FIC:In Sickness and in Heath (R)

[wiccabex.livejournal.com]

Author: Linteloteiel
Title: In Sickness and in Health
Summary: Craig and Karl love each other like brothers. What will happen when Craig becomes seriously ill, and Karl blames himself?
Pairings: Marton/Craig, Craig/Karl, Hugo/Marton, Hugo/Harry (implied)
Archiving: Beyond the Fellowship, anyone else, ask
Rating: R
Note: This will be quite a long fic, so any feedback is welcomed from the beginning.
\\ Indicates Karl’s thoughts, // Craig’s. Craig will not die!! I promise!

Karl woke again about seven. A nurse was taking Craig’s blood pressure and temperature. He was still fast asleep; Marton sat next to him, unaware of everything at that particular time. He removed the blanket someone had covered him with, folding it and putting it on the chair as he stood. \Probably Marton\ He touched Marton on the shoulder gently. Marton nearly jumped out his seat.
'Shit!' he swore, turning and seeing Karl.
'Morning. I'm going to go get some coffee, do you want some?' Marton shook his head.
'I'm not thirsty.' \tough\ he thought, and went to fetch two black coffees and some toast. Finding the small hospital café was hard work, but he found it soon enough. He ordered two rounds of toast, and two white coffees. He paid, then headed back to the room.

Marton had obviously dozed off once the nurse departed. He was slumped slightly in the chair, head back. Karl picked up the blanket, covering him with it. He set the toast and coffee on the bedside table, waiting for him to wake up. \I can see why Craig loves you. I could easily love you too\ As if he was aware of the scrutiny he was under, Marton opened his eyes.
'Eat.' Karl ordered, shoving the toast at him.
'I'm not hungry either.' Marton stated, glaring at Karl as he ate the toast.
'Neither am I. Do as I say anyway, I'm King of Rohan.' They both shared brief smiles, the humour mostly ineffective. \Well, we're trying\
'Well, King of Rohan, I am Lord of Lothlorien. And you're late for makeup.' They giggled quietly, slightly cheered by the old joke they had all shared. They returned to their vigil slightly refreshed.

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'He's still asleep... Nope, no real change… Marton's in with him still… No… Well, we've both dozed a bit… Harry! He's really ill! We're not going to just leave him… Yeah, but Marton's dating him and he's my brother in all but blood… Ok, so there's that as well… Harry, if you dare, I swear, I'll have them swap the props over and have you really truly killed… Look, we’ll see you later, yeah?.. About ten… Bye.' Karl hung up the payphone and went back into the room.

'Hey Karl.' Craig was sat up in bed, sipping some water.
'Hey yourself. Remember what's going on?' Craig coughed, spilling water.
'Yeah.' He said, in between another spasm of coughing. \Baby, I wish I could trade places with you\
'No. I just told him *again*.' Marton said.
'So do you remember talking to me at four am?'
'Yes.'
'Not this four am. The night before.' Karl grinned. Craig looked ready to kill Marton.

'So what's that now, twice, you've been told? Once by me and once by Marton?'
'Three.' Craig tried to laugh, succeeding in setting of another spasm of coughing. 'Ow.'
'Don't laugh, hon.' Marton mock scolded.
'Yeah, save your strength. Harry and Hugo are coming about ten.' Craig rolled his eyes.
'Fantastic. As if it wasn't bad enough having my liege lord here, you have to invite more.' They all laughed a little, before Craig decided he wanted a doze.
'Wake me when they get here!' he ordered. \If we feel like it\
'Are you giving orders to your liege lord now?' Marton teased. Craig nodded sleepily.
'Damn right I am.'

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

Harry and Hugo arrived just before ten, and quietly entered the room. Hugo was carrying two steaming cups of coffee, and Harry had three.
'We brought a tea for the sleeping beauty, in case he was awake.'
'Ah, his royal highness has ordered his liege lord to wake him when you arrive. It might be worth finding a basin though. Just in case the tea brings a return of the projectile vomiting.' Karl said. He was grinning at Craig's ordering around, even though he was worried about him still. Hugo and Harry laughed.

'Hmmm. What's the noise about?' Craig groaned. 'Oh god I feel awful.' He muttered.
'I'm not surprised. That was quite a show you put on yesterday for Peter.' Marton teased. Hugo looked on, glad to see Marton more composed.
'Show?' Harry and Hugo exchanged glances. Craig obviously didn't remember what had happened.
'Yeah, you threw up all over then passed out in it.' Karl told him, face deadpan.
'You're having me on.' Craig tried to get up, sinking back into bed again, clutching his head. \Ooh, careful baby. Take it easy\
'Actually we're not, but you won't remember this when you wake up next time. We've told you four times now.' Marton said, easing him back into the bed properly. Harry gave a low whistle.
'Really?' he asked. Karl nodded, gesturing at the observation chart.

