Andrew sat at his desk struggling to get through his paperwork. He had been feeling exhausted for the past two days and was now developing a blinding headache. He coughed. It was deep and raspy. As he wiped the sweat from his brow he felt his head burning up. He had been denying the fact that he was getting sick but now was wondering if he did indeed have a fever. He walked over to his medical bag and took out the thermometer. He was just about to place it in his mouth when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in" Andrew said, as he quickly set the thermometer out of sight.
"Hey Dr. Cook!" It was Brian Cooper.
Andrew tried to hold in a cough but couldn't do it. Brian also noticed that Andrew was pale and sweating. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine" Andrew lied to Brian, and to himself "I'm just a little tired. It's been a long week"
Brian didn't think much else of the situation, figuring Andrew would know if he were sick or not. He just nodded and then went about his business for being there by handing Andrew a book. "Ma asked me to bring this medical book back to you. She said thanks for letting her borrow it. She would have brought it back herself, except she had to pick Colleen up from the train station."
"Colleen's here?" Andrew asked surprised.
"For the weekend. She has to go back to school on Monday." Brian explained.
"Well I'll be sure to stop by" Andrew said, ignoring the fact that he was in no condition to go anywhere.
"Alright. See ya!" Brian said as he turned around and left Andrew's clinic.
Once Brian was gone, Andrew picked up the thermometer again and then changed his mind. "I'm fine!" He told himself. He couldn't be sick now. He had far too much to do at his clinic. Plus, Colleen was home and he wanted more than anything to see her. It didn't matter that it would probably only be a quick visit, anytime at all with her was a good thing. He had almost kissed her the last time she was home. His confidence to make that first move was finally there but it was interrupted and the chance didn't come about again. Colleen had gone back to Denver a couple days later and he didn't get to have anymore alone time with her. Still, he felt every moment with her was bringing them closer together.
Andrew finished up his work as best he could, saw his only scheduled patient for the afternoon and then headed into town to see Colleen.
"Colleen!" Andrew said as he saw her and Dr. Mike walking towards the clinic.
Colleen lit up at the sight of Andrew. She hadn't been sure if she would get a chance to visit him at the Chateau while she was home so she was excited that he had made time to see her in town.
"Andrew!" She replied grinning. As Andrew approached, he couldn't contain his cough. Colleen noticed that he seemed to be struggling. Her excitement turned to concern. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine" Andrew told her, trying to smile and look well.
Michaela touched her hand to Andrew's forehead. "You have a fever"
"Slight" Andrew admitted, down playing his illness but again coughing uncontrollably.
"It's still a fever. I think I'd like to examine you, just to make sure." Michaela insisted.
"I'm a doctor Michaela, I think I'd be able to tell.." Andrew started
"That you're pale and sweating and running a fever, which means that you're sick?" Michaela interrupted while giving him a look to just give in to her. "Please? Would you let me examine you?"
Andrew was reluctant but when he looked over at Colleen and saw the worried look on her face, he decided to go with Michaela. He coughed some more as Michaela guided him over to the clinic, followed by Colleen.
Michaela examined Andrew and they both agreed that he had a catarrh. Michaela insisted that he be on bed rest and stay at the clinic so that she could monitor him.
"You can head on up to one of the recovery rooms." Michaela instructed Andrew. "I'll send Brian out to the hotel to inform Preston of what's going on."
"What can I do to help?" Colleen asked as Andrew made his way upstairs.
"Perhaps make some willow bark tea? It should help with Andrew's fever."
Colleen made a cup of tea and then headed upstairs to see Andrew. Despite the circumstances, Colleen felt happy that Andrew would be at the clinic while she was home for her visit. She had a small sense of guilt for feeling that way but got over it quickly when she walked into Andrew's room and saw him smile at her. He had changed into some bed clothes and was turning down the bed sheets.
"Oh! Let me do that!" Colleen said to him as she placed his tea on a nearby table and hurried over to help.
"You don't cough have to..." Andrew said trying to act better than he sounded
"No, I insist" Colleen said and then motioned to the cup on the table "I made you some Willowbark tea. Dr. Mike said you should try to drink as much as you can."
