Denny was one of those patients who made working in the hospital seem like a completely different experience. Despite the severe heart failure that everyone treated as a death sentence, he could brighten the day of anyone who walked in the door of his room.

He was charming, funny, and his smile that wide, disarming smile with dimples could make you forget, if only for a moment, that he was fighting for his life.

You were an intern, and today's shift meant one thing taking care of Denny. You mentally rolled your eyes, knowing that this meant not only checking his parameters, but also a whole range of sarcastic remarks, witty comments, and attempts at flirtation that were meant to throw you off balance.

You entered the room not expecting anything out of the ordinary but of course Denny had to think of something. He was lying still, his breathing even, his face completely relaxed. He was asleep.

Or at least that's what it looked like. You reached for the stethoscope, approaching him to check his heart, when suddenly..

"Hey.."

His quiet, slightly hoarse voice almost made you jump. Denny opened his eyes, smiling widely, with that glint in his gaze that meant one thing he was having a great time surprising you.

"Really? You were pretending to sleep?" You looked at him in disbelief, but you couldn't help but smile.

"I have to spice up my days somehow." He shrugged slightly, still smiling. "Besides, if I'm going to die, at least it'll be in the company of a beautiful doctor."

You sighed, shaking your head, but you felt your cheeks heat up.

"I'm an intern, Denny." You said

"A minor thing." He grinned even wider. "Just don't make me fall in love with you, okay?"

You rolled your eyes, but you knew one thing - Denny Duquette was an incurable case. And it wasn't just his heart.