'Look at his temperature, Harry. He doesn't stay awake for more than half an hour, and he has no idea he's waking up. He's not really awake, if you understand.' Harry reached out, squeezing Karl's arm. Hugo noticed, but said nothing. They both knew how Karl felt towards Craig, and had given him support when Marton and Craig started dating. Instead, Hugo turned to Craig and Marton, who were holding hands. \I could be that for you Craig. If you’d let me\
'So, how you doing?'
'Urgh. I don't know. I feel like I'm burning.' Hugo nodded, sitting in one of the chairs.
'We bought you a hot drink, if you want it.' He offered. Craig shook his head slightly.
'I feel really quite sick, so no thanks.'
'No problem. We brought along some traditional gifts as well. One trashy soap magazine, full of Shortland Street gossip, one romance novel, and also this.' He left on the side a Get Well card, signed by all 'the gang'. \Even Davey boy signed it\

'How many people know?' He asked.
'Well, all of the cast that were there, so Orlando, Viggo, John of the major cast. Then everyone from the gang knows now. Dave was last to know, I called him this morning. John was there, so Bernard already knew, and then all of us here.'
'So everyone on the set by now. Orlando's a gossip if ever there was one.' Craig looked extremely pissed off at the fact. \Cute\
'Actually, Orlando was asking Peter if he was coming to see you. Then he rang us. He said get better soon, or he'll have your role as guardian of Lorien.'
'Tell him like hell he will.' They all laughed at this.
‘Tell him yourself, he’s coming round later.’ Craig groaned.
'I hope someone’s going to tie him to the chair. I don't need a hyperactive elf bouncing on the bed.' He lay back, closing his eyes, half dozing. \I’d trade places if I could, sweetheart, I really would/

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

'You're really feeling sick, aren't you?' Karl asked, looking worried. Craig had dozed for a while, but woken up and talked with Harry and Hugo for quite a while. He had fallen silent again now, and Karl noticed almost straightaway. \He looks on the verge of throwing up\
'It'll pass. It did before.' Craig muttered. He had gone paler, if possible.
'Want me to fetch a bowl?' Marton offered, still holding Craig's hand.
'Mmmm. Yeah.' He didn't nod. \Strange. Craig never likes being fussed over like that\ Harry was already rummaging in the locker underneath the bedside table. He produced a small basin with a triumphant 'Aha', placing it on top of the table.
'Tell you what, Parker. Me and Hugo will disappear for now, and come back tonight or tomorrow, when you feel better.' Marton nodded acknowledgment. Craig was sat forward, head down.

Karl sat the other side, bowl in one hand, gently rubbing Craig’s back with the other. Marton was holding Craig upright, squeezing his hand in silent comfort at the same time. They winced as Craig retched, bringing up nothing more than bile and water. He retched again, and Karl ceased rubbing his back, trying to keep him upright as he started to sink back. \Sit up, baby. Don’t lie down\
'Oh god. I feel so fucking awful.' He retched one last time, then tried to sink back against the pillows. 'I think I'm done now.' He sighed. Marton helped ease him back against the pillows, while Karl soaked a flannel in some water. He handed it to Craig.
'There you go. You clean up, I'll get rid of this.' He took the bowl out of the room, heading to the nurses station. He came back within a few minutes, and Craig was fast asleep again.

'What are we gonna do with him?' Marton asked jokingly.
'I don't know.' Karl collapsed into one of the chairs, covering his face. \What if he doesn’t get better?\
'Hey. He's ok. You saw him, he's better.'
'Not that much. This is all my fault. I should have gone to him sooner.' Karl started crying again, the strain of it hitting him.
'Hey, come on. You know that isn't true. Look, you stretch out on that bed, and get some sleep. I promise I'll wake you if he does, but you're doing yourself no good at all.' Marton wiped his face for him, kissed his forehead. 'He'll need you once he's feeling a bit better. Can't have you exhausted.' Karl nodded. Within minutes of stretching out on the bed, he was asleep.

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As promised, Orlando showed up briefly in the early evening. He didn’t stay long, letting Craig sleep on. Karl had woken up again, and Marton was taking a turn at sleeping.
‘Hey Karl.’
‘Orlando, hi. Harry said you might come.’
‘Yeah, I felt kind of guilty for not noticing something was wrong.’
‘Don’t. I didn’t realise either. How’s shooting going?’
‘Ok. Peter shifted the schedule, we’re shooting some other stuff instead, mostly things at Isenguard.’
‘Uh huh. No rest for the wicked, eh. I’ll probably be there tomorrow.’
‘Nah, Peter said you three won’t be in for a while. I guess he’s giving you all a break. Probably worried about infection or something.’ Karl laughed.
‘Maybe. Ah well, I’ll take the break happily. What about you? Early start again tomorrow?’ Orlando nodded.
‘Of course. Be earlier when I become guardian of Lorien.’
‘Oh yes, Craig said like hell you will.’ Orlando laughed, quickly quieting himself.