"Between you and your mother, I'm not sure who's more persistent." Andrew said jokingly as he obediently sat down to sip his tea.
Colleen laughed as she straightened up the bed and the rest of the room for Andrew's stay. She was utterly flattered to be compared to Michaela. "Well she's a good doctor and she's usually right, so you'd be wise to listen to her."
"Of course." Andrew agreed. "I've certainly learned the hard way that she's usually right in most cases."
"Well she's seen a lot. I'm actually home this weekend to interview her for a paper I have to write." Colleen told Andrew, excited about her assignment.
"Oh?" Andrew inquired.
"Yes, I have to interview a doctor about their most memorable case" Colleen began to explain and then became concerned as Andrew started another coughing fit. "Andrew? Are you alright?"
Andrew took another sip of tea as he tried to calm himself. "Perhaps I should lie down. I'm feeling a bit dizzy"
Colleen hurried to his side, took his arm and walked with him over to the bed. "Thank you" Andrew said as he sat down. Colleen smiled affectionately at him and then fluffed his pillows.
"So you have to interview Michaela?" Andrew asked urging Colleen to finish telling him about her paper. "On her most memorable case?"
"Mmhm. Then we have to write a paper describing the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome" Colleen explained. Andrew finally laid down and Colleen pulled the covers up for him.
"Michaela decide which case that might be?" Andrew asked staring at Colleen as she began to tuck in and straighten his blankets.
"Not yet... she's going to have to give it some thought."
"I'm sure she's had her share of memorable cases out here."
"There's been a lot of them... some really strange ones too" Colleen said recalling some of Michaela's past patients.
"Such as?" Andrew asked, enjoying Colleen's company. He felt miserable but her conversation seemed to make it tolerable at the moment.
Colleen began telling Andrew stories of some of Michaela's unusual cases. As she did, she grabbed Andrew's tea and took a seat at Andrew's bedside. As they Discussed Michaela's cases, Colleen would occasionally wipe a cold cloth across Andrew's forehead and urge him to drink the willowbark. She found pleasure in taking care of Andrew and only wished that there were more she could do for him.
Andrew was desperately trying to contain his cough and brush off the fact that his condition was worsening but it was growing more and more hard to do. His head was pounding and he was finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate on what Colleen was saying. Colleen noticed that he was getting worse and his skin was pale and clammy. She felt his forehead to find that he was burning up. She called for Michaela to come quickly.
Michaela swiftly entered the room. "He's getting worse" Colleen told her.
"Your fever's climbing" Michaela told Andrew upon her examination and then instructed Colleen to make some more tea.
"How could it be going up so fast?" Andrew asked confused and growing delirious.
"I don't know" Michaela admitted to him. "But I'm afraid that this is more than a simple catarrh."
Colleen went downstairs to make Andrew some more tea. Her concern for him was growing. She too knew that whatever he had was more serious than they all initially thought. It was in Colleen's nature to want to care for the sick but this time her need was stronger. It was different with Andrew, more personal. Seeing him suffer made her hurt as well and she wanted nothing more than to hold his hand and comfort him.
She finished making Andrew's tea and headed back up to give it to Andrew. As Colleen approached the door, Michaela was walking out.
"Andrew just drifted off to sleep. We can give him more tea when he wakes up." Michaela told her.
"Is he going to be ok? Can I go sit with him?" Colleen asked.
Michaela could see Colleen growing upset over the situation. She was concerned that Colleen was becoming too emotionally involved and thought that it might be best for her to step away for a bit. "It's good for him to sleep for now. I'll continue to monitor his fever but I'm afraid there's not much else we can do for him. You should go home. Get some rest. You've been traveling today, you must be tired."
"I'm not that tired. really." Colleen insisted. "I can help"
"Colleen, like I said, there's not much we can do for him right now. Besides, I need someone to pick up Katie for me and take her home. If you could do that for me, it'd be much more helpful than anything you could do here. You can check in on Andrew in the morning."
"Well what if something happens to him while I'm gone?" Colleen asked
"Colleen..." Michaela started not knowing what else to say. "Please. Pick Katie up from Becky's for me and take her home. I promise I'll take good care of Andrew while you're gone." Michaela smiled at her daughter proudly. Colleen was as headstrong as she was.
