Chapter Text
Maya stared at her door suspiciously. Someone had just affected a knock on it and she wasn't expecting any visitors. One, because it was just about 8 am, two because she had only been back from work for less than 20 minutes. She wasn't expecting the knock so much that she was walking around in her underwear.
Panicking a little she grabbed her running shorts off the floor and pulled them on as she zipped up her coat, hoping whoever it was it would be a quick visit. She opened the door and froze, her girlfriend was literally the last person she expected to see. She had received a text on her way home from work wishing her a good sleep and informing her that her she would try and call in after work. As far as Maya was aware this was not after work.
"Hi?" Maya said, stepping aside, assuming Carina wanted in.
"Apparently I have a fever," she grumbled, a pout on her face, "so, stupido work sent me home. Completely unnecessarily. I mean it was barely there I was just warm from walking in," she ranted arms flying everywhere, still stood on the doorstep. "Pointless, honestly. And I was coming here later," she punctuated her rapid speaking with a sigh, "so is it okay I hang out here today?"
"Uh-"
"Oh god Maya, I'm so sorry, you probably had plans. Ignore me, I'll see you la-"
It was Maya's turn to interrupt her, grabbing Carina's arm to stop her turning, "stop. It's fine. Great. I love having you here. So, my baby's sick?" Maya asked, slipping the bags off Carina's shoulder before pulling her into the flat. She then moved her hand up to Carina's forehead.
"Its barely there right?" Carina said, "minor. Barely there."
"Uhm," Maya put her hand on her own forehead to compare, though she was sure of her answer, "it's actually quite warm, babe."
"Ugh."
"So you don't feel sick?" Maya asked, trying to decipher what was actually going on. She was coming off a 36 hour shift so she felt like she was on a little bit of a go slow. Her brain wasn't catching up as it should.
"No."
"Okay," Maya dropped her hand and undid her jacket now the front door was closed.
"What an interesting outfit." Carina teased, messing with her girlfriend's bra strap.
"I wasn't expecting a guest, I'm about to go to sleep, do you want to cuddle with me or do you want to sit and work?" She could see Carina had her work laptop with her.
"I don't know."
"Okay, you decide, I'm gonna put on ma pj's and wash my face." Maya was trying not to pressurise Carina into doing anything because when she wasn't feeling well, she didn't like fuss, "you know where the bed is but also, you can work or whatever, hang out, I don't mind," Maya raised onto tiptoe, Carina in healed boots, and kissed her gently.
Maya really thought Carina might have been waiting when she left the bathroom, maybe cuddled into bed or changing into some of her clothes instead of the pyjamas Maya knew she would have packed. Instead when she stuck her head around the bedroom door, she spotted Carina, knees tucked up to her chest, sat at the kitchen table glasses on, focused on her laptop. Maya was about to turn in for the morning, not wanting to bother Carina when she twitched and then a shiver took over her. Maya sighed, evidently her girlfriend was not ready to accept she was ill. Maya dipped back into the bedroom and pulled the blanket she sometimes used from the back of the chair in her room. She approached slowly and kissed the back of Carina's head before wrapping the blanket around her shoulders. "Lean forward babe," Maya said quietly, "let's at least keep you warm."
"Grazie." Carina mumbled.
"You know where the heat is, right?"
"Mmm."
"And you know where I am, okay?"
"Mmm."
"Okay," Maya nuzzled her nose against Carina's flushed cheek for a second before gently pressing a kiss there, "don't over do it."
Maya paused back at the bedroom door and watched with a small smile at her wrapped up girlfriend, privately thinking how lucky she was. How happy she was to exist in a world where she had met and fell in love with Carina.
"Stop staring."
"Okay," Maya chuckled, "I'm going to bed."
"Sì."
Maya was climbing into bed when she heard her girlfriend break into a frenzied fit of coughing and sneezing. She made to get up but decided to just let it be. However after another almost five minutes of pretty constant coughing she couldn't ignore it anymore. She got up and took the tissues that usually sat on the side of the bed, and found some cough medicine in the bathroom.
"Hey." Maya said lowly, as she walked over.
"Hi."
