Monday
Clare didn't start to sleep until around 10 am the next morning. Luke's fever had yet to break but his breathing had evened. Clare shifted slightly and fell out of her chair, waking her instantly. Luke groaned and opened his eyes slightly. Clare stood slowly, sleeping like that had twisted her back the wrong way but she managed to check Luke's fever before putting a fresh cloth back over his forehead.
"Come lie down Angel..." Luke said his voice barely above a whisper.
"In a second...I've got to get those bottles..." Clare said as she went to the door, "You stay there and rest."
"Hurry back..." Luke whispered.
"I will." Clare said as she threw a soft smile in his direction before slipping out the door. Luke sighed and let his eyes slip shut. Clare came back a minute later before sitting in her chair again.
"I said lie down Angel..." Luke whispered.
"Not until you're wounds heal..." Clare said as she set the bottles on the nightstand.
"But they are healing..." Luke whispered as he showed her his arm. Most of the cuts were already scarred over. Clare looked at his arm, "But...that's impossible..." Luke didn't reply as there was no real way for him to explain.
"Strange...but your stomach is still bleeding and until that heals, I'm staying right where I am." Clare said as she shifted and tucked her bandaged hand in her lap. Luke sighed, "Please try to be more careful on the stairs..."
"I was distracted." Clare informed him. Her reply was his even breathing. Clare sighed and crossed her arms to resume her position before she fell but this time she stayed awake, replacing the cloth with a fresh one every once and a while. Over the next few hours the wound in his stomach began to close. Clare sighed slowly and lightly as she rested her head on her arms. Luke's even breathing was beginning to put her to sleep. Clare yawned and closed her eyes, snuggling her nose into the crook of her arm, still in Luke's coat sleeve. A couple hours later, Luke's fever spiked and his breath caught in his throat before he started coughing. Clare sat up with a jolt and fell out of the chair a second time before standing to check on Luke. He had calmed his cough but was struggling to catch his breath. Clare laid her hand against his cheek gently while, with the other, taking his hand. After a few minutes he calmed his breathing as well but was far too hot to the touch, it was like placing your hand on the stove after it's been on for an hour. Clare sighed and took the bowl to change the water out after putting a fresh cloth on Luke's forehead. Luke cracked his eyes open, "I'm sorry..."
"Just concentrate on getting better...and you did what you wanted to do, I can't say anything against that." Clare said as she took the bowl into the bathroom. Luke sighed and stared at the ceiling. She came back and set the bowl on the nightstand and traded clothes. Luke's hand found her cheek, "Please lie down Angel..."
"Okay...I'll be on the couch, if you need me..." Clare whispered as her eyes dropped. Luke snagged her wrist, his eyes screamed 'stay with me'. Clare smiled slightly and crawled onto the bed next to him. Luke sighed happily and fell back to sleep. Clare stayed awake watching him and trading clothes when the need be. His fever finally broke around midnight.