It was late by the time the movie finished.

"Are you going to sleep in my bed again?" Cath asked with a yawn.

"I think that'd be inappropriate in the current circumstances."

"How so?" Catherine laughed.

"We're not married," Matt laughed.

"So? We've slept in the same bed together before," Catherine reasoned, "but if you don't want to, just say so."

"I know, but I'm a traditionalist," Matt smiled.

Catherine laughed. "Alright. Sleep in the guest room, then."

"I mean, I will if you want me to."

"I don't want you to if you're going to be uncomfortable."

"No," Matt laughed. "I mean, I don't sleep really anyways."

"You can sleep in my room if you want," Cath shrugged. "It's up to you."

"It's your house. It's up to you," Matt chuckled.

Catherine kissed him gently. "While that may be true, only you can make that decision. I would like you to sleep in my room, but if you would prefer the guest room, I'm okay with that."

Matt waited until Catherine had entered her room and shut the door. With hands behind his back, he contently began to walk around the apartment, enjoying every little clue of the life before him. Every photo seemed a wonderful story he had yet to learn.

He saw a picture of Cath ask a young girl, laying in a hospital bed. It was taken after her accident. She was still smiling brightly as her sister sat next to her and read. It was a wonder to him how, even when she was in so much pain, she still managed to be happy.

—————

Catherine sat on her bed, plucking at the strings of her ukulele. She softy sang the chorus to the song she played, "You can count on me like one, two, three, and I'll be there. And I know, when I need it, I can count on you like four, three, two, and you'll be there..."

She finished the song and had begun to read when Matt came into her room. She barely glanced up from her book as she asked, "Did you decide where you're sleeping?"

"Yep," he laughed, smacking a couch cushion onto the floor and grinning. "It's a compromise."

"You're seriously going to sleep on the floor?" Catherine laughed.

"Yep," Matt beamed.

Catherine shook her head and pulled the covers over herself. "Turn out the light."

Matt did so happily and flopped onto the floor, he turned to face Catherine's bed, his eyes fixed intently on her in curiosity.

Cath rolled on her side and looked down at him. "What's that look for?" She laughed.

"What look?" Matt said awkwardly. "I wasn't looking at anything."

Catherine smiled knowingly. "You were looking at me."

"You're gorgeous," Matt said softly.

"Was that really why you were looking at me?" Catherine asked with a laugh.

"Yes and no," Matt laughed, his voice groggy with sleep. "It's different that's all."

"What's different?"

"Having someone here again," Matt sighed, turning over and staring at the ceiling.

"I hope it's a good kind of different," Cath smiled.

Matt felt a tugging in his chest. It wasn't pain, it was a longing finally filled. "I never thought I'd have it again, that's all. Not like this."

"I never thought I'd have it ever," Catherine sighed. "I'm going to go to sleep. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Matt mumbled.

—————

Catherine woke up in the middle of the night. Feeling thirsty, she went to the kitchen to drink some water. She returned to the bedroom and laid back in bed. Instead of sleeping, she watched her boyfriend with a small smile gracing her features.

Matt moaned softly in his sleep, his breathing haggard and face tightly knit with a frown.

Cath noticed his breathing pattern and couldn't help but wonder if something was wrong. "Should I wake him up?" She thought.

Matt gave a sniff, his nose heavily stuffed, and turned over again. "Water," he mumbled under his breath hoarsely.

Catherine immediately got out of bed and returned quickly with a glass of water. She knelt down and putting a hand on his arm. "Matt, here, you need to drink this," she whispered.

"What?" He choked out softly.

Cath handed him the glass of water and helped him to sit up. She put a hand to his forehead. "Babe, you feel really hot."

"No, I'm fine," he said determinedly. "Must be allergies."

"You have a fever," Catherine said softly, subtle worry behind her words. "Do you want to sleep in the bed?"

"I don't have a fever," Matt mumbled, laying back down. "I've never had a fever a day in my life."

"Matt," Catherine said sternly, "you have a fever."

"I was just too close the heater," Matt said, his voice raspy. "I'm fine really."

Catherine sighed. "Baby, you're sick. You can't deny it." She put a hand to his cheek. "You're burning up."

"I was fine this morning," Matt pouted, attempting in vain to sit up again.

"Well, now you're not," Catherine frowned. She helped him into the bed and pulling the covers over him. "I have a few things I need to take care of. You get some rest, alright?" She whispered in Matt's ear, gently brushing hair out of his face. "I want you to feel better."

Cath walked out of the room and quietly shut the door. She immediately dialed Carlos's number.

"What?" Came Carlos's groggy, slightly irritated voice.

"Hey Carlos. I'm so sorry to wake you up, but I need to ask a huge favor," Catherine replied quickly.

