A.N. Here you go, another chapter for you all. And thank you for the kind words, neomoon585! I love your "Gray Hero" story! On with the chapter!

"I'm back!"

Indeed he was back, though it was hard to see his face due to the sheer number of blankets and PJ's he was carrying.

"Do you need help?" asked Smidge, her deep voice sounding more gravelly than usual due to her sore throat.

She made a move to get up and help him.

"Whoa, whoa, WHOA!" Branch immediately dropped the stuff and went over to Smidge.

"You shouldn't even be TRYING to get up, not in your condition!"

The small but powerful troll reluctantly sat back down.

"Branch, we're f...fi...achoo!" sneezed Satin and Chenille in unison.

"Right, and I'm going to Mars next week," quipped the teal troll.

"The point being, you're not fine. Just look at Poppy!"

He gestured over to the queen, who at the moment was wiping her runny nose on her hand and shivering so hard her teeth chattered.

The Fashion Twins looked down in shame.

"Um...B-b-branch?" asked Poppy.

"Blankets, p-please..."

Branch face-palmed again, and rushed over to the pile he dropped.

Soon, everyone's shivers had lessened a bit due to the warm pajamas and blankets.

"Thanks Branch," said the Snack Pack in broken unison.

"No problem. Now, to accurately give a diagnosis, I'm going to have to take your temperature," explained the survivalist.

The friends groaned, since they, being trolls, found it ESPECIALLY hard to keep from talking when the cold glassy items were in their mouths.

"I'll have none of that," scolded Branch.

"I need to know how high your fevers are. Wait here, and NO GETTING UP." The teal troll left, and was back quicker than Aspen could skitterboard across a branch with a box full of spare thermometers.

"Why do you have all these?" asked Biggie.

Branch smirked.

"As the village survivalist, I had to be prepared for EVERY worst case scenario. One of which being a fatal illness," he explained.

The Pack nodded.

THAT made sense.

Branch bent down, picked out eight thermometers, and was soon popping them in each ill troll's mouth.

Two agonizing minutes went by, with the teal troll having to remind everyone to refrain from talking NUMEROUS times.

At last, the devices beeped, with Branch taking each one out and reading the temperatures displayed.

He sighed for what may have been the hundredth time this afternoon.

All the readings were between 102.5-103.2, which meant-

"Well, you all have moderate fevers, that much is clear. Now to assess your symptoms. I'll start with you, Poppy. What are you feeling? Sore throat? Headache?" Branch prodded.

The queen affirmed, and explained that she also felt a bit weak, cold, sweaty, and a minor stomachache, not to mention a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing.

Branch took note, and aimed the question, "Same for each of you?" at the rest of the Snack Pack, who all nodded.

The survivalist paced with a thoughtful look on his face.

At last, he stopped.

"Judging by your fevers, and the symptoms...I'd say you all have the flu, which means no parties for at least three to five days."

The Pack groaned.

"Aw, come on!" exclaimed Guy Diamond.

Branch raised a hand asking for silence, which quieted the trolls immediately.

"Hey, do you want to get all the others sick?"

The Snack Pack looked down, having never thought of that.

Poppy soon had a thought.

"Wait, what about my dad? He's probably worried sick by now," she fretted.

"Don't worry, I'll tell Peppy you're ill," Branch assured.

"However, since this downpour is likely to last at least twelve more hours, you all are going to have to stay here to keep from getting worse. And, since I'm not sick and actually have an umbrella," he looked a bit smug at the queen at this part, "I can leave in a few minutes. Anyone need anything before I do?" the survivalist asked.

Turns out they needed some tissues.

After all, they couldn't wipe their noses on their arms forever!

Branch got eight boxes of tissues, and passed them out.

Soon after, he got his umbrella, put his rain-boots on, and went out into the pelting rain.

As soon as the door closed, "How could I have been so reckless...?" thought Poppy out loud.

Suki, who was the closest person in an armchair put a hand on her shoulder.

"Uh, I think you're forgetting something. It wasn't JUST you, it was all of...all of...achoo!" The DJ quickly grabbed a tissue to cover her face and sneezed.

"What Suki's trying to say, sugar," continued Satin, "is that we were ALL reckless."

"Don't beat yourself up over it," added Chenille.

Poppy nodded, feeling slightly better.

"I'll try not to, guys. Thank you."

"No problem," the Pack all said in unison...right before they all had a coughing fit and groaned.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...I'm bored," said Cooper.

A.N. You know the drill: Read, Review, but NO FLAMES!