Here With Me Chapter 20
Author: Anorien and Sairalinde
Type: RPS
Pairing: Craig/David
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Ourselves
Warning: Abuse described in later chapters not between the main pairing.
Disclaimer: This never happened. This was written in fun that's all.
Feedback: Yes please send to sairalinde @ hornofgondor.com
or thechroniclesofosgiliath @ yahoo.com
Archiving: OEAM, Mirrormere, The Chronicles of Osgiliath, Saira's Library, CxD Archive, other's ask.
Summary: A.U. Two University Professors try to overcome their pasts and find love and healing.

//Indicate thoughts

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Craig snuggled closer to David's back vaguely aware that he was freezing, but not wanting to give in and fully wake up to analyze the situation. Pulling his lover closer, he tucked the blanket underneath his chin, wondering if the power had went out and flipped the heat off. But, he noticed, David felt nice and warm. Maybe he'd just gotten out from under the covers and caught a chill during the night. Spooning even closer, he tried not to wake David with his chattering teeth. // Damn. I can't even *think*, I'm so cold. // He was aware of a vague burning sensation in his stomach. // You probably just pulled a muscle. Just try to go back to sleep and you'll be fine when you wake up, you big baby. And don't wake David up. No reason he should be awake and miserable just because you are.// Closing his eyes, he tried to forget how cold he was and go back to sleep.

David felt Craig move against him and smiled. He reached down to squeeze Craig's fingers and realized he was trembling. "Craig?" he asked softly. Not getting a response he rolled over and could hear his lover's teeth chattering. // It's not cold in here? // David turned and flipped on the lamp beside the bed. "Sweetheart?" he asked softly leaning down and touching his hand to Craig's forehead which was burning hot. "Craig, sweetheart wake up, love," he said a bit louder getting worried. He didn't know a lot about illness but he knew a fever when he saw it.

Craig opened his eyes, seeing David looking down at him with concern. He was *still* freezing, and felt vaguely nauseous. "S…so cold," he managed, pulling the covers up even closer. "Did the heat g….go off or something?" Reaching out to try to pull David back down next him, he realized that his lover didn't even look cold. "P…please love. I'm freezing. Hold me…p…please?"

"Craig? Sweetheart you have a fever," he said softly pulling the covers up more over his lover. David slid out of bed and walked to the trunk at the end and pulled another blanket out to lay over the bed, then walked into the bathroom for the thermometer, Tylenol and a glass of water. He already knew the thermometer would tell him Craig had a fever he just didn't know how high. Some people had said the flu was going around last week. Sitting down on the bed next to Craig he urged him to sit up a bit. "Come on, love...lemme see how high this fever is...and then I'll crawl back in bed and hold you ok?"

Craig bunched the covers around him and tried to relax. // Fever? Oh hell, I've caught a bug. That would explain why this rooms seems to be at about 10 degree Fahrenheit.// He felt another sharp pain in his lower stomach but sat up as David asked, just wanting his lover to hurry and get back into bed with him. He decided David was most likely warmer than the blankets anyway, so he let sheet and blankets drop from his arms. He reached out to hold David close, careful not to try and kiss him, afraid that if he did, he'd get sick too. Opening his mouth, he let David slide the thermometer under his tongue and squirmed impatiently until it beeped.

David took the thermometer and looked at it frowning. "102.4...no wonder," he said softly. "Here, take these, love," he said laying two Tylenol in his hand and giving him the glass of water helping him with it a bit because he was still shaking. Once Craig had swallowed the pills David set everything aside on the nightstand and crawled back into bed pulling the covers up around them both and pulling Craig into his arms. He kissed his forehead softly and whispered, "Go back to sleep, love...I've got you."

Curling up against his lover, Craig nodded. He felt as if his chillbumps had chillbumps and he could *not* stop shivering. Feeling David's arms around him and hearing his soothing voice, Craig finally gave in and drifted back to sleep, clinging to the man he loved and trembling long after his eyes had closed.

David pressed his lips to Craig's forehead softly and hissed at the heat even as his lover trembled in his arms. "I'm so sorry, love," he whispered knowing Craig was already asleep. He snuggled closer to him to try and provide all the warmth he could and lay awake the rest of the night watching over him, soothing him when he would shiver uncontrollably. After about four hours he watched the sun come up and still Craig's fever hadn't broken - the Tylenol might as well have been peppermints. He debated whether he should wake him to take more or not. Looking at the clock he also knew the alarm would be ringing soon for them to get ready for work. David reached over and turned the alarm off and picked up the phone. He called Peggy in personnel and left a voice mail that neither he nor Craig would be making it in today.

