Her words struck Joshua like a tidal wave, stirring a fierce current within his chest.


    Ste walked over to the window and opened it, letting in the crisp morning air. She turned back and offered him a small smile. "If every action has to be weighed for its pros and cons, if you can never live spontaneously, what''s the point of living at all?"


    His pupils reflected her image. The soft morning light streamed through the clean ss, enveloping her in a golden halo, making it seem as if she had stepped directly out of the sun. Yearster, he would still remember this morning.


    *Someone I care about...*


    Had he be someone she cared about?


    Despite his words of caution, he couldn''t deny the strange sense of satisfaction settling in his chest.


    Noticing the soup had cooled enough, Ste said, "You should eat something. Mr. Burton said you can have soft foods now."


    The aroma of the soup filled the room, aforting scent distinct from typical hospital food.


    "It''s okay," Joshua said. "I''ll just have some water."


    Ste looked at him, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Is it not to your liking? If there''s a restaurant you prefer, I can go buy something for you."


    "No, I love the things you cook," he rified. "It''s just that... in my current state, I don''t think I can manage it."


    He was still incredibly weak, struggling even to sit up, let alone feed himself.


    "It''s alright," Ste said gently. "I can feed you."


    Joshua''s longshes fluttered. "You''ll... feed me?"


    He had been hospitalized before, and while Ste had helped him drink water a few times, she had never fed him a meal. And even with wate she used a sippy cup with a weighted straw so he could drink while lying down. Feeding him was a far more intimate gesture. In the past, when he couldn''t manage on his own, a nurse or Harold would have done it.


    For Ste to offer it herself...


    Joshua''s breath hitched. He forgot even a token protest. "...Thank you."


    "You were injured saving Keen and me," Ste said. "This is the least I can do."


    The mention of the incident prompted a question. "Did you ever feed Haynes O''Brien?"


    "No," Ste replied. "He''s always been healthy. He never got sick enough to need my care."


    Outside the door, Haynes, who had been about to knock, froze.


    *So, he thought bitterly, *being healthy was a mistake?*


    Keen''s voice had recovered, and Haynes hade to tell Ste the good news. He had called ahead to get her permission and had


    undergone a rigorous security check before being allowed into the hospital. The


    hought of Ste caring so deeply for another man left a sour taste in his mouth. He knew she had already ssified Joshua as one of her own-so much so that she was willing to burn bridges with the Williams family for him. Haynes couldn''t quite decipher the nature of her feelings for Joshua.


    He knocked softly. Ste''s familiar voice came from within. "Come in."


    As he entered the room, the first thing he saw was Ste spoon in hand, feeding Joshua. The sight was like a physical blow, stinging his eyes.


    IMS


    Joshua turned his head slightly. Seeing Haynes''s grim expression, a faint, triumphant smirk yed on his lips.


    "Mr. O''Brien. What brings you here?"


    Haynes knew Joshua had saved Ste and Keen, but he couldn''t bring himself to


    like the man.