A/N: Before I start, I'd like to point something out. A reviewer noticed that this story is a bit rushed, and I've noticed this too. I apologize for all the rushiness, but when you only have one month in Manchester, I guess it does have to be a little rushed. It is meant to be a faster paced one considering I'm not planning on having many more chapters of this story, but point taken and well appreciated. I do promise though that my next story (which I will mention in the epilogue of this story) will be at a much slower pace. I'm still experimenting a lot with writing and trying to get a feel for a good pace. I've never actually completed a chapter story so this is a first for me. I ask that you guys please bear with me, as with more practice, my stories should be a lot better. Thank you all for your constructive criticism and support. It really does mean a lot to me. I'll end my rant so we can get on with the next installment. Enjoy! (:

Chapter Eight:

Sick Face

It was a nasty day in Manchester, but I was determined to spend time with Phil. Our trip had already reached the two-week mark, and we only had so much time left together. I sat in the hallway, halfway through The Fellowship of the Ring, sipping coffee sleepily. It was already 6 A.M. and Phil hadn't come out yet. He'd probably just slept in a little or something. I continued reading my book, drifting off at a particularly dull part.

The sound of giggling woke me up. I rubbed my eyes, looking up at Dan and Alana who were in the process of shoving each other's tongues down their throats.

"Um...sorry to interrupt," Dan and Alana broke their embrace, startled by my presence, "but could you tell me where Phil is?"

Dan facepalmed. "Gosh, I'm sorry Elli. He's ill. Stomach flu, I believe. I was supposed to let you know."

My face fell. No wonder he had passed up cotton candy the previous day. "Can I see him?"

"If you don't mind getting ill. He's still a bit dodgy."

"I've got a pretty strong immune system. I should be fine."

"Alright. His room's down the hallway on the left. If you need us, we'll be at the cinema."

I thanked Dan and made my way into the apartment and into Phil's room. It appeared to be empty. "Phil?" The response I got was a hurling Phil. I took a seat on his unmade bed, looking around the room. Various stuffed lions were spread about, as well as several drawings of him...naked? Sure enough, he was depicted in many drawings as naked in different scenarios. I giggled, then grimaced as Phil emptied the contents of his stomach. I tried not to pay attention to his getting sick and made myself busy exploring his room.

I noticed there were tons of pictures covering his walls, hand-drawn ones as well as actual pictures of him and his friends. My gaze caught his computer where a video was running. I walked over to the computer, turning up the volume a little.

"If you were stuck in prison, how would you escape?"

"I would chew off my own feet...wait...no.." Phil and Dan doubled over at the ridiculous answer. "This is going somewhere...then I could slide through the bars." I couldn't help but laugh at the boys' dorkiness. No wonder Alana loved their videos. They were absolutely hilarious.

"Elli?" I turned to see a very sickly Phil looking inquisitively at me.

"I just...there was...and it was playing and..." I stuttered pathetically.

Phil chuckled. "It's okay. What do ya think?"

"Hilarious. I shouldn't have been surprised."

"What? Have you never seen any of my videos before?"

"Well, one Alana forced me to watch." I saw him frown at that. A blow to the ego. "Not that I didn't enjoy it! I did. It's just...you know how crazy Alana can be. If I would've admitted that I like your videos, she would've fangirled incessantly."

He laughed. "I see. So, what brings you here?"

"Dan said you were feeling ill. Thought I'd come check up on you."

He stepped away from me. "I don't want to make you ill."

I stepped closer to him. "If I'm gonna get sick, I'd rather it be because of you than anything else."

He stepped back again. "I can't let you do this. I'll be fine."

"Just let me keep you company." I stepped as close to him as I possibly could and made a puppy face. "Pleeeeaaassseee?"

He sighed, getting under the covers and resuming what appeared to be Spiderman. I sat beside him on top of the covers, and we were sucked into the storyline.

By the time the ending credits started to roll, we were both under the covers, Phil cuddling close and shivering.

I turned to Phil. 'How're you feeling?"

He looked at me. "Cold."

"Besides that."

"My stomach's still a tad dodgy."

I noticed how close we were, our noses almost touching. I blushed. Out of nowhere, Phil leaned in and kissed me sweetly. As he pulled away, both of our eyes widened.

I wanted more.

I pressed my lips against hip, kissing him fervently. Between kisses, he mumbled, "No we shouldn't...be doing this...you'll get...sick..." Instead of stopping, I only kissed him more.

Finally surrendering, Phil deepened the kiss, his fingers entangled in my hair. I rolled over on top of him, pressing my body against his and running my fingers through his hair. I found my skin heating up, melting into him. His skin, too, was heating up. Maybe a little too much... Reluctantly, I pulled away.

"Is everything okay?" Phil asked, concern filling his voice.

I didn't respond. Instead I soaked a wash cloth in cold water. Returning, I instructed him to lie down with the covers off. I placed the wash cloth on his forehead and walked to the kitchen for a bucket of ice water and a thermometer.

Entering the room again, I took his temperature. 102 degrees Fahrenheit. "Take your shirt off."

Phil looked at me alarmed. "Wha? No! Why?"

"You need to cool down. I think I, uh...raised your temperature..."

"But then I'll be naked..."

"It's just your shirt."

"But-"

"Just do it."

Reluctantly, he peeled off his sweat-drenched shirt, blushing all over.

"Okay, stand up." He obeyed, and I soaked the wash cloth in ice water, rubbing him down with it. God certainly did bless this boy.

He flinched at the cold water. "That's f-freezing!"

"Trust me. You'll thank me."

After much shivering on Phil's part, I finally allowed him to lay back down. As he sipped some ginger ale, he mumbled a groggy, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now get some rest." I kissed his forehead and made my way towards the door.

Before I could exit, he mumbled a sleepy three words:

"I love you..."

"Alright then, Phil. Sleep tight."

I knew he probably didn't mean what he said because he was half out of it, but I left the apartment with a smile brighter than the sun.

A/N: Yay! Super cuteness! Things are getting pretty serious. Who knows would could happen next? Oh yeah. Me. :D Anyways, thank you all for bearing with me. Let me know whatcha think! Just leave a review in that little convenient box right down there. I love you all! Mwah! :D