Here are the responses to the June 2, 2003 Challenge.
One of the guys (or more if you like) is sick and one or more of the others are taking care of him, but not Nathan (too easy)
"Ah-choo!" Chris cursed as his sneezing caused his tea to spill.
"Agh-choo!" Buck's sneezing was no less violent than Chris's.
Ezra shook his head at the three shivering, sneezing, miserable men collapsed in his living room. All three ill with the flu... it wasn't going to be fun baby-sitting them until they were well. But Nathan and Josiah were away, so it was up to him.
"A-ro! A-ro! A-a-a-ro!"
"JD, can't you even sneeze like a normal person?" Buck grumbled, voice already distorted from coughing.
"A-ru-ro!" JD sneezed in response.
Ezra sighed; it was going to be a long night...
Universe: ATF AU
Vin eyed his team mate suspiciously. The cajoling to get him to visit the dentist was reaching new heights. There had been threats and promises made.
"Mr Tanner, I would be willing to assist you to that Borgian establishment and get you settled afterward if you are going to go in the next ten minutes." Ezra announced suddenly.
Vin didn't look convinced, so Ezra quickly threw in the added bonus of being able to drive the Jag after he recovered. Vin agreed and they were pulling out of the parking lot, floors below when Chris started yelling about expense reports.
Buck was whistling as he walked the deck, until he saw the 'fancy' passenger lurching toward him.
"Mr Wilmington, the only reason I am on this god-forsaken monstrosity is to close the Travis deal once and for all. I have suffered silently through atrocious accomodations and fare, a gravity defying idea of waves and nausea to make a gormand swear off food, I refuse to listen to that whistling any longer!"
The pronouncement would have had more weight had he not promptly vomitted over the side.
Universe: Little Britches
Vin and JD watched as Chris walked to the old cabin. They had been told that Nathan was sick, but no one said what or why. It had been days, Chris and Buck burned rags downwind and washed and changed before coming inside the big house.
"I hope he's alright" JD whispered.
"I do as well, young one" said Josiah, "If anything can help the prayers and belief of two such as you young men will."
As he went to sleep, Vin thought he heard someone say that something was broken. If anyone could fix it, these men could.
Okay, I tried, really I did. But one wouldn't do it and the first one left a lot of questions. So... I can't do it all in just one, so lets just say this is four 100 word parts that put together tell a more complete tale. Or at least a partial tale. You get to fill in the blanks. So shoot me!
Things had been going so well. They had enjoyed a really good time in that last town. A REALLY good time with some fine looking ladies.
But a run in with a couple of stupid thieves on the trail and now this.
Wiping down his friend's fevered brow his worry grew. Just the two of them stuck out in this rundown shack. He had done what he could for the bullet wound, but the fever was winning. If it didnít come down soon...
Staring down at the too pale face he sighed.
Chris was going to be mad, very mad.
Beyond tired after two days of caring for his friend's wound and fighting the resulting fever, he could barely move. The fever had finally broken and the wounded man now lay in a healing sleep. Something he himself was in need of, but not yet. Not until help arrived and he didn't doubt that it would. They were overdue by a day now. The others would come. But then he would have to confess. This was his fault.
"Shoulda been paying better attention instead of thinkin' 'bout that saloon girl." A tired sigh escaped. "Shit, Chris is gonna kill me."
"Sorry."
"Just rest."
"Gotta take care of..."
"Shhhh, you just need to lay still."
"But, he got shot. Gotta take care of... My fault... Not paying attention."
"He's doing just fine. You did a real good job looking after him. Now let..."
"No, gotta take care of him..."
"Damnit, Vin. Lay still now. Buck's doing better you dang fool. Didn't you even realize you'd been shot too?"
"Gotta take care of Buck. Chris is gonna kill me."
Chris sighed as he raised the cloth to the tracker's fevered brow. This conversation was getting old, especially on the sixth time around.
Buck was just about to wipe Vin's brow when the sky blue eyes met his.