The sun was high when Craig fully woke up. He smiled at his lover and started to stretch before the pain in his lower stomach hit him again, this time more insistent. Curling up and pulling his knees to his chest, he rested his head on David's shoulder. "We should be at work," he murmured, knowing full well that he was in no shape to get out of the bed. "You're not sick too, are you?"

"No, I'm not sick...but you are. You don't honestly think I was going to go in and leave you here like this? I called in before the offices even opened this morning and left Peggy a message for us both. Told her we might go in tomorrow...and if you aren't doing a little better later I'm taking you to the doctor," David said softly. He looked over at the clock and sighed. "You think you can sit up and take some more Tylenol and let me check your temperature again? I think you could use some water at least, you've shivered all night I'm sure you need some liquids."

Despite feeling sicker than he'd ever felt in his life, Craig smiled slightly. He loved the feeling of being cared for like this, and was grateful that David had stayed, even though he'd never have asked him to. He started to sit up and was hit by another sharp pain that took his breath away. Bringing his knees up to his chest, he rested his head back on his lover's shoulder. "Wait, please," he said softly. "Give me a second, then I'll sit up. I must have some kind of stomach bug. God, I hope I've not given it to you."

"I feel fine, love, but if you have that's ok - everyone gets sick," David said softly. He was concerned by the fact Craig's stomach seemed to be hurting so badly. "You need me to help?" David asked wondering what he could do other than take him directly to the doctor's office. Craig had seemed fine the night before, almost grinning to himself - he'd felt more than fine that was for damn sure. It just seemed to come on so suddenly...usually the flu gave you a bit of warning with some muscle aches or...something.

Craig finally sat up on the edge of the bed and tried to catch his breath. His stomach hurt badly, and he was still nauseous. "I'm fine," he said, trying not to worry his lover, closing his eyes and gritting his teeth as he stood up on wobbly legs. His hand went to his lower right side and he pressed gently, almost jumping at the pain that bit back at him. "You rest, love…I'm going to the bathroom, and I'll be right back."

"Craig?" he began and then stopped. He didn't want to smother him, he wanted to make sure he was all right...but he didn't want to overdo it. David frowned as he watched Craig make his way slowly for the bathroom feeling his heart ache in his chest and wishing he could make the pain he was feeling go away. David sat up on the edge of the bed and looked over at the clock wondering how long a person should run a fever before you went to a hospital. //God, Craig's the one with a medical background not me...if something was really wrong he'd tell me.//

Craig was suddenly burning up, sweat pouring from his forehead as he leaned on the counter, trying to figure out what was wrong. The pain in his stomach was getting worse, and one look in the mirror at his flushed face told him that he was still running a fever. He splashed cool water over his face and closed his eyes. Gingerly pressing his fingertips over his abdomen, he realized his stomach was sore and tender all over, the pain markedly worse on his right side. A sharp pain hit him as he released the pressure over the sorest spot and he fell to his knees in pain, lying on the floor and pressing his face against the cool tiles. //Shit. It's got to be my appendix. Fever, chills, nausea, pain…I don't want to worry David….At least this isn't something I can give to him…He'll be so worried…I can't afford this. I can't afford to miss work.// His thoughts jumbled in his head as he tried to breathe through the pain, wondering if he could even make it back to the bedroom.

David heard *something* and went to the bathroom door. Knocking softly he called out, "Craig? Sweetheart?" but he didn't get a response. Opening the bathroom door his breath caught in his throat as he saw his lover curled up on the floor. "Oh God," David said rushing into the room and collapsing on his knees beside his lover. "What is it? Craig, baby, I'm calling the hospital...this isn't the flu," he said taking Craig's hand in his and rubbing it gently.

Craig squeezed David's hand and tried to wipe the pain from his expression. "I'm fine," he said softly. "Just give me a few minutes. Don't worry, please."

"No," David said softly as he shifted on his knees. David had never been a particularly assertive person, even before his involvement with Richard, but his love and concern for Craig seemed to override his usual tentativeness. "We do this one of two ways Craig, you stay right here while I get a blanket and call 911 and come back to sit with you until an ambulance arrives. Or I help you downstairs and drive you to the hospital myself. Either way you are going to the hospital," David said sternly but with concern and love clearly etched on his face.

Craig closed his eyes and groaned, not liking his options in the least. One look back up at David told him it was no use to argue, so he closed his eyes again and sighed. "Don't leave," he whispered, clinging to his lover's hand. "Please. I'll get up."

