DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pushing Daisies, or any of the characters, settings, etc. Rated PG.

#6 – the space between dream and reality

Too close.She'd gotten too close and now…

…dead eyes and cool skin and those pale, pale lips that can never brush his, never ever ever, and she's gone.And it's his fault, all his fault and—

"Ned?"

Her voice slices through the dull fog that's clogging his mind and for a moment he still sees her like that, cold and lifeless.

But then the image is gone, fading away as sleep abandons him.He can see her clearly now, kneeling there by his bed, biting her lip and frowning.

"I think you were having a nightmare," she whispers.It's silly, he thinks, for Chuck to keep her voice down, because they're both very much awake.Or at least he thinks he is…

She's watching him pointedly, and Ned realizes that Chuck would probably like a response.

"I'm fine," he murmurs, but his voice doesn't sound right, not even to his own ears.

Apparently Chuck doesn't think so either, because she's frowning still, and fidgeting in her spot as she inches closer.Too close…

"You look sick," she observes, her eyes scanning over him worriedly. "How do you feel?"

"I'm fine," he says again, more fervently this time.But even as he speaks he knows it's a lie, because he really does feel awful.There's a pounding in his skull and an ache in his bones, accompanied by a searing heat that permeates his entire body.

Chuck shakes her head and then she's gone (his fault, all his fault).She comes back, though, and now she's donned rubber gloves and has a thermometer clutched in her grasp. It's in Ned's mouth before he has the chance to protest, but then again, he isn't sure he wants to.

"You have a fever," she proclaims a few moments later, alternating her gaze between the instrument and his face.A deep frown runs rampant across her features as she rests a gloved hand on his brow.

"I'm fine," he insists, but she doesn't even pretend to believe him this time. She leaves once more, reappearing a moment laterwith a glass of water and medicine that Ned doesn't want to take, but does anyway.It's worth it in the end, because Chuck at least seems relieved, rocking back on her heels as she watches him.

"Sleep," she soothes, taking one of his hands in her own. "I'll be right here."He considers protesting, but only for a minute, because the lull of unconsciousness is just too inviting, and sleep claims him once more.

This time, he dreams of her kisses.

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