(A/N: Mary and Joey are still in high school, Dominique is on vacation with Brit and Bree, and Mary already finished the chores they gave her.)

Joey Parker was walking through the halls of his high school, looking around and trying to find his girlfriend, Mary Santiago. He hadn't seen her all day and was really starting to wonder where she was.

He spotted his friends, Dustin and Tami, talking nearby. He walked over to them.

"Hey guys. Have you seen Mary?"

"Nope. Sorry, JP."

He turned to look at Tami. "Have you?"

Tami shook her head. "I don't think she came to school today. When I went to pick her up this morning, she said she didn't feel well and told me to leave without her, or else I'd be late for school. She said she'd come in later on her skateboard."

Joey instantly became worried. "Is she okay?!"

"I'm not sure; she isn't answering any of my texts."

"I think I'm gonna go check up on her."

"I wish I could come, but I can't. I promised my mom I'd be back in time to go to Grandma's house today."

"Sorry JP, I'm busy to. But gimme a call to tell me how she's doing, alright?"

"Sure. I'll see you guys tomorrow then. Bye."

He jogged out to his car and drove over to Mary's house. When he got there, he knocked on her door. Receiving no answer, he walked over to the loose stone next to her door and removed her spare key. Dominique had made Mary re-do the driveway a couple years back, and she had decided to hide the key there for emergencies.

He opened the door quietly to see Mary sleeping peacefully. He walked towards the bed and smiled as he watched her sleep.

He put a hand on her cheek and moved it to her forehead, frowning. She was burning!

Suddenly she started whimpering and tossing wildly in her bed. Joey crouched down and whispered soothingly "Shh… it's alright Mary. I'm here. I won't let anything hurt to you. It's okay…"

Her eyes, filled with fear, flew open. She sat up abruptly, but then moaned and clutched her head.

"Mary, Mary, calm down. It's just me, Joey."

"J-Joey?"

"Yes, Joey. Now calm down. You have a really bad fever."

"W-what are you doing here?" she asked weakly.

"You weren't at school and you didn't answer Tami's text messages, so I decided to come and check on you."

"B-but… I… You-"

"Mary, it's okay. Now go to sleep. You need your rest." He said softly.

Her eyes widened fearfully. "But I-"

"Mary." He said, stroking her hair, "I won't let anything happen to you."

"B-but what about w-when you l-leave?" she asked shakily. She looked like a frightened little girl.

"I won't leave. I'll stay with you until you get better."

"Promise?"

"I promise." He smiled gently at her before patting her cheek. "Now go to sleep."

"Okay." She whispered before closing her eyes and snuggling into her pillow. After a few seconds she opened her eyes again. "Joey?"

"Hmm?"

"W-would you… C-could… Can you come lie with me? I- I want to know that you're still here."

"Of course Mary." She shifted so there was room for him on the bed. He got under the covers with her and wrapped his arms around her. "Now go to sleep. You need to rest."

"Okay. Goodnight, Joey."

"Goodnight Mary." Within seconds she was asleep. "Sweet dreams." He whispered.