"I'm not leaving, love," David said softly scooting closer. Holding Craig's hand patiently he waited until his lover said he was ready to move. David wanted so much to make all the pain he was feeling go away but he had no idea how...he'd always heard people in the medical profession made the worst patients...he hoped Craig wasn't hiding how much pain he was really in.

Craig let David pull him to his knees, where he had to stop for a moment to catch his breath, resting his head on David's chest. He really didn't want his lover to worry, but he was in a lot of pain, and knew there was no way he could make it downstairs alone. As David stood and pulled him to his feet, he suddenly started shivering again, and doubled over, the pain even worse than before. Gritting his teeth, he relied on David's strength to get him back to the bedroom, where he sat on the edge of the bed and tried to remember where he'd put his jeans the night before…rather, where //David// had put his jeans when he'd slid them from Craig's legs. Despite his pain, Craig couldn't help but smile, loving the fact David was more confident in letting Craig know what he wanted when they made love, and not being afraid to take the lead.

David felt his heart clench in his chest each time he saw Craig wince or saw him gritting his teeth. He was in a hell of a lot of pain that he was trying his best to hide from David. As they got to the bedroom David quickly dressed himself and grabbed a pair of loose sweats and t-shirt for Craig from the dresser...he was quite sure the sweats might even be his but at this point he didn't care. "Lemme help you get dressed love," he said softly. Helping Craig get dressed and feeling his stomach twist each time Craig had to pausem, knowing he was in a great deal of pain just getting dressed. Once he was done David allowed him to rest a few minutes while he gathered a few things from the bathroom and tossed them in an overnight bag. After having spent time in a hospital about a year ago he knew what was needed. Finally he turned to Craig, "You ready? I'm sorry love but...the stairs. I'll help you, I'll be right beside you. You tell me when you have to stop and rest and we will ok? Just lean on me ok? Let me help?"

Craig nodded weakly, hating the fact that he didn't even have enough strength to dress himself. And he *really* hated the fact that he was worrying David. He let his lover gently pull him to his feet and wrap an arm around his waist. They carefully navigated the stairs, having to stop often until the latest wave of pain passed. When they finally reached the car, Craig collapsed into the seat. "I'm sorry, love," he murmured, looking at the worried face of the man he so dearly loved. "I know I'm being a pain."

David looked over at Craig mildly amused. "Excuse me?" he said almost laughing. "Nevermind...don't be sorry. You are NOT being a pain you are IN pain...two very different things, love," David said softly squeezing Craig's hand as he started the car. He had no idea where that had come from...why would he be sorry because he was sick? The trip to the hospital wasn't long and David was relieved that Craig had laid his head back against the seat and seemed to relax just a little bit. He drove carefully trying to avoid any potholes he could. He pulled up in the Emergency Room entrance and told Craig to stay in the car while he ran out and got a wheelchair. He knew Craig would give him a hard time about that, but at this point he couldn't stand seeing him in any more pain. Just going down the steps at the house had been so hard on Craig and he just didn't want to see him hurting like that anymore.

Craig curled up on the seat, hoping that David wasn't going to get a wheelchair. Wincing as he watched his lover wheel one out, Craig tried to gather up the energy to argue. As David opened the door, Craig was already shaking his head. "I don't need that, sweetheart," he said, knowing full well that he was being unreasonable. "I can walk now. In fact, I'm feeling better…maybe we can just go home?" He knew he was lying, but he hoped this would somehow just magically go away.

David just stared at Craig for a moment and shook his head, "Craig, please, love? Just...I can't stand to see you in pain. Please just get in the chair? For me?" David said knowing that was probably the only way he wouldn't get further argument from Craig. He knew it was a little bit sneaky but it was the only way he could think of without having an argument over it.

Craig opened his mouth to argue until David asked him to get in the chair for him. Sighing, he resigned himself to being wheeled inside, knowing that David knew he'd do anything for him. Grumbling as his lover pulled him gently from the car, he settled himself in the wheelchair, shaking his head. "Not fair," he said, admiring David's gumption nevertheless. Another rush of pain caused him to close his mouth with a snap and lean forward, arms wrapped around his stomach.

David frowned and leaned over Craig kissing the top of his head, "I've got you, love," he whispered softly. "We're gona get you taken care of." He stood back up rubbing Craig's back gently and pushed the wheelchair toward the sliding doors. Once inside one of the people at the desk handed him a bunch of paperwork and started asking questions while a nurse came to wheel Craig away. One of the women, seeing the panic stricken look on David's face turned to him and said that she'd come get him as soon as they had Craig in an exam room.

