November 4, 2013

Jaejoong arrived at the hospital earlier than usual and decided on a coffee before heading to his office.  With a smiled on his face, he remembered the previous day.  After the restaurant closed, they stayed for another couple of hours talking, laughing, and playing cards with Abigail’s Dad and her Sisters.   He couldn't remember having had such a good time.   Now, more than ever, he couldn't wait for his parents to arrive.  He decided they had to meet Abigail's family, even Jihoo relaxed and had a good time, he thought.  Coffee in hand, he was about to head back to his office when he spotted his admin.

 - “Abi-ya, annyeong hasseyo," he inclined his head to her.

 - "Good morning, Isabel put Isabelle in her new pajamas as soon as we got home last night.   You really shouldn't have done that; she'll expect you to bring her something every time you see her."

 - "Mmm, does that mean we will be meeting regularly?" He .

 - "What?  That's not what I said!"

Jaejoong laughed, "Isabel is daeback.  I can't help wanting to see her cute little face and her eyes get as big as her face at that sight of the American Girl bag."  He was smiling but then became serious.  "Abigaíl-ssi, I really enjoy spending time with you and Isabel and your family.  My parents are gone half the year and I can't wait to see them again.  Would you mind if I bring them to the restaurant and introduce them to your family?"

 - "You didn't have to ask my permission,” Abigaíl was a little stunned at this abrupt behavior change.

 - "No, but I didn't want to make you uncomfortable.  Anyway, I gotta go."  He turned to walk away but then called her back.  "Abi-ya!"

 - "Yes?"

Jaejoong walked up to her and pulled the ponytail holder out of her hair.  "I told you to wear your hair down."  She scowled at him and he walked away laughing.

Ilana cracked her eyes open, not wanting to be awake.  They'd gotten back past eleven and stayed up talking for at least another hour.  She looked to her side and Suzy was no longer there.  She didn't hear the shower running, so she must be in the living room.  Reaching for a glass of water from her nightstand first, she then got up to see what everyone was up to.

Ilana was surprised to see everyone up and in the kitchen.  It was past ten and she was the last one up.

 - "Yah, lazy bones, we were wondering if you were still breathing."  JungMin was in hyper-teasing mode.  He's was usually one of the hardest to wake, but once he was up there was no stopping him.

 - "Why didn't you wake me up?"

 - "We wanted to let you sleep," YoungSaeng poured her a cup of coffee.

 - "Gomawo, Oppa; what are you guys doing?"  Ilana saw the rice cooker open, seaweed out, various vegetables, the cheese, hot dogs, amongst other things.

 - "Preparing a picnic.  Unnie, there are leftovers or rice and kimchi for breakfast.”

 - "Kimchi and coffee just does not sound appealing.  And where did those lunch boxes come from?"

 - "Jagiya bought them when you weren't looking," JungMin stated.

 -  "Omo, you guys, you know I would've bought them if you'd told me you wanted to go on a picnic.”

 - "Which is why we didn't, so hush, Unnie," Suzy said.

 - "Here," KyuJong put a plate in front of her.  She looked at it funny.  "Do I need to feed you?"

 - "Anieyo, I'm taking a bite, see?"  Ilana took a spoonful of the steaming rice and egg concoction.  "Interesting," she made everyone laugh.  "This would take getting used to but at least it goes well with coffee."

Finishing her rice and some fruit, she rinsed her plate and stuck it in the dishwasher.  "What can I help with?"

 - "Cut the rolls Unnie and we'll use this box to put them in."

In less than two hours everyone was cleaned up and out the door. Once in Central Park, they scouted a nice location by 'the pool' which is a small lake and spread a blanket down.

 - "Do you come to the park often, Unnie?"

 - "Mmm, when I need a distraction, usually on weekends.  Kike, Brendon and I had a picnic before they left.  This is how I came to be the owner of a soccer ball.  You boys will have to play later.”

The pool isn't one of the park's quiet zones, but being that it was a Monday in November, it was quiet.  They practically had the entire place to themselves.  There was a slight breeze bouncing off the water, but Ilana placed herself on the opposite side of the guys who blocked most of the wind.

