I've Swallowed The Green Dress

by gaben

2. Alexandra is very sick. As each of the Cartwrights sit with Adam and Alex, they recall some of her naughty and funny adventures. But what has she done with the green dress? Warning: spanking of a minor in some chapters.

13. Two in The Bed

I'VE SWALLOWED THE GREEN DRESS"

2nd In the Alexandra Series

Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza, or any of its characters. David Dortort and Fred Hamilton created them and played with them for 14 years. The series is owned by NBC

Warning: None really,Well, there may be grammatical errors, I've rushed this through feeling guilty in that I haven't updated for a while.

Re-cap, chapter 12.

Abigail gathered up her notes and slid the two essays in with them and headed off to the courthouse where the appeal panel were to convene. Abigail Jones was determined to withdraw her complaint. She didn't doubt her ability to convince the board of this child's need for an education, her only problem was convincing Lydia Anne's mother. Hopefully they could all learn something from Alexandra's essay. Sure there were some holes in her reasoning regarding her behaviour and revengeprank played on Lydia Anne. But she was a ten year old, living in a new country, a rough country full of dangers and wonders.

"Hmmf maybe she would just post a copy of this ten year olds letter To Emily Thornwell herself, and if she wasn't interested I'm sure that visiting reporter Samuel Clements would find it interesting and naively charming.

Abigail Jones marched towards the courthouse.

End Flashback

Chapter 13: Oh No! Two in the Bed. Part 1

Marty laughed at Adam, who had retrieved Alexandra's essay from his memento chest and read the entire thing in character. A couple times throughout the evening Alex stirred from herfeverish sleep but settled quickly when Marty or Adam wooed or caressed her.

"You know, I think her fever has finally broken and her cough is much more productive."

"Good," said Adam. "You must be beat, why don't you get some rest. Hop Sing has set the guest room up for you. I'll stay here."

"Actually, that sounds great. But, I insist on hearing the rest of that story before I leave tomorrow. "

"Done."

Marty added some more oil and water to the steamer in the corner. It had worked well to break the child's dry cough and open up her airways. By morning the little girl's major health issues would be over; with the crisis now passing. Another two days of bed rest and Alex would be as good as new.

"Night Adam," whispered Marty as she quietly closed the door behind her.

Adam folded the essay and slid it back in the leather journal, placing it on the bedside table. He then lowered the flame on the lamp and settled down in the big chair next to Alexandra's bed, and slept.

-oOo-

Marty returned early in the next morning with Hop Sing to find the steamer almost dry. Hop Sing extinguished the flame and returned with the colander pot to the kitchen to be cleaned. It would most likely be needed again tonight.

Adam lay asleep on the bed with Alexandra cradled at his side and her head on his stomach. One leg hung off the side of the small bed while the other had been thrown during sleep over her father's lower torso. Adams tall solid frame made him look like a giant on the small child's bed. Finding little or no room in the bed, Alexandra had attached herself to the most comfortable areas available, human or not.

Marty went over and opened the windows letting the crisp morning air filter in and replace the close sticky air the steamer had created. She then lent over to feel Alexandra's forehead, relieved that the child's fever had indeed broken. The gurgle in her breathing also indicated that the croup cough of yesterday had also broken leaving a wet chest. Once the child woke Marty would bath her and then some pummelling over a steam bowl would soon expel the sticky mess from her throat and lungs.

Adam looked up with one eye opened, frozen in place by the dead weight of an exhausted and sleeping child.

"Morning, Mr Cartwright, rough night?"

"You were calling me Adam,remember?"

"Yes, sorry, here why don't you give me Alex?"

"Careful, she only went back to sleep about an hour ago. She woke up coughing and was sick again. She went back to sleep while I massaged her. I must have fallen asleep along with her."

Marty lifted Alexandra's sleeping limbs off Adam, then lifted the child's head gently as Adam slid his long body from underneath and stood up. Marty pulled the pillow forward and propped it under Alex's head. The child slept on totally unperturbed.