"Do you want some of this?" Maya put the cough medicine down in front of her.
"I'm not sick."
"Okay, okay, I'll leave these here," Maya said, pressing a kiss into the back of her head, as she stepped away, "it's two spoonfuls."
"I am not sick, Maya Bishop."
"I'm going to bed, feel free to join, I love you bye."
Four hours later Maya was feeling more rested and though her brain felt a little slow, she felt ready to get up and start a few of the tasks she had been planning to do before Carina had shown up. Like hoovering and cleaning the bathroom.
She got out of bed and indulged in a stretch. Deciding to forgo real clothes today in favour for a pyjama day she just pulled on a hoodie before leaving the bedroom. Carina had put on her glasses in the time Maya had been asleep, but had stayed wrapped up in the blanket. The bottle of cough medicine hadn't moved either. "Hi sweetheart," Maya said, kissing her temple, feeling the heat under her lips, "how's it going?" She settled on asking instead of 'how are you feeling' which she knew would be met with a dismissal.
"Mm."
"Ah," Maya wrapped her arms around Carina from behind, "a woman of few words today. I'm gonna vacuum, kay?"
"Sì, sorry, I'm just- reading research," Carina replied, lifting her hand up to the back of Maya's head, pulling her down for a kiss.
"Should we do your temperature?" Maya didn't like her flushed cheeks or the fact Carina forehead felt hot against her cheek when they pulled away.
"I'm not sick."
"So we can do your temperature and it'll be normal?"
"I run hot."
"I don't know how you said that with a straight face babe," Maya teased. Carina had been known to shiver in 18°c weather, always wanted an extra blanket in bed and needed Maya's jumpers 90% of the time.
"Maya,' Carina grouched, bringing her elbow back to lightly jab Maya in the side, "zitto. I'm working."
"Zitto, should I clean the bathroom first then?"
"No, it's okay. Just stop talking," she rubbed her forehead and Maya wondered if she was getting a headache which would definitely add to Carina's crankiness.
"Okay," another kiss and a squeeze from Maya and she was off.
As she hoovered she naturally looked over at Carina every so often. On any other day it would be because she was ridiculously attracted to Carina and whilst that still held true, today, it was not the primary reason. Every time she had looked over at her girlfriend she looked uncomfortable. Presently she had one eye open and was using her hands to massage her temple. Earlier she had her hands over both eyes, grimacing. Generally, every time Maya looked up, she appeared to be in pain. Oy confirming her suspicions of a headache.
She finished the hoovering and then went to get something once it was put away. She made her way over to Carina once she had filled a glass with water. She was currently sat with both eyes closed, head in her hands. Maya opted to sit next to her this time, bumping their arms, which had Carina lifting her head. "Hi," Maya said, "have you had any medicine?"
"Don't need it," Carina mumbled, trying to focus on the computer screen.
"Car, come on," Maya squeezed her knee, "you obviously have a headache and your fever's worse."
"No."
"Have you had a break?" Maya asked gently, wrapping her arm around Carina, "Why don't we stop for lunch?"
"I'm not hungry."
"Oh, you really mustn't feel good, I don't think I've ever heard you say that."
"Maya." Carina whined.
"Sorry," Maya kissed her cheek, "you're not sick, I know. Do you fancy anything or should I sut up and stop being an annoying girlfriend?"
"You're not annoying," Carina sighed, taking off her glasses as she turned to look at Maya, "sorry."
"Its fine. Honestly. Okay, ma baby," Maya gave her a squeeze pocketing the bottle of paracetamol moving the water a little closer to Carina, "I'm gonna make some food. Drink."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too." She circled back to kiss the top of Carina's head.
Maya was just flipping her grilled cheese onto a plate, humming away to herself when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her from behind. Her girlfriend's warm forehead pressed between her shoulder blades. Maya silently ran her hands along Carina's arms, sighing when she heard a sniffle from behind. She turned off the stove and turned, bringing Carina's head onto her chest. "Not feeling so hot babe?"
Carina shook her head finally admitting she wasn't feeling well, "do you have painkillers?"
"Mmhmm."
"My head's hurting. Can I have some?"
