Okay, so first things first. For those of you still reading this (I honestly can't tell if you are anymore) I'm sure you've noticed the rating change. This is because a friend of mine who reads these has informed me that because of chapter 10 and future chapter with darker themes that the rating should be higher. That's entirely my fault and I'm sorry for not doing that sooner.

Second, and I hate to be that guy, but after chapter 10 was posted I haven't received a single review. Now, I'm pretty sure I know the reason why. It might be because there was some offensive language in that chapter. As I stated before, I do not approve of hate speech or slurs. However, if I crossed a line, I need you guys to tell me so I can fix it or work something out. This absolute silence from you guys has me worrying a lot. I like hearing from all of you. I like hearing your thoughts, opinions, and ideas. So like I said, if I crossed a line, please tell me.

.:Line Break:.

Warm. That's the first thing Kathrine had been aware of when she first woke up. It was so warm and comfortable that she didn't want to open her eyes. So she didn't and instead pulled her firm body pillow closer to her, attempting to fall back asleep.

Until she realized that she didn't own a body pillow.

Kathrine's eyes flew open and she lifted her head up to find out what exactly it was that was that she was holding. Sure enough, in her arms was not a body pillow, but rather the body of her boyfriend, Richie Foley.

He was lying on top of the covers of her bed, asleep, his glasses resting on the nightstand behind him. His head had been tucked under her chin and Kathrine had somehow managed to throw her leg over his waist, despite the fact that she was under the sheets.

Kathrine stared questioningly down at the blond, making no move to remove her arms as she tried to figure out how the hell he had slipped into her bed.

She knew that they had had a date that day, but Kathrine had woken up with an... unexpected and unwelcome surprise. Her monthly visitor left her feeling not only pained, but fatigued as well. She'd be too tired to make pleasant company and would have more than likely fallen asleep on him, so she had asked Katrina to cancel for her before she passed out again.

That didn't explain why he was here though.

As she continued to wonder, the genius began to stir and opened his eyes. He smiled up at her, groggy, and reached for his glasses. "Hey," he greeted, words slurred from sleep, "you're awake."

"Yeah, about that..." she began, "Not that I'm complaining, but why are you in my bed? Didn't Katrina call you to say I couldn't make it?"

Richie stared up at her incredulously, "What? You really don't remember?"

"No, what happened?" Kathrine frowned, her brow furrowing.

Richie chuckled, using an arm to prop his head up. "Well, Katrina did call me..."

.:Line Break:.

"What do you mean, she can't make it?" Richie couldn't stop the disappointment from seeping into his voice, "We've had this movie marathon planned for weeks!"

"I know, I know." came Katrina's apologetic tone from the phone, "Don't hold it against her. Kathrine was looking forward to it too, but she woke up with... an unpleasant surprise and her symptoms are worse than usual."

Richie's genius mind supplied for him what Katrina wasn't saying. "What are her symptoms?"

"Pain and fatigue. When it gets like this she typically doesn't get out of bed unless it's absolutely necessary."

Richie winced, his disappointment replaced by sympathy. He cradled the phone between his ear and shoulder as he reached for his sneakers. "I'll be over in a few minutes."

"What?"

"I'll pick up some heating pads on the way, that should help alleviate some of the pain. Kat prefers dark chocolate, right?"

"W-well, yes, she does. But Richie-"

"Okay, I'll pick up some of that too." He finished tying his shoes and grabbed the phone, "I'll see you in a few minutes, 'Trina."

"Richie, wait a second-"

The blond hung up the phone before the healer could protest.

.:Line Break:.

It was about half an hour later when Richie knocked on the door of the Blake household, a small white shopping bag in hand.

Katrina opened the door, smiling wryly. "You're stubborn." she said by way of greeting.

"Sounds like someone else I know." he shot back, giving her a one armed hug as he usually did.

"I'm not sure who you could possibly be referring to."

They shared a laugh as Richie stepped inside. Katrina shut the door and took the shopping bag from him.

"In all seriousness, thank you." Katrina said, looking through the contents of the bag, This will help when she finally wakes up."