 - "I can't believe you guys made all of this just this morning.  Remind me next time to keep a better eye on you, so you don't spend money where you shouldn't."  They dismissed her comment with a wave of the hand.

 - "What's your favorite, Princess?"

 - "The spinach, the spam and cheddar kimbap, the rice cake and the warm tea."

 - "Cold, Ilana-ssi?"  KyuJong asked.

 - "Deh, jogeum, thankfully my jacket is very warm and the extra blanket we brought helps.

 -"Make sure you don't let yourself get too cold, you're at a higher risk for hypothermia."

 - "Deh, Oppa, I walk around with hand and arm warmers all the time, and my work out clothes you saw, are geared for the cold."

 - "Deh and Ilana-ssi still needs to get your blood work done."

 - "Mmm," Ilana replied before getting another roll.

 - "How long are you going to avoid it?"  KyuJong sighed mentally thinking he should have told her neighbor to convince her.  Of course, he'd be dead if she ever found out he even spoke to him about her.  He smiled at the idea but at the same time hoped she submitted to the tests willingly now, before something happens and she no longer had a choice.  "Arraso, Na didn't come all the way to New York to scold you."

 - "Komapta.  So what now guys?  You've decimated your lunch.  Want to go for a walk?"

 - "Let's see who can throw the farthest."  HyungJun picked up a stone and threw it across the lake.

 - "I'll try," Ilana said.  She picked up a stone and threw it, but didn't get very far.

 - "Cinderella, you throw like a girl."

 - "Oppa, that's 'cause I am a girl.”

 - "Come here, I'll show you."  YoungSaeng came up behind Ilana and held her by the waist with one arm, making her slightly uncomfortable.  In the back of her mind, she knew she was safe with him and had nothing to worry about.  He took her arm, "relax your arm and draw it back, you don't have to come back with too much force, it's all in the wrist."  He brought her arm forward rotating her wrist.  "Now, throw...;” letting go of the stone, it actually flew a respectable distance.

 - "I did it!  I wanna do it again!"  Ilana jumped up and down excitedly.

 - "And here I thought Maknae was the kid," YoungSaeng tsk'd.

 - "Let's throw another one," Ilana was already picking up another stone.

They continued skipping rocks for a while until Ilana's arm felt like it was going to fall off.  She sat back down on the blanket and poured herself more tea, which was delightfully still warm and grabbed the last piece of rice cake.

 - "We need to stock you up on rice cake before we go, that way you can gain some weight."  YoungSaeng teased and poked her in the side.

 -"Yah!”  She squeaked and poked him right back.

- "Yah?!  Take that," he squeezed the top of her knee, getting a healthy squeak from her and took off running.  Ilana got up and chased him as he taunted her.

When he finally allowed her to catch up, a little distance from the others, she assaulted him with continuous pokes in the side.  "Take that and that, I'll teach you to tickle me."

 - "I give.  I give!" YoungSaeng said in between laughs.

 - “I'll let you off this time…" she said.  "…but no more tickling."

 - "Arraso, I'll just throw you in the lake instead."  He picked up her up and ran with her back to the lakeshore.

- "Put me down, right this instant," she screamed and kicked in his arms.

The others were laughing and yelling out:  "Throw her in!  Throw her in!"

 - "Yah, I thought you were my friends?  Get me down!"

 - "I'm having too much fun, Cinderella."  YoungSaeng pretended he was going to drop her in the lake.

 - "You won't do it, now put me down!"

 - "Ani."

 - "Heo YoungSaeng!  Put me down if you know what's good for you!”  He had swung her towards the lake.  “Ah!!!!" 

 - "Ask nicely."

 - "Shiro!  Ah!!! Stop!"  Each time she protested, he pretended he was about to throw her in.

 - "Let me hear your aegyo."

 - "Shiro!!"  He bounced her a little.   "Ah!!!”  She had no choice but to give in.  “Anieyo Oppa!!! Juseyo, jebal!"

 - "That's better," he put her down.

 - "Pabo!!"  She punched his arm and stalked off to sit back with the others who were laughing.

 - "Mianhae,” YoungSaeng was on his knees beside her.  He had his cute otter smile.  "You know you can't stay mad at me."

