A/N Love everyone. Own Nothing that doesn't belong to me.

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Chapter 37: Homecoming

Christy arrived back at the factory about two days after Charlie had gone back to school. She was surprised when she got to the Bucket house and found it completely empty. She found Chris, an oompa-loompa that takes care of the candy boat. "Hey, Chris where is everyone?"

Chris began to sign his answer and Christy very carefully tried to watch. She was taking two signing classes a week, but she still didn't understand much at all. "Um, ok so I have no clue what you just said to me." He looked annoyed but signed much slower and in fewer gestures. "The Buckets are in the apartment? What are they doing there? Never mind don't answer that. Willy?" Chris signed one word. "That's umm, I know this, bedroom?" Chris nodded and clapped for her, she pretended to take a bow and left. "Thanks."

Christy wheeled into the apartment area and took a look around. She had never seen it, but the way Willy had described it you would think it was small; it was like a one story house. She found Mr. and Mrs. Bucket and told them all about Hawaii. She handed out little items to each of them and left Charlie a large seashell on his bed. They talked for awhile and had lunch.

"Willy is going to be so excited to see you back," Mrs. Bucket said in between bites. Christy nodded noticing that it sounded like they all had colds. She assumed that was why Willy wasn't there and why they were living in the apartments instead of the Chocolate Room.

"Yeah he was acting like a real jerk," Grandpa George said as Grandma Josephine hit him.

Mr. Bucket put a hand on Christy's shoulder. "I think he really missed you dear."

Christy smiled and left to go unpack her stuff after lunch. Once her room was back in order she relaxed a bit until she heard a strange noise in the next room, it sounded like Willy was choking or something. She quickly wheeled herself over there and went in. The sound had stopped and she carefully made her way through the room.

"Willy?" Christy passed his desk and began to head towards his bedroom. "Willy, are you in here?"

"Starshine?" The voice sounded like it was coming from a person dying of dehydration.

Christy wheeled up to Willy's bed and saw him laying on it with all his normal clothing on. He had his computer open in front of him and a large blanket wrapped around him. She looked him over carefully. He was paler than usual which it quite an accomplishment given that he is already almost pure white. His eyes were red and puffy and he looked exhausted.

"So you got what the Buckets have too?" Christy pulled herself next to him on the bed to feel his forehead. He cringed away but eventually let her. "Yup, you've got a fever alright."

Willy shook his head and nervously laughed. "No shorty, I'm fine. I'm just cold."

Christy laughed at his childishness. "I know you are afraid of germs and all, but they got you."

Willy shook his head again. "No, I haven't been sick since I was a child."

"Well that makes sense; you haven't been outside much and around people since you were a child." Willy went to protest more that he was fine until he started sneezing which made him cough. Christy handed him a tissue now knowing what the choking sound she though she heard was. When Willy was done having his little fit, he curled himself into the corner of his bed facing away from Christy. "Why are you all the way over there? Do you want me to leave?" Christy took his hiding as a sign that he preferred to be alone while he was sick.

Willy turned around to look at her. "No, but aren't you disgusted at me? I am full of germs and leaking. I can't stand to be around myself." Christy laughed at him and patted the space on the bed next to her. He came a little closer and Christy put her arm around him. Willy almost freaked out and jumped back, but the hand on his back was pulling him closer and soon he was leaning on her shoulder. It felt different to Willy, but kind of nice to be held like that.

"I'm not worried, but I think you need to get yourself a little more comfortable. Why don't you take off the coat and stuff and climb into bed properly."

That made Willy absolutely horrified. "You mean take off my clothes?"

Christy rolled her eyes at him. "Willy, I have seen you in nothing but your pajamas bottoms and you are worried about me seeing you in your undershirt and boxers now? Hmm… do you wear boxers?"

"Ok I guess you can see me and yes I do wear boxers." Willy undressed slowly and soon was wearing nothing but a beater and a pair of purple silk boxers. He quickly covered himself with blankets and was amazed at himself that he went right back into Christy's waiting arm.

"So tell me all that happened while I was gone." Christy got herself more comfortable and barely noticed that she gave Willy a little kiss on the top of his head. It was something that she would do to any guy she was holding. Hell, she would even do it to Mr. Bucket if they were in the same situation.

Willy completely stiffened; Christy didn't realize what was wrong for a few minutes. "Oops, I'm sorry Willy. I wasn't thinking." She didn't speak again for a few minutes now mad at herself for not being more careful about what she did around Willy. She loosened her arm in case he wanted to get out.

"It's ok; anyway, it's been business as usual here. I made candy; I gave Charlie lessons, and everything else that usually happens. Charlie's school was almost closed because everyone got sick. Tell me about Hawaii."

Christy smiled. "I spent most of my days on the beach getting drunk. I spent almost all of my evenings with Eric, the guy from the hotel. It was nice; I have never been so relaxed."

Willy buried himself more into Christy and tried not to sound jealous. "So you are dating this Eric now?"

"Hmm? No, it was just a vacation fling and he knew that. We had a lot of fun though, I wouldn't want to live in Hawaii and he would never be happy in London."

A smile crept onto Willy's face. "I was worried you were…" He stopped there. He remembered that quite a few of their arguments were when he talked about her leaving.

"Willy Wonka, are you mumbling something?" Christy teased him a bit more before turning serious. "You were right though. I was going to move away. Doris convinced me to take a vacation instead. I argued with her, but it didn't really do me any good. I wouldn't even call what we had an argument because she just got me tickets and a hotel to Hawaii before I had agreed to anything." They both sat there quietly for a minute. "I'm glad she did, I like it here."

Willy's smile grew at hearing that last line. They chatted a little longer until Willy fell asleep. Christy got herself back into her chair and went into her own room to shower. Willy was right about being disgusting, but Christy did her best not to let it show. She wasn't a germaphobe like Willy, but spending a few hours getting sneezed on was not her favorite thing.