Forbidden Love - Segment 30

[itztigress3]

Segment 30– Sleep & Fevers
POV: Emily
Word Count: 4262

Warnings: None

November 12, 2007

    I had kept my distance from Zac, not speaking unless I had too and avoiding being alone with him. It was hard as hell because I could tell something was bothering him. He seemed very quiet and reserved, which was not like him. The show the night before was also weird, because while I didn’t watch I could still hear him and his playing had been off key several times, fans even mentioned it when they came to get a shirt or something during a break. His voice was also off, because his solo was not spot on like usual. Last night when we arrived at the hotel he had seemed a little pale to me, but I didn’t say anything because Taylor and Isaac were both right there too.

I had my own room which was nice, because I had been terrified that Ariel was going to find a way into my phone. I had woken up many times with it being on my password screen or locked completely, I had been changing the digits every few days to prevent anyone was remembering when I entered them.  I was grateful when I finally got to fall into bed and do nothing. But, at eleven am someone started pounding my hotel door.

“Wait a minute!” I yelled.

I got up and slipped my robe on and went to the door, I opened it to find Taylor standing there.

“What the hell Tay?”

“I hate to even ask this, but can you please call Zac’s phone?”

“You can’t?”

“I have about four dozen times and he’s not answering for me or Isaac. I am really hoping he will answer if your number comes up.”

I looked at him, considering he had tried I got my phone and tried to call him three times, all three times went to voicemail. That was very odd for him.

“I got voicemail.”

“Damnit! We have a three radio shows today and we’re due to leave in 30 minutes. He’s not answering his door, his phone, texts, nothing.”

“He looked tired last night and even you guys noticed his playing was off. Maybe he really is just that tired.”

“He mentioned not feeling well said he needed to just sleep. But, that was two am, he should be awake by now or at least be woken up by our calls and banging on the door.”

I got my room key and followed Taylor down the hallway to Zac’s room. I had Taylor call and I could barely hear his phone ringing. I knocked as hard as I could and called for him. I didn’t hear any movement from the room and the look on Taylor’s face probably mirrored mine.

Isaac came stomping up the hallway. “That bitch will not give me a key. She said there was one person who can get a duplicate and it’s a female.”

“Kate?” Taylor asked.

I hit the door again, more from frustration than trying to get him up. “No, it’s me. He told me about it before the tour began its how I got into his hotel room during his birthday. Let me go put cloths on and I will get a key. Is there a first aid kit on the bus?”

“Yes, but there won’t be anything you can use.” Taylor said.

“Why not?”

“It’s the kit we used when Ezra came with us last year, before you started working. It’s all baby medications and I don’t even know if there is anything you could use.”

“Did she bring a thermometer?”

Isaac laughed. “Yeah, Natalie only brought a rectal one because Ezra was like six months.”

I hit the door again, called his name one last time. “Could he have taken something? Did he have any medication or anything with him?”

“It’s possible.”

“Ok. I am going to get whatever Natalie brought maybe I will luck out, I will get a key, but you two keep trying.”

I ran down to my room and just grabbed a random pair of pants and a shirt, it was unlike Zac to not answer and considering how hard they were hitting the door he should have woken up. I ran to the bus first, finding the kit and sure enough most of it was baby related items, including the thermometer but it was all I had at the time, so Zac could deal with it. I went by the counter and requested the extra key, which she gladly gave me I then went back to his room.

“When is your first interview?”

“Like thirty minutes from now.” Isaac said.

I might regret this later but at the moment it was required. “You both go on to that interview, just tell him he wasn’t feeling well. I’ll check on him and if it is serious I will call you. Keep your phones where you can see it, when I call answer.”

“Are you sure?” Taylor asked.

“Yes. But guys if this is some stupid trick, if I walk into this room and he’s fine and this was just to get us to talk, I’ll be going home right now. So, before you walk away is that what this is?”

“No. We wouldn’t do that to you.” Isaac said.

I put the key in the door while they walked away; the room was freezing cold, even though it was not that warm outside. I closed the door behind me and heard the click of the lock. I did half expect to see him sitting on the side of the bed.

“Zac?”

I glanced in the bathroom, it was empty. I then walked into the main room, his bag was lying on the bed closer to me and he was lying on the other bed on his stomach with just blue boxers on. I walked to the side of the bed, there was a bottle of Tylenol cold and flu beside the bed, most of the bottle was gone. There was a trash can beside the bed with tissue. It was obvious he took the Tylenol, evidently much more than he needed. I laid my hand on his lower back, which felt warm.

“Zachary?”

