Try A Little Tenderness (c)

[Tag Along]

"Mmm." Tag nodded before reaching over to the next bunk and grabbing an extra blanket. She spread it over Specs, hoping he was warm enough.

"You finish that, and I'll go look in the infirmary for some aspirin."

[Specs]

"Tag! You really don't have... to," shouted Specs but trailed off once he saw that she was gone. He placed the mug on the table next to him and pulled the covers near his shoulders as he shivered slightly.

[Tag Along]

She found some aspirin, luckily, and took them upstairs along with a glass of water. She had also tucked Pride & Prejudice under her arm, in case he wanted her to read him to sleep.

Tag took her spot on the bed again, giving him the water and the aspirin. "Those should help bring your fever down. But you should take more later on tonight, just in case."

[Specs]

Specs simply nodded, taking the aspirin and popping it in his mouth before propping himself to drink enough water. He fell back down on the bed, refusing to move.

"I'll be fine here," he said, looking up at her. "You really don't have to stay. Go sell papes or somethin'."

[Tag Along]

"I'm going to stay whether you like it or not." She replied sternly.

Tag set the book on her lap and looked down at the cover. "Would you like me to read to you?"

[Specs]

Specs nodded, propping himself up with some pillows so he could better look at her. "Sure. But don't get mad if I fall asleep, alright? You just gave me medicine!"

[Tag Along]

"Why would I get mad?!" She scoffed, smiling at him. "Silly goose."

She opened the book to the marked page - over halfway through - and began to read. She was positive Specs wouldn't last over a few pages.

[Specs]

Specs loved listening to Tag when she read to him. Her voice was so smooth and melodic. Exhaustion and the medicine kicking in, Specs could barely open his eyes anymore. He blinked his eyes open, adjusting his pillows so that he would stay awake and listen to more of what Tag was saying. Then again, he lost track of what was going on already and just wanted to listen to her talk.

[Tag Along]

Tag made a mental note of the paragraph at which Specs started to drift off. She kept on reading, however, wanting to make sure he was really asleep before going back down to the kitchen.

[Specs]

Unable to keep his eyes open anymore, Specs slid down on his bed, comfortable yet exhausted. He gently reached over to hold Tag's hand just to make sure she was still there.

[Tag Along]

Tag smiled widely, hoping it didn't show in her voice, though she was sure it did. She held Specs' hand tightly, reassuring him that she was there and would be when he woke up.

[Specs]

Pulling up the covers, Specs gently squeezed her hand before finally falling asleep. He secretly hoped none of the other boys would walk in because he was sure he'd hear an earful later on that night. Either way, he was content and glad to have Tag next to him, whether he was sick or not.

((Gotta run! Ttyl! )

[Tag Along]

Once Tag heard Specs breathing deeply, she gently set the book down and slipped her hand out of his. Stepping quietly, she made her way down to the kitchen to throw together some soup.

((Bye!!))

[Specs]

Specs hugged his pillow, blinking his eyes open to find that it was already the afternoon. He gasped, sitting up once he realized that he almost slept the whole day away. He simply just wanted to get water, not take a nap! He reached over his bedside table to find his glasses, hoping that it was still there.

[Tag Along]

Tag was there, sewing up some of her shirts. She quickly stopped his arm, seeing as he was dreadfully close to knocking over his glass of water.

"I'll get them, I'll get them." She said quietly, obtaining his glasses and putting them in his hand.