Time, Love and Illness

Chapter One

Hey Everyone! So this is my FIRST EVER Fanfic! (Please be kind, but criticism is always welcome)

Some of you may recognise me as the reviewer to every single story on here; seriously, I've read and reviewed them all! I'd actually never considered writing one of these before; I just created an account to be able to write reviews for all your amazing stories!

I just wanted to say a huge Thank You to my friend Natalie (nat157's) she has inspired me and encouraged me to begin writing Fanfiction. To be honest I never thought I was a good enough writer, having attempted at writing a book in the past. It failed. No lie. ;D I did get to over 100 pages though!

And... (Final bit, I promise!) I know that there are maybe two or more fanfics about this on here already, but I actually had this idea ages ago, I just never wrote it before. I don't mean to copy or anything, that's not my intention, I swear! Sorry if parts seem similar, but I'll try to make it different!

Anyway, I don't want to go on anymore than I have... so here it is, 'Time, Love and Illness' Read and Review Please! Sorry, I'm not good with titles... Not a one-shot (Or it would be really long)

You are now Special Agent Natara Williams

Sunlight beams through the curtains in your hotel room, stirring you from your peaceful sleep. Your head is lightly pounding against your temple as you attempt sitting up. Wearily opening your eyes and looking over to your bedside clock, you are shocked at what you see.

'11.38am! How the hell did it get so late?' you mutter to yourself. Groping the bedside table and eventually finding your phone, you realise you have 4 new messages from your co-workers, most likely asking where you are. One from Mal, one from Amy, one from Kai and one from Ken. You only take the time to open Mal's message that reads:

Hey Nat,

Are you alright? Where are you? Not to be a downer or anything, but the Captain is getting pissed. I actually think she's going to seriously injure someone soon... probably me. Get here ASAP! For my sake.

Mal

Ignoring the now pounding headache you have, you throw the covers off yourself and jump out of bed. Rushing to get ready for work, you go through your mental checklist. 'Teeth – check. Hair – check. Clothes – check. Breakfast... uh, no time.'

All that's running through your mind is 'I'm so late... oh no, Captain Yeong is going to kill me... or Mal'

Despite the circumstances you can't help but let a small smile creep across your lips as you form a mental image. However, it is short lived. All of a sudden you feel a wave of nausea rush over you and you go incredibly lightheaded. You manage to steady yourself on a nearby table, but it's not enough. Rushing to your bathroom, your stomach muscles contract violently, causing you to retch. Now hunching over your toilet, you let out an elongated groan. Blindly reaching into your blazer pocket and taking out your phone you dial a familiar number. After a couple of rings, they answer.

"Nat? Where the hell are you? See, this is why I should pick you up in the morning."

"Mal. Look" your reply in a clearly irritated tone "I don't think I'll be making it in today. I feel really-"

You're interrupted when your muscles contract again and the rest of last night's dinner makes an appearance. You can hear Mal's distant voice calling your name, but are unable to reply. After a couple seconds of deep breathes and rubbing your stomach you put the phone back up to your ear.

"As I was saying, I'm really not feeling well. I probably could come in if-"

"No, no. It's alright Natara, I'll let the Captain know. Um... Are you gonna be alright?" Mal's voice sounds generally concerned. You manage a smile, knowing that he cares.

"I think so. Anyway, I might go back to-"

"Nope. Not yet at least."

You're taken back for one second but manage to regain your composure. "Wh-What?"

"Look, I'll be over there as soon as possible."

"No." You reply as firmly as you can. "I'm fine."

The attempt must have fell on deaf ears as you hear Mal chuckle on the other side of the line.

"Clearly." He says sarcastically.

Although you'd never admit it, you really love Mal's sarcastic comments, but today they just seem to wind you up. Sighing you hang up the phone. Luckily, the nausea has passed enabling you to slowly get up. Shuffling into your bedroom you throw on a set of pyjamas that your sister got you for your birthday last year. The headache you once felt seems to be becoming increasingly more painful. Collapsing onto your bed you try to find sleep. You lie there for what feels like hours, but in reality was only half an hour. Groaning, you realise that your nose has now blocked up and you cough violently. Throat burning, you glance at the clock. '12.10pm' your eyes are heavy and feel like a 100 pound weight is falling over them.

'Why me? I don't get sick, ever.' You think to yourself, once again coughing.

Feeling like you are unable to open your eyes, you try another attempt at sleeping. Surprisingly you find sleep rather quickly and cherish the short dreams you have.

Without warning, there is a huge pounding on your front door. Waking with a start, a small squeak leaves your lips. Feeling increasingly worse than you did when you went to sleep, you shuffle to the door and throw it open. Mal now stands in front of you, with a small smirk on his face.

"What." You spit.

"Now, now. No need to be like that! After all, your prince charming is here to make you feel better!" He says, his cheesy grin growing.

