Oof, I haven't touched this story in years. Frankly, I outgrew the premise, not wanting to mix real life with FanFiction anymore. I was a teenager when I first wrote this. I kept it up all this time since I wrote it during an important time of my life and wanted to remember the joy I felt when my cousin (the real Abby) was born.

Why am I coming back to it now? Partly because of the recent Night Court losses with Charles Robinson and Markie Post. I've been thinking about the show more lately. The other part of it is in light of the revival news. I am quite amused that Harry's daughter will be named Abby Stone xD I don't know if it's a coincidence or if people in power have been checking out FanFiction, but it's got me thinking about this again since there might be some more relevance now. (Does this mean Christine will be the mother?! *hopeful plea*)

Anyhow, I don't know how much I'll continue this, as I said, it's not really in my comfort zone anymore. But I needed something different to write and a new chapter was nagging me. I have a lot of time to catch up on... it's been 11 years! Time flies.

I don't know how many people are still reading Night Court stories these days, but if you're out there, thank you!

7 Years

"I'm so worried about her, Harry."

Wrapping an arm around Christine, he nodded his head. "So am I. Do you think she needs a doctor?"

Abby was finally asleep. She'd had a fever for over twenty-four hours and it had only waned a couple of degrees in that time.

Carefully, Christine placed her hand on her daughter's forehead. "I don't want to wake her. She's so tired."

"And if she still has a fever tomorrow?"

Voice thick with emotion, she said, "We'll take her to the ER."

Harry tugged the hand that wasn't outstretched to Abigail and led Christine out of the room. Keeping the bedroom door ajar, they were sure to keep their voices low as they spoke.

"She's never been this sick before," Christine said with tears. "How are you so calm?"

"Of course I'm scared, but one of us needs to be calm. I'm sure we'll switch places soon enough."

"I don't know… she's so pale and weak. I don't think this is the flu. It's just a fever and weakness. I don't know what to make of it."

"I don't, either."

"I don't know where she would have gotten it. We haven't been sick."

"School, probably."

"Wouldn't we have heard from her friends' parents if their kids were sick?"

"What does it matter where she got it?" he grumbled as he sat down on the couch. "Fact is she's got it, now we need to deal with it."

"I know, I know." She sat next to him. "I just feel so helpless."

Wrapping an arm around her, he pulled her to his side. "I know. Me, too. Best thing we can do is sleep while she's asleep."

"How can I sleep knowing things could get worse? What if we don't hear her."

"Believe me, we will."

"But what if—"

"How about this:" he sat up. "We'll camp in her room. We'll grab some cushions and blankets. If she wakes up, we'll be right there."

"I guess that will work…"

Bending down to kiss her cheek, Harry said, "We'll get through this, darlin'."

. . .

"Rheumatic fever?!"

"That's what we've deduced," the doctor said.

Christine's legs almost gave out.

The past forty-eight hours had been hellish. Harry and Christine had only just dozed off on their makeshift bed when Abby woke up screaming in pain. She grasped at her knees, saying it felt like someone was stabbing her. Harry wasted no time, opting to call an ambulance rather than driving himself. They watched helplessly as Abby went through test after test, the kid too exhausted to even be scared of them.

At least now they had an answer, and though perhaps not the worst diagnosis they could have received, it brought on even more questions.

"How could she have come down with something like this?"

"Has she been sick recently? Complaining of a sore throat?"

Harry looked at Christine in question, but she shook her head.

"She hasn't complained of anything but the fever and then the pain in her legs."

"She must have a high pain tolerance. The joint pain did her in, but with rheumatic fever, she must have been sick for a while and none of you knew it. Most likely strep."

"Come to think of it," Christine started after a pause, "Several weeks ago a friend of hers came down with strep but Abby never complained about not feeling well."

"I think that confirms it. Sometimes strep occurs without pain, or she neglected to tell you."

