The coughing she heard next was a signal that Riot was indeed awake. She went to his room and opened the door. Riot was sitting up in bed and coughing harshly into his fist. Minx sat beside him and began to gently rub his back. She remembered as a young girl back in Germany her mother used to do this when she had a bad cough and whether it actually helped or just felt soothing she didn't know but she thought of it fondly just the same.
Riot's coughs promptly stopped to both their relief.
"I was going to ask how you were feeling but I think you just answered my question" Minx said trying to swallow her concern and be lightheartedly. She looked at Riot and tried to gauge his reaction. His eyes looked dull. He was clearly not amused but he didn't seem angry either. He just seemed tired, downcast and well...sick. She found the pad and pen before she asked her next question. She wanted to encourage Riot to keep his talking to a bare minimum. "Did you sleep well at least?" Riot shook his head wearily and wrote " Nightmares" on the sheet of paper. "I'm sorry" Minx said, though it was clearly not her fault.
Riot just sniffled quietly. An aura of gloom seemed to hang about his head. He was so forlorn. Minx's heart broke just looking at him. She picked up the box of Kleenex that was now on the floor by his bed and handed him a sheet. He took it and dabbed at his nose lightly. It was far too sore and he shuddered at the thought of actually blowing it. "I don't know about you but I'm starving. I'm going to go to the store to get some food. Is there anything you want while I am there?". Riot shook his head mournfully and crawled back into his blankets. He rolled on his side his back facing her. Minx stood there a moment feeling shunned. She turned with intent to leave but felt a slight hesitation. She turned back around " I'll be back soon" and said more to herself then to Riot. She left heavyhearted. It seemed there was nothing she could do to make Riot feel better.
Minx went shopping . Riot slept.
When Minx arrived back at Riot's she was absolutely famished. She opened one of the boxes of granola bars to eat as a snack as she put away the groceries. it was around 4pm at this point. She was about to start an early dinner but before she did she began making some tea for Riot. She figured he hadn't had anything to eat all day so she made some toast as well. She brought both things ( and a surprise) to Riots room on a tray she had found while putting stuff away. The lights were off. " Riot " She sang out " I've brought you some tea!" She set the tray down and turned on the lights. Riot's hand immediately rose to his face to shield his eyes from the light. He glared at Minx through splayed fingers." Sorry , did you want the lights off?" Minx quickly inquired. Riot said nothing. Minx turned off the lights. "I brought you some toast as well" she said in a softer tone." And a surprise!" She picked up the bell she had bought and shook it ever so slightly. It gave a quint tinkling sound. She thought Riot would be delighted but instead he just turned away again with his back facing her. "Go away." Riot's whisper was harsh "I just want to be left alone" Minx was completely taken aback. Here she thought she was doing something nice he would appreciate but instead he was making it clear that he obviously didn't care.
"Riot." Her voice was empathetic " You need to eat something."
At this Riot sat up stared at Minx with an annoyance he didn't care to hide. He grabbed the writing pad off his night table. He furiously scribbled his message out. He wrote it so fast and with such haste Minx could barley make out that it said 'I'm not hungry" when it was handed back to her.
"Well at least have some tea" She urged.
Riot looked at her flabbergasted. With pure exasperation, he snatched up the pad of paper once more. He wrote each word on a separate sheet ,showing them to Minx in succession. Lost in his rage he made a great flourish of ripping of each page loudly and thrusting them in her face with hostility. One by one.
The angry capital letters spelled out:
LEAVE.
ME
ALONE!
It took a moment to let Riot's harsh actions sink in
Minx decided then and there she had had just about enough of this. Maybe Rapture was right after all! Of course Riot was sick but that was no reason to act like THIS! She had fully gone out of her way for him. There was no excuse for this kind of behavior. Her first feelings were furious but when she realized the full scale of his coarseness she suddenly felt overwhelmingly sad. She decided to stay with that emotion. After all being angry at someone rarely got you anywhere. Minx knew what tears did to men. She knew all the tricks to get the opposite sex to do things for her. She could manipulate the best of them. Including Riot. He didn't respond to anger and his often cold exterior rarely responded to waterworks but Minx knew just exactly how far to go to get the desired reaction from the blond singer.
