Fluttershy and I sat side by side in the waiting room of the vet clinic, alone. It was simply decorated, with advertisements for the clinic and reminders about immunization and rabies jabs for dogs. There were a couple of pictures on the walls and some vending machines by the door, but the room was pretty bleak.

We'd been sitting there for about fifteen minutes while the vet looked over Mits in an examination room. Fluttershy was, as usual, being quiet, and I wasn't particularly chatty either. The trip to the clinic seemed to have taken barely any time at all, but now that we were here, waiting for the vet to come back, time had seemed to slow down. Plenty of time for my thoughts to make me feel even guiltier about Mits. My reasoning: this was my fault. If I hadn't have left that window open, Mits wouldn't have gotten out, she wouldn't have met that fox and I wouldn't be sitting with Fluttershy in a veterinary hospital waiting to see if she was okay.

I heard a growling noise. At first I thought it was one of the animals somewhere in the building, but then it came again, louder. I looked to the side; it was Fluttershy's stomach. Neither of us had had any breakfast, but at least I had had some soup last night. The last time she had eaten was at the party. It took about half a second for me to think of something.

"Be right back." I said to her simply. I stood up and walked over the vending machines. One of them had a rotating core, the sort with the little plastic doors that you slide open to get the food. Looking through the selection, there were a couple of vegetarian sandwiches I could buy, and I settled on a simple cucumber one. While I slotted the money into the machine, I looked at the machine next to it, full of drinks. After retrieving the sandwich, I slotted what change I had left into the second machine and selected a bottle of water. It dropped to the bottom with a bump, and I grabbed it and walked back over to Fluttershy. She was looking at me questioningly.

"Got you a sandwich. You sounded hungry." I explained, holding it up. "And a drink, if you're thirsty."

She smiled warmly as she took it from me and tried to open the plastic container. "Thank you Jamie."

"It's no problem." I smiled back, sniffling. I turned forward again as Fluttershy tucked into her food and tried to suppress a sneeze. Bloody cold.

After a few minutes I turned back to her. She had finished the sandwich and she was looking down, fiddling with the sandwich box. Her hair was covering most of her face, but I could just make out an expression of worry and concern for Mits' well-being.

I reached across the arm rest and laid a hand on hers thankfully.

"Thank you Fluttershy. For helping with Mits." I said quietly.

Her hand shied away slightly, but she didn't try to take it away. She looked up slightly and turned to face me, and smiled one of the smallest smiles I'd ever seen. "Oh, I didn't do much." She tried to disagree modestly.

I shook my head. "That's rubbish, Shy, and you know it. I'd have been lost without you. We both know that." I added, trying to cheer her – well, both of us up. I squeezed her hand slightly, and she smiled a little more at the action.

There was silence for a few seconds, before I asked another question.

"Do you think she'll be alright?"

Fluttershy's smile faltered, and she went back to staring at the floor.

Not really the best answer.

I looked forward again, searching for something to distract myself from thinking about Mits. I randomly picked up a two-day old newspaper from the table in front of us and skimmed through the first few pages. An article on a road accident on the A46 near North Hykeham, another about Malian rebels and Algerian hostages, and one about a riot in the slums around Rio de Janeiro.

I quietly placed the paper back down, not wanting Fluttershy to see.

"I think so." Fluttershy said quietly, looking up again.

"Hmm?" I mumbled, turning to her.

She turned to look at me, genuine hope in her eyes. "I think Mits will be okay. I don't think she lost too much blood, and she's a strong cat." Now it was Fluttershy's turn to lay her hand on mine, comfortingly.

I nodded, and turned away to think about it. Mits was indeed a tough cat, no denying it. And she was healthy and well before this. Surely she'd be able to pull through.

Apparently we would find out, as the vet walked through a second later.

"It's good news. None of the lacerations are life-threatening, though she lost a worrying amount of blood. One of the bites needed a few stitches, but most have scabbed over, and look clean. However, due to the circumstances she got the wounds in, and just by the sheer number of them, there's a good chance of infection. She's a healthy animal, but after the blood loss it will be hard for her to fight an illness, especially in her current state. We'll keep her here for a few days and watch for signs of infection."

I nodded. "And if she does get ill?"

"Well, with her body trying to recuperate after the wounds it sustained it'll have trouble fighting off an infection at the same time, like I said, but she's healthy and we have a full range of anti-biotics available. And according to her paperwork, you've kept her up to date with her jabs." He leant forward and lowered his voice. "Now, legally I'm not allowed to say this, but I have strong hopes she'll pull through. Don't tell anyone I said that, though, or I'll be for it." He smiled reassuringly.