"Fine..." Colleen said with displeasure over Michaela insisting that she leave. She handed Michaela the cup of tea and bitterly turned around and left.
Colleen picked up Katie at Becky's and ended up being glad that she did. It had been awhile since she'd seen Becky and it was nice to catch up with her. Their visit was brief however, as Colleen was clearly distracted over her concern for Andrew. Becky completely understood Colleen's feelings and Colleen was grateful.
She arrived at the homestead with Katie and Brian greeted her as she drove up in the wagon. He took Katie and then helped Colleen down. Colleen was happy to see Brian as well and gave him a big hug before the two of them walked into the house together to find Sully having a drink of water at the kitchen table.
Sully greeted the kids before realizing that Michaela wasn't with them. "Where's your Ma?" He asked Colleen.
"She won't be coming home tonight" Colleen informed him, clearly distraught over the situation. "It's Andrew, he's got a real high fever and pain and... they're not real sure what it is."
"Is he going to be alright?" Sully asked.
"I don't know" Colleen answered staring off into the distance, lost in her thoughts. Sully could see the worry in Colleen's eyes.
"Are you alright?" Sully asked quietly but Colleen didn't respond. "Colleen?" He tried again.
"Hm?" Colleen said realizing that Sully was asking about her. "Me? I'm fine... I just ... Dr. Mike says there's nothing much we can do for him right now. Just monitor his fever and try to keep it down but... I can't help but feel like I should be doing something for him."
"You should go back to the clinic then. Sometimes just being there for someone is enough." Sully told her.
"What about Katie? Who's going to watch her?" Colleen asked, feeling conflicted over her responsibilities and her desire to care for Andrew.
"Brian and I should be fine. If your heart's telling you that you should be with him then that's where you should be. You go." Sully instructed and an appreciative smile formed across Colleen's face. Sully had an innate ability to read people and he was always understanding and supportive when it came to following one's feelings. Colleen hugged her Pa and thanked him before hurrying back out the door.
As Colleen walked back upstairs at the clinic, towards Andrew's room, she could hear Michaela and Andrew talking. She stood in the doorway just as Michaela had told Andrew, "A doctor never gives up on their patient." Colleen took what Dr. Mike said to heart. She wouldn't give up on Andrew. She would do whatever it took to help him.
Colleen took a step forward into the room and Andrew looked over at her, pleased to see that she'd returned. Michaela, on the other hand wasn't so sure it was a good idea.
"Colleen, I didn't expect you back. Where's Katie?" Michaela asked.
"I took her home. Brian and Sully are watchin her" Colleen answered Michaela, but her focus was solely on Andrew.
"Is the tea helping any?" She asked him.
"The pain is spreading." He answered her and then turned to Michaela. "It's more distal now Michaela. It's like athralgia."
Colleen wasn't sure what that was and became alarmed "What's that?" She quickly asked Dr. Mike.
"Pain in the joints" Michaela replied.
"It's mostly in my wrists and ankles" Andrew told her. He was trying to figure everything out himself but couldn't come up with a diagnosis. "It's the strangest thing..."
Michaela pulled back Andrew's covers to take a look at his arms. When she rolled up his sleeve, she revealed a spotted rash. Andrew didn't recognize it though.
"It's whats called spotted fever... sometimes referred to as black measles." Michaela said.
"I've never heard of it" Andrew admitted and then looked over to Michaela for more of an explaination.
"It mostly occurs in wilderness areas. Forested areas away from the large cities. We don't know the cause of it but some believe that it's transmitted through the bite of a tick." Michaela told Colleen and Andrew, who were both growing with concern over Andrew's condition.
"Will he be alright?" Colleen asked
Michaela looked at Andrew. She knew that this was serious and she had to be honest with him. She thought for a moment about what to say.
"The rash will probably spread. The pain and fever may become worse." She explained as Andrew looked to Colleen who was now visibly upset as Michaela spoke. "but you're young and you're strong" Michaela continued, trying to remain positive. "Hopefully in a week it should pass and um.. you should recover."