She looked at him forlornly her eyes transforming to liquid sorrow "I'm sorry Riot" She said her speech quivering. " I didn't mean to make you angry. I just wanted to make you feel better. And now I've ruined everything. I've upset you and that was the last thing I wanted...I...Just...want...you to be...happy. " Her voice faltered as the hot tears raced down her cheeks. She hardly had to pretend either. She had been an emotional basket case since her blow up with Rapture.
Riot sighed. He looked at Minx trying now to hold back her tears but failing horribly and his
heart softened. He motioned for her to come near and he embraced her He stroked her hair . He could hear raiment's of weak sobs still inside her. Minx pressed up against him remembering the comfort of his his strong body. She pulled away with much reluctance. Riot sneezed suddenly then and it seemed startling in the midst of their silent heart to heart. He reached over to the now familiar box and took a tissue for himself and when he saw that Minx was sniffling profusely, he handed one to her as well. Humorously they blew their nose simultaneously
" I know you not hungry but you've got to eat something to keep your strength up" Minx said sensibly. She handed Riot the plate with the toast. He took the plate and looked down at it doubtfully. Then he looked at Minx.
"What?" Minx said ready for his protests. Riot cleared his throat. "Couldn't you think of anything more appetizing?
"When you're sick you eat toast. It's supposed to have nothing on it"
Riot was going to speak again but thought better of it and took the pad to write: ' What about soup?'
The look on her face had guilt written all over it. She grimaced " I ate it." Again she apologized " I'm sorry. I was just so hungry this morning and you had nothing to eat. I could try making you some but I don't think it will be as good as Rapture's"
Riot picked up the toast, stuck it in his mouth and began to chew. It was like cardboard. Tasteless and bland. He swallowed with effort. He saw Minx watching intently. He gave her an unconvincing smile. Then he took the paper and wrote: " MMMMMM"
Minx laughed. "Remember your not just eating this for my sake. It's for yours too. Just think of when your well enough to see Jem at the concert. You can woo her with tales of how you overcame this terrible illness just so you could come and play her benefit. She'll love it." Jealousy aside Minx wanted Riot to recover in time and she knew humoring his obsession for Jem could only do good
Riot remembered the night when he first found out his mother was in the hospital and how his vulnerability seemed to work as an intoxicant on Jem. 'Hmmm' Riot thought to himself He could just imagine the sympathy he was sure to get from Jem when he told her all about how sick he was and how he had braved this terrible virus just for her. Thinking about the imminent kindness his beloved would lavish him with almost made this horrendous experience bearable. He smiled to himself. "Im going to get something to eat myself. When I get back I hope to find your plate and cup empty" She finished off tentatively. She didn't want to push him as she knew how unpredictable his emotions were at this time.
Minx went back into the Kitchen and went to work on whipping up a meal that was both fast and filling
Minx was just finishing off her dish of spaghetti and meat balls when she heard the jingling of a bell. Her eyes lit up at the prospect of Riot calling on her for help. Then she got scared. 'What happens if there was something seriously wrong? What if he was choking? What if he was bleeding? what if...' Her mind raced with all sorts of terrible things. " I'm coming Riot!" She called. She burst through the door ready to be met with Riot's unfortunate demise.
Riot was sitting in bed smug smile in place and eyes dancing with amusement.
He picked up his ever faithful writing equipment. He wrote something and turned it round so Minx could see:
'It worked'
Minx grinned in site of herself.
"Is there anything you actually wanted?" Minx teased " I mean other then to see if I would be at your beck and call?"
Riot nodded. He took to his pen and paper once more.
'Will you keep me company and watch T.V. with me?'
He looked up at her hopefully.
Minx was completely moved . It was such a simple and yet touching request "Oh Riot of course" Given the way he had been acting she wondered how long this nice streak would last
She got up on the bed and leaned back in a sitting position again the fluffy pillows.
Riot's bed was the same size as his ego. So it goes without saying that it was massive. Minx's lithe body fit comfortably next to Riot. With more then enough room to spare on the bed she wondered if she was too close but Riot didn't seem to mind.
