You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side
You know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold

And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No, I won't give in

~ "Keep Holding On" Avril Lavigne

Chapter 5
By Your Side

~.~.~

Jessie's eyes twitched as he began to rouse from his slumber, wincing at the eerie light that hit his face as it peaked through the frosted window. He felt horrible but better then he had all month as he slowly moved his dominant hand out from beneath the sheets to shield his eyes. "Doesn't anybody know how to close curtians?"he thought bitterly. He was never much for mornings to be honest. He felt weak as a kitten and still sore as he broke into a coughing fit as he moved to sit up, keeling over between his knees at the spike of pain from the fit. That was when the door opened and with a crash and clang he glanced over to spot Erik.

"Sweet Yggdrasil!"Erik hurried to call out to the others, "Rab, Serena! Jessie's awake!"

Jessie was baffled by the excitement but this blasted cough was now getting mixed in with some sneezing which made this ache in his chest very, very cranky. "Ow..."he as he sat there as it finaly calmed down as his grandfather and two friends raced in.

"Jessie, you're awake! Oh we were all so worried about you!"squeaked Serena as she hugged him.

"Oi, let the poor laddie breath lassie."chuckled Rab, earning an embarrassed yelp as she pulled away.

"Serena, Erik, grandpa Rab...sorry for worrying so."rasped Jessie as Erik eased him back down onto the bed and pulled the blankets back over him.

"You really had us on our toes there partner, welcome back."smirked Erik as he poked him on the forehead. The group chuckled.

Serena then moved over to check his fever, "Still there, but it's gone down a lot."

"When the heck did I get sick?"quipped Jessie with a puzzled, and exhausted look.

"Probably cause of this darn drafty old cabin. Sorry about that."sweat dropped Erik.

Jessie laughed at Erik's remark only to wince and curl up from the pain that shot up his spine from it. Concerned Rab went over, pulling the sheet back just enough to place a hand on the boy's chest and using some healing mana. "Easy now, laddie. Ye're still hurt and just startin' to fight of ye flu."

"I know, grandpa Rab."Jessie looked really exhausted as he tried to fend off the drowsiness he felt.

"Get some sleep, laddie. No needin' to be pushing ye'erself for our sakes right now."encouraged Rab.

"Yes, it's ok to be just a little bit selfish when you feel sick."smiled Serena warmly.

"They're right. Get some much needed rest, focus on getting better for now. Then when you are we can all go find the others and kick that bastard's ass."grinned Erik, earning smiles and nods from his friends.

Jessie just stared for a moment before nodding, gratitude clear in his azure eyes before they closed and his breathing evened out into slumber. Quietly the trio left their Luminary companion to sleep. Jessie was doing a lot better now, they just needed to let him chase off that flu bug and let him rest to regain his strength. The wound itself by now was nothing to worry about, but would take a bit more time to heal. It had been decided they would go to Angri-La once Jessie was fit to travel. There the could rest then search out Jade and Sylvando once fighting fit. In the mean time while they tended to Jessie Serena would often head out to gather herbs to stock up on healing elixirs and various tonics. Erik would go hunt and keep the fire going to help keep his own skills sharp. While Rab was never far from Jessie.

Before they knew it the month had passed and Jessie had once more become fit enough to travel. Though his stamina and all his strength hadn't quiet completely returned. Jessie stayed close to his tight knit group as he looked out at the horizon. He had survived his encounter with the Dark One. He was still here thanks to his loved ones he treasured dearly. With a determined look he clenched the reins on his horse that was being firmly and gently lead by Rab. They would find Jade and Sylvando and Veronica. To this they all had no doubts.

The End

A/N: Short finale is short. lol But I do hope you all enjoyed this short fanfic AU for Dragon Quest 11. I certainly had fun doing it and sincerely hope I didn't butcher how Rab/Lord Robert speaks too badly. XD Next I'm thinking maybe a Fire Emblem Three Houses fic with female protagonist with Blue Lions route? Let me know what you think.