Chapter 10

As the weeks went by, Bobby's condition got worse. She's been throwing up every day, not able to keep anything down. It got to the point where the mere smell of food made her sick. She confined herself to her room, and drinking only water. Riddick came at night when everyone else was asleep and laid with her, reading to her.

"You're not doing so good Bobby, I think you should go see Doc." He said but she shook her head.

"I'll be fine, this thing has just got to work its way out of my system that's all. I've been drinking a nutrient broth and have been able to keep it down, so maybe I'm getting better." Bobby said.

"Maybe." He said looking back at the page, but he was still worried about her.

"Hey." She said putting her hand to his cheek and turning his head so he looked at her. "I'll be fine, really. You just keep coming here and read to me and I'll be even better."

"Okay." He said in a disbelieving tone.

"Riddick, really."

"It's just that I don't believe you. You haven't been able to keep anything down; you're very pale. I seriously think you should go see Doc before you get any worse." Riddick said and she got off the bed. "Bobby."

"Riddick I'll be okay. This'll probably just last another week or so."

"I'm still not convinced, but I'll trust your word. But if you're still like this two weeks from now, I'm dragging you by the seat of your pants down to the Med Bay."

"Yeah you probably would." Bobby said snorting and he held his hand out to her.

"Come lay back down." He said and she put her hand in his letting him pull her back to the bed. She lay back down and he placed an arm around her shoulders. She snuggled into his large chest, threading an arm around his waist and he opened her book again, starting to read out loud to her.

As always he was gone when she woke up. She got up, threw up and took a shower. She was walking down the hall when her head swam and she started to get tunnel vision. Malcolm walked past and raised his hand in greeting.

"Hi Bob. How you...oh shit!" he couldn't finish his question because he had to catch her as she passed out. He scooped her up and half ran to the Med Bay, the door sliding open. "Doc!" he called out and the main doctor came out of his office. "Bob hasn't been feeling well lately and she just passed out in the hall." Doc nodded and motioned to an examination bed.

"Set her down, the first thing is to get her conscious again." He said and Malcolm laid her down on the bed. "She's awfully pale. Bobby, can you hear me?" he asked and she squirmed, her eyes opened and looked up at him.

"Doc? What happened?" she asked weakly and he placed a hand to her forehead, smoothing back her hair, smiling down at her kindly,

"You passed out in the hall sweetheart. Malcolm here caught you." He said and looked up but Malcolm wasn't there.

Malcolm ran down the hall towards Riddick's room. When he got there he paused to catch his breath; he's getting too old for all this running. He pressed the chime and the door slid open a crack almost immediately.

"Yes?" Riddick asked.

"Riddick, something happened to Bob." He said and the door opened all the way.

"What happened? Is she alright?" he asked urgently.

"She passed out in the hall, she's in the Med Bay right now. I just thought you should know." Malcolm said and Riddick dug his goggles out of his pocket, slipping them on over his eyes.

"I'm going to go see her." He said and Malcolm nodded.

"Probably a good idea." He said and Riddick stepped out of the room, the door closing behind him.

Bobby looked over as the door opened and saw Riddick enter; he immediately went to her side.

"Riddick." She said and he touched her cheek gently. "Looks like you won't be able to drag me here after all, I know how you were so looking forward to that."

"Well your sense of humor is intact, you must be fine." Riddick said smirking.

"I told you that already." She said smiling. Riddick looked at Doc looking at them curiously.

"Well? What's wrong with her?" he asked.

"I don't know, it's too soon to tell. I took blood but that'll be 48 hours before its screened completely. She's free to go, well if she doesn't pass out again." Doc said and he nodded. Bobby swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, she wobbled for a moment but gained her footing. "Now Bobby, keep drinking that nutrient broth, and gets lots of rest. Doctor's orders, I'll have the results of the tests sent to your room." He said and she nodded. "Riddick, make sure she gets into bed okay."

Riddick let Bobby lean on him, his supportive arm around her waist as they walked back through the halls. She put her code into the lock on her door and it slid open. They went into her room and the door closed behind them. Riddick helped her get changed into her pajamas and tucked her into bed, he stripped down to his boxers and climbed in after her, putting his arm back around her waist and laying at her back.

"Riddick." She said groggily.

"Yes?" he asked.

"I love you." She said and he kissed the back of her neck.

"I know." He murmured and she closed her eyes, falling to sleep.