly with the coffee, laying some sugar packets and creamer with it. She nodds to the two of them and leaves. Kalina takes the cup of coffee in her hands. The warmth makes her shiver, realizing how cold she truely was inside this cafe. They must have the air on. She sips easily on the hot liquid.

"So, Tyler... I guess we got this coffee date after all?" She mentions the word date with a smile above her cup.

Kalina's tense body makes it seem as though she were cold. A quaint shiver every time the lightning would flash or a loud rumble of thunder hits. She keeps her gaze away from the window. Away from the sight of the rain that is almost blinding and worse than a hazy fog. What seems to help her nerves about the storm was the hand on her arm at the first sign of the storms wrath. Tyler's hand on her arm, even if it was the goosebumps gave it away that the chills were in part due to the cold inside the building and the fear prickling her skin. She smiled faintly to Tyler.

"No. I've never liked them. I don't know what it is, but it gets me uneasy..." She tells him. Even with his hand on her arm, she can't help but shiver slightly. She brings her free hand to rub her arm, trying to warm herself up. She doesn't want to loose the warmth of Tyler's hand. "I"m sure your right, but... its still... nature has a way of ruining things."

Kalina handles the coffee, letting the steam tickle her face. LEtting the small amount of warmth to send a chill down her spine. Tyler replies to her statement about the coffee date and smiles when he mentions wanting to have a redo on a more suitable day. SHe couldn't help but agree with him and the thoughth of the swimming as well. Suddenly someone pushes Kalina from behind in the crowded room. She doesn't comment on it, but just simply looks quickly to see who it was, then turns her attention back to Tyler.

"Well, this place is sure a swell place to have a get together!" She teases.

The storm outside rages on, the rain pelting against the window of the cafe and she keeps her gaze on the coffee for a moment. WAtching the steam. Her stomach tied in knots wanting nothing more for the storm to be overwith and to continue her walk with Tyler. To talk to him in a normal way, but her mind won't cooperate with her. Without notice, the storms fury takes an outward approach toward Kalina in the form of loud cracking thunder and lightning to match. She jumps once again, closing her eyes tightly and tucking her chin into her shoulder as if she'd just been shot at. She keeps her eyes closed for only a few moments. THe fear of opening her eyes until she takes a breath.

She finally looks up at Tyler when he starts to speak. Its his voice that comforts her more than the thunder at the moment and she only wants to get lost in the sound of his voice. "Yeah, I'm fine." She lies, and draws her arms in toward her body. The crowded place annoys her, but she feels it better than being outside in the weather. For a moment, she catches herself staring at Tyler, at his eyes. STudying him. Watching as his lips touch the cup of his coffee and the way he sips at it. She doesn't realize it but the side of her mouth draws up in a mysterious smile. "After I get out of the woods tomorrow, I am going to be in town to pick up a few things for my mom... will you, I mean, are you going to be in town any time tomorrow?"

She was curious if he would be wandering around the town tomorrow for any reason. The small list her mom had made for her was nothing more than a few kitchen items for the pantry, but should the weather be nice, she wanted to be able to spend it with him. She had little hope though considering his leg. She knew he needed to stay off of his leg, but the words still came out in a question before she realized it. Another round of thunder began to roll, but it was quieter than before.