The Challenge: Build a story around the following theme or line... He used his fingertips to softly stroke the contours of his true love's face, taking care not to wake her...

 

Nathan Bridger had a feeling of unease, which didn't make sense considering he was safely at home, crashed out in front of the video and relaxing after a tedious round of funding meetings for the new seaQuest. Each had been accompanied by food and coffee until he was stuffed full, leaving him convinced that he would never need to eat again. ~ If they were only as free with their money when it came to the new submarine. ~ He glanced over to the desk where Kristin sat preparing a report for an important meeting of her own. ~ Well, he hoped she'd have better luck than he'd had. ~

He began to feel uncomfortable and fidgeted around but couldn't settle. A headache beginning to form... ~ Maybe it was because it was so hot in here? ~

"Kris, I'm going to get a cold drink, do you want one?"

"No thanks, I'm fine."

"Okay."

He returned a few minutes later, but after taking a couple of sips his stomach started to protest, so he put the bottle down on the floor. As he sat up a wave of dizziness washed over him. He took a couple of deep breaths and waited for it to pass, thinking that he'd just got up too quickly. Deciding that some fresh air was in order Bridger stood cautiously and made his way across the room to the French doors, pausing to run his hand over Kristin's bare arm.

"Nathan?"

"I'm just going outside for a while."

"Well, I'm almost done here so I'll join you in a minute." She had been so absorbed in her work that she hadn't noticed how pale he was.

Nathan moved somewhat unsteadily over to the porch swing making a grab for it as his stomach cramped violently, doubling him over. Again he took deep breaths to regain his equilibrium. "Kristin." His voice was a whisper and he knew that she wouldn't have heard him, but he also knew that he needed help.

As he tried to return to the living room his insides spasmed again, more viciously this time. Reaching out for something to support himself his hand collided with a vase on the side table and it crashed to the ground.

"Nathan, are you alright?"

"Kris, please..."

Kristin flew out of the house and was at his side in seconds. "Nathan, what is it? What's wrong?" She supported his weight until she got him to the nearest seat.

"Pain... Stomach... Sick..." He managed to hiss out. "Christ, it hurts."

"Appendix?"

"No, been removed."

"Any other symptoms?" She had her hand on his wrist, checking his pulse.

"Headache, dizziness, warm... Oh God!" He doubled over again.

"I'm just going to get my medical bag, I'll be back in a moment." Nathan clutched her hand tightly. "I'll be back."

Once inside Kristin headed straight for the vid-phone, she had a fair idea of what was wrong but she needed to be sure. A call to NCQ General confirmed her suspicions. She went to the bedroom to pick up her bag and then returned to the living area.

"Kristin, please." Nathan's agonised cry reached her from the veranda.

"I'm coming, just hold on my love."

She quickly moved to the kitchen, filled a glass with warm water and added some salt before grabbing the washing up bowl and running back outside.

Nathan was laying back in the chair with his eyes closed, his hands clenching into fists before relaxing again, perspiration beading his forehead.

"God, it hurts Baby... It hurts so much..."

"I know, I know." She gently smoothed back his hair. "I need you to drink this for me."

"What is it?" He asked suspiciously.

"Salt water."

"But that will..."

"Make you sick." She finished for him.

Nathan seemed about to protest, but after another bout of agony engulfed him he took it from her. "Kris?"

"You have food poisoning."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I'm a doctor remember? I checked with NCQ General and several other people who were at the last meeting with you have been admitted."

"Oh great! Damn..." He clutched his stomach again.

"Drink."

He took a couple of sips and grimaced. Kristin held his hand tightly - he suddenly looked like a frightened little boy. "It's going to be okay." She reassured him. "Just do as I tell you... Now, I want you to drink it all down as quickly as possible."

His gaze locked with hers for a moment and then he did as he was asked. The effect was almost immediate... Nathan groaned, clutched his middle and leant forward to put his head over the bowl that Kristin had placed on his lap, retching uncontrollably. Every time he thought it was over, his stomach churned again and he threw up until he was completely exhausted.

"Done?"

"God, I hope so."

She handed him a tissue and then stroked his back to soothe him. "Okay, you just lie back and rest, I'm going to get rid of this." She indicated the bowl. "And get you some fresh water so that you can rinse your mouth."

"Uh-huh."

She'd only been gone for a few minutes when she heard him call out for her. Putting down the glass she hurried back to him. "Nathan?"

"Cold..." He shivered. "So cold..."

"I need to get you into bed."

Despite the fact that he felt terrible he managed a small smile. "Would you believe I have a headache? I dare you to say that again when I'm feeling better."

Kristin shook her head in disbelief. "Can you stand?"

"I can try." He got shakily to his feet and then bent double. "Geez, this is no fun."

"I know, just take it slowly."

It took them almost ten minutes to get to the bedroom.

"I'm sorry, Kristin."

"For what? You didn't do it on purpose, did you?"

"Hell, no."

"Well then."

He gasped again and clutched her shoulder. "I need to use the bathroom."

"I thought you might." Kristin smiled softly. "Call me when you're done."

Kristin headed back into the kitchen to fetch the drink she'd promised him, then searched through her medical bag and produced a couple of vials and a heating pad. When she returned to the bedroom Nathan was leaning back against the bathroom door and holding onto the frame for support.

"I thought I told you to call me." She scolded.

"Believe me, you wouldn't want to go in there."

"I'm sure I've dealt with worse."

"Don't bet on it. God, I feel awful."