Carlos yawned. "What can I do for you, Cathy?"

"Matt's sick and I'm going to need to take care of him. Is there any chance you can take my shift at Alex's?" She asked hopefully.

"Sure. Anything for you," Carlos smiled.

"Thank you," Cath sighed in relief. "I owe you big time."

"No, you don't. Go take care of your boyfriend."

"Okay. Thanks again, Carlos. I'll see you later."

Catherine hung up the call and then called Alex, telling him that her cousin would be taking her shift. Once she finished, she grabbed a book and gently crawled into bed beside Matt, being careful not to wake him.

—————

A few hours later, Matt stirred gently back into consciousness. "Cath?" He mumbled. "Cath, what are you doing?"

"Just reading, Dear," she smiled. "Do you need me to get you anything?"

"No, I'm fine," Matt groaned. "I gotta go to work."

Catherine put a hand on his shoulder. "You're not going anywhere."

"I've got to make sure there's a good person for Josh's job, and there's that new composing program and-"

"Matt, you're sick. You aren't going anywhere," Cath repeated. "Honey, you have to reasonable. Stay in bed. Let me take care of you."

"I've never been sick before," Matt said in awe. "Ever. I didn't even fake it in middle school to get out for the day."

"Well, then you were bound to get sick at some point," Catherine shrugged.

"Oh, god," Matt moaned. "I'm gonna die, aren't I?"

"No," Catherine laughed, putting a hand to his cheek. "You're going to be fine. I promise."

"I'd rather get the other half of my face burnt off than this," Matt said dramatically.

"I know you don't mean that," Catherine sighed. She kissed his temple and whispered softly, "I love you. I'm going to take care of you, alright? I promise that you'll be just fine."

"You shouldn't have to," Matt insisted. "You've already done so much, Cath."

"I'm gonna whether you want me to or not. The sooner you accept it, the better," Catherine laughed. "Now, are you hungry at all?"

"No," Matt sighed. "There was some medicine Josh always used to get when he was sick, though. I don't remember what it was called."

"I might be able to figure it out. What are your symptoms?" Cath asked, stoking his arm gently.

"I feel like...like a raisin."

Catherine laid down next to Matt, resting her head on his shoulder. "And what exactly does a raisin feel like?"

"Dried up and fizzy and useless."

"Aw," Catherine frowned, kissing his cheek. She felt Matt's forehead. "Your fever hasn't broken yet. And I can tell you're congested. Am I missing anything? Sore throat? Upset stomach? Headache?"

"Like someone is crushing my skull."

"I think I know what you need," Catherine nodded, getting up and returning with a glass of water and a pill. "Here. Take this. It'll help with the headache."

"Okay," Matt whimpered.

Cath helped him gently to a sitting position and gave him the pill. Once he downed it and the glass of water, she helped him to lay back down. "Can I get you anything else? Another pillow? More water? I could get you another blanket if you're cold."

Matt nodded and Catherine quickly retrieved a thick, warm blanket. She spread it out over him and then crawled into bed beside him. "Aren't you worried that you'll catch whatever I have?" He asked.

"The only thing I'm worried about is your health," Catherine said softly. "Can I take your temperature?"

Matt shrugged. "If you wish."

Catherine grabbed the thermometer and took his temperature. "One hundred and three," she winced. "If it stays like this, I might have to take you to see a doctor."

"No," Matt nearly yelped. "Don't."

Catherine grasped his hand gently. "Baby, if it doesn't drop at least a little bit, I'm going to have to."

"Ugh," Matt groaned. "Can't you just google whatever I have?!"

"Not if you want it to be accurate."

"It's not like I have health insurance, Cath," Matt sighed. "Who would you even call?"

"Josh's brother. It wouldn't be too hard to find him," she shrugged.

"Oh. I didn't even think of him," Matt mumbled. "I must be sick or something."

Catherine laughed. "Yes, you are. Besides, I'm only making you see Jack if your fever persists to be this hot, or worse, if it rises."

"Are you saying I'm hot?" Matt smirked weakly.

"Hush, you," Catherine chuckled. "Get some rest. I'll stay here," she said, cuddling into his side. "I love you."

—————

Mari held the phone gently in her hand and sighed. "Dear Josh, today is the third day without you. The new dude sucks."

She sighed heavily and frowned. "Without you," she repeated to herself. "I sound like a stupid, desperate teenager."

She backspaced frantically. "Dear Josh, I wanted to talk about some stuff? We all miss you. Hope you end up getting this. You haven't called or responded in a few days and I'm getting worried. Hope all is well. Yours truly-"

Could she say 'yours'?

"Fondly."

No, she had to keep it platonic.

"Sincerely, Mari."