"Well, prince charming, you woke me up!" you almost yell, whilst glaring at him.

His face immediately drops and you can't help but feel guilt growing in the pit of your stomach. "Mal, I didn't mean-"

"Wow, someone is grumpy." He says, his smile returning to his face "Come on, you need to lie down... You do look awful Nat."

"Gee, thanks a lot Mal." you mumble as he leads you to the sofa.

"Right, that came out really wrong... sorry."

Mal made the most adorable pouty face that you have ever seen and you bite your lip, trying your hardest not to laugh.

'He's just too cute. No, Natara stop it. It's just Mal... And his amazing sapphire blue eyes... No, Stop Natara!'

Mal seems to catch you looking at him and smiles. You immediately divert your gaze elsewhere.

You are now Detective Mal Fallon

Glancing over to the very ill Natara, you catch her looking at you. Realising you caught her; she shifts her gaze in the other direction. As hard as you try, you can't help but smile.

'Can she get any cuter?' you think to yourself and you slowly entwine her hand in yours. She jumps and her attention is directly on you in a heartbeat, yet she doesn't pull away.

"So, have you taken any medicine yet?" you ask, trying to keep your voice steady. Natara coughs heavily and lets out a small groan.

"No... I don't need it, I'm fine. You should go, Mal I don't want to get you sick too"

Shaking your head you reply "No way Natara. I'm not leaving you in this state, I'll be fine, but you really need to take something. Do you have any pain killers anywhere?"

She nods and points to a nearby cupboard in the kitchen. Strolling over, you prepare a small glass of water and hand Natara the pain killers. She just glares down at them.

"What? They're just tablets, Nat. No need to give them the death look." You say playfully. Her glare is then directed at you. "Or me either." she sighs deeply and rolls her eyes.

"Shut up and hand me the water."

She was making that angry face that you love, furrowing her brow and pursing her lips. Smirking, you do as she asks and she hesitantly takes the tablets. Sighing, you take a seat beside her. You can see her breathing heavily and attempting at keeping her eyes open. You reach over to her and place a gentle hand on her forehead, she looks at you confused.

"Damn, Nat, you're burning up. Hold on." You quickly get up and rush to the kitchen.

"Mal," You hear her call after you "I don't need you to baby me, I'm fi-"

She's interrupted by her ferocious coughing. Shortly you return holding a damp cloth that you apply to her forehead, despite her weak attempts at stopping you. Natara sighs and collapses onto your shoulder, you use your free arm to wrap it around her and stroke her bicep tenderly. Your other hand still holds the cloth to Natara's forehead. You only just now realise what she is wearing and chuckle.

"What's so funny?" she barely manages to say, her voice sounds raspy and you can tell she's in pain. You hate seeing her suffer, even from a simple flu virus.

"Oh, nothing" You whisper. Suddenly she pushes off you and looks you in the eye.

"Tell me." She states. "Do you find it amusing that I'm ill? Because I don't."

A little taken back by her sudden outburst you stutter "N-no, not at all. I just... um..."

You struggle to find words, until you see a mischievous smile form on her lips and she attempts a giggle. Sighing with relief you say in a monotone voice and look away

"Not funny."

"I think it is"

Clearly exhausted, she lies back down on your shoulder. There is a brief moment of peaceful silence, before you break it.

"Nat?" she replies with a grunt. "You can go to sleep if you want; it'll make you feel better."

Natara slowly opens her eyes and looks up at you. You meet her gaze, but this time neither of you break away. She tries to smile and shuffles into a position that she finds comfortable, resting her head in your lap.

You think to yourself 'I was actually thinking you could sleep in your bed... but this works too.'

Wearily her eyelids slide shut and she's asleep almost instantly. You watch her rest as you gently stroke her hair. She's so beautiful to you, even though she might be ill. It doesn't matter, and that's how you know you're in love with her. No matter how she acts or looks, she's always breathtaking to you.

You sigh, knowing that you may never find the courage to admit your true feelings for her.

'What if she doesn't feel the same way, and I lose her? What if things just become awkward between us? I couldn't do that to her. So what if I love her, big deal. Just because she's incredibly beautiful, a genius, funny...'

Your mind starts to trail off as you run your fingers across her soft, pale cheek.

'No, Mal. Snap out of it. I-I'm just happy to be her best friend right now. Someone she can actually rely on, unlike the Dashing D.A that broke her heart... God, I hate him.'

You feel your face scowling, but soften up when you see Natara slightly smiling in her sleep.

'Hm... I wonder what she's dreaming about.'

You lean down and whisper softly in her ear "Oh Natara, why can't you see how much I love you... I promise, I'll be here for as long as it takes. Until the end of time itself."

Another small smile creeps across her face as she whispers something that causes you to grin.

"Mal..."

"I'm here Nat. I'll always be here"