Andrew could hear the uncertainty in Michaela's voice and turned back to look her in the eye. "There's a chance I may not." He said to her. It wasn't a question and the look on Michaela's face confirmed his statement. Andrew looked over at Colleen. Their eyes met and Andrew could see that she was equally as frightened over the situation as he was. They both tried to smile at the other one, both hoping to give the other comfort and reassurance.
"We should let you get your rest" Michaela said to Andrew. She motioned for Colleen to leave him as well but Colleen didn't budge. Instead she sat down in a chair next to Andrew's bed and took his hand, all while maintaining eye contact with him. Michaela saw the undeniable connection between them and again feared that Colleen was too emotionally invested. She chose to let them be for now though and stepped out of the room.
"You don't have to stay. I'm sure you have your paper to work on and want to visit with your family" Andrew said to Colleen. He said it, but didn't mean it. He wanted her to stay and was glad that she had chosen to do so.
Colleen shook her head no. "I want to stay here." She told him and Andrew sighed with relief that she wouldn't be leaving. "Besides, I can't exactly interview Dr. Mike for my paper if she's here helping you." Colleen smirked before teasing Andrew, trying to lighten the mood. "Next time, try not to get sick when I have a paper due."
"I'll do my best" Andrew said laughing out loud but then began another coughing fit. Colleen quickly got Andrew a glass of water and sat down on his bedside. As Andrew began to drink the water and calm his cough, both of their smiles faded as the reality of Andrew's condition hung over their heads. There may not be a next time. Andrew could get worse and never recover.
When Andrew finished his water, Colleen took the glass from him and began to re-fluff his pillows and tuck his blankets back in. Andrew watched her, admiring her nurturing character. He knew that she had a desire to care for anyone who was ill or suffering but could tell that she was more invested in caring for him. Her eyes told him that her heart was aching with desire for him to get well. He had to recover. If not for himself, then for the sole reason of relinquishing the pain that Colleen was feeling. Andrew's eyes suddenly felt very heavy and he was having trouble keeping them open. The room began to spin and as Colleen touched his face with a cool cloth, Andrew slipped into a state of unconsciousness.
"Andrew?" Colleen asked trying to rouse him. She felt his forehead and knew right away that his temperature had increased. He was breathing normally though so she figured that sleep was probably good for him at the moment.
Colleen continued to wipe Andrew's head, neck and chest down with a cool cloth and monitor his temperature. He would occasionally wake in a delirium, ask for her and then become restless before returning to sleep. Colleen wouldn't leave his side, despite Michaela's suggestions that she step away for a bit.
"His temperature's holdin at 104." Colleen said as she walked over to Michaela who had just entered the room to check on them.
"Lets hope it doesn't go any higher." Michaela told her.
"How much longer is he going to be like this?" Colleen asked as she watched Andrew toss and turn before going back out again.
"Well if there are no complications.. the fever should break in a few days"
"Complications?!" Colleen asked, needing to know more.
Michaela didn't want to alarm Colleen any further but knew she had to break the news to her. She took a deep breath before answering. "There's always a chance that he could develop meningitis." Colleen's eyes widened with fear and Michaela quickly tried to reassure her that she'd do everything she could. "I'll keep a close eye on him. You should go home, it's getting late"
"I wanna stay here and help you look after him." Colleen told her stubbornly.
"You need to get some rest" Mike argued
"I'm fine!" Colleen replied. "It's like you said, a doctor never gives up on her patient"
"It's true, you never stop caring... but you must also never stop being a doctor." Michaela explained to her. "It's important to care Colleen, but we must also try to maintain a professional detachment.. not become too emotionally involved with the patient."
"I think when you care for a patient, as a doctor and a friend... it'll only help them get better in the end." Colleen said determined to remain strong by Andrew's side.
"It doesn't always work out that way Colleen..." Michaela told her sympathetically.
"Still I'm staying right here" Colleen said firmly.
"Andrew could be in that condition for days" Michaela said still trying to sway her daughter.
"I know." Colleen told her, standing her ground. "And if I have to miss school, I will" She walked back over towards Andrew "I'm going to do everything I can to help him get through this... that's what you would do."
