It was a couple days later, and Flack still hadn't gone in to see Kate. Every time someone suggested it, or told him she wanted to see him, he'd make up some excuse. He had to work. He had to take care of the dog. He had to do laundry. The list got longer and longer. Kate was getting sicker, not better, and she only wanted to see Don. Finally, Lindsay took matters into her own hands.
She got to the hospital to see Flack sitting outside Kate's room. She went over and sat next to him. "Have you seen her, yet?" she asked.
He shamefully shook his head. "I can't, Linds," he said.
"Why not? What are you so afraid of?"
Flack sighed. "That she won't want to see me?" he said, as if asking a question.
"You're the only person she wants to see. She keeps asking about you and Bendel. She wants you, Flack."
Flack sighed again. "The last thing I said to her was that she disappointed me. How can I face her now that she's in this condition?"
Lindsay rubbed his back. "She obviously isn't thinking of that. She just wants you to sit and talk with her."
Flack shook his head. "I don't know if I can. I'm not good at this sorta thing."
"You were great with her when she was shot. You were here every day, and you took such great care of her afterward. It's the same thing. You can do it, Flack."
Lindsay got up, going off to get something to drink. Flack thought about what she said, and she was right. He had been there before, he could do it again. So, Flack grabbed one of the masks the team had been using, and opened the door.
Kate looked miserable. Sure, he had seen worse, like when she was bleeding profusely from the abdomen, but she was awake this time, and looked like hell. Her face was red, she was sweating, but yet shaking at the same time; she was coughing and sneezing a lot, but yet her watery eyes lit up when she saw him.
"Donnie," she whispered, her throat too sore to speak properly. "I'm so glad you're here. I'm so sorry," she said, in between coughs and her eyes watering even more.
Don couldn't take it. Finally seeing her, he had to go to her. He grabbed her hand, and ran his hand over her forehead. "Sorry? What are you sorry for?"
"For being sick. I don't mean to be."
Don had to laugh at her. "I know you don't. It's not your fault, OK? I just want you better. It's awkward at home without you. That dog of yours hates me, and won't listen. I think he misses you."
Kate smiled. "Of course he does. You just don't know how to talk to him."
"He's a dog! I'm not supposed to talk to him, he's just supposed to obey me!" Flack said, smiling behind his mask. She just rolled her eyes, and coughed some more. "I'm sorry I haven't been in to see you, babe. How are you feeling?"
More tears fell from Kate's eyes. "I'm miserable, Donnie. I hate it. It's the worst thing ever. I'm so tired, but I can't sleep because I keep coughing and sneezing, and everyone keeps telling me I'm hot, but I'm actually freezing and can't stop shaking."
Don felt so bad, and so mad at himself. How could he have not come to see her sooner? She felt so ill, and he didn't know what to say to comfort her. So he just kept saying some semi-comforting things that he was sure she had heard before, and rubbing her hand. A nurse came in to interrupt them with a basin of cold water and a washcloth. Don said he'd take care of it.
As soon as the nurse left, Don took the washcloth and soaked it in cold water. He rung it out, and pressed it to Kate's forehead. She shivered in response. "Are you OK?" he asked. She just nodded. "I'm cold, but they tell me this is necessary." He smiled, and rubbed her forehead with his hand. He sat there for a while with the washcloth, wiping her forehead, cheeks, neck, and chest. He used his free hand to rub relaxing circles around her head and neck. He did everything he could to relax her, and she nodded off once in a while. He told her to sleep if she could, but she said the cold was waking her up.
Finally, the water turned warm, and the couple sat together, lovingly. Kate was trying to sleep, but couldn't stop coughing and shaking, and Don was doing his best. He talked to her, gently, about anything he could think of; some movie he saw, a date they once had, Bendel, a joke he heard…happy things that he knew would make her smile. His voice was always able to lull her to sleep, just the calmness of it, the soothing tone, and his rubbing her head and neck made her relax so much more.
Flack finally realized he'd been there all afternoon, and that Bendel would have to eat soon and be let out. He didn't want to leave, and told Kate so.
"Go," she said in a weak, tired voice. "Go take care of our baby. I'm not going anywhere." She tried smiling, but was too weak, and it broke his heart. He kissed his hand, pressing it to her forehead, and went to leave. "I'll be back later," he promised. "I love you." She returned the sentiment, and he squeezed her hand, and left.