"Of course you can," Maya pulled the bottle out of her pocket as she walked her koala-like girlfriend back to the table. "Do you feel sick?"
"Maya."
"I know you don't feel good, thank you for telling me. But no, I meant do you feel nauseous? Like you'll be sick?"
"No."
"Okay," she leaned back a little, pouting at Carina's sad face and fairly pale lips, "you should drink all of this when you take these," Maya passed her the untouched water and two tablets, "oh baby," Maya said, as Carina burst into tears as soon as she was done taking it.
"mi sembra che la testa si stia spaccando in due."
"Your head, something, two" Maya attempted to translate, "why don't we go to bed, is your work saved," Maya turned the laptop towards them, "there, all saved my love."
"What about your food?"
"Okay, we'll go via the kitchen."
"I'm sorry," Carina cried, as Maya tucked her into bed.
"What for?"
"For being stubborn."
"Hey, it's okay, we both know I do it to. Sometimes," Maya said, shuffling over to Carina's side, "sometimes it's hard to admit you don't feel good. Especially when it's ruined your plans." Carina nodded and curled into Maya's leg. "Oh we should have got you changed, baby," Maya said, realising Carina was still in her work trousers and a smart blouse. She put her lunch down and climbed out of bed to Carina's protest and carefully pulled her trousers down and lifted her top above her head, "you'll feel better without the layers," Maya explained as she folded Carina's clothes onto her dresser, "bring your fever down a little, hmm?"
"I don't feel good."
"I know, come here," Maya patted her lap as she climbed into bed, though Carina was already moving.
"How did I wake up feeling okay and now-"
"You've just picked something up, sweetheart, you'll feel better."
"Hmph."
Maya chuckled, combing her hair "go to sleep my love."
Maya wasn't sure when she fell asleep, definitely sometime after she had readjusted them so Carina was curled into her chest. But after that, she wasn't sure. One minute she was awake, cuddling her girlfriend, the next she was asleep, the next she was back awake. At first she wasn't certain what had woken her but as she came to her senses she heard groaning. Wondering if this is what had woken her she stretched, opening her eyes as her hand bumped into something, someone. Carina.
So Carina was the one groaning. Maya sat up and shuffled over a little, putting her hand on Carina's back, rubbing up and down to offer some comfort. Wondering if she was having a bad dream Maya tried to rouse her. It wasn't uncomon for Carina to have nightmares. A few times Maya had woken up, since they had got together, to Carina having a nightmare. "Hey, you're okay," Maya whispered, "just a bad dream, baby. Go back to sleep." Carina groaned again and then whimpered and rolled over bumping into Maya's leg. "You're okay," Maya said again stroking her hair, "it's just a dream."
"Maya," she whined, "my head and my stomach." It was no more than mumbled, hidden by a yawn and groan. Almost impossible to decipher, particularly in her own sleepy state.
"Hmm?" She asked, pushing hair off Carina's face, eyes almost searching Carina's face for an answer.
"Maya."
"What baby?"
"My head and my stomach," she said again, whining.
"They hurt?" Maya guessed.
"Yeah."
"Okay, I'm sorry," Maya sighed, "I know your head wasn't feeling good, but your tummy too?"
Carina shook her head, "not at all."
"Okay," Maya massaged her temples, as she thought about how to look after her. The painkillers should have helped, it had been over an hour since she'd had them.
"Maya." She wriggled even closer.
"I know," Maya was surprised by how clingy Carina was being. Her girlfriend loved hugs, sure, but this was a whole new experience. "You don't feel good, I know. I know babe," Maya said, shuffling down, bringing Carina's head onto her chest, "I'm sorry, love."
"stupida febbre."
"I'm sorry, do you not want me to hold you?" Maya started to withdraw but Carina pulled her hand back around.
"I said stupid fever. I was gonna have such a good day and now I'm off. Sick. And the hospital sick pay is crap. And I wanted to have a good night with you. I brought a new toy."
"Well," Maya kissed the top of her head again, "that can wait for my love to feel better. Just rest, do you think you can go to sleep? I'll stay." Carina nodded and got even closer, so there wasn't one part of her that wasn't touching Maya.
