A/N: So I know I've been AWOL for a bit, but I do have a new story coming your way. This is chapter one. R&R please, it always encourages me to get these chapters out to you faster. Thank you for everything. -Caitlynne

Carentan Woes

Day 14

They'd been in Carentan for two weeks and he was fairly certain that her head hadn't hit the pillow once. Well, maybe one time, but definitely not two. That would need to change soon as time passed. He'd seen her keep this pace for a bit longer, but not much. It was as if she was pretending that 'dome-time' didn't exist and was trying to still run on 'real-time'. Both knew the effort was completely futile. He was starting to worry. There was only a cot in the room that they worked in and she wasn't one to lay down with him. Glaring, he walked over to her. "Magnus."

She ignored him.

"Magnus. You need to sleep."

"Yeah, Will. In a bit." Her eyes remained glued to the papers that she was filtering through one by one. He was sure that she was tired because he could see that she was having issues keeping her lids from drooping shut. The numbers and words on the page were starting to become a blur and she was worried that if he asked her another question she would answer in German, which was the language she was currently attempting to read.

Huffing a breath, he took a step forward and slammed a hand onto the counter right in her line of sight. "You said 'in a bit' three days ago."

Setting her mind away from the preliminary readings on the time dome and the calculations as to whether or not the society could even survive she took a deep breath and decided to focus on him. Slowly baby blue eyes flicked up his face. "I did?"

"Yeah." Soft tones emerged as he caught a wince in her eyes. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong Will. Just far more tired than I realized, thank you." Her hand covered his lightly and she squeezed gently. "I think I'll take a bit of a nap." Moving to the cot she slowly curled herself under the covers and closed her eyes trying to ignore any look that he gave her. It took a good twenty minutes before she was asleep, Will could tell because she kept moving and shifting on the bed.

Sighing, Will continued through the papers that she had set on the desk but little of the information made sense to him. He was, however, able to sift through the papers that he absolutely knew she wouldn't be interested in or need. He was halfway through the stack when she suddenly sat up in the bed and leaned on her side and over the edge of the cot.

"Magnus."

"I'm fine, Will." She held the back of her hand to her lips and her body heaved.

He jumped up and grabbed for the metal trashcan in the corner of the room and threw it next to her just as she started vomiting. Holding her hair away from her face and rubbing a soothing hand against her back, he waited until she moved away from the bile. "You good for a bit?" Waiting for her nod, he took the offending item outside and came back with a small bowl filled with water and washcloth. Wringing out the excess he pressed the damp material to her neck. "Didn't like that fantastic meal I cooked you last night?"

"No, dinner was wonderful, just stayed awake too long, I'm afraid. I didn't realize how exhausted my body was." She closed her eyes enjoying the sweet motion of the rough cloth on her skin that was so cool to touch against her overly hot body.

Raising a brow he wet the cloth again and moved it back to her, surprised that she was letting him fuss. "Somehow I doubt that."

"Really, it's nothing Will. I've been working far too hard, you were right." She flicked her eyes over his face before closing them again, her body desperately wanting to pull her back into sleep.

"Alright." Will let it go knowing that she wouldn't give anything else for him to grab onto. Cool water hit her forehead and she breathed slowly, loving the feel of it. She hated puking; it was one of the worst sensations. "Need anything? Tea, soup?"

Shaking her head she waited until he started to move. "Actually, would you mind sitting here for a moment? I find sitting up helps and it's rather uncomfortable." Will nodded and set the bowl on the desk before sliding next to her and onto the cot. His legs were awkwardly positioned, the edge of the bed hitting just at the back of his calves leaving his feet to be propped uncomfortably. But because she had asked, and it was so rare for her to do so, he sat there without complaint. Helen nodded her head onto his shoulder, her face turned toward his and their bodies lined up. Her chest lifted with a deep breath and when he looked down he had a rather nice view of her cleavage. It was unexpected and the blush graced his cheeks before he turned his face away and rested his head against hers looking at the wall berating himself. Grasping his hand in hers she held on while he counted down the minutes that they remained there. "Thank you."

