A/N: This is kind of songfic. I have a song in mind, but it may or may not actually be in the story. And I may or may not tell you what it is. If you really want to know, just ask.

Tess groaned as a knock sounded on the door. She burrowed deeper under the blanket. Maybe if she just pretended she wasn't home. Another knock came. She sighed, crawled out from under the blanket and went to the door. She looked through the peephole and then opened it without taking off the chain.

"I'm still feeling lousy," she croaked.

Don smiled at her through the crack. "Figured as much." He held up the bag in his hand. "I brought ya some soup."

"Didn't have…"

"I know. I felt bad you were so sick. Ya looked miserable. I mean ya even ducked out before the end of the game."

Tess looked at the floor. "Didn't miss much."

He gave her a sympathetic look. "I know, Sweetheart. There's always next year. Can I come in?"

"I don't want you to get sick."

Don smiled again, his blue eyes dancing. "Little late for that. Come on, Tess. I came all the way up here."

"No fair." Tess shook her head. "No fair playing the guilt card." She pushed the door closed briefly and undid the latch. She opened the door and carefully looked Don over. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the door frame. She shook her head slightly. "You came straight from shift."

Don looked at her a little worried. "Ya ain't gonna fall over are ya?"

Tess smiled slightly and shook her head. She opened her eyes and straightened up. "I'm not that weak. I won't test your reflexes today. Come on in." She stepped out of his way. Don came in and Tess shut the door.

"Ya look…"

"Don't even. I know how bad I look."

Don set the bag he brought on the floor and tugged at Tess' sleeve. "That's not what I meant. Come here." Tess protested a little as he tugged her into his arms. "I'm already doomed, Tess." He tilted her head up and smiled at her. "I think I kissed ya at least a couple of times on Friday night. Too late to save me from infection."

Tess gave him a small smile back. "Only you would flirt with a sick woman." Don chuckled a little. "Thank you for coming."

"Not a big deal." Tess started to open her mouth. "Just don't, Tess. " He kissed her forehead. "Just go with it, okay?" He let her go and picked the bag up again. "Let's heat this up. I'm starved."

Tess smiled and shook her head. "You're always starved." She took the bag from his hand and headed to the kitchen.

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The game droned on the TV. Tess curled against Don vaguely watching it. Don tried to stay relaxed, tried not to get wrapped up in the game, so Tess could rest. It was a losing battle.

"Geeze! Even a blind drunk coulda seen his foot was over the line." Tess stirred and sat up. Don glanced at her. Her eyes were bleary and unfocused. "I'm sorry, Sweetheart."

Tess smiled as his eyes drifted right back to the TV. "It's okay. I'm just going to turn the other way." She curled up again with her head on the opposite arm of the couch. He reached under the blanket and lightly massaged her foot. A few minutes later a commercial came on. Don glanced over at Tess and saw she was sound asleep. He debated heading home, calculating how much more of the football game he'd miss. He didn't really want to go home. Don got up, went to the fridge and rummaged around for a beer. He opened it and sat back down on the end of couch. Tess didn't move.

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The game finished and 60 Minutes started. Don looked over at Tess. Her head was bent at an uncomfortable angle. He shook his head and got up. Don bent and hooked his arms under Tess. He had started to pick her up when she stirred.

"Don't. Gonna hurt yourself," she protested still half asleep.

Don stopped. "Ya just looked a little…Well, that can't be good for your neck." He shifted. "And ya can't be that heavy."

"You'd be surprised." Don flashed her a doubtful look. Tess just shook her head resignedly. "Fine, be the hero. Just don't come crying to me when you put your back out." Don flexed and lifted her. Tess did her best to be a dead weight. He shifted and pretended to drop her. Tess' eyes snapped open and her arms gripped his neck. She caught the sparkle in his eyes and lightly whacked him on the shoulder. "You did that on purpose."

"Ya claimed you were heavy." He bounced her a little in his arms.

"I'm not delusional. I know I'm not light." Tess shifted a little. "I am on the taller side and I'm not some half starved model."

"Yer not exactly the fat lady either." Don bounced her again. "Jus' about right."

Tess tried to right herself. "I'm awake now. You can set me down." Don just stood there grinning at her. "Put me down, Don. Now." She pushed against his chest. Don suddenly let go and Tess bounced on the couch with a squeal. Tess shot him a dirty look as he stood there and grinned with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Ya did say 'Now.'"

"You get your jollies picking on sick people? You know, I could call Bette. She's only four floors down and I'll bet she'd be willing to come up here and kick your ass for me. I'm to sick to do it myself after all."

Don grinned at her and held up his hands. "Please don't call Bette. I'll behave. I promise." The apartment door opened and Bette came in. Tess burst out laughing. Bette just shook her head.

"Somebody's feeling better. She invited company over."

Don shook his head. "I invited myself."

Bette cocked her head. "Really?"

"Don brought me soup."

Bette's eyebrows rose. "Really?" She gave an odd smile and rocked her head. "You didn't seem the type. Good for you." She headed for the kitchen. "I was just looking for some lemon juice. I'll be gone again."

"But I promised Don you would beat him up for picking on me."

Bette pulled her head out of the fridge and glowered at Don. "Were you pickin' on my girl? She's sick and weak. Leave her be." She went back to her search. Don smirked at Tess.

