Trauma Center: Illness

Leslie: Sore Throat

Anyone who has ever had a sore throat knows just how horrible they are.

Such was the case with Leslie Sears, who was anything but a stranger to illnesses. Granted, she was usually on the other side of the spectrum and taking care of the sickly, but today proved to be a different case. The nurse sat bundled under a large blanket on the couch, channel surfing and doing everything she could to keep her mind off her aching throat. She did have an arsenal of home treatments at her disposal. Cough drops and syrup did manage to provide some relief, but she still found herself wincing with every swallow and grasping her throat in agony.

A knock on her door startled her from her day time TV induced trance. Mmm, I am not in the mood for solicitors! She cradled her blanket around her form and padded to the door, ready to slam it shut should it reveal a salesman, but instead found herself gaping in surprise. "Dr. Chase! What are you doing here?" she said hoarsely, grimacing almost immediately. The blond doctor cast a small grin.

"I wanted to bring you this." He said, motioning towards a silver thermos in his hands. "I know you got a sore throat. I guarantee this'll take the pain away." Leslie blinked slightly at the large thermos and cast an inquisitive gaze between it and Tyler. "Secret family recipe." He answered. "May I come in?"

"Oh . . . I don't want to get you sick too, Doctor." She whispered, but took a step back to allow him in. "But . . . shouldn't you be working?" Tyler gave her a nonchalant nod as he entered.

"I got Tim to help me with the surgery and paperwork; so naturally, we finished with time to spare." He gently led her back to the couch and motioned for her to sit. "Just relax. I'm gonna heat this up a bit."

Leslie's tired eyes followed him to the kitchen and chortled lightly in amusement as he blindly searched the counters and cabinets. An over dramatized soap opera murmured in the background as her focus was on his movements, seeing him withdraw a desired sauce pan, ladle and coffee mug and begin simmering the mysterious contents of the thermos. She watched him slowly stir the pot in silence for several minutes before the pulsing pain in the throat went down slightly, allowing her to inquire. "Why did you go out of your way to bring that to me?"

He glanced over his shoulder as his hand continued stirring. "I just wanted to help you feel better. That's all." His warm smile never dipped as he responded. "It was the least I could do, after you took such good care of Amy. Ah, here we go!"

Light streams of steam stretched out from the pan and he carefully ladled a cupful into the mug. He brought it to her and gingerly placed it in her hands, receiving a gracious nod and smile in return. Leslie slowly brought it to her lips and took in a small sip, letting out a satisfied hum as it caressed her tongue.

It was delicious!

She was unable to place the flavor. It swirled between honey and mint with a solid base of herbal tea, but what she really savored as the instant relief her poor throat felt. The pleasantly warm liquid cascaded down her throat, thin enough to go down easily but thick enough to leave a protective coating in its wake. "This is wonderful!" she exclaimed softly as her throat felt nothing more than an irritated tickle. Tyler laughed at her response. "Take it easy, Leslie. Yer throat still needs to heal."

"Oh yes, of course." She said just above a whisper. She took in a larger sip and hummed again in ecstasy. "Mmmm! What's in it?"

"Ancient family secret. Can't tell." He teased and she gave him a mock pout in response. "Well, if you're going to be like that. But. . . thank you, Dr. Chase. I really . . ."

A loud gurgling from her stomach cut her off. She bit her lip, feeling her flushed cheeks burn even more so as Tyler could not help but laugh. "Ya hungry?"

"Yes, a little . . ." she managed to squeak as her blush raged.

"Well, good thing I thought to bring this too."

Tyler dug through his medical bag, withdrawing a second thermos buried beneath various thesis papers and supplies. "Another family recipe?" she asked as he trekked back to the kitchen. "No, it's mine." He took out another pan and rinsed off the tea ladle before casting her a mischievous smile. "But, it's just as secret."

"Oh, you're horrible, Dr. Chase!"

He laughed again as he poured the second thermos's contents into the pan. Leslie got to her feet, the blanket still wrapped snuggly around her form, as something that smelled vaguely like pasta lured her to the kitchen. "What's this?"

"Tomato basil ravioli soup. It'll be done soon; just had to warm it up again."

Leslie felt her mouth water at the sound of it in addition to the delicious smell. "Mmmm, sounds good."

"What 'till you try it! Perfect for any sickness from a cold to sore throat and . . . hey, speak of the devil!"

