Riot fumed inwardly. He hated not being in control. And just to illustrate this fact , as if his thoughts manifested physically, again his cough surfaced. Coughing harshly into his fist he tried to resist at first as it was torturous on his throat. Soon though It became more persistent and he just gave in. The pain he felt was searing and yet there was little he could to to stop it . His throat felt like it was having it's own volcanic eruption. When the coughs subsided he swallowed regrettably and winced.
Where was Minx with that tea? He lay there with his arms across his chest in a childlike huff . When he realized he was indeed fretting. He unfolded them conscious of what his, would be body language portrayed. He hadn't forgotten Minx's warning. How ever light it was. Nor had he neglected to remember the vow he had made for himself. He wanted to appear amiable and agreeable.

He waited. And then he waited some more. He found himself scowling as his patience was tried again. o. k. so this, was going to be harder then it seemed. He practised smiling in a gracious manor for when Minx would appear. He grew weary of the effort after a bit and just closed his eyes and rested his head on the pillow. In moments he was asleep.

Minx was in the Kitchen making Riot's tea and Rapture was keeping her company as the flirtatious Stinger puttered around in the unfamiliar kitchen

"So who was that on the phone." The Straight haired beauty asked.
"Oh just Jem" Rapture said in an offhanded manner her eyes downcast. She looked up expectantly for Minx's reaction
"Jem??"
"Yeah" Rapture continued." And you should have seen Riot's face. It was priceless!!"
Minx didn't like the way her friend seemed to delight in Riot's misery and told her so.
"Oh Minx! It's not my fault if Jem called and Riot couldn't talk to her. I cant help it if he lost his voice."
"We both need to make an effort to be nice. Ok?" Rapture shook her head and crossed her fingers behind her back " Ok!"
"What did the Pink haired twit want anyway?
"She didn't say. She just told me to tell Riot she called" Rapture was of course doing what she did best and that was lying! Jem had indeed mentioned why she called but she wasn't about to tell either of her band mates the truth. If Riot found out he would not be happy and the Stingers needed their strongest member to perform at the highly prestigious event. Something told her that Riot would not be so motivated to get well and attend the show if he knew the truth.

When the tea was ready the two women headed for their lead singers bedroom. They opened the door cautiously to find Riot asleep and soring ever so slightly. He looked so angelic. He was curled on his side clutching the comforter closely to himself his hair a mess of golden silk on the pillow. Although, only through his mouth due to blocked nasal passages, he was breathing easily and in a rhythmic fashion. He looked so peaceful. Minx was just about to suggest coming back shortly and leaving Riot to rest, when before it was too late to stop her, Rapture began to rudely shake Riot awake. "come'on now. it's time to get up." She cooed. Her voice was soft and melodic but did not match her actions at all as she jerked him from side to side. Riot groaned. He rubbed his eyes and looked at them still half asleep and confused.
"We brought you some tea" Rapture explained happily " With honey!"
She set it down next to the now empty bowl of soup. 'Huh' she remarked to herself 'So he did eat it after all'
Riot sat up awkwardly he still felt weak and it was hard to support himself with his arms.
"So how did you like the soup?" Rapture asked him knowing full well that he was under strict instructions to rest his voice. Riot just looked at her and cocked his head to one side as if to ask her 'Are you serious?'
"Hold on" Minx said and ran out of the room. She came back with a pen and a pad of paper which she promptly handed to Riot. He smiled at Minx in thanks, using the one he had been rehearsing before he fell asleep. He picked up the pen and began writing.
He turned it around to answer Raptures question. 'It was tolerable' He gave her an arrogant smirk, satisfied that he could still deliver a biting remark even without speaking then ruined the effect by sneezing. " Ah heh--Highnxt!!"
"Bless you" Rapture said but somehow it came out sounding more like 'F-you'
Riot didn't seem to notice but Minx did. "May I see you in the kitchen please Rapture"
She said with supreme sugar. She turned to her ailing companion." I'll be right back Riot Dear" She turned on her heel and left leaving Rapture trailing after her.

