Disclaimer: Nope.
A/N: For you. You know who you are.
He feels awful. It was his idea. His own dumb, very questionable idea. And she had played along. Agreed that they needed a night out. Despite being married, he enjoys taking her out. Spending a night on the town but now he feels like an ass. He picked the place and they had went dancing, enjoyed a meal, walked home. It'd been perfect. Almost. Up until the moment they made it inside the loft and then everything went to hell.
And now she's sprawled across the middle of the bed, her hair just a little greasy from sweat and his old green tee clinging to her clammy skin. Moaning every couple of minutes and curling into a ball. Between the dashes to the bathroom, she's drifted off. It's his fault. All his fault that she can't keep anything down. Not even the glass of water he brought for her. Or the crackers. Or the ginger ale.
And he's just stuck.
He can't make it better. The only thing he got right was sliding her into his t-shirt when she weakly made an attempt after spending most of the night on the bathroom floor. He carried her back to bed more than once before she'd growled at him and told him to leave her alone. Not the sweetest when feeling ill. Full of vinegar. And it's his fault because he had insisted they try a new restaurant.
He hadn't known she would end up with food poisoning. Not the romantic ending he had hoped for after a long case. And now she's miserable. Unbelievably grouchy and he's been staying a safe distance away. Writing most of the day after realizing she was cranky and pissed after calling out of work. But he keeps checking on her. Just to be sure she's okay. Wondering if maybe they should go to the emergency room. An idea she shot down earlier.
She's sleeping now. Even with the way her face scrunches and her body curls in on itself. She's out. Her mouth open and a dark spot forming. His wife is drooling in the middle of their bed and he can't even enjoy the moment or file it away to tease her with later. He's still worrying. There's nothing he can do to make her feel better and that's something that sucks. He's felt it many times. With Alexis when she was growing up. He's a protector, a fixer, and he can't make her feel better.
At least she's sleeping. That has to mean she's a little more comfortable. He leans over her, leaving her uncovered but trying to at least help her into a more comfortable position. She grumbles at him when he slides an arm beneath her knees, shifting them so her legs are fully on the bed.
"No." That's the only coherent sound she makes. Not even opening her eyes when he huffs a laugh and strokes her hair.
"Shh. Sleep, Kate."
She's already drifted back off. Unaware of the kiss he presses to her brow.
He backs away, watching, wondering if he should find a blanket for her but she said she was too hot when he offered earlier. He sets off to find one anyway. Just in case.
And he hears the mumbling start. He talks in his sleep, he's known that for years but apparently he's not the only one. His wife does too when she's over tired or ill. And he lingers a little just to hear. Something about a case and of course she's a superhero in her sleep as well. Of course its a case that has her mind held captive. Although when she mumbles something about penguins, he's lost.
He leaves for only a moment, comes back with a light blanket. And some medicine in his hand. He lets it sit on the nightstand, knowing that will be a battle for when she wakes. And instead of draping her with the blanket, he climbs up with her. Awkwardly scrunching alongside her to fit. His body too big to be comfortable but he tries, turning on his side to face her. Pulling her closer and covering them both.
She blinks. Once. Her lips lifting in a smile and her legs tangling with his. Not as grumpy anymore. He takes it as a good sign and holds her tighter. Careful not to squeeze her. Just in case her stomach decides to rebel. Her skin is still pale. A hint of green that almost matches the shirt she's wrapped up in. And he still feels a punch of guilt in his gut. They should have just grabbed a burger at Remy's and called it good.
Both of them like a good burger. Although she's probably going to be eating light for a few days. He presses his nose to hers. Her skin is cooling. And then his lips skim her cheek.
An apology for their date. One she sleepily accepts by burrowing closer. Humming against his neck.
"Thanks, babe, but I'm not taking that crap you stuck on the nightstand."
He kisses her head, a laugh passing his lips. He thought she was still zonked. Apparently she's been playing possum long enough to know that little detail. Dozing in and out probably.
She's quiet again and breathing heavily in just minutes. Definitely in and out of it.
He hopes tomorrow is better. Hopes she can at least eat something for dinner tonight. He'll make her some soup. And if she's feeling better they can huddle together for a movie. He won't even complain if she picks one of those lovey things. Okay, he might make fun just a little because she'll be suspicious otherwise.
She's not one to be coddled. She doesn't like being taken care of but they've had to meet in the middle because he can't sit back and watch her suffer. Right now, this feels like a pretty good middle. And soon, she'll feel better and they can have a do-over on their date night. She can pick the place this time.
Afterthought: If you read Cub'verse, there's a new one. First chapter is up.