Heartless

Chapter 3

Nathalie blinks and turns around to see Gabriel drawing on his tablet in her bed next to her.

"EEP!" Nathalie yelps, sitting up quickly enough to make her dizzy. Gabriel looks at her with a small smile. "What uhm...what are you doing here?"

Gabriel smirks. "Well, someone didn't want me to leave." Nathalie blinks.

                                                            ~4 hours earlier~

Gabriel nudges the blankets on Nathalies bed back and lays her down and takes off her shoes, then pulls the blanket over her.  Gabriel takes her glasses off and sets them down on her nightstand, and starts to walk away when he feels Nathalie grab onto his sleeve.  Gabriel looks back at her.

"nmmmm...stay..."  Nathalie mumbles, looking up at him with tired eyes.

"Just let me just grab my tablet, dear."  He replies softly, and he feels Nathalies grip loosen and he walks to get his tablet.

                                                             ~Current time~

"I-I'm sorry!  You didn't have to stay though, you could have gone, and you have work to do."  Nathalie says.  "I wasn't thinking right and-"

Gabriel cuts her off, "Think nothing of it, My Peahen."  Nathalie opens her mouth to say something but closes it.  Gabriel smiles.  "Feeling better?"

Nathalie crosses her arms and looks away from him.  "Hmph."  Gabriel smiles at his adorable assistant.

"I'll take that as a yes."  Gabriel says.  He sees Nathalies cheeks turn pink out of frustration and embarrassment and he smiles.  "Adrien was worried about you.  He wants us both to eat dinner with him."

Nathalie relaxes and looks up at him.  "What did you say?"

"I told him it depended on how you were feeling."  Gabriel responds.  Nathalie looks down at her lap.

"He shouldn't miss out on seeing you because of me..."

Gabriel puts his hand on top of hers, causing her to look up at him.  "And he shouldn't miss out on seeing you because of the miraculous."  Gabriel stares into her beautiful blue eyes.  "He cares about you, Nathalie.  A lot."  Nathalies mouth opens a bit.  "We both do."

"I- uhm....I care about you both, too..."  Nathalie says with a loss of words.

Gabriel smiles.  "Well, are you hungry?"

Nathalies soul returns to her body.  "A bit, yes."

"Well, then let's go get Adrien."  Gabriel says and stands up, then looks back at Nathalie as she slips her heels on.  "Do you need any help?"  Nathalie stand up and shakes her head no as she walks over to him.  "See, that's what happens when you rest when you need it."  Gabriel teases.

Nathalie looks up at him.  "Permission to speak freely?"  Gabriel nods.  "Shut up."

Gabriel stops as Nathalie keeps walking with a grin on her face.  Gabriel jogs to catch up with her.  "You're only saying that because I'm right."  Nathalie looks up at him and smirks.

"Maybe."  Nathalie knocks on Adriens door.

Adrien opens the door.  "Yes?"  The boy answers with a smile.

"Ready for dinner, Adrien?"  Nathalie says.

Adriens face lights up.  "YEAH!"  He shouts.

Nathalie winces a bit but smiles.  "Let's go then."  Adrien runs out the door and down the stairs to the dining room and Nathalie begins to follow.  Gabriel grabs her hand, stopping her in her tracks.

"Are you sure you're well enough?"  Gabriel asks her, concern flooding every bone and cell in his body.

Nathalie smiles gently up at him.  "Yes, Gabriel.  Besides, it's just dinner, and I rested for a few hours, I'm fine."  She says as she begins to slightly drag him down the stairs, not letting go of his hand until she opens the door.