He got dressed carefully. Normally he would wear one of his flamboyant outfits. He always like to pardon the pun cause a riot where ever he went. But today he simply wore a black ribbed turtle neck sweater and black jeans. He honestly did not think he could pull of his usual black and yellow frock coat and skin tight pants feeling as he did. He pocketed a travel pack of tissues and was out the door.

Minx and Rapture sat at the table in the board room of the Stinger Sound Offices.

They were joined by a couple of stuffy men in suits, a video director, prop designer and a women who like the suits was of an indeterminable position.

They expected Riot any minute. He was late. Again.

In the meantime Rapture was stroking a gold statue of Bast the the cat goddess. She had brought it with her and set it directly inf front of her when she first took her seat When asked what she was doing she looked around the room dramatically and explained that for their new video she wanted to invoke the spirit of the feline Egyptian idol. The video was for for their new song "Egyptian Eyes"

Minx smiled fondly at her friend. What a kook Rapture was. You was never really knew when she was being serious or pulling a hoax but her friends knew all too well that Rapture got a kick out of making others believe her nonsense . Catching her smile Rapture gave her band mate a knowing glance and winked

The minutes ticked by

Minx soon turned her attention to the cute young videographer sitting next to her

"So darling" Minx murmured in her sexy German accent."What are you doing later tonight?" Much to his regret he never got to answer the question as the final member of the Stingers arrived

"Hello everyone. My apologies for being late" Riot's trademark velvety voice sounded strained and painfully hoarse.

A series of greetings went around the room. He took a set at the head of the table.

They began to discuss the plans for the video in regard to concepts and wardrobe and location ideas. The meeting seemed to drone on and one. where as Riot would usually be the centre of all the discussion he couldn't seem to concentrate today. What he did notice that anytime he coughed or sniffled either Minx or Rapture would look at him questioningly Was he that obviously unwell?

"Well how authentic to you want to play this thing? The director asked " Do you think we should shoot on location in Egypt?" Riot had been feeling need to sneeze even before the question was asked. It had been there torturing his nostrils for a few minutes now and Riot was doing his best to keep it at bay. He was about to answer and all at once it came over him. He held up 1 finger as if to say hold on and then turned away just in time to sneeze in the cook of his arm.

"HEheegChoo!"

Riot dug out the pack of tissues and turned his back to the room while he blew his nose. He tried to be as discreet as possible. He turned back around and smiled as charismatically as possible

"Yes Egypt sounds quite fantastic actually." He tried to sound enthusiastic.

"great" The suit said." we will start working on the exact location immediately. Any specific monuments you might like to have in the video"

Why did they keep asking him questions? His nose twitched. He needed to sneeze again. Badly He put his finger above his top lip in an attempt to ward the sneeze off. It did not seem to be helping

"Pardon me . I ..I'm..Ahhchhish!...Hhemmph!Achoo..." He tried to answer the question but the sneezes did not stop there. Nope. They were persistent. "hiitchew! hatchooo! Heeressh! Hinxt AHHTCHEW" He grabbed a tissue from his back pocket and turned away again as he tried to clear the resulting congestion. It came out sounding much louder then intended and when he finally turned around his cheeks were rosy with embarrassment. Everyone was staring.

"Bless you." The room chorused.

"It seems my allergy of cats has extended to the brass variety as well." Riot said indicating Rapture's replica of Bast and trying to make light of the situation.

He was not about to admit he was ill. Not to a room full of business executives. What? And ruin his unquestionable perfection? Not a chance.

He took his seat once more and willed himself to pay attention despite his fatigued condition.

It was not an easy task. His mind was more focused on trying to preserve his illusion of health. He sat upright although his head felt weary. He cleared his throat to keep from coughing. And this time with any sign of a sneeze he excused himself under the guise of going to the bathroom.

This was his 2nd time. He left the office and headed down the corridor to the public rest rooms.

He entered the men's room and sat huddled in the stall sneezing sneeze after sneeze until the fit had past. He rubbed his temples and sighed. He just wanted to go home curl up in his bed and sleep.

But first he had to get through this meeting. He wiped his nose and without looking casually threw the tissue over his shoulder. It landed directly in the garbage. Of course!

The meeting ended shortly after. Everyone filed out and he was left alone with Rapture and Minx.

