Ryker watched him go, and shook his head slightly.

"Perhaps I should invest in a home connection and an actual computer here." he muttered.

"See you later!" he called back to Eke.

He then looked at the clock, and bit his lip slightly.

"All right, time to earn a day's pay, I suppose." he mumbled, getting ready and writing a quick note for Eke, placing some money on the paper, and then heading out the door.

As he did so, he placed an order for a meat-lover's pizza to be delivered at noon, so Eke would have lunch delivered right to him.

I miss you, too. Aly responded a few seconds later.

How have things been? she then sent.

Is the tea working? she asked further.

There was then a break in the texts, obviously her pausing to let Eke answer.

There was silence on the other side for a moment, before Aly responded.

A day nurse? she sent.

I know I said I want to sing for a living, but I'm actually studying to be a nurse for a more stable form of income in my future. she then sent to him.

It's how I knew the tea might help. the texts continued.

I can help with nursing duties if you like. she offered.

Or I can more properly when I actually get certified. For now, I would be unofficial, I suppose.

I have. Aly responded.

Or, rather, I've dealt with things very similar to it. she then sent.

Truth be told, I've started reading up on, and studying Ingeir's since you mentioned it. she told him.

I feel reasonably confident in dealing with whatever it throws.

Well, hopefully you'll have time to interview ME as well. ;) Aly sent back to him.

However, after a few hours of silence, she sent another text.

Eke? Everything all right? she asked.

If you don't respond in the next 10 minutes, I'm going to call you. she then sent further.

And, sure enough, after 10 minutes had passed, his phone rang.

"Oh, Eke, thank goodness." Aly replied.

"I was worried when you stopped answering my texts." she said.

"....perhaps I was panicking a little, though. But I couldn't help but wonder about you."' she went on.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

"...oh! Did I wake you up!?" she then asked guiltily.

"Oh, I'll understand if you don't want to have me do it, seeing as I'm not certified yet." Aly responded.

"But if you want an option that won't be so expensive, let me know. I won't ask to be paid." she went on.

"...it'd be nice for us to spend more time together, even if it's just me helping you with your condition." she then said further.

"I'm not saying I'd be a replacement, I'm just saying I could lighten the financial burden of it all." she finished.

"At any rate, I'll talk to you later, Eke." she then finished.

"Eke! I'm back!" Ryker called into the house.

"Ugh." he then muttered, sitting down at the table and putting a paper bag onto it... one that sounded like it had a glass bottle.

He then sighed as he wondered if Eke would react badly to it... even though it wasn't what it seemed.

"...is he even awake?" he wondered, looking around.

"Eh, if he's asleep, I'll let him sleep."

Ryker was silent for a moment, and sighed.

"Well... first of all, sounds like a good idea with Aly." he told him.

"I hope that all works out." he said.

"Secondly, there's alcohol in the bag." he admitted.

"But! It's coolers. Like, the kind of drinks that have alcohol IN them, but it's nearly impossible to actually get drunk or anything off of them." he explained.

"They taste good." he finished with a shrug.

Ryker was silent, before sighing and looking at the bag. He then got up and slowly made his way to Eke's bedroom, knocking on the door lightly.

"Hey, Eke?" he said through it.

"I know you might be too old for this, but I thought I would offer it, anyway." he went on, pausing for a moment.

"But if you want someone there for you, to help you get to sleep, I can come in and lay down." he offered.

"You know, like what used to happen." he added with a subtle warm smile.