I've honestly never written anything like this; I just wanted an excuse to write this story. I don't want to fill up a lot of chapters, so I'll split this easily into three chapters. And they may be real long, if anybody's okay with that.

I don't own Tintin or other characters here-all rights go to Herge, respectively.

The Hadley family belongs to friend RenaissanceElf

Malina, her sister Hanna, and their Aunt Jenny are my own!

And Alex Smith belongs to luvadventure123!

I have written some stories where the plot falls on Tintin getting sick and his friends try to take care of him. But now, this time, I'm letting the sickness get somebody else. Yes, now it's Tintin's turn to play caretaker!

Anyways, I just hope that this story will be a good read for most of you.

So, enjoy it! ;-)

The first thing Malina did as she awoke this morning was skip merrily toward the window. Staring at the sun shining brightly in the sky, Malina smiled. Tintin had invited Malina and her sister Hanna to the park with Benton and his family!

She loved getting to spend some time with Tintin, Benton, and the others. It really was a nice day for that.

As Malina kept staring wide-eyed at the sun shining from outside, she heard the door creak open. Then, she turned to find Snowy burst inside the room, prancing around her feet.

"Oh Snowy!" Malina exclaimed as Snowy pounced on her legs. "Dont you ever knock?" Snowy woofed a joyful bark. Then, he sat firmly on the floor, looking at Malina with wide eyes. "No Snowy, there is no bone on me," Malina told him sarcastically. "Why do even have to ask me?" Snowy only barked in reply.

Suddenly, Snowy pranced toward the door, pawing at at. "Oh, you want me to come downstairs?" Malina asked. "Okay, I'll go there." As she opened the door, she let Snowy out.

Wrapping a silk robe around her, Malina quickly skipped to the bathroom. After using the facilities, Malina raced downstairs. Being in such a grand estate like Marlinspike, she could go to any room the way she wanted.

Malina followed Snowy as he ran crazily toward the kitchen. She decided to have the little dog beat her to the kitchen first, then she had entered just in time for breakfast...

Hmmmm.

As Malina entered the kitchen, she almost felt her stomach shooting off a slight lurch at the slightest mention of food. Now she felt as if she wasn't...feeling hungry at all. Now she didn't seem so interested in eating, scowling as if she'd just swallowed a lemon peel.

Malina was still scowling as she shifted her direction to the dining room, where she found Tintin, who was seated with Hanna and the rest of their friends. Tintin was sharing a laugh with Captain Haddock as he was digging into a plate of eggs with ham.

Malina scowled again, for her stomach gave a seemingly larger lurch.

"Ah, good morning, Malina!" Tintin said, greeting Malina. "I see you woke up late again. It's not like you to get up after us, since you've been so used to getting up earlier in your army days."

"Well, things change, don't they Ginger Boy?" Malina asked. "Again, I told you to stop calling me that," Tintin teased.

"The Captain says we'll be leaving at noon," Hanna told Malina. "Isn't that right, Captain?" "Aye, lass," Haddock replied. "Malina, it does amaze me how your sister remembers so much." "It's a gift," Hanna said.

"Well Malina," Haddock told Malina, "why don't you have a bite to eat, and get dressed so we can go?" "Sure!" Tintin said, gesturing to a plate of food that had already been set out for Malina. "Eat up so we can leave for today."

Malina then stared at the food and then towards Tintin. Then, she shifted her gears toward the stove, putting on the kettle. Maybe a cup of tea would help. As she was putting a teabag in, there was a slight falter in her wrist movement.

Malina then sat diligently next to her sister Hanna, who sat with Alex. She didn't feel sick, just a little...muddled.

"Is that all you're going to have?" Tintin asked. "You've told me before that you've kept your meals to a minimum in your army days, but this is pretty extreme, even for you."

Malina tried to mask her anxiety as she stared back at Tintin. "No, it's okay," she told him. "Yes, I did have my dinner late when I came back here, so maybe I'm still full." Hadoock muttered a slight grunt. "Well, isn't that something?" he asked.

"Captain, I'm not soft, okay?" Malina said. "That's not what I said!" Haddock exclaimed. Tintin laughed as he said this.

"Hey! Snowy!" Alex exclaimed as she swiped her plate away from the dog's preening eyes. "Go get your own breakfast!" Snowy barked teasingly as he scurried off to eat his breakfast.

Malina giggled as she saw this. Yet she couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness.

...

Moments later after getting dressed, Malina was sitting by Tintin as they waited for the Captain and the others. Malina was beginning to feel a little queasy. "Um, Malina?" Tintin asked while cradling Snowy in his arms. "Are you sure you're okay?" Malina wanted to tell him the truth, but yet it felt awful for her to lie. "Yes. I'm fine," she simply told him. "Honest." Or so she thought she was.

"Malina, I'm a little worried," Tintin told her. "You don't sound that cheerful as usual. Do you feel sick?" "No! Why would I be?" Malina said. "I've been taught to manage airsickness when I used to train for round-trip flights." Malina didn't feel that nauseous, just a tad bit queasy. She was trying to convince Tintin she was fine. But at that same time, she felt as if she and her stomach seemed to engage in a minor battle.

