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

[complexguy]

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[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."

[dharmalady]

"I know," Juliet promises, pressing a kiss to his palm.

She keeps him in the back a few more minutes before helping him out and back into bed.

"How do you feel right now? Hot or cold?"

[complexguy]

His skin is still a little warm, but cooler than it was. "Cold. Warm me up?" He grunts a little, curling into her.

[dharmalady]

She hates that he's sick, but she doesn't hate the cuddling, and she smiles softly, wrapping the comforter around them both.

"I like being your personal furnace."

[complexguy]

"Good at it."

He's still coughing badly, but as she holds him and he warms up a little - without being too warm - he finally feels like he can get some sleep, which is what his body needs. Eventually, he drifts off to sleep, snoring because he's so congested.

[dharmalady]

When he wakes up again, she wants to get him into a steamy bathroom, but for now, this is what he needs.

She'll get him some food, make sure he drinks water, and then hold him as long as he wants.

[complexguy]

When he does wake up again, he actually feels even worse now, but that just means he's more compliant, and he goes to the steamy bathroom easily with her. He barely speaks, just grunts at times until they're back in bed. Once he's managed to eat and drink a little, he just wants to sleep again.

"I feel like shit, Juliet."

[dharmalady]

"I know, baby," she whispers softly, stroking his hair.

"I know, and all I can do is treat your fever. I'm sorry. I know it sucks," she tells him gently, knowing that if his fever hasn't gone down in about another day, she needs to get him to the infirmary.

"I wish I could give you something to make it better."

[complexguy]

"You're makin' it better," he mumbles, his head resting in her lap. His fingers move, stroking across her kneecap tenderly.