I couldn't sleep that night, I was just too cheery. At around 5:30, I was just lying in bed, with a smile that a jackhammer probably couldn't get off my face, even though sometimes I thought about how awkward Eric and I's next meeting will be.

My alarm clock exploded in my ear causing me to leap out of bed. I slammed my hand down on the off button and got ready to go to work. This day was definitely going to be interesting.

I was in such a good mood that the painful ache in my left side barely distracted me from the day ahead.

The traffic wasn't so bad and I was at work in no time. I immediately set out in search of Eric but before I could find him, H stopped me.

"How're we coming on Jed?"

"Jed?" I lifted my eyebrows.

"Porno Man, Speed. He has a name you know?"

"OH! Sorry, H, I'm a little out there this morning. I don't know anything that you don't. I was just about to, well, actually... have you seen Delko?" Horatio cocked his head to the side.

"I called him around 3 this morning. He's on the job." H rushed through the sentence. "Listen" He put a hand on my shoulder and led me down the hall. "Is something wrong? Although your body is here, your mind is taking the morning off."

"Sorry." I looked down "I just wanted to talk to him." H sighed.

"You'll get to talk to him later. Right now, JED'S wife is coming in to answer some questions."

"He has a wife? Who would've wanted to ma-" I stopped myself and nodded to him. "Alright, let me just get some coffee."

I walked stiffly into the break room; apparently my jackhammer tolerant smile was easily wiped off with a small dose of Horatio and a dash of actual work. I poured myself some coffee and pulled out my cell phone. I had to talk to Eric, I couldn't help it.

"Hello" I had no idea who answered his phone, but I wasn't about to chicken out now.

"Uh, is Eric around?" I swallowed, a little worried of what this guy may say.

"Yeah, but he's kind of busy. I'd get him if I could. Sorry. Do you want me to take a message?"

"Just tell him Tim called, okay?" I sighed sadly

"Sure thing, man. Oh wait, here he is, hold on a sec." I was relieved. There was a little noise and then Eric's voice rang clear through the phone.

"Hey?" I smiled, I couldn't help it.

"Hey." Eric didn't answer at first, but then hesitantly said:

"I'm sorry about last night; I don't know what came over me."

"You don't have to apologize" I heard someone shout "Gator" in the background.

"I have to go!" Eric said frantically. "I'm sorry, we'll talk later." He didn't wait for a goodbye, he just hung up. I have to admit, I was a little worried, and a lot curious, but I knew Eric could take care of himself.

I walked to the coffee maker and stopped just short. Almost as if just now waking up, I realized how sick I felt. I coughed and again; to my surprise, it sounded awful. I thought what I had last night had been just a quick bug, a glitch in the system, so to speak.

Horatio's head popped into the room.

"She's here, Speed, and I have something I have to do so you're going to have to talk to her." I nodded and sighed, I felt so tired.

Getting my coffee, I went to join Mrs. Porno guy.

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After the interview, things just got worse. The day was dragging itself and it wasn't naturally in my power to correct it. The ache in my side was now a full fledge pain in the ass, not literally.

I entered the lounge and tiredly sat down on the couch. No one was in there; they were all off working, something I should be doing. I have to check out some fibers H found in the living room of Porno Man's house.
I closed my eyes, planning on just resting for a minute, but before I knew it, I was out.

I woke up when a sharp pain stabbed my chest. I coughed, trying to get it to go away and opened my eyes. I faltered and stopped coughing as I saw Eric in front of me. His gaze was gentle, concerned, even loving and I couldn't muster up anything to say.

"You okay?" Eric asked and sat down next to me. "Maybe you should go home, you know you're no good to H if you're sick." Still unable to say anything I merely nodded my head. "At least go and get checked out." Eric continued, "It could be something serious."

"It's probably just a cold or something." I commented, finally able to talk. Eric was not fazed though.

"So? Don't you want to make sure it's just a cold and not SOMETHING?" Eric drug out the word "something." Maybe he had a point, but I was stubborn and not even he could take that away from my long list of less then likable traits.

So, in the spirit of pissing people off, I just stared at him blankly. He stared back, though his eyes were severely less penetrating. He gave in first.

"Fine, you do what you want, but don't say I never tried to help." Eric looked like he was about to get up so I grabbed his arm. It was more of an impulse thing, something that took no thought what-so-ever.

"What happened when we were on the phone?" There were actually a few questions I had to ask Eric, that being one of them, but the other was different. I'm not really that sure why, but I still remember when Eric had come into the locker room saying "guess what!" I never did guess...

"'Gator." He said simply and tore his arm from my grip. Great, he was mad? What did I do? So, without a sideways glance, Eric left the room. It always hurt when he left, I felt so alone. Well, not for long.

Again, H's head popped into the room.

"You've been in here for an hour, Speed; I think you should get to work, now." Before I could answer, the older man left. What? Was he mad at me too?

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After 6 more hours of hell, it was time to go home. I was a little worried though, I thought that maybe something could happen between Eric and me, but him being angry at me certainly wasn't what I had in mind.

Home, it was a good thought. Bed, even better. I felt terrible and sleep sounded like heaven.

"When was the last time you ate?" I leaped back as if the devil decided to present itself into my personal space. No, not the devil... Eric.

"Delko, I can take care of myself, thank you." It sounded a shit load more haughty coming out of my mouth then it did in my head.

"I'm only trying to help, man. You look awful."

"Gee, thanks." I start walking again, but he follows.

"Oh come on. What's wrong with you? Is this about last night, 'cause I thought you didn't care?" Whoa, I seriously didn't want him bringing this into the conversation.

"It's not about that. I hate hospitals, I hate when people try to make me go to them, I hate when people think they have to worry about me, and I hate being sick." Eric stepped forcibly in front, stopping me. "Well if you're sick then don't come to work! Take a day off to get better, that way we don't have to deal with your bitch rants." Wow, I could tell Eric was surprised that he had said that because his eyes widened and his hand quickly went to his mouth. I was surprised too; it was a rare sight to have Eric yelling at you.

"Fine, Jesus, you don't have to scream at me." I moved past him and stalked off. I was just getting into the parking lot when Eric ran up to me again.

"What is it this time? Are you going to yell at me for walking too slow?" I'm mean.

"I'm sorry!" He blurted it out and again I stopped. "I didn't mean for it to come out that way. I'm worried about you."

"Yeah, I know, and I know you can't help it." I sighed. Bed was looking better yet. Eric sighed and avoided my eyes. "What?" I asked.

"Hmm?" He glanced up.

"You told me to "guess what" Eric grinned like a mad man as if he were just now coming to life before my eyes.

"One of my sisters is getting married." He said like a genuinely proud little brother should. I coughed, still feeling sick. "You go," Eric added quickly. "Get some rest." I wanted him to kiss me again, maybe not the best thought, but it was there and not going to leave quite yet. My problem though, was Eric was.

The younger man patted me on the shoulder and walked back into the building and I watched. Good things could never last forever. I had a bad feeling about the next day. Something was going to happen; maybe it'll be my fault, maybe it'll happen to me, who knows?

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I got to my house and threw my keys on the little table. My lock was long since fixed after Eric demolished it the night before, though something was amiss. I barely took two steps into my home before someone's arm wrapped itself chokingly around my neck and face; jammed a cloth to my mouth and nose. Blackness ebbed into my vision and my legs gave way.

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I already have the next chapter ready... but I won't post it if I don't get any reviews. -- Sorry... I love to right but I hate being bad at it.