Archive of Our Own

"Andrea?" Carina said, frowning as she entered the attending lounge on the surgical floor.

She'd been sent yet another reminder message that the hospital was offering free flu shots for staff, and with October fast approaching, and the fact she still hadn't had one, she decided a break between labouring moms was as good a time as any. What she hadn’t expected to see was her brother, looking bored, sat next to a fridge and a privacy screen.

"Ciao," he waved unenthusiastically.

"Who did you piss off to be given the job of doing the flu vaccines?" Carina asked, unable to hide the amusement in her voice.

"Bailey. Plus the nurse that usually does them is out… with the flu."

"What did you do to piss her off," Carina bit her lip suppressing a laugh.

"Do we have to talk about this? Why are you here?"

Carina held her hands up in surrender. "To get my flu shot, stupido."

"You haven't had it yet?" Andrew asked, frowning at her, "but you're usually one of the first."

"I missed the first one because I was on vacation with Maya, and the rest I've missed because I've been too busy. So I'm here now… stick me."

"Am I allowed to ‘stick you’... as your brother?"

Carina shrugged, "you are the only person here, and it is urgent; you are delaying the care of pregnant women."

Andrew sighed dramatically and pushed himself off the chair lackadaisically. “Fine. Sit. Before one of your labouring moms decides to have a baby in the hallway and I get blamed for that too.”

Carina smirked and dropped into the chair by the privacy screen. "You'd probably faint."

“Very funny,” he muttered, already scrubbing his hands. “Roll up your sleeve.”

She glanced down at her long-sleeved shirt. “That’s not happening.”

"You can just," he tried rolling it up, it made it to her elbow and stopped. "Why would you wear a long sleeved top to your flu shot?"

"I didn’t know I was having one today, and I've been in clinic all morning. It's not a big deal anyway I can just do this..." she reached for the button of her shirt and started to undo it.

Andrew froze, eyes widening in genuine horror. “Oh my God- Carina. No. Absolutely not."

"I'm wearing a bra." Carina rolled her eyes, continuing with the buttons.

She tossed the shirt onto the chair, entirely unfazed. “Andrea, we grew up together. You also walked in on Arizona and I.”

“That does not mean I want to see your underwear at work,” he protested, turning his back far too late.

“Bra,” she corrected. “And you’re being very dramatic.”

He cleared his throat and forced himself to turn back around, focusing very deliberately on the tray. “Sit down. And- do you want to lie down for this?”

“For a flu shot?” Carina scoffed, dropping back into the chair. “No. I’ve delivered babies bigger than your ego. I can handle a needle.”

Andrew shot her a look but said nothing as he swabbed her arm. “Try not to move.”

“I won’t,” she promised, then immediately added, “unless you do something stupid.”

He ignored her, administered the shot quickly, and stepped back. “Done.”

"See! Quick and painless. And you didn't even need to look at your big sister's bra!" Carina teased, pulling her shirt back on, beginning to button it.

Andrew huffed, tidying the things away before sitting down with the tablet to log Carina’s shot.

"Am I free to go? Oppure devo ricordarti come si scrive il mio nome?”
[Or do I need to remind you how to spell my name?]

"That was one time... and I was eleven." Andrew groaned.

"You spelled it with a K, Andrea!" Carina said, as she tucked her shirt back in.

"I was eleven! Anyway you have to stay."

"Why?" Carina frowned.

"Policy. Fifteen minutes."

"Oh come on. I'm a doctor. In a hospital full of doctors. I can leave."

"It's policy. Sit down. Just in case,” he added automatically.

"So bossy," Carina huffed, sitting back down in the chair.

Andrew settled back into his chair, eyes on the tablet as he finished the documentation. “You’d think after all these years you’d learn to follow instructions.”

“You’d think after all these years you’d learn I don’t listen to my stupido fratellino,” Carina replied easily. She leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest.

They fell into an easy rhythm after that: complaints about schedules, a brief argument about whose specialty was harder, Andrew teasing her about stealing hospital pens, Carina replying that he wears hospital merch. Carina stretched her legs out in front of her, drumming her fingers absently against the armrest.

