Reiko woke up at two A.M.

She couldn't breathe. She looked over at Senku.

"Damn…" Reiko muttered between gasps. She knew she couldn't wake him. He looked so relaxed, and he was quiet for once. He even had his hair down.

Reiko was still coughing and gasping for air, like a fish out of water. She pulled herself out of bed, leaning on the frame for support.

She walked over to Kuri's. She didn't knock, she just opened the door. "C-Chrome?"

He sat up gradually. "Kuri? What is it?"

"C-Can't…b-breathe…" She leaned against the door.

"Reiko!" Chrome jumped out of bed and grabbed hold of her. Her eyes were drooping. "Come on, Reiko! Breathe!"

She fell against him. She was gasping, choking on air.

"Aaah!" she suddenly cried, keeping her voice down. Her hand was on her stomach. "H-Hurts…Chrome…"

"I'm getting Senku," Chrome said, picking her up and putting her in his bed. "Keep breathing!"

He ran into the next room. Senku was still asleep.

Chrome ran over and shook hime.

"What?" Senku snapped. "What is it, Chrome?"

"I-It's Reiko!" Al said. "Kuri can't breathe, the illness is back! What do we do?"

Senku sat up. "She what?"

He ran in Kuri's room. Reiko was wheezing. Pain was etched on her features. She opened her eyes and saw Senku, and her eyes widened for a second.

"Reiko…" Senku said. "Do you have medicine? Can I call a doctor?"

"I-I woke you up…" she muttered. "S-Sorry…"

"Stop talking!" Senku said worriedly. "When you talk…the gasping gets worse!"

He ran to her side. He didn't know her that well, but he knew she was Ruri, and Chrome loved her. If something happened to her…

Chrome came in the room with Reiko's phone. "Reiko? I'm calling Kuri."

Reiko nodded. "S-Senku…C-Chrome…I'm s-scared…"

Her eyes were wide, she was sweating, and her breaths were short spurts of air.

Senku sat down in the chair next to the bed, grabbing her hand. He couldn't believe what he was doing, but he was scared and was comforting himself as much as her.

"We're all scared, Reiko," Senku replied softly.

Dammit, Reiko…he thought. Breathe!

"Senku!" Chrome said, snapping Senku out of it. "Kuri wants us to take Reiko to the hospital."

"NO!" Reiko choked out. Her eyes were wider than ever. "A-Anywhere but a h-h-h—"

"Reiko…do you want to fucking die?" Senku snapped. "A hospital can give you oxygen! You know that's what you need. Just shut up and let us take care of you!"

Reiko made a choking sound and passed out.

"She's breathing, Senku," Chrome said, listening. "But it's shallow."

"Call 9-1-1," Senku replied, furious with himself.

Why did I yell at her like that? She can't even breathe! She could be dying…and I'm acting like this. What's wrong with me?

He let go of her hand uncertainly. Her face was still screwed up with pain.

"R-Reiko…" he wiped a tear from her face.

Don't die…please don't die. I can't watch you die again. WHY CAN'T I HELP YOU?

Chrome had been rummaging through the first aid stuff, looking for something he could use to help, when he found a breathing device. He ran back in the room. He still hadn't called for the hospital.

He had seen Reiko's face when Senku suggested it, and he just didn't want to cause her more pain.

"Senku, move over, I think I can help Reiko!" Chrome said.

Senku moved away, and Chrome put the device over Reiko's mouth. He had to open her mouth and secure the breathing device.

"What are you doing, Chrome?" Senku asked.

"CPR," Chrome replied. "I read the packaging and this is a more efficient way…just let me try, okay?"

Senku nodded numbly, still looking worried.

Chrome started breathing into the tube, and Reiko's chest rose and fell with the air he blew into it. Soon she caught hold of the rhythm and began breathing on her own.

Chrome removed the device.

Xxx

Kuri ran in and looked over at Senku. "How is she?"