I left my hand there, felt him breathing evenly. I did not want to scare him, even sick he was still strong and he did not think anyone would be in the room. I moved my hand up to his neck, which was warm and slightly sweaty. I moved the hair from his face which was flushed bright red and he defiantly was asleep. I felt his forehead which was burning hot. I went to the bathroom and got a cold rag, went back and laid it on his forehead.

“Zac.”

I moved the wash rag around his forehead and temples saw his eyes flutter some. He was worrying me because he wouldn’t wake up.

“Zachary, come on. Wake up for me, let me know your ok.”

I kept moving the rag, and wiping his face and neck off, calling his name. I rubbed his arm, his back, considered popping him on the butt a few times to see if that would work. I kept calling his name and running the wet rag over his face. He finally grunted some and his eyes opened to look at me. He did not look well at all.

“Can you hear me?” He nodded some.

“How much of the Tylenol did you take?” He didn’t answer just started kind of drifting back to sleep.

I leaned down closer to him. “I need to see how high your fever is, but all I have is a rectal thermometer. I need you to hold still, ok?”
He just barely nodded.

He was pretty much asleep before I even slid the boxers down, but he did grimace a little when I interested the tip. I timed it, checked, and then called Taylor.

 “Hey.” He said.

“He has a fever of a 101.2. Should I call the paramedics or what would you do?”

“Is he awake?”

“I got him to grunt a few times, but he’s very groggy. He is moving some but there is a half empty bottle of Tylenol and I have no idea when he actually took it.”

I heard him relaying to Isaac and talking.

“Isaac said to let him sleep, but can you please stay there with him until we return? If he’s moving then he should be OK, but if he gets worse call an ambulance. “

“I’ll stay with him. He shouldn’t be alone anyway.”

“Thank you.”

I hung-up fixed his cloths as he had fallen asleep again. I turned the air back up, because I was freezing and he really didn’t need to get that cold. I sat down on the other side of the bed and flipped through the TV while he slept. His phone rang a few times but I ignored it, Taylor and Isaac would call mine anyway. I kept wetting the rag and wiping him down, hoping to cool the fever some. About four Isaac called and said they were on their way and asked what I wanted for dinner. I gave them an order and told them to bring Zac something light. At four thirty when they arrived, he was still asleep.

“Has he woken up at all?” Taylor asked.

“Not since I forced him too, he fell asleep while we talked and he’s been out. He has moved though, so that’s good.”

I sat with them while we ate.

“Are you two going to stay with him?” I asked.

“Yes.” Ike said.

“I’m going back to my room then.” I got up. “Thank you for lunch or dinner.”

“You don’t have too.” Taylor said.

I looked at Taylor. “I stayed because you asked and because someone needed to be here in case he got worse. Both of you are here now.”

“Just…” he started.

“Taylor, let her leave. You and I do not know how she feels and if she doesn’t want to be here then we cannot make her stay.”

I turned and walked out of the room but it was hard, knowing he was that sick to just walk back to my room and pretend he would be Ok. But, both of his brothers were there with him, surely they would take care of him. Taylor was already wiping his face off again, so he should be ok. I went to my room and since we were leaving at 3 am, I found a movie and called Craig about nine to talk for a while without ears. I also spoke with Christopher briefly and napped until it was time to go. The busses left the hotel parking lot at 3:15.

November 13, 2007: 6am

The busses left the parking lot at 3:30, Zac had walked to the bus looking miserable as hell and I could tell he wasn’t any better. I waited until he was on the bus before I had gotten on the other one, most everyone went right to bed. I was almost asleep when the phone started buzzing and I looked up. Taylor’s name and picture were blinking on the screen so I answered.

“What is it Tay?”

“We’re stopping; meet me in front of your bus.”

Sure enough, I could feel the bus slowing down and preparing to stop. “Um, Ok.”
I hung up, got up, and went to the front. Their bus was already stopped on the side of the road, the driver let me off and I waited in the coldness of the morning on him, he finally came out a few minutes later.

“What is it Taylor?”

“He wants you.”

“Who wants me? You have to be a little more specific.”

“Who else Emily? Zac wants you.”

I just stared at him blankly. “You woke me up for this? What the hell Taylor?”

“He woke up about eleven and he knew you were there, he asked where you were. Emily he’s been crying for two hours and none of us can get him to stop. We can’t get him to go to sleep or calm down or nothing. He doesn’t feel good and he wants you.”

“We don’t always get what we want Taylor. It’s not fair to me; he wasn’t there to console me while I cried over him.”

“You weren’t sick Emily. It’s not going back it’s just being there.”

I stood there and looked at him; it was too much for him to ask of me, too much and way too soon. I couldn’t stop him when he got down on his knees.

“I know he’s married Emily, but right now I don’t give a shit what she thinks.”

“Taylor, what are you doing? Ariel is her friend, she will tell her.”

