The sun slipped into the room and slid across the white carpet. Slowly it crept up the end of the bed and moved up to her face. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and looked at the clock. Rolling her eyes, she stretched slowly and rolled onto her side. Her eyes moved to the window and she slowly climbed out of bed.

As she got to her feet, she felt a wave of nausea hit her and she sat back down. Her head was pounding and she felt light headed. Frowning, she forced herself back up and she moved across the room. Stepping into the hall, she slipped into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. She could see the glaze in her eyes and the slight redness to her checks and lips.

She pulled open cabinet and pulled out some flu medicine. Sighing, she took two pills and rested the box on the back of the sink. Closing her eyes, she filled a glass with water and doused the pills. Her stomach was in knots and her head felt as if it had been ran over. Slowly she turned on the shower and allowed it to heat up as she leaned against the wall.

______________________________________________

Placing the clean glass aside, he saw Bryan approaching and smiled to the lad. The smile faded when he caught the lad's look and he moved over to him.

"What's eatin' at you?"

"Have you seen Faith today?"

"Can't say that I have."

His eyes narrowed and he said, "She didn't show up to work today. I'm worried, Alan."

He nodded and said, "That's not like her. Maybe Jesse knows something."

Bryan growled and looked directly at him.

"Why the hell would I ask him?"

Alan waved his hands in surrender and said, "Don't take it out on me. The guy just happens to be a piece of Faith we didn't know. Besides, I bet he's talked to her today."

Bryan growled again and Alan shook his head. He glanced at the clock and his eyes narrowed. It was eight at night and Faith was nowhere to be seen. She was suppose to have been in three hours ago. The door opened and he caught sight of Jesse walking in with the band.

He caught the man's gaze and watched him depart from the band. Silently he approached the bar and Bryan sent him a cold look.

Alan shook his head and asked, "Jesse, how's it going?"

He took the glass slid his way and said, "It's okay. The band's ready."

"I'm not surprised. I can always trust Faith's decisions."

Bryan jumped to his feet and demanded, "Where is Faith you scum?"

Alan looked at the lad and heard, "I haven't seen her in three days."

Bryan's eyes narrowed and he asked, "Why wasn't she at work today?"

Jesse met his gaze coldly and said, "I don't know."

Alan grabbed Bryan's shoulder and said, "Let him be, Bryan. He's needed tonight and your temper is only going to disturb him. Besides, I bet you only have to call over to Faith's apartment to find out what she's doing."

Bryan crumbled back into the stool and said, "Give me the phone then."

Jesse watched him as he dialed the phone and took a drink. The man was insane. His eyes were blazing with blame he knew he was the receiver. When Bryan slammed the phone onto the bar he knew the answer.

"She isn't answering or she's not there!"

His eyes narrowed and he finished his drink. Silently he moved across the club and climbed on stage. The band finished their tuning and started on their first number.

______________________________________________

Knocking the door, he took a deep breath and waited. It was the third try and still no sound. His hand turned the doorknob and the door opened. His eyes narrowed and he silently stepped inside.

"Faith?"

He looked around the apartment and found it the way it was the last time he was here. Slowly he moved down the hallway and stopped at an open room. A computer sat by the window and a cd player next to it. He moved further down the hall and came up to the bedroom. The door was open and he slowly stepped inside.

His eyed around the room and rested on the sleeping form in the chair by the window. She was wrapped up in a blanket and her hair was hanging down over her face. Silently he moved to her and brushed the hair away. His hand jerked back and the sensation of being burnt lingered. He knelt in front of her and gently shook her shoulder.

"Faith, wake up."

She took a deep breath and he watched her open her eyes. They were glossy and he brushed her jaw gently. The burning returned and he helped her sit up. She tried to keep her focus on him but her eyes weren't willing to stay open. Slowly he slid her arm around his neck and picked her up with the blanket still wrapped around her.

He placed her on the bed and helped her look at him.

"How long?"

She shook her head and said, "I don't remember. I woke up like this and took some medicine."

He watched her take a deep breath and run her hand through her hair.

"What time is it?"

He glanced at the clock and said, "Ten pm."

She jumped to her feet and he caught her as she crumbled back down onto the bed. He watched her close her eyes and swallow hard.

"Faith, I need to get you to a hospital."

"I lost the entire day."

He kissed her burning forehead and said, "Come on. You're not getting better."

She shook her head and said, "No. No hospitals. It will shake."

He made her look at him and said, "You're burning up and pale."

Her eyes were mixed between feverish and pain. He felt the fever licking at his skin and wrapped her arm around his neck again.

"No Jesse. Please. I just need to sleep."

She took a deep breath and slowly got to her feet. He rose behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist as she moved to the bathroom. She picked the box off the sink and took out two more pills. His eyes narrowed as she watched her take the medicine.

"How many have you taken?"

She closed her eyes and said, "I don't know. I opened the box this morning."

He picked the box up and counted only three doses left. Putting the box aside, he looked at her and caught her just as she fell backwards. Her head rested against his shoulder and one arm wrapped around his neck.

"I'm taking you to the hospital. The medicine isn't working."

She moaned and said, "Please just let me go to sleep."

He looked at her and said, "I need you to stay awake for me. Stay awake, Faith. At least until we get to the hospital."

She met his gaze and said, "I'm so tired, Jesse."

He kissed her forehead and moved down the hall to the door. Opening the door with one hand, he stepped outside and locked the door behind him.

PGS