"Well it's home time son" as Isshin entered the room to find Ichigo by the bay window looking out onto the Harbor

"Yes, I need to get out of here" as he got up slowly

"Still sore" as he helped him up

"Yeah, the doctor said the oxygen and the medication dried me out, so I need to stay hydrated" as he got his coat and sat in the wheelchair to the car.

"Orihime, more margaritas" as Yachiru came in with the empty jug as Rukia followed

"Hime, can we talk" Rukia asked

"Um sure, let's go into my room" as the two walked down to her bedroom and Rukia sat on the bed "So what's up" as she fixed her bikini top

"Renji called to tell me, Ichigo is home" as she looked at her friend "I know you are still angry with him but this isn't all his fault you guys are the way you are" as Orihime sighed.

"What, how could you say that Rukia? You were there" as she started to pace

"Yes I was, but he called you, even though you didn't answer he called you. I don't mind if you guys don't get back together, but Hime this anger is eating away at you and you are too good a person for that to happen"

"Look Rukia, I know everything is my fault. It's my fault I lost the baby, my fault we broke up, my fault I am angry all the time. Do you know how exhausting it is to wake up every morning and go to work, see the same people, do the same things smile and be happy and then come home to an empty house, and go to sleep in an empty bed knowing that tomorrow you have to wake up and do it all over again" as she wiped the tears from her face "I can't even go into my guest room anymore because it is filled with baby stuff"

"I am sorry Hime, I am so sorry" as Rukia got up and hugged her "You know what, I am here, I will always be here no matter what" as she wiped away the tears on her friends face "Now you are going to clean up and come back out to the party"

"Actually I am going to see Ichigo, you are right I need to get this over with" as she put a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt on the bed and changed

"You are going now?"

"Yes I will be back as quick as I can" when she opened the door Ichigo stood there holding his helmet trying to stand

"Hi Hime, I just had to see you" as she helped him in and on to the couch

"Ichigo, what are you doing here? You are suppose to be home resting"

"I know but you wouldn't come to see me so, I came to see you. God it is really hot in here" as Orihime touched his forehead he was burning up, while he took off his jacket

"Rukia, Rukia" as she went out on the patio "It's Ichigo"

"What, is he okay?" as she tried to keep up with Orihime "Can you slow down, Pregnant lady here"

"Look" as Orihime pointed to the couch where Ichigo was sitting "He is burning up"

"Can you get him to your room" as the rest of the party goers filtered in to the room. Orihime tried to lift him but that was futile

"Here I will help you take that side I will take this side. On three we run for your room" as Orihime got a grip on Ichigo's waist "One, two, three" as they headed through the living and dining room and down the corridor to her room.

Orihime kicked open the door and helped Rangiku put him on the bed "Okay there we go"

"Rangiku can you go to my car and get my bag" as she started to take off Ichigo's shoes and socks "Hime can you help me get off his shirt"

"Sure" as they lifted him up "God he is really heavy"

"Good" as Rukia put the shirt over a chair near by "Okay I need a washcloth and some cold water"

"I can do that" as Yachiru disappeared and can back shortly "Here you go. Is he going to be okay?"

"If I can get his body temp down, so he won't go into shock yes" as she looked over at Orihime who in turn was staring at Ichigo as she laid the cold washcloth on his forehead "Can you guys give us some space" as Rukia looked over to the ladies crowding at the door

"Alrighty then, you heard the lady" as Rangiku put Rukia's bag in the chair and shooed everyone from the door closing it behind her.

"Hime he is going to be fine. Can you get a blanket for me and my digital thermometer out of my bag"

"Um sure" as she rumaged through Rukia's bag and handed over the thermometer then took a blanket from the chest at the bottom of her bed "here you go"

"Just spread it across him. I have to change the water"

"No you stay, I will change it you are more of a help to him" as she took the bowl from Rukia and headed to the kitchen.

"Hi girly how is he doing?" as Orihime came out and found Rangiku cleaning up

"Where is everyone?" as she saw the empty house

"I sent them home, you can put the bowl in the sink"

"Um no, Rukia sent me out here to change the water" as she opened the fridge and stood there staring.

"ORIHIME" as she jumped out of her daze

"What" as she took the bottle out of the fridge and poured it into the bowl

"He is going to be fine Hime" as Rangiku stood next to her "Look you take a sit for a minute and I will carry this to Rukia, Okay"

"Yeah sure" as she sat at her dining room table with thoughts racing through her mind.

An hour later Rangiku had cleaned up the kitchen and the patio. "Okay here we go" as she came over to the couch where Orihime had moved over to after pacing. Rangiku handed Orihime a cup of tea as she sipped on her cocoa "This should settle your nerves"

"Thanks" as Orihime took the cup from her "How can you do it Ran?"

"Do what?" as she pulled on her hoodie

"How do you stay so calm, Gin is a Detective with the police force and you are as cool as a cucumber"

"You really want to know the secret?" as Orihime nodded "There is none! I just hold my breathe until he comes home. If I jumped every time the phone ringed or every time an officer came into the shop with a serious look on his face I would be a ball of nerves" as she took Orihime's hand "Look he will be fine, just breathe and let go"

"Okay" as Rukia came in the room "He is sleeping, I called his dad to let him know where he is so you can get some rest"

"I will. Thanks you guys" as she walked them out "Goodnight get home safely, message me when you get home"

"We will" as Rangiku waved goodbye.

Orihime locked the door and headed to her room. When she came in Ichigo was still asleep so she took off her jeans and laid next to him watching as he slept she leaned over to touch his forehead which felt alot cooler than earlier as she lifted her hand away and pulled the blanket up over his chest.

As she tried to get some sleep it was hard pressed every time he coughed or shifted she woke up until around 2 when she fell asleep.

The sun streamed in across the couple as they slept. Ichigo opened his eyes when he felt the warmth on his face only to see a sleeping Orihime next to him. As he shifted to sit up she awoke. "Ichigo?" as she sat up to rub her eye "Are you okay?"

"Yes. What happened?" as she got up to put on her jeans

"Good. What were you thinking? Idiot! You could have hurt yourself"

"I know but I wanted to see you" as he tried to stand

"Still that is no reason to do what you did. Do you know how reckless that is?"

He stood up and walked over to her "I am sorry Orihime, but I really wanted to see you" as she started to feel the tears well up in her eyes.

"Do you understand that this is not a game Ichigo" as the tears started to flow "Are you that selfish?" as she turned away from him

"I am sorry Orihime, please don't cry" as he turned her to face him "I am fine" as he embraced her and kissed her head.

At that moment Orihime recognized she felt safe. Being there felt right and she knew that he was genuinely sorry.