Flu Care

Barnaby walked into the training hall as he normally did. Except something was different again, he noticed something missing when he scanned the room. Barnaby sighed. “Now don’t be like that Handsome. I’m sure your little birdie will show up sooner or later,” Fire Emblem teased while coming up behind Barnaby.

Barnaby turned his head the other way, “Why would I be worried about someone like her.”

“Um hum,” Fire Emblem just hummed as Barnaby fidgeted in place.

“But it is a little weird isn’t it?” Dragon Kid asked.

“What do you mean?” Fire Emblem asked.

“Well she doesn’t miss workouts unless something is happening with the other Ravens right?” Dragon Kid began.

“Yeah, that’s right. And even if she can’t make it here doesn’t she at least talk to one of us?” Blue Rose asked as she came into the group. Everyone just nodded their heads.

“And I haven’t heard of the Ravens doing anything,” Dragon Kid added on. It only took a moment for everyone to agree that none of them knew what was happening with the Ravens. Previously Evelyna would disappear on a training trip with the Ravens or the Ravens to spend a few days together on a different leads. The news and fansites had not reported anything either.  Nobody knew what to say next. Instead the air just became thick with worry as everyone froze their normal workouts.

That was till Kotetsu’s phone rung. “Hello? Oh hey! Yeah,” Kotetsu began talking on his phone. He tried to turn around on the workout bench. “Uh..Ok. Bye,” Kotetsu finished as he closed his phone. When he turned back around he almost knocked off the bench by how close everyone got and how intently they were now staring at him. “What the?” Kotetsu wondered.

“Who was it?” Dragon Kid asked hopefully.

“It was one of the Raven..Um That guy that Evie usually works with,” Kotetsu began explaining as his hands went through the motion while he was trying to remember the man’s name. He should remember him with how many times they have met. He even became the one Kotetsu liked talking too because he was a father too. Evelyna was even working closer to him than the other Ravens. The two of them seem to be becoming very good friends.

“Old man!” Barnaby shouted knocking Kotetsu out of his thought. Kotetsu just blinked as he tried to catch back up with Barnaby. “What did her other partner say? Why did they call you?” Barnaby began to bitterly question his partner.

“Oh he just wanted to know if Evie came to work out today. Turns out that she called out for the last few days ago and they thought she might come here first,” Kotetsu explained.

“Wait, she hasn’t been to work in days?!” Barnaby almost shouted.

Kotetsu leaned backwards as he tried to cover his ears from the questioning. “Yeah. That’s what he said. But she called out,” Kotetsu confirmed.

Everyone passed around little concern graze as they looked at each other. Blue Rose touched her pda first. But the ringing just echoed in the hall. “No answer,” Blue Rose confirmed after a few rings.

“Well that’s it!” Kotetsu declared as he stood up. “Come on Bunny! We’re going to see how she ourselves!” Kotetsu continued as he began to walk away from the workout station.

Barnaby stood up from his station. “You just don’t want to work out do you?” Barnaby bantered as he began going to locker room also.

Fire Emblem just grinned watching the two guys bicker as they disappeared from view. “Can’t they stop bickering long enough to be worried about someone else!” Blue Rose complained as the pair disappeared.

“Everyone has their own way about them,” Fire Emblem just added with a grin.

The pair pulled into the parking lot for Evelyna’s building a short time later. It took a little bit since she lived almost the furthest possible spot away from the training hall you could be in the city. Kotetsu was still amazed at the building. While it was in the Bronze Stage, just like his building was, this building was a skyscraper versus the two story row houses he lived in. “So how are we going to know that she is even here? She didn’t pick up when Blue Rose called,” Kotetsu wondered as they rode the elevator.

“She’s here,” Barnaby confirmed.

“How do you know?” Kotetsu asked as he crossed his arms.

Barnaby glance at him before rolling his eyes. “Her pda is still in the building and she is required to wear it,” Barnaby explained.

“And how do you know that?” Kotetsu questioned.