"Oh, thanks for your help," moaned Tess. "Your support is overwhelming."

"It's not that, Tess," came the voice from inside the fridge. "I just think that you can take him down even being sick and weak."

"Ouch. That hurt," protested Don.

"You've never seen Tess in a fight," replied Bette. "Ah-ha. Got it." Bette appeared out of the fridge and waved the bottle at them. "Catch you later. Don't keep her up all night. She's sick and she's got school tomorrow."

"Yes, ma'am."

Bette waved the bottle of lemon juice at Don. "Don't mock me. I will take you out if you make me. You be nice to Tess here. Don't make me have to come up and take care of business."

"I wouldn't want you to have to do that." Don worked hard at suppressing a grin.

"Don't you go pulling that 'cute guy' routine on me. It might work with Tess here, but I've got my own to deal with. I'm immune to you. Later, Tess." Bette ducked out the door.

Tess stood up. "She sure told you."

"Does yer roommate ever stay here?"

Tess glanced at the door. "Bette? Not at the moment. Peter's roommate is out with a touring company. Um. Movin' Out, I think. Or maybe Momma Mia. One of those ones that string a bunch of songs together." Tess shrugged. "She keeps paying rent and I don't have to scope out a new roommate. It works just fine." She glanced at the TV. "You aren't really watching 60 minutes, are you?"

"No. You watchin' it?"

Tess rolled her eyes. "No, I was busy getting manhandled. I should sue for police brutality."

"Ya wouldn't do that to me would ya?" Don tugged Tess into his arms. She wrapped hers around his waist. He gave her a light kiss.

"You're taking your life into your hands. I'm contagious, remember?"

"I'll take my chances." He kissed her again.

"I look hideous."

"Ya don't look so bad."

"You need glasses."

"No. I don't." Don tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I think you look just fine, Tess."

Tess smiled and shook her head. "I think you're crazy, but thank you. I would have thought you would have been heading home before the next game started."

"Trying ta get rid of me?"

"No."

"Ya have a TV, right?"

"Yes."

"Ya have beer in the fridge, right?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm good."

Tess frowned. "Wouldn't you rather be watching the game with Danny or somebody?"

"Ya keep tryin' ta get rid of me. Ya got a hot date or somthin'? Maybe with Flower Guy?"

"Still hasn't come forward." Tess leaned back and looked up at Don. "Think I should have a hot date with Flower Guy?" Tess tried not to smile as a shadow passed over Don's face.

"No." He practically growled. Tess raised her eyebrows.

"Hmm. A little possessive, aren't you? You've know me a whole four weeks." Don took her arms from around his neck and took a step back.

"Do ya want a date with Flower guy?" His eyes shot lightening at her. A perverse little part of Tess wanted to see how far she could push him. Another part was thrilled that he was ticked she had gotten flowers from someone that wasn't him. A third part was a little mad that he was ticked that she had gotten flowers from someone that wasn't him. A fourth part was whacking the third part in the head with a 2x4. All of the parts were making her head hurt. Tess looked at the floor and rubbed her temples. She looked back at Don. She stepped up close to him.

Tess tapped him in the chest. "You are real, standing right here in front of me. You worried that I wasn't feeling well. You brought me soup. Flower Guy, whoever he is, didn't even have the guts to sign his name. Got it?" Tess tapped Don in the chest twice more.

Don grinned down at Tess. "Yeah, I think I got it."

Tess smiled and nodded. "Good. Now, if you must stay and if you must watch football, I believe there's another game starting."

"Ya don't like football?"

Tess shook her head apologetically. "Sorry, but not really."

"So much for thinking yer perfect."

"I never claimed to be. You're just crazy if you thought it." She gave him a quick kiss and sat down on the couch. "Beer's in the fridge."

Don shook his head. "Won't even get a guy a beer."

"I'm sick, remember?"

"Uh-huh. Convenient this sickness." Don went to the fridge, grabbed a beer and sat down next to Tess. Tess flipped the channel to the next game and dug out her knitting. Don looked over at her and raised his eyebrows. "Ya knit?"

"Yes, I knit. I don't like sitting completely still. Some people bounce around and yell at the TV. I knit. Got a problem with that?" She waved a thin needle at him.

Don held up his hands. "No. Ya might hurt me with yer pointy sticks."

"You'd better believe it." Tess started knitting little circles. Don kept stealing glances over at her.

"What are ya workin' on?"

"A sock."

"Can't ya just buy a sock?"

"Yes, but it's not the same."

"If ya say so. Ya gonna knit me somethin'?"

Tess smiled. "Not a chance. You never knit something for a guy not related to you by blood or marriage. Not unless you want him to disappear."

"And a few minutes ago you were tryin' ta run me out the door."

Tess waved a needle at Don again. "Do not tease the lady with the point sticks. Watch your football game."

Don crooked a finger at her. "Come over here."

"Why?"

"Cuz I'm feelin' chilled."

Tess sighed and slid over next to him. Don wrapped an arm over her shoulders and Tess snuggled in close. "If you're getting sick, don't blame me. I tried to warn you."

"I don't hold ya responsible." He kissed the top of her head.

"You just remember that when you're gibbering in delirium from the fever." Don just chuckled and concentrated on the game.

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