"So, what do we do now?" Harry questioned, sounding more nervous than he had the entire time since arriving at the hospital."

"We'll keep her here for a few days until she gets her strength up and so we can manage the pain. She'll need to take an antibiotic. Keep her in bed as much as you're able. She needs her rest."

"She'll recover then?" Christine asked, holding her breath.

The doctor smiled. "I'm very optimistic. You did the right thing bringing her in as soon as she complained of joint pain. There will need to be follow-up visits, however, as there will likely be lasting effects. Her heart doesn't appear to have suffered any damage, although we're keeping an eye on it. She was dehydrated, as you know, so we'll keep the IV in place at least through the night."

With tears in her eyes, Christine said, "You mean, she'll keep having this pain?"

"For a while, probably. When she's older arthritis will likely flare up and be an ongoing issue, and to be perfectly honest, what she's feeling now may not entirely go away. Once she's back on her feet keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't push herself too hard for a while and be sure to inform her teachers.

The two nodded.

"For now, the goal is to let her sleep and bring down her fever."

"We can stay with her, can't we?"

"Absolutely."

. . .

Everyone from the court came by to visit, filling the room with balloons, stuffed animals, and candy. Abby didn't pay much attention the first day after her diagnosis, but as she started to feel better, she looked forward to holding a court of her own.

"You know a lot of people," Abby's roommate, Alice, said after visiting hours one evening while their parents were getting dinner.

"They're my mommy and daddy's friends from work."

"My grandma and grandpa were the only ones who visited me, but I wasn't here so long and I'm goin' home tomorrow."

Abby sighed. "I wish I knew when I was going home. Mommy says not for another few days at least since it still hurts to walk."

Climbing out of her bed, she picked up one of the teddy bears sitting on the windowsill. "This is for you. Mommy said we would give it to you before I leave but I don't wanna wait."

Eyes lighting up, Abby reached out and hugged the bear. "I love him!"

"I liked playing board games with you. I don't have another kid to play with at home."

"Me either."

"Bein' in the hospital is no fun, but there is one good thing…"

"What?"

Alice grinned. "Grown-ups will give you anything you want!"

The girls laughed – it was true!

"I wanna give you something, too," Abby then said. She looked around the room, not wanting to give away one of the presents that she'd been given. Her eyes fell on the foot of the bed, where she'd been keeping some of her things from home. Eyeing one of her favorite stuffed dogs, she pointed. "You can have Moe."

"Really?"

Abby nodded. "I love him, but I don't play with him as much as Tally," she said, moving her finger to the right. "You love dogs."

Alice squealed as she picked up the dog. "Thank you!"

"Thank you for my bear!"

"I'll keep his name as Moe so I'll always remember you."

"Okay! Although she's a girl."

"Oh…"

"You have to name my teddy bear."

Alice looked over the bear. "I think his name should be Chocolate because his first looks like a candy bar."

"I think so, too!"

Their chatter was interrupted by the return of their parents.

"Alice," her mother said sternly, "I hope you're not keeping Abby up."

The girls shook their heads.

"I gave Abby her bear because you said she might be asleep tomorrow when we go home."

"That's fine."

"Wow!" Harry said, coming over and sitting on the edge of Abby's bed. "What a handsome fella he is."

"His name is Chocolate!"

"I can see why!" he tousled her hair.

"Did you remember to say 'thank you'?" Christine added.

"Yes, Mommy. And I gave her Moe because I think she'll love him even more than I do. And because I don't want her to forget me."

"That was very thoughtful of you," Christine said, Alice's mother echoing in agreement.

"Do we have to leave Abby, Mommy? Can't I stay until her legs feel better?"

The adults all chuckled, completely endeared.

"Sorry, sweetheart. I'm afraid that's not the way hospitals work."

"Besides," Harry chimed in, "Abby's gonna be feeling herself in no time, right kiddo?"

Abby smiled. "Right, Daddy."