“You really don’t talk to her much, do you?” Barnaby poked at Kotetsu as the elevator doors opened. He just heard the sounds of Kotetsu’s grumbling and snorting behind as he made the way down the hall. The building was still old fashioned so it did not the electric locks that Barnaby’s had. So Barnaby took out a key from his pocket.

“Is that a key to her apartment?!” Kotetsu asked as Barnaby began opened the door. “Where did you get that?” he continued to question as his voice tried to hide its excitement.

Barnaby glanced over his shoulder before he sighed. “She gave a copy when we worked late on a couple cases,” Barnaby explained.

“Suuuuuuree,” Kotetsu said with a huge grin on his face. The pair slide into the apartment quickly enough but they both froze in a moment. “Wow. This is different,” Kotetsu said as he watched. Barnaby turned around to see it. The pair stood slight for a moment simply watching.

A small can drifted in front of the pair. A couple cushions from the sofa were bouncing around in the air like they were drifting in water. The remote control was almost eye level as it floated into the small kitchen. Kotetsu grabbed the magazine that came close. It was not until he took a couple steps into the apartment that he lost his footing.  

“Hey, Bunny! Look at me! I’m floating!” Kotetsu barely said without laughing as he bobbed in the air.

“Always knew you were full of hot air old man,” Barnaby teased as he coasted by Kotetsu. Barnaby heard the growling begin but any come backs were cut off by the couch cushion hitting him. “Evelyna! I’m coming in,” Barnaby began as he knocked on the bedroom door. He could recall several times of items floating and moving around Evelyna on their own. But they were never truly on their own. They always moved to some playful or organized design of her’s. The only reason things would be floating around this randomly is if she had lost control somehow. Her bedroom was in a similar condition, with things floating not as far but still off the guard. Evelyna was not in sight though.

Barnaby checked the final spot. He knocked on her bathroom door. A muffled sound came from the other side. Barnaby opened the door slowly. His discover caused his body to fall still as his eyes opened wide. Evelyna had tied herself down to the toilet, covered her legs, and strapped on a feedbag that seem to be doubling as vomit bag in some spaceship adventure gone horribly wrong. The smell coming from the room caused Barnaby to cover his mouth. No matter what she was trying it did not seem to be helping very much.
After a moment Barnaby pushed off the door frame and maneuvered in front of Evelyna. Her eyes were red as she tried to keep on hand on the toilet seat and the other was tight on her stomach. His hand tried to give her a check to find her forehead is hot and even her arms seems to be clammy. The smell seem though he did not even try to pinpoint where it was coming from. But when he removed the bag from Evelyna’s mouth, and tied it off quickly, he could begin venturing a guess. Especially after having to try and get it into the trash can with the other ones.

Barnaby took a towel from the cabinet and moistened it. He began rubbing Evelyna’s face. “Evelyna what is going on? And what is with all the straps? I’ve never noticed them when I’ve been here before,” Barnaby began questioning as he tried to stay in one spot.

Evelyna took several deep breathes. What Barnaby did not know is that she had been in the bag since she began vomiting. “I got sick a little at work the day before yesterday. But than I couldn’t stop vomiting. Something really messed with my stomach. I haven’t been able to call in. Whenever I’ve been awake its been only to do something in here,” Evelyna explained as her eyes began to drift between open and close.

“What about your powers? And the straps?” Barnaby asked again as he was beginning to figure out how exhausted she was.

“They are for when I get sick. I can’t keep it under control. It just gets out,” Evelyna said as her head came to rest on the towel in Barnaby’s hand.

“Hey,” Barnaby said as he almost shook Evelyna’s shoulder. She woke back up. “I’m going to get you down from here. You need to rest in your bed,” Barnaby began. “I just need to clean you up a little bit more,” he continued as his hand began to reach for the toilet seat cover.

Evelyna’s hand from her stomach grabbed Barnaby’s, “No. Its all right.”