“How much time do I have left?” she asked.

Andrew checked his phone. “Two minutes.”

"Finalmente, unless you wanna let your big sis go early. Since you know she's fine," Carina said, framing her face with her hands, fluttering her eyelashes.

"Nope. Policy."

Carina huffed, exhaling slowly.

She shifted in the chair, then paused, brow furrowing. There was a faint, unsettled sensation in her body. Not pain, just… weird. She rolled her shoulders, trying to shake it.

‘Probably because I haven’t eaten’, she decided. Clinic had run long, then she'd gone straight from that into doing a forceps delivery. She’d survived worse on less.

She glanced up at Andrew. “Which one is your locker?"

"Have you forgotten I'm not an attending yet-" he said, plucking at his light blue scrubs. "Why do you wanna know anyway?"

"Feel weird." Carina shrugged, beginning to stand, "figured it was hunger. I'll grab something from the cafet-"

The room tilted.

She sucked in a sharp breath, swaying.

Andrew was on his feet instantly. “Hey. Sit back down.”

“I’m fine,” she insisted automatically, but her legs disagreed. “Just- give me a second.”

The dizziness surged, sudden and overwhelming. Nausea quickly bubbled up.

"Carina-"

The timer buzzed next to him.

"I need to lie down," she said, already turning clumsily toward the exam table.

“Okay,” Andrew said, calm and reassuring as he guided her the rest of the way. "Deep breaths, we'll get your feet up as soon as you're lying down."

Carina nodded, focusing on the ceiling as she lay back.

Then her stomach lurched.

“Oh-”

She barely had time to turn her head before she retched.

"That was- okay-" Andrew mumbled, half patting her back.

"Sorry," she croaked, turning onto her side, before immediately turning back, closing her eyes as both dizziness and nausea surged through her.

"It's okay," Andrew said, his hand reaching for her wrist. "Your BP probably dropped, or you've picked up something viral. Does your stomach hurt?" He asked, gently pressing on her stomach.

"No-" Carina shook her head, "I feel really weird, Andrea."

"I think you've had a vagovagal. Let's lift your legs and I've got an obs cart here." He said calmly, lifting the base of the exam table so Carina’s legs were raised.

He was reaching for the obs cart when he paused.

Carina had gone from pale to extremely blotchy and flushed in a matter of seconds, heat blooming across her neck and face.

She drew in a breath- and stopped halfway through.

“My chest-” she began, fingers curling into her shirt.

Andrew’s gaze dropped to her face, then her throat. Her breathing had gone shallow, quick little pulls that barely moved her chest.

His stomach dropped.

"It's okay, can you take a deep breath for me?"

She tried. The air felt thick, like she was pulling it through something heavy. Panic flared, sudden and bright.

"Can't-" Carina choked, her breathing quickening even more.

“Okay, okay.”

"Andrea," she said, barely audible. “Something’s… really wrong.”

"I know- I-" his eyes raked her body, searching for an answer. "It's like-" he stopped, realisation washing over him. The dizziness. The flushed skin. The breaching. "Epi! Have you got your epi pen?"

Carina shook her head. "Andrea-"

"I'll be right back," he said, taking off for the door to the attending lounge.

"Call code blue," he shouted, as he burst into the corridor. "Code blue. Allergic reaction. Attending’s lounge. Someone call it."

His hand closed on the handle of the crash cart and he took off again, pulling it clumsily into the room, as a cool voice overhead announced. "Code blue. Attending Lounge."

"Andrea-" Carina had sat herself up, hands clawing at her chest.

"It's okay, it's okay," he said, pulling open the top drawer. "Lie back, I don’t want you to faint."

Carina shook her head, clawing at her chest and neck, where hives were beginning to bubble.

"I've got you," Andrew said, snapping the ampule and drawing up the dose.

Carina’s hand fumbled at the waistband of her trousers.

“Wait,” she said hoarsely.

Before Andrew could respond, she undid the button, and shoved the waistband down, baring her thigh. Mottled skin, the edge of black underwear.

Andrew didn’t hesitate, instead he adjusted his grip, anchored his hand, and drove the needle in.