Marton was stretching slightly, and opened his eyes.
‘Orlando. Hello.’
‘Sorry if I woke you.’ Marton shook his head.
‘Not likely. I sleep like the dead. How you doing?’
‘Good. How is Craig doing?’
‘He’s… better.’
‘But not good.’ Orlando finished. ‘Got you. Still pretty poorly, then.’ They both nodded.
‘They said it could take a good three or four days for him to come round properly.’
‘But he’s woken up?’
‘Yeah. A few times. Are you coming back with Harry and Hugo tomorrow?’
‘I can’t, I’m shooting. But I’ll pop by again tomorrow evening or the evening after. I still want that guardian of Lorien role.’ He grinned, then left the room with a cheery wave.

‘Feel better for the sleep?’ Karl asked. \I certainly did\
‘Yeah. Hadn’t realised how tired I was. You?’
‘Did me the world of good. Wanna go grab something to eat?’
‘Yeah, why not? We don’t have to go far, we can get back if we need to.’ They left for the small café, and ordered large meals each.

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

Shortly after eight in the evening Peter turned up, bringing with him stuff from their trailers.
‘How’s he doing?’ Peter asked quietly.
‘He’s drifting in and out, seems coherent enough, but he remembers nothing. He spoke to Karl last night, and me this morning, but he’s completely forgotten having done so. We’ve told him four times what happened, but he wakes up and hasn’t a clue. His temperatures still high. He's been sick once, but nothing compared to yesterday.’ Marton spoke rapidly.
‘He’s still coughing a lot, but they said that the endoscope thing probably made that worse.’ Karl added. Peter nodded silently. \And I gave them permission for that\

‘I’ve pushed back all the scenes involving him and you two. We’ve gone on to Isenguard scenes. When he’s fully recovered we’ll see about shooting Helm’s Deep. Not until he’s had a good two weeks to recover after being given a clean bill of health.’ Peter told them.
‘He’ll never agree to it, Peter. As soon as he’s out of here, he’ll be back on set.’ Marton said.
‘If I catch any one of you three on set in the next two weeks, I’ll fire you and find new actors. Let’s go see the wounded soldier.’

Craig was sleeping, turned on his side. The ears had been removed, placed on the small bedside table. Peter picked up the chart from the end of the bed, looking over the observations since he had been admitted.
‘106° on admittance, 105° this afternoon. It’s not dropping fast. He’s a walking inferno!’ Peter said softly.
‘Who is? Me?’ Peter nearly dropped the chart.
‘Hey sleepy elf. How are you feeling?’
‘Like I’m on fire inside and out. You?’ Karl and Marton burst out laughing. \He’s feeling better\
‘The Haldir sarcasm has returned. He must be feeling better.’ Marton sniggered.
‘I’m good, Craig. I won’t ask how you are, I can see you aren’t well.’
‘Thanks! Is anyone going to explain what the hell is going on?’ he half snapped. He was slightly flushed, and obviously not feeling too brilliant.

‘Not again!’ Karl said, pretending to be exasperated.
‘Relax, honey. You’re sick.’ Marton explained.
‘I feel fine.’ \liar. You’re going to be sick again, I can see it\ Karl fetched the basin again, placing it on the bed in front of Craig. Marton gave him a questioning look, and Karl gestured to Craig’s pallor. Even as he did so, Craig gagged, and vomited into the basin. Peter left the room, fetching a nurse, as Karl and Marton helped Craig to sit up. The nurse bustled in, and took his arm. She isolated a vein, and then slipped a needle in.
‘What did you give me?’ Craig asked weakly.
‘Something to stop you being sick again. Try and get some more sleep.’ She left again, taking the basin with her.
‘Quick.’ Marton commented. Craig moaned, and leaned over the bed as he dry heaved.
‘I don’t think there’s anything left.’ He moaned.

The nurse returned with a thermometer and blood pressure cuff.
‘While you’re awake, we’ll get your blood pressure. We’ve taken it while your asleep, but this’ll be more accurate. The drugs should take effect in a couple of minutes.’ Craig nodded.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow Craig. I hope you feel better soon.’ Peter said. He spoke to Karl outside the room for a couple of minutes, then left.

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