Summary: Let's face it, it's no fun feeling sick.
Striker noticed something was wrong the minute he saw Maria clutching her stomach.
"Maria, are you alright?"
The impling shook her head sadly. "My tummy hurts."
Striker immediately came to his daughter's side and placed the back of his hand against her head. Shit, she's burning up!
"C'mon, sweetheart, let's get ya home."
Maria felt her eyes water as she lay in her dad's arm and she shivered at least a couple of times on the ride home. Striker clenched to Bombproof's reins with his free hand and kept his eye on the path until they reached the house.
He had to stop by the ranch to let Joe and Lin know he couldn't come to work until Maria was better. Much to his surprise, they decided to give him a leave of absence for five days; Lin had even given him a basket of fresh rolls just in case Maria needed something to nibble on.
Once they got home, Striker helped Maria get into her nightdress before tucking her into bed.
"Would ya like some water, sugarplum?" She nodded meekly. "Okay, I'll be right back."
A few minutes later, he returned to her room, cup in hand. There were a couple of ice cubes as well just in case.
"Here ya go, baby doll. Now, I'm gonna go make ya somethin' to eat if ya get hungry then come right back and sit with you." The cowboy spoke softly as he stood up. "I'll leave the door open a crack in case ya gotta go to the bathroom. You just get some rest right now, alright?"
"Okay..." Maria murmured sinking into her blankets; she teared up a little.
"Don't be sad, baby girl." Striker gently stroked her cheek. "It's okay to feel sick every once in a while, it happens. But trust me, you'll feel better sooner than ya think. And don't worry, I'm gonna be right here with ya the whole time."
This thankfully got a small smile out of her as she closed her eyes. Striker smiled as well as he quietly stepped out of her room to prepare the food.