Chapter one

The feeling of a cool hand on my back causes me to wince as I realize it's just Quinn and Ducky,and they are helping me get onto the autopsy table so he can check me over. Stomach's been bothering me all day,but I chose not to say anything,just tough it out like normal,too used to being alone undercover, but Quinn and Ellie found out anyways after I threw up at the crime scene, smell of the body got to me too much this time. "Easy Nicky, breathe through it"she murmurs as I feel a jacket being placed behind my head so I'm more comfortable. Then I feel my arms being lifted behind my head, I know the reason why, to have better acess to my stomach, but it's uncomfortable regardless. "Your doing good Nicholas, how long has your stomach been bothering you"he asks gently as I feel him lift up my shirt to my breast bone.

"Since last night,it kinda went away for awhile but came back this afternoon,"I say quietly, knowing it's better to just be honest with him instead of lying. "Have you ever had appendicitis"he asks as I feel him press down on my stomach and find myself taking in a breath, "yeah I did,in Brazil, but they gave me antibiotics,it wasn't sanitary or safe to do surgery at the time,I was undercover,the antibiotics worked after a few days of being really sick,and it went away,so I haven't thought anything of it till now"I murmur as I wince as he presses down on my right side. "Well,it looks like it might have come back,that's very common in cases where it's treated with just antibiotics,it will usually work for a couple of years,but it'll eventually reoccur, have you been throwing up a lot"he asks as I feel him rest a thermometer against my temple.

"Not too much, just last night,then this afternoon at the crime scene,"I say as I feel that familiar rumbling sensation in my stomach,but breathe through it,I don't want to throw up again if I can help it. "Ok,it looks like your running a fever,it's 104, so it looks like you might need to make a trip to the ER"he says gently as I feel Quinn squeeze my hand gently, "Ok"I murmur,knowing it's for the best, "I can take you, I'll call Lucia on the way and let her know what's going on alright Nick"she says gently, "yeah"I murmur letting them sit me up gently, and it's too much, "guys I think I'm going to be"I murmur,knowing I'm going to throw up wether or not I want to. "Easy Nicky, we got you"she murmurs as I feel a trash can being placed in front of me,and sure enough I throw up.

I finally finish, then a bottle of water is handed to me as Quinn takes the trash can away,and I take a few easy sips,not too much too soon.I sense her come over to me and she lays a hand on my shoulder gently, "I think it's time"she says softly as I look at her, "yeah it is"I murmur letting her help me get up. I'm a little unsteady,but I get past it,and I'm some how able to walk with her arm on my back to steady me. I let her guide me,and she helps me get my coat on,then puts hers on,then grabs her purse,then we head out the door.

Before I know it we're at the car, and she opens the door for me, helping me get in,then she closes the door and goes to her side. She gets in, then we take off as I see her grab her cellphone. I find myself resting my head against the window,it feels good on my fevered skin, and I hear her start to talk to Lucia. I listen for awhile,then let the conversation lull me into a restless sleep.