“Good,” he murmured, more to himself than her. “You’re doing great.”

"Oxygen." She croaked.

His hand was already reaching for the face mask, passing it to her as he uncoiled the tubing. He attached it to the cylinder, opened the valve, turned the dial up to 15 and turned back to Carina who was fumbling with the straps.

"Here," he said, slipping it over her face, helping her hold it onto her face.

The door burst open moments later.

Dr. Helm, Dr. Schmitt and Dr. Shepherd flooded the room, voices overlapping, hands already moving.

“What’ve we- got?” Amelia shouted, hesitating for a moment when she realised it was Carina.

“Anaphylaxis,” Andrew said immediately, as he turned on the obs machine. "Unknown cause. Point five of epi given one minute ago. High flow oxygen through a non-rebreather."

"Okay. Andrew, step back," Amelia said, taking the sats probe from him, getting Carina hooked up to the monitor, as Helm unbuttoned her shirt and Schmitt pulled a bag of fluids from the cart.

Andrew swallowed and nodded, retreating just enough to give them space but not taking his eyes off her.

"Helm, IV."

"On it," Helm said, reaching for a pair of shears. "Dr. DeLuca, I'm gonna have to cut your shirt, we need access."

Carina held a thumb up weakly, her other hand reaching across for Andrew. He moved closer, holding her hand, squeezing it tightly. "Maya."

"I'll call her once we're in the ER. I promise."

"Don't tell her- worry- just come."

"Just tell her to come to the hospital, not what's going on, so she doesn't worry?" Andrew asked, one hand stroking Carina’s hair.

Carina nodded, wincing as Helm inserted the IV.

"Carina, your BP is low so Schmitt is going to give you some fluids. I'm going to listen to your chest okay. How does your breathing feel?" Amelia asked, sliding the stethoscope into her ears.

"Bad."

"Bad, okay. Just breathe as you are," Amelia said, pressing the cold bell of the stethoscope to her mottled chest.

"Schmitt, once fluids are up, I need a neb running ASAP." Amelia said, even though she was only half way through listening to Carina’s chest. "We've got bilateral global wheezing."

"Sure, what neb would you like?"

"Albuterol for now."

"Amelia, it's been five minutes since her first epi," Andrew said, glancing at his watch.

"Helm."

"On it," she said, already snapping the next ampule of adrenaline.

"Once we've given you this epi Carina, we're going to move. Andrew can you get us a gurney."

He nodded and took off in a run again, as Helm steadied her hand on Carina's leg and pushed in the second dose of epi.

"Amelia," Carina coughed. “I… feel- going to die."

"That's just the adrenaline talking. We've got you. Your numbers are already starting to improve. Schmitt has a nebuliser for you and as soon as Andrew is back with the gurney we're going to head for the ER. We've got you though, okay. I'm not gonna let that happen."

Schmitt swapped the tubing and placed the nebuliser mask over her face. Oxygen hissed from the cylinder as Amelia helped her position it properly. She coughed lightly, but the mask stayed in place.

“Okay, fluids are running, epi’s in, neb is on,” Amelia said, scanning the monitors. “Vitals are holding. And here's your ride to the ER," Amelia said, as Andrew jogged back in pushing the gurney.

They helped slide Carina over, swapped her to the bed's oxygen, unclipped the monitor and were soon moving.

Carina groaned, shifting slightly. Andrew rubbed her shoulder. “I’m right here,” he said. She reached for his hand again, gripping tightly.

The ER doors swung open, and the team wheeled Carina into a bay, alarms beeping softly as leads were swapped over and Dr. Hunt appeared.

Carina groaned, trying to shift herself upright, but her muscles wouldn’t cooperate. Her stomach lurched violently, and she retched, the contents spilling mostly into the mask, on the bed and herself.

Andrew was immediately at her side, hand resting gently on her back. “Tilt your head,” he murmured. She tried, weakly, but couldn’t quite manage it.

“Let’s roll her slightly,” a nurse said, moving quickly. They adjusted her, supporting her head and shoulders.

"We're presenting as very weak. Can someone pass me the suction?"