They both decided on a TV Movie that was just starting. They tried watching it but every time something funny happened, Riot laughed and it turned into a coughing fit. The frequency of his sneezing didn't help either.
"HIIIiiiiETCHeooo!"
"Bless you"
"Hatch-CHEW!"
"Bless you"
"Ehh...Eh ...Eshoeow!"
"Bless you!"
"Hitch-Choo...snob blessing be.!. Just wait *sniff* till I'b done" Riot sneezed twice more and made a sound that indicated he was clearly irritated. He felt drained and with no energy to sit up any longer he flopped back against the pillows.
" Ok" He said weakly "Dock yourself owd."
"what?" Minx asked. Since Riot wasn't talking that much it was hard to get used to understanding him through his congestion.
Riot was about to repeat himself when he realized he could just write down what he wanted to say.
" Bless you, Riot " Minx said tenderly when she saw his note. She handed him a tissue from the almost empty box. Riot took it and looked at it defiantly as if he was about to go to battle. He gave in finally and blew his nose. "Ow" He whimpered.
"Awwww" Minx cooed
"I'm sorry I'm such lousy company right now." Riot looked sincere
"Hush." Mind admonished. " You absolutely perfect company."
Riot would have said thank you but another coughing fit abruptly came about him.
The coughs sounded deeper and more serious then before. Minx tried rubbing his back again but the coughs would not stop this time. Minx felt more helpless then ever as she witnessed Riot try to gain control over this frightening coughing spell. It seemed like it lasted for ever and when it finally stopped Riot was left panting and desperate for breath.
Although he had been consistently sucking on throat lozenges Riot found they gave little relief. In fact, if anything his cough had worsened.
"I don't like the sound of that." Minx said worried.
Still trying to catch his breath Riot wrote ' I'll be fine' on a piece of paper. He stifled a few more coughs and tried to reassure his German bandmate. "Really." He said "I'm ok."
"Well I have something that may help." Minx left the room and went to the kitchen where the stash of "sick stuff" ,as she deemed it, was being kept. She chose some Vick's vapor rub and hurried back to Riots side.
Minx asked him to undo his robe and unbutton his shirt and fought back a blush at the sight of his well muscled chest. She took a seat beside him and opened the jar. She scooped out a thick blob of the ointment with her fingertips and began massaging it into onto Riot's throat and upper body. "Take some deep breaths. That way you can inhale the vapors directly into your nose too. That's supposed to help with congestion" Minx said while reading the instructions on the back of the jar.
"I don't thing thad will helb. I can'd sbell adythig!" Riot complained
"Well it cant hurt."
Riot tried to breathe in deeply but found it was impossible. It only made him feel like coughing again.
" Did you want to watch some more T.V.?"
" I think I just want rest now" Riot said. He was making a considerable effort to be nice. He realized after making Minx cry just how insensitive he was being. Still he had warned her he wasn't a good patient. When he was left alone he could be as miserable as he wanted and not have to worry about hurting anyones' feelings
Minx agreed it would be a good idea to get more rest as it was his body's way of telling him to take it easy so it could shut down and heal.
She told Riot that if he needed anything all he had to do was ring the bell. Riot thanked her and in a rare moment of mush he explained how he really appreciated all she was doing for him.
Minx smiled and flirtatiously said " Of course you do Riot darling" She winked and left the room.
Riot was left alone. The silence of the room was comfort and he was thankful for the solidarity. He loathed being in such a position of weakness. Even in front of his own band members. He worked hard at making sure his essence of perfection was intact at all times. It wasn't easy. He had to watch how he looked ,what he said , what he did , what he wore. And along comes this *stupid* microbe to inflict all sorts of nasties on him! This minuscule microscopic bug , invisible to the human eye had the absolute gall to take up residence inside him. And he could do nothing about it. He despised how it reduced him to such a sniffling pathetic fool. His muscles still ached and his nose was the epitome of a leaky faucet. Swallowing was excruciating. His throat felt like it was encased in blistering flames. 'Was there no end to this torture?' He thought dismally to himself.