 - "Omo!  You're such a brat.  You do that again and I'll make KyuJong Oppa my favorite, instead of you."

 - "Yah!  I thought I already was your favorite."

 - "I thought I was your favorite."  HyungJun pouted.

 - "You’re in trouble now, Unnie."

Ilana just laughed at her silly Oppa’s.  "Ara, ara, can I help it if you're all my favorites?  Let's go to the great lawn and see what you can do with this ball," Ilana grabbed the soccer ball.

 - "Arraso!" Everyone agreed and packed up their things.

They played for several hours, kicking the ball or chasing each other and just being silly.   Ilana ran after them as best she could, sitting often as to not tire herself out.  They would scold her if she got herself too out of breath.   Ilana didn't care, she had only twenty-four hours left with these crazy, loveable, beautiful people, and wanted to enjoy every minute of it.

They finished their day at the park with a ride on the carousel.  YoungSaeng chose a chariot seat and patted the spot next to him.

 - "Shiro, I want to sit on a horse," Ilana pouted.

 - "Sit next to Oppa, juseyo," he used his aegyo.

 - "Shiro, I thought princes rode on white horses."

He pouted.  "Cinderella, come sit with your prince; jebal," he said, pretending to blink back tears.

 - "Big aghi (baby) otter," she smiled and sat down.  He leaned her head on his shoulder once the carousel was in motion.  He was giddy, not being his usual 'shy prince' self.  She had told him she wanted to enjoy this time together and not worry about the future.  That's exactly what he was doing, seizing every minute they had left together.  Even if the dream would end the moment they leave tomorrow.   For now, it was the moment to give her all his care and attention.

 - "This feels nice, Oppa."

 - "Mmm," they both giggled, just going with the moment, the dream.

Having played hard, they were all worn out from their day.  The three-minute break on the carousel just made them all the more tired.  Too lazy to walk, they hopped on a bus to get back to Ilana's apartment.

 - "Gueron, what's for dinner?"  HyungJun asked, making everyone laugh.

 - "I'm too tired to cook or think about cleaning the kitchen after, let's order pizza or something," Ilana suggested.

 - "Pizza!"  The suggestion was well received by all of them.

Arriving at the apartment, they dropped off their belongings and sat down.  Ilana was about to sit when an idea hit her.

 - "Guys, let's go out for pizza."

 - "We can just order, gwenchana," KyuJong reassured her they were fine.  He knew she'd try to pay the bill if they went out.

 - "Chincha, I want to go out.  I won't fight over the bill," she smiled at them.

 - "Chincha?"  JungMin asked.

 - "Unnie, I know you, what's the catch?"  Suzy asked, knowing her Unnie was up to something.

Ilana donned her sweetest smiled.  "Can we stop and see my kids?"  Ilana asked.

 - "Maknae's right here," JungMin said.  HyungJun immediately tackled him to the ground.

 - "My kids at the hospital!"  Ilana laughed at the Tom and Jerry couple wrestling on the floor.  It was a good thing KyuJong was here, in case anyone needed stitches from knocking their head into her furniture.  "Ju se yo," she slowly, trying to use aegyo, "I've told them so much about you."

 - "Do your aegyo again and we'll think about it," YoungSaeng teased.

 - "O-ppaaa, ju-se-yooo," she blushed at her shameless display.  At least her friends were entertained by it.

 - "Kaja," KyuJong said.

They had dinner at a pizza restaurant near Ilana's apartment and she kept her word and didn't protest as they divided the bill evenly.

 - "So, tell us about your kids," KyuJong asked.

 - "Some of them are cancer patients or have some other illness that requires them to be there for long periods of time.   They have so much life in them.  If I go in there with a heavy heart, I come out lighter somehow."  YoungSaeng put his arm around her waist and drew her close to him.  This was different than his usual playful arm around her shoulders.   She looked up at him, he smiled at her.  They were in pretend mode and Ilana decided just to play along,

 - "You have a favorite, don’t you?"  YoungSaeng asked her.

 - "Deh," she grinned.  "Manse is my Korean tutor, I forget exactly what he's being treated for, but he is one of the smartest little kids I've ever met.  He's also conniving, don’t trust him.”