Carina tried to shake her head, but threw up again. "They need to clear your airway, Carina," Andrew said gently, rubbing her back. She gagged as it was inserted, hand gripping Andrew's tightly

“I’ve got you,” he said softly, brushing hair from her forehead. “Almost there. Just a little longer.”

"Okay," Owen said, when Carina eased back. "Let's finish getting her transferred onto our monitors and oxygen and someone give me a handover."

Amelia rattled off the vital signs and what she'd given Carina.

"Alright, Carina, what are you allergic to?" Owen asked, as he looked between her and the monitor.

"Soy. And Egg, she's-" Andrew's stomach dropped. "It was the flu shot. She's- she was given the normal one, rather than the egg-free one. Carina I'm so sorry.”

"Okay, that explains the severity of the reaction. We've got you though Carina. And you seem to be stabilising. I'm just going to listen to your chest, okay."

"Andrea. Maya."

"On it, I'll call her."

"Don't panic her."

"I won't," Andrew said, kissing her forehead before stepping out of the cubicle to call his sister's girlfriend.

"Hey, Maya," Andrew said, as the phone connected, and he heard "hey babe."

"Andrew?" Maya said, pulling the phone back from her ear, it definitely said Carina on the screen. "What's going on?"

"Carina’s had an accident. Nothing to worry about but-"

"An accident, what kind of- Andrew-"

"Look, I can't say, can you get yourself to the ER. She's asking for you."

"Andrew, what's going on?" She said again, grabbing her car keys from the drawer, waving Andy down as she rushed out of her office.

"I can't say. Just- just get here okay."

"Is she breathing? Alive?"

"Yes. She’s fine… mostly. Just get down here. Please."

"I’m on my way," Maya rushed out, already moving.

She turned to her lieutenant. "Something’s happened to Carina. I need to go. You’re in charge."

"Are you okay to drive?" Andy asked, concern etched in her face.

"I need to go," Maya said, sprinting out of the building.

She had never been so relieved to work so close to the hospital. She glanced at the mid-afternoon, down-town traffic and decided that running would be faster, taking off in a sprint down the block.

Maya wasn't afraid to admit she pushed past people in the corridors as she made her way to the ER. Her girlfriend was hurt- she needed to get there quickly.

She burst into the ER, breathless, scanning until her eyes landed on Carina.

Carina was lying on a gurney, oxygen mask in place, nebuliser hissing softly. Her chest rose and fell a little easier than before, vitals stabilising, but she was still covered in hives that rippled across her neck and arms. Her fingers scratched reflexively at her skin.

"Oh my God, Carina," Maya said, rushing over to her.

"I'm okay."

"This- you had an allergic reaction?" Maya asked, adding the signs together.

"Sì, to," she coughed, "to the flu vaccine. Egg. Andrea."

"He called and said you'd had an accident. Did you have to use your EpiPen?"

"Maya!" Andrew said, appearing in the cubicle.

"Dude, what the hell, you said accident. I thought she was hurt-"

"She said not to panic you."

"Well you panicked me," Maya said, taking Carina’s hand. "Well... what happened. She can't tell me, you better start talking."

"Maya-" Carina said, her tone warning despite her voice being weak.

"Andrew, what happened?"

"She came in for her flu shot. I forgot to ask about allergies."

"You forgot I was allergic to eggs," Carina croaked, rolling her eyes in jest.

"So did you!"

"You gave her the vaccine with eggs? Come on dude." Maya said, her tone exasperated.

"It was an accident," Carina said, squeezing her hand.

"You idiots. Thank God you're okay… and you realised straight away." Maya said, shaking her head. She leaned down, kissing Carina’s forehead.

"We didn't. She got symptomatic at the end of the 15 minute observation period. She had two rounds of epi, fluids, nebs. It was-" Andrew trailed off.

"I'm okay now," Carina croaked, squeezing Maya’s hand. "Andrea saved my life."

Maya stayed close, hand in Carina’s, her thumb brushing over the back of her girlfriend’s hand. Every shallow breath, every twitch of her fingers made her stomach clench.

"I'm okay," Carina whispered, leaning her head against Maya’s arm.

"You had an anaphylactic reaction, babe."

