AN-This is what happens when your fav character gets sick and not just in the show. Poor Zoe Mclellan did her best but us sad little people who notice the little things couldn't resist could we BonesBird. This a one shot I came up with.
When the phone beeped agent Meredith Brody was tempted to ignore it. If she switched it off by accident or it died because she forgot to charge it then maybe she would get away with not turning up. Who was she kidding. If she didn't turn up they would come looking for her so it was better to go and face the next dead body. Sitting up she rubbed her eyes, they felt so heavy and sleepy. As she swung her legs over the side of bed she coughed a little. Okay now this was not funny. A cough was not on the list to add to the fact she was coming down with either a cold or worse flu. This was all LaSalle's fault, and she was going to kill him. He had come in to the office the week before and coughed and spluttered everywhere before Pride sent him home.
She thought about making him pay for her being sick but that would mean she would have to admit she was sick and that was not going to happen. Standing up she made her way to the bathroom grabbing her clothes on the way past. As she got ready she looked in the bathroom mirror. Now was definitely a full out makeup day. She needed to cover the fact she looked pale but her eyes would be a tough one. How did you cover up red bloodshot eyes? During the day sun glasses would work but at 21:30 at night that was not an option. Let's hope everyone was to tired to notice.
When she was ready she left the house and drove to meet Pride, LaSalle and no doubt Loretta at the crime scene. She was quickly briefed and set about checking the dead woman's background. She had to zip her jacket all the way to fend off the fact she felt a little cold. It wasn't even that cold yet she felt it. LaSalle set about taking pictures while she catalogued everything. They found out the dead woman had 2 foster kids to care for. Pride told his agents to head back to the office and chase up bringing them in and see if they could shed some light on this senseless hit and run.
All 3 cars pulled in the office car park at the same time. LaSalle was out of his first followed by Pride but Brody stayed in hers a little longer and she had to blow her nose which caused her to cough a little. What she didn't see was Pride approach her car and open the drivers door. Whipping her head round she looked at the person who had disturbed her feeling a little sorry for herself.
"Pride what's up?" She asked as she grabbed her bag of the passenger seat.
"You okay, you don't look over clever" Pride asked her and saw the look on her face at someone calling her on being sick.
"Fine just tired but what's new in this job" she said as she slid out the car and stood next to him.
He looked her up and down before closing the car door. He reached across and took her rucksack out her hand and shouldered it before he started to walk away. She looked at him carrying the backpack and set off after him. When she caught up with him she gave him a sideways glance trying to gage what he was doing.
"I am fine really, you don't need to carry my bag" as she reached up and tried to take the bag but he sidestepped her and she missed getting a hold of it.
He made it in the office and went to put her bag on the floor at her desk when she caught up to him again.
"Thanks" as she sat at her desk and watched as he smiled at her before turning to walk away.
The next few hours were manic, between the woman's foster boys being brought in and the realisation they had no one to seeing the social work come in and try to split them up. They were all on edge, Brody a little more than normal. Add in the fact it was getting late, as in next morning late. Once the boys had finally been sent to different places for the night Pride looked at his agents who were sat at their desks working or trying to work. Neither seemed to be getting anywhere fast and they both looked tired, Brody more than LaSalle.
"Home time people. Go get some sleep and come back refreshed, or as refreshed as possible" Pride told them both as he nodded at LaSalle and walked up to Brody's desk.
Pride watched as Brody shut her computer down and put the files on her desk in the draw before she looked up at him. She saw the concern on her face as he watched her. He was not giving up was he.
"Pride for the last time I am fine. I just need a sleep and a hot shower" she told him as she stood from her desk and picked her bag up.
"If you're sure then, maybe tell your eyes and your nose when you get home as there both red" as he stepped up to her and invaded her personal space.
"Maybe wear a sweater when you come in tomorrow as you have been cold since you took your jacket off" he point to her jacket on the back of her chair.
"Do you miss anything Pride? She asked him as she stood a little closer to him and locked eyes with him.
"No, not when it comes to you. What sort of investigator would I be if I missed things, important things about the important people around me" he replied making sure to never lose eye contact as he spoke.
"Well I am going home to bed, I haven't got the energy for a shower now" as she took a step back and moved to walk away from him.
"Goodnight, plenty to drink and wrap up warm" as he watched her walk away shaking her head.
He knew she was sick and so did she. He was fighting a losing battle as long as they has a case so all he could do was keep offering suggestions and try to not let her push herself too much. He didn't like seeing any of his agents come friends sick, especially her. She was like him in many ways. She was stubborn and she kept going no matter how bad she was. She would rather fall trying to stay up than admit she needed to stop and then carry on after a rest. Shaking his head he decided to see what she was like when she came back in and he would deal with it from there.
