Chapter Seven:

Illness

*Ellie*

I smiled as Nick pulled me down onto the bed beside him. We just laid there enjoying the feel of the mattress as he wrapped his arms and legs around me, pulling my head against his chest.

"You're so warm", he said as he nuzzled my neck, "I missed you Ellie."

I smiled.

"I wish I could say the same Nick", I said with a frown, "But I couldn't even remember."

"Don't fret", he laughed, "I couldn't either and I felt horrible about it."

I smiled up at him.

"I really do love you Nick", I whispered.

"I love you as well", he said as he kissed my forehead, "Did us talking about Robin bother you?"

I shook my head. At first it did, but I knew it shouldn't. After all, I talked about Keith a lot and it was just part of the story of how we had been brought together.

"I have you, so no need to worry about someone I don't even know", I said.

He chuckled, making the entire bed bounce which made me laugh.

"Glad to hear it", he whispered.

I moaned as my stomach twisted all at once.

"You okay?" he asked sitting up.

"Yeah," I said as I tried to ride out the pain, "Since I woke up after being rescued by Hunter and them, I have had a stomach ache. The pain just seems to be worse at night and in the mornings."

"Tired maybe?" he asked.

I nodded, "Probably. Haven't had real moments to just rest."

He nodded as he rubbed my back, the pain making me take a sharp intake of breath. He stared at me, worried.

"I'm fine", I said, "I think I just need to sleep."

He nodded, "Alright, lets rest then."
I nodded as we lay back against the pillows. He kept rubbing my back and I was out before I knew I had even closed my eyes.

*Nick*

The following morning Ellie seemed really shaky and pale. I was concerned about her but she seemed to think she just was still tired. I told her to sleep some more while I went to see about breakfast. She nodded as she closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.

I watched her breath, her chest moving up and down as she slept. Something about her was different, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Ignoring it though as my imagination, I stepped into the hall; closing the door to our room behind me and headed towards the living room.

"Hey Nick", greeted Rochelle and Coach from where they sat talking on the couch.

I waved and started towards them.

"You the only ones up?" I asked.

"Yeah Rochelle said she wasn't very tired so we stayed up most of the night just filling in the blanks since the last time we had met."

I nodded and then glanced at Ro. She seemed fine, but hadn't she been through just as much as Ellie had?

"Do you feel sick at all Rochelle?" I asked.

She seemed surprised I was asking about her health, but she shook her head.

"No I feel fine Nick, why?"

"Ellie isn't feeling well", I said sitting down across from them, "Stomach was sick all night last night."

"Weird, she did seem a little more out of it then I was after she had woken up, but Hunter told me she had woken up first, so I don't know."

I nodded, trying to think of a reason she might be ill, but the only thing I could think of was maybe stress or a cold starting perhaps.

"Well I am sure she will feel better tomorrow maybe", said Coach with a smile.

I nodded, "Yeah probably just a one day bug or something."

"I made some eggs early this morning. Mr. Porter had said we could help ourselves."

"Isaac left already?" I asked surprised.

She nodded.

"Yeah he got up early with some of his men and headed out of town using one of our trucks we had driven in with. I think they were going to go check out the base."

I nodded. That made sense.

"I will get some eggs, maybe Ellie will eat one."

I grabbed a small plate and a plastic fork and headed back to Ellie with a couple eggs loaded onto the dish. I gently pushed open the door and stepped in only to find she wasn't in bed.

"Ellie?" I asked as I set the plate on the edge of the bed.

A gagging sound came from the bathroom and I opened the door to find her bent over the toilet puking her guts out.

"S-sorry", she said when she saw me, "It hit me all at once."

I shook my head as I kneeled down beside her, rubbing her back, concern no doubt crossing my face.

"I brought you some eggs, but I am guessing you don't want anything to eat huh?"

She looked up at me and I laughed. I could easily see the 'No Crap Sherlock' face that she had given me so often when he had been traveling through Georgia.

"Well let me know if you need me, try to get some sleep. Hopefully this will pass by tomorrow."

