9:30 am. They had been at this hospital for seven hours. Tails and Jake had fallen asleep just before seven, leaving Duke the only resident awake, though just barely. Sonic still wasn't up. One of the hospital nurses or Doctor Quack came in periodically to check on him. His fever finally broke at nine, but he still showed no signs of waking up. They kept the needle in his arm so his body could still get fluids.

Guess the 'excitement' got a little too much for him in the end, he thought sadly. A loud yawn escaped his muzzle, and he shifted a little. Beside him, Tails let out a small whimper before settling again. The Aussie looked up at his uncle with sad eyes; he'd been so brave throughout this entire ordeal. Why couldn't he and his siblings be more like that? Why did they always come close to having a panic attack whenever their parents got sick or hurt?

…Oh. Right. Guess trauma will do that to you. If mom or momma were here they'd probably say that it's a sign that we care. That's good and all… but couldn't we show that off without having the feeling of passing out? Oh wait. We already do that. Gagh!

He shook his head, shaking away the contradicting thoughts from his brain.

I must be really tired. My brain's not making much sense right now…

He didn't want to fall asleep. Not yet anyway. Someone had to keep an eye on Sonic while the doctors and nurses were away. Jake had tried to stay up for as long as he could, but the stress of the situation had sucked him dry; physically and emotionally. He could see it in the dark purple shadows under his eyes. The golden pup had an especially close bond with the hedgehog; he saw him as the father figure that he never had. Hence why he had been on edge all night. Sure, they all saw Sonic as their dad, but Jake?

He was the first to think that. To openly admit it.

Duke yawned once more. He decided to take out his phone and see if his sister Evie was awake. Usually he could stay still and stand guard for hours on end, but the stress of Sonic's condition had also left him feeling drained. He just needed something to distract himself from his tiredness for a while longer.

Hey Evie. You up?

He flicked his ears and turned to look at Sonic's bed. He spotted the slow rising and flailing of his chest.

I REALLY wished I knew that heart frequency trick like Jake and Udona… he thought dismally with a sigh.

A jingle from his phone caught his attention.

Have been for a while. Everything alright sweetums?

He smiled, but only briefly.

Not really. Dad's Hives came back at two in the morning. Came with a fever this time. We're at the hospital right now.

Is it that serious? Are you all alright?

He knew what she was asking.

Jake was on edge the entire time we were here, but he wore himself out. Sonic's been sleeping since four thirty-ish. Uncle Tails sounds like he's having a bad dream. You could say I'm doing everyone a favor keeping watch.

How are you taking this?

He stared at the message for a long moment. His eyes glossed over as his chest grew tight from the memories, a couple hours fresh. He took a deep, shaky breath.

I'll be honest… I was freaking out the whole time. It just scared me to see him like that. I just tried not to show it so much as Jake. Couldn't have everybody freaking out at once, you know?

It felt good to get that off his chest. He didn't even realize that ignoring his feelings for so long was taking up more of his energy.

Is Dad okay?

Yeah. The doctor gave him an epipen. He passed out afterwards. Probably from exhaustion and the fever he got. They got a needle running fluids into his arm so he doesn't get dehydrated. We've been here since 4 am.

FEVER!? 4 am!? I thought you said his Hives kicked in at two? Why didn't you go sooner?

He snarled, baring his teeth while his fur bristled.

We DID. Took us twenty minutes just to get here 'cause the car ride was torturing dad. We spent over two fucking hours in this joint waiting for a doctor. They're understaffed because half the dickweeds who work here are either vacationing in Spagonia or out sick. And yeah, fever's a side affect of whatever stupid medication those Urgent Fucks gave him.

Sounds like it's not anyone's night. If Raven was there she would've dragged away the first free doctor she could find.

Duke chuckled at the statement. It was true; he could just imagine the purple winged she-cat blitzing through the hospital halls, dragging away the first non-occupied doctor she could get her claws on.

Heh. Yeah. If it was Shadow who was sick, it'd be a whole lot worse.

Ha ha! So true!

Speaking of our other favorite daddy, how's the Team Dark Sleepover Extravaganza going?

It took a few minutes for Evie to reply.

It was great but… The ending could've been better. Omega nearly burnt down the entire apartment complex. He wanted to surprise everyone with breakfast since Rouge and Shadow had been working hard for GUN all week. Unfortunately we neglected to tell the simple minded yet lovable buffoon of our dear beloved uncle that you can't put a microwave in an oven.

Duke's shot wide open. He didn't know whether to laugh or shout in alarm.

Are you guys okay?

We're fine. The apartment, on the other hand… let's just say that Rouge is NOT happy. Shadow even less so.

Now Duke laughed, but he made sure to keep it down so he didn't wake anyone up.

Sounds like all our nights didn't go well.

Heh heh. Nope.

Where's everyone right now?

Rouge is chastising Omega and talking to the fire chief while Shadow's talking to the landlord. I think he's having a migraine right now. Raven's getting hosed down by one of the firemen 'cause half her fur nearly got burnt off.

She alright?

She's pissed but she'll survive. I'm more worried about how she'll react to the news.

Yeah… don't sugar coat it.

Wouldn't dream of it. Once the mess down here settles we'll stop by. Send me the address?

Sure thing.

Try getting some sleep. Sounds like you've had a long night.

He paused, glancing back at his dad. The curtains to the window were closed, so only speckles of golden sunlight could make it through. He'd been up practically all night, but he was afraid to fall asleep. What if something happened to Sonic again? What if his Hives flared up again?

He let out a tired sigh, breathing out his worries. There wasn't anything they could do now, as much as he hated admitting that. Tails seemed to trust Doctor Quack, and he liked Nurse Thea, so he could trust them to look after his dad for a while. Besides… he was pretty tired.

…I'll try. I'll see you in a couple hours. I love you Evie.

I love you too Duke.

He turned his phone off and put it away, resting his head down on his uncle's leg. He let his mind wander off as he closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep.