December 3, 1989

Manhattan, NY

As light filtered in through the window Alexis awoke feeling nauseated, feverish, and generally unwell. That feeling had become far too familiar. She opened her eyes halfway but even that seemed to make the nausea worse so she closed them quickly and tried to summon the strength to drag herself from bed. Just lifting her head from the pillow took so much effort and sitting up seemed impossible. On the fifth, or maybe sixth, try she managed to heave herself a bit forward but by then her heart was racing, she was drenched with sweat, and her arms trembled from the effort of trying to support her weight. Something was very wrong.

"Oh, Alexis, honey, here let me help you," a familiar voice said and Alexis found herself being picked up and laid back onto propped up pillows.

Julian sat down beside her on the bed and took her hand. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, you were actually resting comfortably fifteen minutes ago and I thought you would be ok long enough for me to shower. It's ok, I'm here now, just try to relax your breathing, honey."

"Too hot," Alexis managed to croak but it seemed surreal as if someone else was saying those words. The room seemed to sway and she felt so shaky and weak. She couldn't get enough air.

XXXXXX

Julian shook his head as he laid a cool cloth over Alexis's forehead. Her breathing was rapid and labored and she was sweating profusely. She had either drifted back to sleep or passed out but she moaned intermittently and seemed to be in pain. She looked so miserable he was starting to accept that Ben was probably right. She probably did need to go to the hospital. He just wasn't sure how to make sure she was safe there.

Julian was afraid that her cousin Stefan wasn't always the ally, Alexis needed to believe he was. There was no good way to suggest that to her, so Julian had never gone there, at least not with Alexis. He just had never trusted Stefan in general, or specifically where Alexis's welfare was concerned.

As he contemplated all of that he realized that Alexis's breathing had finally slowed and she almost appeared comfortable. Perhaps the fever had finally broken. Perhaps it would really be ok. He could only hope.