He woke the next morning, aching from top to toe but feeling a lot more human in general. He lifted his head gingerly off the pillow and smiled to himself when he saw it had gone 8am. When he arrived home from work yesterday, he was of the opinion that he wouldn't survive the night!

Stretching his achy muscles, he swung his legs out and sat up, letting out a small groan as he realised, he still had a thumping headache.

'Caffeine' he thought. 'Caffeine will fix that' and he stretched again, a little more gently before getting to his feet and shuffling to the bathroom.

He noticed that his bedroom door was slightly ajar which is not how he would normally have left it but he was quite sure he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow last night.

He smiled at that thought. Last night.

Audrey had come over after working a long shift to check that he was okay. She'd looked after him, bought him supplies and kept him company for a couple of hours and he was very grateful. He would have to think of a worthy thank you. He would have slept on his sofa last night in his work clothes if it wasn't for her.

Stepping out into the dimly lit living area he stopped dead in his tracks. She was still here. Curled up on one end of his sofa, her feet tucked under a couple of cushions and her head lolled back, while she snored softly. On the table in front of her was a bowl of water and a small pile of wash cloths.

He smiled. She looked peaceful and he liked that look on her.

Making his way into his little kitchen, he noticed she had cleared up and stacked his dishes for him. He set about putting the coffee on as quietly as he could and once the water started dripping into the pot, he leaned back against the counter, folded his arms and waited.

He could tell from the way she started to stir that the rich, heady aroma had reached her. She opened her eyes slowly, reaching her arms up and stretching out.

"Morning" he said, smiling.

"Hi" she replied, smiling right back. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Much better, thank you. Are you alright?" he asked, nodding towards the bowl.

"I am. You weren't" she smiled. "Your fever went through the roof last night. I had to go Florence Nightingale on your ass" she laughed.

"Oh, really? Sorry" he said with a grimace. "I bet that wasn't pretty?"

"I'm going to be a trauma surgeon" she replied flatly. "I'm sure I'll see worse over the next few years" she teased getting to her feet and making her way towards him.

Walking right up to him and into his space, she put out her hand and held it to his forehead. He drew a sharp breath at her touch and his eyes fluttered closed.

"Much better" she smiled. "I'd be happy to discharge you now" she said, taking her hand away.

He shakily let out the breath he was holding and opened his eyes to look right back into hers. They were stood closer than they had been in a long time.

"Coffee?" was the only word he could trust himself to croak out and just like that, the moment was lost. He saw her shoulders relax and her chin drop a little and it made his chest tighten.

"Yes please" she said quietly before stepping back out of his personal space and looking for something to occupy her hands. A few seconds later, she was holding a steaming hot cup close to her lips, inhaling deeply.

"I love coffee" she smiled, almost talking to herself.

"Oh, I know. It's the best I could do to say thank you right now" he said smiling. "Not sure if I thanked you last night, but just in case I didn't... thank you" he said, stuttering over the words a little and starting to feel a little self-conscious.

"Well, you said a lot of things last night! But we'll put that down to the fever, shall we?" she teased, taking a sip. She laughed at the look of shock that crossed his face.

"Maybe I should apologise instead?" he asked cautiously.

"No, no it's fine. It was quite entertaining" she replied. She wasn't going to embarrass him. She wasn't going to remind him how bold he had been before she sent him to bed and she was certainly not going to tell him that when his fever was at its highest that it was her name he called.

"That's okay then" he said sounding relieved. "But I do owe you. Name your price?"

"I don't think you can afford me?" she teased, making him laugh out loud. "But if you insist... we go see The Avengers in April on opening night. I know we normally avoid the crowds, but I don't want to risk any spoilers. Deal?" she asked holding out her hand for him to shake.

"I can manage that" he smiled, shaking her hand gently.

X

Thirty minutes later she was almost ready to leave. She was just pulling on her boots and packing a few bits and pieces into her backpack.

"Sure you're feeling okay" she asked him again before stifling a yawn.

"I'm good" he replied. "I'm gonna sort some breakfast. Want some?"

"I'd best get going" she replied, zipping up her jacket. "Want to catch up on some sleep, I'm back in at 5."

"I'm sorry" he said feeling a little guilty for her current state. "I'm not back until tomorrow" he said coolly, kicking himself at his awkward attempt at casual conversation. 'What is wrong with me' he thought, feeling he'd momentarily lost the ability to talk to her.

"Sure you don't want to stay" he asked. "I make a mean Mexican Scramble and it's only moderately healthy" he smiled moving towards the refrigerator, hoping to rescue the situation.

She paused a moment, seriously considering his offer but eventually shook her head.

"I should go. Maybe some other time" she said cringing inwardly. What was wrong with her. When would there be another time, it's not like she slept over on a regular basis?

"Sure" he said giving her a little smile. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"You will" she replied. "I'll still be there when you come in. I'll try to keep things in order for you. Should help with the headache" she smiled. "Bye Neil. Make sure you rest up until tomorrow" she said on her way out of the door.

"Promise" he replied holding up his hand in a boy scout salute. "Bye Aud."

The door clicked shut behind her and he sighed, shaking his head. He felt like a teenager trying to talk to his high school crush, struggling to get the right words and feeling hot and bothered by it all. 'It's got to be the last of this fever' he said to himself.

Opening the fridge door to get what he needed, he stopped again. She brought him soup last night and he vaguely remembers being teased about it for some reason.

Soup for breakfast it is, he smiled to himself.