Maya diligently worked to soothe her with cuddles, back rubs and kisses, smiling when after a few minutes at the most Carina softly snored in her ear. She didn't stop though, wanting Carina to sleep well. She was no longer tired herself but presently sneaking out from under Carina's impressive grip would be pretty tricky. So, she took her phone and caught up on some emails she hadn't got to the previous shift, kissing the top of her head or running her fingers up and down her back every so often.
Carina groaned again around forty minutes later, making Maya drop her phone and shuffle away just slightly, trying to get a look at her. Maya was just about to run her hand through Carina's hair and reassess her temperature, maybe soothe her to sleep, when Carina tensed. Maya paused and then flinched as Carina groaned again and burped. It didn't sound good. Feeling if she didn't act now, sher might end up covered in sick. Maya found herself wriggling out and replacing herself with a pillow. Whilst she hadn't complained of anything other than a sore tummy, Maya wondered if Carina had progressed to feeling nauseous, even in her sleep. It definitely sounded like it as Carina groaned once more then coughed and burped again. Regardless, Maya went and fetched the bin from the bathroom, changing the liner before taking it with her.
She loved Carina, with all her heart, and if Carina was sick and it got on her accidentally, fine. But if she could try and avoid that possibility, she would, at all costs. Because that sort of thing would probably make her pause and reevaluate her love, just for a moment. Maya wasn't great with vomit. If she had a vomit-y patient her colleague would be in the back with them and she'd drive with the windows down.
"Maya."
"I'm here," Maya put the bin on her side of the bed, laid down so she could being it to Carina's mouth in a second, "I'm going to sleep behind you, just in case."
"You left me."
"I needed a pee, I'm here now," Maya made sure Carina was pressed against her front, kissing her shoulder when they were settled, "I'm here now." Carina sighed and coughed, burping again, making Maya double check she could reach the bin. It would have been a lot easier for Carina to admit she was now also feeling sick, but it had taken her almost 5 hours to admit to not feeling good so this would do.
Maya had managed to manage Carina's clinginess, just enough, that she could make some dinner. It hadn't been easy though. Having not fallen asleep again, but being forced to stay in bed by an ill, over-emotional, passionate Italian, Maya had found herself bored. She had escaped the cuddle to find a book but revieved a scalding from Carina when she returned. The book had done the trick at keeping her entertained but by 6pm the effect of the grilled cheese had worn off and she was beginning to get hungry. The only issue was every time she moved to get up Carina would mumble at her, whine her name and almost burst into tears. No reasoning could persuade her. Maya wanted Carina to rest, her fever had been high all day, and whilst she hadn't been sick, Maya had a feeling any small level of exertion would change that. But Carina wouldn't leave her be so they struck a deal, Carina was to lie on the sofa and rest whilst Maya cooked.
"You okay?" Maya asked, after Carina had spent the last minute coughing and sneezing, sat up.
"'M fine."
"Okay," Maya chuckled and walked over, pulling a tissue from the box she had put on the coffee table. "Blow your nose, beautiful girl," Maya said, giving her a look.
"I don't-"
"You do, you really do. You sound like you can't breathe."
"Can you cuddle?"
"In five minutes baby," Maya tucked her back in and flipped the cloth she had put on Carina's head, "just let me finish dinner."
"Why don't I feel good?" She whined, grabbing onto Maya's wrist before she could leave.
"I guess you've picked something up babe, it happens."
"You're not sick."
"No, I'm not. Yet, imagine," she got close to Carina's face, their noses touching, "if I catch it off you." Maya met their lips, "okay, I really have to finish dinner, ma baby."
"Hurry."
"Hurrying."
Maya had barely sat down with her bowl of cous cous and quinoa, when Carina crawled into her lap and forced her head between Maya's arms. Maya chuckled and turned slightly so Carina could cuddle more easily, bringing her legs up onto the sofa. "What do you have? Ew quin-oa?" Carina mispronounced, putting her head back down after twisting to look in the bowl, "why?"
"You're too sick to have some."
"I-"
"You are, I'm sorry you are," she interrupted Carina's protest, "I don't think you should be eating anything but plain food, but I can get you some toast-"
"schifo."