"So that was productive" Minx said sarcastically."Americans! Their ideas are so mundane"

"We cant just use the same rehashed cliches that everyone has seen a million times. What did they think we would be like 'ohhh look he has a suit. He must be important. Lets listen to his stupid boring old suggestions. I cant believe they didn't like my idea of me changing into a cat and..."

"Enough both of you! I have a throbbing headache and listening to the two of you is just making it worse!"

Both blond girls looked at Riot. His snappish attitude was as famous as his voice but not usually to them. Well at least ,not as often.

He usually revelled in mocking the music executives he felt were beneath him.

The three of them would always come away from meetings laughing and making fun of their small minded views and pathetic concepts.

"So I figured we would all go to our next meeting together" Rapture suggested

"At least these people have taste. They recognize true talent when they see it. Investing in a Stingers clothing line is a fantastic idea." Minx said arrogantly.

"The next meeting!" Riot exclaimed as it dawned on him " I totally forgot about that"

"You haven't made other plans have you?" Minx enquired.

Riot sighed heavily. "Well actually yes. I have a date with my bed"

"who's the lucky lady?" Rapture leered

At this Riot couldn't help but laugh. His laughter soon turned to harsh ragged sounding coughs.

Minx and Rapture looked at him with concern but said nothing although they both wanted to. Dealing with Riot was sometimes a tricky situation. He was proud, he was stubborn and if he didn't want to admit he was sick then they weren't going to say anything.

"I'm sick" Riot admitted. "As if both of you couldn't already tell. I'm going to do what I should have done yesterday and get some rest." He paused and then looked at Rapture and said " I should have listened to you"

"Well the important thing now is to rest up and get well. Remember we have a concert in a few days" Rapture shook her finger at him in mock scold.

" As if I've forgotten? Jem is going to be there. Any opportunity to see her is one where I can convince her she shall be mine If I am to get well it shall be for her and for her alone"

Oh yes! Riot really did talk like this.

The girls just rolled their eyes.

"Don't forget about your own band or anything" Minx said hotly

What was it about Jem that held such power over Riot?

They had no idea. Jem should have realized ages ago how perfect he was. Oh well. One day she would get it.

"I'm leaving now. Be good little girls and take notes at the meeting" He was only half serious.

"of course" Minx said. Little did Riot know they had plans of their own

When Riot arrived at home the first thing he did was change out of his clothes and don a pair of black silk pyjamas and matching robe. For comforts sake he tied back his wild blond tresses.

He could not wait to get into bed.

Trying to maintain a picture of health had taken it's toll now he felt worse then even!

It seemed to happen all at once. His limbs felt unpleasantly cold , he began to shiver and shake. It seemed his whole body was suddenly made of ice. Shivering all the while he walked over to the fire place and slumped to the ground beside the hearth . A couple of attempts later he had a fire roaring.

He made it over to the bed and crawled beneath the warm feather down duvet. He wrapped the blanket around himself tightly trying to block out any trance of cool air that dared to invade his protected warmth.

He lay there and tried to go to sleep. He felt uncomfortable . He switched positions. It helped little. He tired again but to no avail. He began tossing and turning in frustration unable to find any position that did not leaving him feeling constrained. He tried to lay still when..."HhehIISSShhoo!" He sneezed abruptly and he went to grab a Kleenex only to realize he did not have any by his bed. He cursed, flung back the covers angrily and trudged over to the bathroom and grabbed a box of tissues. He felt another devious tickle in his nose on way down the hall. He stopped mid step. "Hehh..." He inhaled faintly but as the sensation grew stronger his breath become more severe "HEH..EhhhhEAH..." He snatched a tissue from the box and covered his face just in time..."HAIIIeeeISHOOOO" The sneeze was deafening and he doubled over with the effort. It caused a ringing in his ears and left his already irritated throat stinging. Once in bed again he blew his nose and winced. Along with everything else it now seemed tender and raw.

Riot lay there feeling very sorry for himself indeed. He felt 100 percent dreadful 'Look how perfect I am now' He thought ruefully to himself ' Perfectly miserable'

and if this little scene wasn't enough for him to O.D. on self pity he began coughing once again. Deep and heavy they shook him and when finished he took a shaky breath and felt light headed. Riot whimpered. He couldn't have seemed more pathetic if he tried.