Delayed Onset

Category: Drama/Romance

Pairing: Omelia

Summary: What if Amelia had suffered from side-effects of radiation poisoning? Fortunately Owen's been keeping an eye on her and notices something is wrong. Takes place directly after 'The Distance' S11E14.

Warnings: Spoilers for 'The Distance' S11E14

Disclaimer: Own nadda

Authors Notes: Not going to be a long one, just a couple of chapters but reviews are always very appreciated :)

Amelia fell back against the cubicle wall swallowing the bitter reflux that burned her throat. She should have made the connection sooner but radiation sickness had been the furthest thing on her mind when she'd crashed in the on-call room after Herman's surgery. It had been easy to write off the nausea and fatigue as a result of the eighteen hour plight but when she'd woken up a few hours ago feeling hot and dizzy, with the sudden urge to vomit, unfortunately it had been an obvious diagnosis. Owen had warned her about the dangers and even though she didn't regret taking her gloves off she suddenly had a greater appreciation for his concern.

She felt like hell. Her entire body ached and moving was damn near impossible. She was lucky she'd made it to the toilets in time and she sucked in a deep breath trying to calm the sickly feeling in her stomach. Pulling herself together wasn't an option, not yet. She needed to ride out the worst of it before she even contemplated moving again.

The door pushed open with an an irritating squeak and she dropped her gaze beneath the stalls, watching decidedly unfeminine feet pad across the tiled floor. Part of her was grateful, mainly because she wasn't about to scare the crap out of some poor intern... but when Owen's face appeared above her she flinched, mentally preparing herself for the 'I told you so' lecture she suspected was coming. "Don't... say it."

"Amelia," he dropped to his knees fighting not to let his concern spill into anger as he stretched his hand across her forehead. Even though he'd been afraid something like this might happen now wasn't the time to be calling out her choices. She was too hot, sporting a high fever and he pushed the damp hair back from her face with a sigh.

He'd been keeping a subtle eye on her for the past few hours, periodically ducking his head into the on-call room because he knew it wouldn't be long before she was up again and meticulously going over Herman's surgery. He'd wanted to make sure she actually got some proper rest but when he'd spied her making a made dash across the hall to the bathroom a gnawing sense of concern had taken hold. Now he knew he wasn't just being paranoid.

"You're burning up. How long have you-" he stopped, withdrawing his hand as she shot forward to the bowl.

Even though all she could manage was repeated dry heaving he kept her hair pulled back, rubbing small circles over her back in the hope it would comfort her. He hated to see her in pain, especially because it was the result of saving another persons life. She didn't deserve to be ill and he kept his fingers nested under her chin as she slumped back against the wall. Her pulse was beating rapidly, stirring up his concern and he quickly came to terms with the severity of her situation. "We need to get you admitted. It was only mild exposure but you need fluids, protein and anti-nausea medicine otherwise you could catch an infection."

She wanted to reassure him that she was fine, that it was probably just exhaustion playing on the radiation sickness but the effort to tell him died on her lips. She was too tired, her throat felt like sandpaper and all her fight was directed at keeping her eyes open.

He watched her gaze start to drift and shook her shoulder gently, "Amelia, hey... do you think you can stand up?"

She nodded, wanting to show him she could do it but her coordination derailed her stubbornness. She was a mess of tangled limbs and when his arm slipped around her waist, an indignant noise escaped her mouth as he hoisted her up. Despite a wave of embarrassment her hands stayed on his chest as she waited for the cubicle to stop spinning. She was okay, she just needed to her her bearings back. "I'm fine... I've got this."

He was surprised when she prised herself away and he held his breath as she took a few shaky steps. He knew she was fiercely independent but that didn't make watching her any easier and when she stumbled, catching herself against the sink he was behind her immediately. "Come on," he lifted his hand to the small of her back, urging her to take it easy, "let me help you."

She nodded, accepting that she didn't have much of a choice. Her legs had started shaking from the pressure of standing and she was sure they would have given out had he not reacted by lifting her up into his arms. The movement caught her off guard but didn't protest. She didn't have the energy. Instead she let him carry her out, closing her eyes as the loud buzz of the hospital filtered through her senses.

"I need some help here!" Owen spotted the nearest gurney and rushed towards it, perturbed by the heat radiating in his arms. Warren was already closing in on them and he laid Amelia down on the thin mattress, attempting to field the questions Ben was starting to fire at him.

"Radiation poisoning. She was exposed for too long, we need to start countering the effects-" he kicked up the break on the gurney and started wheeling it, nodding appreciatively as two nurses joined the expanding group, "we'll start her on an anti-nausea drip and we need to get her fever down. I also want someone to page Doctor Grey, make sure she isn't feeling any ill effects." He knew it was a long shot but it was better to be safe than sorry and if nothing else she would want to know about her sister-in-laws turn.

He held his breath letting his gaze wash over her pale features. She was in the best place with the best possible care but his heart still clenched when her fingers reached blindly for his hand. He caught them, not caring who was around to see it. "It's okay... Amelia, you're going to be fine."

The words seemed to settle her and he breathed deeply as they neared a space in Trauma to start working. He'd been there for most of Herman's surgery and his own exhaustion was starting to creep in but he quickly fought it off. He wasn't going to leave her side. Not until she was awake, coherent and feeling well enough to be lectured about scaring him like this.

His feelings for her were growing, evolving into something he couldn't keep denying and after today he didn't want to keep ignoring it.

She was import to him and making that known was well overdue.