"Hey there, pard. How ya feelin'?"
"Buck?"
"Hey, that's an improvement, leastways ya know me this time." The worry in the ladies' man's voice was evident.
"Yer shot. Ya okay?"
"Believe that's my line, pard." Only the day before Buck had awakened to find Chris tending both him and Vin. He had been shocked to learn that Vin had tended him for days while sporting a bullet wound of his own.
Thanks for taking care of me, Vin. My turn to look after you now."
Universe: ATF AU
Disclaimer: Not mine etc, etc.
"Come on Ez eat some."
"Mr Wilmington I'm not a child, I do not need you to hand feed me and I am not eating that... that... what ever it is."
"It'll feel good."
"My throat feels like it's lined with broken glass, nothing feels good."
"Ez kids have been eating Jell-O and ice cream after having their tonsils out for years, they can't all be wrong — try it."
"Its green!"
"'S always green in hospital, it's tradition. Open up here comes the aeroplane."
"Mr Wilmin... urgggg!"... "Oh my, that just slips on down doesn't it? Is there some more perchance?"
The End
Universe: Little Britches ATF AU
Disclaimer: Not mine etc, etc.
"I want BUCK!"
"I know you do, he's coming, just try to stop crying Master Dunne, please."
"My h...h...hand h...h...h...hurts I wan' my BUCK!"
JD's bicycle lay on the sidewalk beside them, as Ezra wrapped his arms around the wailing child and held him close, rocking gently. As they waited for the ambulance, Standish tried not to move the boy's deformed and clearly fractured wrist.
"Just take deep breaths JD. That's it, in and out, slowly, well done, you are being very brave."
"W...will you stay w...w...ith me in the hossipal Uncle Ezra?"
"Of course I will, never doubt it."
The End
Universe: ATF AU
Disclaimer: They never were and never will be mine.
Thanks to Katy, who I hope doesn't mind that I took her idea and twisted it a bit. Poor Ezra.
He was going to die, that was all there was to it.
His head was pounding, keeping three quarter time with the painful throbbing in the rest of his body. His mouth felt like it had been robbed of all moisture and his stomach was rebelling about every five minutes, making it difficult to lift his head from the rim of the toilet. He wasn't going to think about when the last time said toilet was cleaned.
"Hell, Ez. Ainít you never had Jell-O shots in those fancy colleges you attended? You ain't supposed eat them like candy. No wonder youíre hung-over."
Universe: Little Britches ATF
Busy, busy day here, so I'm going to be sending mine out bit by bit. You know me — I always write too many and at least one for each of the boys (sigh). Sorry about the number of posts I'll probably use... Maybe I should just wait until tonight and post them then, but then, I need a short break here at work... Anyway, chat over...
Nathan sneezed again. JD handed him a new tissue. Vin reached over and placed his small hand on the sick man¹s forehead. "You feel hot," stated Vin. "When did you last have Tylenol?"
Nathan smiled. He had volunteered to watch the boys this weekend, not planning on the cold. He had to admit his amazement at the competency of the two boys when it came to caring for him. They made soup in the microwave, tea, took his temperature and supplied fever medicine. Sighing and rolling his eyes in a fair approximation of Vin, he said, "'S not time yet."
Universe: ATF AU
Chris glared at his team, daring any of them to say "Bless you" or any other such foolishness. He wasn't sick. He had stated that very clearly at their morning meeting — but that had been before his voice gave out. None of his men flinched, focused on their work.
Throughout the day, Tylenol, chicken soup, hot tea with lemon and honey, a new box of tissues and cough drops had appeared on his desk. He knew Buck had talked the secretaries into redirecting his calls. So he sat in his office — miserable. It was nice to have people who cared.
Universe: ATF AU
Buck languished on the couch of his condo. JD was out of town, leaving him alone with the flu. He had assured Nathan he was fine on Friday, but now he was miserable. He remembered joking about having one of his many ladies nurse him, but there wasn't anyone to call.
