Work Text:
Frank Langdon once got the worst cold of his life when he first started working at the ER. It built his immune system to be strong and resilient, and he never got sick ever since. Even when Tanner caught the stomach bug last week, giving it to Penny, he somehow came out unscathed.
Until the day after he dropped them off with Abby, when he woke up with an awful, stabbing pain in his stomach. He thought for sure he was in the clear, he made sure the kids were healthy before sending them to Abby. He felt weak, turning over taking more effort then when his back pain was at its worst. Beads of sweat sat on his forehead as he prayed to not get sick.
He wasn't good at praying.
Mel just got off of a night shift. She didn't mind working them, even though she misses working with Langdon. When he didn't come in to relive her though, she got worried. He didn't text or call, and her mind started racing to the absolute worst things imaginable. It was only a minute, but she already imagined him having a heart attack, getting into a car crash, falling and hitting his head, the list went on. When Dana told her that he was in fact alive, but very sick, she nearly melted with relief.
"Bad case of the stomach bug," Dana confirmed, "He said he'd try to come in but that was shut down immediately."
Mel knew this was unlike him, so he must be feeking really terrible. She's seen him come in sick before, he just threw on a mask and worked as hard as he always did. If Dana was telling him to stay home, then it has to be bad.
"Please make sure that man gets better," Ellis parked the car in front of Langdon's apartment, "I like getting to work chaos free and he makes that happen."
Mel giggled, "I'll work my magic. Thanks for the ride."
Ellis gave her a tired salute as Mel made her way into Langdon's apartment. It was cold and quiet, so Mel quietly made her way to his room. He was passed out, shirtless, trash can sitting by the bed. He didn't look relaxed, distress plastered on his face. Mel gently traced her nails along his back, listening to his snores.
Mel quietly walked out after confirming he was still alive to make him something to eat. She was sure that he didn't feel like eating, but she wanted him to have something. She found some chicken soup and decided to heat that up so he could at least have the broth to sip on.
She didn't want to wake him up, especially if he didn't want to eat. So she let him rest, got him some water, and helped clean up his apartment. He had the kids, so the place had definitely seen better days. She was sure a cleaner apartment would help make him feel better. At least he wouldn't have to dread taking care of it.
A couple hours later, Mel heard Frank shuffling to the bathroom before quickly shutting the door. She got up to distract herself with getting something to eat for him if he was in the mood. When the bathroom door opened up, Mel appeared in the hallway.
"Hi baby," Mel spoke gently so she wouldn't spook him.
Langdon looked awful. His hair looked like he got electrocuted and his usually bright blue eyes were bloodshot and dark with exhaustion. The hair on his body stuck to him from sweat and his sweatpants were sagging low on his waist.
"Melly," Langdon was so exhausted, part of him thought he was hallucinating Mel, "What are you doing here?"
"Dana said you were sick," Mel walked over to fix his hair, "You feeling like eating something? I heated up some soup."
Langdon leaned into her hand, almost falling against her completely, "I guess."
Mel helped him stand back up, gentle, cold hands resting on his waist, "Go sit, I'll get your water."
Langon felt bad and shuffled over to the kitchen table. Mel, who takes care of everyone, who just got off of a twelve plus hour night shift, who should be in bed right now, is now taking care of him. He felt pathetic. He knew how to take care of himself, he just needed to rest.
"Here you go," Mel set the bottle down gently, "Do you have any extra electrolytes? You're expelling a lot of energy and natural electrolytes so it'll help keep you hydrated."
"In the pantry," Langdon rested his head in her hand, "But baby, you should go home and rest."
Mel dished out some broth and shrugged, "You know I can't fall asleep right away after a night shift," she set the bowl and a spoon down in front of him, "Do you think you can stomach some crackers?"
Langdon shook his head, "Not right now, maybe later."
Mel gently rubbed his head before sitting down, scrolling through her phone. Santos took over her last patient, so she was checking if she had any questions, but mostly got complains about the new students that came in. She didn't want to sound mean, but she was grateful that she didn't have to deal with them today. She didn't realize that she yawned until Langdon spoke up.
"I saw that," he said, taking another small sip of his soup, "Go to sleep Mel, I'm fine."
"I'll lay down when you go back to bed," Mel peeked up from her phone, "Drink your water."
Langdon grumbles something under his breath but did what she said. He still felt horrible, but he was glad that he was able to get something in him. Hopefully it stays down. He watched Mel yawn again, unraveling her braid. He'll always be dumbfounded over just how beautiful his girlfriend is. He wasn't a fan of her taking care of him, he was supposed to take care of her, but she clearly didn’t seem to have an issue.
"All done," Mel reached for his bowl.
Langdon nodded. Mel took care of cleaning up everything as he watched. He thought about things he could do to pay her back for this, but he knew she'd laugh at him if he even suggested that. Mel walked back over just in time for her phone to start ringing. He gazed over at the screen and flinched.
Why is Abby calling her?
He almost reached for her phone but Mel beat him to it.
"Hi Abby," Mel rubbed Langdon's shoulder, "Yeah, sorry Frank has his phone plugged in, he caught whatever Tanner and Penny had...yeah he even skipped work today. We'll see if he's feeling better for tomorrow but I'm hoping he'll just rest."
Langdon stated up at Mel confused. Why is his ex wife calling her? When did they even exchange numbers? Honestly, he thought that they hated each other for a while, and he did his best to keep them separated, but now here Mel was, laughing at a joke that Abby made. This was was her real laugh, not the pathetically fake one that she puts on in front of patients.
"Let me check," Mel walked to the front door, "Yeah, his lunch box is hanging up...okay, I'll get it to you tomorrow. I'm off so I'll be here with Frank," another laugh, "Yeah thanks. He's not a bad patient...okay, see you soon."
Mel hung up and walked back over to Langdon like that didn't just happen. He swore that this time he was definitely hallucinating.
"Tanner left his lunch box here," Mel said, "Abby is coming tomorrow to get it."
"When did you...," Langdon hesitated, "Why does she have your number?"
"Encase she can't reach you," Mel said, "We don't talk like that, but it's nice to have each other's information just encase."
"Oh," Langdon said, "And she doesn't...say anything to you? Anything bad?"
Mel shook her head, "No, of course not. It was awkward at first, but we make it work. Besides, she can tell I'm not going anywhere, at some point I'll be meeting the kids, so it makes sense."
Langdon nodded, "I guess that makes sense. I'm glad she's being good to you."
Mel smiled, "I don't see why she wouldn't be. She's still protective of you, but she can see that I love you, so we're okay."
Mel didn't even realize what she said.
"You love me," Langdon stared.
Shit. Mel felt panic begin to consume her. She wasn't lying, she loved him, but she didn't have an exact plan on how to tell him yet. But she did, she loved him for exactly who he was to an extent that scared her a bit. He never did anything to hurt her though, and took care of her in ways she was unfamiliar with.
"Well, yeah I do," Mel said, "I love you Frank."
Langdon didn't know where the sudden energy from, but he got up and immediately grasped his hands around hers waist and kissed her. Mel gave a little squeak before returning the kiss, nkt caring that she is going to be next one to get sick. At least he'll get to take care of her next.
"I love you Melissa King," Langdon kissed her again.
Mel wrapped her arms tighter around him, and she followed Langdon to his room and finally did what he said and fell asleep next to him.