.I own nothing.
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"Oh, don't be ridiculous, you're in no state to go to work!"
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" his fiance protested.
"No, you're not. Deryn, there's an epidemic! And you're sick!" It was true- her cheeks were flushed and her eyes looked glassy.
"Alek, you're going to make me late. I'm just tired, got it?" She finished buttoning her coat and made for the door, but he blocked her path. "Oh, come on! My boss-"
"I'll call your boss." Alek felt Deryn's forehead, and it was warm to the touch. "You're feverish, go to bed."
Deryn let out a groan of frustration and pulled off her coat and boots. As he put on the water for tea, Alek could hear her banging around in their room, looking for a nightgown and muttering about deadlines.
He read the newspaper for a while, and was halfway done with the crossword when the tea kettle shrieked.
"I'll get it!"
"You stay there!" Alek had never gotten sick much as a child, so his medical knowledge was mainly based off of common sense and guessing. He was rather terrified, as cholera was sweeping the city.
After making Deryn's tea (no sugar, a little milk) he called her employer, who was quite understanding and sympathetic. Alek brought the tea to their room.
Deryn was in bed, sullenly knitting what was either a sock, mitten, or scarf. She had never quite gotten past a beginner's level, but one had to admire her work ethic, hammered into her by her mother.
"Tea?"
"Yes, thanks." For a while, they sat there in silence.
"Do we have any medicine?"
"Oh, I don't need any of that disgusting stuff."
"Do you want anything to eat? I can make toast and toast."
"Nah, not hungry. You ought to get to work now."
"I guess so. Get the neighbors if you need anything, or call the office."
"I will. Bye, love."
"Er, bye," Alek had never been one for terms of endearment, but apparently it was a Scottish thing. If you eliminated the terms "love," "dearie," and "sweetheart" from his soon-to-be mother-in-law's vocabulary, she would probably be almost speechless.
When he came back from work, Alek fixed himself some excuse for a sandwich, and was startled to see Dr. Barlow sitting at the kitchen table.
"I let myself in," she said simply. Her face was pale and tired, and she looked as though she was about to cry.
"That's fine, you're always welcome here. Thank you for watching Deryn."
"It's nothing." She stood up, smoothing her black skirt.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?"
"No, I think I should head back now." She got her coat and left. Alek knew what weighed so heavily on her heart. Two weeks ago, her four year old son had died of the illness, and she had almost lost her will to survive. He remembered Thomas's funeral, the only time he had ever seen Doctor Barlow seem vulnerable and desolate. Deryn had been all out of sorts, alternating between weeping and stoniness.
He went to check on Deryn. She was asleep, and despite her past denials, had a very feminine-looking bridal magazine on her lap. Her face had a bit more vigor in it, and her sleep was peaceful. Thank heaven, it wasn't the dreaded illness.
"Hello, love," he whispered.
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.Own nothing!
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"Are you angry?"
"Am I angry?" Alek repeats hollowly. "Of course I'm angry! You lied- about everything! Everything!"
The person looked at her feet. God's wounds, he didn't even know her infernal name.
"This...this...trickery! It's unnatural, repulsive! I don't think you're fully a girl or a boy! You're some...some...abomination!"
The girl looked at him with fire in her eyes, but said nothing. The horrible, unnerving truth dawned on him.
"You loved me." Her silent tears were answer enough.
"You actually loved me. What, did you think we could form a brotherly bond that would blossom into love, the daring adventuress and her prince?" Alek is mocking her now. It feels wickedly good.
"I...I..."
"You betrayed me."
"Well then, what would you have done? Eh? Stayed home, and drowned in misery?"
"A woman's place is in the-"
She began wildly kicking at him.
"I've heard that too many times, you sod!"
"Maybe you should have listened!"
She cursed him creatively.
"I can't believe I ever considered you a friend, you excuse for a woman!"
The girl kicked one last time, and her foot found its target. Alek doubled over, swearing, and she taunted him.
"Excuse for a woman, eh? I'm more of a man than you ever were."