"Dry cereal?"
"schifo."
"Plain pasta."
"schifo."
"Rice?"
"schifo."
"What do you want then, what does that oh so sore tummy of yours fancy?"
"It does hurt Maya. Stop teasing."
"I'm not, it was a genuine question, love. What do you want? What sounds good?"
"Pizza?" Honestly she had hesitated before answering and still didn't sound sure.
"Honey, I just think it's all a bit rich on your tummy if its hurting."
"Ugh."
Maya just rubbed her back, "I know sweetheart, try and rest again and hopefully you'll feel better." Carina went silent and Maya wondered if she had fallen asleep. Seeing this as an opportunity to eat she shoveled a big spoonful in before Carina whined. Maya rubbed her back again, feeling her tense under her arms.
"I feel sick."
"Okay, thank you for telling me," Maya abandoned her salad on the coffee table and pulled the bin, that she had subtly placed next to Carina, a little closer. "Maybe taking some deep breaths and sitting up will help a little, take some pressure off your tummy." Maya didn't think laying on her stomach would help at all. Actually, she wasn't sure how Carina was tolerating it honestly.
"I'm not sure if I'm going to be okay," Carina said, making no effort to move, just coughing and loudly swallowing.
"That's just because you're feeling bad, babe, come on, up we get," she tried to peel Carina off her but just got hands gripping her tighter.
"Maya," Carina whined.
"Deep breaths then?"
Carina didn't listen just turned her head the opposite way, groaning. Maya tried to swallow her annoyance, Carina just wasn't feeling well. She wasn't ignoring her advice on purpose. Her stomach was hurting and this was what she found comfortable.
"Maya," she puled, sounding close to tears.
"Baby, I'm doing everything I can," Maya sighed, "I really think sitting up and taking some deep breaths would help."
"Can you feel my tummy? Its not right."
"Sure," Maya wasn't sure how this was going to help, she didn't have magic hands that could stop pain or nausea but arguing this with a whiney sick girlfriend would be a fatal error. Carina moved just enough for Maya to slide out. "What do- can you roll over?" Maya asked, as Carina stayed lying on her front. Maya was just about to repeat herself when Carina finally moved. "You don't want to try sitting up and doing deep breaths?" Maya tried again, making to move the blanket off her.
"Cold."
"But, do you want me to feel your tummy?" Maya asked, hoping her girlfriend would miss the exasperation in her voice, starting to feel a little like a yo-yo.
"Don't you love me." So she had heard it.
Maya sighed, knealing next to the sofa, stroking Carina's hair from her face, "of course I do. What do you want me to do, baby, I'm here?"
Carina moved the blanket from her stomach, and put Maya's hands on the skin there. "I know you don't feel good, but, I need you to answer me now okay?" Maya asked, she had just laid ber hand flat on Carina's stomach, "you're wincing, okay, is this just a belly ache, a sore tummy and some nausea, or do we need to consider going to hospital for a scan?"
"Shh."
"Car, I'm serious."
"I just feel bad," she answered, "no hospital."
"Okay, thank you."
"What can you feel?"
"Honestly, honey, it just feels like your tummy to me. Maybe a little bloated. I won't press because I think you'll get sick if I do."
"Can you keep your hand there?"
Maya nodded, bringing the bowl into her lap, spooning some food in. She swapped between keeping it still and lightly circling her hand. Carina rolled onto her side eventually, curling up a little around Maya's hand.
As she scrunched up tighter, Maya moved her hand back and rubbed her ribs for a little while before swapping to the ever faithful running her hand up and down Carina's back, hoping she would fall asleep. Eventually she heard fairly loud snores, her illness had progressed to a full blown head cold alongside the sickness. Maya sighed and continued to eat, sat on the floor next to her. She wasn't entirely sure what that half an hour had been.
In every other instance, and even earlier that morning, Carina had been something of a badass when she was ill. Maya's first experience of her not feeling good was a bout of travel sickness on the plane to LA. She hadn't been able to get to the toilet to be sick so had just calmly informed Maya what was about to happen and not to worry before being sick then carried on talking like nothing had happened. Another instance was what looked like an incredibly painful period that even Maya would have admitted to needing to rest but Carina had got up, no issue, and cooked them dinner. Carina had also been the victim of a few bloated stomach's and associated stomach aches but had barely batted an eye at this, mentioning it once and then getting on like she wasn't cramping. Yes, overall her girlfriend was extremely tolerant and usually a badass when it came to sickness.
