A/N: At long last, here is Chapter Two for your enjoyment. I appreciate all of the comments made, but I would love more. Really. Let me know what you think of this chapter. Again, thanks to everyone who reads this... more on the way soon! Have a Rileytastic day!

"Hold this will ya?"

I suddenly notice the dome light is on, and Riley is standing there shoving pizza onto my lap. He ordered two large pizzas? I can't believe him! What is he thinking?

The drive home is mostly silent. We get to his apartment and I find myself relishing the idea that I get to spend the night cuddled up on his really expensive La-Z-Boy couch, eating pizza and watching movies until I pass out. He lets me stay here sometimes, when it's too late to drive home. He never has liked me to drive home by myself. That's just him. He always thinks I'll run out of gas or something… and since I live about a half hour away, I gladly accept his invitation. Saying no to Riley is impossible. He gets this look on his face that's all about 'What? My apartments not good enough for you? You'd rather abandon me?' thing. I can't stand it. Or maybe I can, but I don't admit that to him.

I immediately go for the couch the minute he opens the door, leaving him to carry both pizzas and a bottle of root beer. What does he expect? I LOVE this couch.

"Scootch over." Riley walks into the room, a slice of pizza hanging half way out of his mouth, and a pizza box balanced in each hand.

I reluctantly move over a bit, and just stare at him. He props his feet onto the coffee table and leans back, "Ahhhh…" He lets out this sigh of relief and hands me a piece of pizza. It looks like it has been overcooked, but I don't care. I eat it anyway, because someone has already eaten one of my dinners tonight and I'm not about to get cheated again.

He keeps eating. And it's cute. It's really, really cute. I don't even know why. It must have something to do with the happy sparkle in his eyes, the smug look on his face and the way he chews. Yeah. The way he chews is cute. It kind of reminds me of a little boy. A little boy who is having his most favorite meal – like Mac and Cheese or something.

Mac and Cheese. It reminds me of a time when Riley was sick.

"Sit down Riley."

"I have to go to work."

"No you don't. Will you please just sit still for a second? I'm trying to take your temperature."

"That's just… wrong."

"Shush."

"Ben says that, and I don't like it."

"Riley!"

"Okay."

I took the thermometer and stuck it under his tongue.

"Ish ishz sho shtupid." Riley's words came out all ridiculous.

"I told you to be quiet. So, be QUIET."

A few minutes later I'm taking the thermometer out of his mouth. Yup. The boy sure isn't going anywhere today.

"But Katie, I told you. I have to be at that gala. There is NO WAY Ben'll let me miss it. He'll… do…. evil things to me."

I raised an eyebrow, "Like?"

Riley shrugged. "Bad things. Like throw me into a deep hole of death and despair."

"Riley, you've already been there, done that."

"Oh. Oh yeah. But, um… this would be like twice as deep…"

"Okay. But you're still… soooo not going."

Riley grumbled, tilting his head back towards the ceiling. "Kate…"

"I'll call Ben, don't worry."

We spent the next three days bunked up in his apartment. I didn't want him to be alone, and if you knew Riley at all you'd understand the importance of taking care of him.

He had all the wretched signs of the flu, but being the stubborn man he is I still found myself making macaroni and cheese for him.

I took it to him while he was in bed, propped up by a large amount of pillows.

"Oh great! I'm starved!"

"Hold it buddy!" I pulled the bowl away from him, "You've got the flu. You need to take it easy… I figure it's pretty mild but still…"

"Yes Nurse!"

"Hey!"

"Okay."

I handed him the bowl and he started eating with delight, and I thought.. wow… he's on the mend!

Well, I thought that… until about 11pm that night.

I sat reading by his bed when he weakly turned his head towards me, "Kate?" He whispered; his voice hoarse, "Please"!

"Hmm?"

Riley coughed, oh how it must hurt him. "Kate? I need your help so bad. I really...I...gotta go." His voice was louder and shaking with pain.

I rubbed my eyes, waking up. My voice filled with concern, "Riley? Go where?"

Riley swallowed hard, the pain in his stomach becoming intense. "Kate," Riley turned white, "I think I gotta puke...I..." His voice became full of emotion.

"It's ok. I'll help you. C'mon."

Riley pulled himself up, grasping my arm. He flinched and let out a painful sob. After a little bit of a struggle walking, we found ourselves in the bathroom.

"Awww..crrrraaappp..." Riley moaned, falling to his knees in front of the toilet.

"Are you okay?"

"Nooo..." Riley's head hovered over the toilet bowl, the world spinning around him.

Before I had a chance to ask why Riley began throwing up violently. I immediately kneeled down by him and massaged his back in small circles. "Oh Riley, hun, it's okay. Let it go. Let it alllllll go." And he did.

I sighed with relief. It appeared he was done for the moment. He was now leaning against the wall, breathing hard and holding his weak tummy. I just looked at him sadly then slowly stumbled to my feet. "Let's get you cleaned up."

I wet a washcloth in the sink and walked over and knelt by him, wiping his mouth and chin.

"I'm...so... c-cold...Ka...Kate. Pl..please..." I saw some tears fall down his hot cheeks.

I wrapped my arms around him, rubbing his back, trying to get the blood flowing. But, that wasn't the problem. He was burning hot. "Stand up okay?"

After the war between Riley and the toilet was over, I dragged him to his bedroom.

"Here now love, let's get that nasty shirt off." I looked at him. He looked so pale and his eyes were so tired. Lifting his shirt up off his head became a difficult task, and it was lucky I was there to assist him.