"HEHCHEW!" He sneezed violently. "GAH! Stop it!" He commanded his nose. And for the time being thankfully it seemed to listen. Even though he had spent the whole day in bed he felt overwhelmingly exhausted. He rubbed his eyes and closed them. It was getting harder to stay awake. With the way he felt now he was sure he would have no trouble falling asleep.
It was the sound of the bell the woke Minx up. She sat up in bed expecting to see the sun but when she opened her eyes the room was shrouded in darkness. She emerged from the guest suite confused and hazy as one often does when being awoken in the middle of the night. Her eyes were bleary slits as she made it down the hall to Riots room. Her hands darting in front of her in preparation for some unexpected collision with a foreign object.
She opened the door ready to play Riot's game of beck and call girl. She honestly wasn't expecting to find anything seriously wrong with him. So it came as a shock to her when she found Riot in bed, weakly calling her name. A sheen of sweat had formed on his forehead and his clothes were soaked in perspiration.
"Riot your drenched!" Minx exclaimed. She placed her the back of her hand on his cheek. His was obviously feverish and she could feel the heat radiating off him like a furnace.
"I don't feel well" He complained his voice was a frightening whine. The pitch was just enough to indicate that he himself was worried.
"we need to get you out of these ." She said indicating his clothes
"But I'm cold." he protested in a quiet was not at full strength yet and Minx could just barley make out what he said.
"Your cold because your clothes are wet. I'm going to find you another pair of pyjamas". She went though a few drawers before she finally found some. She helped Riot sit up and change his shirt. She pulled his pants off from the ankles and then placed each leg into the separate slot in the bottoms and Minx pulled them up. At this point he was far to delirious with fever to even care or notice his complete helplessness. Minx then went to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. She took the bottle of Tylenol on the bed side table and dolled out two white capsules.
"Riot honey you need to take these"
"Hurts" He rubbed his throat.
"I know it hurts but you've got to take them.." She felt guilty enough for not monitoring his fever properly in the first place and she was going to make sure to take extreme care with it now. He took one pill from her and stuck it on his tongue. Minx handed him the water and he swallowed. He winched at the searing pain as the pill traveled down his throat. He followed suit with the second pill. He made a face and Minx could see how much he was suffering. Minx got up again and took the cloth and the bowl of water that both she and Rapture had used to soothe his fever the previous day. She went to the bathroom and filled it with tepid water. She found Riot trembling with chills. She gently placed the cloth over his forehead. She heard Riot audibly such in air as the cool water met with his heated brow. "It's too cold. It feels like ice"
"Its not that cold. It just feels like that. Riot Hun, your body temperature is probably through the roof. We need to bring down that fever of yours."
Riot said nothing and Minx was grateful for his compliance
Minx didn't leave Riot's side that night and continued to pat him down with water when he was too hot. Or bundle him with blankets if he got to cold.
And although in the past years Minx would have killed to spend another night in Riots bed , this wasn't exactly what she had pictured. Somehow though she didn't mind
Minx did not get a wink of sleep that whole night. She made sure to keep awake even when Riot slept fitfully. In the early hours of morning she found it was impossible to stay conscious any longer and she drifted off in a deep sleep.
Riot awoke to a completely adorable Minx. She was sleeping peacefully in a fetal position on top of the covers. Riot couldn't help remarking to himself how it reminded him of their early days on tour, when traveling by train made sleeping comfortably a luxury. He stretched like a big cat and yawned. It dawned on him suddenly that he was starving. Without thinking twice he got out of bed and made it over to the kitchen. He remembered Minx said she was going shopping and looked in the fridge for the proof. Sure enough it was loaded with food. Now although Riot was a snob about having gourmet chefs come to prepare his food that didn't mean that he couldn't cook. ' I mean really there was there anything he couldn't do?' The thought made him chuckle. ' Of course not' He answered himself internally. In fact he made an omelet so great he bet half the chefs he employed would beg him for the recipe. He searched for the eggs and some vegetables. and got out the frying pan.
With all these preparations and with the initial hunger that pulled him out of bed in the first place, he hardly noticed that his muscle aches were practically gone. Or that when he stood he didn't feel dizzy and he could for the first time in days breathe through his nose. He was concentrating too hard on creating a feast for him and Minx. About an hour later the table was set and breakfast of gigantic proportions was awaiting both the singers. Riot was about to wake Minx up so that they could both eat when she hurriedly came into the Kitchen.