Michaela admired Colleen's strength and determination. It was becoming clear to her that Colleen's feelings for Andrew were much deeper than she had ever realized. Colleen was right too. She would do the same thing. She was reminded of all the times that she sat exhausted but persevering in order to care for those closest to her. She would never have left Brian's side when he fell from a tree and was in a coma and she recalled the time that she spent days caring for Sully when he was suffering from debilitating headaches.
Michaela proudly looked upon her daughter as she left the room, allowing Colleen to care for Andrew.
Throughout the night and early morning, Andrew was in and out of conscious. His condition was progressively getting worse. Colleen never left his side. She did her best to keep him cool and get him to drink some willowbark tea. Mostly she held his hand and talked to him, encouraging him to pull through. She truly believed that despite his state of mind, he could hear her.
Her words were positive but inside, she feared that he wouldn't wake up. Colleen couldn't bear the thought of losing Andrew. She had lost people that she loved in the past but it was different with Andrew. There was so much left unsaid between the two of them. Their relationship was just beginning. Colleen couldn't help but think of the regret she'd have of never telling Andrew how she felt about him. Never getting to hear him reciprocate those feelings. She'd miss watching him stumble over his words and feelings. She'd miss the way they'd talked and laughed together so effortlessly. She'd Never again see him smile his shy and self conscious half grin that she loved so much. She'd Never get to feel the touch of his lips on hers.
Colleen became overwhelmed with the very real possibility that Andrew may die. She fell to her knees next to his bed, took his hand in hers, rested her cheek atop them and finally let all of her emotions and tears pour out.
"Please Andrew... You have to wake up...I need you to wake up... " She pleaded as a whisper through her sobs. "I love you..." As she said the words, her heart sank, hoping that she wasn't too late. Then she felt a squeeze of her hands.
"Andrew?" She said looking up at his face for any signs of change in his consciousness. There were none but she knew she felt something. She called for Michaela. "Ma?! Come quick!"
"What's happened?" Michaela asked as she came running in.
"He squeezed my hand. I know he did. I felt it!" Colleen told her, hoping that it meant something positive.
Michaela took one look at Andrew though and could tell that this wasn't a good sign. His consciousness was fading even further. Colleen watched her mother's reaction and any hope she may have just experienced was now gone. Michaela quickly took his temperature again.
"106." She stated in a panicked tone and began to swiftly remove Andrew's blankets. "Colleen, prepare an ice bath right away and get Sully up here to help me. We need to get his fever down now" she ordered.
Colleen was terrified as she ran out of the room, doing as she was told. They had already filled a bath in Andrews room as a precaution and Sully was thankfully already at the clinic as he had just stopped by with Katie. He went upstairs to help Michaela as Colleen began to fill the bath with ice.
Sully and Michaela lifted Andrew out of bed, each taking an arm over their shoulders and helped him over to the tub. Colleen's heart began to pound, her breath quickened and she froze in place as she watched Andrew's nearly lifeless body be placed inside the cold water. He already looked dead to her and it took every ounce of her being to hold in her emotions. As Michaela began to pour water over Andrew's head, she noticed Colleen on the verge of a breakdown. The emotional turmoil that Colleen was experiencing was exactly what Michaela had feared.
"Colleen please wait downstairs" Michaela ordered firmly but sympathetically. To her surprise, Colleen listened and left the room quickly and without saying a word.
Colleen was filled with fear for Andrew's life as she left his room. Her mind was racing. She was thinking about nothing and everything all at the same time. She needed to keep busy. She decided it was time that she go clean herself up and get a change of clothes. When she was done, she sat downstairs at the clinic, unable to concentrate on anything else. She remained still while waiting patiently for news about Andrew's condition.
Michaela finally came downstairs.
"His fever's lowered a bit. 103. But it's still dangerously high." She told Colleen. "We've got him settled back into bed now... you can go sit with him if you'd like"
Colleen was surprised that Dr. Mike had suggested she go back up. "Really?"
"Yes. I do wish that you'd get some rest but... I understand that you want to be with him..." Michaela told her.
Colleen hugged her mother tightly and then hurried back up to Andrew's bedside.