I went to his closet and looked inside. Nothing but nice dress shirts and ties. What the? Does this boy ever do his laundry? Luckily I found a white tee-shirt in the bottom drawer of his dresser.

"You are so lucky Riley, or else you'd have to sleep in your suit." I smiled slightly, reaching the shirt out for him to take from my hand.

"At least I'd look smashing."

"Right…" I laughed, "Just put the shirt on and get your butt in bed. Please?" I'm still waiting for him to take the shirt, when he doubles over, not able to stand on his own anymore. I take his arm, shocked by the heat of his skin, and set him down on the foot of the bed. "Here you go. Ya alright?"

He looks up at me, his hair sticking up all over the place, unshaven, with eyes so bright and blue. They were longing for me to just take care of him, he needed that right now. So, without another word I start to dress him, slipping his shirt over his head, bringing his arm through each sleeve, and then I pull it down over his chest. He has his eyes closed, and he's kinda rocking back and forth… like a….child. A child who just needs his mommy to make the sickness go away.

At that point, I'm pretty sure my motherly instincts took over. Taking his hand gently into mine I said, "Sit up Riley. Let's get you into the covers."

He reluctantly agrees and scoots back so his head rests on the pillow. It's then I look around his room, leftovers of mac-and-cheese still remain so I begin to pick up a bit. Last thing on earth he needs to see right now is any kind of food that's been sitting out for more than two days.

After disposing of all the waste in the kitchen trash can, I return to the room and find Riley staring up at the ceiling. I wonder what he is thinking about, but I don't want to interrupt… especially if he has another wave of whatever that crud was in the bathroom. Didn't ever want him to live through something like that again.

His voice is wavering when he says, "Kate? Am I gonna die?"

"Riley! You're not gonna die, it's the flu!"

The corners of his mouth curve into a smile, "I know. I've just always wanted to say that." He begins to laugh, while I just stare at him, as his laugh turned to a cough.

"Settle down boy." I walk over and sit on the side of the bed, "Do you want the covers on?"

"Nah, not yet." He grimaced in pain, discomfort… I wasn't quite sure which. "I hate this. This really just sucks." He places his hand on his forehead and rubs it. "I got this blasted headache that's never going to leave!"

I don't say a word, but my face is full of worry, I can tell. I couldn't think of what to do for him… next thing I know my hand is on top of his stomach. I begin to rub it gently, small circular motions, and the pain on his face seems to subside. "Oh Kate… that's… mmm…" He kinda moans and stretches his arms above his head. I figure he likes it.

My fingers trace little hearts on his stomach. I don't know. It just seemed natural. Riley doesn't seem to notice, and all I want is for him to feel better. My poor, sweet, geeky Riley. His breathing becomes steadier now, I think he's near asleep and that is so comforting to me. I run my fingers through his hair and then lean over, placing a small kiss on his forehead.

Yup. Gotta be asleep.

I begin to stand up, my hand sliding off his stomach, but I'm surprised to feel him reach for me. He places my hand back on his stomach and covers it with his. "Don't go…" He whispers.

I smile slightly, "You're supposed to be asleep." I take my free hand and rub his cheek. He's burning up and I wish so very much I could do more for him. But, no pill I give him seems to help.

I watch as he turns his head towards the palm of my hand, and a shiver runs down my spine when he kisses it softly.

"Ri..-ley?"

"Shh…" He kisses my palm one more time and whispers into it, "Thank you."

"…for… what?"

"For helping me out of… well," He swallowed, "The bathroom, and just…everything else."

I'm kind of nervous. I don't even know why. "Mmhhm, Riley, that's what friends are for."

"You're the best."

He shivered and I realized his covers were still down around his legs. Prying his hand off of mine, I tugged the covers up, tucking them under his chin. "You need to sleep, sweetheart." Sweetheart? Did I seriously just call him sweetheart?

"…'kay I will, thanks."

I run my hand through his hair once more, and pat the side of his face. Then I got up, stretching. I guess it'll be another night on that lovely couch of his.

"Kate?" His voice sounds soft, and I want to make sure I hear him so I go back over and sit on the side of the bed.

"Yes, Riley?"

"Do you believe me?"

"Believe you? That you're sick? Of course. Who was it who just witnessed that scene in the bathroom? Hm?" I touched his nose and smiled.

He just rolls his eyes. "No… not… that. I mean, well, er, do you believe that I've seen the President's Secret Book?"

Oh. This again? The whole time I've known Riley he's always been nervous about his book, especially since it wasn't really "sought after" or "respected."

"You should know by now that I do."

"No, but… really. Kate, I never even got to hold that thing in my hands. Do you know how frustrating it is to come THISCLOSE to something you live your life for, and then walk away?" His eyes are all passionate again, and I wonder if the Tylenol will ever kick in. I love hearing him talk like this, but not when he's in pain and torment.

"Listen, who was it that bought your book at midnight at Borders? Who was it that practically stalked Benjamin Gates just so he could introduce us? Who basically lives and breathes for whatever amazing thought you're going to have next? Me. And I trust you. I know you."

He licks his lips and smiles up at me, his eyes are getting kind of droopy now and I wish for the sake of his poor body he'd just sleep. But, I should know better. The wheels never quit turning in that wonderful head. When he's not awake, he's dreaming of some new idea or contraption.

"Sleep, Riley." I tuck the covers back around him that have managed to slip off. I got up and walked to the doorway, pausing, listening for his breathing.

And I can't be sure if he was awake or sleep talking but as I turn out the light I hear, "No more mac and cheese please…. Ever."

I shake my head and smile.

I think sleep has finally come.