Even if She Was a Girl

The nurses were alerted to their activity via the giggles which slowly drifted down the hallway to their station. Together the two of them present looked from one to another and smiled knowingly.

A few moments later, the younger of the two of them stood outside the door wrapping softly as she waited. She could hear the shuffling as the two of them desperately hurried to dress and tried not to laugh.

In the meantime Amalia was blushing bright red in embarrassment as Hunter watched her fumble nervously with her clothes, a sardonic smile lighting up his features. This girl never failed to surprise him. She brought out in him so emotions he had never really thought to experience. Never would he have thought he would be here trying not to laugh as she struggled while at the same wanting to protect her from the world when he couldn't even do so from himself.

Amalia was flustered. She glared over at the man who stood there with his shoulders shaking from suppressed laughter and shoved him roughly.

"It's not funny! Hunter what if they see us!" She scowled.

Hunter, who until this point had been doing his best to keep his laughter in almost fell over as he clutched at the bed for support.

"You're worried about that now?"

Hunter shook his head as he walked over to her, took her by her cheeks, and kissed her gently. Gazing down into her eyes he whispered.

"I told you. You have nothing to worry about."

With that, he placed a kiss on her head and taking her hand guided her to bed to sit down. Once she was seated he opened the door.

The nurse looked between the two of them and fought hard to repress her smile. Gesturing to Hunter he had him sit down beside Amalia and began to examine his stitches. Looking up, up she smiled.

"Well Sir, I must say, your wound is healing quite nicely. Stop back in in a week or two and we will see about removing the stitches. In the meantime, no strenuous activities.." the nurse's voice trailed off as she gave Amalia a pointed look.

Amalia stared down at her toes quietly, the tips of her ears turning red. Had she really just been scolded by the hospital staff, for that?

Hunter was in the midst of listening to instructions from the nurse on his aftercare when his phone went off in his pocket. Silently, he raised his hand gesturing for her to give him a moment.

Hunter left and walked into the hallway, and in the meantime, Amalia turned reluctantly to the nurse to discuss Charlie's condition with her. After several moments she slipped out of the room and down the hall to Charlie's room.

Amalia knocked softly on the door before tiptoeing in. Charlie was lying peacefully on the bed. His face is serene and free of pain. Light filtered in through the window curtains and she watched him sleep for a while. She owed this man so much, their friendship had saved her more times than she could count.

She was pensive. She wasn't sure what to say to him now, or how to approach him now or what to say to him. How did she approach him after all this? What did she do? She stood just inside the door, hesitant. Watching him quietly while she shifted restlessly from one foot to the other.

Charlie was listening, under the guise of the sleep. Waiting for her to approach. After several minutes of silence had passed he came, once again, to her rescue.

"I'm alright. You can stop worrying." He muttered, quietly, as he heaved a sigh watching her reticence. It wasn't like he could blame her. Still, he hated that she felt so awkward around him and he missed the comradery they used to share. What he really wanted to know was what her relationship to Hunter was. What was her relationship him? However, he didn't have the heart to ask her these things.

Amalia was startled out of her panic and caused her to look his way. She blushed again in embarrassment. This was her brother, her closest friend. Regardless of her gender, he was still her closest friend. Taking a deep breath moved closer to the bed, stopping at the end, and sat beside him.

"You're feeling better?" She asked, almost shyly. Her eyes studying his complexion and behavior. He was ok, right? It wasn't an illusion. He wasn't going to die tomorrow? She had seen so much death already, that the thought that he would be next made her blanch.

Charlie sighed as he watched her. The trauma of watching him stabbed clearly etched upon her mind. Taking her hand he placed it over his heart and met her eyes. A slight blush crept across his cheeks.

"I'm ok Lu- Amalia. I'm alright. See?" With that he watched her face whispering softly. "I promise. I am not dead. I'm not going anywhere, someone has to look after this trouble make right?" He was obviously referring to her, she didn't miss the teasing tone in his voice. And for a moment it dawned on her, that Charlie was a man too.

She blushed, pulling her hand away shyly. She didn't even know what things were with her and Hunter, she couldn't indulge in another distraction. Regardless of her embarrassment, tears of relief began to pool in her eyes.

"Oh..Oh my god...Charlie" and with that she clutched at his hand and leaned over once more, crying. This time not from fear or pain. But from sheer happiness that he was ok. He was at her side. It was as though a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders, and she could suddenly breathe again.

"Don't you ever do that again!" She yelled, hammering his shoulders with her fists. "When you get back on your feet, you are too get stronger. Tougher. This can never happen ever again!" She emphasized as she berated him.

Charlie wrapped his arms tentatively around her as she cried. He had known her long enough to know, what it was she really saying. She had been worried sick, and this was her way of pleading with him not to scare her anymore. His heart was aching for her, and while most of his questions had been answered, there was still one very important one he didn't answer.

For now, he was just happy to hold her. To have the air cleared, and his kid brother back. Even if she was a girl.