Maybe it was time she got it done and over with.

"Um, Tintin?" Malina asked. "Yes?" Tintin asked. "Would you excuse me for a minute? I need to use the bathroom," Malina told him. "Oh," Tintin said, getting up. "That's okay. Go ahead. I'll go open a window."

Nodding, Malina then made her way into the bathroom. As she entered, she knelt down, gently opening the lid. Malina sighed in disgust; she hated the very thought of throwing up. It was truly a terrible experience to embrace. She knew all too well that some of the soldiers used to call her a wimp whenever she got sick in the toilet. But those days were long gone now, and they already knew what she dealt with.

Malina sat by the toilet for a long time, waiting for something. Just something. Then, she felt the rise of something arriving to her throat. Shutting her eyes tight, she bent forward and released it. It was indeed something, but at least it was better than nothing at all.

Rubbing her eyes, Malina flushed the toilet and closed the lid, while pouring a cup of water to rinse out her mouth.

"Well," she told herself, "that's that." Confident after making that decision, she exited the bathroom to find Tintin waiting.

"Are you ready now?" Tintin asked. "You were in there for a long time."

"I am now," Malina told him. "Now get to your vehicle, soldier. We're burning daylight."

"There she goes, a real army leader," Tintin mumbled to himself as he followed her outside to the car. It was nice to know that Malina still embraced that fierce, strong-willed iron faith of a true soldier.

The drive to Brussels was long, yet it was still a nice day out. Malina felt glad she had worn her coat over her blue shirt dress. As they made their way into town, the friends finally made their way to the park, which was bustling with great joy.

Birds were flitting across the sky as townspeople enjoyed themselves at the park. Children played as the adults talked and laughed among each other.

"Tintin! You came!" Benton exclaimed as Tintin ran to greet him. "I knew you'd come!" "So did I!" Tintin replied. "Hi Uncle Tintin!" Heidi exclaimed, giving Tintin's pants a tug. "Uncle Tintin!" Matthew said as he hugged Tintin's leg. "Ah, hello kids!" Tintin said, ruffling both their heads.

"Malina, how are you today?" Lucille asked Malina as she approached her with great joy. "I'm fine!" Malina answered. "It's not like I woke up today not feeling great, as I should!" She clearly did not want to reveal her growing anxiety about her upset stomach. "Well, great!" Lucille told her. "It sure is a nice day, so it would be perfect for us to enjoy ourselves!"

As Haddock sat down to eat lunch with Benton and Lucille, Tintin turned to Malina. "Want to come play with me, Alex, and the kids?" he asked. "Sure! Why not?" Malina replied, running toward the fields.

"Okay, first serve!" Tintin shouted, raising the ball up to his head. "Ready or not!" He then flung the ball until it landed in Alex's hands. "Nice catch, Alex!" Malina shouted. "Go get 'em, Heidi!" Alex exclaimed, throwing the ball. "I got it!" Heidi exclaimed! "Catch it, Daddy!" She then flung the ball to Benton.

"Okay Malina, here it comes!" Benton shouted. As he threw the ball high, Malina spread her arms open, waiting to catch it. It was then that she began to feel the same queasiness she felt earlier this morning. She then brought her arms to her body...

WHAM!

"Ow!" Malina cried out as the ball came down hard, hitting her head until she fell over on the soft grass.

"Whoa, Malina!" Benton exclaimed, running over to help Malina up. "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" "Ugh. Yes, I'm fine," Malina replied.

Maybe she could sneak off to a nearby pharmacy to find something that could ease her upset stomach. Or maybe rest a bit.

She then turned to Tintin. "Hey, Tintin?" Malina asked.

"Yes?" Tintin asked. "Do you mind if I just head over to the bench by the pond for a minute?" Malina asked. "I have to sit for a while."

"Oh, em...sure," Tintin replied. "Are you really feeling okay? You hardly ate this morning, and you are looking a bit pale..."

"I'll be okay, soldier," Malina muttered, cutting him off. "Maybe I just got a bit of a headache or something." "Hold on, I'll sit with you," Tintin said as he followed Malina to the lily pond.

Malina sat with one leg bent over the other, grasping Snowy in a noncommittal embrace. Tintin, meanwhile, scooped up a handful of pebbles and chucked them into the pond. Snowy panted joyfully as he saw those tiny rocks splash into the water.

Malina sighed as she saw the two best friends enjoying themselves. Normally, she would enjoy watching the ducks glide upon the water's surface as townspeople passed by, engaging in hearty conversations. Instead, she was keeping attention with her gut, which was already beginning to flop in ways more shocking than ever.

Oh boy.

That doesn't look right.

Malina surveyed her surroundings, alarmed. Maybe Malina should just forget finding the pharmacy and search for a bathroom instead. But where? The estate was only a few blocks from where they were.

Malina then pushed Snowy off the bench. "Snowy!" she ordered. "Go find Haddock and the others...Good dog."

