Javier could hear his named being called but he couldn't place the voice. He couldn't move and his eyes weren't cooperating. He tried to move his arm but with no luck. Soon enough the darkness filled his vision.

After finding his partner on the floor Ryan called for an ambulance. Javier hadn't moved in the five minutes he'd been watching him. Ryan felt Javier's head, this time without any trouble. Judging by the way his head felt his temperature must have been more than 103. Quickly he took out his phone and called Lanie.

"What's up Ryan? I'm in the middle of an autopsy. Can I call you back?"

"Javier's on the floor. I can't get him to wake up."

"Oh my god. Did you check his pulse and call an ambulance?"

"He has a pulse and the bus is on its way. Can you meet us at the hospital and let Beckett know too?"

After the paramedics arrived at the hospital with Javier they sent him straight into an exam room. Ryan tried to follow the gurney through the doors but a nurse stopped him.

"I'm sorry sir but you'll have to wait out here until the doctors have examined him. It shouldn't be too long."

Oblivious distraught Kevin slumped in one of the waiting room chairs. He should have known Javier wasn't going to call him when something went wrong. He wasn't the type of person to ask for help before it was too late.

Ryan looked up for a brief second and saw Lanie, Beckett, and Castle heading towards him.

"Any news?"

"I'm sorry Lanie. They wouldn't let me go in. We should be updated soon."

With a sigh Lanie walked over to the nurse's station while Beckett and Castle took a seat. A few moments later Lanie walked back over with a doctor.

The man held out his hand, "I'm Dr. Rodgers. Your friend appears to have a pretty nasty virus. There isn't much we can do for him other than prescribe lots of rest and fluids. As for what Dr. Parrish told me about his fall I currently have a team taking some skull x-rays just to be sure. Also I would suggest that Mr. Esposito doesn't stay alone."

"Thank you doctor," said Ryan.

As the doctor walked away Ryan turned to the rest of the team.

"I'll stay with Javi."

"I'll tell Cap that you two need a week off. I'm sure it won't be a problem. This case seems to be open and shut," said Kate.

When Javier opened his eyes the light was blinding. He could feel his head pounding. He tried to move his arm but felt the IV on in his hand. He hated hospitals. He looked up and saw Ryan standing at the end of his bed.

"Hey man. How ya feeling?"

"Ryan I told you I wasn't going to the hospital. What happened?"

"I came back from shift with you blacked out on the floor. I figured it wasn't from heavy partying."

Javi smiled. "I only party with you Ryan."

"Javi, I can't carry you to the apartment myself. You have to walk."

Javier looked up from the passenger seat where a couple minutes ago he was drooling on the seat belt. As Ryan helped him out of the car Javi turned to his partner.

"You really don't need to stay..."

"Don't you even start with that. Last time I left you passed out for who knows how long. There is no way I'm leaving."

"Fine bro but you aren't sleeping in my bed."

Ryan smiled as he turned the knob to Espo's apartment.

Ryan woke with a start. He heard crying coming from Javier room. Espo was a pretty tough guy, he almost never cried. Within a beat Kevin was up dashing into Espo's room, following the pitiful sound. After reaching the bathroom Ryan assessed the situation. Javier was laying against the tub covered in vomit. Ryan rushed over the Javi's side.

"Man how long have you been like this."

"Awhile. Kev I don't have the energy to move. Every time I do I throw up again," Javi said between tears.

"Come on man lets get you to bed." Ryan reached for Javi pulling him to his side. The two detectives walked slowly into the bedroom heading straight towards the bed. After helping Espo into the sheets and making sure he was alright Ryan turned to leave.

"Kevin?"

Ryan turned around. "Yeah man?"

"I know what I said about not sleeping in my bed but I don't want you to go."

Without thinking a second thought Ryan climbed into bed besides Javi. Normally Ryan would have found this incredibly weird but tonight he knew Javi needed him.

The next thing Kevin knew Javi was curled up next to him half asleep.