“I do not care. Please Emily. Isaac and I stayed up with him all afternoon, we’re not asking you to do anything but be there so he’ll calm down and we can all sleep.”

“Taylor….”

“Please.” Son of a bitch he turned on the puppy face and so far, I could no more resist his than I could Zac’s. In the quietness of the bus I could hear Zac crying outside and between that and the way Taylor was looking at me my resolve just faded away.

“Fine! Let me get my bag but Mr. Bowman must stay as well. Now please get up.”

He got up and actually hugged me. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet, I may not be able to calm him down either.”

I went back to the bus and I turned down the hall I saw Ariel standing at my bunk with my phone. I briskly walked down and snatched it from her hands, shocked her.

“You need to leave my phone alone. I know it’s you. You will not get in I can guarantee that.” I said.

She huffed but watched as I got my bag.

“What are you doing? Why have we stopped?”

“Mr. Bowman requested I join him because there is a paperwork issue.”  It was a bold face lie, but I was even shocked at how well it came out.

“Are you sure it’s not because Zac got a little horny?”

Heads popped out of bunks on both sides, completely shocked expressions.

“I would not know if he is or not Ariel.”

“Of course you know.”

I closed the small gap between the two of us, crushed her against the wall behind her.

“I am only going to tell you this once. You need to stay out of my business before I handle it myself. You have made snide remarks since I joined this bus, always going through my things, you tried to read my diary. I know you are friends with Kate, but if you want to know whether Zac is horny or not, you should call Kate since she is the person that is supposed to be handling that.”

“You need to back off.” She said.

“No. You do. I’ve been very patient with you; do not make me complain to Mr. Bowman about you trying to hack my phone. I can handle that table alone so I don’t need you.”

I backed away and got my bag, I then left the bus. Mr. Bowman was waiting at the door to their bus.

“If anyone should ask, you needed my help with paperwork because it was messed up. I know you’d rather not be tangled with this but it is a verifiable excuse and won’t take much to mix a number.”

“Understood, I just hope you can calm him down.”

I walked onto the bus; Isaac was sitting at the table with a bottle of vodka, water, and aspirin. I picked up the bottle of Vodka and put it up.

“That will not help your headache.”

“He’s been extremely whiney since he woke up. It double when Taylor refused to let him drink the rest of the Tylenol, it’s just constant and he hasn’t done that since…god he was like ten.”

He and Taylor looked half-dead and I knew they were tired. They had been up with him and had the interviews earlier.

“Both of you go to bed, I’ll take care of him.”

Isaac looked up. “I know it’s not easy for you though.”

“No, it’s not. But if it means he gets better then I think I can deal with it.”

I patted his shoulder and walked down the hallway; I slid my bag into the bunk beside Zac’s and then went to the back where he was. He was lying on his side, facing the back of the sofa, crying into the pillow. I was sure some of it was because he didn’t feel good, but
I wasn’t convinced that was it. I walked over and sat down beside him.

“G..G..Go..A..aw..away…Tay..” He sobbed.

He went to push me away but I got his hand instead, which felt warm to me still. I leaned down and I knew the scents of lavender and vanilla circled him, but he was stuff up and it was unlikely he could even smell it.

“I’m not Taylor Zac.” I whispered.

I moved some of his hair as he looked at me. His face was flushed and red still, it could have been from the crying though.

“Emily?”

“There is just one of me.”

“You were there today but you left.”

“Yesterday, yes. You overdosed on cough syrup. What the hell were you thinking?”

“I just wanted to sleep…”

I moved my hand to his forehead, which felt very warm. “Have they checked you for a fever lately?”

“No…”

I got up and heard him whine when I walked out of the back, the bus was moving already surely he didn’t think I was leaving. Why would it matter if he did? I wasn’t what he wanted. I walked to the front where Taylor sat devouring a sandwich.

“Did you get the thermometer by chance?”

“Yes. I surely hope you….” He trailed off when I looked at him.

“Where is it?” I asked.

He pointed to the kit on the table and I got it. “Seriously Emily? There’s no other way?” Taylor asked.

“It’s not like I haven’t seen him naked Taylor. He’ll survive this, trust me.”

“I’ll be sure to stay in here.”

“Good idea.”

I went back to the rear of the bus; I closed and locked the door here because Isaac and Mr. Bowman had not seen me. He looked at me confused, more so when I undid the belt he had on.

“What are you doing?”

“You had a fever earlier, you feel warmer to me now. If your fever gets too high it can be very bad, but because no one on this bus considered adults all they have is a rectal thermometer. Don’t you remember earlier today?”

“Not really…”

“Few minutes and its smaller than my fingers so you shouldn’t even feel it.”