Snowy yapped in response and took off, with Malina catching up and Tintin lagging behind, unsure of what was going on. "Malina! Malina, wait!" Tintin cried out.

In no time, Malina had reached Haddock, tugging at his sleeve. "Captain!" Malina exclaimed. "Get me...back...to Marlinspike. I...I think...I'm about to...be sick."

Captain Haddock whirled around. "What?" he asked. "Oh dear-you don't look too good, lass!" "Not feeling well, either...!" Malina managed to spill out.

"Benton!" Tintin said. "Go get Alex and your kids! Just pack everything! Don't stop for anything!" "On it!" Benton said as he left to find Alex. "Come on, kids!" Matthew and Heidi diligently obeyed and followed him. Lucille and Hanna heard this, and they immediately threw everything inside the picnic baskets. "Oh, I hope nothing bad happens to my sister!" Hanna exclaimed.

"Tintin! What's going on?" Alex asked as soon as she and the children returned. "We have to get Malina to the estate; it's a very big emergency," Tintin said, with a forceful tone in his voice.

"Come on, let's go!" Lucille said as everyone else made their way to the car. Hanna was left grasping Malina's hand as they came in last.

They didn't even bother to pull out gently, as it would have taken less time to travel in a steady pace.

Malina was beginning to feel worse as the car was nearing the estate. "Relax, Malina. Just breathe," Benton said, patting Malina's hand as she breathed in heaving breaths. "I am breathing, you lily-livered squirt!" Malina screamed. "Malina!" Hanna said. "Language!" "Now I pretty much guess where Malina gets her swearing from!" Alex shouted. By then, the car was already leaving town.

With only a few minutes counting down, the car was finally reaching the estate. "We're almost there, Malina!" Tintin exclaimed. "Just hold on!" "Will do!" Malina said, faltering to a moan.

As soon as the car finally halted to a stop, Malina leaped from her seat and made a break toward the door. Reaching into her pocket for the keys, she found Nestor opening the door. Before he even had a chance to greet her profoundly, Malina pushed him aside, with Tintin following behind and uttering a low "I'm sorry."

Malina found herself running up the steps, with Tintin following her, panting heavily as he was following her up the steps. By now, Malina's mind and body was in complete distress. "Move, Tintin...!" Malina exclaimed, throwing off her coat. "Mmmff...!" Tintin cried out through muffled screams.

At last, Malina finally reached the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. The toilet...No! There was no way she'd make it with that tiny distance. Grasping both sides of the sink firmly, Malina bent forward and heaved.

And heaved. and heaved. And heaved for six more times. It seemed as if everything that had wanted out of her stomach seemed to explode right out of her, like a destructive air raid.

As if that weren't the only thing that needed to be extracted right now.

Now it seemed as if the lower half of Malina's body decided to get in on the action. All she could do was just stand at her place and have at it.

"Malina?" Tintin asked, knocking on the door. "Malina, are you feeling all right in there? Just take it easy."

Malina scowled, grimacing as she could not do anything else but stand there as her stomach still convulsed repetitively. But now the only thing that her body was already producing was a mass of green and orange bile.

At last, the heaving was slowing down to a halt. Malina was able to breathe now. "Malina!" Tintin exclaimed through the door, now exasperated. "Tell me, are you all right?"

Malina composed herself. "I'm all right, Tintin!" she shouted. "I was a just a tad bit sick, and I...I sort of soiled the bathroom a little." She grimaced at the thought of saying it. "Just give me a moment to clean up. I'll be out." There was a long yet awkward silence. Finally, Tintin said, "Okay then. I'll see you out in a bit."

Grabbing a nearby mop and bucket from the corner of the bathroom, Malina proceeded to rinse out the unwanted substances from the sink. Once everything had been cleaned and mopped up, she then peered down her dress and uttered a low growl. Now her clothes were dirty and stained with the offending vomit.

Kicking her boots off to one side, Malina then undid the buttons on her dress, trying not to make more of a mess than otherwise. Wrenching her nose at the unnaturally rancid odor, Malina slipped out of her dress. She was pretty lucky to have worn a tank top and shorts underneath. As she took off her socks, the stench from her tank top hit Malina in the face.

"Oh, for the love of..." Malina then took off the tank top and thrust it toward the pile of soiled clothing, along with the socks. Then, she worked her pants down slowly.

Her brassiere and underwear were still clean. I'll just spray those with perfume, she thought. Running some hot water, Malina stumbled into the shower, scrubbing herself raw until the smell of vomit was no more.

After drying off, Malina quickly put the brassiere and underwear back on, but after a quick douse of perfume. Then, she slipped into a sleeveless, silk nightgown. Looking at the soiled clothing, Malina was torn between getting them to the laundromat or just throw them out.

She then grabbed the dirty pile and placed it on a towel. She wrapped both ends tight, hoping the smell wouldn't escape out of it. As much as she wanted them thrown out, they could use a washing. Maybe she could get the Captain to deliver them straight to the laundromat later on that day. Still, she had to place them in the waste bin for now, at the least.

Sighing heavily, Malina proceeded to open the door.

...