"Passed out," Senku said, having just come from the adjoining house. "She's stabilized. We'll be allowed to see her when she wakes."

"S-Senku…" Kuri said in a shaking voice. "H-How are you so calm?"

"I wasn't…" Senku mumbled, then recovered. "Remember how I told you about Ruri?"

"Y-Yes," replied Kuri.

"She used to have breathing troubles," Senku said. "And once she passed out we knew she would live to see the next day. They were only bad while she was awake."

Kuri exhaled. "So you think it's the same with Reiko? You think she'll be alright?"

Senku tried his best at a smile. "Of course, Kuri. Reiko will be fine."

Xxx

Chrome sat next to Reiko's bed. He was really scared for her.

Her face looked even paler than usual. But the wheezing had subsided.

Chrome was pacing. Every few seconds he would stop, look at Reiko, then start pacing again.

"Chrome, she's going to be okay," Senku said.

"No, Senku, no she's not," Chrome replied. "I should have noticed quicker…"

"Come on, Chrome, you took good care of her," Senku said.

"No, I didn't!" Chrome yelled, banging his fist against the wall. "Don't you see?! It's not enough…" He stopped, because Reiko was grabbing his arm.

Xxx

Reiko woke up to the sound of Chrome going into some kind of hysterics. She grabbed his arm, in some kind of attempt to calm him down.

"What do you want?" he asked, his voice sounding kind of choked. He wouldn't look at her.

"Hey Chrome…" I said softly. "Did I make you mad?"

He flinched. "What? No! Just…"

There was a silence.

"I-I'm sorry," Chrome said finally. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I-I thought you'd be mad," Reiko said.

He finally looked at her, face stricken. "Why the hell would I be mad, Reiko? You could've died!"

I laughed. "Chrome, thanks for the jumpstart. And Don't beat yourself up, Senku. It's just asthma. I think this is just what my lungs needed."

Chrome frowned, but said. "I'm just glad you're okay, Reiko."

Xxx

Senku walked into the waiting room with Kuri. He had insisted that morning that Reiko come in and see a doctor.

"Gah…" Senku groaned. "I hate doctor's offices."

"I thought it was hospitals you hated, Senku," Kuri laughed.

"Any place with doctors and sick people, Kuri," replied Senku.

Kuri frowned at him. "You were there when she had the attack, Senku. You have to be here."

Senku clenched his teeth slightly. This was all because they still hadn't told them Ruri's fate.

Xxx

"Is this really necessary?" Reiko asked, tighting the annoying paper gown she had to wear for the X-Ray of her chest.

"Yes," replied the male technician. It freaked her out, him being a guy. They were alone in a quiet, dark room. He was a pretty well-built guy. She was a weak girl with nothing but paper on. You do the math.

But surprisingly to her pessimistic mind, nothing bad happened. Reiko finished and went back to the room.

She called Kuri. "Hey Kuri. I had an X-Ray done."

"Huh?" she said. "Why?"

"I guess to check for tumors or whatever," Reiko replied. "Don't ask me what runs through their minds. I'll be out soon."

Chrome was half asleep when Reiko came out. He quickly shook himself and stood up.

"You okay, Reiko?" he asked her.

"I-I feel dizzy," she responded.

"I got ya," Chrome said, picking her up and putting her in one of the fold-out wheelchairs.

"Dammit, let me out of this thing!" Reiko yelled.

"Can't do it," Chrome replied, and wheeled her to the car.

They drove back in silence, no one wanting to talk about what had happened or what could have happened.

"Senku, Chrome," Kuri said. "Thank you for taking care of Reiko. I'll take it from—"

"Bite your tongue," Reiko said angrily. "I appreciate it, sis, but Chrome proved that he can handle me fine. And I don't want you babying me. Besides, I hear there's someone else who needs you around." She grinned at Senku.

Uncertainly Senku took her hand, finally ready to accept his new reality.