They had arrived at the children's side of the hospital.   The kids were very excited to see Ilana and even more so, the friends she had brought.

 - "Which one is your boyfriend, Ilana?"  An older girl by the name of Emily asked.

 - "Emily,” Ilana said with much patience.  "They're just very good friends."

 - "Can I have one?"  Emily giggled.

 - "You're welcome to YoungSaeng Oppa and KyuJong Oppa; the other two are already taken."

YoungSaeng heard his name and laughter and decided to investigate.  "Yah, aggasi-deul are you ladies talking about me?"

 - "YoungSaeng will you be my boyfriend?"  Emily asked, sending Suzy and Ilana into fresh giggles.

 - "Mianhaeyo, Agassi," YoungSaeng played along.  "My heart is already taken."  He was staring right at Ilana, making her blush.

 - "Emily, did you finish 'Pride and Prejudice' yet?"  Ilana changed the subject.  Thankfully, Emily took the bait.  YoungSaeng poked Ilana in the side and walked away.

 - "Yes, OMG, I want to marry Mr. Darcy."

Suzy and Ilana sat talking with a group of girls for a while.  JungMin and HyungJun played jacks with Manse and a group of boys.  YoungSaeng and KyuJong took turns playing on the X-Box with some of the others.  All in all the evening was a success.  The kids didn't want the group to leave.  Visiting hours were almost over, so Ilana gathered the kids for story time.  She read a few chapters of 'The Little Prince'.

 - "But in herself alone she's more important than all the hundreds of you other roses:  because it is she that I have watered; because it is she that I have put under the glass globe; because it is for her that I've killed the caterpillars (except the two or three we saved to become butterflies); because it is she that I have listened to, when she grumbled, or boasted, or even sometimes when she said nothing.”

 - “Because she is MY rose,” YoungSaeng came in on the last sentence.  Ilana looked at him perplexed.

 - "Oppa?"

 - "It's my favorite book," he said sheepishly.

The group of friends left the hospital about nine P.M.  They walked lazily towards Ilana's apartment.   It was cold, but the wind wasn't blowing, therefore tolerable.  JungMin and Suzy walked hand in hand occasionally turning to gaze at each other.  The other four hung back letting them have their space.

The street was lined with piles of leaves that had accumulated since the last street sweep.  HyungJun grabbed a pile of leaves and threw them onto KyuJong, laughing hysterically.

 - "Yah, Maknae!"  KyuJong yelled.  "Payback time!"  KyuJung took a handful of leaves and grabbed his Maknae by the neck and began to shove the leaves down his shirt.

 - "Ah!  Hyeong, that itches.  Help me get them out,” HyungJun wiggled and squirmed, but couldn't get all the leaves out.

 - "I'll help you, Oppa," Ilana giggled.  "You need to untuck your shirt more."  HyungJun had already removed his jacket.  Having loosed his shirt, Ilana lifted the back of the shirt and brusquely began dusting him off.  Once done she helped him put his jacket back on.

 - "Hurry up, you two!"  YoungSaeng had continued walking and was now half a block away.   KyuJong was nowhere to be seen.

 - "Princess, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"  They both looked in the direction of YoungSaeng.

 - "Deh, Oppa, I think I am," grabbing handfuls of leaves, they quickly walked towards YoungSaeng.  Everyone knew how much he hated getting his hair messed up.

 - "Saranghae, Oppa…”

 - “Saranghae, Hyeong," the mischievous pair yelled as they dumped their hoard of leaves on his head.

 - "Ilana, Maknae, wait till I get my hands on you!"  YoungSaeng shook himself off.

 - "Princess, run!"  HyungJun took off running.

 - "I'm giving you until the count of three before I grab you and tickle torture you." Ilana couldn't stop giggling even if she was being threatened.  "Hana...dol...set...," Ilana screamed and took off running. YoungSaeng laughed, he would take his time catching up to her.

Jihoo and Jaejoong had stayed late at the hospital and decided to have dinner together at a Korean Barbecue place in Koreatown.  This was their downtime; they could relax and not think about the hospital.  Today's topic was the arrival of Jaejoong's parents and the coming holidays.