As she drove home she turned the heating up in the car, it was freezing out here. When she finally arrived home she grabbed her bag and practically ran up to the front door to get inside and get warm. As she closed the door behind her she dropped the bag and looking around she shrugged her shoulders and headed straight up the stairs. Arriving in her bedroom she put the bedside lamp on and took her clothes off quickly climbing in to bed shivering. Maybe she was sick after all, she shouldn't be this cold in New Orleans this time of year. Hopefully after a sleep she would feel better as she buried herself under the blankets and tried to stop shivering hoping she fall asleep soon.
Waking to the sound of her phone alarm Brody went to move and decided against it. Now she knew she was sick. She was still,buried deep under the blankets of her bed yets she was freezing. She lifted a hand to her head and sure enough she felt a little warm. Well she had to suck it up and get on with it. Tunnelling out the blankets she kicked them off and immediately wished she hadn't. Getting off the bed she made a dash for the bathroom and switched the shower on. As she removed her underwear she stood shivering and she couldn't stop it. As she climbed in the shower she stood letting the water attempt to warm her up. It wasn't working at all, so she got a quick wash and climbed out.
Going back in the bedroom she got dried and looked in her closet for clothes to wear for work. Pulling her underwear on she pulled a pair of jeans on and a long sleeved top. She was not going to go overboard or Pride would notice. When she finally put her boots on she made her way down to the kitchen to find something to maybe help her feel a little better. Finding a box of flu capsules she took a couple and chucked the box in her bag, she may need them later. She decided to forgo the coffee and go straight to work as no doubt she could get coffee there just as fast as here.
Looking in the hall mirror as she passed she picked her rucksack up but also her going out bag as she called it. It was a bag she took out with her when she went out and had a small supply of makeup in and after seeing her face and eyes she knew she needed it. Leaving the house she locked up and made a dash to the car to put the heating on. Half way to work she had to turn it off as she was now too hot. Well this was going to make for an interesting day, she really hoped the tablets she took did something and fast as she parked the car behinds Prides in the yard. Taking her makeup bag she applied a thicker layer than normal to cover the dark circles under her eyes and the very pale skin. She yet again couldn't do a thing about her eyes other than shove a pair of sunglasses on, well it was sunny outside. Putting her makeup bag on the back seat she climbed out and reached across for her backpack. She picked it up and shut the car door before taking a very slow walk to the office.
On entering she was meet by Pride sitting at his desk watching the door. She smiled at him and went to put her bag behind her desk.
"Morning Pride, no sign of LaSalle yet?" As she turned and looked at LaSalle's desk then turned to find Pride right in front of her.
"Pride! You gave me heart attack. Warn me next time, especially if you're going to sneak up on me like that" Brody said as she watched him survey her appearance.
"Morning, does that explain the red flush to your cheeks and the yet again bloodshot look to your eyes" Pride asks as he reached his hand up to her cheek feeling the heat then slowly moving it to her forehead.
"Or the slight fever you're running" as he kept his hand resting on her forehead.
She felt his cool hand rest on her cheek and had to fight the urge to lean in to it, take strength from its touch. When he placed it on her forehead she actually went weak at the knees. Sick or not it felt good. She was not going to show him she was sick.
"I am fine really, we have a case to solve and 2 boys that need our help. When we do that maybe I will find time to be sick but not now" as she looked at Pride and smiled a little.
"You are not fine and you can not fool me, when we are done with this case we will deal with the fact you're sick and Christopher for making you sick. Have you taken anything for it?" As he let his hand finally move from her head to her hand.
"Yes, just hope it kicks in soon" as she took the hand that was resting on hers and squeezed it.
"Let's see if we can crack this case and then get you feeling better. I have few remedies to try that I am sure will make you feel better" Prid told her giving her one of his smiles that she just had to smile back at.
Letting go of her hand he stepped back a little just as LaSalle came through the door. LaSalle gave a chipper morning to them both as he headed into the kitchen to make coffee. Brody sat at her desk and set everything up ready to make a start but noticed Pride was still watching her.
"Later I promise" as she nodded towards the kitchen
He looked at her then nodded before turning to head to his desk. He had just sat down when LaSalle appeared with coffee. They sat going over info and set out to track down a contact of the dead woman's and an social services agency involved with the 2 boys. After a house call to speak to the dead woman's friend they all meetup and paid the man who picked the boys up and head of the social services agency a visit. What they didn't expect was when confronted he would throw himself over the balcony. Another dead body another dead end.
After a little more digging and questioning the oldest boy, pieces began to fall into place. It turned out to be the boys dad who was using them and had killed there foster mother over drugs. Finally they had solved the case and were heading back to the office. Arriving back at the office Pride made a few calls and managed to make a deal on the drug charges against the older boy who it turned out had put in to be his brothers guardian.
It was now Loretta's turn to join in as she stepped up and offered to take in the boys to live with her. Pride did try and call her on her decision but she would not be swayed. Loretta was happy, the boys were happy. Now he just had the job of dealing with Brody, which was easier said than down.
He followed Loretta to the kitchen where the brothers were sat with Loretta and Brody discussion what they were going to do. Loretta looked between Brody and Pride and nodded her head. She saw how sick Brody was now and she knew Pride would have the matter in hand. She motioned for the boys to go home and they left leaving him standing looking down at Brody sat at the table.
"Case closed were done" as he stepped up to her and put his hand on her shoulder.
He felt the heat coming off her though the top she had on. Moving his hand to the back of her neck then to her forehead he felt how hot she actually was. When he had his hand on her head she turned a little to look at him. That was enough for him to take action. He lowered his hand and without a thought for anyone or anything else he stepped up to her and picked her up, carrying her bridal style. She wrapped her arms round his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. That was when he knew how sick she actual was.
As he carried her up the stairs he couldn't help place a few kisses to her forehead. She was sick and he was going to look after her and holder her till she was better. Now he had her in his arms he was not letting go and judging by the fact as he tried to put her on his bed come couch neither was she.
"You have to let go. I am not going anywhere but I need to get you ready for bed. Then I got to make you a famous Dwayne Pride special cold remedy" as she finally let go of his neck.
"Does this famous Dwayne Pride cold remedy involve coming back and holding me close?" She asked him as her voice went a little at the end of the sentence.
Now he was on his knees beside her and he gathered her back into his arms.
"I will hold you now and always if you let me and never let go if that's what you want" he told her as he placed kisses to her neck.
"Yes, I just want you to hold me and make me feel better and keep me safe and..." But she never finished the sentence.
"And what? I can't do it if you don't tell me" Pride told her as he eased her back a little so he could see her face.
Brody sat and studied Pride face, everything was there. Written in his eyes, in his smile. She knew she could finish the sentence and he would say yes.
"Love me" she whispered looking down at her hands.
Prides heart soared and broke at the same time. What has she been through at the hands of men to make her doubt this.
"Merri look at me" as he put his hand under her chin to bring her face level with his.
"I will love you as long as you let me love you. Never ever question that, not now not ever" as he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.
Cold or no cold he was not going to let it stop him kissing her, and kiss her he did till they were both breathless. As they sat resting their heads together he held her close and stroked her back. He felt her grow heavy against him.
"Hey no sleeping yet, you need to get changed and I need you to try something first. Put this one and I will go make you my special cold cure" as he passed her his t- shirt.
She took the t-shirt and started to get changed. Pride left the room and headed to the kitchen, hoping he still had everything he needed in the kitchen. Sure enough he had soon whipped up a Pride special cocktail for colds and flu. Taking the drink up he came in the room and looked across at the bed. Sure enough she was changed and her clothes were dumped at the foot of the bed on the floor.
Stepping up to her he passed her the drink. She looked between the drink and back at Pride.
"It's safe, it's either a kill you or cure you remedy. Works every time for me" as he stood and started to take his clothes off watching as she brought the drink to her lips.
After downing the drink she coughed and spluttered and put the cup on the table.
"Do I even want to know what was in that or is it best not knowing?" As she shuffled back on the bed and lay down facing him on her side.
"Best not to know. You ready for sleep now?" He asked as he let his jeans drop to the floor and stepped out of them.
"I am so ready for sleep as long as I get to hold you" as she looked up through half closed eyes.
Switching the light off Pride walked back to the bed and climbed in, making sure he tucked the blankets around her to keep her warm. Pulling her to him he held her to his chest as she rested her head above his heart letting the beat lull her to sleep. He lay awake for a while just watching her sleep. She fitted so perfect against him, he had made a promise to hold her and he intended to keep that promise as long as he had air in his lungs and his heart was still beating.
He was just drifting off to sleep when he heard his phone beep on the table. Reaching across he picked it up and read the message on it. He had to read it a couple of times before it sunk in. Looking down at the women asleep he knew he was about to break a promise he had just made but now another member of his family needed him. He slowly edged away and lay her down. Luckily she stayed asleep. Gathering his clothes together he quickly got dressed and wrote a note in case she woke up and started to worry. Placing the note on the table so she would see it if needed he left the room and set of downstairs.
He looked back up the stairs once before he stepped out into the night to go pick up another member of his family who needed him. Why did it never rain but pour for his team. Just when things seemed to go right for one something went horribly wrong for another. Pushing the thought aside he got in the car and pulled out the yard. It was going to be a long few days for his team but he would stand tall and be there for them all but in different ways. He knew when Brody woke and either read the note or found out what had happened she would rally round, that's what families did for each other and they were a family in their own weird dysfunctional way.
AN2- This little one shot has not got tangled in with the other little one shot I had from episode 1x16. So my one shot just turned in to 2 chapters.