"Anytime, Magnus. You need to take better care of yourself." He risked another glance at her body and was greeted with the same sight. He closed his eyes and sighed.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right, again." She smiled lightly, "Is there a meal anytime soon? I have such a hard time remembering with no change in the light."

Will turned his face into the top of her head. "I know what you mean, but I'm pretty sure you had a hard time remembering before we were stuck here. It's not like you had regular meals at the Sanctuary either. Either way, breakfast should be soon. You feel up to eating?"

"Yes, surprisingly." Patting his leg she waited for him to move. "Help me up will you?" Will nodded and stood to pull her up. Her body bumped into his momentarily before she sidestepped and he felt the tingles slide over his skin. "Need help cleaning the waste bin?"

Will stepped in closer to her again, seeing as she hadn't moved far it was rather easy for him to do. He bent his head slightly and breathed in the light flowery scent of her hair. She'd insisted on putting dried flowers in the soap they had been given to wash with and while he wasn't happy at first, he was glad she had done it. "Nah, I got it. I'll do it before we eat."

"Good idea." She squeezed his side quickly and pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek. "Thank you."

Will moved to leave the bunker and she sat at the desk top looking over the work he had done. He'd made good progress. Tidying up the piles she read through a few more documents before Will finally returned. He looked slightly green, but she was happy that he'd taken the initiative. She knew he wasn't big on bodily fluids and she was most grateful she wasn't required to clean the remnants of her dinner.

Coming back into the cement block of a room he shoved the wet can against a filing cabinet in the corner and went to where she was sitting. "You need to learn how to take a break every once in a while."

"Hmmm?"

Shaking his head he continued, "Breakfast?"

"Sounds good."

The day passed much the same as the previous days. Helen would read; Will would scuttle around the room trying not to feel like he was in a prison or running around town doing favors and helping the locals. Ravi and Josie checked in on them every once in a while and one or all three of them would try to get Magnus to stop for food and rest. Her protégé was surprised when she herself volunteered to stop that night and curled onto the cot. Will waited until she was completely asleep before leaving and heading outside. It was still light out and certainly it was early for her to be sleeping but she hadn't exactly been feeling all that well.

He needed a break from it all. He'd never known Magnus to be ill, except earlier that year before they'd gone down to Hollow Earth. He supposed it could still be from the radiation or the many treatments she'd given herself to try and stave off the effects of it. So much had happened. He took in a deep steadying breath and brushed his hands over his face and hair leaning back onto one of the benches. He couldn't stop thinking of everything. He'd be in charge, of the entire network, and he hadn't royally messed it all up like he thought he would. He'd met a beautiful woman who was interested in him, but he still couldn't get it out of his head that something was off.

Ravi watched him from afar before slowly clambering over to meet him on the bench. He sat quietly down, his bones creaking. He waited until he felt that the young man was ready to speak before starting. "Everything alright, Will?"

The crackle in his voice hadn't been there when Will had first met him, and even after two weeks he was still startled by it. "Just thinking." A quiet pause pushed him to continue. "About Abby. We weren't anything serious; we'd just started dating. Hadn't even been on a date yet, actually." Will blushed slightly.

"A girl?" Ravi chuckled low in his chest. The rumble carried over Will's body. "Good going, William." There was a pat against the younger man's back. "But, what's the issue? She's out there and you're stuck in here? Magnus will find a way out."

"Yeah." Will brushed both his hands over his face and hair. "She's there, I'm here. Magnus will find a way out. I just have feeling that it's not going to happen any time soon and while it may only seem to be moments for Abby, who knows how much time will pass for me. I don't know if I can wait that long, or if I should."

Will leaned back onto the bench and crossed an ankle over his knee. "Will, a word of advice." Slow and long deep breaths passed before his speech resumed. "If you're not willing to wait for her now, she probably isn't worth any wait."

"Huh." Turning his head to the ground he leaned over his unfolded knees as Ravi stood and left the young man to his own thoughts. He'd said his piece; that was all that was needed. "Haven't even told Magnus about her." Will sighed. That was the real issue. He was fairly certain that his boss wouldn't approve of the woman he was hoping to become close with. And now that he was here, it all seemed so trivial when put into perspective.