Adam stretched, "I'm so stiff and sore. Alex was so peaceful, I didn't want to wake her, so I haven't moved for about an hour. It was like holding the fuse to a stick of dynamite. "

Marty laughed, "Well you probably could do with another warm bath and a rest yourself."

"Definitely, but I need coffee first."

"Good idea, Hop sing has started breakfast, it smells delicious. I think it's pretty safe to leave Alex; she's sound asleep."

-oOo-

The family chatted over breakfast. Marty would leave after checking on Alexandra; once Marty gave her a warm bath, a back massage and a light pummelling, then back to bed for the rest of the day. By Mid morning she would be back in town and ready for any patients that Doc Martin had ready and waiting at the clinic.

The family laughed about Alexandra's latest story. The boys especially enjoyed the ribbing they gave Adam about Alexandra's tree house attack. Joe's animated version of Adam's expression as he hung upside down from a tree and the fear when Alexandra insited on cutting the rope was priceless.

"I don't know why everybody so enjoys the sight of me in uncomfortable and precarious positions," Said Adam.

"Aww, come on Adam, ya know there's nothin like a good whump Adam story."

"Yeah," said Joe, "it's payback for all the times you put us through uncomfortable situations when we were kids"

"What do you mean; when you were kids, Little Joe, you still are a kid."QuippedAdam.

Hoss belly laughed, nearly spraying his coffee out at the sight of Joe'sindignant, petulant expression. The whole table then erupted, except for Joe. Ben shook his head and slapped Joe on the back and soon Joe's infectious rattling giggle joined the chorus.

Hop Sing came in from the Kitchen with a fresh pot of coffee to the noise and ruckus, "why everybody laughing like silly squawking geese. You wake little girl up; Hop sing go like crazy china man at big boys. Big boys do all chores and cook and wash, while Hop sing keep sick little girl out of trouble and in bed. Big boys not find that so funny. Cu sa yuchun baboons!"

The laughter died as quickly as it had started, except for Adam whose suppressed chuckle turned into a violent coughing fit.

Hoss slapped him on the back, thinking his brother had started to choke on a sip of his coffee, "What's the matter big brother your smart alec comment go down the wrong way?"

Adam forced the cough hard, trying to control the convulsion it caused and get more air into his lungs. Soon he started to breathe again, but the short barking cough that continued for a few minutes after had Hop Sing and Marty eyeing each other with silent messages of concern.

"That cough doesn't sound good, Adam," commented Marty.

Adam grabbed a glass of water and drank, "It's fine, something just got caught in my throat, that's all. I shouldn't laugh when drinking coffee."

Hop sing put down the pot and came around and stood in front of Adam, then took hold of his chin, "Mista Adam, open mouth."

Adam slapped Hop Sing's hand away, "no, Hop Sing I'm fine!" He pulled his head away, embarrassed by all the fuss.

Hop Sing then put his hand on his forehead and felt his head.

Adam protested again, "Hop sing I'm not a sick little kid, I'm fine."

Hop sing slapped Adam on his thigh, "Mista Adam is hot, has fever, now open mouth."

Adam immediately opened up, blushing as he caught the sight of Marty from the corner of his eye, smirking at his chastisement.

"Mista Adam sick, throat all red, just like Alexandra, Missy Marty have look."

"Marty Reall…."

Marty depressed the flat handle of a tea spoon on Adam'stongue before he could finish his sentence and close his mouth, "Hop Sing is right Adam , your throat is red and your tonsil's have white spots on them. If you're not careful they could develop into abscesses."

Ben got up and started to probe Adams neck and feel under his ears. "Your glands are a little swollen too, Adam."

"See, Mista Adam sick, father say, pretty nurse say and Hop Sing say, three against one, now Hop Sing say; up to bed, straight away."

"I'm not going to bed. I'll just rest here, I'm a little stiff and sore that's all. Alexandra slept practically on top of me all night. At one stage I'm sure she had wrapped herself around my neck. I woke up choking. I'm just tired, I'm sleep deprived."

