Mark opened his front door one handed, because he was in the middle of setting up a hospital appointment. He had thought about it long and hard on his drive back from the store and had finally made up his mind. He'd set up the appointment and see if his doctor could give Jack a quick check-up. He'd cancel it later if Jack got better, but he felt better knowing that he had a plan in case things didn't. Chica shoved her way into the door, nearly tripping Mark as he told the stupid automated machine. "APPOINTMENT! You shitty piece of - CHICA"! The machine choppily responded in his ear as he stumbled into the house. "Setting an appointment for 'CHICA'! Is that correct"? Mark rolled his eyes, grumbling out under his breath. "No... Jesus Christ". 

The machine suddenly asked him. "Setting an appointment for 'Jesus Christ'. Is this correct"? Mark pulled the phone away from his ear and tried hard not to crush the damn thing in his hand. THAT it heard! After five minutes of yelling at this thing to understand a single word... It heard him mutter THAT! Taking a deep calming breath, Mark put the phone back to his ear and tried again. When the stress of that was over, Mark tossed his phone on the couch as he passed by. He carried the plastic bag with the meds to the guest bedroom, trying to tread softly just in case Jack was sleeping. Pushing the door open a bit, Mark's shoulders dropped. Jack wasn't in bed. Cautiously entering the room, Mark glanced at the bathroom. The door was shut. His heart started to race in his chest. Was Jack ok?

Raising his hand, Mark knocked his knuckles against the door, saying aloud. "Jack? I'm home. How you feeling, buddy"? Mark waited for an answer and when none came, he shifted uneasily. He wasn't sure he should open the door, but he was really worried. What if Jack had taken a bath and had fallen asleep in it? He could drown. Tossing indecision to the wind, Mark opened the door wide. Jack could yell at him later. He just wanted to know he was ok. The second the door swung wide, Mark dropped the bag of meds and rushed to Jack. Jack was laying across the floor and his heart leapt from his body. Kneeling down, Mark quickly pressed his fingers to Jack's neck. He pressed a bit harder than he should have, but he couldn't really tell if he was feeling his own heart beating or Jack's.

Jack let out a groan, reaching up to grab Mark's wrist, before mumbling out. "Jesus... Mark, that hurts. What are you doing"? Mark let out the breath he had been holding in relief. Taking his hand away from Jack's neck, Mark leaned over him to press his forehead to Jack's shoulder. Jack shifted a bit, asking curiously. "Mark? Your scaring me". Mark lifted his head to glare at Jack through his long bangs as he growled out. "Oh? You were scared? I just... I thought...What are you doing on the floor"?! Jack's eyes started to close again, when he sleepily answered. "I just got so light-headed... I just needed rest. I'm ok here". Mark shook his head, grumbling out. "I'm taking you to a doctor tomorrow. This is not ok. Can you get up"? Jack nodded, but didn't move.

Was he falling back to sleep already? Mark scooped Jack up into his arms, standing back up, when Jack's hand grabbed his shirt in a sudden death grip as he whined out. "Don't go so fast! I can't...". Without another word, Jack fell limp in his arms and Mark carefully walked him over to the bed. Laying him across the bed, Mark placed the back of his hand against Jack's forehead. His skin felt warmer than it should have been. Especially, for someone who had been sleeping on a cold bathroom floor. Mark bit his lip, sighing with worry. Chica trotted into the room with her toy duck and Mark pointed for her to leave. When she didn't, he reluctantly started to walk her out on his way to fetch some ice. He didn't know if it would help, but it would make him feel like he was trying everything he could.

On his way back into the room, Mark slowed to a stop. Glaring at Chica with a sour look. Chica had jumped up onto the bed and had snuggled herself up with Jack. As he moved closer, Chica rested her head on Jack's hip letting out a small whine. Mark started to reach for her collar, but Jack's sleepy hand beat him to Chica. Jack sleepily pet Chica's head soothingly, before his hand stopped. Chica didn't even seem to care that Jack's hand started to slide off her head and onto her ear, pinning her to stay there. Mark thought about still removing her.  Jack didn't need the added body heat... or did he? Mark had heard that sometimes a person could sweat out their sickness, depending on what it was. Did Chica know? Dogs had better instincts about these kinds of things.

Reaching out, Mark rubbed Chica's head. He'd let her stay. Jack didn't seem to mind her. Maybe it even comforted him a bit. She had a way of doing that. Setting the ice pack on the bedside table, Mark brushed Jack's bangs from his eyes, leaning in to give Jack a brief kiss to his forehead. He didn't care if he caught whatever Jack was sick with. He wanted Jack to know he was here for him. Jack smirked in his sleep and Mark reluctantly retreated from the room. As much as he'd love to snuggle with Jack too... The bed wasn't that big and Chica had beat him to it. So, instead he went to the living room to watch TV on low volume. Part of him wanted to rush Jack to the hospital now... but he told himself to wait. Jack had finally started sleeping. He wasn't in pain right now. He'd let him rest a bit and if he was still dizzy or sick tomorrow, then he'd rush him in.

Mark didn't even know he had fallen asleep on the couch, until he awoke to something heavy jumping on top of him. Mark groaned in pain, his eyes opening to see Chica's wet nose. She licked him repeatedly and let out small whines, before launching off him back to the floor. Mark stiffly sat up, mumbling out still half-asleep. "Alright. Alright. I'll let you out. Just let me wake up a bit". Chica ran up to him, letting out a rumbling growl. Mark's eyes rose up to lock with hers in startled concern. Chica never growled at him. The moment their eyes locked, her ears fell against her head and she started to bark. Mark raised a hand, snapping back. "Chica! Hush! Jack is-". He wanted to say sleeping... but wasn't Chica with Jack?

Practically racing off the couch, Mark made a mad dash for the bedroom with Chica right at his heels. Jack was sitting up on the bed looking terrified at his shaking hands. Hands that were dripping with blood. Mark jumped over Chica as she moved into his way, rushing toward the bed to take hold of Jack's wrists, asking horrified. "Jack?! What happened"?! Jack slowly pried his eyes away from his hands, his voice breaking as he answered. "I started coughing... and this came up". Mark felt his instincts take over as he quickly scooped Jack off the bed and headed for the door. This was all the proof he needed. Jack had to go to the hospital NOW! To Be Continued...