I sat and stared at my computer screen just trying to get myself to focus. My eyes were watery and my sinus headache was getting worse. I sniffed for the 900 billionth time and it was even getting on my nerves at this point...That is pretty hard to do.

Nothing was working. I tried all kinds of over the counter drugs and even took my GP and Chemists advice (who does that?). I also risked asking Lester if there was any "super secret cure for the common cold" and when Lester (being Lester) just ignored me, I may have "accidentally" got onto Lester computer and used his top-secret clearance to look for the cure.... but no such luck.

Miserable. I was miserable. I hadn't slept well in days and couldn't concentrate at all. I also knew I looked like I spent a week with a G-Rex sitting on my head.

I was grasping at straws and I knew it. I ran a net search on holistic cures.... none seemed viable.

GOD! Would my eyes just stop watering and being itchy and burning.... *Sniff*

I rubbed his eyes (again) and placed my head on the desk.

I felt more than heard the door open behind me. A hand was placed on my shoulder and gently rubbed. When I finally glanced up it was to see Sarah looking concernedly back. "You alright Connor? Want to head home and I'll finish up the paperwork?"

Smiling gratefully, "Thanks Sarah. I just can't get my head back on right. I feel like rubbish and nothing seems to be working. I guess I just have to let it run its course."

"You know, I might still have a bottle of Nyquil left... I could check of you like."

"Na- what?"

"Nyquil. I got it in Washington D.C. when I was investigating an exhibit. Worked great and I slept like the dead."

"Really?" Well that sounds promising.

"Yeah, I'll swing buy your place tonight with it."

"Sarah, you are a Goddess!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. If you leave now you might catch Quinn and get a ride."

"Thank you!" I yelled as I grabbed my backpack and jogged down the hall.

__

Abby wasn't there when I got in so I began stripping from the moment the front door closed behind me... Maybe a nice shower will help.... an' a cuppa... an' some soup...

After a steamy shower and some soup I sat on the couch with a nice tea, honey and lemon included. No sooner than I get comfortable then there is a knock on the door. My throat hurts so the lesser of the two evils is to actually get up and answer it.

Sarah is there with a brown paper bag. A car is running at the curb (is that Becker?) waiting for her.

"Hey Con, Like the underwear!"

I glanced down to see my Dino boxers... Even though I already have a fever I feel my face heat even more.

"I brought the Nyquil and also found some Dayquil. It'll make you very drowsy so only take it before bed." After glancing over her shoulder at the waiting car she said, "I hope you feel better. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks Sarah." Was that my voice?

"No worries Connor. Fell better." I nod and wait till she gets into the passenger side of the car... as soon as the dome light clicks on I know its Becker. He's got a big grin on his face and I can't help but smile ruefully back. Well at least he got some alone time with her... took him long enough.

I close the door and pick up the clothes that I dropped on my way in because with my headache I really don't need a scolding from Abby. After all of my clothes are in the hamper, I collapse back on the couch and open the little brown bag.

A small box of 'DayQuil' maybe half full and a bottle of what looks to be a noxious green liquid with the label 'NyQuil'. Well aren't they clever.

I take the cap off of the ooze and pour the recommended dose in the measuring cap.

Placing the bottle on the coffee table I tipped back the shot of green goop and swallowed it down. My reaction was instantaneous.

GAH! It tasted like sewage! Ack! I couldn't help but shiver. God I hope that wasn't a prank.

I took the pills, bottle and (now cold) cup of tea to the kitchen. After rinsing the measuring cup I popped it back on the bottle. I reheated my cup in the microwave and resumed my perch in the living room. 'An American Werewolf in London' was just starting and I settled in to be entertained.

By the time David moved in with Alex, I started to feel slightly human.

_____

I heard the door and some movement on the stairs. Abby was home. I turned my head and looked to the stairs waiting to see her blond head peak over the top.

Nothing.

"Abby?" I croaked. God I sounded terrible.

Silence.

After I cleared my throat I tried again. "Need some help?" Still nothing.

Where the hell was Rex? Glancing around I saw him, Sid and Nancy in a 'dog pile' napping. Huh.

Okay maybe it was the TV.

After a few more minutes I started to drift off to sleep when heard it again.

Ooookaaay.

Wait, maybe someone is trying to break in... I grabbed the baseball bat just inside my bedroom door and walked quickly and quietly (mostly) to the stars and leaned over. Nobody there.

I crept down the stairs and peeked through the little window. The light was on but no one was there. I heard a chirp and realized Rex came to investigate what I was doing.

"S'ok boy." *Chirp* "Yeah I know I'm jumpy."

On my way back up the steps (for the third time that night) I thought I saw someone sneak into the bathroom. I walked in and flicked on the light, moved the shower curtain, checked the window.... not a damn thing.

"Please don't let there be ghosts... or predators... I really can't deal with them right now." I mumbled to myself as I walked out of the bathroom.

I noticed the movie was almost over and the depressing part was coming up so I switched to a sit-com.

That was when I could have sworn I saw Abby walk into the kitchen. Getting up, I stumbled a little; I walked to the kitchen and left my mug in the sink. No Abby.

Starting to get a little freaked out. I tried to calm down, taking big breaths, in and out, in and out. Maybe if I focus on something. I picked up the bottle of NyQuil and began to read the back.... Dosage: yadda, yadda, yadda… Do not mix with… Side effects: blah blah... drowsy... blah... hallucinations... blah.

Wait, what? Hallucinations? Great.

Taking inventory I realized I could breath easier and my headache had certainly lessened. But I was really tired and apparently hallucinating. Still... Not too bad a trade off.

As I walked back into the living area I saw Abby sitting serenely on the couch in her blue PJ's with a smile on her face. Shaking my head to clear the image I looked back at the empty couch. Man this stuff was serious.

I lay down on the couch with my head where I'd imagined Abby's lap would be and softly sighed. Well, if I'm going to hallucinate at least this one isn't bad.

Closing my eyes I imagined her stroking my hair.

"That's nice Abs."

"I wish you felt better Connor."

"Mmm. Me too."

"When you feel better... Do you think you'd want to go to dinner with me? I...I mean... out to dinner, like a date?" I opened my eyes and imagined her big blue eyes looking as uncertain as I usually felt.

"Abby I - "

"You know what... I shouldn't even be bothering you right now. I'm sor-"

"Abby, Abby. Yes, I'd love to have dinner with you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, If you like." She smiled and my heart melted a little more.... These were damn fine hallucinations....

"Get some rest Con, you need to get your strength up." She whispered as she ran her fingers through my hair once more.

I drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face.

When I opened my eyes again it was to a smiling Abby leaning over me and stroking the hair off of my forehead. I smiled at my lovely hallucination and said the first thing that came to mind, "Morning, Angel."

When she giggled I realized that I was no longer hallucinating and blushed to the roots of my hair.

Then I sneezed.

Yeah, I'd be taking the DayQuil... and thanking Sarah.