Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home.
– Mother Teresa

"So, is this going to be the most awkward dinner ever?" Paige asked, jockeying for position front of the mirror.

"Why do you think it's going to be awkward?" Emily tugged at her eyelid as she applied liner.

"I mean, didn't Hanna start dating Sean when she was 'on a break' from Caleb? How do you think Caleb's going to handle hanging out with his girlfriend's ex for the whole meal?"

"Naw – Caleb's pretty chill. He's probably going to be glad that Sean's here, so he'll have someone to talk to. You're the one I'm worried about – are you going to be okay?"

"Me? Yeah, why? Why wouldn't I be okay?"

"Well, you know, seeing Hanna with her new bestie, who happens to be your ex-bestie."

"What do you mean, 'ex?' She's known me all her life! She's only known Hanna for like two minutes!"

"She's known Hanna as long as you've known me!"

"Yeah, so?"

"I'm just saying, we've gotten pretty close!"

Paige elbowed Emily in the ribs. "I think I can handle it!"

Pru had been looking forward to this evening all week. Although her friends had met Sean, this was their first chance to socialize with them as a couple. Pru was facetiming with Hanna, wanting to make sure that her outfit was just right. "My God, that place is dark! I forgot how dark it was!" Pru had informally taken over Paige's old room, now that Paige was living with Emily. Pru got along with her roommates well enough, but it was nice to have some privacy when she needed it. Like tonight.

"I know – I'm so glad that Emily rescued Paige from this place. Paige never shut up about how the gray was driving her crazy. So what do you think of this color?"

"I can't even tell – that room is so dark!"

Hanna had made dinner arrangements in the private dining area upstairs from Club Fake, a nightspot that was too hip for its own good. She knew someone. The girls all enjoyed the opportunity to get dressed up and cut loose for an evening. The guys were tolerating it.

Pru was showcasing her new boyfriend much in the way that she would display a show pony that she had spent the season grooming and training. Paige was happy for her friend and amused at the same time. As Emily had predicted, Caleb was getting along with Sean just fine, comparing notes on the little quirks that made Hanna different. "And, by 'different,' they mean 'awesome!'" Hanna assured everyone. At first, Pru was miffed that her date was spending so much time talking about his, but, after a bit, she found herself getting caught up in the conversation, sharing her own experiences of Hanna and her awesomeness. Finally, Hanna, fed up with being ganged up on, declared dinner over and led everyone downstairs for dancing and drinks.

The club was a little too dark and a little too loud, and the smell of stale beer and expectations was a little overpowering. After about a half hour of tearing up the dance floor with Pru, Hanna, and their dates, Emily grabbed Paige and went off to lay claim to a table.

She was developing a bit of a headache.

"Are you all right?" Paige asked, yelling over the music. "You don't look so good."

"I'm fine." Emily leaned in close so that she wouldn't have to yell quite so loud. "I was just starting to get a headache"

"Do you want to get out of here?"

"No – I don't want to bail on Pru. I know how much she's been looking forward to this evening."

"She'll be fine! We got to hang out with her boyfriend. That's all she wanted. She'll understand that we need to get home."

"I'm really fine for now. I want to enjoy our night out. We've both been so busy, we hardly ever get a chance to have fun."

The two sat in silence, not wanting to have to compete with the sound system to communicate. They were keeping an eye on Pru and Hanna's antics on the dance floor. Paige leaned over to comment on Sean and Caleb's dancing strategy – basically, they were leaning back and letting their girlfriends have their fun – when she noticed that Emily had slumped her head in her arms."

"Do you need to get some air?"

"I'm fine, really. Just – can you find me an aspirin?"

"Of course! Sit here. I'll be right back." Paige put out a hand to cup Emily's cheek. "Holy shit, Em! You're burning up!"

"Yeah. You're right. I guess I do need to get some air!"

"No! You're sick! I'm taking you home!"

"I'm not sick. I'm not going to ruin our night out!"

"Damn it, Emily! Don't be so stubborn! I'm taking you home, and I'm going to put you in bed. No arguments!"

Emily felt as though the softball team had been using her head for batting practice. She was in no position to argue.

"Just let me go tell Pru and Hanna what's going on. You wait right here."

There was something about this "take charge" Paige that Emily liked. Why did she have to show up on the night that Emily felt like roadkill?

Emily stumbled into the living room hugging herself tightly. Her face was hidden behind a curtain of hair as she collapsed on the sofa.

"Paige," she said in a weak, gravelly voice, "why did you let me sleep so late?"

Paige looked up from the paper that she was typing into her laptop. "Jesus, Emily! You look horrible!"

"Thanks. I love you, too," Emily croaked

"Go back to bed! What are you even doing out of bed? Did you take that Tylenol I left on the bedside table?" Paige got up and found a throw-blanket to cover Emily.

"It's almost noon! I can't believe you let me sleep all day!" Emily countered weakly, rebelliously tossing the throw aside.

"Because you're sick! You were coughing and wheezing all night, and you look as though your head weighs about two tons right now."

"I feel fine," Emily groaned. "I'm Emily Fields! I don't get sick! I had perfect attendance all through high school!"

"Well, I don't know what the hell you call this, but, in English, we call it 'sick!'"

"I'm fine! Just a slight headache. I just need those Tylenol to kick in!"

"Oh, really? Then let me see you take a deep breath."

Paige inhaled deeply only to launch into a prolonged coughing fit.

"Oh, Paige! I can't be sick!"

"Why not? What do you have to do today?"

"Nothing! I just – I don't get sick! It's mind over matter. I can overcome it."

"Emily. Just admit it: You're sick. But don't worry. Your girlfriend is here to take care of you. You lie here while I run you a nice, hot bath. With those lavender bath salts. Then, I'll scrub your back and you can fall asleep till the water starts to get cold, and I'll dry you off and wrap you up in that big, comfy robe of mine that you're always 'borrowing,' and I'll tuck you into bed."

"You're going to take care of me?" Emily smiled.

"Yes, Sweetie. I'm going to take care of you."

"I'm sick."

"Yes, you are," Paige agreed, pressing a kiss to Emily's forehead as she pulled the throw back over her. "Now, just wait here while I get the bath ready."

Emily smiled. "You're the sweetest, most caring girlfriend ever."

"I know. I know." Paige was trying not to be patronizing. "Just try to get some rest."

"Paige?"

"Yes, Sweetie?"

"Do you think you could make me some tea?"

"Of course, I'll make you some tea. I'll make that God-awful herbal tea that you love so much. I'll make you anything you need. I'm going to take care of you." Paige bent down and kissed her girlfriend.

"No! Don't kiss me! I don't want you to get sick!"

"I'll take my chances..."

"No, Paige! You can't get sick! You promised that you'd take care of me!"

When Paige returned with the tea, Emily pulled her down to sit on the couch with her.

"I'm just going to go get the bath started," Paige told her. "I'll be right back."

"No," Emily insisted, wrapping her arms around Paige. "Just stay with me for a while!"

"Okay."

"So, how did Pru make out last night? I feel so bad for bailing on them."

"She was fine. They didn't end up staying too long after we left. She called me this morning to see how you were. She feels bad, as if it's her fault that you got sick."

"Yes. I blame her!" Emily shifted on the sofa, making room for Paige to lie next to her. "This is nice," she said.

"What? Being sick?"

"You. Me. Cuddling in the afternoon."

"Mmmm." Emily cuddled her tighter. It wasn't long before Paige felt her breathing even out and heard a light snoring in her ear. Yeah, this is nice, Paige thought, before she drifted off to sleep alongside her.