Colleen walked quietly into Andrew's room and was relieved to see that he looked better. He was still pale and feverish but he appeared to be sleeping more peacefully now. She sat on the chair next to him and took his hand. Lightly running her fingers over his face, she brushed away the hair that fell over his eyes. He was so handsome, she thought, longing for him to wake up so she could stare deeply into his soft blue eyes. His eyes always told her much more about how he was feeling than he was able to convey through words. She finally let herself relax and even smiled slightly to herself, knowing that Andrew was out of any serious danger for now. She closed her eyes for a moment but her exhaustion took over and she drifted off to sleep herself.
Andrew lightly opened his eyes and then closed them again. He took a deep breath and slowly started to open his eyes again, letting them adjust to the light. His hand was being held tightly and through squinted eyes he could see Colleen asleep by his side. She was sitting in the chair next to him but her arms and head rested on the bed near his chest. He smiled, when he looked upon her face. She was an angelic vision to wake up to and then he chuckled slightly as he thought about how uncomfortable she must be. She slept soundly though and Andrew wondered how long he'd been sleeping himself. He couldn't remember much but had dreamt of Colleen's face and could swear he heard her voice. He squeezed her hands and then stroked her hair with his other hand. To this Colleen slowly began to wake up.
When Colleen's eyes finally opened, her eyes locked on Andrew's and she sat up overjoyed. A smile spread across her face as she tried to find the words to express her relief. Andrew managed to return her smile, though not quite as broad. He was still lacking physical strength and energy.
"You're awake!" Colleen finally said, still holding his hand tightly.
"I think so?" Andrew said weakly. "What day... what time is it?"
"It's Monday evening... probably about 5 or so" Colleen said, unsure of how long she'd been sleeping. She stood up to get the thermometer and checked Andrew's temperature. When she read the thermometer, an even bigger smile formed and she called out to Michaela who was just outside on the balcony.
"Fever's down. 100." Colleen happily told Michaela when she came in the room.
"How are you feeling?" Michaela asked Andrew.
"Tired" He replied.
"Can you touch your chin to your chest?" Andrew does and Michaela gave him a satifisfactory smile as he confirmed that there was no pain or stiffness in his then turned to Colleen "No meningitis" She confirmed as Colleen sighed greatly, letting go of all her worry.
"Well done Dr. Cook!" Michaela said to Andrew "It appears that you've made it through the worst of it. It's going to take awhile for you to get your strength back but.. you're going to be fine."
"Thank you" Andrew said to Dr. Mike
"No..." Michaela said proudly turning to Colleen with a grin, knowing that it was she who helped him through his illness "Thank Colleen." Michaela left the room to get some more tea for Andrew, leaving him alone with Colleen.
Andrew looked at Colleen with such a strong feeling of affection that it caused her to become a bit embarrassed. "You've been here all this time" He said, not needing her to confirm it. He knew it to be true already.
"I just wanted to help you get better" Colleen told him, suddenly very self conscious of all the emotions that she'd experienced over the past couple of days. But Andrew was going to be ok, and that was all that mattered. Right now, she was just happy that he was on his way to recovery.
Andrew took her hand firmly in his own and stroked his thumb over her fingers. "You did... thank you" He said, never taking his eyes off of hers. Andrew's illness had brought them closer together, their feelings for one another were increasing with every passing moment.
Colleen sat down on the bed next to Andrew just as Michaela returned with Andrew's tea. Colleen took the tea and helped Andrew prop himself up so he could drink it. Michaela left them alone again. Andrew sipped his tea, as Colleen continued to hold his hand. They didn't say much to each other, they were quite satisfied to stare at one another in silence, letting the look in each others eyes carry on the conversation.. Andrew occasionally asked a question about what his state of mind had been and Colleen filled him in on the seriousness that his condition had been but still didn't feel it was time to confess all that she had felt and said.
Andrew finished his tea and laid back down to rest some more. Colleen lingered in the doorway, watching him fall asleep before finally leaving his room. She was satisfied at last that her presence was no longer a necessity to his recovery. She went to another room and laid down herself, drifting off into a blissful sleep filled with dreams of her future with Andrew.