Richie's eyes went to the stairs, "She still hasn't gotten up?"

"No." she sighed, "When she gets like this she can sleep for an entire day without any trouble. It's crazy."

"Haven't you tried waking her up?"

"Kathrine, pardon the expression, sleeps like a rock. I think anything short of a bomb going off would not wake her when she's like this. I gave up trying a long time ago."

Richie grinned at her, "Funny, I didn't think that you gave up on anything."

"I'm hopeful, Richie, not stupid. Even I can recognize a lesson in futility."

The blond chuckled and glanced at the stairs again, "Do you mind if I go up and see her?"

"No, of course not. Go ahead." The healer turned to enter the kitchen, then stopped abruptly, as if remembering something. Looking back at Richie, she warned, "Don't... get too close to the bed."

"Huh?"

"Just trust me." Was all Katrina said before walking into the kitchen.

Richie just shrugged and continued on his way to Kathrine's room. He knocked lightly on the door and, when he received no response, peeked his head into the room.

"Kat?" he whispered.

That's when he spotted her unmoving form in her bed. Quietly, so as not to disturb her, he entered the room and shut the door behind him. He then made his way over to the bed.

Kathrine was fast asleep under the covers of her bed, a small, peace smile on her lips. She muttered his name in her sleep and he couldn't help but grin.

Leaning over her, Richie kissed her forehead. "Sleep well, Kat."

Richie suddenly remembered Katrina's warning a second too late. Still completely asleep, Kathrine managed to grab the genius by the arm and drag him into her bed, drawing a surprised yelp from Richie. She hauled his form up against her own, wrapping her arms around him and tucking his head under her chin. He tried to get away, blushing madly, but due to the Big Bang Kathrine was physically stronger than him. In retaliation for his struggling, Kathrine threw a leg over his waist, pulling him closer still.

He was fairly certain that he resembled a tomato by that point. Realizing that he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon, Richie sighed and removed his glasses. He carefully reached behind him to put them on the nightstand, deciding that he may as well get comfortable. It wasn't long before he too fell asleep.

.:Line Break:.

"And that's what happened."

Kathrine wasn't too surprised that she had pulled the genius into her bed. According to Katrina, who had also been a victim of this at one point, she had a bad habit of "sleep cuddling", in which anyone or anything that got too close to her while she was asleep was liable to be trapped in her hold.

The part that surprised her was the fact that he went out of his way to bring her heating pads and chocolate after learning that she was suffering from her monthly curse, especially after she cancelled their date on him. None of her other boyfriends had wanted anything to do with her when they found out that she was on her period.

"You... did all that for me?"

"Huh?"

"The chocolate and the heating pads. After I cancelled on you?"

Richie's brows furrowed in confusion, "That's not your fault, you don't have any control over it. Besides, you're in pain, aren't you?"

She opened her mouth to deny it, but was hit by a cramp, causing her to grimace.

"The heating pads will help with the pain and I know you like dark chocolate. I don't like when you're miserable, so why wouldn't I do what I can to help?"

"But... wasn't it embarrassing to buy those things?"

"No. Well, there were these two guys who tried to embarrass me while I was at the cash register, but I told them off. Said that I didn't think there was anything funny about wanting to help my girlfriend, who was miserable over something she had no control over, feel better." Richie said grinning, a sense of victory in his voice, "They instantly shut up and the woman behind the register, who was actually the manager of the store, gave me a discount."

Kathrine smiled warmly. "My hero." Her words were genuine and without a hint of sarcasm. She hugged him close, resting her chin atop his head.

"It was nothing." Richie shrugged, "So... what were you dreaming about earlier when you said my name in your sleep?"

He was met with silence.

"Kathrine?"

Richie pulled his head back just enough to get a look at his girlfriend's face. Somehow, within the span of a few seconds, she had managed to fall back asleep. With an exasperated sigh, the blond removed his glasses and put them back on the nightstand.

"I guess it's nap time." he muttered, eyes closing.

It's not like he had anything better to do anyway.