Hop Sing smacked Adams thigh harder this time.

"Ow! Hop Sing, go easy."

"Hop Sing say you sick, get sicker as day goes on."

"He's right Adam; you've probably picked up Alex's sore throat. You need to be treated straight away."

"Listen to pretty nurse. Now up to bed. Hop sing bring up basin to cool you down. "

"I'll get the tub up there," offered Hoss.

"You're not putting me in a cold tub." Yelled Adam. The entire family ignored him and went about organising the necessities.

"Put it in Alexandra's room, she'll need a wash, and we'll keep it there just in case Adam gets too hot." Said Marty.

"This is ridiculous…."

Ben slapped Joe on the shoulder, "Joe get to town; see if Doc Martin can get out here. Tell him Adam may need some powders."

"Yes Joe," interrupted Marty, "He will probably want to check Adams other glands, stomach and groin. We need to check for inflammation."

"Nobody's checking my groin," said Adam."

Joe grabbed his hat and coat and headed for the barn, passing Hoss carrying the large empty copper bathtub.

"Hop Sing, it may be a good idea to put the steamer in Adam's room as well, try and break his cough," suggested Marty.

"But little girl still need that tonight."

"We can put them both in the same room. It's not like they can re infect each other. We can put a small pallet and mattress on the floor for Alexandra.

"Oh,no, no, no. Alexandra can stay in her own room. You want me to rest. She's feeling better and will drive me nu….."

"Missy vely smart, treat two sick children in same room, make lot easy on ole Hop Sing legs."

"I'm not a child, this isn't a hospital, IM NOT SICKkkkk! "Adam yelled, then started to cough once again; uncontrollably.

Hoss without a word, descended the stairs, marched over and picked his big little brother up and hauled him up the stairs, with Adam objecting all the way.

-oOo-

Alexandra woke to the sounds of her father yelling and coughing. She jumped from the bed and ran to the door to see her Uncle Hoss carrying her father over his shoulder. She watched the unusual sight with awe.

Adam grasped the door frame jolting Hoss to a holt. "Hoss for crying out loud put me down."

"Fine Adam, but you get yourself into a night shirt and get into that bed. And don't move."

"I don't own a night shirt, Hoss. "

"Ya night britches,whatever ya like big brother, jist get into that bed or I'll pick ya up again and put ya there."

Adam huffed and turned. Hoss applied a loud and sharp slap to the black jean clad backside of his older educated brother.

Alexandra giggled as she burst from her bedroom door to meet her Uncle Hoss, "bout time he got some of his own medicine," she said.

"Hey Possum, whatcha doin' up? I think you should be still in bed."

"But I'm hungry, Hoss, can I jist come down for some breakfast?"

"Not in ya underthings, Pumkin come on back ta bed."

"But what's wrong with dad. Can I go see him?"

"Ya daddy's sick too, so jist leave him be for now."

"Whadda mean his sick!"Alex dived for his door. Hoss quickly snatched her up and swung her around and smacked her bottom as he carried her into the room.

"You two are gonna be wearing sore backsides ifin ya keep giving me an argument,"said Hoss, depositing the child back on her bed.

"But he ain't gonna die or nothin' is he Uncle Hoss?"

"Hey! No, no, youngin. Hec, Alex, ole Hoss is sorry for scarin' ya. No he's fine. But he's gotta stay in bed and so have you. Now, Hop Sing's gonna bring up some nice broth and then Marty's gonna give a warm bath. Then I'm gonna make ya a bed right next ta ya daddy; right after Doc Martin gives him some medicine. Okay. Thadda be good, now won't it?"

Alexandra threw herself into the big man's arms, "thadda be jist grand, Uncle Hoss."

"Good girl." Hoss rubbed her back before putting her back into bed and pulling up the covers.

