Sooo I'm totally redoing this story, or at least editing it so it makes better sense. I'm hoping that I'll actually get some reviews this time, I mean, come on, I barely got any last time. 15 isn't bad, but I'm kinda selfish, so some more would be AWESOME!

Spongebob woke groggily. He had a horrible taste in his mouth, and he just didn't feel himself. He had hardly slept that night, and he could barely even open his eyes for the headache he had. He moaned quietly to himself, and rolled himself out of bed. Gary opened one eye, and said "Meow?" (Are you alright?)

"Yeah, Gary, I'm fine. i just have a bit of a headache. After an asprin, I'll be just fine." He souded like he was trying to convince himself more than Gary. He went and took the little bottle out and gave it a shake, taking two pills instead of one.

"Meow meow mew." (Why don't you call off work today so you can get some rest?)

"Of course not Gary. I've never taken a day off work before!" he said sharper than he meant to. Gary shrunk back in his shell, and Spongebob felt bad for snapping. It wasn't Gary's - or anyone else's - fault that his head felt like it was splitting open. "I'm sorry, Gary. But my head hurts and talking is not an option right now."

"Meow. Meow mow mew meow." (It's OK. You really should go to the doctor or something.) Spongebob was making a pot of coffee, and his hand was shaking so hard he almost dropped the can of grinds. There was a knock on the front door, and it sounded like it echoed in Spongebob's head, making him groan.

"Coming." he said weakly. When he opened the door, Patrick was doing the pee pee dance. "What did you clog the toilet with this time?" Spongebob asked tiredly.

"A camera, so can I-"

"Yes, Patrick, you can use my bathroom." Spongebob's knees were about to give out, so he leaned on the door to not fall over, trying to look non-chalant. But Patrick was being unusually observant today, and noticed when his friend's legs finally gave.

"What's up with you?" he asked kindly, completely forgetting his dire need to use the restroom.

"It's nothing, Pat, just a headache." Patrick didn't look coonvinced.

"Why don't you take the day off work and go to the doctor?" Again forgetting the incident with suds and his mysterious fake medical degree.

Spongebob finally snapped. "EVERYONE IS TELLING ME TO TAKE THE DAY OFF AND GO TO THE DOCTOR. I'VE NEVER ONCE TAKEN A DAY OFF WORK, AND TODAY WON'T BREAK THAT RECORD!" Patrick had shrunk against the wall, looking terrified. Spongebob felt guilty, but his head hurt SO bad. "Sorry Pat. My head just hurts so bad today, and all last night I was up hacking and sneezing, and I still can't get this horrible taste out of my mouth." Remembering, he went to go get his coffee. His legs still felt weak, and as he took a large sip, it looked like the coffee might come back up again. Making a face, he swallowed hard, not looking at Patrick. If not for his company, he would have vomited right then and there, but not wanting to gross Patrick out kept the contents of his stomach down where they should be.

"Pat, didn't you say you needed to go to the bathroom?" He prompted. Patrick then proceeded to run up the stairs, saying "Thanks for reminding me!" Spongebob folded his arms on the table and put his head on them. He decided he was a little hot, and went to go check his temperature. It read 99.9 degrees, just .1 away from making him stay home from work. The Krusty Krab policy requires all employees to stay home when their temperature reaches 100+ degrees, or if they vomit. Patrick came running back downstairs, saying he should get back home.

Once he was gone, Spongebob ran to the bathroom, gagged, and the coffee made a reappearance. He moaned when he thought of the policy, and then decided that he would go anyway, just because he wanted to keep his perfect attendence. He got dressed in comfortable clothes, and made extra time for himself so he could walk to work, fearing that if he bounced around too much, he would puke again, and be sent home for sure.

Squidward got ready slowly, trying not to- but failing miserably- listen for Spongebob and his annoying laughter, bad quotes, and all around good mood. When he hadn't heard any annoying blurbs by the time he walked out the door, he thought he would be ready for anything. But when he looked around for the little yellow creep, he saw that he was walking, walking, to work. Usually, Spongebob would be running down the road, screaming at the top of his lungs "I'M READY! I'M READY!" But today, he was walking slower than Squidward usually did. His back was hunched, like an old man's, and he seemed like he was shuffling more than walking. He was a deathly pale, and looked like he was in pain. Squidward noticed this change, but didn't say anything, fearing that if he made any noise, it would be back to the old, annoying Spongebob. When they had made it to the front doors, a little late, Spongebob still hadn't given up his weak but determined shuffle to work. Mr. Krabs was furious at Spongebob for being late for the first time ever. But when he looked past his anger, he could see that something was wrong.

Spongebob was pale, enough to be just a sandy white color. His head hung and his eyes looked empty, if you could even get him to look up. His back was hunched like he expected 200 lashes, and he looked ready to out-barf any hungover alcoholic. Mr. Krabs took pity on him.

"If you need to, you can go home on a -gulp- paid vacation." Spongebob than looked up, his eyes empty except the loose horror here and there.

"No thank you Mr. Krabs, but I appriciate your offer." Mr. Krabs just stared at his frycook, whose voice was rough and weak. The poor kid trudged off to the kitchen, his shoes scuffing the floor. Squidward flinched when the sponge passed him, afraid whatever he had was contagious (Which you will soon find out it isn't), and opened his magazine.

When the first customer came in, they ordered a simple krabby patty with fries. Spongebob started the patty like normal, and silently gagged at the smell, normally delicious. He swallowed back the bile in his throat, and went to work on the fries. While they were frying, he went and flipped the patty onto a bun, followed by the toppings and condiments, then finally by another bun. He went and got the fries, put them on the tray, and rand the bell, telling Squidward in an empty voice "Order up." His hand shook as he put the tray onto the windowsill for Squidward, and the squid noticed.

"Are you alright Spongebob?" The sponge shook his head no, then ducked back into the safety of the kitchen.