10. Chapter 10
Chapter inspired by my roommate's last bout with the flu. I actually didn't intend for this chapter to be part of the larger story, but I'm a sucker for caring boyfriends and cute kids.
PS quick question-what is the difference between a 'favorite' and a 'follow'? are they essentially the same thing?
Cheers
Erin couldn't remember the last time she felt this poorly. Her eyes felt heavy and there was a bass drum that rattled her temples every second. She couldn't shake the feeling that if she opened her mouth, her entire stomach would pour out. Her pajamas clung to her sweaty body in moist patches, uncomfortably rubbing against her feverish skin. Erin lay on her bed in agony, intent on riding out this sickness like she had done so many times before.
Jay was about to take his last sip of coffee but was interrupted by coughing and vomit noises from the bedroom. "Squirt, keep watching. I'll be right back." He placed his coffee cup on the table and hurried to find his girl.
Erin was leaning over the bed, again throwing up into the waste basket. She was white as a sheet, hands shaking and entire body shivering. Jay rushed to her side and gathered up her damn hair in one hand, balancing the wastebasket in the other. When she had finished being sick, she looked at him with glazed eyes. "I haven't been sick since before I started working for Hank," she mumbled, putting one hand up to her forehead. Jay starting talking to her, but she couldn't hear him through the drum banging on her head.
"Your immune system must be getting payback," Jay set the basket on the ground and turned back to Erin. He began to ask a few more questions about how she was feeling, but Erin didn't hear him, the constant thudding of the base drum in her head drowning out everything Jay was asking. He rummaged around her nightstand while her conscious ping-ponged between here and now. Her eyes were heavy from crying and it was like the entire room was blanketed in a fog, and Erin couldn't see anything. "Erin," Jay repeated, pressing his cool palm against her cheek. "Erin."
She looked up at him, anticipating a question, while he looked like he was anticipating an answer. "Hi," she mumbled, closing her eyes once again. Her whole body fell forward, but Jay's arms caught her gently. He wiped the sticky hair off her forehead before stroking her fiery cheek.
"I just asked you if you wanted to get back into bed." Jay's hands were still on her shoulders, willing her to not plummet off the bed and onto the hardwood floor. Heat radiated off his girl as she tried to understand what he was asking of her. "Jesus, Erin, you're burning up."
"Shower," she said defiantly, trying to swat his arms away. Jay said something about her not being able to stand. "Bath, then," she insisted, her voice desperate. She sounded close to tears through her haziness and it was enough to make Jay sigh.
"Well, we do need to change the sheets." Jay sighed again. "Alright, let's get you to the tub." Erin felt her body being removed from the warmth of her bed to the cool apartment air on her way to the bathroom.
She heard little footsteps come from the living room against the banging of her own head, and the sounds of a small voice but it was mostly drowned out by the running bath water. "Squirt, can you get some new pajamas from Erin's dresser?" Jay asked the nervous little girl. She was standing awkwardly by the bathroom door, unsure of what to do.
Kate nodded, and headed to Erin's bedroom. "Kate," Erin tightened her grip on Jay's t shirt, "Where is she?"
"She's here, and worried about you," Jay slowly attempted to pull Erin's damp tank top off her body. "I'm going to take your clothes off now, okay?"
Erin shivered as the cool bathroom tiles chilled her bare feet. Kate emerged with a clean set of pajamas and looked worriedly at Erin, now in only her underwear, perched precariously on the closed toilet seat.
"Is she going to be okay?" Kate asked over the roar of the bathtub. Erin was shivering violently, goosebumps appearing down her arms as she folded against her boyfriend.
Jay nodded, tucking some of Erin's damp hair behind her ears. "Just a fever, which means she's fighting whatever it is. Can you pass me the thermometer? It's on the counter." Kate did as she was told, anxiously regarding the ill woman in front of her. Erin moaned in protest through her sleepy haze as the cold metal entered her mouth. "Shh," Jay cooed, stroking his partner's head. When the thermometer beeped, he removed the device and sighed. "103.1."
"Is that bad?" Kate widened her eyes, glancing down at Erin's pale, frail figure. "Miss Carlson said that you get a fever when you have an in-fek-shun."