The telltale stream poured up from the pan and Tyler ladled a bowl for her. Not waiting for a spoon, she sipped it enthusiastically from the bowl and let out a delighted squeak. "This is the best soup I've ever had!"

"Ha! I knew you'd like it!" he grinned, having already grabbed an extra bowl and two utensils from the drawers. "If you don't mind, I'm gonna have some too. Care for a spoon?"

"Oh, yes please, thank you!"

She took the spoon and all but dived in, ravenously scooping it into her mouth. "Wow, you really were hungry!" he teased, but the taste and hunger she felt had overridden any potential humiliation. She sat back down on the couch as Tyler served himself a helping and joined her, though at a more reserved pace. "Ah, T-P-I-R. That show always seems to be on when you're homesick, huh?"

"Mmm. . ."

Having finished her soup, Leslie moved on to the remainder of the tea. She savored another gulp and let out a satisfied sigh. "I wasn't really watching. Just channel surfing." She said, gently swirling the liquid in her mug.

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with The Price is Right."

"I know . . . I just wasn't paying attention to it . . . that's all . . ."

Leslie continued titling her mug slightly, her gaze fixed on the rippling reflections and light from the beverage. She brought it up slightly to take another drink but stopped half way. She lowered it again, looking at her small reflection as she heard Tyler gently slurp his soup beside her. She stole a quick glance, feeling her face heat up upon seeing his handsome profile. Even through her stuffed up noise, she could smell him; his lingering scent that was reminiscent of Angeles Bay's many beaches. She always liked his smell.

". . . Dr. Chase?"

Tyler set his spoon in his empty bowl, having just finished off his soup. "C'mon, Leslie. Drop the formality for once."

". . .Tyler?"

"Yeah?"

"I know . . . I know you said you wanted to help me feel better, because of Amy. . . but . ."

"Shhh . . . ."

Leslie's voice died as Tyler gently pressed a finger to her lips. Her breath quickened and took in even more of her favorite fragrance as she looked into his eyes, which softly returned her gaze. His radiant grin was gone; replaced with a warm and subtle smile. The pair remained that way as the television continued uninterrupted, providing the only noise in the whole room. "Well, I should get back to work." Tyler murmured abruptly, startling her slightly as he gathered up the dishes. "It's almost noon and you look like you're about to fall asleep."

She gave her head a light shake, realizing that the medicine she had taken earlier was finally starting to kick in. "You should wash your hands. I don't want you getting sick because of me." She yawned.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I did go to med school, by the way."

She was about to rise and help him with the dishes, but was instead pushed back down by a gentle hand. "You rest. I got it." Tyler said, helping her ease onto the couch. Another yawn escaped her and her drowsiness only grew as her head met a small throw pillow. "Thank you, Dr. Cha – Tyler."

"You're welcome."

Leslie's eyes closed as the sounds of running water, dishes clanging together and the ever present television filled the back of her mind. She took in a content sigh and smiled. There was virtually no pain in her throat, though that was only one reason for her good mood. Her head grew fuzzy as sleep crept in and the background noises blurred into a single sound, before the TV was silence by a click from the remote. "I put the rest of the soup and tea in the fridge and I'll be back after work to bring you some more."

"Thank you again, Tyler." She muttered sleepily as he straightened out her blanket and draped it over her body. "Anytime." He said, lightly brushing the bangs from her face. "I'll see you tonight. Sweet dreams, Leslie."

-----

A loud knocking roused her from her slumber. Disoriented, she glanced around, noting that the late morning sun had dimmed to twilight. She winched slightly, as the aching in her throat had returned and the pounding at the door was not helping her head. She groggily padded to the door, ready to slam it shut should it reveal a salesman, but instead found herself smiling.

"Hey, Leslie. Sleep well?"

-----

A/N: Honey plus mint plus tea equals goodness; especially if you have a sore throat. It's better to have warm liquids with a sore throat rather than cool because the warmth draws blood to the throat and promotes faster healing. Tomato basil ravioli soup is my favoritest soup ever!

Oh yeah, if anyone's wondering who Tim is, he's my entry for an original character contest on deviantart-com. I put a link to it at the top of my profile, but be warned. I can't draw for dookie!

Extra credit goes once again to Picup. I never would have even considered the Tyler/Leslie pairing if it were not for Thirty Affections.

So, thus ends the Illness trilogy . . .

And here begins the extra bonus!

Mooncat wants me to infect a character of my choice with poison ivy. Who will it be and what madness will ensue? Make me a sammich and find out!