"Hey Uncle Hoss, do I hafta have a not so nice broth, can't I have some eggs and bacon, whadda bout some flapjacks. I'm starvin'."

"Well that's agood sign, I'll see what I can do, but you stay in bed ya hear?"

"Okay. Can little George come up here."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because, Hop sing don't want him under his feet with two sick people in the house."

"He won't get under his feet; I'll keep him in here."

"No."

"But why?"

"I jist told ya why."

"But, I jist told ya that I won't let him get unda' ole Hop Sing's feet."

"He might get out, and besides you'll be going inta ya daddy's room later, ya won't be able to have him in there."

"Why?"

"Because, ya daddy's sick , you're sick, and Hop Sing, the doctor and Miss Marty will be trying ta look after ya both. They'll be coming and going."

"But he needs me, can't I jist have him in here with me till I hafta go inta daddy's room?"

"No."

"Why?"

"ALEXANDRA!"

"What?"

"I said no."

"No you said, ALEXANDRA,"parroting Hoss inflection, "why?"

Hoss swiped his large hand down the contours of his usually big round happy face, "because Y's a crooked letter and there's nothin kin be done about it!"

"Oh! Is Y the only crooked letter, Uncle Hoss?"

"I reckon so."

"Why?"

Hoss sighed with exhaustion. I'm goin ta get ya some food," he said, then mumbled under his breath as he left the room, "That's sure to keep her mouth busy for a while."

"Hallelujah, don't forget some flapjacks, oh and lots of syrup." She called after him.

"No"

"WHY?" She bellowed.

-oOo-

Hoss had started to fill the large copper tub that he sat in Alexandra's room, while she finished her broth and two flapjacks her uncle had snatched for her. Both Hop Sing and Marty had insisted on the hot chicken broth to help decongest her throat and lungs. Doctor Martin had arrived and was examining Adam's throat and groin in the privacy of his own room.

"There now, Pumkin, a nice warm bath for you"

"Can I have some bubbly suds, Uncle Hoss; you know can ya make em for me."

Sure thing Pumkin, Hoss lathered up his large strong arms and hands with the lightly perfumed soap, and thrust them in the water stirring and, agitating the water at high speeds to create bubbles and froth.

"More" giggled, Alex.

Hoss happily complied, until the tub was full of bubbles.

Alexandra squealed, "I'm getting in," grabbing the waist of her cotton draws.

Hoss stopped her, "Hey no, it ain't got enough water yet, and it's hot. And Marty says she's gonna massage and pummel ya back, to clear ya chest. "

"She's gonna beat ME?"

"No she's gonna be patting ya back."

"Oh, so it ain't like a tannin' or nothin?"

"No it's more like a…." Hoss crept up to Alex, a playful and menacing gleam in his eyes, with his two large hands reaching for her, "…. A skinning… like skinnin' a possum for supper."

Alex recognised the game and dived for her bed. Hoss pounced and was within seconds tickling the little girl. He then mimed the skinning procedure of a small animal. Using his bent forefinger as a fake tool, he scraped, gnarled and massaged from her neck to her belly. Alexandra's giggle got deeper as she slapped at his hands and wriggled, trying to escape.

Holding up her arms he then started the procedure from the cavity of her small arm pit to her elbow tickling and poking her funny bone, "Now ya hang the little critter upside down," Hoss grabbed by her ankles a swung her upside down giving her a little shake.

"AhahAahahAahahahaA," she rattled with the vibrations, "now are ya gonna roasts me real good, Uncle Hoss?"

"Yap, Then I'm gonna eat cha!"

Alexandra squealed with delight as her uncle threw on the bed and started a mock gorging of her belly, adding extra tickles with his morning whiskers.

Alexandra laughed so much she started to cough. Hoss sat her up and patted her back, loosening some of the sticky phlegm from her chest.

Marty entered carrying a large bowl of hot water and two clean towels, "Here Hoss, lay her across your knees."

Hoss did as he was instructed and Marty came over, then knelt down in front of Alex with a towel cradled under the child's mouth.

