I own Rugrats. I own Rugrats. Hey, a guy can dream!
Chuckie packed up the tent, happy to finally be doing something. He heard Tommy on the other side of the clearing, cursing wood, rain, and all of creation because he couldn't get a fire to start on the wet wood.
He didn't hear Phil at all.
Phil, usually the most energetic of the group, had been sluggish and a little out of it all since they'd woken up with the sun about an hour ago. He had barely said a word at all besides "Good morning." And Chuckie, after his constant surveying of the younger boy, saw him repeatedly bring his hand to his head and wince.
Chuckie took up his problem with Tommy.
"I don't like the way he's looking, but what can we do?" Tommy said, after hearing Chuckie out. He'd known Phil for his entire life, longer then he'd known his own brother. He knew that Phil would veto radioing for help.
And he did. Over breakfast, they discussed the issue. Phil said flat out, "I'm fine, Tommy. Chuckie just worries too much." Which was true.
"Fine." Tommy shrugged. He held up three fingers. "How many do you see?"
Phil sighed. "Err...I don't know, maybe I'll have to go ask a two-year-old. It's three, Sherlock."
Tommy sighed. He knew that Phil was putting on a macho act. And he didn't like it. Not the act-Phil did that all the time. The fact that he had to put on the act. It meant that he was in pain.
"Phil, you need to see a doctor." Tommy said straight out.
Phil looked defiant for a fraction of a second before deflating. "I am so screwed, Tommy. I know that. But look-" he shoved the map of the course at Tommy. "We're almost then half done, and I want to win that prize." He saw a look of trepidation on Tommy's face, but he had one more thing. "If I pass out again, you can radio for help."
Chuckie, who had been looking at the map over Tommy's shoulder, said timidly. "He's right, Tommy, we are almost halfway there."
Tommy sometimes hated the job as the leader. He'd had it since he was less then two years old, even though he was the youngest of their original group of four (not counting Angelica) Now, he had to decide which was better, winning a prize, or getting an unwilling Phil back to the starting line.
"Fine, we go ahead. But Phil, I swore to Lil that I'd get you back in one piece." He said, shaking a finger at the boy. "So if you feel sick or something, tell me. I don't want to have to deal with your sister. She scares me."
Phil punched Tommy on the arm and gave a whoop of joy. Tommy and Chuckie both saw a ripple of pain move across his face, only to be masked by an even bigger smile. Tommy wondered did I do the right thing?
Chuckie's thoughts were different, but he kept them to himself. However, he did look after Phil more carefully from then on.
They're stupid, and I don't care. Guys are stupid (coming from a guy, that's probably the worst thing to say) Anyways, review!