Reasons To Live

Part One: An Old Enemy

Goniff walked into the room as if he was walking into a room he was going to burglarize. There was definitely a body somewhere under the blanket on the cot. Llittle Runt was a dead giveaway. Goniff carefully picked up the little kitten that had adopted Chief and was contentedly sleeping on Chief's back. Then softly he called out, "Wakey, wakey, Chiefy."

When there was no movement Goniff went over to the sleeping man and gently nudged his shoulder. Months ago he had made the scary and painful mistake of shaking the guardian awake and had ended up with a switchblade at his throat.

Goniff, gently petting the quiet kitten called again, "Come on Chief, no lie in today. The Warden's got plans for us."

Chief's muffled voice came from under the covers, "Leave me alone, Goniff."

Goniff shook his head and nodded to the kitten as he said, "OK, don't say I didn't try when the Warden comes for you." Now that should get him up and moving, Goniff thought to himself. The guy would do anything for the Warden.

Sure enough Chief slowly and stiffly came out from under the blanket and sat up holding his head in his hands.

Goniff frowned and said, "What did you do last night, sneak into Actor's stash? I know for a fact Casino's is gone." Because I finished it off a couple of nights ago all by myself, he thought to himself smiling.

Chief was still holding his head. "Not a hangover…headache." The pain was worse than when he first woke up at dawn. He had been glad that the Warden was going to Headquarters and had decided not to run this morning. The pain then had made him sick to his stomach. Now it felt like someone was squeezing the inside of his head in a vise. He didn't want to ask for help but he couldn't do his job if the pain didn't stop. Just a couple of aspirin and he would be OK. He had to do his job. He had to ask. Maybe Goniff wouldn't tell anyone he was too sick to do his job. "Goniff, would you get me a couple of aspirin, please?"

Goniff, took a good look at his friend and felt a moment of pity. If Chiefy was as hungover as he looked then he was in a lot of pain. Looking down at the kitten he smiled and said, "Yeah, sure, no one likes a hungover, grumpy..." he almost said guardian and he had promised himself never even to think of Chief as a guardian. "Indian."

Dwnstairs:

Goniff found the Warden and the rest of the team eating breakfast. The Warden glanced up and frowned. "Where is he?"

Goniff shrugged putting Runt down on the floor. As he watched the kitten run off in search of its breakfast he said, "Still in bed having another lie in. Sent me for some aspirin. Seems he's a little hungover. Looks like 'ell."

The Warden frowned. "Too bad about him. Have your breakfast Goniff. He can come and get the aspirin himself."

Garrison was irritated by Chief's drinking. The guardian had been withdrawn, almost sullen after they had gotten back from the so-called practice mission that had almost gotten Casino killed. He thought that he had been able to make Chief see that he hadn't done anything wrong. That what had happened had been beyond any of their control. This behavior was more than he could deal with right now.

Goniff plopped down in the chair and said, "You're right, Warden. Why should I be nice when he had a party all by himself last night?"

Actor looked at the Warden and said quietly, "It is not like Chief to drink himself into a hangover. Maybe you should talk to him before you leave?"

"Actor's right Warden, the only reason Chief drinks is because everyone else is drinking. I don't think the guy even likes to drink. Something's been off with him since we got back." said Casino putting in his two cents.

Garrison, couldn't help but wince when he looked at Casino's bruised and battered face. He sighed, "You're right." He turned back to Actor. "Just in case, when is his next appointment with Dr. Blaine? If there is a problem, maybe we can get him to her sooner."

Actor nodded, "There is no set date. She just asked that we give her a few hours notice. I will give her a call."

Garrison stood up and said, "Good, I'll go talk to him and let you know."

Goniff piped up, "Don't forget the aspirin, Warden."

Garrison turned to the smiling thief and said, "I won't. Thank you, Goniff."

Back upstairs:

Chief was still in bed when the Warden walked into the sleeping quarters. Standing over the man, he said in a loud, booming, command voice, "All right, Chief, here are your aspirin."

Chief actually moaned. "Not hungover." He sat up slowly and took the glass of water and aspirin. Keeping his head down he said, "Thank you." As he handed back the glass.

The Warden took a good long look at him. "You do look like hell."

Chief, with his head still down, grudgingly confessed in a whisper, "Feel worse." Then he began to cough.

The Warden waited for the coughing to subside and then reached for Chief's forehead without thinking. If Chief was admitting to being sick, then he was seriously ill.

