"Hey, Nick," Howie said as he entered Karen's room. "How is she doing?"

"Not any better," Nick sighed, "this has been the worst day of my life. First Karen, now Brian."

"Brian's fine, he just needs some rest," Howie stated. "Kev's with him now, everything will be fine."

Karen focused on Nick's face. "Nick, maybe you should go get a cup of coffee."

"No way. I'm here for you, Kare-Bear."

She sighed. "Okay, Nick."

He watched as she shivered, "You okay? You want a blanket?"

"Yeah, I'm freezing."

Howie headed to the hall. "I'll go get one."

Nick took her hand as he kissed her forehead. "If only your forehead was as cold as the rest of you."

Karen glanced at the IV and held her stomach. "I really wish I was back on the bus right now. Being here is hell. I HATE hospitals so much."

"You were great with Leslie, remember?"

"I know, but that was different. I wasn't the one in the bed. I can't stand being too weak to walk or even put on chapstick."

"That's why I'm here," Nick reminded her.

Howie returned and covered Karen with the thick blanket. "Here 'ya go, sweetie. Patty told me to let you know that you should try to get some sleep if you can."

Nick draped a cool rag over her brow. "He's right." Nick said he gently touched the black circles that lay beneath her eyes. "Try to get some sleep."

Karen shut her eyes and attempted to get comfortable. Howie patted Nick's back. "Why don't you try to catnap. You'll need your strength to help her."

Nick sat down and followed his friend's advice. By the time Nick woke three hours had passed. He saw Howie clutching Karen's hand and wiping tears from her eyes. Nick rushed to her side. "What's happening?"

Howie spoke soothingly. "She has a lot of pain in her back and chest from the pressure on her lungs. She asked me not to wake you."

Then Patty returned. "Okay, sweetie, we're moving you to a different room." She glanced up at Howie. "Do the doctors know she's this pale?"

Howie nodded. "They didn't seem overly concerned."

Patty rolled Karen down the hallway. "I'm not surprised."

Karen covered her face.

"What is it, hon?"

"The moving's making me dizzy."

"Well, we're in your room now. Do you think you can walk?"

She shook her head.

Nick pushed back her blankets and boosted her into his arms. Suddenly, she gasped in pain as he laid her down. Refusing air for a few moments.

"Karen, honey, what's wrong?" Patty hollered.

Karen spoke bewteen breaths. "The pain."

Patty grabbed her chart. "I'll go try to get the doctor to prescibe a pain killer ASP." She ran out.

Nick stroked her forehead, then immediately turned pale. He faced Howie. "I think her fever rose."

Howie pressed his hand to her forehead. "Oh, man. You're right."

Patty returned adding a new liquid into Karen's IV. Howie told her of Karen's fever. "I'll see to it in a minute," she assured them. "Sweetie, due to your difficultly breathing, the doctor wants to adminster oxygen. I'm going to go ahead and put the mask on. Just keep breathing as regularly as possible." She placed a thremother in Karen's ear to please the boys. She sighed. "105.2"

"105.2!" Nick cried.

Patty had the doctor paged. "I'm really very sorry, but you'll have to step out."

They nodded and reculantly exited. Howie walked Nick to the waiting room. Their friends stood to hear the news. (With the exception of Brian who Kevin forced to remain seated.) "How is she?" Pollyanna asked.

Howie took a seat. "Her breathing's decreased and her temperature rose to 105.2."

"105.2," Brian repeated recalling his own frightening expriences.

Kevin patted him on the back. His own silent method of reassurance.

AJ crossed his arms. "I just don't get it. She's been here five hours. Gone through five IV's, yet her fever rises."

Nick still remain standing. Resembling a zombie. AJ took his arm. "Have a seat, bud." Nick plopped down staring off in the distance.

Kevin observed Nick's form. "Gosh, how bad is she, D?" he whispered.

"Bad."

>>>>>

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