 - "Is Harabeoji coming for Christmas?"  Jaejoong asked.

 - "He hasn't said, Jaejoong knows how he hates to leave the clinic."  He smiled at the thought of his aging but non-stopping grandfather.

 - "I think you've been replaced by Guam JanDi and her baby girl."

 - "Deh, but it doesn't keep him from bothering me about finding me a wife."  Jaejoong laughed at his friend.  "Just wait, Eommoni will be here soon and it will be your turn."

 - "Ani, no one will force me into marriage,” he spoke firmly and decidedly.  This was something he truly believed in.  “When I marry, it will be to a yeoja whom I love and respect for herself."  Jaejoong sighed, looking at his watch.  His mood had gone sour, wondering how he’d ever meet the woman that would cure him of his hidden loneliness.  "It's getting late, kaja, I'll drop you off."

The two doctors paid the check and within twenty minutes were in front of Jihoo's apartment building.  Jihoo waved goodbye to Jaejoong and turned to enter the building.  He spotted a familiar looking runner in the distance.  The street lights illuminated the sidewalk well and he could see his admin running from somewhere with a full smile on her face.  He watched as she looked back quickly but then continued running.

Ilana looked back and YoungSaeng had been delayed by cars turning into the parking garage.  The main entrance was in sight and thought for sure she could beat him upstairs.  She was tired but kept going, she would suffer the consequences and KyuJong’s scolding later.  Suddenly she hit the ground, painfully.  Without knowing exactly how she had gotten there, she lay sprawled out, too stunned to move.

 - "Ilana-ssi!"  Jihoo had seen Ilana crash to the ground only a few feet away from him.  "Ilana-ssi, gwenchana?"  Jihoo's voice pulled her out of her trance.  She tried to push herself up but was finding it difficult, she trembled and her legs didn’t want to cooperate.  He carefully helped her to sit.

 - "I'm okay, I-I think," she was conscious of some pain but tried to stand on her own, anyway.  Unable to stretch her right leg, she found it hurt to put any pressure on it at all and remained seated.

 - "How far can you stretch your leg out?"  Ilana had her leg slightly bent and tried to straighten it.  He could see she was in pain from the look on her face, even if she tried not to make a sound.

YoungSaeng finally got away from cars and people and came upon the scene.  "Ilana-yah!  Gwenchana?"  He saw her sitting on the ground and a man crouching by her.

 - "Don't push yourself," Jihoo grabbed her leg to keep her from moving.  She sighed in relief.  YoungSaeng was staring at Jihoo rather annoyed.

 - "Oppa, I fell like a dork," she tried to smile at him, but then winced in pain.  Jihoo had taken advantage of Ilana’s friend distracting her to try and speculate the extent of the injury.  YoungSaeng took her right hand and was alarmed to see it scraped and bloodied.

 - "What happened to your gloves?"

 - "I took them off when HyungJun Oppa and I attacked you?"  She said, offering a sweet smile in hopes he'd forgive her for dumping leaves all over his precious hair.

 - "I think her knee might be sprained," Jihoo thought now would be a good time to interrupt, startling the pair that had forgotten about him in their concern for each other.  "Ilana-ssi, I can look at it better in your apartment.  We should get you off the sidewalk."

 - "Kansamnida, that won't be necessary, our friend is a doctor and is waiting for us in Ilana's apartment."  Ilana thought YoungSaeng sounded angry but dismissed it as worry.  "Ilana, grab onto my neck and I’ll hoist you onto my back."  YoungSaeng crouched down in order for her grab hold of him.

  - "Oppa, just help me stand, I can walk."

  - "Ilana-ssi, you should listen to your Oppa, you couldn't stand on your own a minute ago, what makes you think you can now?  I'll help you so you don't put pressure on your injured leg."  Ilana sighed in defeat; YoungSaeng and Jihoo were not going to let her have her way.  She was completely and utterly embarrassed.  She thought Dr. Jihoo must have some sort of radar as to when and where she would disgrace herself next.  Jihoo smiled at the very evident pout on Ilana's face.  "Kajayo," he said once Ilana was secure on YoungSaeng's back.  "I'll hold the elevator for you.”