“No it is not!” Barnaby countered quickly. He tried to glare at her. Her face had a slight red tone which he only guessed was from the fever as she turned away from him. She tried to say something. “Evelyna you need to rest properly. And you’ll only get better if get cleaned up a bit,” Barnaby protested. He was always on the side of being clean much more than anyone else.

Evelyna sighed. It was true; sitting on a toilet that had a hard time flushing while breathing in a vomit bag was definitely not helping anything. “Just flush it before you take the cover off. And try to cover again quickly so the water doesn’t come out,” Evelyna tried to protest in tone since it was a failing argument.

“All right. Hold onto me,” Barnaby said as he guided her arms over his shoulders. He completed the actions quickly enough that no water managed to escape the toilet. Barnaby chuckled, “You really are like a little balloon. You’ll float away if I let go of you.” Evelyna did manage to keep her red streak though as he proceed to clean her, tease her a little and even change her pants and underwear. She was relieved to strap herself under her blankets. While making very sure to pull them up to cover her face. “Hey, make sure you can breathe under there,” Barnaby complained as he poked her hands.

“Hey you found her!” Kotetsu said finally managing to get himself out of the living area and into the bedroom. The couch cushion was now under his arm.

“Yes and I think it is time to get her to a doctor,” Barnaby added to his late arriving partner’s statement.

“Sure but how do we get her down to one?” Kotetsu asked as he began to spin around.

“No,” a soft voice broke the crowd.

“No,” Barnaby repeated.

“No,” Evelyna confirmed as the pair looked at her. “Don’t leave apartment. Too hazardous. But doctor number in stand,” Evelyna explained as she motioned for the night stand.

Barnaby got the night stand first where a box with a business card taped to it came to the top of the drawer when it opened. He took the box out and showed it to Evelyna. She nodded at the number before Barnaby dialed. It took a while on hold but he finally reached the doctor on the business card. When he put the phone on speaker they were able to explain that Evelyna was at her apartment and had been sick for a few days. He agreed that he would come check on her after his shift; much to Barnaby’s annoyance. But the surprising thing was when the doctor told her to follow the plan.

“What is the plan?” Kotetsu asked now using the cushion as a way to bounce off the wall.

Evelyna opened the box Barnaby was holding, “This.” She took the needle out of the strap and quickly it in the vial. She only had a small amount in the needle by the time the guys realize something is going on. Barnaby’s mouth opened first as his eyes got more concerned. He was about to say something when the needle went into her butt. She took a deep breathe and released after pulling the needle out. “I’ll just nap till he gets here,” Evelyna said as she put the needle back in the box just in enough time for her to fall asleep after the box closes.

Barnaby and Kotetsu waited for the time when the doctor came. It was different as they adjusted to everything floating up. The biggest challenge was when they tried to get something to drink. Luckily the doctor arrived when he said. He continued his annoyance of Barnaby as he was locked out of the room while the doctor examined Evelyna. While Barnaby endured Kotetsu’s banter the visit itself did not seem to take very long. The doctor explained Evelyna just has a severe stomach flu. She was but on an iv bag for right than to help her replenish some liquids and told that she just needs to watch her fluids if she keep throwing up. The doctor did not forsee any problems if she was able to actually get some rest. It just needs to finish working its way through her system. But suggested to try and keep a low level of the sedative in her system just to make it easier on her while her body is recovering for the next day or two. Since Evelyna could not leave to get the prescription the doctor gave Kotetsu before he left.

Kotetsu left to the get the prescription filled and let Barnaby stayed in the apartment with Evelyna. Barnaby went back into her bedroom. The iv bag was hanging on the side of the bed now to let the fluid flow up with the power floating around. Evelyna was on her side as she drifted in and out of sleep. He only watched for a moment as the scene of her in straps and a tube in her own apartment set in.

“Why didn’t you call me? I could have helped you so you didn’t have to sit like that all the time,” Barnaby asked as he took up part of the bed next to Evelyna.

“You’d make fun of me for getting sick,” Evelyna began between breathes. Her head was beginning to get hazy. “And I didn’t want you to get sick too,” Evelyna muttered.  