"What now?" Rapture asked getting tired of Minx and her lectures on how to treat Riot. So what if he was sick? How did that give him the right to treat her like one of his pathetic followers? Maybe that stuff worked on weak willed people but she knew Riot too well to be at his beck and call like most. It would be different if he wasn't being such an ahole about it.
" Just what do you think you doing?" Minx asked. Hands on hips she glared at Rapture.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."
" Cut the act Rapture. You know exactly what I am talking about!"
"So what!" Rapture said her voice rising. "I'm through with being nice to Riot. I'm not a flunky and I'm not gonna be treated like one."
"You are acting like a spoiled little brat"
"Are you kidding me? If anyone is acting like a spoiled brat it's Riot not me!" Rapture paused. She looked at Minx intently. She couldn't understand why Minx would continue to let both her and Rapture be treated with such insignificance. Unless, And then it dawned on her
"You're still in love with him aren't you?" Rapture said as she suddenly put two and two together.
"what? Ohmigod! Don't you get it Rapture?! Riot.,Is., Sick." She spelled it out slowly as if she were a child incapable of understanding the simple concept. She looked at her friends black expression. Minx knew she wasn't getting though. Sometimes she could be so immature. Rapture was so used to being in the spotlight that when it wasn't on her she grew insufferable. Her schemes and tricks were just a tactic to attract the attention she so craved. Most of the time it was funny but at times like this her tendency to act out was completely unwelcome " I thought you wanted to help him get better? That's why we came here" Minx saidin a softer tone. She felt disappointed and betrayed.
"That was before he started ordering me around like a dog"
"Fine!" Minx said . She felt her temper surge."Then I guess there is no reason to be here. Just go home Rapture. Go home and sulk liked the child you are!"
Rapture said nothing. She turned around and walked away,slamming the door with all her might as she left.
Great! Now Rapture was pissed. She wondered if she would even show up to the concert if Riot did get well.
Rapture had never done anything like that before so Minx was pretty positive that once she had some time to cool off things would be fine.
Now that the mystically inclined Stinger had gone home Minx felt somewhat more at ease. The two girls were great friends, that was a fact, but it was clear she was only hindering Riots progress in the health department. Speaking of which she went to check on her patient.

She found Riot laying in bed looking like death warmed over. The back of his wrist was draped dramatically across his forehead. His eyes were closed and he moaned slightly. Really he was the 'perfect' picture of misery.
"Rapture went home" Minx said breaking the silence. "I guess it's just you and me now. Do you want anything?"
Riot mimed pointing a gun to his head. Minx grinned at his extreme request.
"You don't want that do you? think of your fans. Why, it would be worse than Elvis" At this he smiled. He could never resist flattery. Minx was glad. What was that American expression again? 'Laughter was the better medicine?' Something like that anyway. And then to counteract the supposed progress a sudden chill ran through Riot and he shivered powerfully. He pulled the covers securely around him vibrating with the force of the chills "Have you had any of your tea yet?" Minx asked seeing his discomfort. He shook his head no. " You should try it before it goes cold" She picked it up from the bedside table and was about to give it to him, when he waved his hand to stop. She thought he was trying to decline her offer but it was just to delay it. She saw his eyelids flutter and snap shut. He took a few desperate gulps of breaths before , "AhehTIishchew!!" and as always again."HEHktikch!!" Sneezing was murder on his headache. With Each sternutative inflection he felt his head pulsate and pound. He kept his eyes closed after the last and began to massage his temples. He picked up the paper and pen again and wrote 'Aspirin?' He showed Minx. "Of course" She complied. She was just leaving the room when she heard the inhale beginnings of a sneeze so loud it was almost comical. " Ah, Ah... Ahhhhh--Chew!!" It sounded so cliche it seemed fake. She turned around "Bless you!" Riot rubbed his nose wearily and picked up the pad again to write 'Kleenex?' He looked pleadingly after her with teary eyes. "No problem. I'll be right back