“Her vitals look really good, honestly,” a nurse said, noticing Maya hovering anxiously. She checked the monitor again. “Heart rate’s a little high, but that’s just from the epi and the nebuliser. Her blood pressure is stable, oxygen’s fine on the mask. She’s stabilising and doing really well.”

Maya nodded, exhaling shakily. “I know… I just… I was so scared.”

“You’re doing great by being here,” the nurse said softly. “Just keep her calm and comfortable. That helps too.”

A few moments later, Dr. Hunt stepped in, stethoscope draped around his neck.

"Okay, Carina, can I listen to your chest again?"

Carina nodded, sitting up a little, leaning forward when Dr Hunt said. He moved to Carina’s side, placing the cold bell on her chest. He listened carefully, shifting the stethoscope across her chest and back to hear her lungs fully.

“Her breath sounds are much better,” he said after a moment. “I think we can take the nebuliser off and switch her to a nasal cannula for low-flow oxygen.”

The nurse helped with the cannula, and Carina sighed in relief as it replaced the mask. “Much better,” she murmured, leaning back against the pillows.

“Good,” Dr. Hunt continued. “I’m going to give her some antihistamines and a dose of steroids to help with the hives and reduce the risk of another reaction.” He typed on the chart, then looked up. “We’ll continue monitoring her overnight. She’ll be admitted for observation, but she’s stable now. Maya, you can stay with her, that’s fine.”

"I feel really nauseous," Carina mumbled, rubbing her hand on her stomach.

"I'll add a dose of zofran too. We'll keep monitoring you and then move you to an acute ward for the night."

Maya leaned closer, brushing Carina’s hair back from her face. “I’ve got you,” she murmured, squeezing her hand.

Carina’s fingers twitched in response, exhaustion beginning to overtake her. The room felt calmer now, safe, and Maya remained by her side, alert and watchful.

"I'm so itchy."

"The chlorphenamine will help with that," the nurse said, as she pushed the medicine slowly through Carina’s IV.

"When you have hives at home, we usually do a cool wash cloth, would that help?" Maya suggested.

Carina nodded.

"I'll get you a basin and a cloth. I'll also see if Dr Hunt can prescribe a cream too for the hives," the nurse said, as she pushed the hydrocortisone.

"Thank you," Maya said, taking Carina’s other hand so she didn't itch.

Maya kept her eyes trained on Carina, who looked like she was getting a little sleepy, her eyes beginning to droop. When her brow furrowed just a little.

"Andrew, pass that sick bowl over," Maya said, sliding her arm around Carina’s back. "Baby, sit up for me. Come on."

"Don't feel good."

"I know, come on," Maya helped her up, resting one hand on Carina's stomach, as Andrew passed her the basin, thankfully just in time because less than a minute later Carina was lurching forward, muscles in her stomach tensing as she heaved up bile.

“You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

Carina retched lightly again, leaning more over the sick bowl, and Maya stayed perfectly calm, keeping her posture supported. After it passed, Carina sagged against Maya, breath coming a little faster than usual.

"Deep breaths, baby," Maya said, rubbing her back.

"Andrea."

"Yeah," he said, taking her hand.

"You know how you asked if my stomach was hurting," she croaked, leaning back, resting a hand on her stomach.

"Yes," he chuckled.

"Well it's hurting now," Carina said weakly.

Andrew shook his head, smirking, checking the monitor, reaching to increase the flow of oxygen, as her sats dropped a little. "Maybe you've picked up something viral," he joked back, patting her hand.

"You're seriously making a joke right now?" Maya laughed, shaking her head. "Crazy woman," she kissed her temple.

"He thought I had a stomach bug when I threw up the first time." Carina laughed weakly, coughing a little.

"Remind me to never ask you guys to be my doctors," Maya joked too, pulling the cover further up Carina’s body. She reached for the wash cloth that the nurse had just returned with, wiping cool water over her blotchy, hive-dotted face. "You can sleep, we'll wake you if we need to."

"I'm okay," Carina mumbled, though a little sleepily. Maya knew from some of her other minor allergic reactions that the chlorphenamine tended to make her sleepy.

