See Day 1 for all pertinent info and disclaimers.


Day 4

Llanfair

Natalie walked down the hall from her room and tapped on Jessica's door before going in. "Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Icky. Very, very icky. And cold. You?" Jessica said as she propped herself up against the headboard and pulled her blankets up.

"So much better. Although I'd feel even better if mom would let me out of the house," Natalie said, leaning against the wall.

"Oh, there's no way you're getting out of here until she's absolutely sure you're 100% better. Unless you try to make a run for it, which I advise you not to do."

"Yeah, I doubt I'd get that far. It's like she has some sort of internal sensor that goes off if I get anywhere within five feet of one of the doors. It's kind of scary."

"I know."

"So, she's always did this sort of thing when you were sick?"

"Yes, always, although I do think that you're getting a lot more of mom's protectiveness than I am since she missed out on all those years with you. Like she's trying to make up for it."

"Yeah, I kind of got that feeling too. Not that I really mind all that much, it's just really weird for me, you know? Growing up with Roxy, when I was sick, well, I always had to take care of myself. When I think about it, it really is a miracle I survived."

"Well, now you'll never have to take care of yourself again. Even if mom's not around to do it, I'm sure there's someone else who'll be completely willing to fill in for her," Jessica said with a small smile.

Natalie smiled, "Hmm, I got that feeling too."

"I bet you did," Jessica said, her smile growing, despite how bad she was feeling. "Visits two days in a row? And who knows how long he would've stayed if mom hadn't made him leave. God, Seth's only come to see me once and he stayed for all of ten minutes."

"But he's called, right?"

"Well, yeah. And, I mean, he is working two jobs, plus he has classes, so I guess I'll let him slide. This time."

"How did you know about Cristian's visits?"

"Mom told me."

"She did?"

"Yeah. She thinks it's sweet. I must admit, I do too. He really loves you. A lot. Especially if he wants to see you and be with you when you're sick."


Bo & Gabrielle's Apartment

Gabrielle tip-toed out of her room and peeked into Bo's room, then into the kitchen to find that Bo wasn't there. She frowned for a moment, disappointed, then she realized that with Bo not there, she would finally be able to do something for herself and smiled, "Yes!"

She walked into the kitchen and put on a kettle of water for some tea and sat down at the table to read the day's edition of The Banner. She had just made herself a cup of chamomile tea and finished reading the first section of the paper when she heard the front door, followed by the sound of Bo's footsteps coming towards the kitchen.

Bo stood in the doorway with a bag of groceries, "Gabrielle..."

She looked at him, innocently, "Yes, Bo?"

"What are you doing up, out of bed?"

"Reading the paper and having a cup of tea."

"Didn't I give you direct orders not to get out of bed?"

"Yes, you did but you weren't here to enforce those orders and I'm feeling much better--thank you for asking--so, I didn't see any harm in my getting up and about."

He set the bag down on the table, "You're feeling better? That's great. You still sound awfully congested, though. And I think that means that you should not be 'up and about.'"

She fixed her eyes on him, "You listen to me, Bo Buchanan, if you think that I'm just going to get back in bed and let you treat me like some child because you don't think I'm well enough yet, you've got another thing coming."

Bo looked at her for a second and nodded, "Okay, so, what you're saying is that you're not going to get back into bed, correct?"

"Correct."

Bo thought it over. "Okay. I can deal with that."

Gabrielle smiled and let out a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Bo--What are you doing?" she asked as he picked her up out of the chair.

"Well, you said that you wouldn't get back in bed, so I'm putting you there myself."

"Put me down right this instant," she protested as he carried her back into her room.


RJ's Apartment

Keri sniffled.

RJ stopped eating his soup, "Whoa, what was that?"

She looked at him, "What was what?"

He pointed at her, "That! That! You just sniffled! You're getting sick, aren't you? What did I tell you about spending all this time around me while I'm sick?"

"I'm not getting sick, I have allergies," she said defensively, sniffling again. "Not to mention I'm taking great care of myself and the baby, you don't have to worry."

"Allergies, huh?"

"Yes, allergies, now eat your soup."

"You're sure you're not getting sick?"

"I'm positive."

R.J. raised a skeptical eyebrow at her.

She sighed, "I'm fine, R.J., really, I am."

"All right, if you say so," he said before going back to eating his soup.


Cramer Mansion

Blair placed her hands on the counter to steady herself.

"Hey, what's taking you so long?" Todd asked as he walked into the kitchen.

She looked at him, "I don't feel so good."

"You don't look so good, either. Come on, let's get you upstairs."

She nodded, "Okay." She had taken three steps towards him when a rush of lightheadedness came over her and she began to stumble.

Todd rushed to her side and caught her before she collapsed, "Whoa, it's okay, I got you. I told you, you need to take better care of yourself. You're no good to the kids if you're sick."

She rolled her eyes as he carried her up the stairs, "Todd, I don't feel well enough to argue with you right now, okay? So, what? Do you want me to say that you were right? Fine, you were right, I do need to take better care of myself."

"You just admitted that I was right about something. Wow, you really are sick, aren't you?"

She didn't get the chance to give him a smart answer.

Starr stood at the top of the stairs, "Mom? Dad? What's going on?"

"Your mom went and got herself sick. What are you doing out of bed?"

Starr smiled, "I feel great!"

"That's wonderful, baby," Blair said, followed by a sneeze.

"Don't worry, Mom. Dad and I will nurse you back to health. Won't we, Dad?"

"Uh..." Todd looked at a pale Blair, still in his arms, then down at a smiling Starr, "Sure, kid. We'll take care of your mom together."

Blair groaned and rolled her eyes.