"It's not great, but the bath will help make Erin feel better," Jay promised, turning the water off. Sometimes he worried that his little girl was too smart for her own good. She was looking at him nervously while he tried to figure out the best course of action for cooling down his girl. "Now, how are we going to do this?" He attempted to place Erin into the tub, but she held a strong grip onto his shirt, even though her stupor.
"I think you have to get in with her. If she goes by herself, she'll get drowned." Kate explained.
"I think you're right." Jay, despite being clad in the athletic shorts that he had worn to bed, set one foot into the lukewarm water before sitting down in the tub. Although the tub wasn't full or very cold, Erin tensed up in his arms. "Hey, hey," he said softly, stroking her hair back into the water. He made sure she didn't hit her head on the tiled wall or tub before accepting the nozzle from Kate.
Carefully, so not to get water into her eyes, Jay rinsed her hair. She moaned in appreciation for the coolness. It wasn't until she felt herself slipping that Erin gasped and was pulled back into reality. "Jay?" she groaned, realizing that her head felt like it was going to explode, "Where are you?"
"Right here." Jay looked down at his feverish girl and handed the shower nozzle to Kate. "Are you okay?"
"Uh-huh," she nodded and rested her head against Jay's chest.
"Do you think she wants to wash her hair?" Jay asked his daughter, who was standing rigidly beside the bathtub.
"I'll get her shampoo." Kate reached into the shower and returned with Erin's favorite shampoo and conditioner. She held them out to her father gingerly.
Jay looked at the bottles and back down to Erin. "Squirt, I think I've got to hold onto her, so can you do it?" He nodded at Kate, who looked frightened. "You won't hurt her."
Gently, Kate poured shampoo into her little palm before working it through her mother's hair. She massaged her head, just like Erin did to her, making sure to create lots of foam to ensure her hair was clean. Kate took the nozzle and ever so carefully wet Erin's hair, covering her eyes with her little hand.
After conditioning her hair, Kate set the nozzle down. "All done. And she didn't even wake up."
Jay smiled. "She's actually awake, just in and out," As if on cue, Erin opened her eyes and looked up at her partner, regarding him with a foggy gaze. "Hey babe," Jay pressed a kiss on her damp forehead, "Feeling any better?"
"I'm cold," she whispered, trying to hold him closer, "I'm so cold."
"Alright, let's get you out and dried off." Carefully, Jay stood and lifted Erin out of the bathtub. He wrapped her in a towel as Kate wound another around Jay's waist and soaking shorts.
He carefully set Erin down on the toilet seat, before quickly toweling himself off. "Squirt, can you do me another huge favor?"
The little girl nodded, wiping her own hands on the small towel by the sink. "Do you think you could stay with Erin for a second? Just while I get some dry clothes on and change the sheets."
Kate looked even more skeptical, but she nodded anyway. "What if she wakes up?"
"It'll be two minutes. Holler if you need me," Jay instructed and quickly went to get dry.
Kate leaned against the tub, tentatively resting her hand on Erin's arm. Suddenly the woman moaned, and Kate jumped. "Hi Erin," Kate whispered, the detective's eyes still closed. "It's just Kate."
Slowly, Erin opened her eyes. "Hi baby," she mumbled, looking around the bathroom, almost in a trance, "Where's Jay?"
"He's getting dry," Kate explained, "He said he would help you change, but I could brush your hair so you don't get snarls?"
Erin managed a weak smile. "You're such a good girl, you know that?"
Kate smiled back. "Do you feel sick?" she asked, pushing the wastebasket over to her. Erin shook her head, but brought her head to rest against her hands quickly.
"Just a little dizzy," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the bathroom fan. Regretting shaking her head, Erin leaned over and vomited into the bathtub.
"Kate?" Jay called, "Is everything okay?"
"I got it," Kate replied, taking the hand towel off of the counter and handing it to Erin so she could wipe her mouth. She gently placed a comforting hand on Erin's shoulder and methodically ran a brush through her hair. "It's okay, Erin," Kate pulled Erin's hair into a low pony tail before placing her palm to her flushed cheek. "Can you hear me?"
