Chapter four: Fever

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.

Italics= SpongeBob's thoughts

Underlined= Sandy's thoughts

SpongeBob Jumped up from his bed. He had even gotten up before his alarm. He turned the switch off and went to have a bath. Today is the day, todays his weekly sparring session with Sandy. He rolled himself through the ringer. Today is the day, and I'm ready! He repeated this mantra, keeping himself calm as he walked to his wardrobe. He pulled on a new shirt and pulled out a pair of square pants. He pulled on a fresh pair of socks, which he kept especially for his sparring sessions with Sandy as these were his lucky socks. After making sure that his shoe laces were tied nice and tight, SpongeBob went up to his cupboard and chose one of the many red ties hanging there. He walked swiftly to the bathroom and flipped up his collar. His slipped the tie knot up to his chest and adjusted the collar and tie.

The snail of great importance to the little yellow sponge was still snoring next his owner's bed.

"Goooooood Morning Garyyyyyy!" SpongeBob sung out in his nicest voice. He crouched down and stroked his snail's shell, Gary purred.

"Meow?" What's got you in such a cheerful mood?

SpongeBob's expression turned to one of mock shock.

"Today's my weekly sparing session with Sandy Gary! I thought you knew. Anyway, I've had a whole week to perfect my new karate move. The spinning kick leap!" The porous yellow square jumped high up into the air, made a complete 360° twist, with added Hi-ya's, Ya's and grunts he finished off the complex move with a large kick, just missing Gary's shell. He laughed his trademark laugh, "SpongeBob, keep it down! It's Sunday and some of us have to get our beauty sleep!" The annoyed squid slammed his bedroom window closed with a mighty bang. 'I'm sure Squidward is just a bit tired still, ow well.'

It had been an entire week since their last fight and six days since he had returned the letter to her notes. He had made up his mind and didn't know what to expect today. The little yellow sponge, about to explode from nervousness, repeated his mantra once more, 'today's the day, and I'm ready'. He walked to his kitchen and made a bowl of kelp flakes. After eating, SpongeBob walked to the cupboard near his front door. He pulled out a flimsy cardboard bag, that had worn down over the years of use, that contained his karate gear. He pulled out his red karate gloves and slipped one on each hand. I'm ready...' he repeated one last time.

He made short work of the journey to Sandy's tree dome. Opting to not only jog there, but sprinted in short bursts. He was hyped up on nervous energy, as he had no clue what events would transpire that afternoon. SpongeBob dived behind a nearby bush of seaweed and slowly peered out. He could see Sandy weeding some nasty prickles near her house. She looked exhausted, in no condition to be sparring with him. No matter how much he wanted to do some karate with Sandy, her health came first.

He opted out on the option of sneaking up on her, instead going over to the door and knocking politely. Sandy was so immersed in the activity of weeding that she failed to hear the soft banging come from behind her, then the opening and closing of a door nor did she hear the slight squeaks from black shoes walking across grass.

The small sponge didn't like walking into someone's house unknown, but he knew Sandy wouldn't mind since he had tried knocking before. He bent down slightly, his face just a smidgen higher then Sandy's shoulder. He lifted his arm slowly and gave her shoulder a little tap. He very quickly regretted it.

Sandy was concentrating on how she was going to get the roots out. She was sure she could hear something behind her but blamed that on her mind playing tricks as she was so sure she locked her hatch. Suddenly, she felt something touch her shoulder. She automatically delivered a karate chop to the mid-section of whatever was behind her. Only after hearing it fall to the ground did she turn around to look at whom or what was behind her. She saw a yellow ball writhing around in pain. It took her a moment to actually see that the thing writhing around in pain was actually a sponge. A certain yellow sponge that absolutely made her feel terrible for her actions. She got up off the floor a little too hastily, causing a wave of dizziness to wash over her. Her knees failed and her vision blurred; thankfully, SpongeBob got over the pain in time to catch the falling mammal that was about to crush him.

The bright Yellow Sea inhabitant stretched his arms out to catch the furry brown mammal. Just strong enough to catch her and lay her head delicately in his lap; he was glad he had been 'training' at home. SpongeBob brought the back of his hand to Sandy's forehead. It was hot as a poker. She must have come down with some sort of land fever. If it's anything like the fevers down here, I should get her into bed right away. He lifted her fragile body up into his arms, once again great full for the extra 'weight lifting' he had done. She wasn't that heavy and was easy enough for him to carry. He opened the door to her tree house and carried her up the stairs. After the difficult task of trying to get Sandy's bedroom door open, SpongeBob dropped her lightly onto the bed. He pulled the covers up and looked across her face. She looked so serine, SpongeBob extended a hand to stroke her face, but stopped just as he was about to touch her check. He had to hold himself together; this is going to be a difficult task.

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