YoungSaeng really didn't want to accept the strangers help and especially seeing that he knew exactly what floor Ilana lived.  He put aside his pride for his Cinderella but it didn't mean he had to like it.

Ilana was still mentally kicking herself for this predicament she found herself in when she realized the elevator was unnervingly quiet.  Neither YoungSaeng nor Dr. Jihoo were talking but then she realized she hadn't introduced them.  "Oppa, this is Dr. Jihoo, I work as his admin at the hospital."

 - "Annyeong hasseyo, je ireumeun Uissa Yoon Jihoo imnida," he bowed.

 - "Je ireumeun Heo YoungSaeng imnida," YoungSaeng inclined his head.

They arrived at their floor and YoungSaeng realized Jihoo had followed them out.

 - "Uissa didn't have to go out of his way," YoungSaeng said.  Ilana noticed the strange tone of voice.

 - "Oppa, Dr. Jihoo lives three doors down from me."

 - "Ilana-ssi, this is your door.  Stay out of trouble and I'll see you Wednesday.  YoungSaeng-ssi, if you need anything I'm in J."

 - "Kansamnida, I don't think we'll need anything," YoungSaeng inclined her head.

 - "Thank you for your help," Ilana said, still embarrassed.

 - “Jaljayo,” Jihoo inclined his head and headed to his door. 

YoungSaeng opened the door and carried Ilana straight to her room with everyone following and asking questions all at once.  "KyuJong-ah, she fell and hurt herself," he placed her gently on her bed.

 - "Unnie, I'll help you out of those torn jeans and clean your scrapes.  Do you have a first aid kit?"

 - "Under the bathroom sink."

Suzy quickly set to work cleaning Ilana's wounded hands and knees.  Making Ilana wince from time to time.

 - "Omo, Unnie, your knee is already bruised.  Lean on me and put on these shorts." After a balancing act, Ilana managed to remove her jeans and put on the shorts Suzy had pulled out for her.

 - "I can't believe I fell, and of course Dr. Jihoo was right there,” Ilana said pulling a blanket over her.  Suzy laughed but then noticed the recently healed cut on Ilana's leg.

 - "Unnie, how did you cut yourself?  It looks like it just healed."

 - "I dropped a glass at the Halloween party and when it shattered, I got cut."

 - "A few weeks ago?"  Suzy immediately worried, now recalling she thought she had seen a bruise on Ilana's arm as well.  "I'll get KyuJong Oppa and make up an ice pack."

 - "We can't leave you alone for two seconds without you getting into trouble."  KyuJong teased Ilana as he approached the bed.

 - "Oppa don't make fun of me.  Ow!"  Ilana was caught off guard when KyuJong began to move her leg.

 - "I've measured your mobility, now I'm going to feel around."  He smiled at her.  "Saengie-yah!"  He hollered.  "Come hold your Cinderella's hand!"  YoungSaeng came into the room followed by everyone else.  Taking up his post, he tucked Ilana's head against his chest.  Ilana squirmed but refused to cry out until KyuJong found the same spot Jihoo had.  Ilana mewled into YoungSaeng's chest.  He held her tighter, knowing she was trying not to cry out.

  - "Arraso, it's sprained but I don't think it's a bad sprain.  Ilana-ssi should get it x-rayed tomorrow.   Hajiman that's not what worries me; it's how quickly it bruised."  KyuJong had finished his probing and was now wrapping her knee in a bandage.  "This will help keep the swelling down."

 - "Oppa, she has a cut that just healed after a month and I know I saw a few other bruises," Suzy spoke, earning Ilana's pleading eyes to keep quiet.  "Mianhaeyo, Unnie, it's for your own good."

 - "Ara," was all Ilana was able to say.

 - "We'll get your blood work done tomorrow as well.  Now, take the Motrin to help the swelling and pain so you can sleep."

Ilana gave him a mutinous look.  "Shiro, I'll be fine."

 - "Unnie, there's no use protesting, you know you won't win."  Suzy placed several cushions under her knee and an ice pack on top, making Ilana jump as the cold came in contact with her skin.

 - "I brought you some tea, Princess; this should warm you up."

