#nr10

Jason could hear the voices calling out to him, but none of them made any sense.  His mind felt like it was on fire.  The pain in his throat made it hard to focus on anything.

He tried to open his eyes, but all he could make out was flashing lights and blurred images, moving past him.  

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he realized that he was moving.  The voices just continued around him.  But every time he tried to piece together what was going on, his focus will slip and he barely managed to hold on to the little bit of consciousness that he had.  

Bright lights shone in his eyes and the pain in his head flared up.  Slowly the darkness dragged himself.  

Something cool touched his face and he walked to lean towards it, but couldn’t move anymore.  He was to tired.  His body hurt to badly.  And it was so warm.  

Everything disappeared.  

Jason slowly opened his eyes.  The light felt to bright and it hurt his head.  He swallowed and pain ripped through him body.

The lights dimmed and Jason almost let out relieved moan.  

“You’re awake...” a voice said and Jason slowly turned his head towards the sound.  He blinked a few times, to get the face into focus. 

“.... sammy...?” he asked, voice voice hoarse and barely audible.

Sam smiled slightly at him.  “Yeah... It’s me, you idiot” she said “You sound terrible”

Jason managed a slight smile for her.  “...hurts...” he managed “...happened...?”.  

With a sigh, Sam just brushed some of his hair back.  “You got a fever” she said softly “Scared poor Rowan half to death when you just passed out in the apartment”

“...sorry...” Jason said quietly.  

Sam stroked his cheek.  “Please don’t scare us like this” she said softly.

Jason nodded and just leaned into her touch.  “...thirsty...” he muttered, winching at the pain.

“Here you go” Sam said, handing him a small ice chip as she helped him to sit up “They put you on an IV, Jay...  You need to stay here for a few days, until the doctor is happy with you”

Jason allowed Sam to help him sit up.  She could still feel the fever burning through him.

They haven’t managed to break his fever.

“You need to take it easy...  Promise you will?” Sam said softly.

Jason nodded slightly.  “...try...” he whispered.  

Swallowing were painful and his breathing still wheezed through his throat, even now.  

Sam reached for the cloth that lay on the bedside table, wringing it out and wiping Jason’s face.  

He closed his eyes for a moment.  The cold felt really good.  Even with his body burning like it was, he could feel it.  Breathing was still painful, but with the ice chips, it felt better.  

The door opened for a moment and a red head peered into the room.  

“Jace!” Mike said “You’re awake...”

Jason’s eyes flickered towards him.  “...mikey...” he muttered.

“You sounds terrible” Mike said as he walked into the room “Seriously...  If you keep this up, you wouldn’t be able to talk”

Jason gave him a slight smile and shrugged.

Mike shook his head.  “Oh please, don’t give me that look” he said as he walked over and leaned slightly on Sam’s shoulders “We all know what you are up to most of the times.  It’s really not all that surprising that you’ve gotten yourself into this mess”

Jason gave him a flat look, but did not say anything. 

Sam glanced up at him and smiled.  “The fever doesn’t want to break” she said softly.

Mike sighed and patted Sam on the head.  “It’s alright” he said “He’ll be perfectly fine...  Right Jace?”

Jason shrugged slightly with one shoulder as he took another ice chip from Sam.

Mike grinned.  “Why don’t you get some more sleep, you idiot?” he said.

“....not... tired...” he managed.

“Well you’re an idiot” Mike said “Rowan asked me to check up on you.  You scared the living crap out of him when you passed out.  Seriously man...  Be a little bit more considerate of your friends”

Jason lifted a hand and flipped him off. 

“That’s just rude and you know it”  Mike said “Don’t be so rude while Sam’s here”

Sam rolled her eyes.  “We’re used to him” she said with a smile.

“Now that’s sad” Mike said “Seriously...  You’re making Sam used to your rotten behavior”

“...you... suck...” Jason whispered.

“I’m bloody awesome” Mike said “And don’t you forget about that”

Sam shook her head.  “Mike if you don’t have anything helpful to do, go home” she said “You are not making things any better”

Mike grinned at her.  “Oh come on, my wonderful personality will light up his day” he said.  

“You’re an idiot” Sam said with a smile.  

Jason slowly lay back and closed his eyes.  

“We’ll just have to get him to drink the medicine when the doctor releases him” Mike said folding his hands behind his head “And you idiot didn’t drink it while being home...  Meaning we have to keep a very close eye on you”

“...go... home... mikey...” Jason said hoarsely.  

Mike laughed loudly.  “Oops... I did it again...” he sang as he walked to the door.

Jason groaned.  “... hate him...” he muttered.