"Yeah, hopefully", she said as she climbed back into bed and drifted off to sleep almost immediately.

I watched her a moment more before leaving the room again. I threw the plate into the trash as I passed the kitchen counter; not at all happy with what she had looked like. Her skin had been extremely pale and her eyes had deep shadows under them.

"She didn't want any?" asked Rochelle in surprise.

Like me, she knew how much Ellie ate throughout our time traveling and for her to not be hungry at all, I knew it was a bit concerning.

"Like you said; it's probably a one day thing Nick. I am sure she will feel better"

I just nodded, still worried as I sat down across from them and buried my head in my hands.

*Ellie*

When next I woke, I heard a soft knocking on my door.

"Enter", I called; my throat somewhat scratchy from having slept just after throwing up.

I smiled slightly when I noticed Hunter and Sophia coming in, a glass of something purple colored in their hands.

"I heard from Rochelle you aren't feeling well", said the commander as he came to the side of the bed. "Sophia and I were worried about you."

I smiled, "Thanks guys", I said as I sat up, my stomach protesting.

"This is a smoothie", he said seeing my questioning gaze as he slid the drink onto the nightstand, "Rochelle said it was good for an upset stomach and told me to bring it to you."

"Thank you", I replied taking a sip from it.

The cold soothing texture flowed down my irritated throat making it less irritable right away. Even my stomach seemed happy with the offering.

"Tell her it tastes great."

Hunter nodded and I noticed he was hesitating to say something.

"What is it?" I asked.

He sighed as he turned to Ellie.

"Ellie baby, will you go tell Rochelle the smoothie was a hit?"

Sophia eagerly nodded as she took off out the door.

Turning back to me, he stopped for a moment, hesitating.

"I don't think I will ever be as I once was Ellie", he said as he sat down on the edge of the bed, "I couldn't even remember Sophia until I saw her, but I know now she was who I was thinking of when I saw you."

I smiled at this, thinking it pretty cute. Seeing my smile, he grinned back but continued, his face quickly turning into a serious expression that made me instantly alert.

"If something happens to me, I want you to look after Sophia for me."

I gaped in surprise.

"Me?" I asked.

He nodded.

"I can see she is taken with Nick and then when she met you, she instantly was taken again which is rare for her. Sophia has always been shy. When her mother died when she was a baby, I didn't know if I could raise her on my own. Now…"

He stopped and considered himself, a disgusted look coming onto his face.

"I'm a monster Ellie. If I can't change back…I don't want her having to live with me like this."

I frowned, knowing how hard it was for him to be asking me this.

"I promise Commander", I said with a smile, "I will look after her should something happen, but I am sure we can change you back. There has to be a way…there just has to"

He smiled at me and gripped my hand in a friendly manner.

"You have always been strong; I noticed before when you said your goodbyes to Nick when I had taken him to be sedated…you had a determined look in your eyes to see him again someday. I am glad Ms. Hayden, that I was the one who found you."

I smiled and tightened my grip on his hand.

"You're not a monster to me", I replied looking down at his pale skinned hand, "you're my friend."

He smiled.

"I don't think anyone has made me smile as much as you have this night Ms. Hayden", he said as he looked to the door. Sophia was just walking in with Nick at her side, both chatting away until they reached the door and paused.

I noticed Nick look at our hands that were still connected, but I just smiled as I gave another reassuring squeeze to Hunters hand and watched him as he went to the door and picked Sophia up into his arms.

I didn't hear what he told Nick, but I saw Nick smirk and say something back as he stepped inside and closed the door.

*Nick*

"You're a lucky man Mr. Dean", the commander whispered as he started out the door.

I smirked as he left, "Of course."

I shut the door and turned to Ellie. She didn't look much better than she had early yesterday morning, but she had slightly more color in her face.

"You doing any better sweetie?" I asked sitting on the edge of the bed as I sent a hand through her hair that hung down loose around her shoulders; the beautiful light brown curls framing her face perfectly.

"I don't know", she answered with a sigh, "Stomach still feels sick."

I nodded but then noticed the purple drink.