I nodded again, smiling appreciatively. I was still worried about her, but my mind was settling slightly now I finally had a clear idea of Mits' condition.

"Would you like to come in and see her?" the vet asked.

Both Fluttershy and I nodded eagerly. We stood up and I took the sandwich box from her and tossed it in a bin as we walked into the vet's office. There was no sign of Mits, but he led us through another door into a larger room with metal tables and all manner of medical items. It felt very sterile, so much I felt dirty just for being in there. I shivered.

The vet led us over to a table off to the right. Mits was lying there, almost all of her fur shaved or cut off. Another vet with a face mask was rubbing her cuts with a swab, occasionally dipping it in a bottle of medical disinfectant. She looked up and acknowledged us with a nod before going back to work. Mits herself was asleep. Or knocked out. I couldn't tell.

"We're cleaning the lacerations with disinfectant before we apply the bandages to minimize the chance of infection. We'll keep her in a sterile kennel for the next few days and monitor her."

I nodded silently. Seeing Mits in this state still broke my heart, but the professional atmosphere and advice was reassuring. I glanced at Fluttershy without turning my head, trying to gauge her reaction. She looked impressed with the clinic, and concerned about Mits, in equal measures.

After a few more seconds looking her over I decided to leave. It was painful to see her like this and standing around feeling sorry wasn't doing anyone any good.

"Thank you, Doctor." I said.

"It's no problem. We'll contact you on the number you provided with the insurance details in a few days with an update on her condition. If she dodges an infection, she should be able to come home by the end of the week."

I smiled at the thought, and nodded again.

"Do you want me to lead you out?" the vet asked.

"No, it's alright. I'll leave you to your job. Thank you, again." I said. "And when she gets better, be careful. She's very feisty." I added. Mits had already got herself banned from another vet clinic.

The vet smiled understandingly. "It shouldn't be a problem. We've dealt with animals like that before."

I nodded and looked at Mits again for a few seconds. It was reassuring seeing her in trained hands, but still...

I turned slowly and headed towards the door we had come in. We walked in silence through the vet's office and into the lobby. I grabbed my bag from the seat and Fluttershy's water bottle which had been left untouched. The receptionist was talking on the phone, so I simply raised a hand as we walked out the door. She nodded and went back to concentrating on the phone.

I stopped and looked back to Fluttershy. "Are you okay Shy?" I asked.

She nodded. "I'm still a little hungry, but the sandwich was nice. Thank you." She smiled for a second, then looked down. "And I'm still worried about Mits." She added quietly

I smiled back gently and rubbed her arm. "Me too, but I'm sure she'll be okay. Now, let's get back to the flat, and I can make some proper breakfast, instead of a cucumber sandwich."

She nodded. "That sounds nice."

Three quarters of an later and we were back to the flat. The bike ride from the flat to the vets had only taken a quarter of an hour, at a guess, but halfway back I realised I was out of anything both edible and appetising – come on, cereal isn't all that great – so a quick-ish stop at a petrol station to refill the bike's petrol tank and a trip to Tesco Express allowed me a few simple things, like bread, butter and eggs. That was the limit of my shop though, thanks to the size of my bag, but at least it would be enough for a semi-proper breakfast.

As I cleaned the kitchen I had the radio turned on, tuned into the Chris Moyle's Show, while Fluttershy was sitting watching TV again. I felt pangs of guilt when I scrubbed off the drops of blood from the tablecloth and replaced it. I tried to push the thoughts out of my mind. Mits would be fine. She was healthy, and had all the medicine she could ever need.

I looked up at Fluttershy as a squeezed the cloth over the sink to get rid of the excess water. I felt bad just leaving her to entertain herself like this, but at the same time I couldn't think of anything for her to do in the meantime.

A few minutes later and the kitchen was clean. I looked over the ingredients assembled in front of me: butter, eggs, bread, milk, a single tomato and probably enough mix for a single pancake. Thinking it over, I could make a mini English breakfast. With a pancake. Delicious.

Ten minutes later Fluttershy stepped in to see the progress. I was switching between the two pans of eggs and the pan of baked beans on the oven, and making sure the toast didn't burn.

"Would you like some help?" Fluttershy asked.

"Uh, no, I'm okay thanks." I smiled. "It's almost ready, though. Have you ever tried eggs?"

She shook her head. "Pinkie and the Cakes use them in baking, but we don't eat them... directly."

I nodded. "Want some now? They're vegetarian friendly."

She pondered this for a second, then nodded. "Yes please."

"Okie dokie. Should be ready in a few minutes. Oh, if you still want to help, I could use a hand setting the table." I said, nodding my head towards the cupboard by the door as the toast popped up.