"Where did you learn to take such good care of people?" Erin asked in a moment of clarity, taking the little girl's hand in her own.
"Sometimes Mr. P's ladies got sick," Kate murmured, "And one of them taught me how to help." Kate paused, taking in her mother's pale complexion, "And then she got sick and," Kate swallowed, coming to a terrible realization, "she died."
"Oh sweetheart, I'm not going to die," Erin allowed the little girl to lean into her embrace, "I'll be all better soon."
"How's it going in here?" Jay appeared in the doorway.
Erin saw a shadowy figure approach and gently lift her up. "Her words are all fuzzy. And she got sick again," Kate informed her father as he felt Erin's hot head burn through his dry t shirt. He noted that her eyes were wet with tears, but figured he should get Erin into bed before asking why his little girl was upset.
"And you handled it yourself? You did great Squirt. You are just full of surprises this morning," Jay smiled, and headed back to his bedroom, towel-clad Erin in his arms. He had placed clean sheets on the bed, and had cleaned the wastebasket. "I'm going to get Erin changed into some pajamas. Can you blow her a kiss and then go watch another movie?"
Kate nodded but remained in the bedroom. "When is she going to be better?"
"Soon, I hope." Jay rummaged through Erin's dresser and pulled out a pair of pajama shorts, underwear and his t shirt from the Academy. "I know it's tough to see her like this, but she'll be better soon."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, Squirt." Jay sank down to Kate's level and gently rubbed her arm. "It's going to be okay, I promise."
"Can you take her to see Uncle Will?" Kate asked tearfully, "He can make her better."
"I'll call Uncle Will as soon as I tuck Erin into bed," Jay reassured her. "But don't you worry, she's going to be just fine. And you were the biggest help. I am so proud of you." He kissed her forehead, "Can you go watch another episode of Animal Planet while I get Erin situated? I'll be out in a few minutes, sound good?"
"Okay." Kate nodded, blew her mother a kiss and headed back to the living room.
Jay crouched beside the bed, where Erin was slumped against the pillows, weakly holding the towel around her shivering frame. He planted a kiss on Erin's sweltering forehead. "Erin," he whispered, taking the academy t shirt and gently pulling it over her head.
"Mmm?" Erin opened her eyes slightly, and gazed up at her partner with glassy eyes.
"Can I put you into bed now? You've had a bath and…" Jay's voice continued on, but Erin couldn't hear it anymore. He gave her another kiss on the forehead after saying something about her fever, and helped her into her pajamas and under the covers. "You need to get your rest. I know the medicine and liquids didn't sit, so we'll try again in bit, okay?"
She nodded. "Stay with me," she whispered, holding his hand, "Please."
"All right." He climbed into the bed, resting next to his partner. She placed her warm head on his chest and slowly drifted off to sleep.
"Erin." Jay gently woke his sick girlfriend after allowing her to sleep for an hour. "Let's check your temperature and try to get some more fluids and meds in you, okay?"
"I don't want to move," she protested, wrapping an arm around her stomach. If it was possible, she felt worse than before. The cool bath helped her feel less sticky, but the nausea and headache didn't subside.
"I know this sucks," Jay took the thermometer off the table. "But if your temp is going up, I think we have to pay a visit to Will. Open up."
Obediently, she opened her mouth and lifted her tongue. She looked forlorn and frail laying on the bed, hair still damp and cheeks rosy from the fever.
"103.8," Jay said after the thermometer beeped. "Sorry babe, looks like we're going to Med."
"I don't want to move," Erin insisted, tightening her grip on her partner's t shirt, "I'll get sick."
"That's exactly why we're going." Jay stroked her sweaty forehead. "Come on now, you'll feel so much better after some fluids."
"But we know people there," she groaned. In an instant, what little color was left drained from her face and she threw up into the wastebasket. Defeated, she curled up against the pillow, a few tears leaking out of the corners of her eyes.
"I'm sorry Er, I can't let you go on like this," Jay gently helped her sit up and rubbed her back. "Kate's really nervous that you're so sick. I think a trip to Med will make you and her feel so much better."