Releasing a sigh, his ears perked up as the front door opened. "JD?" he croaked, his throat too sore to provide anything more.
"I resent that, Mr. Willmington," defended Ezra. Buck looked puzzled. "I have come to tend your needs," he supplied, setting down a bowl of chicken soup.
Universe: Little Britches Star Trek AU
"Hey, there," Chris said quietly, sitting on the side of the bed. He wished there were more he could do, but there was no cure for this Vulcan version of the common cold. "Can I get you anything."
"No," came the muffled reply, followed by a series of harsh coughs. Though he tried to control his emotions, Vin couldn't stop tears from coming.
Picking up the boy who had become his son, Captain Larabee settled the boy in his lap and began rocking him gently.
Universe: Runaways AU
JD lay back against the pillow, exhausted after the latest bout of coughs. He caught this cold along with some outlaws.
Opening his eyes, JD saw the small form of his ward in the doorway, motioning Buck into the room, he pulled the boy up to sit on his lap.
"You¹re sick," Buck observed.
"Yep," JD replied, his voice hoarse.
"Want me to sing to you? Mama always singed to me," the boy offered.
JD smiled down at the boy. "That would be great," he replied, marveling at how much better he felt just having the boy near.
Universe: ATF AU
Josiah sat at his desk in misery, a sinus infection shouldn't hurt this much. Releasing a sigh, he closed his eyes and rubbed his aching face. He started suddenly when he heard something being placed on his desk. Looking up, he saw Vin had placed a bowl of steaming water on his desk and held a towel in his arm.
Sheepishly he explained, "When I's little and all stuffed up, Mama used ta make me breathe steam. Always cleared me up. Thought it might help."
Josiah smiled at the young man his thanks written in his blue eyes.
Universe: Luck of the Draw AU
Ezra cracked a bloodshot eye open amazed his brothers were arguing over how hot his soup should be.
These men were his brothers by blood. He was thankful, however, that they had first been his brothers by choice.
Releasing a loud sneeze, Ezra witnessed two heads turn toward him.
"Are ya OK, Ez?" Vin asked, concerned.
"Yes, Vin," he assured.
"Do you need anything?" JD inquired. "Soup should be ready in a minute."
Ezra smiled, he had everything he needed in the two men standing in his kitchen. "No, I'm quite alright," he said, a smile appearing on his face.
"Pa paaaaaaaa, papaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?" A small voice could be heard yelling in the middle of the night.
"Help, helpppppppppppppp..."
Buck waking from a dream filled with beautiful women fell out of bed.
"JD? JD, son what¹s wrong son?"
"No don't...² The child screamed.
"Don't, don't ... what? Wake up JD. Your dreaming, son."
Hazel eyes slowly opened and looked into the blue eyes of his papa... tears fell. Buck placed a hand on his son¹s head and felt the heat.
"I's sick. Papa I missed the tolit. I's sorry." With that he went to sleep.
Universe: Little Britches Vengeance AU
The two men stood, arms akimbo, as the two boys trudged toward them. Both of their heads were down as they approached.
"Where have you boys been? Didn't you hear us calling?" the blond man asked harshly.
The men got a good look at the children as their heads came up. Both looked ill and the men frowned. Nathan came around the house.
"Daddy let 'em smoke some corn silk."
Smiling, they picked up the boys, shaking their heads. They knew what to look forward to, having tried smoking at young ages.
Buck found out first as JD threw up.
Universe: Old West
Vin heated the tea as Chris shivered under a pile of blankets. Once warm, he poured it into a cup and carried it over to the blond.
"I ain't drinking that horse piss."
"Come on, Cowboy, it'll make you feel better."
Coughing, he turned away from the Texan.
"Chris."
"No." The word was wheezed out, followed by a strangling cough.
Tanner sighed and placed a hand on the man's shoulder and lightly pulled.
Chris shrugged the hand off.
"You want me to go get Nathan?"