"I know, close your eyes, honey."

As her eyelids drooped, the pace in the room shifted. The alarms softened, the rush of physicians and nurses eased into something quieter and more controlled. Carina’s nausea settled with the medication, her breathing evened out, and the hives began to fade from angry red to a dull pink. Orders were placed, charts updated, and a porter appeared at the foot of the bed.

“Alright, we're here to take Dr DeLuca up to the floor now so we can continue observation."

"She's a little drowsy," Maya said, standing up, squeezing Carina’s shoulder to wake her up, "baby?"

Carina whined, scrunching her face up. "I'm so itchy." Her hands immediately went to her arms, beginning to scratch.

"We'll ask the nurses for something when we get up there, okay," Maya said, pressing a kiss to the top of Carina’s head, as one porter checked her bracelet and the other unlocked the wheels on the bed.

"Where are we going?" Carina asked, rubbing her eyes.

"Floor two, Dr DeLuca, so the nurses can observe you overnight," one of the porters explained.

"Okay," Carina nodded, curling back up.

Maya walked alongside the bed as they moved through the corridors, one hand resting on Carina’s arm, grounding them both.

The room upstairs was quiet, dimmed by half-drawn curtains and the low hum of machines. Carina stirred as they slid her onto the bed, blinking against the light, her body heavy and warm in a way that felt unfamiliar. The IV pump clicked steadily beside her, the only sound that didn’t fade away.

“Maya?” she murmured, fingers already worrying at the sleeve of her gown.

“I’m here,” Maya said immediately, perching on the edge of the bed. She gently caught Carina’s hands before they could scratch. “You’re upstairs now. You’re okay.”

Carina sighed, eyes drifting shut again. “Still itchy.”

“I know,” Maya said softly. “We’ll get you something. And then you’re going to rest.”

"I'll ask the doctor what you can have, Carina," the nurse who had been connecting Carina up to their monitors and IV pumps said.

"Okay, thank you."

"Your heart rate's finally coming down," Andrew pointed out, nodding at the screen where Carina’s heart rate had finally dipped below 100.

"They gave me so much Albuterol." Carina mumbled, shifting a little.

"You okay?" Maya asked, eyes worried.

"Mmm, itchy and bored."

"You were asleep five minutes ago, how can you be bored?" Maya chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Maybe it's the company," Carina smirked.

"Hey you," Maya poked her side, "I ran from work to be here."

"I'm very grateful," Carina grinned, leaning up to kiss her.

Not long later, Carina’s new doctor walked in, introducing herself as the Internal Medicine doctor, Dr Ward, and set about assessing Carina thoroughly. Andrew excused himself to the cafe, telling Maya he'd bring her back a coffee.

"Are you finding the hives are moving?" She asked, as she moved Carina’s gown and looked at the hives on her chest.

"Sì, the hives seem to be migrating."

"That's pretty typical, you've had chlorphenamine which should have helped with the itching but we can look into topical treatments and I can speak to the on-call allergist to see if there's another med we can give you intravenously to help."

She moved on to assess Carina’s breathing next, just as thorough, as she listened to Carina’s front and back, getting her to take deep breaths. Carina coughed lightly every so often.

"So there’s still a faint wheeze at the base of your right lung, but it’s much improved compared to Dr Hunt's notes,” she smiled. “Nothing that concerns me right now. I can order a bedside X-ray if it continues, but I don’t expect it will. I’ll also prescribe PRN albuterol nebulisers, but we can do them on room air since your oxygen levels look good at 98.”

She shifted the bell of the stethoscope to Carina’s heart next, which she reported sounded fine and expected the elevated heart rate to continue settling as the medications wore off.

"Now, can I have a feel of your stomach, ER reported quite a few episodes of vomiting and I want to rule out anything more concerning going on. I find anaphylaxis can mask other symptoms."

Carina nodded, relaxing as the doctor first listened to her stomach, then palpated it.

Carina winced slightly. “That’s tender.”

"What does it feel like?"

"More muscular than anything, I think I've twisted when throwing up at some point. It's kind of right where my oblique is," Carina said, gesturing to the side of her abdomen.

