Chapter 11: No Harm Done

When Julia stepped into the room following Sean, Christian was propped up in bed, his head resting back against the pillow, a small, dirty blonde older woman sitting by his side. "Sean was coming anyway so I thought I should come this time too," she gave him an apologetic smile as if him being ill would've been her fault, or at least as to why she didn't come more often. Of course she had Connor as an excuse, even if it wasn't as easy to find a nanny for him as for normal babies.

"Do you want higher up to talk to them?" The woman asked Christian, reaching for the remote control that moved the bed.

Christian indicated no, then smiled weakly, "Julia..." He sighed out hoarsely and his eyes met hers. They were rather blank and unfocused. He came over as weak and that shocked her, she didn't quite expect that.

Christian on the other hand, did. Not eating and trying to stay awake while being drugged for weeks would do that to you. And good drugs they were. What a convenient side effect that came out from his last carry on when Gail was there and they'd called the doctor for him. To speed up the process of him fighting bacteria, Cotrim was prescribed, a combination antibiotic that inhibits bacterial growth by reducing synthesis of dihydrofolic acid. Would've been the right treatment for him if not for one minute detail. He failed to mention that he was a little alergic to the drug and that it caused him to experience dizziness, real nausea and weakness. But it was perfect because with actually being sick he could justify all those other times he had been complaining of those nauseos cramps. Not to mention that deceiving medical staff on a continuous basis has been tiring and he really didn't have the energy anymore. On a different level though he has perfected the force of ingenious acting and the power of a smart tricks. While at first he was simply seeking attention and care, baffling a doctor so he could feel almighty has also become like a drug for him, just like the ever missed sex since he started all this. Perhaps if he could have sex it would all stop...but how could he be sure that after he'll get well he'll not be alone again?

"He's not having a good day," the unknown woman supplied whispering to Sean. She did know well, she had been visiting every day for the last week.

At Julia's questioning look Sean realised he had to make introductions, "my wife Julia.This is Gail. Christian's mother."

"Christian's what?? As in what kind of? Foster? Real?" She continued whispering.

"I'll explain later," Sean said quietly.

"I'll save you the trouble of asking me," Christian preptended he haven't heard Gail whipering, "I'm really beat and don't feel so well... where's Conor?" He lifted his head searching and asked tiredly, then averted his eyes again.

"We left Conor downstairs with Annie, we didn't know whether..." She trailed off, not sure Christian was listening at all.

"You could bring him tomorrow maybe..." He offered, blinking tiredly, body language telling the exact opposite as he was saying, his face drawn into a pained grimace, "it's not like I'm sending you away..."

"We'll come back tomorrrow then," Julia grabbed the opportunity to back out. She doubted Christian would stop her, but she didn't want to pester him.

"Yeah. Thanks. I appreciate it. I'm sorry," he looked up, smiling apologetically.

"It's okay," she looked back from the doorframe, staring at him for a second. Her feelings were getting out of control. She was overwhelmed with concern, her eyes compassionate and heavy. She had to leave before she flung herself at him, hugging him, comforting him, with much more feeling than a friend should. But she couldn't as Sean was there, the same person who by the way took his frustration over Christian's condition home and wished he could do something for him.

Sean looked into her eyes and saw all this anyway. Sympathy left him for a moment and was replaced by cold jealosy for a second. But only for a second. It wasn't right, "it's hard seeing him suffer isn't it?"

Sean's hushed voice was the last thing Christian heard before they disappeared. They were all troubled because of him, Sean, Liz, Julia, Kimber and Gail, even Matt. He had touched everybody's heart who counted. Circle closed. All targets met for now. There was no need to being ill anymore. The void that couldn't be filled in any other way became miraculously filled when he saw Julia's reaction. He knew it didn't make sense, but feelings weren't always logical. They all loved him and that was enough. At least for now. He was tired. Tired of all the lies and deceit. He had to stop it and he had to stop it now, before it spiralled more out of his control. He could just be the average male Munch with a couple of episodes, with the worst peaking at midlife, and not those people who suffer from Munchausen syndrome presenting striking symptoms, including dangerous self-mutilation or injecting themselves with a poison frequently feeling the need to hospitalise themselves. Heck, he couldn't even find help for it if he wanted it. Causes of Munch have not been explored much. And no one seemed to want to look into it in any serious way either. He was not going to do this any longer. As a starting point he had to tell them, as if just realising he was feeling worse just after the drugs were administered. Munch wasn't a disease, it was a choice.

Tbc

Chapter 11: While You're Ahead

"Do you think you can manage without me for half an hour?" Kimber asked Christian.

"Where are you going?"

"Hospital cafe for lunch," she shrugged apologeticaly, she was feeling guilty about it since Christian couldn't eat, but even if she was prone to leave some meals out she did need to eat sometimes.

"Can I come?...You look like you just had the surprise of your life," Christian smiled mischievously.

"How?" Kimber looked at him confused, "you're not allowed to eat."

"I would watch you eat and you know how they always say I should try some water. Please Kimber. You could roll me down in that wheelchair, I'm so fed up sitting here watching telly."

"You're positive about this?"

"Yes, I am so.."

"Feeling okay?" Kimber was trying to make extra sure. He seemed a lot more lively and cheerful over the last few days, but she couldn't believe it just yet.

"I feel a lot better today. A little sore, but no nausea. Actually I think I'm hungry."

"Hey, no, we have to ask the doctors in charge of you first."

"Water will do Kimber, don't worry. Just some fresh air, sunshine, that kinda thing that's really ordinary," he sat up unaided and slowly put his legs down to show he was meaning it.

"Wait, I'll get that chair close." By the time she pushed the wheelchair over he was standing on shaky legs. "Are you all right?" She hurried to his side, her hands going expertly around him as she helped him sit into the wheelchair. She had practiced it a lot over the last while.

"I'm . . .I'm okay. Really and thanks. For everything," he watched her lean down in front of him arranging the foot holders for him, putting his slippers on, "sorry for no wedding night."

"I was here with you on our wedding night, remember? I would've not wanted anything else than holding your hand."

"No? I wanted," he looked at her naughtily, "come on, at least let me show you what's on offer," he leaned forward and whispered into her ear seductively. He reached out for her as she tried to staighten up, pulled her down onto his lap and kissed her.

She kissed him back, but only tenderly, then looked up into his eyes to see if he was okay before moving her lips back towards his and deepening the kiss, all her feelings for him, the desire and the compassion evident in the gesture.

He felt at ease inhaling her love for him. He pulled her closer burning with wanting, his hands wandering under her blouse and gently pressing her soft skin in circular motion. The vibration between them caused him his normal reaction to being so close to a woman, his erection bulged against her tigh.

She slid her hand into his lose pyjama bottoms and closed her eyes taking hold of his manhood and giving pace to his excitement, only considering for a moment if all the activity around his groin area would have nasty side effects. Then she forgot all about it and enjoyed the moment, her arousal growing with his. God, it's been a while.

He returned the favour, his fingers doing the exact same thing for her, but he started grabbing at her at a later stage when their movements were faster and much driven. They were close to culmination...

"You called?" A young nurse asked before actually completely opening the door and loooking at them.

"Ah, yes, me, I pressed the button," Kimber said a bit confounded by the sound of the door at first, but getting herself together just in time standing up, "I just wanted to let you know Christian's accompanying me down to the cafe today."

tbc