"I heard a noise and..." Her voice trailed off as she saw the fantastic spread of food on the table. " What is this?"
"I was hungry and I decided to make us some breakfast." Riot announced proudly.
"Riot your sick! What are you doing out of bed?" She asked failing to notice his voice was back to normal. She reached up to feel Riots forehead. " Your fevers gone!" She said amazed. She stared at him in a quandary. His eyes were bright and clear. He looked completely refreshed and rejuvenated. If it wasn't for the stubble on his chin, and a slightly pink nose he looked like the Riot(!) the world knew and loved.
"I don't know what it is but I woke up this morning and I feel almost 100%. I guess it really does have to get worse before it gets better." He said, as he thought about how sick he had really been last night. It was as if, with his heightened temperature, he had detoxified himself of the virus through means of perspiration. Minx was overjoyed that he seemed well again but she was still concerned. She didn't want him to over exert himself and relapse
"Never the less Riot I still think you should take it easy today." Minx was stern.
"Very well Minx. I'll be in my room. You may serve me breakfast in bed when I ring for you."
He strolled out of the room with an arrogant stride. 'He's certainly back to normal alright!' She thought almost out loud.
Minx delivered Riot's meal as requested. She noted happily that his appetite had indeed returned. When he had finished she told Riot to stay in bed and she would do the dishes. He told her he had no problems with her suggestion of resting all day but first he desperately wanted a shower and shave.
After washing up in the bathroom he finally felt like his old self. Vanity intact, he scrutinized his appearance and frowned at the discoloration of his still raw nose. He applied an expensive moisturizer in hopes of repairing the chapped edges. He sighed and returned to his bedroom where he remained the rest of the day . He watched T.V. or browsed through the magazines Minx was thoughtful enough to obtain when she had gone shopping the day before. There was a photo editorial on Jem and the Holograms that he stared at dreamily. He was so looking forward to seeing her that weekend. In just two days. He was sure by then he would be fully recovered. All in all his cough was much more mild and he had only sneezed three times so far that day. He was actually surprised by the speed of his recovery. He had thought more then once, during his bout of ill health, he'd have to miss the concert. But thankfully those dark thoughts were behind him. He was in the pink so to speak. And it was exactly that colour that was filtrating thought his mind incessantly. He agonizingly went over what he would say to Jem when he saw her on Sunday. He pictured her voice, her face ,her body. How he long to possess her. 'She cant hold out much longer' He thought. Riot drifted into a delightful afternoon nap and this time all his dreams were pleasant.
At around 4pm Minx decided to head home. As much as she had enjoyed taking care of Riot she was anxious to get back to her own place. She felt far more relaxed as nearly all her concern for Riot had melted wasn't worried anymore about leaving him on his own. Riot walked her to the door as she said goodbye. He kissed her on the top of her head and thanked her again for "putting up with him".
"It was no trouble at all." Minx said pleasantly. She gave a gentle reminder against straining himself and told him she would see him in a couple of days at the concert.
He closed the door behind him and stepped back inside his condo. He went to his room and began planning what he was to wear the evening of their show. He had a few outfits in mind but he wanted to make sure he looked devastatingly handsome. especially for Jem.
The next couple of days passed slowly for Riot. He was bored. Keeping his promise to Minx he made sure to take it easy. That meant not going out and staying in all day. He grew restless so when the night of the concert finally arrived he was even more pumped then usual.
He dressed with care and took extra time with even the most minute details. He had narrowed this evening outfit down to two choices. They both seemed very period. One was a costume inspired very much by the 16Th century. complete with powdered wig , Stocking,heeled shoes and all. And the alternative , which won out in the end, was a pirate themed ensemble. The frock coat was made of a dark gold brocade. He wore fitted leather pants and and a white peasant shirt with a leather vest and matching boots. He toyed with the idea of wearing crystal encrusted eye patch but at the last minute decided against it.
He arrived at the the event looking unbelievably enchanting and of course, as always, he knew it.
He swaggered past most photographers, posed for the lucky ones and made it past the hoards of fans without having to give even one autograph
In the convert hall he headed through the snake like passages that lead into the back stage area.