"Rochelle's smoothie?" I asked.

She nodded, "Yeah it helped a little, although it might just be because it soothed my throat."

"Well even that I am sure feels better than before", I said with a slight concerned smile.

She nodded, but I noticed her face was strained looking.

"I am going to go see if Dr. Barkley can take a look at you."

"What?" she gasped, grabbing my hand just as I turned to leave.

"What is it?" I asked.

"But she…I…"

"Oh"

I realized she didn't trust the good doctor as far as she could throw her.

"I will stay in the room with you alright; she won't do anything I don't approve of."

Ellie nodded hesitantly, but she looked slightly more okay with it when I said I would stay with her.

Stepping out of the room, I went to the door across the hall and knocked. Seconds later, Dr. Weston opened the door.

"Yes?" he asked.

"May I speak to Dr. Barkley?"

The female doctor came to the door as Weston walked away muttering to himself.

"What is it Mr. Dean?" she asked curiously.

"Ellie isn't feeling well; I was hoping you could take a look at her."

"Sure, give me just a moment to grab my bag."

I nodded as she closed the door and moments later came out with her medical bag.

"Alright, let's go see the dear."

I stood there and watched as the doctor began to check Ellie over. First she checked her breathing, then her blood pressure, and then her pulse.

"Everything is slightly elevated", the doctor said with a frown, "When did you start feeling ill?"

"Well yesterday was the first day I have ever thrown up", Ellie replied, "but I was ill feeling immediately after waking from the sedative."

The doctor nodded as she felt around Ellie's stomach.

"I wish had my clipboard", she muttered.

Immediately I remembered I had left the clipboard in the truck.

"I have it", I said as I dashed out of the building to the truck that remained parked at the gate. Grabbing the clipboard that lay on its seat, I rushed back inside, making sure I didn't see any zombies on the way and dashed back into the room.

"Here", I said handing it to the doctor as I put my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath.

She took it with a slight thankful nod my way and began to flip through it. Her eyebrows went up as she glanced at Ellie and then me.

"Mr. Dean, could you possibly step out?" she asked me.

I looked at Ellie who looked a little nervous.

"You can come back in, in a moment, but I need to speak to Ms. Hayden for a moment privately."

With Ellie's nod, I backed out slowly and closed the door, pacing outside of it for when I was told I could go back in.

*Ellie*

I glanced up at the doctor, confused as to what it was she wanted to speak to me about.

"I think I know why you're sick", she said as she sat on the edge of the bed, "however I need to check you out a bit further."

"Okay?" I asked hesitantly.

"I need you to take off your underwear and spread your legs."

I looked at her like she was insane, but she nodded and I did as I was told. I spread them and my stomach hurt worse with the action as she bent down and began to probe.

"Okay all done", she said and I nodded as I tucked myself back under my covers. I watched her as she took off her latex gloves and threw them in the trash as she headed towards the door.

"You may come in Mr. Dean."

Nick walked back in. He looked at me to make sure I was alright and after giving him a nod, he sighed with relief and came over beside me.

"So do you know what is wrong with her?" he asked the doctor.

"I believe I do", the doctor said as she smiled, "Your pregnant Ms. Hayden."

I gaped at her.

"What?"

Nick I saw was just as shocked by this news.

The doctor nodded again.

"What you have been experiencing is morning sickness. I wasn't sure, but after I checked you, I saw you were in fact dilated. No doubt you're right at three months pregnant."

I looked at Nick who looked at me and both of us realized exactly when it had happened.

"Well…" commented Nick as he rubbed his face, "Never expected this."

I nodded, fears beginning to claim me as I wondered if this would change anything between Nick and me. Would he want a child? Is he happy? Does he not love me anymore? Should I abort? What should I do?

"Calm down Ms. Hayden", said the doctor as she rushed to my side gripping my arm tightly, "breathe dear, breathe."

I did as she told me to and breathed as I glanced at Nick, concern and surprise masking his true emotions.

"I will be right back", said Nick as he walked out.

I watched him go and then broke down crying as the doctor awkwardly put an arm around me and patted my back.