Violet tears and Devil food 6

"Hey," a voice stirred the blonde, but she didn't open her eyes, "hey. Bubbles, wake up." She felt him shake her gently, and slowly she opened her eyes.

"Brick…" she barely got out the word when she coughed violently and retched over the side of the table she was laying on. When she'd finally recovered from that, she rolled over again, closing her eyes and breathing shallowly.

Her fever was blazing with fever and she could barely open her eyes. She felt horrible as her stomach churned and growled, moaning weakly. Through moisturized eyes she saw Brick above her, running a cool rag over her sweat-covered face.

"I found you outside town throwing up," he lifted her up, "what happened?"

"I…don't know…" she breathed shallowly, closing her eyes and letting hot tears fall down.

He took her to his bedroom, which was attached to the shop in the back, and laid her on his bed. It wasn't long before the fan was on and she was relaxing on the satin sheets as he set up a trash can by the bedside. He proceeded to sit beside her and help her to the can anytime she vomited, which was frequent. At one point she didn't make it, and he was soon having to change pants.

"I…sorry…" she managed with almost no voice, "what…is wrong…with…" She threw herself with energy she had to hurl into the trash.

"I'm calling my brother," he promised, picking up his phone, "he's a doctor." She fell into blackness, sagging against the bed before he could dial the first number.

XXXXXX

"She's really lucky you came," Butch closed his kit and rose, giving her a final glance before looking to his brother, "she'll be okay. Just a bad virus and her body temp. is below normal. Plenty of rest, soup, blankets…she'll be back to normal in a snap."

"I sure hope so," he nodded, "thanks, man. Can you give the number so I can call her family?"

"I've got it," the raven haired boy paused at the door, "has she said anything about emotional problems?"

"Well…she feels guilty for her sister's death…" the red head looked down, and suddenly he felt his hand on his shoulder.

"Dude, it wasn't your fault," he shook his head, "Boomer doesn't blame you. Now, the reason I ask is that she has some depression symptoms. I think you need to keep an eye on her, kay?"

"Kay," and the green eyed boy walked to the front of the building to call the number on Bubble's medical records.

Ever since Boomer died, both of the boys had changed. Brick absorbed himself in a quiet shell, not coming out to talk about how he felt at all. He'd opened up the shop and seemed pretty content with staying alone. Butch, on the other hand, lost his fire completely. He became more serious and started to see the world in a new way. He'd become more mature and turned into a doctor quickly. Sure, he was a little young, but…he was amazing.

In the meantime, Bubbles was dreaming deeply. Suddenly, she saw her own body on the bed, and she gasped. Brick was over her, rubbing her palm with his thumb with…tears in his eyes? She reached out to touch his shoulder, but another voice stopped her.

"He won't feel it," the voice was soft and sweet, and when she turned, she was rather surprised to see a six year old little boy sitting in a chair.

"Who are you?" she blinked at him. He was cute, bowlish blonde hair and big blue eyes like her own….he could be her little brother.

"I'm Boomer," he replied, getting up and standing beside her, "you're a ghost and so am I. He doesn't know we're here."

"Wait…I died?" she was horrified.

"Well, half of you is. You'll wake up soon, but I need to talk to you," he sat on the bed edge and looked at Brick with concern, "he's my brother, you see. I died when he pushed me into the street when he was a kid, too." She suddenly realized who he was.

"The one Brick feels guilty about accidently killing," she realized and looked to him with sympathy, "oh my gosh. You poor thing…but he didn't…"

"I know," he raised his hand to stop her, "he just doesn't know I forgive him. It was my fault, too." He touched her cheek, and she was suddenly watching exactly what happened on the day.

"Ha ha!" Boomer laughed at his the younger Brick as they raced in the yard, "I win again!"

"Shut up," the red head was obviously embarrassed, "you don't have to rub in the fact you're better than me."

The blonde just laughed again and went over to Butch, who was scateboaring, "There! I beat him at racing, drawing, and staring, so now teach me how to scate!"

"Sorry, dweeb," the mean boy snorted, "but you're still a 0."

"And I'm still leader," Brick chimed, sticking out his tongue.

"You guys are jerks!" he yelled angrily, pushing the raven-haired boy back and then shoving Brick to the grass.

"You little…" the redhead grabbed his brother by the front of the shirt and shoved him into the road.

"And then this car came and didn't stop in time," he pulled back, leaving the misty eyed girl to start bawling, "and now I've been here, watching over both of them. One day he's going to join me and I'll tell him I don't blame him. And both of us will rest in peace."

"I feel bad for both of you…" she sniffed, "why did you have to tell me that?"

"So you can tell him that you'll abide with him," he replied, "he's been so lonely all this time. If you stay with him…then both of you can mend."

"Mend?" and then she remembered something, "where's Bunny?"

"It's not time yet…" suddenly, he started to fade, "you're waking up now. Just stay with him. You'll see how much you both will blossom."

Before she could say another word, he was gone. She was suddenly waking up, blinking and feeling sore all over.

"Was it a dream?" suddenly, she was staring into worried brown eyes, "Brick…thank you." She threw her arms around his neck and cried softly.

"What?" he embraced her as well, rubbing her back, "I'm just…it's nothing." He was trying to hide the tear stains when she laid down.

"I promise," she stroked one, "I will never leave you." Suddenly, she felt stronger, almost like…like he'd just healed her by smiling.