 - "Gomawo, Oppa," Ilana took a sip of the hot tea.

 - "I thought the chamomile would help you relax.  I did see a jar of citron tea in the pantry.  When did you get that?"  HyungJun asked, curious.  Citron tea was a staple in every Korean home, but Ilana was not Korean.

 - "Dr. Jihoo gave it to me when I had a migraine.  It worked really well in helping get rid of the headache."

 - "Of course, you westerners don't know much about natural medicine."  KyuJong winked at her.

 - "Yah, Nana knows a lot about herbal remedies."  Ilana defended herself.  The tea was helping relax her and the ice pack helped with the ache in her knee.

 - "Unnie, Dr. Jihoo is the one that looks like Kim HyunJoong Oppa, maja?"

 - "Deh, although after working with him for the last few months, I’ve become immune to it."

 - "Wait!  KyuJong and I met him yesterday morning, didn't we?"  HyungJun said excitedly.

 - "Deh, we met him on our way to the elevator.  He seems like a good person."  KyuJong felt he could rest assured; Ilana had another Oppa watching over her.  He noticed YoungSaeng's face was not pleased with this news but if she wasn't going to reach out to people, at least they would reach out to her.

 - "Deh, he's very kind and being his admin has been a huge undertaking.  It keeps me busy and I like that."

 - "Is that why you had a migraine?  You get too busy and "forget" to eat?"  YoungSaeng used air quotes, making Ilana laugh.

 - "Mollah?"  Ilana found it best to plead ignorance.

Ilana looked around, they were all in her room, on the bed or on the chest she had at the foot of the bed.  They were joking, arguing and just being silly.  It felt like she was back on the ship, safe and secure amongst her little family.  But there were good people in New York as well.  Unnie, Abigaíl, her family, even Dr. Jihoo, and Dr. Jaejoong.  Yes, she thought, she could be happy here.  Even if she missed her friends and Nana.

 - "It looks like the Motrin is kicking in," Ilana was getting drowsy.  KyuJong removed the ice from her knee.  "Get some rest Ilana-ssi, you are my prisoner tomorrow.  I know you can't run away."  KyuJong gave her an evil laugh.

 - "Pabo," Ilana threw her teddy bear at him.

 - "Komapta, Ilana-ssi.  He'll keep me company tonight."

 - "Yah!  I gave that to Princess," KyuJong tossed the bear back on the bed and grabbed Maknae by the neck giving him a playful punch in the stomach.

Everyone had said their goodnights and left.  Only YoungSaeng had stayed behind.

 - "Carrying you to bed is becoming a habit," YoungSaeng said.

 - "Mworago?"

 - "I carried you to bed on Saturday. You were sound asleep."

 - "Andwae!"  YoungSaeng admired the adorable shade of pink on her face.

 - "Suzy took your jacket and sweater off and we tucked you in, all without you even batting an eyelash."

 - "Omo!  You should've woken me up!"  Ilana whined and he just laughed at her.  "I wondered why I didn't wake up in pajamas."  She gave him a playful smack on the leg.  She was still leaning up against him, so she couldn't hit his shoulder.

 - "What if Oppa moves to New York?"

 - "Mmm, that would be nice; don't tease."

 - "Anieyo, we can be roommates and Oppa will carry you to bed every day."

 - "Ha!  Kike would have something to say about that."

YoungSaeng laughed then sighed.  "I guess I'll have to wait until I serve my military duty and then I'll ask him officially for your hand.  Although, he's already unofficially given it to me."

 - "Oppa...," she said softly, furrowing her brows in concern.

 - "Ara, Ara, I can wait."  He got up, plumped her pillows and made sure she was comfortable.  "Jal-ja, get some rest, you're going to have a tiring day tomorrow."  He kissed her forehead and walked out of her room.

Ilana sighed, she was dreading tomorrow.  Between the lab visit and her friends leaving she hoped tomorrow didn’t come too soon.

I would've deleted the hospital scene, but it didn't really make a difference.  So I left it in.  I borrowed the fall from my own experience.  Unfortunately, there wasn't a handsome Kim HyunJoong or Heo YoungSaeng to help me.  See ya!