Hence, this whiney, clingy, won't do anything to help herself version of her was something Maya hadn't encountered often if at all. Thus, her worry this was more serious than she initially realised. Carina had only been this clingy early in the morning or once when she was upset. This was all just a new experience for Maya.
"I love you," Maya sighed, kissing her temple, "you'll feel better."
Once finished eating Maya took her time tidying the house, allowing herself to consider how best she could help Carina. There wasn't much she could do for anything other than cuddle her and give her some more medicine. Whilst she knew Carina had a fever she decided, now she had admitted she wasn't well, that it was safe to take her temperature and establish how ill she was and if the medicine was working. She only contemplated for a moment if she should wake Carina before deciding that she could take her temperature without her being awake. After all, she loved Carina but the clinginess that had come with the bug had been a little intense for Maya's 'new at being a girlfriend' mind. She felt a little helpless with the clinginess, because there was obviously a reason but there also wasn't a lot she could do to better the reason.
Maya tucked the curtain of hair that was hiding Carina's face behind her ear, then leaned over her a little more. She pulled on her ear just a little and inserted the thermometer, pressing the button as she went. Carina stirred but stayed asleep, just mewling a little. Maya traced her jaw as she waited, sighing when it beeped.
"103.1, Jesus babe, no wonder you don't feel good," Maya whispered, "gah, I'm gonna have to wake you up now." She felt bad for feeling annoyed by Carina's whining now, because of course you'd be like that if your temperature was up that high. Deciding on carrying her to bed first, Maya quickly ran to the bedroom and pulled back the cover on her side, Carina should be nearer the bathroom, after all. Then she walked back, uncovered her and turned her from her side to her back, squatting to pick her up before she even knew what was going on.
"Maya?"
"Its bedtime love. Bedtime and medicine time," Maya said, gently lying her in the bed.
"I don't need it."
"Sleep or medicine?"
"Medicinale."
"I think you do, and you know I'm a fan of letting the body work but your fever is super high sweetheart, I can't imagine how awful you must be feeling. Please can I get you a couple of paracetamol and some cough medicine?"
"Maya," it was a tone of annoyance.
"I don't like seeing my baby sick, please?" Maya asked, nuzzling her nose against Carina's.
"Fine," she huffed.
"I love you," she put a glass of water in Carina's hand, "sips, only. And I love you," she said again, pills in her other hand, "and," she waited for Carina to take them, "I love you," she poured a spoonful of the cough linctus, "and I love you," she said tipping it into her louth before she could argue.
"Thank you for looking after me," Carina mumbled, as Maya propped her up with pillows.
"Always, always, my stubborn, clingy girl."
"Maya."
"Anyway, we might be swapping, I'm not feeling so hot."
"You're always hot."
"Thank you baby, but unfortunately I meant I'm feeling a little rough and I don't know if it's post night shift or if I've got your flu-ey sickness," Maya explained, rubbing her stomach which hadn't felt great since dinner. She got changed into some cooler pyjamas and dropped onto the bed next to Carina with a sigh. She was just about to put the thermometer in her ear own to see which it was, night shift or sickness, when her stomach turned, lurching. "Okay," she said a little shakily, calmly setting off for the bathroom, before tipping into full blown panic and running, only just making the sink before being sick.
"I didn't even do that," Carina commented, holding her head, which was pounding, as she came into the bathroom, finding Maya now leaned over the toilet. She was the diligent girlfriend though and patted her back until Maya straightened up.
"I don't think I like quinoa now either," Maya joked, shivering as the illness well and truly set in, "I need my bed, you need bed, let's go."
"See you ignored your sickness too," Carina said, when Maya's temperature flashed only a few points less than her own.
"Except mine was for like an hour and yours was six. I'm going to try and sleep whilst I can, I suggest you do the same."
"So grumpy."