"I am not sick."

"Yes, you are."

"I'm fine! I don't know what you – ah, ah, ah, ATCHOOO!"

Freddie rolled his eyes and handed Carly a tissue.

"Carly," he said, putting his hands on her shoulders. "You are sick. You've got a temperature, you're sneezing your head off and you sound really bunged up."

Carly scowled at him. "My head is perfectly clear, thank you."

"You spent the whole of yesterday out in the snow with Spencer and you've obviously got a chill. Come on, lay down and I'll get your quilt from upstairs."

"But we need to rehearse for iCarly!" She protested.

"We just finished rehearsing." Freddie raised an eyebrow at her and she slumped against him, defeated.

"Will you put Girlie Cow on for me?" She asked softly.

"Sure. Just lay down. I'll be right back." He kissed her forehead quickly and headed up the stairs, leaving Carly to settle a cushion against the armrest on the couch and lean against it, closing her eyes.

Freddie returned with her purple quilt and laid it over her, only for her to grab his wrist and mumble something about him staying. He grinned and hopped over the back, letting her nestle in his arms. He reached for the remote and turned on the TV, switching the channel to a rerun of Girlie Cow. Carly made a sleepy noise of contentment and sniffled.

They continued to watch the cartoon for another half hour, Freddie sometimes checking that she was OK and feeling her forehead. Carly dozed on his lap, not really paying attention to anything other than that she was safe and warm.

The episode finished and Carly stretched, laying her arms around his neck and looking at him. He watched her back, a half-smile adorning his features.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured finally, cupping her cheek.

Carly blushed and averted her eyes. "No I'm not. I'm all red-nosed and ill."

Freddie smiled properly. "No, you're cute when you have a red nose."

Carly pulled his head forward a little and rested it on hers. "Freddie, do you mind getting a cold?"

"Not if you nurse me back to health," Freddie quipped, winking. Carly giggled and poked him.

"It's been a whole two hours since you last kissed me," Carly said, batting her eyelashes.

"I know."

"Want to fix that?"

"Sure." Freddie planted one on her mouth and pulled away, smirking.

"Freddie!" Carly whined. Freddie sniggered.

Carly sighed and then smashed his lips onto hers.

His reaction was instant, as always. He was answering every question she asked, and she was clutched so tightly to his chest by his strong arms that she could feel his erratic heartbeat through her quilt.

Her fingers struggled at his hair, pulling and tugging as his teeth bit down lightly on her lower lip. She let out a tiny whimper; a low growl rumbled through his chest, and his arms loosened so that he could move his hand over her bare stomach.

A loud cough sounded from the direction of the door and they broke apart immediately, panting and severely dishevelled. Spencer was snickering by the door, and Sam was giggling behind him.

"Hey, guys," Sam said. "Having fun?"

Carly and Freddie went scarlet. Spencer walked over to them and patted their heads.

"Ah, young love," he sighed. "Freddie, keep that hand below waist level, and you get spaghetti tacos later. You get me?"

Freddie nodded vigorously. Sam seemed to forget about the compromising position she'd just found her friends in and turned to Carly's brother.

"Spaghetti tacos? You'd better make loads for Momma."

Spencer saluted her, just as Carly sneezed.

-

"ATCHOO!"

"Nurse Shay is here." Carly handed her 'patient' a glass of water and returned his weak smile.