"Keep patting her back, Hoss."

"Sure thing Miss Marty. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have been playin so rough with her."

"Don't worry about it, Hoss. Good thing is; I won't need the steam bowl now." Once Alex had finished expelling, what felt like her lungs and to her disappointment the undigested Flapjacks, she sat up frowning, "Now see whatcha done, Uncle Hoss."

"Sorry possum, I didn't mean ta hurt ya."

"I ain't talking about that. I'm talking about the waste of Hop Sings yummy flapjacks. Now I'm hungry all over agin."

"Well, I get ya some more for lunch."

"Here, come on, Alex," said Marty, "Let's get you into a nice warm bath."

"Needs another bucket of water," said Hoss, "I'll go fetch it."

"Thanks Hoss."

Marty helped Alex undress and into the bath just as Hoss returned with another boiler of warm water.

"Watch ya feet youngin"

"That feel nice?" Asked Marty

"Beautiful," said Alex.

"Good. Let's wash your hair."

Hoss left as Alexandra laid back and submerged her entire head under water and started blowing bubbles.

Doc martin came to the open door and knocked on the frame. "How's the younger patient," he asked.

"Oh doctor, come in." Wiping her wet hands on her apron Marty stood up and went over to the door, "pretty good actually, but could you check her throat before you go?"

"I will, certainly."

Alex sat up. Seeing Marty at the door talking to the doctor was her cue to flip over onto her stomach and continue to blow bubbles, this time face first into the water. Marty glanced back at her, then returned to her conversation.

"Good. How's Adam?

"Not too bad, probably more tired than anything. He definitely has a case of Tonsillitis, but it doesn't look like Quinsy. His chest is tight; we'll need to watch that. There's a little swelling in his neck glands but his stomach and groin are fine.

"WILL YOU STIOP TALKING ABOUT MY GROIN!" Yelled Adam.

Marty laughed, while Doctor Martin crossed the hall and closed his door.

"Won't help his throat any, yelling like that," scowled Marty.

"He needs plenty of bed rest, Marty. I've given him some powders and Hop sings throat gargle will help. So best let him sleep for as long as you can. Now let's have a look at Alexandra."

Doctor and Nurse walked over to the tub to spot two partly submersed round forms floating in the soapy water; Alexandra's head and floating curls like the tentacles of a fictional sea creature, up one end of the tub and the two slightly pink cheeks of her bare backside somewhere on the middle.

"Hey, Alexandra," called Marty tapping her on her head.

Alex shot up, her hair now stuck flat to her face, "Huh?"

"Doctor Martin wants to have a look at your throat."

"Can you open up for me, Alex?" Asked the Doctor. Taking a good look, he then declared "Beautiful. Nicely healed. Two more days in bed, Alex and then you'll be back to normal."

"I'm already back to normal."

"I beg your pardon, so you are. And that means you'll be even better in two days.

"Aww, that means school," whined Alex.

"No well, you have some luck there, Alex; I've closed the school for a week." Doctor Paul Martin turned to Marty and lowered his voice to talk to his young nurse, "there have been several cases of Quinsy, probably started there."

"Really, do you need me back, Doctor?"

"No. Most of the crisis is over, though we lost the O'Connor baby this morning."

"Oh no. Celia must be…."

"It's fine, she's with her family. Mrs. Wilburn and Dawn Potter-Smythe have organised lots of help."

While Alexandra was ecstatic that the school had been closed, the thought of a little baby dying frightened her and she jumped from the bath and ran buck naked to her father's room. Marty took off and grabbed the panic stricken little girl and quickly wrapped a towel around her. "Hey, it's alright Alexandra."

"But my Daddy, is he, is he…?"

"No sweetheart."

Doctor Martin looked ashamed, and bent down to face the child now sitting on Marty's lap wrapped in a blanked on the edge of her bed.

