★ but I'm going to be okay as long as you're beside me along the way

[complexguy]

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[complexguy]

There's a soft grunt at the back of his throat, lips pressing to her temple. "Can't say I'd be opposed."

[dharmalady]

Eventually, Juliet whispers for him to carry her to bed, not wanting to untangle from him for any reason, not yet.

She ever wants to be without him, really.

[complexguy]

He does carry her to bed, gladly, spooning her as he falls asleep. The next few months seem to pass by so damn fast, and they just settle more and more into their lives here. They're comfortable, and everything just feels good and perfect.

One week, they're hit with a lot of rain again, unexpectedly, and though thankfully James doesn't have to go far out this time around, he does end up coming home soaked to the bone a few nights in a row. It all catches up with him, and on a morning when he's due in early, he simply grunts when the alarm goes off, rolling away from it. He's warm, and it's clear a fever's brewing.

[dharmalady]

Juliet fumbles over his body to slap off the alarm clock before frowning and squinting in his direction.

"James," she murmurs, feeling how hot he is and pressing a hand to his forehead now.

"Baby, open your eyes for me."

[complexguy]

He does so, reluctantly, his eyes a little glassy. "Feel like I got hit by a truck," he grunts again, shutting his eyes quickly.

[dharmalady]

"Think you might have the flu. Oh, baby," she sighs softly. "Don't move."

Which she doesn't think will be a problem. Getting up, she grabs a bowl from the kitchen and fills it with cool water before grabbing a towel to sit and try and cool him down.

"I'm sorry you feel crappy," she murmurs tenderly.

[complexguy]

He hasn't moved at all, finding that he's most comfortable on his back for now. He's stripped down to just his boxers, and that's perfect. "Think I'm dyin', Juliet," he jokes softly, eyes still closed as he lays there.

[dharmalady]

"Don't say that," she chides softly, stroking his forehead tenderly with the cool cloth.

"You'll be okay, I promise. I'll take care of you. I'm gonna go call Horace, okay? I'll be right back," Juliet tells him, wanting to get some water for him as well.

[complexguy]

"Comin' out of retirement for me," he smirks sleepily. Once she leaves, he dozes a little, kicking off all the sheets and blankets. By the time she comes back, though, he's shivering.

[dharmalady]

She'll only ever break her rule for him. He's always been the exception for her. The exception to wanting to leave, to refusing to give her heart away again. James somehow managed to get the best of her, and keep it safe.

"Hey," she soothes. "You have a fever so it'll be a little back and forth baby. Drink some water for me and then I'll keep you warm," she promises, helping him sit up carefully. "Take the Tylenol for me, okay?"

[complexguy]

Once he's sitting up a bit, he does take the Tylenol dutifully and he drains the cup of water completely. By the time he's done with that, he's exhausted again and he tugs the blankets up, resting his head on her shoulder. "Warm me up, baby."

[dharmalady]

Juliet holds him close under the blankets, not concerned yet that he's dangerously hot.

"I'll make you some soup later," she promises.

[complexguy]

He mumbles something, but keeps his eyes closed. Eventually, he starts to doze a little, and he shifts to lay more on her chest. He sleeps for about an hour before a coughing fit wakes him up, and he rolls away from her onto his other side, trying not to bother her.

[dharmalady]

She's too attuned to him, and she wakes up anyway, sitting up and rubbing his back.

"It's okay, baby," she murmurs. "Take slow sips of water."

[complexguy]

He does slowly sip at his water before laying back down. He's still on his side facing away from her, feeling so damn hot again and kicking the blankets off. With just his boxers on, he still feels like a furnace; either the Tylenol hasn't kicked in, or it's just not enough to really tame the fever.

[dharmalady]

Juliet knows that the fever will linger, but she still wants him to feel a little less hot to the touch.

"Let me get you into a cool bath, James. It'll help," she urges.

[complexguy]

"Don't wanna move," he groans a little, shutting his eyes tightly, then coughing again. When he coughs this time, it's so much deeper, and there's a clear wheeze in his lungs as he inhales and exhales.

[dharmalady]

She's worried about the sound of his lungs, but she needs to focus on one thing at a time.

"I know, baby, but I need to get your fever down, okay?" she soothes, stroking his hair. "I'll be right in the bathroom with you."

[complexguy]

He knows she's right, and he manages to eventually get up after a moment, letting her lead him to the bathroom. He hates the cold water, but he knows he needs it, and once he sinks into the tub, it does feel good against his warm skin. He settles his head back, closing his eyes as he sinks into the water.

[dharmalady]

Juliet kneels right by the tub, lightly, tenderly, stroking his hair and then lightly trailing cool water up and over his chest.

"How can you be so sick, but look so good?" she asks rhetorically.

[complexguy]

That pulls a soft chuckle from him, but his eyes stay closed. His head does turn towards her, though. "I know I'm real damn sick 'cause I don't even feel like foolin' around right now."

[dharmalady]

Smiling softly, she presses her lips to his forehead.

"We have plenty of time for that. You just let me take care of you now, okay? I'm a retired doctor."

[complexguy]

He smiles sleepily again, briefly opening his eyes to look at her. "You must love me a lot, comin' outta retirement and all."

[dharmalady]

"I love you more than I've ever loved anyone, James," she says seriously. "I would do anything for you."

[complexguy]

He has to open his eyes for a moment to look at her, reaching out to cradle her cheek. "Goes both ways, sweetheart."