"Okay," she mumbled, "You win. Low blow using Kate." She shakily set her feet on the ground and tried to stand, fumbling before she even got off the bed.
"Hold on." Jay pulled an olive colored sweatshirt out of the dresser that read 'Army' in huge letters. "It's freezing outside."
After gently placing the sweatshirt over his girl's head, Jay lifted her up. "You're carrying me?" Erin asked, resting her head on his shoulder.
"You're in no condition to walk anywhere." He pushed open the bedroom door. "Hey Squirt," he called out. "Can you get your shoes on? We're going to Med."
"I feel silly," Erin squirmed, "Seriously. If Will sees us or God forbid anyone we work with, they'll never let me live it down."
"Tough," Jay glanced down at his feverish girl and tightened his grip, "You're my patient and what I say, goes."
Kate emerged from her bedroom, dressed for the day. "Erin, are you okay?" She asked, standing as far away from her mother as possible without being in another room. Erin was pale and looked so small in Jay's arms.
"I'm fine Kate," Erin smiled weakly. "Just a little sick."
"Sweetheart, can you grab Erin's bag for me?" Jay asked her gently. He understood how scared she was.
Jay sat beside Erin on the bed in one of the ER bays. Erin was asleep, still gripping Jay's hand as he perched awkwardly on the edge and Kate sat in the chair in the corner, knees drawn up to her chest. "It's going to be okay, Squirt," Jay reassured her, giving the little girl a small smile, "Will's going to help her get better and Erin'll be as good as new in no time at all."
Kate remained skeptical, but nodded her head slowly. "Hi, I'm Doctor Halstead…" Will Halstead entered the room, looking up from the file. "Oh hey man. I'm sorry I missed your call, things have been crazy around here."
"It's fine," Jay said dismissively, "I just wanted your doctorly option on Erin here, she's got a fever of almost 104 and can't keep fluids down." Jay motioned to his sleeping partner.
"It's a good thing you brought her in then," Will pulled his gloves on. "Hey there, Goosey," he said jokingly to his niece, who scrunched up her nose at the nickname her new uncle had taken to calling her.
"I'm not a goose, Uncle Will!" Kate managed a small smile despite the situation, "You're gonna make Erin all better?"
"That's right," Will winked and the little girl relaxed, "Jay, can you?"
"Wake her?" He nodded. "Erin, babe. Wake up, we're at Med."
The feverish young detective rolled her head to one side and half opened her eyes. "Why?" she drawled, swiping a hand over her mouth, "Where's Kate? Is she okay?"
"Kate's fine. She's right here. It's you we're worried about. You were throwing up and you've got a high fever." Jay stood and stroked her hair back, standing beside the bed. "Will's going to fix you right up."
"Will's here?" Erin lifted her head slightly and peered at the red-headed Halstead.
"Nice to see you too, beautiful," Will teased, "Alright, open up for me Lindsay." Will stuck a thermometer in Erin's mouth and waited for it to beep. "104.2," he declared, shooting the plastic covering into the waste bin, "Good thing Jay brought you in." He felt around Erin's neck, "Swollen glands." Will looked at her chapped lips and pale complexion, "And you're dehydrated."
"My stomach hurts and I'm nauseous." Erin gripped her abdomen and squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to stop the room from spinning. Jay widened his eyes at his brother-his girl was not one to complain.
"What kind of pain?" Dr. Halstead asked while the other Halstead continued to stroke Erin's sweaty hair.
"Ugh," Erin moaned, "I-I think I'm going to hurl." With that, Jay sprang into action and quickly thrust a basin underneath his partner's cracked lips just in time for her to heave up the little water and bile she had left in her system. "Mm," she whimpered after she dry heaved again. Exhausted, she leaned back against the pillow and screwed her eyes shut.
"Okay Erin, I'm just going to lift your shirt up so I can take a look at your stomach." Will looked at her for approval. Erin cracked one eye open.
"Careful there, only one Halstead gets to take my top off and it isn't you."
Jay smirked at his brother before placing a kiss on his girl's damp forehead. "Glad to see you're still funny."