He let me move him, didn’t grimace this time but his fever had gone up to 102.1, not a major change but not good either. I had him sit up after that to fix his shirt and I saw him sway and saw the look on his face, managed to get the trash can in front of him before he threw up. Taylor had not mentioned him throwing up. I held his hair back until it was over, he didn’t need to be riding at all.

“Have you eaten at all today?”

He nodded.

“Let me guess, it came back up?”

Again, he simply nodded.

I moved him back to laying down and then got up and went to the driver. “Will we pass a pharmacy or drug store?”

He tapped the screen. “Type it in, it will show me what the nearest is.”

It took me several minutes to find the next available drug store. I entered it into the route and explained that he needed medication and that was the best place. He routed us properly to that area and I went back to the tear. I sat down on the end of the couch his feet were on, even laid them in my lap.

“Just sleep Zac, you need too. We’re routing to a pharmacy so I can find something stronger for you.”

His eyes were still red from the crying and he confused me when he sat up, but he switched ends putting his head in my lap. I had intentionally chosen his feet, but I did not say anything. Instead, I found myself smoothing the hair back from his face, playing with it because I missed that so much. I felt his hand lay on my leg and his eyes closed a few moments later. He was asleep within ten minutes. I left him alone and let him sleep, kept playing with the strands of hair though.

I saw the pharmacy as we pulled in and parked, everyone else was asleep but me. I tried to get up without waking him up, but I wasn’t even at the door when he called my name.

“I’m not leaving, I need to go inside and get something for your fever.”

He started to get up and I stopped him. “What are you doing?”

“I need to inside since we’re stopped.”

“Can you even stand up?”

“Yes.”

I stood there as he tried before I called the driver back to help him.  I assumed he had to go to the bathroom; bus rules were often bad when it came to being sick. I followed them inside making sure he wasn’t going to throw up again. The cashier greeted them and looked all excited and started coming forward but I looked at her once and she backed away a few feet. The driver took him to the back and I went to the flu aisle. I looked at half a dozen bottles before finding the right one, he would hate the taste but maybe it would work. I then found something for the nausea and then the fever. While he didn’t mind the thermometer, I still bought a better one. I didn’t totally trust the accuracy of the one on the bus and really, I didn’t want to strip him down every time to check for a fever. I also got some pedialyte and Gatorade because I didn’t see any on the bus and I got chicken noodle soup and crackers, he would need to eat something. Taylor came in half asleep while I was checking out.

“Why did we stop?

“His fever went up and he needs something to break it.”

“Oh, where is he?”

“The driver helped him to the bathroom, although you may want to check on him.”

He nodded and went toward the back, I finished paying the cashier. They came back to the front ten minutes later.

“He got sick again…” Taylor said.

Taylor helped carry the Gatorade and sat beside him while I read and measured the medication, two of which he took with no problem but the last one he made a horrible face, it taste horrible.

“Do not spit it out.” I said.

He swallowed it but he defiantly didn’t look happy about it. “That was nasty.”

“Maybe it will work.”

I sent Taylor back to bed and handed Zac a bottle of the Gatorade, had him drink at least half of it before laying him back down. My plan was to lie on the other sofa but he got my hand.

“Will you please lay here with me?”

“We shouldn’t do that Zac.”

He frowned. “Please?”

“We shouldn’t.”

I pulled the blanket down over him and went to the other side and lay down. I was trying my best to cut off those feelings, it was wrong and I would only end up being hurt again. I would end up alone and crying while he celebrated with Kate. I turned to face the back of the sofa, but I could still hear him.

“Zachary, please stop crying.”

He sniffed a few times but didn’t stop and while I tried to cut it off the pain was just too much. I turned over but he was facing the rear of the couch, still crying just trying to be quite. I watched him a few moments, if he didn’t care at all would he cry for me now? Sure, he was sick but usually sick people wanted someone they cared about. I finally got up and walked the few short steps to the over sofa.

“Slide over.”

“It’s ok.” He whispered.

I moved the blanket and carefully laid down on the very edge. “Scott or I will be in the floor.”

He moved forward and I covered us both up.

“Ok, I’m here. Now go to sleep so you can get better.”

Despite his fever, he was shaking slightly, I felt his hand on mine and he pulled it over his side, held on.

“Zachary.”

He held my hand tightly and wouldn’t let go, he was falling asleep though so that was good. He was half asleep already.

“Lavender dreams…” He whispered.

Was he now hallucinating? I laid there a moment and finally realized why he got my hand, why he refused to let it go. I couldn’t go anywhere without waking him up. Was he seriously afraid I was going to leave? Why would he care if I left? I was really too tired to ponder the reasons, so I let it go and shortly after he fell asleep, so did I.