Fluttershy nodded eagerly and quickly got a couple of plates out, followed by two knives, forks and spoons.

"Pass me the plates Shy." I asked quickly, seeing the eggs start to brown around the edges. She did, and I scooped two eggs onto each plate, cutting both slices of toast into two triangles and adding them to the plates. Then a few spoonfuls of beans and finally the tomato, cut in half and going to each plate evenly.

By the time this was done, Fluttershy had straightened out the tablecloth and set the cutlery so that one set was to the right of the other, instead of across the table. I brought the two plates across and set them down on the table, along with the miniature tub of butter for spreading on the toast, and wondered what I was forgetting. Drinks! Of course.

"What do you want to drink Shy?" I asked her, opening the fridge. "I'm getting myself some orange juice. Do you want any?"

"Yes please." I heard her reply. I quickly poured two glasses, then brought them over to the table.

"Let's eat." I said, smiling and sitting down. Fluttershy nodded and picked up the knife and fork. I noticed how easily she handled them. She was getting used to human hands it seemed.

I started cutting up one of the eggs and noticed Fluttershy watching how to do it. She mimicked my cutting motion, and scooped a bit up with her fork. She chewed quietly, judging the food. She nodded and hmm-ed contently.

"Like the eggs?" I asked. She nodded. "This is an English breakfast. Well, most of one anyway." I added, cutting up a slice of toast and dipping it in the beans.

Fluttershy swallowed her food and smiled wide and happily. "I think it's very nice. Thank you for making it for me Jamie."

"No problem Shy. Feel free to help yourself to some butter for your toast if you want some." I smiled, gesturing towards it with my fork but not taking any.

She nodded, still smiling at me, then went back to her food. I did the same.

After a few more minutes of silence, bar the radio talk and occasional music, Fluttershy spoke up again.

"Jamie?" she began hesitantly.

"Yeah Shy?" I asked, putting my last bit of egg on some toast and eating while I waited for her to continue.

"Well, do you think, if you don't mind, that is, well… why did you, start dating Jas?" she asked.

I stopped chewing for a second, then carried on and thought as I ate.

"Oh, if you don't want to tell me, it's oka-" I cut her off by raising my hand. A few seconds later, I swallowed my food and spoke.

"No, it's okay. Well, I met her when one of my friends was getting married some time back. She was kind, gentle natured I suppose. She's pretty, as well. And she liked the same books I did."

"Like what?" Fluttershy pushed.

"Well, romance. Action. Sometimes fantasy." I shrugged to myself. "But we just seemed to… I don't know." I meshed my fingers together. "We got on well together. Oh well, it's over now." I shrugged, going back to my food.

Fluttershy did the same, looking thoughtful.

I finished my food first, while Fluttershy still had half her meal to go through. Even though she must have been hungry, she still ate with care and grace. I washed up another plate and pan quickly, then grabbed the pancake mix and set about making what I could while Fluttershy finished, use what was left in the box.

By the time Fluttershy had finished her food, the pancake was almost done. As she brought over her plate I showed her the pan.

"Just making a pancake for you Fluttershy. Still hungry?" I asked.

Fluttershy smiled warmly. "Well, I am a little bit. But don't you want one?"

I shook my head. "Nah, it's fine. You made me that soup last night. It's the least I could do." I told her as I turned off the oven and tipped the pan so the pancake slid onto the plate.

Fluttershy smiled more as she took the plate with the pancake, and walked back over to the table. She sat down and, picking up a knife, cut the pancake in half.

"You can have half too, Jamie."

I smiled at the selfless act. "Thanks Fluttershy." I said, walking over and joining her at the table. The plate was halfway between us, and as we started eating I couldn't help but be reminded of that scene from Lady and the Tramp, when the dogs eat the spaghetti and kiss. I chuckled inwardly at the thought.

"So, Fluttershy." I said, eating a morsel of pancake. "Is there anything you want to do today? You must be getting bored of just watching the telly."

Fluttershy kept chewing as she thought this over. "Well, there is one thing." She began when she'd swallowed.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Do you think, maybe we could, go back to the woods? Where you found me?"

I mulled over this. "Why?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"I don't really know." Fluttershy admitted. "It… I just want to see it again." She said.

I nodded. "Sure, I can do that. We'll go as soon as we've finished."

Fluttershy smiled for the millionth time. It was a nice sight. "Thank you Jamie."

"No problem." I grinned back,

TRANSLATIONS:

Petrol Station – Gas station

Tesco Express – Tesco is a big shop, like Walmart, but mainly focusing around food and stuff. The Express version is a smaller shop, a convenience store if you will. As opposed to Tesco Extra which is a massive two storey shop. With escalators :D