Will rolled his eyes and gently lifted Jay's sweatshirt to examine Erin's stomach. "When was the last time you ate?" He pressed lightly on her abdomen before pulling the sweatshirt down again.
"I dunno." Erin's voice seemed to drift away.
Will looked at his brother. "Maybe lunch…yesterday?" Jay guessed. "Works been so crazy, I don't even know if she had dinner last night."
Dr. Halstead nodded. "Well, if your fever decreases in the next hour or so I don't think we'll need to keep you here overnight. I'm going to hook you up to an IV for a bit to rehydrate you and hopefully send you on your way." He turned to his brother, "Get her something to eat when you get home. The acid in her stomach is irritating the lining."
"Thanks man." Jay smiled at the redheaded doctor before turning to Kate, who was still sitting in the plastic chair with her knees drawn up to her chin. "Didn't I tell you that Uncle Will would make Erin all better?"
Kate offered a small smile but glanced nervously at Erin while Will hooked her up to an IV. "She'll be better in no time kiddo," Will reassured her, "And in the meantime, how do you feel about taking a trip to the cafeteria for some ice cream with your Uncle Will?"
The little girl looked excitedly at Jay, who nodded his approval. "Maybe get her some real food too, it's been a busy day."
"No problem man." Will scooped up Kate in his arms. "Onward!" He shouted and she giggled, waving to her parents over Will's shoulder.
Erin cracked open one eye as she felt a cool cloth make contact with her skin. "Mm," she moaned, opening the other eye to see her partner methodically running a damp washcloth over her feverish forehead. She was laying on the couch under one of Kate's blankets, the stuffed tiger in the crook of her arm. "Hi," Erin murmured sleepily, reaching out to touch Jay's arm.
"Hey babe." Jay stopped his gentle ministrations and smiled at his girl, "How are you feeling?"
"Better, I think." Erin replied, turning her head so she could see her partner. Jay was crouched on the floor, washcloth in hand, staring concernedly at her, "Where's Kate?"
Jay ran the washcloth down her neck, "Hank stopped by to check on you. He offered to take Kate for the evening so I could focus on getting you better."
"Mm," Erin moaned again in appreciation as Jay continued to soothingly cool her off with the cloth, "That feels good."
"I bet," Jay mused, "You had us worried there for a bit. Will was reluctant to send you home but I told him if you woke up in the hospital, he may never wake up."
"I forgot we went to Med," Erin replied, recalling the trip they had taken earlier that day, "Oh, god, I totally puked in front of your brother."
"Yeah, but he's a doctor," Jay reminded her, "And he's probably coming over later to check up on you."
Erin closed her eyes and let Jay continue the motions, running the cloth over her stomach, shoulders and down her neck and arms. "Your fever's down last time I checked, but we should check again soon," Jay said, "And we should get some fluids in you too. Maybe even some crackers if you're up for it."
"I could go for some crackers and juice," Erin told him and he nodded, heading for the kitchen. He returned with the food and helped his girl into a sitting position. "Thanks for taking such good care of me," Erin smiled, tugging on his arm so he could sit next to her.
"That's what I'm here for," Jay pressed a kiss on the side of her head, "And I wasn't alone. Kate was a huge help. Even at four years old she knew exactly what to do." He gestured to the fuzzy pink blanket over Erin's lap, "When we brought you back, you didn't want to stay in bed, so Kate covered you up with that blanket and gave you the tiger. It was the sweetest thing."
"I think she told me a story when I was in the bathroom," Erin remembered, "You were changing and cleaning up my puke and I asked her how come she knew how to take care of people, and she said she learned from taking care of ODing prostitutes."
"Mm-hm," Jay lifted the apple juice to Erin's lips, "She told me about it before Hank came. From what I could gather, one of the people taught her how to care for someone who was ODing, and then that person died." Jay shook his head, "Every time she tells me something about her past I can't believe she made it out alive."
"I know," Erin set the drink down and cuddled into her boyfriend's shoulder. She lifted a cracker to her mouth and chewed thoughtfully, "God I'm hungry."
