Showers are nice. Heh.

Chapter Fourteen: The Calm Before the Storm

When Gary next awoke, the first thing he noticed was the dull ache in all his muscles. He suspected the cause was either his illness or just from constantly lying in bed…or, even, both. The second thing was the sound of rain tapping against the windows and distant thunder in the air.

He opened his eyes and took note that the room was dark. The green glow of the clock on the end table told him it was just nearing one in the morning. He also realized that someone was holding him. It took him half a second to realize it was Lisa. Her sense through the link was coming through very strong.

Gary actually felt a little better, save for the muscle aches, but the dizziness had eased a little, and was unable to go back to sleep, for he'd been doing it for so long. To pass the time, he mulled over this link Lisa had told him about. He heard her voice echoing in his head:

"The link is what happens when I share the True Love's Kiss with someone who has the same feelings for me as I do for them. We become linked…"

He found that the amplified senses seemed to have diminished slightly. While they were still very sensitive, it was as if someone had turned down the volume, so to speak. He could feel the second, steady thump-thump in his chest – Lisa's second heart – and he could hear it as well, as his head was resting in the crook of her arm. He didn't know why, but it was reassuring to feel such a strong sensation so close by. It made him feel safe and…not so alone.

Yes, not alone. He thought of his previous romances, and of Marcia, Emma, and Erica. None of the girls he ever dated made him feel the way Lisa made him feel. Maybe it was the sense of actually being connected in such a way to her…

Maybe it was the feeling that he could actually keep this one…Erica couldn't seem to handle his responsibility to the paper. Lisa…maybe Lisa could help with his saves…provided, of course, that the situation dies down enough for them to return to Chicago; provided also that he recovers.

He sighed, finding himself feeling very safe in her arms. He also felt an urge that needed alleviating. He needed to use the bathroom. Lisa had mentioned during one of his brief periods of consciousness that there was one in his room in the corner; the question was would his legs hold him?

Deciding to test it, he gently slid Lisa's arms from around him and slowly removed the covers. He was still in the jeans and t-shirt he'd been wearing before the whole mess started, but someone – probably Lisa – had removed his shoes. His leather jacket was probably still in the Institute coat room.

Very slowly, Gary sat up. There was a little pain in his head, but at least the room wasn't doing anymore cartwheels. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and cautiously put his feet down on the floor. Even more slowly, he pushed himself off the bed and leaned on the end table for support. His legs were shaky, but he was almost sure he could make it to the bathroom.

Using the wall and anything he could get his hands on, he staggered across the room and inside. Feeling around for a light switch, he gratefully found out it was a dimmer switch and raised it so it was enough to see but not enough to hurt his eyes.

He quickly resolved his little problem and washed his hands, catching his reflection in the mirror. He looked, quite simply, like hell. There were dark circles under his eyes and whiskers had begun to grow on his face. His hair was in complete disarray and his clothes were wrinkled.

Eyeing the shower, he saw a small seat situated in the corner and the bars that the handicapped use to aid in climbing into the tub. On the sink was an electric razor, hairbrush, toothbrush and paper cups, and in the shower was soap, shampoo, and conditioner, and there were clean towels on a towel rack. He also found pajamas hanging on the hook on the door. Lisa had thought of everything…perhaps she's experienced things like this before?

Feeling grubby from nearly two days in bed, a nice, hot shower was very appealing. Hoping the sound of the water wouldn't wake Lisa, he turned on the faucets and undressed, then got inside and sat on the seat, not trusting his legs to hold him.

Gary probably spent an hour under the refreshing water. He felt so much better being clean. Maybe his fever had broken. He gingerly got out of the shower, thankful his legs were still cooperating, and put on the pajamas, shaved and brushed his teeth. Consulting the mirror for its opinion, he found himself still looking drained and weak, yet at least he was clean.

There was a soft knock at the door. Lisa's voice filtered through. "Gary? You in there?"

"Yes," he said, his voice cracking. His throat was very dry, so he took a sip of water from the sink. He opened the door and found Lisa standing there, looking rather worse for wear herself.

She smiled gently. "Eh, the tiredness is me…everything else is you. That's what happens with the link."

Now that she mentioned it, he could feel how tired she was, probably from running herself ragged taking care of him. He leaned against the wall for support. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

She blinked. "For what? For something you have no control over? At least, not really." She smiled again. "Don't be, because I'm not. If being linked wasn't something I didn't want to happen, it wouldn't." She put a hand to his forehead. "Hmm…that shower did you some good. Your fever's down. Are you hungry? You want breakfast?"

Gary raised his eyebrows. "At two in the morning?"

Lisa shrugged. "No time like the present. I can give you the grand tour of the house, too."

He relented and allowed her to lead him out of his room.

"This is what I call the Hall O'Rooms," said Lisa, indicating the hallway full of doors they were now in. The other doors, save one, were open and moonlight was shining into the hallway. Each door had letters and/or numbers carved into the doorknobs. "That's my room," she said as they passed a room with red carpet and wallpaper.

"It's…very red," commented Gary.

She giggled. "Red's my favorite color, along with white and green. In that order."

Lisa led him out of the Hall. To their left was a kitchen and to their right was a living room. In the corner, there was another, smaller, room.

"That's, actually, the stairs." Lisa said, pointing to that smaller room. "Upstairs to my library and game room and downstairs to storage and laundry." She helped him into the kitchen, turned on the lights, and he sat at the table. He noted that the television was easily visible from this point.

"I like to watch TV when I eat," she explained, rummaging through the cabinets. "Usually. Now, let's see what I can get you…don't want to shock your stomach. Tea and toast?"

"Sounds good."

She put four pieces of bread in the toaster and pressed the button down, then heated up water in a tea kettle.

"Milk?" she asked.

He felt his stomach do a little flip-flop and didn't want to push it. Apparently, his illness had made it sensitive.

"Guess not," Lisa said, smiling a little. She plopped two ice cubes into the mug once the water was hot. "Here you go." She also handed him a plate of toast.

Gary's stomach flipped again at the thought of buttering it. Wincing, he took one slice and bit it, chewing slowly.

She nodded sympathetically and reached to pat his hand. "I know, it's rough. And we aren't even sure how far this toxin in your bloodstream is going to go. I mean, it wore off for me…you…" She sighed. "The stuff you got injected with was especially made for me, Gary. That guy, Von Braun, has been after me since the sixties."

Gary blinked.

"I'm immortal, Gary," she said quietly. "I've lived for over a millennia. I never thought something like this could happen. Arrogance has always been one of my weaknesses." Lisa's eyes dropped to the table. "The stuff was never made to be used on humans, so he and Medicus say. It has bits of my DNA in it, which is why it's hitting you in this way. I'm just glad it at least gives you these periods of coherence."

He looked at their entwined hands and smiled. "Me, too."

End chapter fourteen.