Disclaimer: After 3 chapters, I'm sure you know by now.

Don had pulled up Charlie's desk chair close to the bed. His elbows were on his knees as if it were the most relaxed position in the world. Amita strained her neck so she could hear what they were saying.

"Hey buddy."

"Don? What are you doing here? How's the case?" Charlie fired questions at him.

"Whoa…hold on a second. First, don't worry about the case. You're sick; you don't need the extra stress of that too. Second, I'm here because I was worried about you Charlie. You passed out on the floor of the FBI building."

"Yeah, I know. You don't need to keep saying it. It was embarrassing." Charlie repositioned causing the bed to let out a squeak.

"You shouldn't be embarrassed. Everyone's concerned about you."

"Right. It's always on the top of my list to show off to my girlfriend by passing out and needing help getting down to the car. To top that off, I almost threw up on her. Not the most flattering thing to do."

Amita had to bit her lip to keep from laughing. Leave it to Charlie think about that when he was barfing.

"Aw come on, Charlie. You know as well as I do that Amita doesn't think you're any less 'manly' or whatever because you're sick. She understands you're human."

"Well, I'd rather play superman."

"Just think of it this way—now you get to be nursed by Amita."

"What are you? Mr. Optimistic?"

Don laughed quietly.

"I see you're point. All I'm saying is that Amita taking care of you shows you how much she cares about you. She's willing to put herself at risk to do what's best for you."

"Just like Mom."

Amita's eyes filled with tears; Charlie had just stated that the way Amita cared for him was how his mom had cared for him. Amita knew how close Charlie and his mother was and it was special to her to think that Charlie considered her in the same stature of his mother. Her thoughts were broken by Don's voice.

"Yeah Charlie." Don's voice was coated in syrup. "Just like Mom."

Amita sensed that their conversation was almost done so she quietly walked downstairs and sat on the couch. Not a moment later, Don came down.

"Is he awake?" Amita asked. Don headed towards the bathroom.

"Yeah." Don's voice was muffled as he stuck his head under the sink. He emerged holding a thermometer.

"Do you want to do the honors?" he asked Amita, handing her the thermometer. Knowing the brothers' conversation, she felt the significance of taking Charlie's temperature. Again, she had to fight to keep the tears back.

"Sure." She said, getting up. She accepted the thermometer and walked up the stairs. She did a mental check before entering, willing herself not to cry.

She walked into Charlie's room with a smile on her face. Charlie moved his legs to make room for Amita and she sat.

"Hey. How're you feeling?"

"Okay. The Advil is starting to work."

"That's good. Don said I had to take your temperature."

"I know. He warned me one of you would be coming up to do so."

"Sorry but it's the best thing for you right now."

"I know."

Just to prove it, Charlie opened his mouth and willingly accepted the thermometer. Amita checked her watch and then smiled.

"I'm impressed. My brothers would never give in so easily. They say it hurts their 'man pride'." Charlie smiled around the thermometer but didn't say anything.

"Another impressive thing, Professor Eppes. You know not to bother talking while the thermometer's in your mouth! I am thoroughly impressed."

Amita checked her watch again and then pulled the thermometer out of Charlie's mouth. She held it up and studied it.

"When I was younger, my mom always took care of me when I was sick. She used to say that if I was good and took my medicine and let her take my temperature without hassle, then I'd get to watch a movie in the afternoon."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It usually worked too."

"Well, you defiantly deserve your movie today." Amita said and Charlie chuckled.

"Well, you have a fever of one hundred and two degrees." Amita said putting the thermometer away.

"I've heard better news today." Charlie said and sighed.

"Do you want anything?"

"No thanks. What time is it?"

Amita checked her watch. "It's about 9:15 AM."

"What time did I pass out?"

"It was around one o'clock in the morning."

"Well, I'm going to try and sleep a little more. You should try to catch a few winks too, Amita. You look tired."

"Okay. Don and I are downstairs if you need us."

"Thanks. 'Night."

"Good-night Charlie."

Amita pulled the quilt around Charlie and leaned down and gave him a kiss before leaving the room.

A/N: Again, thanks so much for all the reviews! You guys are blowing me away. Enjoy and review!