It was after a while they left Mexico for Las Vegas, that Turk noticed how Virgil seemed quiet. Usually they were always chatting and bantering while driving, but this time his brother just answered with short words to his attempts at conversation. Whatever, thought Turk. Virgil was probably tired. He turned on the radio then, focusing on driving and humming to the sound of the music.
Not even an hour later, Virgil spoke again. "Would you mind turning off the radio? My head hurts".
Turk turned his head towards his brother, ready for a snipping remark. But he closed his mouth when he saw Virgil's face: his eyes were closed, and he was very pale. Turk turned off the music. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine", answered Virgil, without opening his eyes.
"You're very pale".
"I told you, my head hurts. That's why I'm pale".
"Do you need me to stop?"
"No, no, it's fine. Just shut up and let me sleep".
Normally Turk would have answered and the twins would have started bantering. But he knew how Virgil was cranky when he was sick, so he decided to leave him alone.
They had just crossed the border to Arizona, when Virgil opened his eyes. "Pull over!"
"What?"
"Pull over!"
Turk stopped the truck just on time: Virgil opened his door and started puking on the side of the road.
Turk grimaced, disgusted. After a while, Virgil closed the door again, breathing heavily with the effort. "I think I have a fever".
"That's it," said Turk. "We're stopping now".
This time, Virgil didn't protest; and Turk started being worried. Now his brother's cheeks were flushed, and he was even more pale and sweaty. Dammit. Turk really hoped they didn't need a hospital. He stopped at the first motel he saw on the side of the road. It didn't seem to be particularly beautiful or big, but it was in a small Arizona town with a pharmacy, and that was all he wanted right now.
"I'm going to get us a room, wait me here", said Turk to his brother, after having parked the truck. Virgil didn't answer, and kept his eyes closed.
Turk tried to be as quick as possible, and after a few minutes he came back to the truck. He opened the passenger's door and touched Virgil's leg. "Can you walk?"
Virgil opened an eye. "I don't know. Maybe. I'm dizzy".
Turk tightened his lips. "Okay. C'mon, I'll help you". He took Virgil by the arms and helped him getting out the truck. "Careful..."
Turk had to put Virgil's arm over his shoulder, and almost drag him to their room. He could feel the heat radiating from his brother. Damn, that wasn't good. Virgil needed some medicine and some water, fast.
Once inside the room, Turke lowered Virgil on the closest bed, and kneeled in front of him to take off his shoes. "Do you need to go to the bathroom? Do you want me to take off your clothes?" he asked.
"No, no, I just want to lay down".
Turk covered Virgil with the blanket, and touched his forehead with the back of his hand. It was burning. Virgil didn't move and didn't open his eyes. He definitely needed some aspirin.
"Virg, I'm going to the pharmacy here to buy something, okay?"
"Mmm".
Turk left the motel, trying to be quicker as possible. Once he entered in the local CVS, he went directly at the medicine aisles. He snickered when he saw the pills for menstrual cramps: it would have been fun to bring those to Virgil. Another time, he decided. He bought aspirins, Tylenol, orange juice and a thermometer.
On the way back to the motel, he quickly dialed Danny's number.
"Hello", said Ocean.
"Danny, we're going to be a little late".
Danny's voice became worried. "Why? Something happened?"
Turk sighed. "Virgil is sick. He has a fever and he's puking... I think it's the flu or something like that. I had to stop to a motel because he wasn't in shape to travel. I hope we can leave again tomorrow".
"Where are you now?"
"Somewhere in Arizona".
"Okay. Listen, don't worry. Take your time. There is no reason to rush, but let me know how Virgil is doing, alright?"
"Sure, I'll call you tomorrow".
"Bye."
"Bye".
When Turk entered their room, he found Virgil in a different position. "I puked again", said Virgil, still keeping his eyes closed.
"Oh, great", answered Turk. "I hope you did that in the bathroom".
"Yes. Barely. Now my head hurts even more".
Turk sighed. It was incredible how Virgil could be miserable and vulnerable when he was sick. It had always been like that. Virgil usually was witty and sarcastic and smart (and sometimes also mean to him): but when he was sick he became completely different. It was almost upsetting. If Turk wanted to be mean, he could get revenge for any time his brother had hurt him. But he wasn't mean. He really didn't like to see his brother in pain.
"Okay, now take an aspirin, while I check your fever".
"I don't want an aspirin. I want to sleep", whined Virgil.
Turk sighed again. "Sorry, but you have to. We need to get back to Vegas as soon as possible. Here".
Turk took out of the bag the aspirins, filled a glass with water and sit down on Virgil's bed. Virgil opened his eyes.
"I'm such a pain in the ass right now. Sorry".
Turk snorted. "You're always a pain in the ass. Nothing new".
Virgil took the aspirin and the water from Turk. He drank everything and closed his eyes again. "No, no, first this," said Turk.
Virgil opened just an eye, to see his brother presenting him a thermometer. Sighing, Virgil took it and put it under his arm, closing his eyes again. Turk didn't move. He waited for the thermometer to beep watching how his brother's face was pale and sweaty.
When the thermometer finally beeped, Turk took it gently from his brother arms. Virgil didn't move. "102,2", he read. "That's not good. It really needs to go down".
Virgil didn't answer. He was soundly asleep.
Good, thought Turk. He needed a shower and then some dinner. Then he would have gone to sleep, hoping that his brother would feel better the day after.