"Lainey, are you okay? You look pale."

Elaine could only stare at the man she'd been unable to get out of her mind.

This had to be a dream.

"What in the hell are you doing here?" she snapped, cringing at the harshness of her tone.

Jerry looked down at his shoes, clearly hurt.

"Oh... well, I wanted to come by and..."

"I'm sorry." She blurted out. "I-I was just surprised to see... a-a-choo!" Then she shuddered, chills running through her body.

Immediately Jerry put his arm around her. "What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing. It's just a-a c-c- a-choo! A cold."

Silently he cursed. "Damn it! I knew I shouldn't have let you leave in those wet clothes!"

"I-I'm fine. Really."

The back of his hand went to her forehead, causing her to shy away.

Jerry's eyes grew wide. "Lainey, you're burning up!"

You have no idea... she thought, feeling her body go limp from the mere touch of his hand.

Before she could protest, he ushered her inside and shut the door. Once inside, he crossed the room and began to adjust the thermostat on the wall.

"It's freezing in here! What are you doing, trying to recreate a scene from Dr. Zhivago?"

For the first time in days, Elaine laughed. Unfortunately the laughter turned into a coughing fit.

She could hear water running and when she looked up, Jerry was standing before her, holding a glass of water.

"Drink this." He ordered.

With trembling fingers, she took the glass and gulped down the contents.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

He touched her forehead again. "Wow, you're still really warm. I'll be right back."

She watched in amazement as he disappeared into the bathroom, returning seconds later with two aspirin in his hand and another glass of water.

"Here, these should bring your fever down."

"Thank you." She somehow managed to say.

Wordlessly, she gulped down the aspirin and sat the glass on the coffee table.

"Okay, have a seat." Jerry said, guiding her to the sofa.

When she sat down, he covered her with the blanket. The simple gesture brought back a million memories.

Is there anything else I can get you?" He asked.

Elaine smiled. "I'm fine, thanks."

"You sure? Because I can-."

"Jerry, you don't have to. I-I mean, this is so..."

"No problem." He interjected before she could finish the compliment. Wait, was Jerry's face turning pink? She could have sworn she saw him blush.

When she sneezed again, he handed her a tissue.

"Thank you." She said.

"Like I said... no problem."

"Um... So why did you come over? I-I mean, I appreciate it and all, but..."

"Well, I... felt bad; letting you leave in those wet clothes. I just wanted to make sure that you were okay."

The sweetness of his words made her want to cry.

"... And to apologize." He was saying.

Elaine blinked. "Apologize? For what?"

"Well, you seemed upset and I know it was because of me, and..."

She swallowed hard. "It wasn't you."

At least not the way you think...

"Well... That's a relief. Because we're friends and all, and I don't want to be responsible for... Lainey?"

But Elaine didn't hear him.

She was sound asleep.

Jerry smiled and gently eased her onto the sofa. Covering her with the blanket he leaned over and kissed her still-warm forehead.

"Goodnight, Elaine."