"That is an excellent sign," Jay placed the back of his hand on Erin's forehead. "You definitely feel cooler." He reached for the thermometer and indicated for her to open her mouth. "100.3, still a fever, but you're on the mend," Jay informed his girl, running a hand over her head. "Glad I don't have to worry so much anymore."
Erin smiled up at him, "I love you," she murmured, wrapping one arm around his waist.
"Love you," Jay replied into her hair, kissing her again. They sat cuddled together until a sharp knock at the door drew Jay to his feet. "That's probably Hank or Will."
Jay pulled open the door to reveal Hank, carrying an exhausted Kate in his arms. Her mouth was blue and she clutched a stuffed shark in one hand. She was resting her head on Hank's shoulder, eyelids drooping. "Hey Sarge. Hey Squirt." Jay smiled, "Did you have fun?"
Before Hank could reply, Kate opened her eyes and nodded vigorously, "Sergeant Voight took me see the sharks!" she squealed, "And I saw all kinds of animals, like otters and turtles and seals!"
"Wow," Jay grinned as Hank stepped inside, "The aquarium, huh?"
"I thought a distraction was warranted," Hank said, "How's she doing?" He peered over Jay's shoulder to see Erin sitting up on the couch, sipping from a carton of apple juice.
"Fever's down. Things are looking up," Jay nodded, "Squirt, did Sergeant Voight get Tiger and Giraffe a new friend?"
"Yes!" Kate exclaimed, thrusting the plush shark at Jay, "But it's for Erin now, so she can feel better."
"That's so sweet of you," Jay marveled at his little girl's thoughtfulness. "Do you want to give it to her yourself? She's feeling a whole lot better."
"Yeah!" Kate wiggled so that Hank could set her down and she scampered off to the couch. She slowed to a stop and glanced at Erin. "Hi Erin," she said, carefully approaching the detective, "Jay said you're feeling better."
"There you are!" Erin opened her arms and brought the child into her embrace, "I am feeling so much better, thanks to you." Kate blushed and handed her the shark.
"Sergeant Voight took me to the aquarium! And we saw all the ocean animals and fish. And I thought Mr. Shark would help you feel better," Kate explained, "Because when you found me you said that stuffed animals make you feel better."
"I did say that, didn't I?" Erin touched the little girl's cheek, observing her blue lips, "And did Hank get you ice cream as well?"
"Uh-huh! Blue ice cream with little sharks in it!" Kate hopped onto the couch beside Erin, "I'm so glad Uncle Will made you all better."
"Me too, baby." Erin kissed the top of Kate's head.
"Hey kid," Hank approached the couch and smiled warmly at his almost-daughter, "Feeling better?"
"Much," Erin replied, "Thanks for taking her today."
"Anything for you, kiddo." Hank smiled, "Do me a favor and stay home on Monday. Your partner has to be in court anyway."
"Right," Jay nodded, remembering that he had to testify as a witness from a drug bust a few months back that had finally made it to trial.
"Hank-" Erin protested, but her sergeant held up his hand.
"No arguments. You had a lot of people worried today, so you just focus on getting better. We'll be fine for 24 hours."
"Alright," Erin agreed, accepting the fact that it was not a debate she was going to win. She stifled a yawn and looked at the clock, "It's past ten! How are you still awake?" She looked down at Kate, who was tiredly leaning against her shoulder.
The little girl shrugged. "Probably because both Will and Hank gave her ice cream today," Jay determined, looking up from his phone. "Will's stuck in the ED, but sends his best."
"I better get going. I better not see either of you on Monday." Hank turned to leave but paused, remembering his little friend, "Bye Kate." He waved.
Kate jumped up and raised her arms, indicating that she wanted a hug. Hank scooped her up and held her tightly. "Good night Sergeant Voight," she murmured, "Thank you for taking me to the aquarium."
The gruff sergeant kissed her forehead lightly before passing the little girl off to her father. "Take care of them," Hank said to Jay.
"Always, sir," Jay replied, balancing Kate on his hip. Hank shut the door behind him and Jay looked down at his daughter, "What do we say we get you all cleaned up and ready for bed?"