Sick

It was late when I got home that night. I'd been out for three days, working on a few deliveries that were way out there. It took me a minute to finally fit the key in the lock. I turned the key, the tumblers falling in place, and twisted the door knob.

THWACK!

I did not realize the fact that I had forgotten once again to unlock the deadbolt.

I also remember now that the door is very unforgiving to my forehead. Rubbing my forehead, I finished unlocking the door, pushing it open fully before daring to walk through. Unfortunately, luck is not on my side tonight.

"Marlene!"

I'm tripping over her, dodging to the side and ramming my side into the door knob. I wince and glare at the door for a moment.

Haven't you abused me enough for one night? I curse it silently in my head, turning towards Marlene.

...and Denzel apparently.

They're staring up at me with big, wide eyes, dressed in robes and pajamas.

"What are you doing out of bed?" I ask, rubbing my eyes.

I'm a walking hazard, exhaustion is really pushing me right now.

"It's Tifa!" They shout whisper.

"Tifa?" I ask, confused.

"We can't get her to go to bed!" Marlene hissed.

"What?"

She grabbed my hand, Denzel taking the other as they yanked me over towards the bar area. It's now I see her.

Denzel and Marlene have done there best, slipping a pillow beneath the head that's resting on the counter top, and a blanket wrapped about arms that hang limply at her side. She looks as if she could fall from the bar stool at any moment.

I swear softly.

"Why isn't she in bed?" I ask, whispering.

"She wouldn't get up!" Denzel said.

"She had the worst head ache ever!" Marlene said, her eyes wide with concern.

"A head ache?"

"She couldn't sleep!"

"Why didn't you call me?"

"She said she was okay!"

"Denzel, Marlene..."

"We know! But...we didn't know she wasn't sleeping until..."

"Until..."

"I had to go to the bathroom."

"Liar." Denzel hissed under his breath.

Marlene threw him a menacing look.

"We just found her tonight! She was up!...well...as up as that is." Marlene stated, gesturing to Tifa.

I let out a defeated sigh.

"And she won't get up?" I ask.

"She won't wake up! She keeps going, 'just a bit longer...' but every time we tell her that in the morning, she pulls the mattress out from 'neath us!" Denzel exclaims.

I wince at how loud he is.

"We figured nothing would be good about pulling the stool out from 'neath her, though." Marlene said, nodding her head wisely.

"Yes...good choice there." I have to commend them on that one.

"But it can't be good for her to sleep like that!" Denzel added.

I sigh, he's right. I'm tired, but for Tifa's sake, I can make it up the stairs. Walking over, I place a hand lightly on her forehead. She's on fire. Frowning slightly, I get my hands beneath her knees, lifting her gently, as her head lolls back and rests on my shoulder.

"Mmph...no." She mumbles.

Sighing, I walk delicately towards the stairs, making sure not to bang her head or feet on the walls in the stairwell. Marlene leads me, and Denzel keeps close behind me.

"I'll catch her if you drop her Cloud." He reassures me.

I'm prepared to walk past my room, but Marlene looks up, shocked.

"What're you doing?" she asks hotly.

"Putting her to bed..." I'm so confused.

"Not her bed, silly! Yours!"

How does a child make me blush?

"Why mine?" I mumble.

"Well, that's where she was sleeping the other night, when ya had that nightmare." Denzel said simply.

"I don't think I've ever seen her that happy asleep." he adds.

"You spied on us?" I ask, my arms growing heavy with weariness.

"I had to go to the bathroom." He replies weakly.

"Liar."

It's Denzel's turn to send Marlene a silencing look.

"Fine...we'll talk about this later." I say, defeated.

Marlene's holding her arms out so I can't maneuver past her, and plus, my room is closer. I walk in as Denzel holds the door open for me and I set her gently on the bed. Brushing stray locks from her face, I stare at her for a moment. It's then I see Marlene climb up onto my bed.

"Whoa, Marlene." I start.

But she reaches out, patting Tifa's forehead, "Night Tifa." She whispers.

"Night, Tifa." Denzel does the same.

They give a small wave before retreating to their bedrooms. I can't help but smirk lightly. Pulling off my boots, I change quickly, washing up a bit. I'm more awake now, anyways. I return to my room soon though, Tifa sleeping peacefully. I reach out, touching her forehead lightly. She's still on fire.

I climb into bed beside her, wrapping an arm about her. She snuggles against me in her sleep and I kiss her lightly on the cheek.

Sure, I know I can get sick.

But I'm willing to take that chance.

A/N: Do you guys realize thwack is an actual word? And thanks to rend for trying to justify the word 'twitchy'...it's enough that you tried...anyways, sorry for all teh late updates. I was home for the weekend, and now I've lost my voice b/c we went to Carowinds (which is a theme park with lots of roller coaters which is not good for my voice, b/c I am a coaster addict and tend to yell a bit) anyways! I have no idea when I'll be updating, but I'll try for ASAP...thanks for reviews!