Pam opened one eye and groaned, immediately closing it again. She felt dreadful.
The body pressed against her in the bed shifted and she felt a slight pressure on her forehead as someone kissed her. The feeling of contentment and safety she felt could only be coming from one person, her suspicion was confirmed when her companion spoke.
"How are you feeling?" Eric asked his concern palpable.
"Terrible," she rasped.
"So you feel as good as you look then," Eric teased gently.
"Always a charmer," she replied slowly, surprised at how difficult it was to get the words out.
She felt Eric shift uncomfortably, "I…need to go to the bar, make sure everything is still standing after last night," he told her, sounding almost guilty.
"I'll be fine," Pam assured him.
"You're sure?" Eric asked, doubtful.
"Yes," Pam lied, she wasn't even sure she'd be able to open her eyes.
If he sensed she was lying, he chose to ignore it. "Is there anything I can get you?" he asked.
"No," she replied, finding one word answers to be all she could handle.
She felt him hesitate, before he kissed her forehead again, "I'll be back as soon as I can," he paused, "Dr. Ludwig said you would need to rest."
"Sounds fine with me," she replied, proud of herself for managing more than one word and being able to prise her eyes open properly.
"I don't like leaving you like this," Eric admitted, looking as torn as he sounded.
"I'll be fine," she repeated, allowing her eyes to slip shut again, keeping them open had proved to be more work than she was anticipating.
She could still feel Eric's uncertainty, but he was gone within the next moment.
Once she was certain he was gone, Pam pulled the blanket up over her head.
It was going to be a long night.