"That happened last time you had a sickness bug too, you remember?" Maya said, from the chair where she'd been sitting whilst her girlfriend was being assessed.

"Okay," Dr Ward nodded, "More like muscle soreness than deep pain that I'd want to ultrasound. If it persists I may send you for a scan before I discharge you to check a box. But I’m not worried about anything surgical. Do you feel up to trying to eat something? Crackers or jello, apple sauce maybe?"

Carina shook her head.

"Nauseous?" The doctor asked, squeezing her shoulder.

"Mmm-hmm. Extremely."

"Okay, we'll keep you topped up on zofran and I'll ask the nurses for some ice chips for you. I'm going to stop your fluids running because your BP is looking nice and stable. But I want to keep your fluid intake up, particularly after vomiting and having an anaphylactic reaction."

Carina nodded, she was pretty sure her belly could manage some ice chips.

“Any other symptoms I haven’t asked about, that are worrying you? Throat tightness? Trouble swallowing? New chest pain?”

“No,” Carina said. “Just itchy. And tired. And I have a bit of a headache.”

Dr. Ward nodded. “All very expected after what you’ve been through. We can give you some paracetamol for the headache.”

"I'm okay at the moment," Carina nodded.

"Okay, just let the nurse know if you need it. Can I feel your neck and check your mouth for any swelling and then I'll be done with you?"

Carina nodded, lifting her head. Dr Ward palpated gently, before moving onto checking Carina’s face and mouth.

"No evidence of oedema. Maya, does Carina sound normal to you?"

"A little hoarse, but normal for her post throwing up and coughing."

"Alright," she stepped back, tapping a few notes into the chart. “Overall, you’re doing well. We’ll continue antihistamines, steroids, and keep you for observation overnight. The biggest reason you’re staying is to make sure there’s no biphasic reaction. I'll leave you both to it. A nurse will be in with those new meds we talked about, and some ice chips. The big thing now is to rest, okay?"

"Sì, thank you."

"No problem," Dr Ward said, leaving them alone. Though Andrew appeared less than thirty seconds later with a cup of coffee for Maya and a bottle of something.

"Are you cleared to drink?" He asked Carina, passing Maya her drink.

"Sì, is that acqua frizzante," Carina asked, with a smile.

"Certo! Just like Mamma would give us when we felt sick."

"Cute," Maya said.

They settled in a little after that, the nurse came back in with Carina’s meds and Carina kept sipping as Maya smoothed the cream over the worst areas of hives on her body.

"Anywhere else itchy?" Maya asked.

Carina shook her head yawning, "thank you bambina."

"No problem."

"Andrea, you can turn around now," Carina called to her brother who had turned his chair whilst Maya applied the cream, back to being awkward about seeing his sister's underwear.

Maya leaned down automatically, pressing a quick kiss to Carina’s forehead... and paused.

“Hey,” she murmured, pulling back slightly. She rested her palm there this time, more deliberate, flipping to the back of her hand. “You feel warm," she said, checking each of her cheeks, "definitely warm."

“Mmm,” Carina hummed, eyes fluttering closed. “I don’t feel great. Not like earlier. Just- cold and gross.”

"Fever?" Andrew asked, standing up.

"Feels like it," Maya said, putting her hand on Carina's forehead again.

"I'll grab the nurse," he said, moving to the doorway.

The nurse came in a moment later. "Your brother said you feel feverish, Carina."

"She's definitely warmer than before," Maya said, leaning down to kiss her forehead again.

"Alright," the nurse grabbed the thermometer and slid it into place. It beeped softly.

"100.4, definitely a low grade fever there."

Maya nodded immediately. “She always spikes after her flu shot,” she said without hesitation. “Last year it hit 102 and sat there for hours.”

Carina cracked one eye open. “You remember everything.”

"I remember you really not feeling well," Maya said, her lips pressed together in a frown. "Can she have something for it?"

"Yes, Dr Ward prescribed paracetamol. Do you want to try orally, Carina?"

"Still feel nauseous, actually the nausea is worse than earlier."

"That'll be your fever, honey," Maya said softly, adding to the nurse, "as soon as she gets a fever, the nausea kicks in."

