"How is she?" Nick asked as he burst into Karen's room with AJ, Kevin and Pollyanna behind him.

Brian looked down and shook his head. "She keeps on fading in and out."

"How high's her temp?" Kevin asked.

"103.5 last time they checked," Howie sighed.

Karen's doctor then entered. "I'm sorry, but six people cannot be in here at once."

AJ crossed his arms. "And just why not?"

"It's against policy."

AJ's temper flared. "Well, you can take your policy and shove it up your a-"

Kevin covered AJ's mouth and guided him outside.

Howie stood beside his sister. "We'll be in the waiting helping Kevin restrain Bone."

Brian turned to the doctor. "May he stay?" he asked motioning to Nick.

"Who are you?"

"Her boyfriend."

"Well, Mr.Littrell, the blonde seems much calmer than the tatooed one. I suppose he can stay."

Brian observed the doctors motions. "How's she doing?"

"Fever's still pretty high. Breathing's raspy. Poor girl, she can't even be comfortable when her body's trying to rest." He spoke to Brian. "How long has she been asleep?"

"Well, if you wish to refer to it as sleep. Around ten minutes."

The physican sighed. "She'll probably be awake in a half hour to a few minutes."

"Why?" Nick wondered.

"Her body's fighting so much infection she can't possibly relax." He walked towards the door. "I should have her test results in an hour."

Nick stared at his girlfriend. "She's really looks bad." Her skin was pasty and covered in sweat, her eyes blackened and her expression lifeless.

"I should have been there for her. Instead I go with AJ to McDikey's."

"Don't feel bad, pal. No one knew she was this sick."

Nick took her hand. "She's so cold, why didn't they give her a blanket?"

Karen took a painful deep breath and opened her eyes. Nick embraced her.

"Red, are you okay?"

"Other than this sick-thing, I'm okay." she sighed.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't with you."

Karen gazed at him with red eyes. "It's okay. I understand."

"I'll do anything to help you," Nick promised.

"If you really want to help me, could you get me some chapstick?"

"Sure, babe." He searched through his pocket unsuccessfully."

Brian threw his tube to Nick. "Here."

"Thanks, Frick." He handed it to her.

Karen found herself shaking too badly to even hold the container. "This is embrassing."

Nick applied it to her lips. "It's okay. I got you, babe." He sang.

"Thanks, Nic---AH!" she shrieked as tears flooded her eyes.

"What it is?"

"My back," she cried, "it hurts so bad."

Brian volunteered himself. "I'll go get a doctor."

"No, Rok," Karen breathed. "I'm sick of needles."

A half hour passed and Karen faded out once again. Nick re-applied her chapstick. "She's so dried out. Can't they lower her fever?"

Brian shrugged. "Guess not."

Suddenly, an alarm on Karen's IV sounded. Nick rushed away for help as Karen re-awakened in a startled state. She coughed. "What the.......Brian? Are you okay?"

Patty ran in with Nick at her side. She gave a sigh of relief. "It's just letting us know that her Iv ran out and she's in desperate need of another supply." As she changed the bag she noticed Brian kneeling on the floor trembling.

"Mr.Littrell, are you all right?"

Brian looked up wearily. "I'm okay."

She helped him to a chair. "Why don't you have a seat? You seem a bit faint and rather pale."

"The alarm sounded like a heart moniter, and I've had heart sugery. It just brought back bad memories."

"I see." Patty checked his pulse as she slid a thremother under his tongue. "Your pulse is a tad fast from that scare." She checked his breathing. "Normal."

"Will he be okay?" Nick interjected.

"Don't worry, Mr.Carter," she said as she read Brian's reading. "No fever."

Brian smiled. "See, Frack, I'm fine."

Patty stood. "I think you should lie down for awhile and rest. Just for precausion."

"Really, I'm okay," he insisted.

"Go Brian," Karen demanded.

Patty helped him to his feet. "You heard the lady, let's go."

The young nurse made her way to the waiting room after she got Brian settled. "Hello, everybody. Brian just got a bit dizzy, so I've taken him to lie down."

"Is he okay?" Kevin blurted out.

"Yes, Sir. He's fine. Just a bit weak, you can see him if you like."

Kevin nodded.

Patty brushed her hair away from her eyes. "I was wondering if one of you would mind staying with Mr.Carter. He's quite nervous and I believe he could use a friend."

"I'll stay with him," Howie replied flashing the blonde a flirtatious grin.

Patty returned his gesture. "Gracias."

AJ faced Pollyanna. "Howie totally sweats that blonde nurse."

Pollyanna crossed her legs. "I know. Could he be any more obvious?"

>>>>>

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