Disclaimer: I don't own Misson: Impossible, or anything connected to it.

Disclaimer: They're not mine, but I love 'em like they were!

"But I feel fine!" Barney scowled at the retreating back of his roommate. Willie was a nice guy, truth be told, but he was a little…too helpful sometimes. "I swear I'm fine!" Barney coughed gently, hoping Willie wouldn't hear.

"Doesn't sound like it." Blast his good hearing. Sighing, the tech. expert slid back down into his cocoon of blankets. Though he'd never admit it, he felt like the bottom of a shoe. He'd been ill before, but for some reason, being sick was always worse than he remembered it. Rolling onto his side, Barney stared at the wall, letting sleep steel over him once more. It was easier than arguing. And who knows, maybe Willie will believe him if he'd slept more. Sleep was helpful, right?

BW

Willie smiled as Barney's breathing evened out. The kid was dead set on being let up and about, even if he could barely stay awake for more than a few hours. Willie eased the door shut and made his way down the hall to their small kitchen. Being roommates with a socially-challenged tech. expert had it's perks. Barney wasn't unfriendly, he just wasn't particularly good at dealing with people outside of a job. This included doctors. He didn't seem to realize that it's rather counterproductive to act tough when a doctor asks what hurts. If they give you something for a problem you don't have, you stay sick. But Barney seemed to believe doctors could tell if you were underplaying a problem. They can't.

Stirring the soup a few times, Willie considered how best to go about getting Barney better. Jim had phoned with information on a new mission. Unfortunately, Barney had overheard the phone conversation. So Willie had 48-hours to get Barney as well as possible before they were to head out. Thank God the mission wasn't timed.

BW

The sounds of soft footfalls pulled Willie from his book a few hours later. Barney stood in the doorway to the living room, gently rubbing sleep from his eyes. "I'm hungry." Smiling, Willie made his way to the kitchen and served up the chicken soup he'd made that morning. "Why chicken?"

"Because it's good for you."

"But," Barney paused, contemplating his soup, "why didn't they pick…fish?"

Willie chewed thoughtfully. "I don't know. Now eat."

The two ate their soup in relative silence, gentle clinks and slurps the only interruptions. "Do I have to go back to bed?"

"Are you still sick?" Barney glared, coughing indignantly. Willie laughed. "Well, I guess so."

"But-"

"No buts, Barney. Jim needs you for the mission, you've got to get better. Off to bed with you." Grumbling quietly, Barney made his way back to his dark bedroom, crawling back into his (thankfully still warm) bed. "Night kid."

"Night Willie," floated out softly as Barney slipped back into dreamland. Softly, Willie closed the door and returned to the kitchen, smiling gently.

fin

A/N: It's short, but whatever. I have a (sorta) Greek-circle thing; take that Mr. B!