Now to Find Jem!
He keep his eyes peeled for any signs of pink. He walked through the maze like corridors on guard for any trace of her but he found no sign of the holograms lead singer. He passed by the Limp Lizards ,The 5th Avenue Boys and and Johnny Deacon but Jem was strangely absent. He made small talk with the lovely Miss Dark but he quickly cut the conversation short. He was a man with a mission
It was then he saw Rio! His hatred for the roadie forgotten he approached his rival with an assumed air of detachment.
"Have you seen Jem anywhere? I wanted to ask her somthing important." Riot tried to sound casual.
"Jem?" Rio said and forowned. " Shes not here. Shes not performing tonight."
'SHE'S NOT PERFROMING?'
At first Rio's words didnt regisiter. And then when they did they echoed inside his brain in a seemingly endless loop. He felt the colour drain from his face.
"What?" Riot asked. He could hear the urgency in his voice but he didnt care."Why not?"
"I thought she phoned everyone and told them" Rio tried to expalin. Riot took a deep breath. "Told everyone what!?" Riot questioned sharply
" She's really sick. She came down with that bug thats been going around. I fuguired you knew. She phoned all the performers to tell them "
"But I didnt get any message..." Riot's voice trailed off. And as the realization dawned on him his eyes widned and then became dangerous slivers. "RAPTURE" He hissed.
He felt an uncontrollable rage boil inside of him. He was more then furious, he was livid! He felt as if were going to explode with anger. 'This whole time , this whole time she knew. She knew Jem wasn't coming and she LIED to him. Hadn't he gone through hell and back just so he could come to this show and see Jem. He had practically willed himself well again and for what ? Jem wasn't there. Jem wasn't coming! That was the only thing that had kept him going as he lay piratically on his death bed. NO! This was unacceptable.' Seething with emotions reserved for the mad he stalked down the winding halls heading for The Stingers dressing area! He couldn't wait to give Raoture a piece of his mind!
Rapture sat miserably at the make up table in the brightly light dressing room, nose streaming , head pounding and wishing she had just stayed in bed. It was yesterday when it hit her. Out of nowhere she felt tired and dizzy and it just got progressively worse from there. It was Riot's cold alright! Complete with copy cat symptoms right down to the muscle aches to the unending sneezing fits. The only thing she didn't have was the laryngitis . Not yet anyway. She glanced in the mirror and wrinkled her nose in disgust. It was red and were dark circles under her eyes and her hair looked as if her cat thought it was it's new toy. She had tried putting on make up but she just kept sneezing and smudging her eye liner. Not to mention her eyes were watering so much there was no point applying mascara. Rapture had stayed in bed all day hoping to feel well enough to perform in the evening's benefit show. Although she slept the whole afternoon she had awoken feeling worse then she had before . It was as if the virus inside her sensed her guard was down and chose then to invade fully. She truly felt terrible and it was at the moment she realized just what torture Riot had actually gone through. A wave of guilt washed over her as she recalled how poorly she had treated him. She thought about how rude she had been to Minx as well and shrank inside herself with shame.
Her self pity party was interrupted by a member of the hospitality crew asking her if she needed anything. "Doe thag you." She replied congestedly. She picked up a tissue and blew her nose loudly.
"Wow! That's a nasty cold you've got there." Replied the young man sympathetically.
Rapture looked at him with intensity. " It's not a cold. It's a rare disease called makabrer Witz-itis. It's from a forgotten region of Africa where they practice a forbidden form of voodoo. That's how I caught it. It's very unpleasant and highly contagious". She coughed intentionally. " Oh did I mention it's fatal as well?! Atchew!" She sneezed in an exaggerated fashion and laughed inwardly when the mans eyes grew wide with terror. He left shortly after. At least they wont bother me now she thought with satisfaction.
Rapture had brought with her some supplies with the hopes they would provide some relief ,at least temporarily. The truth was she dragged herself out of bed that day because she knew how rotten she had been and she really wanted to make it up to Riot and Minx. She figured she would grin and bear it for their sake. She knew how important this concert was and she didn't want to ruin it for The Stingers.
