Awww, thank you so much for your nice reviews. I'm so glad you like my story! Here's the next chapter. :)

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Chapter 11

Sam was still in the kitchen and made something to eat when she heard something behind her. She turned round and saw John stumbling out of his room, "John… what are you doing? Go back to bed. The soup is ready in a second. "

John looked at her as the whole room began to spin. He leaned against the doorframe and closed his eyes as he went to his knees, "Sam… why is everything spinning around here?"

She rushed towards him and tried to steady him, placing a hand around his waist, "Okay, that's it… I'm calling a doctor!"

"No… please, no doctor…" John shook his head.

"John."

"I'm fine."

"Yeah, sure. You're burning John and that's far from fine."she looked at him in concern.

"Please…" he whispered, pleading.

Sam looked at him and saw the expression on his face. Then she sighed "Okay, no doctor but you're going to take the pills Grace gave you, okay?"

"Pills? But I don't like…" he stopped when he saw her look, "Okay okay, I'll take them."

"Good." she walked with him back to his bed where he laid down. When she stood up to walk back into the kitchen, John grabbed her hand.

"Where are you going?" John asked, weakly.

"In the kitchen, why? Do you need something?" she asked.

"No, I… I just want you to stay." he said.

"And your soup?" she replied.

"Please."

"Okay, but you are trying to sleep…"

"That's a deal…" he laid his head down on the pillow and closed his eyes. Sam sat down beside him and ran her finger through his sweaty hair. After a few minutes his breath became slower and he was asleep. Unconsciously, he turned to his side and laid his hand around Sam's waist. Sam jumped when she felt his hands on her. Smiling, she leaned back as well and caressed his forearm softly.

It felt so good even if she knew it wasn't right. But since they lived together in the firehouse, everything changed. It felt so normal to have him around. To watch movies with him in the evening after Chloe went to bed, to laugh or to cook with him. Almost like a real family. She knew they weren't, but since Tom's death she didn't have that. And now she realized what she missed for so long.

John murmured something and pushed Sam out of her thoughts. He turned on his back and Sam noticed sweat pearls on his forehead and sighed. John had forgotten to take the pills Grace gave him and the fever had apparently increased now.

"Damn it." she whispered, "What I'm gonna do with you?"

Suddenly the phone rang and Sam walked into the living room to pick it up.

"Hallo?" she asked.

"Hallo Mrs. Waters." the voice on the other side of the line answered.

Sam waited a moment, "Who's there?"

"Oh, you're so smart. I think you can figure it out by yourself." she heard him laugh but then he continued, "I just wanted to know how our sick patient's doing?"

Sam turned around and looked through the open bedroom door to see that John was still asleep. Richard. She swallowed hard and answered, "How do you know he's ill?"

She heard him laugh again, "Well, I just know it… and it's really a pity that he going to have such a short life." he laughed again. Sam wanted to ask him what he meant but heard a disconnected sound and put the phone down.

Immediately she took the phone again and dialed Bailey's number. After two rings he answered.

"Bailey… it's me, Sam…" she said.

"Sam, what's up?" he asked.

"He just called." she answered.

"Who called?" Bailey asked, confusing.

"Richard." Sam answered, nervously.

"What? Jesus Christ… what did he say?"

"He… uhm I asked… Bailey, he…" Sam tried to say.

"Calm down, Sam. Don't forget you have guards in front of the firehouse. You're safe!" he explained, trying to calm her down.

"I think he… Bailey, he knew that John's ill…" she said.

Bailey ran his hand through his hair and sighed, "Maybe he saw him.".

"No, you don't understand. He told me it's a pity that he's going to have such a short life." Sam told him.

"What… do you think he…" he started but she cut him off.

"It's because of him…" she finished.

"That's not possible, Sam." Bailey said.

"Everything's possible Bailey, and you know that. What if… what if the bullet was… well manipulated with some kind of virus? Maybe this is part of his plan. First he tried to shoot him… and in case John survived… what he did… there is still this virus…" Sam said.

"But they should have noticed something in the hospital, Sam."

"Not if this virus doesn't show his effects right from the beginning. In John's case it lasted one week until he showed any symptoms." Sam told him, rubbing her forehead.

"And the fever got higher?" Bailey asked.

"Yeah… I'm afraid so…" she whispered. i

"Okay, he needs to go to the hospital. As soon as possible!" Bailey ordered. "Maybe George can figure out where the call came from. Then I'm coming to the hospital, too. See you later okay?"

"Okay, bye!" she put the phone down and glanced towards John's sleeping form on the bed.

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In the hospital – One hour later

A doctor came out of John's room and Sam headed towards him quickly.

"It's good you brought him here. I don't know what have happened if you waited any longer." he looked at John's file.

"And how is he?" Sam asked, fearfully.

"Well, we gave him something against the fever. His blood example is on the way to the lab where we're trying to figure out what kind of virus he has in his system… to give him the right antidote…" the doctor explained.

"But there is an antidote, right?" she asked.

"There will be, hopefully. We're working on it." he smiled softly. "Your friend is in room 312." he pointed along the hallway.

"Thanks!" she answered and walked to John's room.

Once inside, she grabbed a chair and placed it on the side of John's bed.

"Hey." she whispered, not knowing if he was awake or not.

Slowly he opened his eyes and looked at her, "Hey." he replied in a whisper.

"How are you feeling?" she asked him worried.

"Fine."

"You always say that but this time I don't believe you."

"Well okay, maybe I'm a liar. " he said, taking a deep breath.

Sam leaned forwards and touched his forehead. He was still very hot. "For my taste you're way to often in the hospital."

"Not only for your taste." his eyes searched hers. "I'm glad you're here."

"Where should I be? I don't want to let you alone right now."

"Thanks." After a pause he continued, "Have I ever told you that I hate hospitals?"

"Somehow, yes…" she smiled faintly, "… but you're getting out of here soon." she laid her hand on his cheek and he closed his eyes.

"And if not?" he asked, leaning against her hand.

"Don't dare to think about that, John."

"What if they don't find the right antidote?"

Sam shook her head, "They will, John. I promise they will."

He opened his eyes to look at her again, "Do you know what I'd like to do now?"

"No. Tell me." she said, running her fingers through his sweaty hair.

"Take you to a nice restaurant… just you and me… or a movie... "

"I'd like that." she gave him a small smile.

"Really?" John looked at her.

"Really. Maybe not today but when you're out of here you can ask me again." she said, smiling.

"Okay…" he took her hand and squeezed it slightly.

Sam looked at him and started, "John."

"Yeah?"

"Uhm, there's something... I... I want to tell you."

"What?" he looked into her eyes, those deep blue eyes focused so intently on him.

"It's uhm..." she looked down and then back at him again, "...I..."

John didn't say anything and waited for her to continue.

"It's just, I...." she fumbled for words, "...uhm...you should... sleep now.

A slow smile forming on his lips, "Yeah, I think you're right."

She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled nervously.

"I want you to stay." he whispered.

"Sure. I'm staying."

"Good." He was so tired that he closed his eyes and it didn't take long that he fell asleep, still holding Sam's hand in his.

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to be continued.... Please R&R!