Jane let out another massive cough into her crumpled tissue. She lay on the couch covered in a blanket, absolutely miserable. Her throat was sore, her nose was red from irritation, she was so weak, and she felt feverish and achy. She wished Nicki was here so she wouldn't be alone fighting this sickness, but Nicki had her morning classes at college. She wanted to get up and make some food, but she was too weak to do anything.
Suddenly, she heard a small clatter. Oh, great. Tarzan was here. She did not want him to see her like this. Yet, here he was.
He walked in and frowned.
"Are you okay?" he asked in a tender voice.
"I'm fine," she sniffed. "I'm just a little sick."
He looked at her with concern showing clearly on his face. "You don't look fine." He bent down next to her and put his hand on her face. "You're very hot. And you're skin is white."
She did feel flushed. And just overall, really tired. Now was not the time she wanted to see Tarzan. "John…" she whispered.
He got up and went to the sink. She heard water rushing from the sink and wondered what he was doing. When he came back, she saw he had a wet cloth in his hand. He lightly pressed it to her cheek and forehead. It felt wonderful. Their eyes met as he rubbed it over her face and on the back of her neck. He had such concern showing in those beautiful eyes of his.
"Can I get you anything?" he asked.
"I'm a little hungry."
"I'll make you something."
"Do you know how to work anything?" She certainly didn't need her apartment set on fire. Not now.
"Kathleen showed me."
He went to her kitchen and she listened as she heard dishes clanking against one another and water running. Before long, he came back with a bowl of hot soup. She took it gingerly in her hands and put the spoon to her lips. The warmth felt soothing on her aching throat.
"Thank you," she said weakly. "Could you hand me the remote?"
He picked up the object he was still becoming familiar with and handed it to her. She turned on the TV and placed the bowl on the coffee table in front of her. Tarzan came and sat down next to her. He pulled her close to him and she rested her head on his shoulder. He was nice and warm on her feverish, shivering body. She pulled the blanket up around her neck and rested in his embrace. She felt so safe.
Tarzan rubbed her vibrant red hair while she continued to shiver. She coughed a little more and her chest began to ache along with everything else. But it didn't take long for her fatigued form to slump into unconsciousness. Tarzan took her and laid her back down on the couch. He pulled the blanket over her for her to stay warm. He even went to her bed and got her another blanket because she was still shivering.
He bent down again next to her face and rubbed her soft cheek. She was still really warm. He felt bad for her, knowing that he had done all he could. He planted a small, soft, precious kiss on her forehead and left through the window.
"Hey, Jane!" Nicki called as she came back from classes.
"Hey, Nick!" Jane answered from the couch.
"Still down in the dumps?"
Jane smiled. "You know, I'm actually feeling a lot better."