A 'hummph' was his response.
"Okay." Tanner stood. "I'll be back. With Mary."
"Dammit. Alright."
Universe: ATF Au
Nathan huddled under the coverlet, wishing Rain home. A little 'TLC' would make this flu easier to handle, but she was away. So, he took some medicine, called in sick, and crawled back into bed.
Knocking pulled him from his sleep. Staggering to the door, he open ed it find Ezra standing there, a sack in hand.
"Ezra?"
"Mr. Jackson," he greeted, striding through the door.
"I don't feel up to company, Ezra."
"Good, I do not feel sociable. Here's your chicken soup and cough drops. Rain said you were out."
Sitting, "I'll be right here should you require anything."
Universe: ATF
Buck listened to the noise of six men downstairs. They had this weekend planned for months. The Winston race. This morning Buck got a killer headache. The team started to move the evening to Chris' place, but Buck insisted they stay.
The noise was kept down to a low roar as the evening progressed.
Buck smiled as he remembered the whispered words as throughout the evening, one man after the other had found an excuse to come up the stairs to check on him, bringing aspirin, warm compresses.
A warm feeling settled over the man as he drifted to sleep.
Universe: Little Britches ATF
Vin curled up around himself, all but hidden from the world by hay. He was glad that JD wasn't home; JD would have told, and then there'd be trouble.
He had thought that the sick feeling was because he was sad he couldn't go with JD, but after chores everything had gotten worse, now it was all Vin could do not to cry.
He was so absorbed in his misery that he didn't hear the soft scuffling of approaching feet.
"Come on, Cowboy," Chris soothed, picking the little boy up, "Let¹s get you inside." Vin relaxed into the strong embrace.
The End
Universe: Old West
Disclaimer: Trilogy, Mirisch, CBS, and Hallmark own them. I do not make any profit at all from the characters.
Ezra squirmed, tossing his head side to side. "Please," he begged, "Oh... please."
Vin's lean brown hand gripped his wrists, clasping the cold flesh, bringing them inside the warm haven of his coat.
Ezra slumped, crumpled into an feverish, shivering heap upon the blanketed mound of hay.
He pulled the cravat away from Ezra's throat, threw it carelessly into a pile of dried horse dung. He kneeled over him, stooping, placing his ear against Ezra's heart, smiled, and nodded, "Go'n' be awright."
Ezra's eyelashes fluttered; Vin spied pain-filled irises. "Swear to me?" Ezra whispered.
Vin chafed the trembling hands. "Promise."
RATING: G
DISCLAIMERS: The characters of The Magnificent Seven belong to CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and The Mirisch Corp. No infringement intended.
NOTES: Thanks to Mog for the ATF universe. This drabble was written for Lady Angel's M7M for 6/2/03: Comforting a sick colleague. Oh, and this isn't beta'd either.
There was a mutinous set to his jaw as he stared at the cup of steaming liquid held in front of him.
"Drink it."
"But..."
"Drink it."
"Look, I'm fine. I don't need..."
"Drink it."
Two pairs of eyes battled for dominance.
"Do I need to get Chris?"
"Fine. Give me the damn cup." A deep swallow was followed by coughing. "What the hell is in this? Old gym socks?"
"It's your recipe, Nate." Vin smiled at his friend, a feeling of satisfaction running through him as the team medic was dosed with a little of his own medicine.
Chris coughed, moaning as it tore at his chest and throat. Two days he'd been lain in bed, the cold wreaking havoc with his senses. He looked at the haggard face of the youngest member of his team and accepted the warm cloth.
"Thanks, Kid, sorry about the jeans," Larabee wheezed.
"That's okay. How're you feeling?"
"Better, thanks to you."
"Didn't do much!"
"You did more than you think," Larabee said as JD pulled the blankets up over him.
"Gonna make some of Mom's chicken soup, Chris."
Larabee smiled tiredly. "Sounds like a plan, JD, your mom would be proud!"