Did someone say flu? I think sic_fics_are_lifee on Archive of Our Own requested this in the comments section? :) Hope you like it. :)

Abbie between her sheets while Crane paced in front of her bed.

"Calm down. It's just a cold. All I need is sleep, medicine, and some fluids."

"Would you like some fluids? I can call Mr. Corbin if you need anything. I'm sure he can assist you if-"

"Crane. Stop. Go make cookies or something."

He stopped moving and stared at her. "That is an excellent idea, Leftenant. Do you need any more fluids, medicine, blankets? How about an extra pillow or-"

"Crane, I just need you to leave me alone, so I can go to sleep."

"Oh, very well. I didn't mean-"

"I wasn't trying to snap at you. Stop worrying. I've been sick before. I know what I need, and right now it's rest. But I can't do that if you're panicking about me every second. If I need you, I'll you know."

He nodded his head as he walked to her side of the bed. He bent down to kiss her forehead.

"Rest well, Leftenant. I shall leave you in peace, but please, do not hesitate to call me."

Abbie grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "Thanks, Crane."

"It is my pleasure. I will be in the kitchen if you require my assistance."

She nodded her head, began to shut her eyes. He left.

When he was in the kitchen, he searched through her cabinets and counters for ginger, the griddle, pancake batter, olive oil, a spatula, a plate, and all the other items he'd need.

He wanted to make the Leftenant a meal she would enjoy. She didn't like soup, but she did eat a few crackers and a bowl of rice. The first two days, she slept. She was far better today, but she needed more rest. Joe came to visit her and gave her what she needed. He told Crane what to feed her or what to do if she got worse.

As he waited for the stove to heat, he began mixing the pancake batter. Then he sprinkled some ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg in the batter and stirred. When the stove heated, he poured some oil on the griddle and spread it around. He started making the pancakes: pouring, flipping, and flopping.

He didn't mind cooking for Miss Mills. He enjoyed it. It was the least he could do, since she let him reside in her home.

Watching Abbie cough, sneeze, take pills, and lay in bed all day wasn't easy. She wasn't able to work like she normally would. She did try to work from home, but Agent Reynolds told her to take as long as she needed. Abbie would be back though. She always bounced back.

When all the pancakes were ready, he put the food, a glass of water, and the small bottle of honey on the tray. He walked towards her room.

After he got there, he put the tray on her nightstand beside her. She rested on her back while her head leaned to the side. A blue rag covered her forehead. He smiled at her, shook his head. She must have gotten up to get it while he cooked. He would have done it for her, but he knew Abbie. She was always so independent.

He shook her, and she opened her eyes.

"Crane?"

"I've made you supper, Leftenant. You haven't eaten all day."

Abbie nodded, yawned, removed the cloth, and took her time sitting up. "What did you make?"

He sat the plate in her lap. "Ginger pancakes."

He walked to the other side of bed; he sat down beside her. She put some honey on her food and took a small bite.

"Good. You haven't made me these before. I would offer you a bite, but I don't want you to get sick eating off me. That's the last thing we need."

"I don't think you would have offered even if you weren't sick, Leftenant."

She chuckled. "No. You make amazing pancakes. Those chocolate chip and pecan ones you made last week were great. Why do you like making them so much?"

"The remind me of my mum."

Abbie stopped chewing. She put her hand on his shoulder. "Crane-"

"It's alright, Leftenant. I don't mind talking about her."

She chewed and swallowed. "Lila, right? She supported your choice to leave for America."

"Yes, that is all correct. Sometimes she wrote me letters during the war. I had all of them in a chest in my closet, but there are no more, since my heart was stopped for 200 years."

Abbie nodded. "Would you to tell me more?"

"She made me ginger pancakes when I was sick." He paused. "I miss her, Leftenant."

Abbie sat her plate on the nightstand, then she reached for his hand. He kissed her fingers and stared down at them. She put her other hand on his cheek to lift his face to her.

"I understand."

He nodded. "I'm sure she is in a far better place though. Perhaps both our mothers have become friends wherever they are. We were destined to meet, even centuries apart. They could have been, too."

"Maybe they drink tea together, and mama makes her chicken soup."

"Did you not like your mother's chicken soup? Is that why you don't eat it?"

She shook her head. "Let's just say I miss my mom alot, too."

"Abbie. I understand, too." He kissed her forehead, her cheek.

She nodded, too, and ate the rest of her pancakes. When she finished her plate, she sat it on the nightstand, let Crane hold her. He leaned them against her headboard.

"Rub my back, please."

"As you wish."

Crane's hands slipped under her shirt; Abbie closed her eyes as his warm hands roved up, down, and in circles on her bare back.

"Is this relaxing you?"

"More than you know."

"I don't think you are wearing that contraption: your bra. Isn't that what you call it?"

Abbie laughed into his collar. "Yeah, Crane. Sometimes it's not comfortable to sleep in, so I take it off."

"I think I prefer it that way. It gives me a far better advantage." His fingers crept to her waist.

She stared at him. "Hands on my back. Unless you want to get sick, I suggest you don't go there."

He smirked. "Who says we have to kiss each other? There's always another way, Leftenant."

Abbie shook her head. "After my cold is over, beware. You'll be speaking another language."

"I will take that challenge." He kissed her forehead again.

She shook her head as he continued to rub her back in silence. Abbie closed her eyes again.

"Do you think your mom would like me if she were still living?"

"I do," Crane said. "She would have the upmost respect for a woman of your time. She would be most surprised at your bravery and outspokenness. My mother would be proud to call you her daughter-in-law."

"We aren't married, you know?"

"I know, but if we were, Leftenant, she'd be most happy. Would your mum take to me?"

"Yeah. At first she would think you're strange, but then after she got to know you, she would like you a lot. She'd think your rants were funny."

"I'm pleased to hear it."

"What about our dads?"

"That is an interesting question, considering we don't have the best relationship with our fathers. If we made amends with them, I do believe they would have liked the both of us together. They'd say we were the perfect match."

Abbie played with his collar. "I think so, too."

"I do wish that the both of us had more time with our parents."

"Yeah, but we did enjoy our time with them while they were here, despite the bad."

"Truer words, Leftenant."

"Do you think they are proud of us?"

"Indeed, I do. Do you?"

She looked at him, smiled. "I do."

He kissed her forehead again, then rubbed her back until they fell asleep.