Kenny guided Dawn to the examination table, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced with serious determination. He gently pushed her down to sit, his hands firm but careful.

"Dawn, what were you thinking? You could’ve gotten seriously sick out there!" Kenny scolded, grabbing his stethoscope.

"I’m f...fine," Dawn stammered, though her shivering frame and red nose betrayed her words. "I just w...wanted to make sure you had your f...food."

Kenny sighed deeply, pressing the cold metal of the stethoscope to her chest. "Deep breaths, Dee Dee. In and out."

Dawn tried her best, but her breaths came out uneven and shaky. Kenny frowned as he listened, his brows knitting together in concern.

"Your breathing’s a little off," he muttered, moving the stethoscope to her back. "Have you been outside for long?"

"J...just a little," Dawn replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kenny didn’t look convinced. "Stay still," he said, grabbing a thermometer from the tray. He placed it under her tongue and crossed his arms, waiting for it to beep.

Dawn squirmed under his scrutinizing gaze. "Kenny, you’re overreacting. I’m—"

"Don’t talk," he cut her off, his tone sharper than usual.

When the thermometer beeped, Kenny pulled it out and glanced at the reading. His frown deepened. "101 degrees. Dawn, you’re running a fever."

"It’s nothing," Dawn said, waving a hand dismissively.

"Nothing?" Kenny raised an eyebrow, setting the thermometer aside. "You’re shivering, burning up, and your breathing’s strained. That’s not ‘nothing,’ Dee Dee."

Dawn pouted, her cheeks flushing—not just from the fever, but from Kenny’s intensity. "I just wanted to do something nice for you..."

Kenny’s expression softened, and he crouched down in front of her, taking her cold hands in his. "I appreciate it, Dawn. I really do. But your health is more important to me than any meal. You’ve got to take care of yourself first, okay?"

Dawn’s lower lip trembled, and she nodded reluctantly.

"Good," Kenny said, standing up. He grabbed a blanket from a nearby shelf and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Now, you’re staying here until you warm up. No arguments."

"But what about your work?" Dawn asked, her voice small.

Kenny smirked, pulling up a stool to sit beside her. "Don’t worry about me. You’re my patient now, Dee Dee. And trust me, I don’t take breaks when it comes to you."

The receptionist peeked into the room, smiling knowingly at the scene. It was no secret to anyone in the clinic that Kenny had a soft spot for Dawn. His usually playful demeanor transformed into unwavering focus whenever she was around.

As Kenny handed Dawn a cup of warm tea he’d snagged from the employee room, he added with a wink, "And after this, I’m walking you home. No way you’re heading back out in that storm alone."

Dawn managed a small smile, her heart fluttering despite her fever. "Thanks, Kenny. You’re the best."

"I know," Kenny teased, his tone light but his eyes full of care.