Alexandra your daddy is fine, he is just sleeping. You can go and visit him as soon as he wakes up. He hasn't got what the little baby had. Sometimes with bad ilness's like this one, older people and very little babies get real sick and some die. But your daddy's not going to die."

"But he is old."

"Not real old, Alex. He will be fine."

Marty kissed Alex on the head and caressed her curls, "trust the Doctor, Alexandra. He fixed you …right?"

"Yep, and you and Hop Sing helped too."

"That's right said Doctor Martin…. Actually, Alex you've given me an idea. I think I'll get Hop sing to make up some extra gargle for some of the other kids."

"Is Josh sick?"

"No but his little brother is, so Hop sings medicine will help him too. Do you think Hop Sing will help me again?"

"Sure he will, jist go ask him and don't worry ifin he starts yellin' in Chinese; he's probably cussin' but grandpa says he jist letting off a bit of steam. Course ifin he was livin in China and his daddy heard him cussin like that he'd probably get his mouth washed out with soap. Molly always put pepper on my tongue ifin she heard me cussin. Said she didn't like puttin soap in little children's mouth. Said she knew a lady once; made her boy bite on a cake of soap and he nearly died cause he swallowed it an started choking and his daddy had ta turn him upside down and shake it out. So, she uses pepper cause it burns jist like soap. Funny that, soap burning ya mouth, it don't burn ya skin, but it stings ya eyes. I guess, it must have something ta do with just burning in ya holes, like ya mouth and ya eyes, but how come it don't burn ma as…ah ear holes?"

"This child could talk the leg off a chair."

"How can ya talk the leg off a chair? Now Uncle Joe he can talk underwater with a mouthful of marbles. He told me. Grandpa told me he tested his theory when he was a boy. Uncle Joe is real clever." Alexandra drew an enormous breath, ready to start another tirade of banter and questions.

Marty Interjected, "Doctor? Do you think the child is delirious again?"

"No Marty, that's the very normal, Alex. She is right. She is back to normal. For goodness sake keep her away from Adam for a couple of hours."

"I will, well... I'll try." she laughed.

"Good then. I'll better go ask Hop Sing to make me some of his tonic. May need a swig of it myself, hope he's laced with Bens good Bourban." Paul stood up and took a huge breath, then marched out the door with his bag.

"He looks scared," commented Alex.

"He does a little, doesn't he?"

Marty helped dry Alexandra and put on a fresh night shirt, then tucked the child into a freshly made bed. Alex snuggled up, feeling a lot better and at ease. "When can I see daddy?

"Later," said Marty, let him sleep. You should have another one too, then when you wake up you can go see him, you'll be awake together then."

"But I'm not tired, tell me a story."

"No, how about you tell me one. Your daddy was going to finish telling me the story about you and Lydia Anne; why don't you finish it for him."

"Oh, okay whadda he tell you?"

"He told me that, you had to go to the courthouse, so that you could go back to school. I guess when Mrs. Jones read them the essay and spoke to them you didn't get expelled."

"Oh yeah, that was the only the bad part. Oh and the extra discussion me and dad had when we got home, but before that it was kinda exciting and melodramatic."

"Melodramatic? No! Really? Taunted Marty.

"Yep do ya know what that means?"

"Yes, I know what that means," she laughed.

"Well, It all started after Miss Jones read out ma essay. I wasn't allowed in the courthouse, either was Lydia Anne and was jist sittin outside, not anywhere near each other; Dad didn't think that was a good idea. Afore ya know it there was a bunch of hollerin going on and Lydia Anne's mother was ….."

Start Flashback.

TBC

Chapter 14: Britches, Petticoats and Eavesdroppin'.

A.N. I know this story has got bigger the Ayers rock and longer than the Murray River, but I hope you are enjoying the twin threads. I so hope it hasn't got laborious or worse confusing. We will get back to "two in the bed in chapter 16," but I took up Chelsea 1234 and Lojoci's suggestion about sorting out Lydia Anne. Cameo for Dawnmarie next chapter. Thanks for all the great reviews.