"I know my love but it'll pass." She knew that she would need to keep a close eye on him for the next forty-eight hours at least, in case she needed to get him to hospital. She also knew that he hated even the thought of being in one and so she decided to do everything she could first.

When he was finally sitting on the edge of the bed she handed him the glass. "Not more salt water." He whined.

"Not this time. It's just water with a vitamin supplement, that's all."

"Okay." He sipped it tentatively.

"Come on you big baby, drink it down."

Discovering that it wasn't as bad as he'd feared he emptied the glass and then inhaled deeply as his stomach churned once more.

"Alright?" She took the glass and stroked his hand reassuringly.

"Cold again."

"Okay." She eased him backwards until he was lying down and then lifted his legs onto the mattress before handing him the heating pad. "You'll need this."

"I was hoping that you'd keep me warm." He said plaintively.

"I will, but you'll need this to help with the stomach cramps."

As if it had heard her, his gut clenched painfully. When he could he asked, "How long?"

"A couple of days."

"Kris, can't you do something?"

"I could get you into hospital."

"No! No hospital, please Baby." He had the frightened child look again.

"Okay, okay. Do you have any allergies to antibiotics?"

"No, only to hospitals."

Kristin shook her head, "You can command a submarine, face down almost any danger and yet you're scared of hospitals. Care to tell me why?"

She noticed that he evaded the question. "Why do you think I fell in love with a doctor?" He gasped out the end of the question and brought his knees up to his chest.

"Bad?"

"Mmm hmm..." He moaned, biting his bottom lip.

Kristin gently rubbed his back until it passed. "Close your eyes and try to sleep."

"If you'll hold me... please..."

Tears sprang to her eyes, "Of course." She pulled his head to her shoulder and put her arms around him.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Rest now."

Three nights and days of hell – that's all he could remember clearly. It had been one long nightmare of pain, chills and sweats, throwing up and running to the bathroom. At one point he'd been so exhausted that Kristin had had to come in and get him; he hadn't even got the strength to put one foot in front of the other.

Most of the details were a blur. He was vaguely aware of night and day but not the actual time. There was however one thing he did remember... No matter how bad things got, how much help he needed or how much he complained, Kristin was always there for him with a smile or words of encouragement, or just holding him when he needed it.

He recalled waking up suddenly, knowing that he was going to be sick but not having the strength to get up or even find the bowl. In panic he'd sat up too quickly and the resulting dizziness was too much for him - he'd been ill over the bedcovers. He'd dared not move in case he made things worse so he'd reached over and woken her, apologising profusely; hot tears running down his face, partially from embarrassment but mainly from shock.

Kristin had just slid from the bed, carefully gathered up the sheets and taken them to the laundry. Returning almost immediately to help him stand and take him to the bathroom, cleaning him up and pouring some mouthwash for him to rinse with while she dried his tears, which didn't seem to want to stop. When she was sure he was all right she fetched some clean pyjamas and settled him in the bedroom chair, holding tightly for a few minutes to comfort him before covering him with a blanket and remaking the bed.

As soon as he was settled again she turned away and he grabbed her hand and held on with all his might. "I'm sorry, Baby."

"It's okay, no harm done. Lie quietly and I'll be back in a moment."

"Where are you going?"

"I need to get the covers washed. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Okay."

He remembered looking at the clock – 4:00am. ~ God, she must be exhausted. ~

Kristin stuck her head in through the doorway. "Do you need anything?"

He just groaned in response.

"Nathan?"

"Arsenic?"

"Sorry."

"Stomach hurts... head hurts..."

"Be right back."

She knew that she couldn't knock him out because the illness needed to take its course but there was no reason why she couldn't give him something to take the edge off so he could sleep. When she returned he was doubled up and the perspiration on his brow told her that his temperature had climbed again.

"Nathan, can you hear me?"

He groaned even louder.

"Nathan?"

He could her the worry in her voice and was desperate to reassure her, but in the end he just whispered. "Yes."

"I'm going to give you a shot. It won't knock you out but it should ease the pain a little, alright?"

When he just nodded Kristin knew how bad it must be for him – he hated injections almost as much as hospitals.

"Here we go."

He felt the prick of the needle and then heard Kristin's voice talking soothingly as she stroked his hair. After a few minutes she said. "I want you to straighten your legs for me."

"Hurts."

"I know, but you need to stretch your muscles to release some of the tension."

He was in agony but if Kristin wanted him to do it, he'd do it. Slowly he began to uncoil until he was lying on his back, feet at the bottom of the bed.

"Better?" Kristin asked solicitously.

"Mmm... a little."

"Good." She kissed his forehead gently. "Can you sleep now?"

"If you will too."

She smiled at his concern, sliding gently into the bed beside him and taking him in her arms again.

"Thank you, Kris."

"Sleep."

This time when he had awoken something was different... Although his stomach still felt uncomfortable there were no spasms and the pounding in his head had subsided to a dull ache. He wasn't too hot or too cold – he just was.

Looking around the room he could see the first light of dawn filtering through the curtains. There was a movement at his side and he turned to look at the woman lying asleep beside him. Reaching over *he used his fingertips to softly stroke the contours of his true love's face, taking care not to wake her.* After all the time she had spent looking after him she had to be as tired as he felt. He knew that when she woke and he thanked her properly, she'd dismiss it as 'just doing her job' but this was far more than that to him.

"Nathan?"

"I'm alright, Baby. Go back to sleep."

This time he took her into his arms and held her close. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, Kristin... but whatever it was I'd gladly do it again." He leaned down to kiss her forehead softly, hearing her sigh in contentment as she snuggled closer to him, already sound asleep.