Craig's first instinct had been to grab for David's hand as the nurse started to wheel him away. After multiple assurances that he would be able to be with Craig again in a matter of minutes, he gave in allowed himself to be taken to a small curtained area in the back of the emergency room. The nurse helped him up on the bed, where he curled up on his side, reminding himself not to try and play doctor and tell the attending physician what was wrong. Doctors always hated that, and *never* reacted well. All he really wanted right now was David to be back by his side.

David took the paperwork and glanced over it and asked a couple of questions. The woman at the desk asked him his relationship to Craig and he looked at her for a moment. "He's my husband," David said the lie coming out automatically. "Um, we've not been married long so he isn't on my insurance, can I just pay um...with this?" he said handing her his credit card. The woman nodded and took the card immediately recognizing the name on it and gathered the information that she needed. Soon he took his card back and turned to see the nurse who'd spoken to him before. "Can I go back now?" he asked her. The nurse nodded and smiled at him leading him back to Craig's exam room. "Mr. Parker...here's your husband...the doctor will be here soon," she said closing the door.

Less than five minutes after he'd miserably curled up on the bed, the nurse pulled the curtain back and announced to Craig that his husband was wanting to see him. Unable to suppress a smile despite his pain, Craig eyed his lover as he walked through the door.. "My….husband?" he said softly, trying to figure out what the nurse was talking about. Suddenly the thought came to him….//David as my husband. *MY* husband. God, I only wish that were true. But he'd never agree to marry me. Never in a million years. *Would he?*//

David had his hands in his pockets and grinned sheepishly. "Was the easiest way past all the paperwork," he said softly. //Oh Craig...I wish it were true.// Sitting down in the chair beside Craig's bed he took his lover's hand. "Won't be long, love," he whispered softly.

Craig smiled and squeezed David's hand, closing his eyes. "I guess it was the easiest way," he nodded. The thought of being David's husband had just sounded so wonderful - so right.…but he'd only done it because it was easier. That made sense. Besides, he reasoned, what did he have to offer? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Looking into his lover's eyes, Craig brought David's hand up to his lips and kissed each fingertip. "I don't want you to worry, sweetheart," he said, "but I'm pretty sure I'll have to have surgery. If you'll tell them at the front desk that I'll make payment arrangements before they take me up, I'll work something out with them."

As Craig said the word 'surgery' David felt his stomach flip. //Oh God...please let him be alright. I just found him...please don't take him away from me now.// Then David looked down at the floor for a moment feeling his heart break that Craig was worried about the money. "It...um I already took care of it," David said softly.

Craig looked up at David, ready to argue just as the nurse came in to take his vital signs. Her practiced eye told her this one was not someone who could wait, so she hurried off to get the doctor. "David, I…." He sighed and shook his head. "I'll pay you back," he said, squeezing his lover's hand. "Are you ok?"

David shook his head, "No, you won't pay me back...I don't want to talk about this right now, Craig. It's just money, you are more important, love...please just let it go," he said softly. "And...I'm ok...I'm worried about you that's all. I love you...and it kills me seeing you in pain and worrying about the damn bill...please I just want you well and home with me...that is all in the world I care about, Craig," he said quickly as he brushed a lock of hair off Craig's forehead that was still burning hot to the touch.

"I'm sorry," Craig said. "You're right. I just want to be back at home with you again too. I…." Curling up as another pain hit him, he squeezed David's hand until his knuckles were white. Before he could say anything else, a tall, thin doctor in a white lab coat pulled the curtain back and walked over toward the bed.

"Mr. Parker, I am Dr. Lance Moore. Would you like a little privacy for your exam, or would you like your husband to stay?"

"Please," Craig said, still clinging to David's hand. "Please let him stay."

David frowned as a pain washed over Craig and leaned over rubbing his back with his free hand and gritting his teeth against the pain from where Craig was crushing every little bone in his other hand. He knew he had to be in a hellacious amount of pain for that. "It's ok love, you'll be ok...I promise," he whispered softly. As the doctor walked in he felt relief wash over him when Craig asked for him to stay. He started to pull back out of the way but Craig still had his hand so he stayed where he was and offered the doctor his free hand after he introduced himself.

"Pleased to meet you," Dr. Moore said in a very business-like tone, making clear that he didn't have any time for chitchatting, "Show me where it hurts, Mr. Parker."

