A/N First of all I do not own any claim to Covert Affairs, I just enjoy playing around with the characters

Hope everybody had a good Valentine's Day.

TENDER LOVING CARE

Annie had set her alarm clock to wake her up earlier than usual so she could stop by and check on Jai. From what Auggie had said she knew her friend was going to be in for a rough time. At least she could pick up some stuff for him from the store.

Although Annie knew where Jai lived, she'd never actually been up to his apartment. The few times that she'd had to pick him up he'd met her down in the small café that shared part of the ground floor. And one time she'd even joined him for breakfast, finding the food to be to her liking.

Parking her car in front of the old three story brick building Annie got out and headed into the café. Approaching the counter she asked the young woman at the cash register, "Can you please tell me how to get to the third floor apartments?"

"Tenet access is through the garage in back," the young woman replied without looking up from the cash register.

"Thanks," Annie said and turned to leave. Outside she easily found the side door and slipped into the garage. Seeing Jai's car she gave a sigh of relief knowing that he'd made it home safely. Quickly hurrying up the two flights of stairs the young woman stopped in front of apartment 3 and begin knocking on the door. After a few moments the door opened.

If Jai had been looking bad yesterday then he was definitely looking a lot worse this morning, Annie decided. The young man looked about ready to collapse his face pale and damp. Quickly stepping through the door Annie reached out to steady Jai as he suddenly swayed dizzily. She intended to guide him to the nearest chair but he pulled away and started to stagger toward the direction of the bathroom.

Sighing Annie started to follow him pausing to pick up the discarded coat and clothing. He must have been in a real hurry, she thought as she hung the coat up on what she supposed was the coat rack by the door. The jacket and tie she draped over the back of the recliner. Finally reaching the bathroom and hearing the sound of painful retching she peered in the open door to see Jai huddled miserably over the toilet.

The young woman quickly filled a cup with water and soaked a washcloth in cold water before moving over to kneel by Jai. "Here, this should help," she said folding the washcloth and placing it against his burning forehead.

The attack of nausea had abated for the time being and Jai slumped back against the side of the tub. "Thanks," he said quietly.

She held out the cup of water saying, "See if you can drink a little of this."

He took the cup and took a couple of sips to rinse out his moth spitting into the toilet. Then he handed it back saying, "I can't. It'll only make me sick again."

Nodding Annie took the cup and set it aside. "Have you been able to keep anything down at all?" she asked quietly.

The young man sighed and answered, "Just the painkillers I took when I got home. Nothing since then."

"Okay. You just stay here while I go make up the bed. Do you want me to bring you something to change into?" Annie asked.

"Might as well. Shorts are in the bottom left drawer and a long sleeved T-shirt and sweat pants in the right middle drawer," Jai answered.

She brought him the requested clothing and asked, "Where do you keep your spare sheets?'

"Upper shelf in the linen closet outside the bedroom," he replied.

"Got it. Just yell if you need me," Annie said closing the bathroom door behind her to let him have some privacy.

Left alone Jai slowly began to carefully change into the clean clothing.

After retrieving the sheet set she entered the bedroom pausing to pick up the rest of Jai's discarded clothing. Looking around she spotted a hamper that was obviously for the clothing destined for the cleaners and dropped the clothes into it. Then stepping over to the bed she stripped off the sweat soaked sheets and pillowcase tossing them into a laundry basket. Then she set about remaking the bed.

"Jai, is it okay for me to come in?" the young woman asked tapping on the bathroom door.

"Yeah, I'm decent," the young man answered.

"Is there a laundry room in the building?" Annie asked stepping into the bathroom the laundry basket in her hands. Setting it down she picked up the discarded clothing and tossed it on top of the basket.

"Washer and dryer just off the kitchen. Makes it handy," Jai answered.

"Whenever I need to do laundry I end up using the laundry room in Danielle's house.," Annie said. "I'm just going to run this in there and then help you to bed."

"You really don't need to do this, Annie," he said tiredly.

"I know I don't but I want to. Look, you're my friend and the least I can do is help you out when you're sick," the young woman replied.

"This is twice now I owe you," Jai commented.

"Who's keeping score? I'm not," Annie said with a smile. "Be right back." Entering the kitchen she opened the door to the laundry room which had obviously been converted from a pantry and set the basket down on the floor. Then she quickly hurried

Back to Jai.

"Ready to get back to bed?'" she asked.

"More than ready," Jai answered making an attempt to get to his feet.

"Just lean on me okay," Annie instructed moving quickly to get her arm around him and help him to his feet. Then slowly and carefully they made their way to the bedroom where she helped him to lie down.

Jai was glad to be back in bed and lying down again. Looking up at Annie he said, "I really hope you don't get sick too because you're helping me out."

"Danielle already made sure I got my flu shot. A few years ago I came for a visit and the girls, Michael and myself all got sick at the same time. Now she practically drags Michael and myself to the clinic to get our shots," Annie assured Jai as she pulled the quilt and blanket over him. "I want to check your temperature."

"I wish she had dragged me too," the young man commented.

"I'm sure that can be arranged come fall," Annie said heading for the bathroom to retrieve the thermometer. Returning she stuck it in his mouth and when it beeped she frowned as she checked the readout.

"How bad is it?" Jai asked.

"104°. That's much too high. We need to get your fever down," Annie answered. Laying aside the thermometer she went o retrieve a cold wet cloth which she placed on Jai's forehead. "I going to get the laundry started and make a quick run to the store to pick up some things."

"Shouldn't you be at Langley by now?" the young man asked glancing at his clock.

"Oh yeah. I'd better call in," Annie answered as she headed for the door.

She had just gotten the washing machine loaded and started when her phone rang. Pulling it out she glanced at the caller ID which read Smithsonian. "Hello."

"Annie, where are you?" Joan asked.

"I'm at Jai's place. Stopped by to see if he needed anything," Annie replied.

"How is he?" the DPD director asked.

"He's having a rough time with the flu and I don't think he has anybody to call on. His mother is half a world away and you know he's not going to call on his father," the younger woman replied. "He didn't even call me."

"How late are you going be before you get here?" Joan asked after a minute.

"Maybe an hour and a half. I need to make a run to the store and a few other things," Annie said.

"There's nothing urgently demanding your attention so go ahead. And tell Jai I hope he's feeling better soon," Joan answered and hung up the phone.

Returning to the bedroom the young woman said, "I'm about ready to head for the store. Is there anything you want me to get you?"

"A miracle cure for the flu," Jai replied. "Did you call in?"

"Sorry that's not available right now. Actually I was the one called. By the way Joan says to tell you that she hopes you feel better soon," Annie answered.

"I do too," the young man replied.

"Hey, turn on your phone okay. That way you'll have it ready if you think of something you need," the young woman said handing him the phone. "And I'll borrow your key so you don't have to get up to let me in."

"Okay," he answered.

Leaving the apartment Annie quickly made a number of purchases including bottled water and ginger ale. Returning to the apartment she kicked off her shoes just in case Jai had, as she hoped, fallen asleep. After tossing the laundry into the dryer she put away the purchases and went to check on her friend.

He appeared to be sleeping and didn't stir as she quietly placed a can of ginger ale and a bottle of water on his nightstand being careful not to disturb him. Silently exiting the bedroom she went back to the laundry room to wait for the dryer to quit. Once it stopped she quickly folded the laundry putting it into the basket. After grabbing her purse and putting on her shoes she quietly let herself out the door. Locking it behind her she headed for the stairs intending to return when she was through for the day.