“Idiot,” Barnaby said with a grin. “You were assigned to Tiger too,” Barnaby continued.

“Huh?” Evelyna almost moaned.

“As the old man loves saying, we’re a team. And you’re supposed to rely on your team,” Barnaby repeated.

“A team..” Evelyna repeated. Barnaby tilted his head as he tried to figure out her comment. Her hand drifted out from under the blanket enough that she almost made it to Barnaby’s cheek. “Never thought of that union,” Evelyna manage to add before her eyes closed.

Barnaby shot forward, his forehead touched her’s as his hands hurried for her pulse. He released his breathe when he realized she had fallen asleep. Before he noticed his hand began stroking her cheek, “What did you mean by that?”

In what felt like hours but really was not Kotetsu finally returned with the medication. After seeing his partner still sitting on the bed’s edge and the other tied up with medical tube he offers to make dinner. This gave Kotetsu the dual challenge of cooking with flying ingredients and severing with the slightly floating dishes. Happily everyone was able to eat some of their dinner and even Evelyna managed to get her first bites of food down in a couple days. The guys let her rest as they spend some time trying to clean up. Finally they both decide to stay over in her apartment because it was ‘late’.

Evelyna is still a bit under the weather the next day. But she was able to speak a bit better today so she encouraged Barnaby and Kotetsu go to work. They only did so after a few minutes of hums and protests.  One of the Ravens even gave them an update around noon to tell them that she was still doing all right. Despite all the re-enforcements of her improvements they decide to go by again after work anyway. Happily they find she is truly improving though still tired. So they take the night watch again.

The night went a lot smoother this time. Kotetsu was beginning to figure out how to cook properly with the flying challenge and Barnaby was finally able to clean out the bathroom to his heart’s content. The two of them were actually floating over the couch watching television when they fell out of the air. All the items in the air; the remote, magazine, cushions, and glasses, began raining down around them.

“What the heck happened?” Kotetsu shouted as the magazine landed on his head.

“The telekinesis is gone,” Barnaby said as he rubbed his head. “The telekinesis is gone!” Barnaby repeated realizing what he had said. His feet took the lead as he began to run around the corner.

“Wait, what?!” Kotetsu shouted as his head was hit by a lamp now falling over.

Barnaby almost dove onto the bed after huddling over the displaced items in the room. He ripped the strap off of the bed. “Evelyna,” Barnaby just short of shouted as he pulled the blankets down. His hands unburied her face from all the hair. His ear almost eclipsed her mouth as his head stop short of barely slamming onto her face. The sound of her shallow but steady breathing caused Barnaby to release his breathe. He checked her forehead and heartbeat just to be sure.

“And?” Kotetsu said at the foot of the bed.

Barnaby turned around as his shoulders dropped. “She’s fine. Her fever finally broke. She is just sleeping normally now,” Barnaby said.

Kotetsu’s shoulders and head dropped as he finally let go a sigh. He looked back up at the situation. “Not really normally. Unless you normally sit on top of her like that,” Kotetsu almost chuckled as he watched Barnaby realize he was straddling a sleeping Evelyna. Barnaby tried to keep his face from turning colors as he almost fell off the bed. Kotetsu laughed as he took his partner’s shoulder. He rubbed Barnaby’s head as they both sat next to the bed for a moment.  

“Hey I’ll just go crash on the couch. Let her sleep a bit longer all right,” Kotetsu said breaking the silence. He patted his partner’s shoulder, waved to the sleep partner and disappeared out the door in record time. It was still very early in the evening though both of the guys would agree that they have had enough stress for one evening.

Barnaby watched the door for a moment confused at everything that just happened. He turned around while still sitting on the floor. His hand reached up on the bed and began stroking the hairs still remaining near her face away. His head came to rest in his other arm as he watched her face. The normal color was finally returning. She even wiggled slightly in her sleep to respond to his touch, which caused a smile on Barnaby’s face. “Good night Evelyna,” Barnaby said as he moved the blanket back up to her shoulder.