"Okay, I'll get that running through for you."

Carina nodded, curling up.

"You poor thing," Maya said, rubbing her back as she fixed her gown so she didn't expose herself.

"At least we know the flu shot is working," Carina mumbled, taking Maya’s hand and curling around it.

Maya chuckled and squeezed her hand, "I can't imagine having mini flu symptoms and post anaphylaxis symptoms is pleasant."

"Mmmm, but better than having the flu I think."

"You're crazy," Maya whispered, kissing her temple, "try and fall asleep, okay?"

"Okay."

Carina’s eyes fluttered closed again, her hand still curled around Maya’s. The warmth from the fever made her cheeks glow, and her breathing evened out with the steady rhythm of the monitor. Maya stayed close, brushing hair from her face and resting a hand lightly on her shoulder, alert to every small movement.

"Hey Maya?" Andrew whispered.

"Yeah," Maya said just as quietly.

"You want me to grab anything from your house? Since she's definitely staying in overnight."

"Yes, that would be so helpful, hang on." She slid her hand out from Carina’s and followed him outside her room.

"Okay, you have a key right?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, could you grab both of our phone chargers, they're plugged in on each side of the bed. And then just comfy clothes. They'll be in the third drawer down in the dresser. Anything will do. Oh and our toothbrushes. And can you stop by Carina’s office and get her bag at some point too, her epi's in there and we won't be allowed to leave without it."

"Phone chargers, clothes in the third drawer down, toothbrushes and Carina’s bag."

"Yeah, just text me if you need anything."

"Of course."

"Thanks Andrew. See you later."

"No problem," he said, already heading for the elevator.

Maya turned, heading back into the room, and her heart immediately lurched. Carina’s shoulders were shaking, body curled up under the blanket, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Carina?” Maya whispered, rushing to the bedside. “Baby, hey, it’s okay. Sorry I was just talking to Andrew. I thought you were asleep. I'm sorry. I'm here."

"It's-" she coughed, "it's not that."

"Okay, it's okay, what is it? What's wrong? Your head or you feel sick or?"

"N-no." Through hiccupping sobs, Carina shook her head, voice trembling. “I… I’m so sorry… I just… I thought… I was going to die… it was so scary…”

Maya knelt beside her, gently brushing hair from her damp cheeks. “Shh… shh, it’s okay, you’re okay now. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

Carina’s fingers clawed weakly at the blanket. “I… I didn’t think I’d… make it… I was so... so scared.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Maya murmured, sliding carefully into the bed next to her. She wrapped her arms around Carina, pressing her close. She turned, so she could see Carina’s monitor, keeping one hand free so she could count her breathing rate. “I’m right here. I've got you. Take a deep breath for me, I don’t want you to exacerbate anything."

Carina’s sobs gradually softened into quiet sniffles, small shudders racking her body. She buried her face against Maya’s shoulder, clinging to her like an anchor.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Carina whispered between shaky breaths. "I- Andrea but- you."

"I know. I could see you were being strong for him. The best big sister ever," Maya said, kissing her crown.

"S-stay."

“I’ll stay as long as you need me, honey,” Maya murmured, stroking her back gently, keeping her voice calm and steady. Carina coughed a little. “Just breathe with me, okay? In and out… in and out.”

Carina nodded weakly against her, letting herself be held, the fear slowly melting into exhaustion. Her tears dampened Maya’s shirt, but Maya didn’t care; she just kept her grounded, alert to every small movement, every tiny breath.

After a few minutes, Carina finally loosened her grip slightly, closing her eyes. “I… I’m still scared,” she admitted softly.

“I know,” Maya said, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. “And that’s okay. You’re allowed to be scared. But you’re safe now. You’re going to rest, and I’ll be right here the whole time.”

"My breathing."

"I pressed the call bell for a neb, you just try and rest okay."

Carina nodded, her eyes slipping closed as she curled into Maya, barely stirring when someone listened to her chest and slid a mask onto her face, content as long as she had Maya to keep her safe, and protect her from the fear bubbling in her chest.

She was okay.

She'd be okay.

Maya was right there to make sure of it.