Chief almost swatted his Hearth's hand away but stopped himself and let him check for a fever. "You've definitely got a fever. OK, I'll tell everyone you're on bedrest."

Chief slid under the covers again. "I'll be OK. I just need to sleep a little longer."

Garrison said firmly, "You stay in bed. I'll have someone bring you up a tray."

Chief pleaded, "Please no, can't stand the smell."

"You've got to have something. How about some toast?" asked Garrison.

"Water's the only thing I can stomach right now, Warden," answered Chief.

"Try some toast. I'll have Actor check on you later."

Chief put his head down and pulled the covers up and over his head. For some reason the light made his eyes hurt. In a blanketed muffled voice he said, "Thanks, Warden. I'll be ready to go when you get back."

Garrison thought to himself, Sure you will, Chief.

Slowly, the Warden walked down the stairs and stopped at the base. He didn't like the way Chief looked and sounded and was debating about going back upstairs when Actor walked up to him. "I didn't hear any shouting. Did you find out what is bothering him?"

Garrison frowned, "It's not a hangover. He's sick. He's got a fever, his cough is worse and his stomach is bothering him. Keep an eye on him and if he gets worse take him to the doctor in the village. Don't take him to the military hospital unless you don't have a choice. I don't want to take any chances with him in case our Mr. Fixer or anyone else from G-CAT is around."

Actor frowned, "You are right, of course but..."

Garrison didn't like the look on Actor's face, it usually meant more trouble. "What?"

Actor took a deep breath, "Before our little practice mission you volunteered us to help with repairs at the school."

Garrison nodded.

Actor continued, "We were able to make the repairs, at that time, because the school had been closed due to a measles outbreak in the village. Some of the children that were not sick at the time seemed to think watching us work was great entertainment especially after Goniff told them Chief was a real live American Indian." Actor smiled remembering the look of awe on the children's' faces as they respectfully watched Chief from a distance, at first. Then they wholeheartedly joined in to help. They brought water, picked up things that had fallen, cleaned up... "They were absolutely fascinated by him. Chief didn't know what to do. Then a little girl climbed a ladder to hand Casino something and lost her hold. She fell but, fortunately, Chief caught her. She was so grateful she immediately started giving him kisses." Actor, smiled at the memory. "The look on Chief's face was priceless...I am sorry, I digress. As I am certain you know, measles is a highly contagious disease. Chief could have been exposed to it then."

Garrison looked surprised. He hadn't even been told that the school had been closed, let alone that there was a measles outbreak. So, Chief could have measles. Measles was a kids disease with spots and having to stay in a dark room because your eyes hurt. Even if Chief had measles it wouldn't be so bad. "OK, if it's measles then a few days on bedrest and he'll be fine."

Actor shook his head. "If it is measles, and we can not be certain that it is until he develops a rash, it can be much harder on an adult than a child. There are also more chances of secondary infections, pneumonia being the most serious. In Chief's case it could be even more dangerous."

Garrison asked, "Why do you say that?"

Actor looked worried, "Measles is a European disease that was brought to the Americas by European explores and settlers. The Indian population had no resistance to the disease. The disease was devastating to them, almost as bad as smallpox. Untold thousand have suffered and died. Chief is Indian and this childhood disease could be life-threatening for him."

Actor saw the worry on the Warden's face and added, "I do not wish to be an alarmist. It is just that we need to be aware of all the dangers and possibilities so we can take every precaution and, of course, it might not be measles."

Garrison was frustrated. Damn can't we ever catch a break?, he thought to himself. "Alright keep a close eye on him and find out if the other two have had it. What about you?"

Actor smiled, "Let us just say I had a large extended family that loved to share everything. I am in no danger. What about you?"

Garrison said, "When I was a kid. Now, same orders apply. If he gets worse take him to the doctor in the village, first. I'll speak with the Sergeant Major and tell him that Chief is on bedrest and no one is to disturb him and that if you think it's necessary, you'll take him to the doctor. Have Goniff go with you. I don't want Casino scaring the people with the way he looks now."

Actor said, "Might I recommend that you have the Sergeant Major remind Sergeant Braxton what bedrest means. He seems to go out of his way to harass Chief."

Warden nodded in agreement. "You're right. I will have a talk with Sergeant Braxton before I leave. I've had enough of him myself. Call me if he gets worse or if there are any problems. I'll be meeting with a Colonel White at Headquarters. I'll tell them to get me immediately. Let me get you the number."