Trying to roll over on his back, Craig gingerly pointed to his lower right side. Dr. Moore palpated the area and nodded as his patient cried out in pain as the pressure was released. Grabbing the chart, he scribbled orders for various labs tests and a CT scan. "You could have appendicitis, Mr. Parker. I'll let you know as soon as I get the test results back, but, if that's the case, you'll definitely need surgery." With that, he turned and strode from the room, handing the chart to the nurse who was waiting outside.

Craig nodded and curled back on his side, still whimpering from the pain. "Friendly fellow," he said softly, trying to ease the worry from David's face.

David nodded and brushed sweat damp hair back from Craig's forehead. "Yeah...strictly business...I could always complain...after all it's my name on his paychecks," David grinned.

"What?" Craig asked, blinking. "Why would your name be on his paycheck?" Before David could answer, a friendly-looking, smiling nurse walked in with various assortments of needles and tubes. Drawing his blood into several multi-colored tubes, she quickly applied a Band-Aid and started an I.V. in his free hand. Injecting a shot of Demerol into the line, she smiled at both men, and told them that someone would be down to take Craig to radiology in a few minutes. It was quite obvious how much there were in love, she thought, seeing how they only had eyes for each other and their hands had remained entwined the entire time. True love was always nice to see. And the gentleman holding the patient's hand looked awfully familiar…

The shot began to take effect almost immediately and Craig released his grip on David's hand, only then noticing how hard he'd been clinging to him. "God, love," he murmured sleepily, "I'm so sorry. I didn't realize…."

David smiled, "It's ok...may need an x-ray but it'll be fine...my left hand anyway, love," he teased gently as Craig started to doze off from the medicine. Taking a deep breath he sat back in his chair and rubbed his hand over his face looking up at the ceiling. "Please God...watch over him," he whispered softly. He wished they would hurry...just get it over with...make Craig better so he could take him home again.

Almost an hour later, a new doctor entered the room. Introducing himself as Dr. Clayton, the hospital's general surgeon, he gently shook Craig awake. He sat down on the chair on the opposite side of the bed from David and cleared his throat. "Mr. Parker, your test results have confirmed appendicitis. You'll need surgery immediately to assure that your appendix doesn't rupture. I have a consent form here for you to sign, and I just need to go over the various risks with you."

"I'll sign it," Craig said weakly, not wanting David to hear anything about risks. He was already worried enough, that much was clear, and Craig knew the possible risks and side effects better than most.

Dr. Clayton raised a questioning eyebrow and looked at David. "As Mr. Parker's spouse, do you have any questions?" he asked.

David shook his head, "I think Craig just wants to get this over with and frankly so do I. All I want to do is get him back home, doctor," David said softly. He squeezed Craig's hand gently and looked back at the doctor. "Besides I already know all surgeries carry some level of risk...even minor ones. So there isn't much you can tell me that will change how I feel right now."

"Very well," Dr. Clayton smiled, handing the clipboard to Craig. "I'll have someone wheel you up to surgery in the next five minutes." Shaking both men's hands he nodded at David. "I'll take good care of him for you," he said softly, seeing the worry in David's eyes as Craig quickly signed the consent form and handed it back.

Moments later, Dr. Clayton left the room and Craig turned back to David. "Guess I'll see you in a couple of hours," he said softly, trying to hide his nervousness. He'd never had surgery before, and he was suddenly terrified. If this had happened a few months ago, he'd not have been half as afraid, but now…..now things were different. He had something…..*someone*…..to live for. "I love you," he said softly, unable to keep the fear from his voice completely.

"I love you too...and everything will be fine. I'll be waiting right outside of surgery and I'll be there when you wake up in your room," David said softly trying not to let his own worries and fears show through. He wanted to be strong for Craig...but he was terrified of losing him. Yes, this was minor but complications could happen with any surgery...and knowing that it scared the hell out of him. As a nurse and an anesthesiologist walked in, David was asked to move back out of the way and his heart broke at the look on Craig's face wishing he could be there to hold his hand but unable to.

Craig looked back at David for as long as he could see him as he was wheeled down the hall. He knew the risks were minor, but he'd also heard some horror stories in med school that he'd never forget. Minutes later, he found himself in a cool room, where a soft spoken woman dressed in blue scrubs injected another medication into his I.V. and asked him to count backward from 100. Picturing David's face, Craig closed his eyes and took a deep breath, wanting this to be over with so he could see his lover's sparkling blue eyes smiling down at him again. "I love you, David," he whispered before he began counting.

The nurse smiled and made a mental note to tell her patient's husband that he was the last thing Craig's mind just before he went out.

TBC